Baked Broccoli Bites with Spiced Vegan Yogurt

Vegan Richa blog site calls these Broccoli Fritters but they turned out more like coated Broccoli Bites.  A fun little snack or small plate.  I doubled the amount of broccoli and coating and paired with a side Jasmine Rice.

Baked Broccoli Bites with Spiced Vegan Yogurt

https://www.veganricha.com/2013/05/spiced-yogurt-gravy-with-baked-broccoli.html

Hungarian Noodles with Vegan Kielbasa

We love one pot meals and this dish is super flavorful and hearty.  The original recipe calls for cabbage but I had a bag of Trader Joe’s Cruciferous mix on hand and used about half the bag. The Trader Joe's vegan Italian Kielbasa gives the dish a nice, warm, spicy kick.

Hungarian Noodles with Vegan Kielbasa

Modified food network recipe

8            oz. No Egg Noodles (Kroger carries – called No Egg Dumplings)

2            tablespoons olive oil

3            vegan Italian Kielbasa, small dice (Trader Joe’s)

1            onion, chopped

1            clove garlic, minced

1            jar roasted red peppers , chopped(1-cup, Trader Joe’s)

1            tablespoon paprika

1            cup low-sodium vegetable stock

1/2         head Savoy or green cabbage, sliced 1” thick (I used 1/2 bag cruciferous

                                                            veggies and chopped small – Trader Joe’s)

1/3 – 3/4 cup vegan sour cream

2            tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley

              freshly ground pepper

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add the noodles and cook as the label directs.  Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and diced vegan Kielbasa and cook until onion is soft. 

Add garlic, chopped red peppers, and paprika and cook, stirring 1 minute.  Add the vegetable broth, cabbage or cruciferous mix and 1/2 teaspoon salt.  Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the cabbage is tender, about 4 minutes.

Add the noodles and vegan sour cream to the sausage mixture  (I like a lot of vegan sour cream so I used about 3/4 cup vs. the original recipe of  1/3 cup.  Cook, stirring, until well coated, about 30 seconds (do not boil).   Add the reserved cooking water as needed to loosen.  Stir in the dill or parsley and season with salt and pepper.

Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew

It may be Spring but it still feels like Stew season to me!

Spiced Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew

Rachel Ray Magazine

6            cups vegetable stock

1            lb. sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4” cubes

1            can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

1            cup dried brown lentils, rinsed

1            large onion, chopped

6            large coves garlic, finely chopped

2            tablespoons olive oil

2            teaspoon curry powder

1            teaspoon garam masala

1/2         cup plain vegan yogurt

1/4         cup fresh cilantro leaves  (I didn’t have cilantro, so added a bit of coriander

                                                            along with the other spices)

In a large Dutch oven, bring the first 9 ingredients and Coriander, if using, to a boil covered, over high.  Uncover and cook over medium-high, stirring often, until the potatoes and lentils are tender, about 15 minutes; season.

Divide among bowl; top with the yogurt and Cilantro

Miso-Glazed Peas and Carrots

I love finding new side recipes that brighten up a main dish.  Peas and Carrots remind me that Spring is right around the corner, even if snow is still on the ground.

Miso-Glazed Peas and Carrots

3            tablespoons miso, preferable white

1            tablespoon mirin

2            tablespoons rice vinegar

1            teaspoon minced fresh ginger

1            teaspoon toasted sesame oil

2            cups thinly sliced carrots, fresh or frozen

2            cups frozen peas (8 ounces)

Combine miso, mirin, vinegar, ginger and oil in a small bowl.  Place carrots and water in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the miso mixture and peas; cook, stirring occasionally, until the peas are heated through and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 3 minutes.

Tofu Saag Paneer and No-Yeast Vegan Naan

Tofu Saag Paneer

modified Aarti Sequeira’s recipe

Tofu “Paneer”

1            12 oz. pkg. extra-firm tofu

1            tablespoon yellow miso paste

2            tablespoons lemon juice, plus 1 tablespoon zest, from 2-3 lemons

1            tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

              salt and pepper

Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Press tofu firmly between paper towels to remove excess moisture.  Cut into 1 and 1/2 “ cubes and set aside.  In a medium bowl, whisk together miso paste, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, lemon zest and 1 tablespoon oil.  Season generously with salt and pepper.  Add tofu and toss to coat.  Spread tofu evenly over a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet (I just sprayed with non stick – didn’t use foil).  Place in oven and bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.  Sauce may darken a little against the foil; this is fine.  Set tofu aside.

1            16-oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach  (Thawed)

1 and 1/2            tablespoon vegetable oil

1            medium white onion, finely  chopped

1            1” piece ginger, peeled and minced (about 1 tablespoon)

4            cloves garlic, minced

1            large green sarrano chile pepper (seeds removed – if you don’t like it spicy)

                                                            finely chopped  (I used red pepper spice)

2            teaspoons ground coriander

1            teaspoon ground cumin

1/2         teaspoon garam masala

1/2         cup plain vegan yogurt, stirred until smooth (I added a bit of curry to yogurt)

Thaw the spinach in the microwave safe dish, 5 minutes or over night in fridge.  Transfer to a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the excess liquid.  Puree in a food processor until smooth.  (Alternatively, you can chop it up very finely with your knife).  Set aside.

Place a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add  vegetable oil.  Add the onion, ginger, garlic, chile and a pinch of salt.  Now here’s the important part.  Saute the mixture until it’s evenly toffee-colored, which should take about 15 minutes.  Don’t skip this step – this is the foundation of the dish.  If you feel like the mixture is drying out and burning, add a couple of tablespoons of water.

Add the coriander, cumin and garam masala.  Cook, stirring often, until the raw scent of the spices cooks out and it smells a bit more melodious, 3-5 minutes.

Add the spinach and stir well, incorporating the spiced onion mixture into the spinach.  Stir in a little salt and 1/2 cup water.  Cook 5 minutes.

Turn off the heat.  Stir in the yogurt a little at a time.  Once the yogurt is well mixed into the spinach, add the tofu paneer.  Turn the heat back on, cover and cook until everything is warmed though, about 2 minutes.

No-Yeast Vegan Naan
modified Web recipe

1 and 1/4           cup all purpose flour

1/2                     teaspoon baking powder

1/3                     teaspoon granulated sugar

1/2                     teaspoon salt

3                        tablespoons + 1 teaspoon vegan milk

2                        tablespoons vegan butter

1/4                     cup plain, vegan yogurt

Optional:  melted vegan butter for brushing (butter-naan), or add a bit of garlic to the melted vegan butter.

Mix flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a bowl.

In a small saucepan heat vegan milk together with vegan butter, until melted.  You can also use a microwave.  Let cool down slightly.

In a big bowl, add yogurt and stir in warm (not hot) vegan milk mixture, until smooth.

Gradually, add the dry ingredients and stir with a spoon, until the ingredients come together.

With your hands, knead into a smooth dough.  It’s best to first knead in the bowl and later on a lightly floured surface.  If the dough is still sticky, add a little more flour.

Let the dough rest for at least 1/2 hour on a lightly-floured surface and put the empty bowl upside-down on top of it.  Or, let it rest in the bowl, covered with a kitchen towel.  The longer the dough rests, the softer it gets and the easier it will roll out.

Split dough in 4 equal parts, form each of them into a ball and roll out.  Rotate the dough-disk while rolling, and flip it over occasionally.  Sprinkle with flour every now and then, so it will not stick to your rolling pin or surface.  When finished, the Naan should have an oval shape 6”x9” large and about 1/8 thick.

Preheat skillet or pan to medium high heat – but don’t add any oil.  Pick up the Naan, remove excess flour by slapping the dough between your hands and pit it into the pan.   Cook until bubbles have formed on the top and the bottom side gets lightly colored.  Then flip, and cook until done, about 1 minute.  Keep wrapped in foil to keep warm and moist.

*** If using vegan butter and garlic, brush bread with melted butter    

Coconut and Red Lentil Soup

I just can't seem to get enough soup, maybe it's because winter is lingering on and on and I'm getting cabin fever.  The coconut milk base gives just a hint of coconut flavor to this lentil soup, it makes it a bit different than your standard lentil soup.

Coconut and Red Lentil Soup

1 and 1/2          tablespoons cumin seeds

1                        tablespoon coriander seeds

2                        tablespoons olive oil

1/2                     cayenne pepper

1                        small white onion, finely diced

1 and 1/2           cups red lentils

4-5                     cups vegetable stock

1                        12-oz. can coconut milk

2                        tablespoons minced or grated fresh ginger

1/2                     tablespoon black pepper

1/2                     teaspoon sea salt

2                        tablespoons lemon zest

2                        lemons, juiced or 5-tablespoons bottled lemon juice

1/2                     bunch fresh cilantro, chopped, plus more for garnish

                          diced avocado for garnish

Toast cumin and coriander seeds in dry pot on medium heat for 2 minutes until you smell the robust aromas.

Add the olive-oil, pepper, and onion,  Stir consistently until the onion is golden and translucent.

Add the next 6 ingredients.

Put on low heat, stir well, and cover.  Allow to cook for about 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils have “melted”, meaning the have lost their round shape and have softened.  You may need to add more water to get the desired thickness.

**I decided to puree the soup then add a little more lentils and cook just until done, approximately 1/4 cup.

When soup is done, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped cilantro.

Remove from heat and serve with diced avocado and cilantro leaves.

Everything Drop Biscuits with Vegan Cream Cheese

I just discovered "Everything" mix at Trader Joe's and couldn't wait to find something to make with it.  These biscuits are less filling than bagels and are taken to another level when eaten warm, with a dab of vegan butter smeared on them.

Everything Drop Biscuits with Vegan Cream Cheese

Seed Mix  (or use a pre-made “Everything” mix Trader Joe’s carries in spice area)

2            tablespoons sesame seeds

2            tablespoons poppy seeds

1            tablespoon dried minced onion

2            teaspoons dried minced garlic

1            teaspoon coarse salt

Biscuits

2 and 1/2            cups all-purpose flour

2 and 1/2            teaspoons baking powder

1                        teaspoon coarse salt

4                        tablespoons vegan butter, cut into cubes

4                        ounces vegan plain cream cheese

1                        cup vegan buttermilk or regular vegan milk (1 cup vegan milk, 1 tablespoon                                                                    apple cider vinegar) mix together and set  aside a few minutes.

Heat the oven to 450 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.  Combine the seeds with the dried onion, garlic, and coarse salt in a small bowl.  (Or the premade mix)

Put apple cider vinegar into the vegan milk and set aside.

In a larger bowl, combine the flour baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.   Scatter the cold vegan butter and vegan cream cheese over the dry mixture, and use your fingertips or pastry blender to work them in until the mixture resembles sand.  Add the vegan milk or vegan buttermilk, and stir until just combined, with the dough clumping together

Drop the dough in about twelve equal mounds, one at a time, into The Everything seed mixture.  (I dropped all on baking sheet first then dipped into seed mixture one at  time and returned to baking pan).   Use your fingertips to give them a little half-roll through the seeds, and space them evenly on the baking sheet.  Repeat with remaining dough. 

Bake until golden, about 12 minutes ( cooked about 15 minutes).