Cold Night

Cold Night. Mixed media collage, 2012.

Homemade Croutons

Homemade croutons are a great way to use up day old bread. Garnish salads and soups.

Serves: 6-7 cups

Prep Time: 2 min

Cooking Time: 20-25 min

Total:  30 min

Ingredients

1 loaf ciabatta bread, 1-2 days old
4-5 tbsp. olive oil, or more
dried oregano flakes
dried rosemery
salt

Directions

1. Slice bread into 1 inch to 1 1/2 inch cubes, and place in a large bowl. 
2. Season with oil, herbs and salt, tossing to combine. 
3. Spread on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 200 F for 20 - 25 minutes, until croutons have become crusty.
4. Cool and use to garnish salads or soups. Store in an air-tight container.

Celebrate Colour

Celebrate Colour. Mixed media collage, 2012.

Creamy Almond Butter

Homemade almond butter is a healthy, easy to make and versatile spread.

Serves: 1 cup

Prep Time: 12-15 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  15 min

Ingredients

1 cup almonds, raw or roasted/unsalted

Addition Ideas

chopped almond pieces, to make it crunchy
cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne pepper
sugar, maple syrup, honey, agave
cocoa powder, carob powder or melted chocolate
instant coffee
vanilla extract
almond milk, to thin almond butter
salt

Directions

1. Add almonds to the work bowl of a food processor. Process for 12-15 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the work bowl. While processing, the almonds will change from being whole, to a fine powder, and after about 10 minutes, a paste will form. As the nut oils are released the almond butter will become creamy and smooth. Be patient.
2. Add any additions after the almond butter has become creamy. Stir in additions by hand or pulse for a 2-3 second, until just combined.

Healthy Chocolate Spread

An easy to make, healthy chocolate batter that can be used as a spread or dip!

Serves: 2 cups

Prep Time: 5 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  5 min

Ingredients

1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and washed
1/2 cup rolled oats
2-3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
maple syrup, agave or brown sugar, to taste
2-3 tbsp. milk, soy milk or almond milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Directions

1. Add beans and oats into the work bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. 
2. Add remaining ingredients and process, adjusting quantities of chosen sweetener and milk until desired taste, thickness and smoothness is reached.
3. Use as a spread for dessert pizza or toast, or as a dip for apples slices, strawberries and cinnamon sugar pita chips.
4. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days.

Adapted from chockohlawtay.blogspot.ca

Roasted Eggplant with Spiced Chickpeas

A wonderful aromatic dish of eggplant and spiced chickpeas, garnished with mint and served with yogurt.

Serves: 5

Prep Time: 30 min

Cooking Time: 20 min

Total:  50 min

Ingredients

2 large eggplants, washed and sliced lengthwise, about 1/2 inch thick

3-4 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 can (28 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1-2 tbsp. pomegranate molasses
salt and pepper
1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
fresh mint leaves, whole or chopped, to garnish
Greek yogurt, to garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oven to 450 F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Lightly brush eggplants with oil, on both sides, and place them flat on the pans. Roast, flipping once until both sides are lightly browned, about 15 minutes in total. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes, spices, salt, pepper and molasses and bring to a simmer.
3. Simmer until mixture reduces and thickens, about 15 minutes. There should be a hint of sweetness.
4. Add chickpeas and cook until thick, another 5 minutes. Stir in half the pine nuts and set aside.
5. To assemble, place an eggplant slice on a platter and spoon chickpea mixture onto the wide end of the slide. Fold narrow end of slice over to cover the filling. Garnish with mint.
6. Repeat with remaining slices and garnish with extra pine nuts.
7. Serve dish at room temperature, with a spoonful of yogurt.

Lightly adapted from nytimes.com

Egg Fried Rice

Egg fried rice is a quick dish to make and easy way to use leftover rice.

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 2-3 min

Cooking Time: 5-7 min

Total:  10 min

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp. sunflower oil
1-2 eggs, whisked
1 tsp. sesame oil
2 cups cooked rice, white or brown medium grain
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup finely chopped red pepper
3-4 mushrooms, chopped
1/2 cup peas (optional)
handful of bean sprouts (optional)
1 tbsp. soy sauce, to taste
1 green onion, sliced, to garnish

Directions

1. Heat oil in a wok and stir fry onions until browned. Add carrots, red pepper, mushrooms, peas and bean spouts and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add rice and heat thoroughly. Transfer vegetable rice to a bowl or plate and set aside.
2. Add sesame oil to whisked eggs and cook in heated wok. Gently push eggs around the wok, keeping them in bite-sized pieces.
3. Return vegetable rice to the wok and add soy sauce. Fold carefully to combine.
4. Serve immediately garnished with fresh green onions.

Pomegranate Molasses

Pomegranate molasses is a versatile and key ingredient used in Middle Eastern dishes.

Serves: 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup

Prep Time: 1 min

Cooking Time: 60-70 min

Total:  60 min

Ingredients

2 cup unsweetned pomegranate juice
1/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp. lemon juice

Directions

1. In a large uncovered saucepan, combine pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice. Heat on medium until simmering. Stir frequently.
2. Turn heat to low and simmer for 60-70 minutes, stirring occasionally. Allow liquid to reduce to about 1/3 cup. As it reduces, the sauce will become thicker. Be careful not to burn.
3. Transfer to a glass jar and allow to cool. Store for up to 6 months in the refrigerator.
4. Use in Middle Eastern vegetarian recipes, in dishes with lamb, in salad dressings, or drizzle over ice cream.

Recipe from simplyrecipes.com

Spinach Tofu Dip

A healthy and delicious spinach tofu dip that can be served with vegetable sticks or pita wedges.

Serves: 2 cups

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 0 min

Total:  10 min, plus 1 hour chilling time

Ingredients

1 package medium-firm tofu, drained
1 package frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and liquid drained
2-3 tbsp. shredded carrot (optional)
3 tbsp. mayonnaise or vegannaise
1-2 tsp. powedered vegetable stock
fresh ground pepper

Directions

1. In a food processor, process tofu until smooth and creamy.
2. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients and taste, adjusting flavour if necessary.
3. Chill for at least 1 hour and serve with vegetable sticks such as carrots, cucumber or celery, pita wedges, or inside of a bread bowl.

Lightly adapted from sunrise-soya.com

Breakfast Tofu Scramble

Breakfast tofu scramble is a light and delicious vegan substitute for scrambled eggs.

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 5 min

Cooking Time: 10 min

Total:  15 min

Ingredients

1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. tumeric powder
2 cups medium-firm tofu, crumbled
1 small red, yellow or orange bell pepper, chopped
1/2 zucchini, chopped
5-6 mushrooms, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
1 green onion, sliced, to garnish
grated cheddar or vegan cheese, to garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Heat oil in a skillet and saute onions for 1-2 minutes.
2. Add zucchini, tomato, bell pepper, mushrooms and saute for another 2-3 minutes.
3. Add tofu and tumeric, cooking for 5-7 minutes until thoroughly heated.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and cheese, and a side of toast or a warm torilla wrap.