Quinoa Patties

2 cups Quinoa prepared in 4 cups water (boiled)
1 1/2 cup carrot grated
1 1/2 cup summer squash/zucchini grated
1 cup prepared lentils (optional)
1/2 cup almond butter
1/2 cup rice milk/soy milk/etc
2 TBS lemon juice
1 tsp dill weed
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup flour (any that you prefer)

Combine ingredients up to the almond butter.  Mix other ingredients in a 2 cup measuring cup and add to the solid mixture.  If it seems too dry you can add a little liquid 1 TBS at a time. 

I used an ice cream scoop to make the same size patties and shaped into rounds on the griddle.  You could use some oil to kind of fry them, but I just had them on low heat on the griddle (Like 220?) and waited for them to be cooked on one side and then of course flipped them over. 

Use these like you would any sandwich middle.  These freeze great, be sure to put wax paper between them.  This is a large batch, because we like to freeze the leftovers.

Lovely Lentil Taco Filling!

I love this recipe for taco filling, a layer in 7 layer dip and all kinds of other taco-ish foods :) 

3/4 cups dry lentils
3/4 cups brown rice (I have used white as well--but use less water)
4 cups water
4 tsp-TBS (to taste) veggie bouillon (I use either my own or Better Than Bouillon)
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder

Bring the water to a boil.  Add the lentils and let cook 10 minutes, then add the rest of the ingredients.  Wait until it is all at a boil and reduce heat to low.  Place lid on and simmer for 45-50 minutes more. 

You can also do this in a crockpot on low for 6-8 hours.  I can't wait to try this in my Saratoga Jack's thermal cooker!

Veggie Stir Fry with a twist :)

Veggie stir fry is super easy and fast! It's also a great way to get veggies into your kids. Well, at my house it is :) There can be great variety in the sauces and the "starches" that you use as well.

Being tired lately, I typically buy the bag of mixed vegetables at the grocery store. We use at least an entire bag. It has cauliflower florets, broccoli florets and baby carrots in it. Then I chop them into smaller pieces. I often add other veggies that I have on hand. Here are some vegetable ideas:

Carrots
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Bell pepper
Celery
Bok choy
Green onions
Green beans
Chinese cucumbers
Sugar or snow peas (whole)
Onions
Bamboo shoots (canned are okay, but only needs warmed, not cooked)
Water chestnuts (canned are okay, but only needs warmed, not cooked)
Baby ears of corn (only needs warmed)
Summer squash
Mushrooms
Cabbage

Be sure to put the firmer things in first and add the ones that need less cooking later. For example, if you are doing carrots and broccoli, they could be together, but summer squash would cook MUCH faster. I use coconut oil and you can use peanut oil, which is traditionally used. Many oils have a lower combustion temperature, so be sure to check them. I know that coconut oil and peanut oil are both safe.

Starches you can use under or in your veggies:
Brown rice
White rice
Noodles
Quinoa (one of my favorites)
Potatoes (you can add them to the stirfry or use like a mashed potato)

Sauces:

Orange sauce
2 TBS olive oil
1-2 TBS garlic (our family loves garlic, but I use less to bring out the orange flavor here)
1 cup water
3 TBS orange juice concentrate
2 TBS lemon juice
2 TBS rice vinegar
4 TBS Braggs Liquid Aminos/Nama Shoyu/Soy Sauce
1/2 cup honey (or to taste)
1/2 tsp red pepperp flakes
1 1/2 TBS arrowroot powder + 2 TBS water to mix before adding to sauce(though you COULD try cornstarch)
6-8 drops essential oil

Using a small saucepan you can saute the garlic and olive oil. Add the rest of the ingredients except arrowroot powder/water mixture and heat to a boil. Whisk in arroroot/water mixture. Lower temperature and stir constantly until it thickens.

Peanut-miso Sauce
3 TBS peanut butter
2 TBS lemon or lime juice
1 TBS yellow miso
1 TBS grated fresh ginger (or you can use the pre-minced ginger from the fridge)
1 tsp minced garlic (about 1 clove)
1/3 cup cup water

Whisk all ingredients together and set aside while you cook your veggies. After your veggies are done, place them on starch of choice and drizzle sauce over the top.

non-dairy cheesy spread :)

Hey there all! This recipe was inspired by a recipe I had read in the Cancer Prevention newsletter. I didn't have access to my computer and so I had to wing it, I did get to it later and it was pretty darn close! However, there are a few differences, so enjoy! My kids all loved it spread on Flat Outs...kind of like a tortilla.

One 15 ounce can of white beans or 1 1/2 cups cooked white beans
2 TBS nutritional yeast
Handful of baby carrots (I would say like 8-10)
1-2 TBS of olive oil (I just put some in until it was moving in my blender)
1/2 tsp garlic and herbs (or garlic powder or fresh garlic)
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 squirt of prepared mustard (I used honey mustard...any mustard is opt)

You can combine all of this in a food processor or in your blender. Because it has carrots in it, I would make sure your blender is really good...

Then spread like mayo, use as a dip or use as a cheesy substitute, we LOVED IT!

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!

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 :(

Pizza Crust Dough...SUPER FAST!

This pizza dough recipe is really great! You don't have to wait for it to rise and it has a nice flavor. It was really easy to work with and we really enjoyed it. Here you go!

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (I use SAF. Also, this is equal to one packet)
1 tsp white suar ( I used honey)
1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 Degrees C)
2 1/2 cups flour (original recipe called for bread flour, I used 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 white...it would be great 100% whole wheat)
2 TBS Olive oil
1 tsp salt

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Dissolve the yeast, sugar and water. Let sit for around 10 minutes (it will be nice and creamy/foamy)

Stir in the rest of the ingredients and beat until smooth. Let rest for 5 minutes.

Now, the original instructions said to turn the dough onto a slightly floured surface and roll/pat into a round. I must admit, I am a lazy cook. I love to cook, but things like that I don't always do. What I did was I just shaped it into the best circle I could and then pressed it into a pan that had olive oil sprayed into it.

Spread with toppings and bake in oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown. If I am using toppings that really only need melted etc. (Like for Taco/Mexican pizza) then I put the crust only in first and bake it and then top and warm it.

This was a really tasty crust and got rave reviews from everyone that ate it! YAY!

The first time I made this, I was making it for a family of 8 that came over for dinner and for our own family of 6. I used about 6 pizzas. I quadroupled the batch and this was the math :)

9 tsp (3 TBS) yeast
4 tsp sugar
4 cups water
10 cups flour
8 TBS olive oil
4 tsp salt

Summer Macaroni Salad

A friend gave me her recipe, it's one she came up with on her own.

2 cups uncooked macaroni (or 4 cups cooked)
2 cups cottage cheese/feta cheese/cheddar cheese or any other cheese
1 can diced tomatoes OR same amount fresh
2 cucumbers diced (optional)
2 six ounce cans tuna or chicken chunks
Oregano to taste
Basil to taste
Olive oil (a few shakes)
Sliced olives (I use 2 cans)
Sliced green onions

Mix and eat. Great served warm or chilled. I like it after it has been refrigerated for 6 or more hours.

Veggie Burgers!

Hello everyone! I made these tonight and they were delicious. I doubled the recipe, which was a lot more than my family needed, however, I didn't want to make them again tomorrow

My friend Alicia gave me this recipe and I can't remember where she said she got it from. However, it is inspired by anothe recipe and is a very easy/relaxed mixture.

Veggie Burger!

6 cups of water
1/2 tsp olive oil
1/2 TBS parsley
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp marjoram
4 TBS dried minced onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup nutirtional yeast
2 tsp light yellow miso
1/4 tsp celery powder
1/3 cup tamari sauce
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
6 cups oatmeal

In a large pot/pan bring your water to a nice rolling boil. While it is boiling add all of the ingredients except oatmeal. (I add lentils at this point) Add your oatmeal. It will thicken and might be harder to mix. Remove from the heat and let sit for 30 minutes. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Make burger patties and place on a cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes on each side. These are great frozen for future use!

I added lentils and they were wonderful. I used 1 cup of dry lentils cooked up and added in.

You can use any combination of herbs and it will equal about 3 TBS of herbs. This does not include the onion. Fresh onion works well too. As does potatoes and shredded carrots. All of these things add flavor and nutrition! ENJOY!