Stuffed Bell Peppers

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 2 green bell peppers
  • 1 cup Jasmin rice
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 5 fresh oregano leaves
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 whole baby bella mushrooms (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 1 tablespoon butter (for sautéing the onions and mushrooms)
  • 1/2 cup vegan ricotta (see my recipe https://wp.me/pcOthW-6B)
  • Shredded cheese
  • Dried parsley

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Add olive oil, water, turmeric, nutritional yeast, salt, rice and oregano leaves to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  • Once it starts to boil, stir and bring the heat down to low and cover the pan.
  • Cook for 20 minutes and set aside.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • While the rice is cooking, sauté the onions and mushrooms on butter and salt and set aside.
  • Cut peppers in half and remove the cores.
  • Lightly oil a 9 x 13 baking dish or cookie sheet.
  • Lay the peppers on the baking dish and drizzle with oil and sprinkle some salt.
  • Stuff peppers with vegan ricotta, sautéd onions and mushrooms, rice, cheese and garnish with dried parsley.
  • Bake for 35-40 minutes.
  • Serve with salad.
Fresh oregano for the rice
Turmeric and oregano Jasmin rice
Cut out the core
Add the vegan ricotta
Add shredded cheese, dried parsley and bake

Enjoy!

PRODUCTS I RECOMMEND:

Nutritional Yeast https://amzn.to/37UofJM

 

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Sourdough Stuffed Bell Peppers

INGREDIENTS

   To make the veggie meat layer:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or any oil you prefer)
  • 1 1/2 cups Gardein Beefless Ground
  • 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup water
  • 6 whole white mushrooms (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup red onion (chopped)
  • 1 carrot (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons Sofrito

To roast the bell peppers:

  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 2 green bell peppers
  • Spray olive oil
  • Salt

To make the sourdough mixture:

  • 3/4 cup fed sourdough starter (has been fed within the last 4-12 hours)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter (cooled, because we don’t want to scramble the egg)
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil

INSTRUCTIONS

  • To cook the veggie meat; add all ingredients to a medium sized skillet and cook on medium-high heat for 12-15 minutes or until the veggies are tender. Set aside.
  • To roast the peppers; preheat the oven to 400° F.  Cut and remove the inside of the peppers.  Spray a 9×13 baking dish with oil and place the peppers in it, cut side down. Spray the peppers with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Take out of the oven and turn them cut side up.
  • To make the sourdough mixture; add all the ingredients to a medium size bowl and combine with a spatula.
  • To stuff the peppers; add a layer of meat, and a layer of the sourdough mixture.
  • Bake at 375° F for 25 minutes.
  • Serve with salad or rice.

This dish can be made regular or gluten free.  It all depends on which sourdough starter you have or make. ↓

Recipe for Gluten Free Sourdough Starter- https://wp.me/pcOthW-fU

Recipe for Regular Sourdough Starter- https://wp.me/pcOthW-a

Sourdough mixture
Bake for 25 minutes

Enjoy!

 

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Teriyaki Grilled Tofu With Vegetables and Rice

INGREDIENTS

  • 16 oz extra firm tofu block
  • 2 tablespoons oil and more for sautéing
  • 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/3 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/3 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
  • 1 head fresh broccoli
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup Teriyaki Sauce
  • 1 green onion to garnish (finely chopped)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the griddle.
  • Take the tofu out of the package and cut it into small blocks.
  • In a medium bowl add 2 tablespoons of oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Add the tofu to the bowl and gently combine so the blocks don’t break apart.
  • Place the blocks in the griddle and cook until golden.
  • In the meantime, add 2 tablespoons of oil to a wok or large skillet.
  • Add all the vegetables and sauté them on medium heat.
  • Add a small amount of salt and pepper to the vegetables to ensure that each component will be properly seasoned.
  • Add the cooked tofu blocks to the wok.
  • Pour in the Teriyaki sauce and combine.
  • Serve with white rice.
  • Garnish with chopped green onions.
NOTES:
You can use any vegetables that you already have in your fridge/freezer.  This is a very forgiving meal, where you can add different kinds of vegetables and adjust the seasonings to the amounts you use.  You can also add sesame seeds.
Cut the tofu into blocks
Sauté the vegetables in a wok or large skillet
Tofu cooked in the griddle
What a lovely sight *wink wink*
Added the Teriyaki sauce https://amzn.to/3dcEZPG
Serve with Jasmin rice or any rice you prefer. You can substitute the rice for noodles or quinoa.

Enjoy!

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Sweet Potato Gnocchi With Brown Butter, Toasted Garlic and Sage

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 cups cooked Purple Sweet Potato (you can use other kinds of potatoes if you prefer)
  • 1/4 cup vegan ricotta
  • 1 egg (slightly beaten)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons vegan parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • A pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 – 2 cups all-purpose flour

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 400° F.
  • Stab the potatoes and place on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for 1 1/2 hours or until cooked through.
  • Remove from the oven and let them cool for about 20 minutes.
  • Scoop out the insides of the potatoes and place on a large size bowl.
  • Blend the potatoes with an immersion blender.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients (except the flour) and combine well.
  • Start to add the flour in 1/2 cups and combine, continue until the dough is no longer sticky and you can form a soft round dough.
  • Using a knife or dough scraper, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces.
  • Add a small amount of flour to the counter or cutting table.
  • Roll out each piece of dough (one at a time) and cut into 1 inch pieces.
  • Using a gnocchi board (or fork) roll out each piece and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Add 5-7 pieces at a time to the boiling water using a slotted spoon.
  • Cook for 2 minutes or until the gnocchi rises to the top.
  • Remove from the pan and transfer to a plate while the Brown Butter Sauce is being cooked.

Brown Butter, Toasted Garlic and Sage Sauce

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 stick butter (I prefer plant based)
  • 5 cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
  • 1 tablespoon juice of a lemon
  • Parmesan (for sprinkling)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Add the butter to a large skillet (on medium heat) and melt it until it foams.
  • Add the sage and garlic and cook until the garlic is toasted, stir occasionally so the garlic doesn’t burn.
  • Remove from the heat.
  • Stir in the lemon juice.
  • Add the gnocchi and toss to coat the pieces.
  • Add salt and pepper.
  • Serve with Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
  • Garnish with some sage leaves.
*This recipe has been adapted from a recipe provided by the Institute of Culinary Education.

I chose purple sweet potato because it has antioxidants and reduces inflammation.  But the main character in the sauce is the toasted garlic. It is such a statement and so delicious!

This recipe makes approximately 130 gnocchi pieces, 4 servings.

If you don’t have an immersion blender you can simply mash the potatoes with a fork.  But having an immersion blender makes it so much easier and faster. I use my immersion blender every week.  It is so easy to clean, and you can use it for so many meals.

Purple Sweet Potato
Vegan ricotta, Parmesan, egg, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Once all the ingredients are combined, add the flour and form a dough.
Divide the dough into 8 equal parts.  Roll each piece (one at a time) and cut into 1 inch pieces (see below).

Roll each piece using a gnocchi board or a fork. The gnocchi ridges are for esthetics and also to hold the sauce better.

Enjoy!

 

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The Best Vegan Creamed Spinach

If you happen to have a lot of fresh spinach sitting in your fridge and you know it will go bad in the next few days, this is the recipe for it.  Because that is exactly what happened to me.  And I am glad that spinach was there.  There is so much flavor in this creamy spinach that you will not regret it.  It is great for the little ones as well, as they pretty much love creamy foods and will disregard the green part in it. (wink-wink)

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 1/4 cup red onion (chopped)
  • 3 garlic cloves (grated)
  • 3 tablespoons all purpose flour (could be gluten free as well)
  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 1/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 3 cups fresh spinach (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk (canned)
  • 2 tablespoons cashew cream (see recipe here)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • In a Dutch oven, (or a small-medium sized pan) heat butter over medium-high.
  • Add onions, garlic and sauté.
  • Stir in the flour and seasonings.
  • Pour in the vegetable broth and stir.
  • Add the spinach.
  • Stir in the coconut milk and cashew cream.
  • Add more salt if needed.
  • Let it simmer on medium-low heat for about 10-15 minutes or until the spinach is wilted.
NOTES:
If you prefer not to have the coconut milk, you can add more cashew cream instead.
Sauté the onion and garlic.
Add the flour and seasoning.
Pour in the vegetable broth.
Add in the spinach, coconut milk and cashew cream.
Cover and simmer on medium-low heat until spinach is wilted.

Enjoy!

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Vegan Creamy Dill Pickle Dressing

This dressing is perfect to add to salads, tacos, quesadillas, potatoes, and many other dishes.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups raw cashews
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 2 dill pickle spears (chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried dill (or fresh)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Add cashews, water, dill pickle spears, lemon juice and garlic to a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
  • Transfer to a medium size bowl.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add dried dill and combine well.

I poured some of this dressing on some potato wedges I made.

Enjoy!

 

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Beefless Zucchini Boats

Oh these zucchini boats are so tasty!  Especially because of the vegan ricotta in the bottom layer, a creaminess you were not expecting! But let’s get into the details below.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 1/2 cups beefless ground meat (I used Gardein)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil for cooking the meat (and more for drizzling the zucchini halves)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast https://amzn.to/37UofJM
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 2 tablespoons sofrito (see recipe here https://wp.me/scOthW-sofrito)
  • 1 chopped carrot
  • 1/4 chopped red onion
  • 2 medium size zucchini
  • 1/2 cup vegan ricotta (see recipe here https://wp.me/pcOthW-6B)
  • Parsley for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Place parchment paper in a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Cut the zucchinis in half and scoop out the middle.
  • Place the zucchinis cut side up in the baking dish, drizzle with oil and sprinkle salt.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • In a medium size skillet heat olive oil over medium-high.
  • Add beefless ground, water, sofrito, turmeric, garlic and onion powder, nutritional yeast, carrot, red onion, and salt to taste. Stir and cook with lid on for 10-12 minutes.
  • Add vegan ricotta to the zucchinis.
  • Spoon the beefless meat on top of the ricotta.
  • Bake for 20 minutes.
  • Add chopped parsley (optional).

Scoop out the middle parts
Drizzle oil, sprinkle salt and bake for 15 minutes
Add spices and sofrito

Spread the vegan ricotta

Garnish with parsley

Enjoy!

 

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Easy Granola

This is a quick way to make a snack, cold breakfast or add it to your dessert. Granola is very versatile.  Most kids love it.  It is healthy, crunchy, it has fiber and protein.  The raisins have iron.  The Ceylon cinnamon has great health benefits (see below). It is just a great component to have ready in your kitchen at all times.

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon Ceylon cinnamon *
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1/4 cup chocolate chunks (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Preheat the oven to 350° F.
  • In a medium bowl add oats, honey, oil, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon.  Combine well.
  • Place the mixture on parchment paper and baking sheet.  Spread throughout to make an even layer.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, stir the granola and place back in the oven for another 8-10 minutes.
  • Take out of the oven and let it cool for about 15 minutes.
  • Place the granola in a medium bowl, add the raisins and chocolate chunks and combine.
  • Serve as snack, as cold cereal, over ice cream, yogurt, with fresh fruit, etc.

Why Ceylon Cinnamon?

Ceylon cinnamon contains anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. These properties mean Ceylon cinnamon supports your immune health. Ceylon cinnamon was part of a study that showed it enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318386

Enjoy!

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How to Make Arepas (with a twist)

Arepas are made with corn flour, and usually stuffed with cheese, and several other fillings.  I learned how to make arepas from a dear Colombian friend that also lived in Venezuela for several years.  That is why my recipe has a twist, because it is not quite traditional, but oh so tasty!

I have an arepa maker that cooks the arepas, but you can also cook them in a pan or griddle.  This recipe makes about eleven arepas.

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and combine well with your hands, until the mixture is smooth (see picture below).
  • Form balls and place them on the arepa maker (or flatten them and place them in an oiled pan).
  • If cooking them in the arepa maker, set the timer to 15 minutes or until golden.

FILLINGS

  • Butter
  • Shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Scrambled eggs
  • Creamy Avocado –  Combine all ingredients
    • 3 avocados (mashed)
    • 1/3 cup mayo
    • 2 tablespoons red onion (finely chopped)
    • 1/3 cup tomatoes (chopped)
    • Salt to taste
  • Veggie Meat/Seitan https://wp.me/pcOthW-eL
Add all the ingredients to a large bowl
Combine well until the mixture is smooth. If needed, add more water.

Form balls and place them in the arepa maker https://amzn.to/3f53YWd

Creamy Avocado Filling
Vegan Mozzarella from Aldi
This recipe makes about 11 (lovely) arepas
This was my toddler’s arepa; with butter, cheese and “eggies”.
This was my arepa; with butter, veggie meat (seitan), avocado, and vegan mozzarella cheese.

I have to tell you, once you try arepas, you are going to eat them forever.  You cannot live without eating arepas at least once a month.  It is just one of those meals that are so full of flavor, with so many options for fillings, and a crowd pleaser.

Here is the link to get a similar arepa maker (mine is very old);  https://amzn.to/3f53YWd.

Enjoy!

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Mother’s Day Brunch Guide

We all know how special the mothers in our lives are, so we need to do something nice for them.  I suggest we surprise them with a nice brunch made by you.  My favorite kinds of gifts to receive are the ones the person has made.  What matters the most to me is the thought and effort put into it.

In this guide, I will provide you with a list of recipes that you can choose from depending on what you think the mother in your life would like.  Don’t forget to add some flowers (from your garden or store bought) and if you can print out a menu for her, it will be a nice little detail that she won’t forget.

Easy Frittata https://wp.me/pcOthW-rq

French Toast with Blueberry Reduction https://wp.me/pcOthW-nC

Chocolate Chunks Sourdough Pancakes https://wp.me/pcOthW-6V

Easy Healthy Blueberry Jam https://wp.me/pcOthW-ea

Lemon Coconut Blueberry Muffins https://wp.me/pcOthW-sg

Chickpea Fritters https://wp.me/pcOthW-gS

The Easiest Homemade Bread https://wp.me/pcOthW-pX

Avocado Toast https://wp.me/pcOthW-5d

Dill Chickpea Salad  https://wp.me/pcOthW-dP

Vegan Creamy Garlic & Spinach Orzo https://wp.me/pcOthW-ep

Pesto https://wp.me/pcOthW-b5

Cilantro Aioli https://wp.me/pcOthW-6b

Vegan Banana Ice Cream https://wp.me/pcOthW-30

GF Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies https://wp.me/pcOthW-bl

Strawberry Lemonade https://wp.me/pcOthW-9

You can make a frittata with fresh baked bread and blueberry jam. Another option could be; frittata, a slice of bread with pesto, fresh strawberry lemonade and coconut cookies.  It does not have to be fancy, believe me when I tell you that anything you make she will appreciate and love.  Choose a few options that you think she will enjoy, get the ingredients and be a chef for a day! (wink wink)

I hope you and the people around you enjoy this special day.  We all have so much to be thankful for.  If you have lost your mother, my heart goes out to you.  I am sure you cherish many memories with her.  I am sending you a big virtual hug.

“Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate”. Proverbs 31:31

“Her children rise up and called her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”  Proverbs 31:28-29

Happy Mother’s Day, Y Buen Provecho!

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