Hardly. But I will say, in the few attempts I have made to make healthy, flavorful, non-processed foods...I think each recpe has been a success. So-I pretty much rock at this Vegetarian thing, nevermind that I threw chicken into one of my dishes. Baby Steps people, baby steps. Please also keep in mind that Zachary's favorite food in all the world is noodles with parmesan cheese. His second favorite meal is mac and cheese. And his third favorite meal is McDonald's chicken nuggets. So him gagging, crying, and then almost throwing up is not, I repeat, IS NOT a reflection of how good these recipes are. Mark is the better gauge for these recipes successes. When we were dating I told him that I would absolutely not cook to his taste if the only thing he was going to eat was fried food and scalloped potatoes. Loe and behold the man has been trying new foods since that night and is loving vegetables. I dare say he even likes brussel sprouts! The man is amazing. And while his digestive system is taking a hit from all of the freh vegies we are eating in this house (last night he was begging for processed food, yellow #5, etc-haha), he loves the food!
So, per the request of a Miss Lori Moore, and the inspiration of Chelsea Rankin, here are a few of the recipes I have makde recently.
Vegan Banana Bread-so ridiculously moist and amazing!
2 large or 3 small very ripe bananas
1/4 cup applesauce (I used cinnamon spiced)
1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sucanat sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white whole wheat flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas really well. Add the sugar, applesauce, oil, and molasses, and whisk briskly to incorporate.
Sift in the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Use a wooden spoon to mix until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined. If you're using chocolate chips or nuts, fold them in here.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes (it took 50 for me). The top should be lightly browned and a knife inserted through the center should come out clean.
Remove from the oven and let cool!
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito
Half a large sweet potato
1 cup black beans
1 galic clove
Half an onion
2 wedges light laughing cow cheese
1 tsp cumin
hot pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
Bake sweet potato in skin at 400 degrees for one hour.
Brown onion and galic in skillet until soft.
Add black beans and spices and cook for 5 minutes.
Mash together black beans and the laughing cow cheese until creamy
Heat tortilla.
Mash sweet potato on top of tortilla.
Add the bean cheese mixture.
Roll and Enjoy!
Number of Servings: 2
And my most favorite dish I have made...thank you Chelsea...
Sauteed Spaghetti Squash with Veggies-and I threw in chicken as well.
Cook 1 Spaghetti Squash (I microwave it because it is quicker)
While it is cooking cook chicken (I used our griddle)
In a large pan begin to sautee veggies of your choosing in Olive Oil. I used: zucchini, red peppers and onions.
When chicken has finish cooking, cut into bite size pieces and toss into pan with olive oil and veggies.
Shred the Spaghetti Squash strands into the pan and sautee everything together for 10 minutes.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
I hope you enjoy some new and fresh ideas for meals. I'll keep posting fun and healthy vegetarian or vegan recipes as I make them. (Yes, I know adding chicken no longer makes ot vegetarian...get off of my back!)
Here's to trying to be healthier,
The Joyful and Tired Mom
