fast and easy Archives - Page 19 of 24

Angel Hair Pasta with Mushrooms and Ricotta

January 2, 2011 by epicureanvegan

This is so light and flavorful that The Husband is already looking forward to the leftovers. The original recipe is from the latest issue of Sunset Magazine, but I made lots of changes. So really, I guess that means I was inspired by the recipe . . .

INGREDIENTS:
6 oz angel hair pasta
8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 leek, white and light green parts only, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt, to taste
1/2 C vegan ricotta (recipe below)
1/4 C toasted croutons, crushed (I made my own—see below)
1/3 C flat-leaf parsley leaves
4 Tbs olive oil, divided

Ricotta:
14 oz extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
1/3 C nutritional yeast
1/2 C to 1 C fresh basil leaves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbs lemon juice

Croutons:
2-3 slices French bread, toasted, then chopped and crushed

DIRECTIONS:
To make ricotta: Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend well. You’ll only need about 1/3 to 1/2 C, so either refrigerate the rest for a few days for another meal, or freeze it.

Cook pasta according to package instructions; reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain. Heat 2 Tbs of the olive oil and add the mushrooms; cook until browned. Add the leeks and garlic and cook about 1-2 minutes. Season with salt. Toss the pasta with the mushroom mixture, reserved pasta sauce and remaining 2Tbs of olive oil.

Top with little dollops of the ricotta and some parsley. Enjoy!

Pesto and Almond Feta Pizza

December 26, 2010 by epicureanvegan

After the craziness of the holidays, a quick, easy meal is a welcome reprieve. I usually have homemade pesto in the freezer, so it paired perfectly with the almond feta I made a few days ago. I had one flat bread left and a loaf of French bread which made the perfect pizza “dough.” You’ll love the softness of the cheese and the absence of all grease–this is probably my favorite kind of pizza.

INGREDIENTS: (For 3 pizzas)
3 flat breads or 3/4 of a loaf of French bread
1 C basil pesto
1-1/2 to 2 C almond feta
2-3 tomatoes, diced
1 C black olives, sliced
Shredded vegan mozzarella, optional

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400. On each piece bread, layer 1/3 C of the pesto, then equally divide the rest of the ingredients among the pizzas.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until the feta begins to brown. Enjoy!

Mushroom and Kale Stroganoff

December 6, 2010 by epicureanvegan

I saw this recipe this morning from Healthy Exposures and I knew I had to make it. It calls for some roasted red pepper hummus and I actually had some in the fridge, so it just had to happen. It also has two of my favorite ingredients: mushrooms and kale. I was sold. I doubled the recipe, as originally, it’s for 2 servings. The fennel, I believe, was key. It gave the dish that stroganoff-beef taste, which surprised me, as I’ve only used fennel in chai flavoring. Be sure to check out Healthy Exposures’ yummy vegan recipes, (plus this original recipe),wonderful photography and her beautiful horse, Teddie. 🙂

INGREDIENTS:
14-oz whole wheat pasta
1 large onion, chopped
2 tsp garlic, minced (I added this)
1 Tbs olive oil
3 C sliced mushrooms
6 large kale leaves, thinly sliced (I tore them up)
1/2 tsp fennel seed
salt and pepper, to taste
2 C reserved pasta water
2 Tbs white bean flour (I used garbanzo flour since that was all I had)
4 Tbs roasted red pepper hummus
1 Tbs pub-style Dijon mustard
2 Tbs nutritional yeast

Cook pasta until al dente. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and add the garlic and onions. Saute until the onions begin to brown. Add the mushrooms, kale, fennel, salt, and pepper.

Okay, I went a little nuts with the kale, but I LOVE kale so much, I could not be stopped. Add 4 Tbs of water and cover until kale cooks down. In a small bowl, whisk together the pasta water, flour, hummus, Dijon, and nutritional yeast. Once the kale mixture has cooked down, add the liquid mixture to it and simmer for about 10 minutes, or until it thickens.

I then served this over individual servings of pasta and seasoned with a little salt and pepper. It was phenomenal! We all loved it. Enjoy!

My Cure-All Vegetable-Miso Soup

December 3, 2010 by epicureanvegan

Well, curing colds is the idea. If anything, this soup is hearty and flavorful. It’s also packed full of immune-boosting ingredients. The Husband was struck with a cold for two weeks, then after four days of wellness, got hit again. The Sixth Grader is now catching on to this cold business. I’m a firm believer that fresh fruits and vegetables are the best remedy for the cold. Unfortunately, the Husband didn’t load up on them when he was sick . . .hmmm. . . Twice, I did feel it coming on, and both times I ate a big bowl of steamed kale. Cold symptoms gone. I make the kale a regular thing for me now—at least three days a week and even for breakfast. So last night my sniffling, coughing guys were asking for me to make the colds go away, so to the kitchen I went and for a appetizer, I made them split an orange bell pepper, which is loaded with beta carotene, vitamin A and antioxidants.

INGREDIENTS:
4 C low-sodium vegetable broth
3 C water
2 C red potatoes, diced
1 large leek (loaded with Vitamin C, potassium, chromium and selenium)
2 tsp garlic, minced (also loaded with Vitamin C, potassium, chromium and selenium)
1 C carrots, sliced (get your beta carotene, Vitamin A and antioxidants)
2 C button or shiitake mushrooms, quartered (packed full of nutrients–long list–plus some fiber)
1 15oz can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (high in fiber and protein)
1/2 C yellow miso

Optional: 1 C kale or spinach

DIRECTIONS:
Heat the vegetable broth and water in a large soup pot. Bring to a simmer. Add the potatoes, carrots and leeks. Cook about 10 minutes and then add the garlic and beans. Simmer again for another 8-10 minutes, or until the potatoes and carrots are soft, but still with a bit of a crunch. Stir in miso and mushrooms and simmer 5 minutes. It’s that easy!! Serve with a little extra love and it’s sure to cure colds! Enjoy!

Pineapple Salsa

November 26, 2010 by epicureanvegan

Vegan MoFo, Day 26

Happy Black Friday. As for me, I’m staying far away from the maddening crowds; safe at home.

My mom made this salsa—the recipe is actually from a friend and it won first place in a recent salsa contest. One bite and you’ll see why!

INGREDIENTS:
1 can pineapple rings, drained
1 medium red onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 of a bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped fine
1 chili pepper of choice, such as an anaheim

DIRECTIONS:
Grill the pineapple rings about 5 minutes on each side. Chop up and combine with the other ingredients. So easy! Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy.

Vegan Jambalaya

November 20, 2010 by epicureanvegan

Vegan MoFo, Day 20

This has always been a favorite with the fam and so when I looked at the Tofurky Kielbasa sausages in the fridge, I knew it was meant to be. I usually make biscuits to serve under the jambalaya, but I forgot, so I used some rosemary and sesame seed saltines. If you don’t have a lot of time, Pillsbury Crescent Rolls are vegan and a quick option.

INGREDIENTS:
1-14 0z pkg (4 sausages), diced
2-14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes with juices
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped (I used a red onion, but any variety is fine)
1-1/2 C vegetable broth
1/2 C white wine
1/3 C fresh parsley, chopped
2 C white rice, cooked
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 Tbs olive oil
Cajun seasoning (1 tsp is fairly mild. For more of a kick, add more, a 1/4 tsp at a time)
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp pepper, or to taste
Crackers or biscuits

DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet, heat the oil and garlic. Add the bell pepper, onion and sausage. Saute about 10 minutes, or until the sausage begins to brown and the peppers and onion soften.

Meanwhile, in a large soup pot, combine the tomatoes and broth; bring to a simmer. Transfer the sausage mixture to the tomato mixture and bring to a boil. Lower heat and add the seasonings, parsley, and wine; simmer for 15-20 minutes.

Just before serving, stir in the rice and enjoy!

Buttered Party Mix

November 16, 2010 by epicureanvegan

Vegan MoFo, Day 16

So easy! And a great way to grab some protein. You can sub in pecans if you’d like—I’m just not a big fan. These are for an artist reception at the Northern Colorado Writers Association that is tonight. I’m also bringing my favorite hummus. The artist happens to be my mother-in-law, watercolorist-extraordinaire.

INGREDIENTS:
4 Tbs Earth Balance margarine, melted
1 Tbs garlic salt
1/2 tsp cayenne, or more for taste
1 C raw, unsalted cashews
1 C raw, unsalted walnuts
1 C raw, unsalted almonds
1/2 C sunflower seeds

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 300 and line a baking sheet with foil. In a medium bowl, combine the nuts, garlic salt and cayenne. Add the margarine and thoroughly combine. Layer onto the lined baking sheet and bake for about a half an hour. Stir and flip over the nuts. I know, that’s not easy, but you’ll be able to tell which side is which since the cooked side will be dry-looking. Bake another 20-30 minutes. Let cool, then transfer to an air tight container if not eating right away. Enjoy!

Cheddar and Green Chili Bread with Cream Cheeze Spread

November 7, 2010 by epicureanvegan

Vegan MoFo, Day 7

I love making bread and sometimes I’m in the mood to put the time and effort into kneading, rising, kneading, rising it, but there are days I just can’t be bothered with that. And today, I had a weird inclination to combine green chilies and cheeze and this quick, simple bread magically appeared in my oven. It was that easy. Great served with veggie chili!

INGREDIENTS:
Bread:
3 C flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbs dried minced onion
4-oz can diced green chilies
2 Tbs olive oil
1-1/4 C almond milk
1-1/2 C vegan cheddar, shredded (or vegan pepper jack cheeze)

Spread:
4-oz Tofutti cream cheese
1 Tbs fresh cilantro, minced
1/8 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp lime juice

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a 9″ loaf pan. In a food processor, combine flour, baking powder, minced onion, and salt. Add the cheese and chilies. While the machine is running, add the almond milk and oil. Combine thoroughly and then transfer to the loaf pan. Use a spatula to even it out.

Bake 40 minutes. Insert a toothpick or knife in the center to assure it’s done. It smells wonderful as it bakes! To make the spread, combine all ingredients well. Spread some of the cream cheeze mixture onto a warm slice of bread—it’ll melt in your mouth!

Enjoy!

Colorful Kale and Potato Casserole

November 4, 2010 by epicureanvegan

Oh my gosh, this was delicious!! The flavors of the Field Roast sausage and Vegan Rella, really made this dish. This was the first time I used Vegan Rella’s cheddar flavor and like the mozzarella variety, I was in love at first bite. It is truly the best-tasting vegan cheese out there and it melts like it’s nobody’s biz. Combined with the Field Roast, there’s no need to add any other seasonings, which is always a time and money saver!

INGREDIENTS:
Olive oil
1-1/2 C red potatoes, diced small
1-1/2 C kale, stemmed and chopped
1 Field Roast sausage link, Mexican Chipotle flavor, crumbled
1 C cracker crumbs
1 large tomato, diced
1-1/2 C Vegan Rella, shredded

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375. In a large skillet, heat some olive oil and cook the potatoes until they begin to soften and brown. Add the Field Roast and kale and cook a few minutes more, covered, until the kale starts to wilt. Layer the crackers on the bottom of a pie plate and sprinkle some cheeze on the crackers. (Vegan Rella can be pretty sticky, so don’t knock yourself out trying to spread it too much).

Transfer the potato mixture to the pie plate and spread evenly.

Sprinkle on the rest of the cheeze and then the diced tomato.

Cover and bake for 10 minutes. Let sit a few minutes before digging into it. Enjoy! (And btw, thanks, Field Roast for the FB shout out–as you know, I LOVE your products and I’m hoping to get my local health food stores to carry more of them)!

Tofu in Tahini Sauce

November 4, 2010 by epicureanvegan

Vegan MoFo, Day 4

I know, a very monochromatic meal! The recipe called for mixing half the sauce with the rice, or other accompaniment, but feel free to omit that step, especially for a less beige result. I also recommend adding some steam asparagus and/or mushrooms, or broccoli. This is simple and the sauce is rich and delicious!

INGREDIENTS:
1-14oz pkg firm tofu, drained and pressed
2 Tbs olive or peanut oil
1/3 C chopped peanuts, cashews, or a combination of both
Toasted sesame seeds

Sauce:
1/4 C soy sauce
1 Tbs tamari
1/4 C tahini
2 Tbs rice wine vinegar
2 Tbs brown sugar
1/2 tsp hot pepper sesame oil
1/2 a small white onion, chopped
1/3 C water
Salt, to taste

Accompaniment:
1 C Arborio rice (risotto)
1 Tbs Earth Balance margarine
1-1/2 C water

DIRECTIONS:
I recommend making the sauce first so that you don’t have to pan-fry the tofu at the same time. In a food processor, combine all of the sauce ingredients and puree until smooth. Set aside. In a medium sauce pan, combine the water, margarine, and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover tightly with a lid for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil. Slice the tofu into 7-8 steaks, then slice each diagonally in half. Add to the pan and fry each main side until golden brown.

Pour sauce over tofu and coat each piece of tofu.Remove from heat and stir in nuts. If using, add steamed (or roasted) veggies of your choice. Serve over rice, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds and enjoy!

Recipe: Adapted from Epicurious