Tried and True Favorite Recipes
I love to cook - especially ethnic dishes, and from scratch/my pantry. I love foods that combine surprising tastes and textures, and my interests are fairly eclectic. I'm excited to have a site to direct people to when they ask for my recipes!
Saturday, August 17, 2024
Eggs on a Goldenrod, Vegan/Plant Based
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Plant based Pad Thai
We love the beautifully punchy flavors of this peanutty, cilantro, jalapeño and limey plant based pasta. It whips up quickly and is gluten free as well..
1 package rice noodles
1 cup chopped onion
3/4-1 cup sliced mushrooms or tofu
(optional)
4 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 cup coconut milk
1 medium jalapeño, diced
1/2 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
1 cup chopped cilantro
5 medium cloves of garlic, chopped
3-5 Tablespoons lime juice (according to taste)
Add rice noodles to boiling water and cook until tender. Drain and rinse quickly with cold water.
Meanwhile, heat soy sauce in large frying pan. Add and sautee onions and mushrooms until tender, adding water as needed.
Add coconut milk and peanut butter, whisking in to blend thoroughly. As sauce begins to thicken, add lime juice, jalapeños and garlic.
Remove from heat. Add noodles and cilantro, and toss to coat noodles and serve.
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Zucchini Casserole-plant based
For years I've been making my grandma J's Zucchini Casserole, or at least my rendition of it.
I'm a girl who loves food traditions, but changing to a plant based diet a couple of years ago really affected many of our food based traditions. Like Thanksiving, Christmas, Easter Sunday etc.
Many years ago our kids boycotted traditional Easter dinner foods. They determined that they loved taquitos (home made), and English trifle. So, that's what we've had for our Easter Sunday meal- for years. This year, my kids threw me a curve ball and said since only two of them eat trifle (it's totally not plant based), and as only one of them eats meat, they were open to some new Easter food traditions.
Cue up grandma's Casserole.....(drum roll) pure comfort food.
It is also super easy to adapt based on the quantity of your ingredients.
There are a couple of steps to making this...and you can adapt and make it as hard or easy as you want-based on your energy levels.
Prep:
Toast 6-8 slices of plant based bread. Allow to sit put for a couple of hours until dried out and hard (if you live someplace humid, you'll want to toast the bread in your oven at a low temperature so that it can really dry out).
Using a food processor or mandoline, slice 6-8 small-medium zucchinis into very thin slices.
Similarly, thinly slice/chop one medium onion.
Place zucchini and onion into a large frying pan and cook over medium high heat stirring or turning periodically. Oil is not necessary as they will quickly begin to release their juices. Cook until translucent- approximately 15-20 min.
Stuffing:
2 T fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1T fresh thyme, finely chopped
2 t. fresh sage, finely chopped
Salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to taste
1 can coconut milk
1 can 3 T coconut cream (from the top of a can of coconut milk-I prefer Trader Joe's since it is purely water and cream with no additives).
Using a food processor, or grater grate the bread/toast into bread crumbs.
Melt coconut cream in large frying pan.
Melt coconut, add herbs and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add bread crumbs and toss to coat in herb, coconut cream mixture. Cook while stirring for 2-3 minutes.
While stirring, pour remaining liquid from coconut milk into pan, and quickly mix into bread crumbs. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
Set aside.
Cashew cream sauce
1 cup raw cashews (soak for 2 hours if not using high powered blender like vitamix)
1/4 onion
2 garlic cloves
2 T. dried shiitake mushroom powder (I simply blend dried shiitakes for this)
1 t salt
2 T chicken less boullion (Trader Joe's has one, or this recipe)
1.5-2 cups water
Blend in high powered blender, until smooth.
Pour into a small saucepan, and heat while constantly stirring 1-2 minutes, until thickened.
Zucchini
Mix cooked Zucchini and onion with 1 cup cashew cream and 1 cup soy yogurt (recipe here).
Smoked gouda cheese sauce-I use this recipe
https://thehiddenveggies.com/vegan-smoked-gouda/
Heat oven to 350*. Line a large casserole pan with parchment paper and half of the zucchini, gouda cheese, and breadcrumbs mixture, then repeat.
Bake for 30-40 minutes.
Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting - Plant Based
As the weather gets cooler, I've noticed that I've been mentally exploring how to adapt some of our old favorite recipes into plant based versions.
This morning I noticed several ripe bbananas on the counter that needed to be used, and decided to adapt my banana bars recipe.
This recipe features whole wheat flour instead of bleached white flour, chia gel instead of eggs, avocado instead of oil, dates instead of brown sugar, and uses cashews and maple syrup for the sour cream frosting.
2 cups dates
2 cups boiling water
4 ripe bananas
2.5 T chia seeds mixed with 1 c. water
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
1 c. chopped, toasted walnuts
1 t. ground cinnamon
Place dates into blender and add boiling water. Allow to soak for 10-15 min to soften dates. Drain all but approx 1/2 cup of water, and blend into a thick date paste (add additional water only if needed).
Add date paste and peeled bananas to mixing bowl. Mix until well combined.
Add additional ingredients and mix until combined but don't overmix.
Bake in a parchment or silpat lined 9x13, or 11x15 inch pan, at 350* for 25-30 min (slightly longer for the 9x13 so that it cooks through).
Cool.
Frosting
1.5 cups cashews (soaked in hot water for 15-30 minutes
1/4 c. maple syrup
1/4 - 1/3 c. plant based milk
pinch of salt
1 t. vanilla
Drain cashews and using a high powered blender, combine ingredients and blend until smooth.
Spread over banana bars
Classic Cheesecake with sour cream topping, Dairy AND Plant Based version
I haven't been able to figure out how this recipe has never been posted to my blog.
I've been using this cheesecake recipe since 2002 when Gwen, the most gourmet cook I knew, shared her recipe with our women's group at church. I've been making it ever since, and have been thrilled to be able to re-work it into a plant based version as well.
*Note the photo below is the plant based version - and an 'action' photo as the raspberry on top and some of the cheesecake collapsed when hot raspberry syrup was added - best to serve with cooled syrups and toppings to avoid melting and minor collapse. :)
4 cubes cream cheese
1 cup sugar
4 eggs at room temperature
1 t. Vanilla
1 Graham cracker crumb crust lined spring form pan
Topping
1 pint sour cream
1/3 c. Sugar
1 t. Vanilla
Cream sugar and cream cheese together in/with mixer. Add eggs one at a time, and finally vanilla.
Pour into Graham cracker crust/spring form pan.
PPlace springform pan in larger pan and add water to create a Bain Marie (water bath). Bake at 300* F for 60 minutes.
Before the cheesecake finishes cooking, mix together the topping ingredients.
When cheesecake finishes cooking, remove from oven and immediately spread sour cream topping over top. Return to oven for 5 minutes.
Remove and cool for several hours to set (preferably in a refrigerator after the first hour).
Serve with additional sauces or toppings as desired.
‐‐------------------
Plant based version
Please note, that this is time intensive and you may want to make several components beforehand. I usually make the cream cheese and gingersnaps (for my crust) several days in advance (they store well frozen).
Cashew cream cheese
5 cups soaked cashews
2 t. White miso
1 T. Lemon juice
1/2 t. Salt
2 T. Apple cider vinegar (Sometimes I use some of my other fancy flavored vinegars as well)
Blend until smooth. Refrigerate
Crust
Line a springform pan with a plant based graham cracker crust. Bake (if needed) at 350* for 10-15 minutes. Remove and allow to cool.
To use my gluten free, plant based orange gingersnap cookie crust, Use this recipe. Make and bake 8-10 cookies bake a little longer for crispness. Once cooled, finely crumble using food processor, then press into a springfirm pan and bake for 10-15 min. to create crust. Due to the coconut in the cookies, additional oil/butter etc is not needed.
Cheese cake
4 cups cashew cream cheese (above recipe)
1 c. Demarrara or coconut Sugar
1 c. Aquafaba (garbanzo/chickpea juice)
2.5 T. Agar agar powder
1 T. Vanilla
In a mixer, cream sugar and cream cheese. Add and mix in remaining ingredients.
Spoon into prepared graham cracker crust/lined springform pan.Bake in a water bath (as above) at 300*F for 60 min. Top with topping (below) and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Allow to cool and chill for several hours to set.1 pint soy yogurt (my recipe here)
1/3 demarrara or coconut sugar
1 t. Vanilla
Top with fresh fruits, nuts, sauces etc. as desired.
Friday, September 29, 2023
Plant Based Pumpkin Pecan & Cranberry Strata (breakfast casserole) with Caramel Syrup
Let's just acknowledge that this isn't a great photo - it was devoured before a photo was taken, so here's what your leftovers may look like! :) |
1 large can (29 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
Aquafaba drained from 2 cans chickpeas (approximately 1/2-3/4 cup)
8 oz soft tofu
1 T. freshly grated or finely chopped ginger, or 1 t. ginger powder
1/2 t. salt
1 T. Cinnamon
1/2 t. freshly ground nutmeg
1.5 t. vanilla
1/2 t. cardamom
5 cups soy or plant based milk
1/4 cup maple syrup
Cut or chop into 1 inch cubes and place in large mixing bowl
2 loaves sourdough bread
4 costco artisan rolls
Pour over bread cubes and toss to coat
3/4 cup coconut cream (melted), or coconut oil
Add and mix in
2 cups toasted pecans, roughly chopped
1.5 cup frozen cranberries
Pumpkin mixture
Place in parchment lined baking dish or 11x15x2 pan
Cover with foil.
Refrigerate overnight, or for 4-6 hours.
Bake at 350* for 30 min.
Remove foil, bake for an additional 15-20 min.
Caramel Sauce
Combine in small pan and bring to boil
1.5 cups maple syrup
1 cup coconut milk
Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and cook until reduced into a thick syrup (20-30 min).
Add
1 t. vanilla
1/4 t. salt
Dash of cinnamon and ground cardamon
Serve with baked strata.
Smoky Vegan Chick'n & Jalapeno Enchiladas
Yesterday while wandering the aisles of my grocery store thinking about things I haven't eaten for a while and have missed, I remembered our chicken jalapeño enchiladas that I was (slightly) famous for when I was a young newlywed.
They never disappointed and were super easy-chicken, jalapeños, sour cream, cheese, tortillas, and cream of chicken soup.
I looked all over the internet and simply couldn't find anything similar to my old recipe, so here's my re-creation.
While this plant based recipe takes much more time, it's definitely worth the work.
There are some make ahead items for this recipe. While I don't usually buy vegan dairy products due to the oils, I'm sure you could use them to speed this up.
First off, you will need some plant based yogurt or sour cream. I make this by the quart and it is usually on hand in the fridge. Super easy to make if you have an instant type of electric pressure cooker-note it takes 8 hours. Here's my recipe for 2 ingredient plant based sour cream/yogurt.
Next, if desired, you can make mozzarella. This recipe turns out great-and is super quick and easy to make. I made it first so that it could set while I was prepping everything else.
You'll need soy curls and you will also want to prep them-simply pour hot water over them, add soy sauce, sage, thyme, Trader Joe's Vegan Chicken bouillon seasoning, and if desired black pepper or ground grains of paradise.
You will also need a high speed/powered blender to make cashew cream.
Ingredients
Soy curls
3 cups soy curls
1.5 T soy sauce
2 t. thyme
1/2 t. sage
1 T. Trader Joe's Vegan Chicken bouillon
Mozzarella cheese
Coconut cream or oil, sauerkraut, nutritional yeast, silken tofu, tapioca flour/starch, agar agar or kappa carrageenan salt, garlic powder
Enchiladas
8-10 tortillas
1 diced onion
2 jalapeños diced and stemmed and deveined (to taste depending on how much spice you prefer)
1 c. coarsely chopped mushrooms
2 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 T. soy sauce
1/4 c. Coconut cream
1/4 c. Whole grain wheat flour or flour of your choice
Cream sauce
1 cup raw cashews
2.5 cups water
1 small can diced green chiles
Salt, cumin, smoked paprika to taste
1. Make mozzarella cheese and set aside to set: https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/the-best-vegan-mozzarella/
2. Place 3 cups of soy curls into a bowl or container and cover with hot water. Add soy sauce, and spices and allow to re-hydrate and marinate. Set aside until later.
2. Add soy sauce to large saucepan or frying pan. Add onions, and sautee for 2-3 minutes, then add garlic, and mushrooms and sautee until tender.
3. Over medium heat, add coconut cream or milk to sautéed vegetables. Once melted and coated, add flour. Stir to coat and mix in to create a roux
4. Add milk to flour/vegetable mixture and stir until a gravy begins to form. Continue to add milk and stir until the mixture resembles a thick sauce. (Note-in the traditional recipe this would be canned soup-so make sure it is about that thickness-undiluted).
5. Add sour cream/yogurt, and freshly chopped jalapeños. Mix in.
6. Drain and then squeeze all of the liquid from the soy curls. Add soy curls, and thoroughly mix.
7. Spoon mixture into tortillas. Corn tortillas can be wrapped in a dishcloth and microwaved for 2 minutes to make them pliable.
8. Fill tortillas with chicken filling, and place seam down in baking dish (9x13), lined with parchment paper.
9. Blend cashews in water and pour into saucepan. Add green chiles, salt, cumin, and smoked paprika to taste. Stir gently until sauce begins to boil and thicken, creating a gravy. Pour over enchiladas.
10. Grate mozarella cheese and sprinkle it over the enchiladas and bake at 375* for approximately 30 minutes.
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Plant based Thanksgiving Stuffing
Looking for a simple plant based alternative to holiday stuffing? This one is our go to, which pleases every time!
Stuffed Peppers - Plant Based
On Halloween, somone told me they were making stuffed peppers - carved like pumpkins - adorable! I'd honestly never made or had stuffed pumpkins before, but was super intrigued by the idea and decided to experiment with them. Oh my goodness - we LOVED them! And two weeks later needed to make them again. Not your regular beef and cheese stuffing, but this is an elevated, plant based version and it stores great, and makes fantastic left-overs.
Plant Based Pumpkin Pie
2 cups pureed pumpkin
1 cup coconut sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 Tablespoon fresh finely grated ginger
1/2 t. grated nutmeg
1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon
1/8 t. ground cloves
1 t. pumpkin pie spice
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup aquafaba (chickpea bean juice)
13.5 oz cashew milk (blend 1 cup cashews with 2.5 cups water in high powered blender, then measure out 13.5 oz)
Combine all ingredients except milk and aquafaba in a saucepan. Heat over medium while stirring until all ingredients are incorporated and mixture boils. Boil while stirring for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat.
Place cashew milk and aquafaba in bowl, mix. Gently pour into pumpkin mixture, whisking to incorporate. When smooth, pour mixture into prepared pie crust.
Bake at 425* for 10 minutes, then 350* for 45 min. Cover crust edges as needed with foil to prevent burning.
Remove from oven and cool before serving.
Whole Wheat, plant based Pie Crust
2-3 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup coconut cream
Salt (pinch)
1/2 t. baking powder
Mix flour, salt and baking powder then pour onto parchment paper.
Add coconut cream and cut in with a pastry blender until it resembles coarse pebbles
Gently gather flour mixture into a mound, then cover with parchment paper and smooth out using a rolling pin.
Turn parchment paper into opposite direction and once again gather mixture into the middle and smooth out again. Add a few teaspoons of water (one at a time as needed).
Continue to gather, and turn approx 5-7 times until the mixture becomes a homogeneous thin crust. Be gentle and limit over-mixing. It will be crumbly.
Use parchment paper to transfer crust into pie pan and fill in where needed.
Sunday, July 31, 2022
Apricot Fruit Leather - Sugar free
Following is a sugar free recipe for Apricot fruit leather.
6 cups fresh (pitted) apricots (washed)
1 T. lemon juice (to retain color)
8-10 medium dates (I use deglet noor from Costco), optional for added sweetness
1/2 cup water +/-
Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Add additional water if needed.
Pour approximately 2 cups onto parchment lined baking sheets and smooth with rubber spatula or wooden spoon. Repeat with additional baking sheets.
Set outside in sun and allow to dry. Once dry, peel from parchment paper and flip over to dry on other side. Reserve parchment paper for later use.
If desired, hang from clothesline for additional drying.
When dry, place leather on parchment paper, and roll. Cut into desired lengths and store.
Beehive Honey & Lemon Poppyseed Hot Pudding Cakes-Plant Based
As a descendant of Utah Pioneers, I love to make these adorable little beehive cakes to honor my heritage, especially on July 24th, Utah's state holiday. I use cast iron molds which create an awesome light outer crust (our favorite part), and depending on how long you bake them, they come our more cakelike (longer bake), or hot pudding like (shorter bake).
Following is a plant based version of this previous recipe.
Ingredients:
2 cups aquafaba (chick pea/garbanzo bean juice)
2.5 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 T. poppyseeds
1/2 cup plant based milk
1.5 Tablespoons chia seeds
2 cups honey
1 medium sized, ripe avocado
1 medium sized ripe banana
2/3 cup plain soy yogurt
1 Tablespoon vanilla
Zest of 1-2 oranges or lemons for added flavor (optional)
Syrup:
1/2 cup raw honey
1/4 cup coconut cream
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Preparations:
Whip aquafaba to medium soft peaks and set aside.
Mix wheat and oat flours, baking powder, salt, and poppyseeds together and set aside.
Add chia seeds to milk, stir, and set aside
~ ~
In a mixing bowl, cream honey, avocado and banana together.
Gently mix in aquafaba, yogurt, and vanilla.
Add flour mixture.
Mix in milk and chia seed mixture, along with orange/lemon zest (if desired)
Pour into prepared pans (lightly coated with coconut oil or coconut cream, then coated with whole wheat flour or lined with parchment paper or large muffin liners).
Bake at 350* for 60-70 minutes.
Allow to cool for 10 minutes, then invert and place on a baking sheet.
Microwave raw honey and coconut cream for 3-4 minutes until combined and boiling - reaching a syrup like stage. Add almond extract. Spoon or evenly pour syrup over each individual cake, allowing excess syrup to pool around edges. Allow to cool.
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Plant based, Copycat Olive Garden Gnocchi Soup
Friday, April 2, 2021
Plant Based Eggless Egg Salad Sandwich
It's been years since we've eaten eggs, and this sandwich was such a surprise. As a bonus, it is super quick and simple to make, and my meat eaters actually liked it (which is the gold standard).
This recipe is adapted from a similar recipe found on "It doesn't taste Like Chicken," but has been adapted here for plant based eating.
***Disclaimer, this recipe calls black salt, which is an unusual, yet 100% essential ingredient. Black salt has a very strong "egg-like" taste and a little goes a long way. I found mine at a local middle eastern store, but it can also be found on Amazon. Please don't try this recipe without this unique ingredient, because we will both be disappointed in your final product.
1 block medium or firm tofu
1/4 cup soy yogurt
2-3 Tablespoons yellow mustard
3/4 teaspoon black salt
2 green onions - finely chopped
1 dash ground cloves
2 dashes turmeric powder
Rinse tofu with water. Drain on a paper towel. Cover with a paper towel, and weigh down with heavy plate or cast iron pot, allowing to drain for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Finely dice tofu. Mix remaining ingredients together, then add tofu, adjusting salt and spices to taste.
Serve with lettuce, on lightly toasted bread.
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Whole Wheat and Oat Flour, Orange & Berry Breakfast Muffins
It has been a REALLY long time since I posted a new recipe, but I've found myself coming back to this recipe several times, and wanted to share it.
When I lived in Guatemala, there was a restaurant called, "A Su Gusto" which is roughly translated as, "As you like it." I think that these muffins embody the spirit of "as you like it."As such, feel free to use whatever fruit you have on hand. I often use frozen berries, but sometimes use chocolate chips, or fresh fruit that I have in the house. Similarly, use the nuts and/or juices for flavor that you prefer.
I love the flexibility of this recipe - for me it is truly a mix of "as you like it" smashed together with "whichever ingredients are on hand." I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.
Combine the following ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups oat flour
1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
1/2 c. chopped, toasted pecans (or nuts of your choice)
1 T. +1 t. baking powder
1 T. chia seeds
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. sea salt
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/4 t. ground cardamon
1 T. orange zest (or citrus zest of your choice)
In another bowl combine the following wet ingredients:
2 c. plain yogurt - use this link for my simple soymilk yogurt recipe
3/4 c. mixed berries - your choice
2/3 c. non dairy milk (I use WestSoy plain because it has two ingredients - soybeans and water)
1 c. pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp orange juice (or juice of your choice)
1 t. vanilla
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently combine until mixed.
Bake at 350* in muffin tins lined with cupcake liners or parchment paper squares for 20-25 minutes.
If desired, sprinkle with demarara sugar just as the muffins come out of the oven.
Yield 24 muffins
Saturday, September 28, 2019
Super Simple Hashbrowns
Pictured: Hashbrowns with Kale & Avocado Massaged Salad |
5 Ingredient, Plant Based Peanut Butter Cookies
Friday, August 16, 2019
Plant based pho
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Carrot, ginger, sweet potato, tomato, spinach and banana microwave chips - no oil
Here are my hits and misses:
Carrots:
Using a potato peeler, create thin carrot curls. Place on silpat and lightly salt. Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes in the microwave.
4 minute Potato Chips - no oil
These are incredibly tasty when dipped into some plant based ranch dressing too!
Ingredients:
Potatoes
Salt to taste
Tools:
Potato peeler or vegetable slicer
Silpat mat *
Microwave
Scrub potatoes. Using a potato peeler or vegetable slicer, thinly slice potatoes. Don't worry about peeling them. The thinner the slices, the better.
Arrange on a silpat mat, in a single layer.
Lightly salt/season as desired.
Microwave between 4-6 minutes.
*Note, parchment paper may be used if Silpat is not available.
To prevent discoloration and make crunchier, place potato slices into a bowl of cold water in between batches.
For the record, experimental cooking - fried egg on a silpat
When we started to eat a plant based diet, fried foods definitely went out the window. Because we don't use coconut oil or cooking spray, most fried foods just weren't an option. Although we've used coconut cream we still hoped to figure out other alternatives at some point.
And so, today I experimented. I wondered if we could fry something on a silpat, on a griddle.
The answer is.....a resounding YES!!
Here's the egg I fried... no oil, simply the silpat, and heat from the underlying griddle.