Veg Base

         This is just about the easiest thing I make and I use it for all kinds of things. It's a vegetable base that I use for soups and stews. With it I will share the two recipes I use it most for, Minestrone and Tortilla Soup. I find that it works especially well with these two soups in particular. It also works well as a soup just by itself, just add a can/cup of beans in there for some protein and you are all set. I also take a cup of this and blend it up to throw in my pasta sauce recipe, gives it a nice flavor profile without a lot of effort.

Veg Base

3 carrots, small chop

2 stalks celery, small chop

1 large onion, diced

3 cloves garlic minced

1/2 head cabbage, chopped

1 head broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces

1 quart water

1 quart veggie broth

2 Tbsp. no salt seasoning (I use the organic stuff from Costco, its awesome.)

1 C. crushed tomatoes

2 Tbsp. EVOO

salt and pepper to taste

Take a large pot and heat the EVOO up and add carrots, celery and onion, once translucent add cabbage, then add water and garlic, let simmer for 5 minutes, add remaining ingredients and let simmer for 20-30 minutes or until veggies are soft enough to be pierced easily by a fork.

Tortilla Soup

Veg Base

1 C. frozen corn

1. C cooked brown rice

1 1/2 C. cooked black beans

1 C. chunky salsa

1/4 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 Tbsp. lime juice

Add ingredients to veg base and let simmer for 15 minutes. Add additional water if necessary. Serve with tortilla chips,  vegan sour cream and cheese.

Minestrone Soup

Veg Base

1 can tomato paste

1 C. cooked garbanzo beans,

1 C. cooked great northern beans or kidney beans

1 C. frozen green beans

2 C. spinach, roughly chopped

1 zucchini, sliced and quartered

1/2 C. seashell pasta

2 tsp. dried basil

1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Add ingredients, except for tomato paste, to veg base and let simmer for 20-30 minutes or until pasta is cooked. Add tomato paste, stir to combine, if there is not enough liquid add water. Serve with crusty bread and vegan Parmesan cheese.

Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes

      This is a recipe that I have fallen in love with, reason being, I used to work at The Cheesecake Factory, and since I was a vegetarian, I would order these at least once a week. Once I moved on from that job, I would still make these, but not often, as they were a bit time consuming. 
      The only reason these aren't very time consuming for me now, is because I short-cut it. I almost always have a fresh container of pico de gallo and salsa verde ( salsa verde recipe) in my fridge, and if not there I have a canned jar in my pantry and I always have the raw ingredients on hand.  So the only thing I really have to make is the southwestern sauce and the cakes, which is super easy. You can always use the original recipe which is right here ----->Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes and use the recipe for the pico and salsa verde that is on there as well!

Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes

makes 8 medium sized cakes

1 1/2 sweet corn, fresh or frozen

1/2 c. vegan butter (I use Earth Balance.)

3 Tbsp. vegan sugar (I use coconut sugar.)

1/8 tsp. salt (It's a pinch of salt, if you don't have a 1/8 tsp. I have actually never even seen one.)

1/2 c. GF masa harina (It's just corn flour but could be CC if made in a wheat-processing facility. I haven't had any problems with mine.)

2 Tbsp. GF Flour Mix (I use my own without any gums.)

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Puree 1 c. of corn in food processor and add butter, sugar and salt, combine until smooth. Add masa harina, and GF flour, and mix until smooth. Mix in remaining corn by hand. On a parchment lined pan, measure out 1/4 cup sized patties and make into 2-3 inch patties. Put into oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until browned on one side, then flip and bake for another 5-7 minutes until other side is browned. 

Southwestern Sauce

1/2 c. vegan mayo (I use veganaise.)

1 tsp. white vinegar

1 tsp. water

3/4 tsp. vegan sugar or agave (I use coconut sugar.)

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp. onion powder

salt and garlic powder to taste

Mix everything together in a small bowl and chill in fridge.

Optional toppings: Sliced avocado, cilantro.

Enjoy!!!

Enchiladas 2 ways, and the Ultimate Chocolate Mug Cake

      I have been absent for awhile recently and I don't really have any excuse other than me being lazy. I don't know if its the weather or what but I have been entirely non-productive. Whatever, I need to get rid of the excuses and just get back to work.
      So, this year has been huge for me as far as changing the way I eat and what I put into my body. I successfully quit smoking, have limited my alcohol consumption to two drinks at any given time (mostly wine) and as of a week and half ago I gave up soda. Don't get me wrong, I miss soda, or pop, as us in the Midwest like to call it, and honestly, the withdrawal effects are horrible. I've been cranky, in pain, tired (slept til noon today, NOON!!), and just plain uncomfortable.
      Now, there are two things that are going on here. 1) My body is detoxing from all the sugar, or b) my body is detoxing from the lack of caffeine. I don't know which it is, but I'm going to be completely forthcoming here. I don't know how long I can go without drinking a Coke. I know there will be a point where I'm going to want one, and rather than beat myself up about it I'm going to say that it is my "treat". We never had soda in my house as a kid, so I think I can keep this up for awhile, but I'm human, and flawed. I'll keep you updated. Anyways, that is my personal health story, as I try to keep it as "real" as possible and let you know how my discovery and journey of getting back to being healthy goes.



      Now here's to what you really want. Just because I haven't been posting does not mean I have not been cooking. I actually have a pile of recipes, and another handful of recipes that I haven't quite figured out (like my chickpea flat bread pizza). As you know, one of my "cravings" while being vegan and gluten-free has been spicy foods, well, salty and spicy. This satisfies both of those cravings. Also, I'm throwing in the BEST, and I really mean BEST gf/vegan mug cake recipe ever. It is soooo good, and it doesn't even taste like it's gf/vegan. First things first though.


       Enchiladas are one food that I have always enjoyed. Pre-veganism I would eat barbacoa ones, chicken ones, and cheese ones, smothered in mole sauce, salsa verde or red sauce, mmmmm! Well, I don't eat any of those things anymore, and even the sauces usually had chicken bouillon in it. Sounds weird, right? Well, in Mexican cooking they use a lot of bouillon. At least that's the way I was taught by my exe's family from Mexico City. Seriously, this white girl can cook Mexican food like nobody's business. My salsa verde is famous among my friends. These enchiladas have all the flavor you would expect from typical ones except they are completely vegan and gluten free! The stuffing is a mixture of spinach, onions, and mushrooms, and you can top them with any enchilada sauce of your choice. It doesn't even have to be homemade.

Spinach and Mushroom Enchiladas with Salsa Verde or Mole

serves 4 people, 3 enchiladas apiece

 Enchiladas

12 corn tortillas

2 C. mushrooms (chopped)

1 C. onions (chopped)

3 C. packed spinach (chopped)

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 tsp. Mexican Oregano

2 tsp. Bragg's Liquid Amino's

1/8 tsp. Cumin

1/2 C. vegan/gf "cheese" of your choice (optional)

Over medium-high heat cook mushrooms, and onions until water has been reduced and onions are translucent. Add  garlic, spinach and seasonings, cook until spinach has wilted. Set aside.

Mole Sauce

3 dried Pasilla peppers, de-seeded and soaked in 3 cups of hot water.

1/2 C. onion (chopped)

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 tsp. Mexican oregano

1 Tbsp. cocoa powder or 1 oz of dark chocolate.

1 C. tomato sauce

3 Tbsp. brown rice flour

2 tsp. Bragg's Liquid Amino's

Add everything into a blender and blend on high until smooth and no lumps remain.

Salsa Verde

1 LB tomatillos (outer paper skin removed)

1/2 C. onion 

2 cloves garlic

1 Jalapeno (you can de-seed it for less heat)

2 1/2 cups water

Handful of cilantro

Juice from 1 lime

1 bouillon cube (I use the not-chicken kind that is gf/vegan, available at whole foods and fruitful yield)

salt to taste

 In a saucepan combine tomatillos, onion, garlic, jalapeno and water. Let boil until tomatillos are soft (approx 10-15 minutes). Let cool for a bit then pour into a blender and add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and in a 9x13 pan spread enough sauce on the bottom to cover it. 

Now from this point you can just heat your tortillas up, so they can become pliable and you can just stuff them, or you can do what I do, which is dip them in some enchilada sauce. Not a lot, just enough to coat them, then you add the filling, roll it up and put it seam side down in the pan. When all are rolled and in the pan, pour the remaining sauce over them and top with chopped onions, vegan cheese and cilantro (or nothing) and cover with foil. Bake for 25-30 minutes and enjoy!

Second recipe is the Ultimate Chocolate Mug Cake, which from start to finish takes about 5 minutes, tops! It's great for when you are having a chocolate or a sweet tooth craving.

Ultimate Chocolate Mug Cake

serves 1

1 Tbsp. + 2 tsp cocoa powder

2 Tbsp. rice flour (white or brown, either works)

1 Tbsp. coconut flour

2 Tbsp. vegan sugar (I use coconut sugar, if you haven't tried it, do so. It's divine!)

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. coconut oil (melted)

2 Tbsp. applesauce (unsweetened)

3 Tbsp. non-dairy milk (I use unsweetened almond milk)

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients into a mug and mix well. Cook on high in the microwave for 45-60 seconds.

You can also add 1 Tbsp chopped nuts, or vegan chocolate chips to the batter before microwaving. I personally top mine with soy dreamy ice cream. 

Doesn't that look awesome?! Enjoy!!

Fun Friday..don't wanna be stuck in the kitchen for hours.

Look yummy?! Well it tastes yummy, so why don't you get up and make it. Its REALLY easy, I promise.

Quick Mexican Chicken Stir-Fry

2 chicken breasts, cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minces
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
1/4 c. spaghetti sauce (meatless)
1/4 c. white wine
1 tea lime juice
1 Tbsp. adobo seasoning
1 tea cumin
1 tea oregano

Put a little bit of EVOO into a skillet over medium-high heat, and put in all the vegetables in. Saute for about 1 minute then throw in the chicken. Let chicken cook until it all turns white. Then add everything else. Let cook for an additional 4-6 minutes. Serve over rice.

On another note I got my free Schwann's today and I can't wait to try it!

who wants chipotle..night?

Today I decided that I was gonna give out my recipes for my at home going out meal. One of the favorite restaurants in my household is Chipotle, and though I do not like paying their prices their food is delicious. So..I make my own burrito bowls/tacos at home. Here are the recipes.

Carnitas

3lbs of pork shoulder or bone in pork roast or boneless pork roast cut into cubes (PS leave the fat on)
1 Tbsp adobo seasoning
1/2 c. orange juice
1 clove garlic chopped
1/2 onion chopped
4 cups water

put everything in the crock pot on low and cook for at least 6 hours...the longer you leave it the more tender it will get, when it is done I usually throw it on the stove so the water can cook out and when the water cooks out the fat will turn into lard and the meat will fry up a bit so it turns a bit crunchy..which tastes awesome!

I also make white rice and add some cilantro to it and heat up a can of pinto beans and add some salt.

Basically to assemble the burrito bowls, you take a bowl and put some cilantro rice in it, followed by the beans (or no beans if you prefer), and then the meat. I then add cheese (Mexican melting cheese is the best for the recipe) and salsa, followed by lettuce and corn-tomatillo pico di gallo and sour cream.

Here is my recipe for the pico.

Corn-Tomatillo Pico di Gallo
2 large tomatoes, diced
2 jalapenos, chopped
2 large tomatillos, diced
2 small cloves of garlic, minced
1 medium onion, chopped
handful of cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp salt (or salt to taste)
juice from 1 lime
1/2 cup frozen corn

Mix everything together in a bowl. Cover and leave in fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors meld together.

These recipes aren't too hard to make and hopefully this helps all you Chipotle addicts to save some money by making your own at home. I know we have. Enjoy!

4 meals from 1 chicken

I just want to take a second to apologize to everyone for not having updated in awhile. I went out of town and I have been dealing with a tooth that needs a root canal but procrastinating with it as long as possible. So to make up for it I have a couple of recipes for you, and the awesome part is, they are recycled meals! If you don't know what a recycled meal is let me fill you in, basically what you are doing is making new meals out of leftovers! Isn't that awesome?!


Okay so first off I had a whole chicken in my freezer just hanging out. It had been in there for at least 2 months so I figured I should use it, and guess what? I did! I've also gotten 4 meals out of it!
How do I do this? Well...first I rotisseried the chicken, but you can also roast it in the oven. All I did was take about 4 Tbsp of butter and throw in 1/2 tsp of rosemary, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and marjoram, also 1 tsp. of salt (I used kosher) mix it all together and spread it in between the skin and the meat. I put this in the rotisserie for about 15 minutes a pound and go do something else.

For the first meal I made wild rice stuffing, pan gravy, and frozen veggies (shh so I cheated a bit).
Second meal I made chicken stir fry.
I just cut up the breast meat and added it to my sauce mix and then threw in some veggies and boiled up some rice.
The recipe for the sauce is:

Stir-Fry Sauce
1/3 c. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 clove garlic (crushed and minced)
1 tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp cornstarch

Mix all ingredients together and pour over chicken and veggies, let simmer for about 1 minute and sauce will thicken.

So there are two meals taken care of. I promised a few more right. The next thing I made was Tinga. Oh the words to express Tinga, it is just absolutely, deliciously, satisfyingly AWESOME!!!
Tinga is a traditional Mexican dish and its combination of flavors had me wheeling. There are not enough good things I can say about it, so here is the delightful recipe for you all to enjoy as much as I do.

Tinga
2 onions sliced
1/2 head cabbage shredded
2 large cloves of garlic
3 tomatoes (pan roasted and peeled)
1/2 can chipotle pepper in sauce
1/4 c. chicken broth
1 chicken bullion cube
handful of chopped parsley (fresh or otherwise)
3 cups shredded chicken (from the roasted chicken...white meat, dark meat doesn't matter)
1/8 to 1/4 c. ketchup

-Saute the onions and cabbage together in a large skillet/saucepan with a bit of oil in it. When onion becomes clear and cabbage is wilting add the 2 cloves of minced garlic.
-In a blender combine the tomatoes and chipotle peppers in sauce, add the chicken broth and blend to a sauce consistency. Pour over the onion and cabbage mixture and let simmer for 5 minutes.
-Add the bullion cube to the sauce and then add the shredded chicken and parsley. Let cook for another 3-5 minutes.
-At the very end add ketchup and mix everything together.
Serve on tostadas with sour cream and fresco cheese.
Trust me, this tastes amazing!

Last but not least I saved some of the shredded chicken and the bones to make some broth. I threw these in the crock pot with some water, onion (with the peel still on), carrots, celery, garlic, black peppercorns (or black pepper if you must) and some salt. I let this cook overnight on low and in the morning I strain it and use it as a broth, its so easy and it tastes very good.

You can use this broth in any recipe that calls for it, you can also freeze it in ice cube trays for later use, or you can use it right away for soup. I made chicken tortilla soup, here's the recipe.

Chicken Tortilla Soup
1-2 cups shredded chicken (still leftover from roasted chicken)
1 can whole peeled tomatoes (mashed)
1 can enchilada sauce
1 medium onion (chopped)
1 can chopped green chile peppers
2 cloves garlic
chicken broth
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 c. frozen corn
1 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

Put everything into the crock pot and cook for 8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. When done serve in bowls over rice and with tortilla chips.

Alright, I hope this makes up for me going MIA on ya. I will also post a new recipe tomorrow complete with pictures. Enjoy!