Spring Fiddles – So Fitting
It's a rite of Spring. Bring back the green and sing a song. In our neck of the woods, it also means a hunt for some fresh fiddlehead ferns, unfurling their spiral goodness.A cross between spinach, asparagus and just plain freshness, the fiddleheads combine perfectly with garlic. We tried them here with some sliced shiitakes, amping up the protein and flavor. Simple and fresh, you could also combine with pasta for a complete and easy meal.So, celebrate Spring, break out the fiddles and ...
Stress Less Burgers: Vegan Under Pressure
The world's a stressy place, right? How about a way to create less stress? That's where a pressure cooker comes in handy, which you may have noticed we mention more and more. One source of recent inspiration is the fantastic new book by Jill Nussinow, aka The Veggie Queen, who is an extraordinary cook, long-time food expert and a full fledged RD (Registered Dietitian).Vegan Under Pressure doesn't just refer to how we feel each day. It is a compendium of recipes and more important...
Ital is Vital: Jamaican-Style Coconut Bean Stew
Mon, this stew make me feel irie. Yummy, creamy and filling, it's a great main course served with rice. Ital food is rasta, designed to increase health and vitality (what is called livity) through avoidance of "dead" (animal) food.Feel free to use whatever beans and veggies you have on hand. Don't have plantains? No problem. Try sweet potatoes, peppers, cabbage, and other types of beans. Leftovers also make awesome patties (see pie crust recipe here).Depending upon whether you ...
Warm Up with Animal-free Mango Coconut Cake!
It’s cold! Eat warm cake. Animal-free mango coconut cake, that is, all without leaving home.This recipe was born out of a desire not to go out of the house (wind-chill is currently in the FU range). Since the recipe uses only pantry items, shopping was not necessary plus those dried mango slices purchased on impulse at a foray into Trader Joe’s could be put to good use.Inspired by several vegan mango cakes on the Internet, this recipe adds coconut for a more tropical flavor. ...
Healthy Hot Holiday Tamales
While some cultures definitely associate tamales with Christmas and holiday time, tamale-eating doesn't have to be limited to special times of year. In fact, we like them so much that it feels like a celebration every time we eat them.This version is vegan, natch, and they freeze well (assuming there are any left). The assembly process is easy though a bit time-consuming but well worth the trouble. Be creative on fillings - these are black bean and sweet potato but you can use virtually ...
Yellow Indian Woman Herb Bean Dip
Yellow Indian Woman beans, from Rancho Gordo, sound earth-centered and soulful somehow. Truthfully, you can probably substitute any flavorful beans and enjoy a tasty dip but the name alone makes this recipe seem way more exotic. This bean was originally grown by Native Americans -- likely by women -- in Montana.Beans are a wonderful source of nutritious deliciousness, and heirlooms bridge us to the past. In fact, a bean thought to be left by the Anasazi Indians was found in a cave in New ...
Fast Fall Farro with Wild Mushrooms, Roasted Squash and Cranberries
Farro is one of those "ancient grains" now being touted in food circles. Funny, right? In case you havent tried it, it looks like barley but is chewier, with just the right heft to be a central part of a hearty Autumn menu. This “pilaf” cooks quickly in a pressure cooker and is best served with sautéed mushrooms and seasonal veggies. For those cooking without pressure (who does that?), refer to the note below.Incredibly, we found some mushrooms on a piece of firewood (fine oysters) ...
Easy Seitan for Any Recipe
Seitan is one of those vegan foods you either love or hate. To the gluten-free among us, it's a real no-no. Personally, we think it sometimes gives the chewiness some recipes need. We've sliced for stir fries, chopped for "meaty" sauce and used on sandwiches.This basic version can easily be adapted depending upon your flavor preferences. Adding to Mexican food? Try cumin and chili powder. Indian? Add curry powder and coriander. Like a chicken-ish flavor? Use no-chicken seasoning. You get ...
