Mujadara

This recipe was awesome!  All 5 of us loved it (and that is saying quite a bit that picky Ezra even liked it)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aarti-sequeira/lebanese-lentils-rice-and-caramelized-onions-mujadara-recipe/index.html

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown or green lentils (not lentils du Puy), sorted for debris and rinsed
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns
• 3 medium red onions, thinly sliced
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 cup basmati rice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 (1-inch) cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, optional
• Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
• Greek yogurt, for serving, optional

Directions

Throw the lentils into a medium saucepan. Fill with enough cold water to cover the lentils by about an inch. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn down to a simmer and cook until the lentils are tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, as the lentils cook, grab a large skillet. Pop it over medium-high heat and add the oil. Allow the oil to warm for a minute, then drop in the cumin seeds and cracked peppercorns and cook, shaking the pan once in a while until the cumin seeds darken a touch, about 1 minute.
Add the onions, sprinkle with a dash of salt and cook until they turn dark caramel brown, stirring often. This will take about 15 minutes. Splash the onions with a little water if they stick to the bottom of the pan. You'll know they're done both by their deep chestnut color and by the slight crispiness developing on some of the onions.
Using a slotted spoon or spatula, remove about half of the onions to a paper towel-lined plate; these are for garnish later. Sprinkle in the ground cumin, cayenne and then add the cinnamon stick; saute about 1 minute.
Add the rice and cook, stirring often (but gently so you don't break the rice!) until some rice grains start to brown. Quickly, add the cooked lentils, 3 cups of water and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt; bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low so that the pan is at a simmer, cover and cook 30 minutes. The water should be completely evaporated and rice should be tender. (If there's still too much water in the bottom, put the lid back on and cook for another 5 minutes.)
Turn off the heat, keep the lid on, and allow the rice to steam undisturbed for about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts, if using, in a small skillet over medium-low heat, shaking often, about 5 minutes.
Taste the rice for seasoning. Serve with the reserved caramelized onions, toasted pine nuts, if using, and a little squeeze of lemon juice. I also like to serve this with some dollops of Greek yogurt.

Homemade Vegan Indian Cuisine

Chana Masala and Aloo Gobi.  Will be back with more info

Chana Masala (very good) http://vegetarian.about.com/od/maindishentreerecipes/r/ChanaMasala.htm

• 1 can chickpeas in water (also called garbanzo beans) or 1 1/2 cups precooked + 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, diced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• juice from one lemon (approx 2 tbsp)
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• 1 large bunch of spinach or two handfuls, rinsed

Preparation:

In a large skillet or frying pan, sautee onions and garlic in olive oil until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add chickpeas straight from the can, including all the water. Add spices and lemon juice, cover, and simmer about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding more water if needed, until chickpeas are cooked and soft.
Reduce heat, add spinach and cover. Allow spinach to wilt for 2-4 minutes. Serve immediately and enjoy your chana masala!


Aloo Gobi http://veganrd.blogspot.com/2012/03/authentic-aloo-gobi.html

• 1 medium head cauliflower, leaves removed and cut into bite-sized florets
• 3 medium potatoes (red skinned really nice), peeled and cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tbsp canola oil
• 2 tsp whole cumin seeds
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 small bunch fresh cilantro, stems removed (about 1 cup chopped leaves, packed)
• 1 Tbsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 14.5-oz can organic diced tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger
• 1/4 cup or so of water
• 2 tsp garam masala

Cut up the cauliflower and potatoes. You can do this in advance, keeping the cauliflower covered and the potatoes in cold water. It might be wise to de-leaf, wash, and chop the cilantro well in advance too, since this is really a time suck. (Doing fresh herbs in advance helps me greatly with time management!)

Heat canola oil and cumin seeds in a very large saucepan.

When the seeds start to sizzle, add the onion and saute for about 7-8 minutes over medium heat. You want to cook the onions to transluscent, not brown them.

Add cilantro, turmeric, and salt. Stir until well-combined.

Add tomatoes, juice and all, and the garlic and ginger. Stir well until heated through.

Add potatoes and cauliflower to the sauce plus water. Toss gently so that the veggies are coated with the sauce.

Cover pan and simmer for about 20 minutes. Test veggies to be sure they're tender.

Add the garam masala, stir again, and serve. I find that this tastes best if you let it sit in the pan (off the heat) for about 15 minutes, served warm rather than hot.

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad-- YUMMY!

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.
2. Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes,
3. Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro
4. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-and-black-beans/detail.aspx

Vegan Chocolate Frosting

This is the best vegan chocolate frosting I've ever made.  I adapted a regular frosting recipe:

1/4 c. butter either vegan butter or some combo of palm oil/coconut oil
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. RICE milk
1/2 c. VEGAN chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla

Bring butter, milk and sugar to a boil, add chocolate chips and vanilla. Beat until cool. Will frost a 9 x 13 cake.

Quinoa Salad

My 'go-to' Quinoa recipe:

Quinoa (prepared as instructed, I usually use veggie broth)
Almond slices
Raisins (plumped in microwave by heating in water for a few minutes)
Mushrooms (sliced and sauteed in oil)
Balsamic vinegar
Garlic salt
Sliced Avocado

The exact amounts change with each time I make it so I don't have measurements.  This is best if given a little time to sit and cool

Nicole's Amazing Zucchini Bread

This was just about the yummiest thing I've had in a while.  I wonder if it'd work with a flax egg?

The zucchini bread recipe:
In a bowl, sift 3 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 3 teaspoons cinnamon

In a big bowl, add 3 eggs, 2 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup oil (I used canola), 3 teaspoons vanilla extract. Beat well. Slowly add mixture above until well blended

Stir in 2 cups of grated zucchini and 1 cup of walnuts (I substituted almond slivers... the walnuts are better)

Grease pan and add flour to Pan to prevent sticking.  Bake at 325. I set timer for 45 minutes. Then do the toothpick test. If it's not clean I bake it longer at 5 minute increments.

My favorite Black Bean Corn Salad

From wholefoods.com...

Sweet Corn and Black Bean Salad

|

Serves 6

Simple to prepare, colorful and flavorful, this salad combines fresh sweet corn, tender black beans, crisp red peppers and zesty cilantro in a simple rice vinegar dressing.

Ingredients

2 cups fresh or frozen and thawed corn kernels
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cups no-salt-added cooked black beans, rinsed and drained
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
1/3 cup cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Method

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add corn and cook for 1 minute, then drain well, rinse in cold water and drain again. (If using frozen corn, skip this step.) Meanwhile, rinse onions in cold water to remove some of their sharp, acidic flavor; drain well and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper to make a dressing. Add beans, corn, onion and bell pepper and toss until just incorporated. Cover and chill for about 2 hours. Add cilantro and toss again before serving.

Banana Oat Bars

Here they are, Sharon.  Banana Oat Bars... I change how I make them every time but here are the basics:

2 mashed bananas
2 cups quick oats (I have used slightly ground up old fashioned but quick work better)
1/2 cup shredded coconut (omitted the last time, I didn't have it)
1/2 cup dried fruit (dates, raisins, chopped apricots, cranberries, or whatever is on hand)
1/4 cup nuts & seeds (the original recipe calls for walnuts but I don't do walnuts so my mix has some of the following: sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, almond slices)
1/4 cup applesauce
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS:
honey (maybe a Tbsp or slightly more?)
Cinnamon (maybe a 1/2 tsp?)
Nutmeg (1/4 tsp?)
Vanilla (splash)
Almond Butter (1/4 cup?)
Cocoa Powder


Mix all, put in 8x8 pan.  350 oven for 30 minutes (it will turn brown on edges).  Let cool in pan.  Cut and eat.

If you're wondering about the exact ones I made today, Sharon and Ted, I omitted the coconut and Cocoa Powder and used quick oats.

Rajma (Red Kidney Beans)

yummy!
http://vegweb.com/recipes/rajma-red-kidney-beans

2 cup Red kidney beans
3 qt Water
1 teaspoon Turmeric
1 tablespoon Salt

1/4 cup Oil
garlic
1 cup Onion, Chopped
1 piece ginger, chopped
1 teaspoon Garam Masala
3 Chopped tomatoes
Coriander leaves for garnish

Red lentil & letter soup

This made up soup was actually pretty good so I'm going to write it down:

3 yellow squash
1 onion
4 baby bok choy (chopped save leaves to put in later)
3 roma tomatoes
8 cups veggie broth (homemade)
1 t cumin
1/2 t tumeric
1/2 t corriander
1/2 t paprika
1/2 cup mini pasta letters
1/2 cup red lentils
2 cups? red kidney beans

sautee veggies, add tomatoes, broth and spices.  Bring to a boil, add pasta, add lentils.  Turn to simmer.  Add kidney beans and keep on simmer or low until served.

Swiss Chard with a little extra grit

I made this dish tonight to use the swiss chard I bought at the market.  It was a lovely dish that required a lot of work (more than anticipated) but it was totally ruined in the end.  Apparently one can not treat swiss chard like lettuce.  A salad spinner did not get all the dirt off of it and it was incredibly gritty.  Unfortunately, I didn't notice until the whole thing was together.  Bummer.  But Ezra (16mo) ate it up and Mark and I suffered through the grit and I might make it again sometime.

French lentil and Swiss Chard Risotto
http://www.marthastewart.com/355364/french-lentil-and-swiss-chard-risotto?czone=food/produce-guide-cnt/produce-guide-fall&center=276955&gallery=274967&slide=259421

My modifications:

• 1 bay leaf
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 2 teaspoons leaves
• 1/3 cup French green lentils, picked over
• 1 large bunch Swiss chard (about 1 1/4 pounds)
• 2 large leeks (about 3/4 pound), white and light-green parts only 2 green onions
  
• 4 cups Homemade Chicken Stock, homemade veggie stock
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• 2 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 1/4 cups Arborio rice
• 1/2 cup dry white wine red wine
  
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese omitted
  
• 1/3 cup finely shredded radicchio, for garnish omitted
  

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine 6 cups water, bay leaf, and thyme sprigs, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add lentils, reduce heat to low, and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain lentils, discard bay leaf and thyme sprigs, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, wash Swiss chard, and remove the leaves from the stalks. Slice the leaves into very thin 2-inch strips, and cut the smaller stems into 1/4-inch dice. Discard the larger stems. Cook Swiss chard in a wok or a large skillet over high heat, tossing constantly, until just wilted, about 3 minutes. Set aside in a colander.
3. Cut leeks in half lengthwise, and slice into very thin semicircles. Place in a large bowl of cold water, and let sit for about 5 to 10 minutes to rid them of dirt and sand. Lift out of the water, and drain in a colander. Set aside.
4. In a medium saucepan, bring stock to a boil, reduce heat to low, and keep at a bare simmer.
5. Heat olive oil in a heavy 4-quart saucepan over medium heat; add leeks, onions, and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, until soft but not browned, about 6 minutes. Add rice and thyme leaves, and continue stirring until the edges of the rice are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring constantly, until nearly all the wine is absorbed, about 30 seconds.
6. Raise the heat to medium high, add salt and pepper and about 1/2 cup of the simmering stock, and cook, stirring constantly, until nearly all the stock is absorbed. Continue adding stock, about 1/2 cup at a time. Cook, stirring constantly, allowing each addition to be nearly absorbed before adding the next, until rice is creamy but still a little firm in the center, about 15 to 20 minutes.
7. Remove the pan from the heat, and stir in lentils, Swiss chard, and Parmesan. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. Divide the risotto among six plates, and garnish with the shredded radicchio. Serve immediately.

Rainbow bread

Pinterest has been quite an inspiration to me recently. A couple days ago I came across an idea for making rainbow bread and I just had to try it. So I used the recipe I had (http://doodlebugdeb.blogspot.com/2011/06/homemade-bread.html) and split it into six balls to color with food coloring.
Then we stacked them to let them rise in rainbow order:
It was hard to get the colors in but IT WORKED!!
So much fun.
And now the bread it out for the leprechauns to come tonight. The kids will wake tomorrow morning to find all of their green toys out and this note:

Hi Navin kids, thanks for the bread

no gifts this time, just tricks instead

I played with toys the color green

but I'll make sure I am not seen

I’ll come again when you’re in bed