Monday, August 25, 2008
sirime's picture Besan ke Gatte ( Steamed Chickpea balls Curry)
For gattes (Chickpea balls):
1 cup Besan (Chickpea flour)
Salt
1 tbsp Red Chilli powder
2 Green Chillies
1 tbsp Coriander powder
For Gravy:
1 chopped Tomato
1 medium Onion chopped
Salt - to taste
1 tbsp RedChilli powder
3 tbsp Yogurt
1 tbsp Cumin seeds
1 tbsp Mustard seeds
2 Red Chillies
1/2 tbsp Ginger Garlic paste
2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
a pinch of Asafoetida
few Curry leaves
Water
Preparation:
1. Mix chickpea flour, chopped green chillies, salt, red chili powder, oil with some water.
2. Make kabab shaped gattes out of the besan dough.
3. Put them into boiling water and boil for 10 minutes.
4. Take them out the water and cut the besan rounds into small pieces. Keep aside.
5. Now, to prepare the gravy, heat oil in a skillet and then add cumin, mustard seeds with a pinch of Asafoetida. Then add ginger garlic paste with onions, tomatoes, salt, turmeric, curry leaves, red chilli powder and garam masala. Add water if needed. Cook for couple of minutes.
6. Add yogurt and stir the contents well.
7. Finally, put the gattes to the gravy. Slow cook for about 10 minutes.
8. Serve hot with rice or roti.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
TVP Greens Beanburger
1 small can tomato paste
1 tbsp. tahini paste (optional)
1 c. salsa
1 c. chopped fresh or frozen spinach
.25 c. chopped scallion or onoin
.5 c. grated carrots
4 tbsp. nutritional yeast (optional)
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
.33 c. wheat bran, wheat germ, or flour
spice to taste: pepper, hot sauce, cumin, chili powder, curry powder...
Reconstitute TVP per package directions (usually 7/8 c. boiling water with 1 c. TVP, stir, then sit for 15 minutes).
Mix other ingredients. Kidney beans can be partially mashed or chopped. Spinach or other greens (fresh greens are fine for this!) can be coarsely chopped.
Add TVP when it's done reconstituting, mix all ingredients, including spices, thoroughly. You might want to add a little more bran or flour if it won't hold together as patties.
Make good-sized patties (10-12) and place them on a lightly oiled baking pan. Bake at 375F for 30 minutes or so, flipping half-way through. Or they can bake faster under the broiler. These can also be fried.
Cooked burgers will keep for a day or two in the fridge. Enjoy on a bed of lettuce or cabbage or a bun, with your favorite condiments.
Meatballs Italiano
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 stalks of celery, minced
1/2 cup onion, minced
1/2 cup mushrooms, diced (4-5)
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon basil
1 teaspoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons tahini
1 tablespoon tamari soy sauce
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
2 tablespoons olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, combine TVP and broth to rehydrate. Add all other ingredients except nutritional yeast and oil. Stir well to fully combine. Use your hands to roll golf ball-sized balls and press slightly to shape. Put nutritional yeast on a plate or shallow bowl and roll each meatball to cover. Spread olive oil on a baking sheet and arrange meatballs in a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes, turning every 10 minutes or so, until golden brown. If using in a tomato sauce, add to the sauce 5-10 minutes before serving and carefully spoon them onto a plate to serve.
Seitan Recipes
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten flour
1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1 cup very cold water or vegetable broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cloves garlic, pressed or grated on a microplane grater
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Simmering Broth:
10 cups water or vegetable broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
Directions
In a large bowl, mix together Vital Wheat Gluten Flour and nutritional yeast flakes.In a seperate bowl, mix together remaining ingredients: water or veg broth, soy sauce. tomato paste, garlic, lemon zest.Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and combine with a firm spatula, knead dough for about 3 minutes until a spongy, elastic dough is formed. Let dough rest for a couple of minutes and prepare your broth, but don't start boiling it.
Now roll your dough into a log shape about 8 inches long and cut into 3 equal sized pieces. Place the pieces in the broth. It is important that the water/broth be very cold when you add the dough, it helps with the texture and ensures that it doesn't fall apart. Partially cover the pot (leave a little space for steam to escape) and bring to a boil.
When the water has come to a boil set the heat to low and gently simmer for an hour, turning the peices every now and again. Now you've got gluten. Let it cool in the simmering broth for at least a half an hour. It is best if it cools completely. What you do next depends on the recipe you are using. If it calls for gluten use it as is. If you want to store some of it for later use put it in a sealable container covered in the simmering broth.
If your recipe calls for seitan cut your peices up as desired. I prefer to use a cast iron skillet for the frying because it produces the best flavor and texture. Use as little oil as possible to coat the bottom of the skillet, 1 teaspoon may suffice. Heat the skillet over medium high and add your gluten. Cook for about 20 minutes, turning the pieces occasionally. And there you have it. Yummy seitan.
Chickpea Cutlets (from Isa of Post Punk Kitchen)
1 cup cooked chickpeas
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup vital wheat gluten
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/4 cup vegetable broth or water
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, pressed or grated with a Microplane grater
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon Hungarian paprika
1/4 teaspoon dried rubbed sage
Olive oil for pan frying
In a mixing bowl, mash the chickpeas together with the oil until no chickpeas are left. Add the remaining ingredients and knead together for about 3 minutes, until strings of gluten have formed. Preheat a large heavy-bottomed nonstick or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, divide the cutlet dough into 4 equal pieces. To form cutlets, knead each piece in your hand for a few moments and then flatten and stretch each one into a roughly 6 by 4 inch rectangular cutlet shape. The easiest way to do this is to form a rectangle shape in your hands and then place the cutlets on a clean surface to flatten and stretch them. Add a moderately thin layer of olive oil to the bottom of the pan. Place the cutlets in the pan and cook on each side for 6 to 7 minutes. Add more oil, if needed, when you flip the cutlets. They’re ready when lightly browned and firm to the touch.
Just in case you were wondering, you can also bake these too! Baking these patties gives them a toothsome chewy texture and firm bite. Preheat oven to 375°F, and lightly oil baking sheet. Brush both sides of each patty with olive oil, place on baking sheet, and bake for 20 minutes. Flip patties and bake another 8 to 10 minutes until firm and golden brown.
Baked Seitan Log (from Post Punk Kitchen)
Ingredients:
1.5 cups vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 tsp salt
2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cumin
1-2 tsp pepper (I use 2 tsp)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (you can use 1/8 tsp if you like it less spicy)
1/8 tsp allspice
2 tsp garlic powder
3/4 cups water
4 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp tamari
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
Preheat oven to 325°. In a large mixing bowl mix dry ingredients. Mix the rest of the ingredients (liquid ingredients) in a smaller mixing bowl. Whisk well until mixed.Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix well, then knead for a minute or two.. it doesn't need long.Form into a log (6-8" long), wrap tightly in foil, twisting ends. Bake for 90 minutes. When done baking, unwrap and leave out to cool all the way. Then wrap it foil or plastic and refrigerate. Slice to use as desired.
Seitan Gyro's
In a bowl combine:
1 1/2 Cups Gluten Flour
1/4 Savoury Yeast Flakes
1 tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Cumin
1/2 Tbsp Ground Coriander
Pinch-1/8 tsp Garam Masala (don't have it, use cinnamon, but it's not as good-apparantly, his words, not mine)
1 tsp dried Rosemary (not the powder)
1/2 tsp Savoury (oh and I omitted this as I've never seen it in Australia but if anyone has seen it let me know!)
In a separate bowl combine:
2/3 Cup Water
1 1/2 Tbsp Tahini
1 tsp Toasted Sesame Oil
1 Tbsp finely minced Garlic
1 Tbsp finely minced Onion (I used 1/4 tsp onion powder in the dry mix instead)
1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (I used Tamari)
Juice of 1 small Lemon (approx. 1/8 Cup)
I also added a bit of gravy browner to brown it up.
Measure out the 2/3 cup water and set aside. Puree the onion and garlic (unless you use the powder in which case don't worry about this) into a paste. If it won't get pasty add 1 tsp of water at a time from your 2/3 cup that you set aside until it resembles applesauce. Set aside. Mix water, tahini, sesame oil, lemon juice and tamari. Add the onion and garlic puree. Mix well. Add wet ingredients to dry and knead. Preheat your oven to 175 C. Form into a log, wrap tightly in foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes. When done remove from oven and allow to cool. When it's cool, slice it up. When ready to serve put some olive oil in a frying pan and add onions. Fry them until they get translucent and then add seitan. Cook until it browns but doesn't crisp, about 5 minutes.
Serve this mixture on Lebanese bread with slices of cucumber, fresh slices of tomato, lettuce and a garlic yoghurt sauce (I used dairy yoghurt but you could use soy if you can have soy and I also added a desert spoon of tahini). Or alternatively a sauce of
3 Tbsp Tahini
3 Tbsp Water
Salt
Pepper
Lemon Juice
A pinch of Mint
1 tsp crushed cucumber, squeezed dry.
Laurel & Hardy seitan o’greatness ( From Have a Cake, Will Travel)
2 cups vital wheat gluten
1 1/2 T paprika
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
2 cups water
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
2 t salt [which I wouldn’t use if the PB was already salted, but the one I had was unsalted]
mix everything in a large bowl, knead for a couple of minutes, let rest for five minutes.
preheat oven to 325F. form seitan into 2 large sausages, wrapped tightly in foil. bake for 90 minutes. for smaller sausages, simply divide the “dough” in 4, and bake for 75 minutes at the same temperature. of course, this makes a huge amount, but I like to slice mine up once it’s cooled, and freeze it for later use. if you like your seitan to be crispy, you have got to try to cook it in a non-stick cooking sprayed pan until crispy and golden brown. yum! it tastes great with almost anything, really. :)
Crispy Baked Seitan ( From Have a Cake, Will Travel)
makes 4 cutlets, meant to be sliced or diced and used anywhere seitan can be used
dry:
1 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten
2 T nutritional yeast
2 T homemade almond meal [it is coarser than when store-bought: simply blend your almonds [skin on] in your food processor until coarse flour is obtained]
1/2 t garlic powder
3/4 t dried minced onion, crumbled between your fingers
1/2 t McCormick all-purpose seasoning [or whatever all-purpose seasoning you have that is salt-free]
wet:
2 T Braggs or Tamari or soy sauce
1/4 cup organic ketchup
3/4 cup pure water
1 T corn oil
preheat oven to 350F. prepare a small baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
whisk together dry ingredients in a large bowl. whisk together wet ingredients in a small bowl. combine wet & dry, stirring with a wooden spoon. start kneading for a couple of minutes until dough is formed and all ingredients are incorporated. using a clean pair of scissors, cut dough into four equal parts. squish them up in the shape of burgers. place burgers in prepared baking dish, bake for 15 minutes. flip them over, bake for another 15 minutes. and there you have it.
Faux Ham Seitan Sausages ( From Have a Cake, Will Travel)
1 cup vital wheat gluten
1 cup pure water
2 T reduced sodium soy sauce [use normal soy sauce or tamari or Braggs if you prefer]
2 t vegan Worcestershire sauce
1 t liquid smoke
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 t onion powder
1 t garlic powder
1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
1/2 t dried oregano
1/4 t dried sage
throw ingredients together in a large bowl. start mixing with a wooden spoon, then use your hands to knead for a few minutes. let rest for 5 minutes once well kneaded and incorporated. preheat oven to 375F. divide dough into 4. shape into sausages, wrap them tightly in foil. bake for 50 minutes.
Baked Seitan Steaks/Cutlets ( From Have a Cake, Will Travel)
for 2 big steaks:
1 cup vital wheat gluten
1 cup water
1 1/2 T tamari
3 T nutritional yeast
1/2 t salt [optional, if you're watching your sodium intake, since there is tamari already]
1 t Worcestershire sauce
1 t onion powder
1/2 t dried sage
1/2 t dried thyme
throw ingredients together in a large bowl. start mixing with a wooden spoon, then use your hands to knead for a few minutes. let rest for 5 minutes once well kneaded and incorporated. prepare a baking dish or a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. preheat your oven to 400F. shape your seitan in two steaks. place in baking dish, and bake for 10 minutes on one side or until golden brown, turn on other side and bake for 15 more minutes or until golden brown. remove from oven, slice, and serve hot. or freeze for later [once cooled] for future seitan dishes.
Julie Hasson’s Spicy Italian Vegetarian Sausages
Makes 8 links
2 1/4 cups vital wheat gluten
1/2 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1/4 cup chickpea flour
2 tbsp Bills Best Chik’Nish Seasoning (if using another brand which is salty, or saltier than Bill’s Best, you’ll want to greatly reduce the amount you use)
2 tbsp granulated onion
1 to 2 tbsp fennel seed, optional
2 tsp coarsely ground pepper, preferably freshly ground
2 tsp ground paprika
1 tsp dried chili flakes, optional
1 tsp ground smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground allspice
2 1/4 cups cool water*
6 to 8 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
1. In a large bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients. Whisk together the water, garlic, olive oil and soy sauce and using a fork, gently stir into the dry ingredients. Stir just until ingredients are mixed. If dough mixture is too dry, you can add another tablespoon of water or as needed. Scoop 1/2 cup dough mixture at a time and shape into logs. Place logs on piece of aluminum foil and roll up, twisting ends. Place sausages in steamer and steam for 30 minutes. Once sausages have cooled, remove from foil and refrigerate until ready to eat. After cooling, the sausages may feel a bit dry on the outside. Don’t worry, as they will soften and firm up considerably after chilling
Breakfast Sausages
1/2 cup white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup water or veggie broth
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp mushroom soy sauce
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 1/4 cup vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried sage
1/2 tsp nutmeg
pinch of cayenne
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp whole fennel seed
fresh ground pepper
Get water on its way to boiling in your steamer
Mash beans finely with a fork. Add in everything else up to the cayenne. Grind thyme, rosemary, and fennel seed together with a mortar and pestle. Add to mixture with the pepper. Mix together with a fork. Shape a ping pong ball sized piece of dough into a sausage shape and wrap in a small piece of tin foil like a tootsie roll. Repeat until all dough is gone (makes about 25). Some of my recipes call for large breakfast sausages. In this case, make 6 large sausages.. Steam for 20 mins (35-40 for large sausages), rotating half way through if your steamer is small. Cool, and remove from wrappings. (Since we did not eat all 25 sausages, I kept half in the wrappings and froze them. We will see how well they fare in the freezer).
OPTIONAL: Place sausages in a frying pan with 2 tbsp of water and 1/4 cup maple syrup. Bring to bubbling and simmer until syrup
Vegan Corned Beef
-1/2 cup chickpeas
1 tbsp oil
1 cup water
2 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp salt
2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tsp dried mustard
4 dried juniper berries, crushed into powder (optional)
1 1/4 cups vital wheat gluten
Get water on its way to steaming in your steamer
Place chickpeas in a food processor and process until smooth. Add everything else except the wheat gluten and process. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the wheat gluten with a fork. Knead for a minute or so to get everything mixed. Shape into a rectangle (about 8" x 5") and wrap in foil. Double fold the seams so the seitan will steam properly. Steam for 45-60 mins. The seitan must swell against the foil, so make sure that happens before you remove it from the steamer. Let cool and bit, then thinly slice for the sandwich.
Veggie Lunch Meat
1 cup white beans
2 cups water
1/4 cup oil
2 tsp salt
2 tsp paprika
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic
1/4 tsp tumeric
1 tsp ground fennel
1 tsp sage
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp soy sauce
2 3/4 cup vital wheat gluten
Get water steaming in your steamer.
Place all ingredients except the gluten flour in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into a bowl. Add gluten flour and work into a dough. Shape dough into a log and wrap in heavy duty foil like a tootsie roll. Try to make the roll as thick as possible. Steam for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees in the last 15 mins of steaming. Remove seitan from steamer and bake for 45-60 mins. Seitan should swell and press against the foil. Cool and slice as needed for sandwiches. This seitan holds up very well and can be shaved very thin. Store in the fridge
TVP sausage style meatballs.
7/8 cup boiling water or stock
1/3 cup diced onion
1 celery stalk, diced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fennel seed
shake of red pepper flakes
dash of toasted sesame oil
dash tamari or soy sauce
dash of gravy browner
1/3 cup unbleached white flour (can use whole wheat pastry or chickpea)
1/3 cup fresh herbs--parsley, oregano, thyme and basil work nicely.
Boil the water or stock and pour over the TVP. Stir to mix and allow to sit while you proceed with the next step. Over medium high heat, saute the onion and celery in the olive oil, add salt.When the onion is soft and some of the liquid has cooked off, add the fennel seeds and red pepper flakes. Remove 1/4 cup of this mixture and set aside. Reduce to medium heat and add the softened TVP. Stir to combine flavors and to brown the TVP a bit.Stir in sesame oil, soy sauce and gravy browner. Place this mixture in a food processor with the flour and pulse a few times until almost smooth, but still with a bit of texture. Scrape down sides and move to a bowl. Stir in the reserved sauteed vegetables and fresh herbs. Season to taste with salt, if needed. Place a bit of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and preheat oven to 350F.With wet hands, form small balls and place evenly on cookie sheet. Bake until brown on the bottom, flip and bake another ten minutes. The texture of these are nice, crusty on the outside and moist on the inside.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Chickpea Burgers
(makes 4 burgers)
2 T olive oil
1½ c onions, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 t ground cumin
1 c carrot, finely chopped
1¾ c cooked and drained chickpeas
1½ T tahini or peanut butter
¼ c parsley, minced
1/3 c chick pea or white flour
½ t baking soda
1 t salt
juice from ½ lemon
Directions
Heat 1 T of oil and sauté the onions over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, and carrot and sauté for two more minutes. Transfer to large bowl or food processor and add the chickpeas. Mash or process until mushy. Stir in tahini and parsley. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt in the small bowl, then stir into chickpeas. Flour your hands, shape mixture into four patties, and dust them with flour. Fry in 1 T oil over medium-low heat for 1 minute, until just beginning to brown. Flip, fry 2 minutes, flip again, and fry 1 one minute (2 minutes total per side). Splash with a bit of lemon juice and serve. These are wonderful topped with hummus or baba ganouj.
Very High Protein Soy Burgers
--1 cup hot water(or broth of choice)
to
--1 cup TVP
then add a few tablespoons BBQ sauce or vegan worchestershire or whatever flavor you'd like to try. Maybe some garlic and/or onion powder.
Stir and then allow enough time for the TVP to absorb most of the liquid. When that has happened, stir in
--1/2 cup wheat gluten flour
and
--1/2 cup soy protein powder
Stir until as much dry ingredient clumps/sticks to the tvp granules as possible. Work this mixture with your hands and form into patties and steam for 2-3 hours. (the longer the better)
These are not finished until they are barbecued, baked or fried and you have the option of adding whatever sauce or marinade.
You can choose to add some oil of choice to the TVP in the first step, fry in oil(until lightly browned) or baste with a little oil before baking or BBQing. If you choose to make your burgers fat free, you'll need to use generous amounts of sauce or marinade to keep them moist or they will be rubbery. Ground beef is high in fat so a grain and vegetable burger is probably a better idea than a mock meat burger if you don't want to use even a little fat in your recipe.
TVP Meetballs and Swedish Meatball Pasta
Ingredients
2 cups TVP granules
1 ¾ cups veggie broth (or 1 bouillon cube dissolved in water)
1 medium yellow onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp olive oil
½ cup vital wheat gluten flour
1 tbsp Tamari or soy sauce
½ tsp fresh cracked black pepper
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp chili powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
Additional oil for frying
Directions
Reconstitute TVP granules by placing them in a microwave safe bowl, pouring the broth over the granules, covering tightly with plastic wrap and placing them in the microwave for 5-6 minutes. Alternatively, you can pour boiling broth over the dry granules, cover and let sit for 10 minutes. In a skillet, saute the onions and garlic in olive oil until translucent and fragrant. About 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat mix in the flour, Tamari and all of the spices. Let sit until cool enough to handle. With your hands, form balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter. Use a lot of pressure when forming your balls, tee-hee, you don’t want them to fall apart. Lightly fry them in a small amount of oil, rolling them around in the pan to brown on all sides.
Ingredients
1 prepared recipe of meetballs, above
1 pound of fettucine noodles, prepared in salted water according to package directions
1 8oz package of mushrooms (I buy mine pre-sliced!)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp vegan margarine (I use Earth Balance)
1 cup soymilk
½ cup water
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tbsp white miso
2 tbsp tamari
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
Fresh cracked black pepper to taste
Directions:
Prepare meetballs and set aside. While the pasta is boiling, prepare the mushroom sauce. In a heavy bottomed skillet, on medium-high heat, saute the mushrooms in the olive oil until the have reduced in size by half. Add the margarine and continue to saute a few more minutes. In a measuring cup, dissolve the cornstarch and flour into the water and soymilk. Dissolve until there are NO LUMPS! Add the miso and tamari to the skillet. Sprinkle in the onion and garlic powder. Slowly add in the flour mixture, stirring constantly and continue to simmer until you reach your desired thickness. Drain the pasta and mix sauce into the noodles. Top with the meetballs and serve warm.
The Scarborough Fair Tofu Burger
(makes 6 patties)
(Edited to add: I tend to overspice, so if this seems like to much spice to you, feel free to cut it down, even by half!)
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tbsp dried sage
1 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp dried thyme
12 oz extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
1 cup TVP granules
1 cup veggie broth
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 flax egg (2 1/2 tbsp ground flax mixed with 3 tbsp water)
1/4 cup hulled sunflower seeds
1/4 cup hulled pumpkin seeds
Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Directions
Grind the parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme into a fine powder. I use a coffee grinder for this. In a mixing bowl, crumble the tofu and mix well with the spice mixture so that the herbs are well infused with the tofu. Let sit while you reconstitute the TVP, either by mixing it with the veggie broth and covering tightly with plastic wrap and microwaving for 5-6 minutes, or by pouring boiling broth over the granules, covering and let sit for 10 minutes. When cool enough to handle, add the TVP to the tofu mixture, then add in the minced garlic, flax egg, sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix with your hands until all ingredients are very well incorporated. The mixture will be nice and smooth, and should form lovely patties. Refrigerate until ready to cook, although refrigeration isn't necessary if you plan on cooking them right away. I recommend baking these rather than frying. It just seems that this burger is too healthy to fry. Bake at 350, for 15 minutes per side, on a non stick baking sheet, covered with foil.
Edamame Burgers
Ingredients:
2 cups of shelled and frozen edamame
1 15oz can garbanzo beans, with the liquid
1 8 oz package of sliced mushrooms (about 2 cups)
1/2 cup finely ground raw cashews
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
4 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp liquid smoke (optional)
1 tsp Bragg's Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce)
+/- 3 1/2 cups besan flour
Sea Salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
Oil for frying
Directions:
Place the frozen edamame and the entire can of garbanzo beans, including the liquid in a saucepot to warm. This step is to defrost the edamame, if you use fresh or precooked edamame, you can skip this entire step. Place all ingredients, except the flour and oil into a food processor and puree until smooth. Into a large mixing bowl, pour the contents of the food processor. Slowly add the flour until a thicker consistency is formed. I originally started with 2 cups of flour, but ended up needing 3 1/2 to get the right consistency. Place the entire bowl in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to stiffen up and make it easier to handle when forming the patties. Form into to burger patties. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Freeze any uncooked patties between layers of wax paper. Makes about 16 patties.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
High Protein Crepes
1 lg carton egg beaters
3/4 c cottage cheese
1 scoop protein powder
1/2 cup raw oatmeal (blended in blender to make a flour)
Mix all the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Pour about 1/4 cup into pan and cook like a crepe. (rotate pan until set, then flip over and cook lightly)
It may take a little practice if you have never done crepes before. Try not to make them too thick. Add filling and roll like a tortilla. Enjoy.
For breakfast or dessert crepes add 1 teaspoon cinnamon to the batter and fill with yogurt or cooked apples.
For dinner crepes add 1 teaspoon Italian herbs to the batter and fill with seasoned cottage cheese and top with marinara sauce. Serve warm.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Egg Salad Sandwich or Spread
(serves 3-4)
5 good quality eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder (your favorite)
3 tablespoons plain yogurt
2 big pinches of salt
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/2 medium apple, chopped
1/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
1 small bunch of chives, minced
Directions:
First off, you need to boil the eggs properly (the key to good egg salad!). Place the eggs in a pot and cover with cold water by a 1/2-inch or so. Bring to a gentle boil. Now turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for exactly seven minutes. Have a big bowl of ice water ready and when the eggs are done cooking and place them in the ice bath for three minutes or so - long enough to stop the cooking. While the eggs are boiling and cooling, combine the yogurt, curry powder and salt in a tiny bowl. Set aside. Crack and peel each egg, and place in a medium mixing bowl. Add the curried yogurt, onions, apple, pecans, and chives. Now mash with a fork. Don't overdo it, you want the egg mixture to have some texture. If you need to add a bit more plain yogurt to moisten up the mixture a bit, go for it a bit at a time. taste and add more salt if needed. Enjoy as-is, or served wrapped in lettuce or between two slices of good, toasted bread.
Egg Salad Sandwich (with mayo)
(makes 4 sandwiches)
Ingredients:
6 large eggs
1-2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Salt and pepper
A tiny squeeze of lemon juice
2 stalks celery, washed and chopped
1/2 bunch chives, chopped
2 small handfuls of lettuce
8 slices of whole grain bread, toasted
Directions:
Place the eggs in a pot and cover with cold water by a 1/2-inch or so. Bring to a gentle boil. Now turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for exactly seven minutes. Have a big bowl of ice water ready and when the eggs are done cooking place them in the ice bath for three minutes or so - long enough to stop the cooking. Crack and peel each egg, place in a medium mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise, a couple generous pinches of salt and pepper, now mash with a fork. Don't overdo it, you want the egg mixture to have some texture. If you need to add a bit more mayo to moisten up the mixture a bit, go for it a bit at a time.
Stir in the celery and chives. Taste, and adjust the seasoning - adding more salt and pepper if needed.
To assemble each egg salad sandwich: place a bit of lettuce on a piece of toast, top with the egg salad mixture, and finish by creating a sandwich with a second piece of toast.
Tangy Egg Salad - No Mayo Recipe
(makes 1)
Ingredients:
2 hard boiled eggs, peeled
2 green onions, finely chopped-green parts only (optional)
2 tsp to 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard in mixture, + more for spreading on the slice of bread
1 Tbsp dill relish
salt and pepper- to taste
rye bread
seedless cucumber
romaine lettuce
Directions:
Mash eggs together well in a medium sized bowl. I use a fork and/or potato masher. Add green onions and stir. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Assemble sandwich -Rye bread, romaine lettuce, 5-6 slices cucumber, eggs.
Add additional pepper on egg mixture and spread extra Dijon on the top slice of bread before putting on the sandwich.
Tips
Substitute for Mayo:
Sour cream or yogurt, for the base then a little sugar or honey, wine vinegar or lemon juice and salt for flavour.
Dijon mustard mixed into a little bit of plain yogurt
Alternative Uses:
Can be used as spread on Wasa Crackers or filling in Pita/Tortilla
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Braised Kidney Beans & Sweet Potato
(serves 4)
1 medium onion, chopped
4 medium cloves garlic, chopped
1 TBS fresh ginger, chopped
1 medium carrot, sliced thin
1 medium green bell pepper, cut in 1 inch squares
2 cups sweet potatoes, cut in 1 inch cubes ( abt 2 five inch long sweet potatoes)
2 cups crimini mushrooms, sliced medium thick ( abt 7-8 medium mushrooms)
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp red chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1 TBS tomato paste ( or 1 finely diced tomato )
2 cups + 1 TBS vegetable broth ( might want to reduce water a bit if one wants thicker consistency)
15 oz can kidney beans, drained ( 2 cups cooked kidney beans)
salt & black pepper to taste
Directions
Prepare first 6 ingredients by chopping and slicing. Heat 1 TBS broth in a medium to large soup or braising pot. Healthy Sauté onion in broth over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add garlic, ginger, carrot, pepper, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms and tomatoes. Continue to sauté for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add spices and mix thoroughly. Mix tomato paste and broth together and add. Cover and simmer on low for about 30 minutes stirring occasionally. Add beans, salt, pepper, and continue to cook for another 5 minutes on medium heat uncovered, or until vegetables are tender.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Radiant Kale and Beet Pasta
(serves 2)
1 onion, diced
2 tsp olive oil
2 cups beets, peeled, and diced
4 cups lacinato kale (also called dinosaur kale), or other kale variety, roughly chopped
1 T. garlic, minced
1.5 T. freshly chopped dill
1 T. freshly chopped thyme
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
4 oz dry penne, rigatoni, or farfalle pasta
2 T. nutritional yeast flakes
1/2 cup cooked navy beans
Directions
In a large non-stick skillet, saute the onion in bit or whole of the olive oil for 3 minutes to soften. Add the beets and continue to saute the mixture an additional 7-8 minutes, or until the beets are crisp-tender. Add beans now or after kale is wilted depending upon how cooked beans are. Add the kale and garlic and saute an additional 3 minutes. Add the fresh herbs, salt, and pepper, continue to saute the mixture until the kale starts to wilt, and then remove the skillet from the heat. Meanwhile, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the penne pasta until al dente. Remove 1 cup of the pasta cooking liquid and set aside. Drain the penne pasta well and return it to the large pot. Add the reserved cooking liquid, remaining olive oil, and nutritional yeast, and toss well to thoroughly coat the cooked pasta. Add the sauteed vegetable mixture to the pasta, toss well, and watch the pasta turn a vibrant rosy color. Transfer the mixture to a large platter or bowl for service.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Uncheese Eggplant Casserole
Ingredients
( Serves 4)
2 Onions, medium size
4-6 Garlic cloves
4-6 or more thinly sliced tomatoes
2 cups White Beans
1 cup Nutritional Yeast
Juice of 2 lemons
1 Chipotle Pepper (optional), stem removed or cayenne pepper
Oregano
Pepper and salt
Preheat oven to 400 C. Add the beans to the container of a high speed blender. Add the peeled garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and chipotle pepper (or hot sauce if you prefer), salt and pepper . Cover the container and run the blender at high speed until the ingredients are creamy smooth. Place tomato slices on the bottom of the baking dish. Cut the eggplant into 1/3 inch thick slices and arrange in a tight, non-overlapping layer. Next, spoon on a thin layer of the bean cream sauce. Then place another layer of tomato slices layer. Scatter on some of the onions, separating and breaking up the larger rings. Sprinkle on a little oregano. Repeat the above steps until the casserole is filled and the ingredients are all used. Cover the casserole dish, and place in the oven and bake until the eggplant is tender ( about 1 – 1 1/2 hours). We suggest removing the cover for the last ten to fifteen minutes of cooking in order to firm and brown off the top.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Macaroni and un-Cheese with Tomatoes
Ingredients
(Serves 4)
3 cup dry Elbow Macaroni, whole wheat
6 Tomatoes, Roma
1 large Onion
2 cups White Beans
1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast
1/4 cup Lemon Juice
1/2 Chipotle Pepper, optional for a spicy smoke flavor
bit of salt and pepper
Microwave oven or conventional oven at 350 degrees F can be used to prepare this dish. Wash, peel, and dice the onions and place in a large covered baking dish. Cook until the onions begin to become semi transparent (about 5 minutes in the microwave oven).
While the onions are cooking, place the water in the pasta pot and heat to boiling.
Wash the tomatoes and remove the stem ends and any blemishes or bad spots. Cut into bite-sized pieces, and add to the onions when they are cooked. Cover the baking dish and cook until the tomatoes are hot, but not cooked through. When the pasta water boils, add the elbow macaroni, and cook until the macaroni softens, but is still slightly chewy.
Open the cans of beans and drain off the excess liquid. Place the beans in the container of a high speed blender. Add the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and chipotle pepper (stem removed). Cover and run the blender at high speed until the ingredients are creamy smooth. Use the tamper rod as necessary. Combine the cooked and drained pasta and the bean sauce with the onions and tomatoes in the covered dish, and mix well. Cover and bake for about 10-15 minutes
Friday, June 22, 2007
Feta Stuffed Zucchini Boat

( serves 2 as main dish or 4 as side dish or 8 as appetizer)
Ingredients
2 zucchini, about 7 inches long, halved lengthwise, stem end left intact
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large shallot, minced ( or even regular 1/4 onion will do)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
1 1/2 tablespoon flour ( WW)
2 ounces feta, crumbled
Pimenton (Spanish paprika)
Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease an ovenproof dish. ( I used cookie sheet lined with foil)
With a small knife, cut around the zucchini, leaving a rim. Cross hatch the center, then scoop out with a grapefruit knife. ( can use spoon and small knife)
In a small skillet, heat the olive oil . Add the zucchini scoopings, shallot and garlic and saute until soft/bit brown. In a small bowl, beat the egg lightly. Stir in the flour, feta and cooked zucchini. ( also put in some pepper and salt). Stuff the zucchini boats. Sprinkle with paprika.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes till they look cooked and then brown slightly under the broiler.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Roasted Eggplant with Tomatoes (Baigan Bharta)
Ingredients
2 Medium eggplants
2 tablespoons water
3 medium onions -- peeled and finely chopped
3 cloves garlic -- peeled and minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger root -- minced
2 green chiles -- or jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons curry powder -- or garam masala ( or 1 T sabzi masala instead of cumin and curry powder)
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh peas -- (or frozen)
2 tomatoes chopped
1 cup diced peppers (mixture of green,yellow, orange, red) (optional)
2 tablespoons cilantro – chopped
1/3 green lentils dry (then cooked) (optional)
1 cup cooked chickpeas (optional)
½ T olive oil (optional)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Prick each eggplant with a fork in two or three places. On a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, arrange the eggplants. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the eggplants are tender and the skin begins to char. Let cool. Carefully peel away and discard the skin. Chop the pulp coarsely and set aside. ( you can mash eggplant too)
In a large nonstick skillet, heat the water or oil if using. Add the onions and sauté for while till bit brown. Add garlic and ginger and sauté for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and cook till tomatoes are mushy. Then add green chilies, and cook for 2 more minutes, until the whole thing wet solid. Add spices, salt, peas, peppers and simmer over medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the mashed eggplant, lentils, chickpeas and chopped cilantro. Cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, until the flavors are well blended.
You can prepare this dish 2 days in advance. Refrigerate, then reheat before serving. Eat with flat bread or baked pita chips.
If used as appetizer, one can omit chickpeas and lentils. For main dish, these protein sources can be added.
Dr Weil's Barley Salad (Tabbouleh )
This summer salad combines barley, a satisfying, nutty grain, with fresh vegetables. Flavored with mint, parsley, garlic and lemon, it might remind you of tabbouleh, a Middle Eastern dish traditionally made with bulghur wheat. Barley has one of the lowest glycemic loads of any grain, and parsley has carminative (intestinal gas-relieving) and diuretic properties, making it an excellent tonic ingredient. Look for the flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, which has a more pronounced flavor than the curly leaf variety. This dish makes a healthy alternative to the usual picnic or potluck potato salad. Try it as a light meal all on its own, or as a wonderful accompaniment to other dishes.
Ingredients
3 cups vegetable stock or water
1 cup pearl barley or hulled barley
Salt to taste
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 bunch scallions, sliced thin
1 bunch radishes, sliced
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint (or 1/4 cup dried mint)
1 cup kidney beans ( optional)
Dressing:
3 T extra-virgin olive oil or less ( I used 1 T )
3 T fresh lemon juice
3-4 cloves garlic, mashed
Salt to taste
Directions
Bring to a boil the vegetable stock (or water). Add barley and salt. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 45 minutes. Drain well and place in a medium bowl. Mix the dressing ingredients together and pour over barley.
Allow barley to cool, then add the parsley, scallions, radishes, cucumber, red pepper and mint. Mix well and chill for several hours before serving.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Lentil Walnut Feta Salad
Ingredients
3/4 cup dry lentils
1/2 cup walnut pieces
3-4 green onions
4 garlic cloves
2 bay leaves
2- 3 T red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1/2 t dijon mustard
salt and pepper acc to taste
crumbled goat cheese (30 - 50 g per serving)
1 T olive oil
1/2 cucumber deseeded and cut into pieces
3- 4 mushrooms
1 tomato cut into pieces without seeds
Any other kind of vegetables like peppers, radishes etc
Directions
Wash the lentils, then place in pot with bay leaves and enough water to cover by two inches. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Drain and discard bay leaves. Let cool for a few minutes.Meanwhile, heat cooking oil, add shallots or onions, garlic, and 1/2 t salt, and sauté for 10-15 minutes, until lightly colored. Add 2 T red wine vinegar and cook another 3 minutes, then remove from heat.
Meanwhile, toast the walnuts in a 325° oven for 5 minutes or a frying pan over medium heat, until golden. Whisk together remaining T vinegar, bit salt, mustard, pepper, and olive oil. Combine lentils, shallots, walnuts, and dressing and other vegetables in the medium bowl, then gently stir in cheese. Serve warm or at room temperature.