Red Rice (Indian Rice) & Lentils w/Garlic Butter

Hi! I am Melanie's friend, Alicia, of 13 very great years. We decided it might be fun if I submitted some of my favorite dinners. My family eats mostly vegan (Friday has always been pizza night and sometimes we still add cheese.)

This recipe is one of my family's favorite dinners. We call it "Red Rice." It is very flavorful and quick if you keep the ingredients on hand. I serve it fresh but Indian food often tastes better when it sits.

Red Rice for 8

Start cooking rice before preparing sauce. You should be done at the same time as the rice.

3 cups Basmati Rice (sold at Costco) to 6 cups water

Add the following to your blender

2 15 oz cans of crushed tomatoes or whatever kind you have on hand

4 green chiles or 1 anaheim pepper (optional but adds a little heat)

2 Tbsp chopped fresh ginger or 1 tsp of dried ginger

4 tsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp paprika

2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups cashew milk (1 cup cashew & 3/4 cups blended smoothly) or heavy cream

2 tsp garam marsala (which is cloves, coriander, cumin & cinnamon)

1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves

Blend until smooth. I pour the whole sauce over the rice and mix it in so nobody runs out of sauce. I set aside some of the rice for lunch before serving or we will eat it all.

I serve this with steamed cauliflower or raw carrot & celery sticks. We love to eat lentils as a side you'll find the recipe below

Lentils with Garlic Butter

Simmer together until lentils split:

1 1/2 cup lentils (mine happen to be yellow)

3/4 tsp turmeric

5 cups water

Blend together when finished but still hot:

5 Tbsp vegetable oil (I use coconut oil and even olive oil)

5-6 garlic cloves

Lentils (liquid and all)

1-2 tsp salt

Yummy Tomato Bisque

This is so yummy that as I was flipping through some of my recipes I wanted to make it right now! But, since I just ate dinner an hour ago that would be silly.

2 TBS butter or oil
2 onions chopped
2 minced cloves of garlic
1 15 oz can of tomatoes (either whole or diced)
2 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock can be tasty)
1/4 cup uncooked rice
salt and pepper to taste
1/2-1 TBS dried basil
1/4 tsp dried thyme

2 cups half and half (1 cup milk with 1 cup heavy cream OR 1 can evaporated milk OR 2 cups cashew/almond/soy milk)
Tobasco or other hot sauce to taste

Melt butter/oil in a large saucepan and stirn in onions and garlic. Saute until soft and golden with a medium to low heat. Pour in the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT milk/cream and hot sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes.

Puree the soup in a blender and return to pan. Then stir in the half and half/milk in and add teh hot sauce to taste. If needed warm and then serve! This is really tasty with a dollup of sour cream on it! It's also wonderful with a sandwich. ENJOY!

Buttermilk syrup

Hey there all! This recipe was given to me from a friend. I have changed it up and the kids gave it a thumb's up. Here you go!

1 cube butter (or coconut oil)
1 2/3 cups honey (or 2 cups sugar)
3/4 cups buttermilk (or soy/rice/almond milk with 2 TBS lemon juice/vinegar and let sit for 15 minutes, this is true also of just plain milk)

Bring to a boil and let boil for 2-3 minutes while whisking. Take off of the heat and stirn in 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp baking soda. THIS WILL DOUBLE in size, so make sure your pan size allows for that.

This makes a foamy fun syrup that is very tasty. I intend to try it with maple extract soon. ENJOY!

Onion Soup for the Sick

Okay, so this doesn't have to be for someone who is sick, but we love it. The onions are like noodles and it is perfect for people who have colds, flus or just want to get warm on a rainy day. This is inspired by a recipe found at www.herballegacy.com/recipes.html

2-3 TBS olive oil or oil of preference
4-6 large onions thinly sliced (I like to use my mandolin slicer for them)
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp thyme
5 cups water
2-3 vegetable bullion cubes
3 TBS Tamari/Shoyu or Soy sauce
Fresh garlic cloves for pressing at the end...

Saute the onions in the oil and salt until translucent. Add the mustard and thyme, stirring until mixed and then cover. Reduce heat to low and cook for about 35 minutes. Add the water, sauce and bullion cubes. Simmer around 10 minutes and then season to taste. We like to add a little of Italian seasoning to this too! Even clove has been known to be really tasty and healing. For people who eat meat you can put bite size pieces of chicken in at the same time you saute the onions.

Right before serving press the garlic into the soup and serve up!

Self-rising flour

I found this substitution and it works great:

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder

Baked Oatmeal Breakfast

I like to do this when I have company, this one doesn't need to be soaked overnight so it can be a little faster.

2 cups oatmeal
1 cup milk
1/2 cup honey
1 egg
1/4 cup butter
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup dried fruit.

Mix all ingredients and pour into a prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Banana Muffins

These are so versatile and yummy! I make a double batch a lot of the time, but it is a big batch, so be prepared if you double it.

Dry ingredients:

1/2 cup wheat germ
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

Wet:

1/2 cup butter/coconut oil
3/4 cup sugar/honey
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas)

This batter should be creamy, if it seems too thick then you can add a little extra milk.

Preheat the oven to 350 and prepare 12 muffin tins

Cream butter and sugar with mixer. Beat the eggs in 1 at a time. Add the bananas (it says to add them mashed, I always let my mixer do it) and add vanilla.

Mix the dry together and then put into the wet and mix until moist, but a little lumpy.

For muffins you will let them bake about 25 minutes.

Energy Bars!

My kids really enjoy these and even non-health nuts are happy to eat them :)

Whisk together until evenly blended:
3 eggs
1 cup honey
1 cup oil (1/2 applesauce and 1/2 oil is also great)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp salt

Mix in alternating:
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar (or 3/4 honey and 2 TBS molasses)
1 cup wheat germ
1 tsp cinnamon
2 cups whole wheat flour

Then stir in:
1/2 cup flax seeds/pumpkin seeds or craisins
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or carob chips

Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven until edges are brown. About 20-25 minutes. cool and cut up :)

These are a great grab and go. If you have them with you, it will mean less trips to fast food restaurants, which I avoid with all of my might!

Raw Apple Cake

This cake is a Thanksgiving tradition in the Harper home. We love it and here it is!

2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup oil
2 cups flour (whole wheat or whit)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
4 cups chopped apples (raw, peeled and cored)
2 cups sugar (or 1 1/2 cups honey)
1 cup chopped nuts (opt)
1 cup raisins

Chop the apples in a bowl and pour sugar over apples and set aside for a couple of hours (I never do this step)

Mix in remaining dry ingredients in a separate bowl.

Beat eggs and add vanilla then add the dry mixtrue to the egg mixture. Add oil and mix well. Fold in apples and sugar mix and then add in the raisins and nuts.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a pan and pour cake mixture into it.

Bake about an hour, it varies with different pans. ENJOY!

Monster Cookies

These are pretty tasty and have a lot of ingredients :)

6 eggs
2 1/4 cups brown sugar (or 2 cups honey and 2 TBS molasses)
2 cups white sugar (or 1 1/2 cups honey)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
4 tsp baking soda
1 cup softened butter/coconut oil
3 cups crunch peanut butter
9 cups oatmeal (10-10 1/2 if using honey)
1 1/2 cups chocoalte chips
1 1/2 cups candied chocolate (M&Ms) though I successfully just use more chocolate chips

Mix the first 7 ingredients (up to and including the peanut butter) add oatmeal, candy and chocolate chips and mix.

Drop onto cookie sheets with lots of space between. If the dough is too sticky you can either refrigerate it or add extra oatmeal.

Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes.

Breakfast Cookies

These are tasty and I use them when we go hiking or have a busy week.

1/2 cup butter/coconut oil softened
2/3 cups brown sugar (or 1/2 cup honey and 2 TBS molasses)
2 eggs
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup dried fruit/cranberries, cherries, raisins, dried apricots (chopped) etc
1/2 cup banana chips--broken up (opt)
1/2 cup chopped nuts of any sort

Turn on oven to 350 and prepare a pan.

Put oil (butter/coconut oil) and beat until creamy add honey or brown sugar and mix until combined.

Add the eggs and vanilla dn beat until combined. Put the rest of the ingredients up to the oats and mix in a separate bowl and then pour into the first mixture.

Fold/stir in items from the oats down and mix.

Use about 1/4 cup per cookie 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet. Bake 12-15 minutes. I use an ice-cream scoop.

ENJOY!

Christmas Mincemeat Bars

1 1/2 cups brown sugar (or 1 1/4 cups honey with 2 TBS molasses)
2 TBS molasses
1 TBS butter (softened) or coconut oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sifted flour (I NEVER sift)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cloves
3 TBS HOT water
1/4 cup sliced almonds (I almost never have these, so I chop my almonds)
1 1/2 cups prepared mincemeat

In a mixing bowl combine first 5 ingredients and mix thoroughly. Sift together flour, salt, sinnamon, baking soda and cloves, then stir into the molasses mixture. Stir in hot water, then stir in almonds and mincemeat.

Divide mixture in half and spread evenly over the bottoms of 2 greased 9X13 inch baking pans. It is a little tricky, but as it bakes the dough will puff up and take care of any holes.

Bake at 400 degrees 12-15 minutes until when touched lightly no imprint remains. Immediately use icing.

ICING
1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar
About 3 TBS hot milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond flavoring

In a small mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and almond flavoring. Mix until smooth and ice! It's more like a glaze.

Bread Pudding

This is a great general recipe guideline....you can add all kinds of other dried fruits and spices, for example: nutmeg, raisins or prunes, crystalized ginger, dried blueberries etc.

4 TBS butter/olive oil/coconut oil
6 cups bread cut or torn into 1 inch chunks
2 cups half and half/soy milk/almond milk etc
4 eggs
3/4 cups maple syrup or other sweetener
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt.

Butter/oil your baking dish with oil, then put the bread into the pan and combine the rest of the ingredients and pour over the bread. Turn oven to 350 degrees and place a weighted plate over the bread pudding. Remove plate and bake in oven for 35-45 minutes.

Whole Wheat Pita Pockets

I LOVE this recipe. It works every time and I have had great success with it. I alternate making whole wheat and white flour. Here is the link: http://tammysrecipes.com/whole_wheat_pita_pockets I don't know how to do an actual link.....sorry :(

Ranch Dressing

I love being able to make my own sauces. I don't always do it, but I think they are *SO* much better for you! Anyway, here goes:

3/4 Vegenaise (mayonnaise also works)
2 TBS dried parsley
1/2 tsp minced dried onion
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 TBS parmesan cheese (opt)
1/2 cup buttermilk (I never have this, but I did get some powdered and it is 4 TBS powdered buttermilk to 1 cup water)

Mix together all ingredients leaving the buttermilk for the last. Slowly blend it in and chill 2 hours before serving.

Fluffy Cupcake Frosting

This is a great frosting and is the best for those fluffy frostings. It isn't healthy and it is a very flexible frosting.

3 TBS flour
1 cup milk

Shake in a jar until mixed, then put into a pan and cook over medium heat until thick. Place plastic wrap on it and chill really well.

After chilled whip up and add:

1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup crisco

While it is whipping add:

1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp (to taste) vanilla/almond extract etc

Whip up some more!

I usually double this. I also cook it in my kitchenaide bowl so that I don't have to change bowls for whipping/chilling etc. Enjoy!

Moist Chocolate Cake

I love this cake recipe. It is so moist and always a winner for our guests.

3 cups flour (white or wheat, though remember with wheat a little more dense)
2 cups sugar (I have successfully used 1 3/4 cups honey)
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup butter milk (I don't usually have this, so I use milk with lemon or vinegar in it)
1 cup and 1 TBS oil
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp almond extract (optional, I LOVE it, my hubby doesn't)
1 cup boiling water

Mix all ingredients together in order listed and then pour into a greased 9X13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. It can take longer, just until a knife/toothpick comes out clean!

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Hello fellow summer harvesters! This is an awesome chocolate cake recipe. I LOVED it and had a similar reaction from everyone that ate any. It uses more zucchini than most recipes I have seen and it is moist and light. LOVED IT!

2 cups flour (I used white the first time, but whole wheat would be great)
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
3 cups grated zucchini
3/4 cups chopped walnuts (optional and I didn't use them)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease/flour (I spray olive oil on) in a 9X13 pan.

2. Stir in all dry ingredients. Add the eggs and oil and mix well. Fold in nuts and zucchini...due to my laziness, I just use my kitchenaid and mix it right in.

3. Bake for 50-60 minutes in the preheated oven until knife or toothpick comes out clean. Cool and frost. I used cream cheese, but you can eat it plain and it's great!

The cream cheese frosting I used was:

2 blocks of cream cheese
2 tsp of vanilla
5 cups of powdered sugar

HAVE FUN!