Vegetarian Converting Quiche (GF Vegan)

Three potlucks in, and this recipe is still a hit! If you've been missing quiche, or just like yummy food, give it a try!

Vegetarian Converting Quiche

Makes 2 9” Quiches, Serves: 8-16

Ingredients:

2 blocks firm tofu, drained and squeezed

1 cup unsweetened plain soy milk

1/2-1 tablespoon red miso paste*

1/2-1 tablespoon low sodium tamari

1 heaping tablespoon nutritional yeast

1 tablespoon unsalted tahini

1 cube vegetable bouillon

2 pinches white pepper

2 pinches nutmeg

1 pinch black pepper

1 pinch smoked paprika

1.5 teaspoons turmeric

1 teaspoon black salt

1 smidgen paprika

2 1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli (about one small crown)

3 cups diced baby bella mushrooms

2 medium shallots, finely diced

2 tablespoons grapeseed oil

10 medium Sage leaves, finely chopped

18 medium Basil leaves, finely chopped

2 frozen vegan pie crusts of your choice

Garnish with cherry/grape tomatoes

* Miso Master Organic is the brand I use. Found at most Smith's, Sprouts, Whole Foods and Natural Grocers. They are all gluten-free. You can sub yellow, white, and other miso without issue.

Directions:

Heat one tablespoon of oil on medium. Dice and sauté shallot for 5 minutes, until soft and caramelized.

Add to 10 cup food processor. Drain and cut your tofu blocks in half. Squeeze and add to food processor.  Add miso, tamari, tahini, and bouillon cube - blend for one minute. Add spices and nutritional yeast - blend. Add soy milk, half the basil, and black salt - blend until smooth and creamy.

Chop broccoli and mushrooms. Dice sage and remaining basil.

Heat one tablespoon of oil on medium. Sauté vegetables uncovered on medium low for 8 minutes, adding the sage in the last few minutes. Add the basil and remove from heat.

In a large mixing bowl add half of the veggies and cream filling, fold, then add the rest and mix.

Evenly dole into pie crusts. Bake at 425 for 40 minutes.

Let sit for 15-20 minutes before cutting and serving.

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Xtreme Potato Leek Soup (GF V Oil-free)

I first made this soup on a cold Hallow's eve! It was a blessing then, and an absolute joy the second time with fresh bread and coconut bacon. Give it a try with family and friends!

Serves: 4-6 | Time: 55 minutes

2 lbs gold potatoes

3 leeks, chopped

1 can white beans

4 cups veggie broth

2-4 cloves of garlic

10 drops liquid smoke

2 tsp hand-ground rosemary

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp pepper

3 bay leaves

Sea salt, to taste

Coconut bacon, opt

Wash the leeks and add to a pot with enough water to cover the bottom. Cover and cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Halfway through add the garlic.

Meanwhile, chop your potatoes.

Blend the leeks and garlic with four cups of vegetable broth.

Pour into the pot and add the diced potatoes, bay leaves, and herbs.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 45 minutes or until potatoes fall apart when pressed with a spoon.

Drain and rinse the beans. Remove bay leaves. Add beans, pepper, and salt to taste. I also like a squeeze of lemon juice.

The consistency is up to you. I just hand mashed the potatoes with a spoon and left some chunks. Some people like to blend it to a cream.

Top with better than bacon and serve with bread!

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Mushroom Stroganoff

I love hearty, creamy dishes in fall but you can only eat so much soup. That's why I like this meal - it combines those great elements with the convenience of a pasta dish. It's also a revamp of a classic! It was met with approval by my vegetarian and animal eating friends alike. Give it a go!

Serves: 4 | Time: 25 minutes

3/4 lb organic spaghetti
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, diced
3 tsp minced garlic
Parsley, optional

Sauce ingredients:
1/3 cup white wine, optional
1 tsp mesquite liquid smoke
2 tbs Worcestershire sauce*
3/4 cup raw cashews
1/2 block firm tofu
1 cup very hot water
1/2 can tomato paste
1 cube no beef bouillon
1 tbs dijon mustard
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp pepper
Salt, to taste

* make sure there is no fish! some are certified vegan, like Annie's or Edward and Sons

Fill a large pot with water and a generous teaspoon of coarse salt. Cover over high heat.
Chop your veggies.
In a large sauce or saute pan, add your oil over medium heat. Cook the onion until translucent, stirring frequently. Add your garlic until fragrant. Add water as necessary, to prevent sticking. Reduce heat and cover.
In a blender or food processor, add all the sauce ingredients. Blend until smooth, adding more liquid to desired consistency. I prefer a thick sauce!
Pour into the pan and stir until combined. I added some freshly ground sage and rosemary, as my personal preference.
Add spaghetti to the boiling water and cook according to package directions (10 minutes for al dente, for mine).
Taste the sauce and make any final adjustments.
Drain the spaghetti. If it tastes salty, rinse with hot water. Return to the pot and add a little coconut oil if you won't be serving immediately or want to prevent sticking during storage.
I like serving this dish with bread to sop up extra sauce!

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Rawrific Herbed Corn Wraps (GF Vegan)

The organic corn was on sale at Sprouts and I had cobs coming out of my ears! ;p

Yields: three 10x14” wraps

Prep: 20 min | Dry time: 10hr

5 ears of fresh corn

4+ tbs tomato paste

1 tsp dry Italian herbs

½ tsp ground flaxseed

½ tsp psyllium powder

½ tsp onion powder

½ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp turmeric

¼ tsp real salt

⅛ tsp pepper

Cut the kernels off the cobs into a large mixing bowl. Add to a food processor with the tomato paste (sundried tomatoes also work beautifully) and blend on high for half a minute. You might need to scrape down once and pulse a few times.

Pour back into the bowl and stir in the flaxmeal, psyllium powder, and herbs. You could also add them to the food processor in the last few seconds of blending.

Let rest for 5 minutes. Spread thinly onto three dehydrator sheets (this is a delicate, somewhat lengthy process for me). Dry for 10 hours at 120F. Let cool before storing or enjoy right away!

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Jeweled Curry Rice and Braised Peppery Tofu

Serves: 6-7 | Prep time: 10 min | Cook time: 35 min

2 cups basmati rice

4.5 cups water

1 cup frozen peas & carrots

1 cup fresh corn kernels

1 onion, finely diced

2 tbs curry powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup vegetable broth

1.25 cups roasted cashews

3/4 cup unsweetened raisins
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

Rinse and scrub rice. Add to a rice cooker with all the water plus a pinch of salt and dash of curry powder. Steam for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, sauté all remaining ingredients using the veggie broth, starting with the onions and spices, adding the cashews and raisins last. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and stir into rice when done.

2 blocks firm tofu, pressed

1-2 tbs virgin coconut oil

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper, to taste

Press firm tofu overnight. Cut and toss with spices. To a nonstick ceramic or cast iron pan, add the oil over medium-high heat. Cook the tofu until golden, about 2.5 minutes on each side, then cover and turn off heat to finish cooking. Serve aside the jeweled rice.

Enjoy :)

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Savory Rice Bowl (GF Vegan)

Yes, this recipe requires that you start two days in advance, but it's well worth the wait for some of the best tasting tofu ever. Plus most of the prep time is inactive. So let's get to it!

Serves: 3 | Prep time: 15-20 minutes | Cook time: 30 min

Main ingredients:
3 cups cooked rice
3 sweet potatoes, cubed
1/2 lb brussels sprouts, halved
1 block extra firm tofu, cubed

Marinade:
1/4 cup low-sodium tamari
4 tbs apple cider vinegar
2 tbs pure maple syrup
1 tbs filtered water
3 drops liquid smoke
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp red chili paste
1/4 tsp black pepper

Special sauce:
1/3 cup nut or seed butter (tahini, peanut, etc)
3-4 tbs filtered water
1 tsp red chili paste

Cut a slit in the packet of tofu and let the water drain out. Place in the freezer overnight. In the morning, remove the tofu and let it thaw during the day. Then squeeze out any remaining liquid and cut into 1x1" cubes. It might crumble a bit because it was frozen but that's fine.
In a ziplock bag, mix the ingredients for the marinade. Add the tofu cubes and zip after removing the air. Turn over a few times to coat with the marinade and put in the fridge overnight.

Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat mat and add the tofu with any remaining marinade. Spread out and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring once.
Meanwhile, wash and peel your sweet potatoes. You can leave it on but to me the texture was unpleasant in the bowl. Cut into small cubes. Chop the ends off your brussels sprouts and any wilted leaves should fall away. Cut in half and place in a steamer with the sweet potatoes. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring once. If necessary, depending on your steamer, they may need another 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix the ingredients for the special sauce. Set aside. In a large bowl add the rice, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and tofu. Toss gently and serve into bowls. Drizzle the special sauce on top. Enjoy! :)

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Savory Veggie Lasagne (GF Vegan, low fat, soy-free option)

I make this lasagne twice a year - once for my dad's birthday and once around New Years. This recipe is sure to wow family and friends with its combination of savory flavor and creamy texture. No one can tell the ricotta is plant-based and everyone asks for seconds. Dig in!

Serves: 4-6 | Time: 1h 20m

Staples:

7.5oz/230g no-boil lasagne noodles*

2-3 jars of tomato basil sauce

1/2 cup fresh basil, ribboned

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Extras:
5 handfuls of baby spinach, shredded

2 roasted sweet peppers, diced
1 medium sweet onion, diced

1 large zucchini, ribboned

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

2 large carrots, ribboned

Ricotta filling:

1 cup cauli-alfredo sauce
1 package of firm tofu

3 tbs nutritional yeast

1/2 lemon fruit juice

3 tbs fresh basil leaves
1.5 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp kosher salt

1/2 tsp pepper 

Parmesan topping:

1/3 cup roasted salted cashews

3 tbs nutritional yeast flakes
1/4 tsp himalayan pink salt

* Tinkyada, De Boles, and Orgran have great gluten-free lasagne. They can be purchased through Amazon, iHerb, or at select stores. Even though they don't say no-boil, Orgran are instant (as stated on the back). You can use wheat pasta if you prefer.

* Soy-free option: If you have an allergy, or just want an even lower fat lasagne, you can use the Alfredo sauce recipe to make a mashed cauliflower paste. All you have to do is leave out most of the liquid - so use a food processor instead of a blender - and add the basil.*

Start by chopping all your basil. Next we'll make the ricotta. Drain a package of firm tofu (don't press) and place in a bowl. Add all the spices and lemon juice. Mash well with a fork. Add in the basil and stir. Set aside to marinade.

Turn your oven to 400F and deseed the peppers. Wash and place on a small baking sheet. Roast for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your desired vegetables. I left the spinach, carrots, and zucchini raw. The onions and mushrooms I sautéed.

In a 13x9 inch casserole dish, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce. Cover with lasagne noodles. Smear on a thin layer of ricotta. Top with zucchini strips, sliced carrots, sautéed onions, mushrooms, roasted pepper, and shredded spinach. Scantily cover with a small amount of tomato sauce. Repeat twice for a total of three noodle layers.

The top level will covered in leftover veggies, sauce, and the parmesan. I don't like burnt edges so I always make sure there is enough sauce on the sides.

Bake for 45 minutes at 400F. I covered the lasagne with aluminum foil for the first 30 minutes.

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Double Chocolate Muffin Tops (GF Vegan, oil-free, refined sugar free)

My mom told me she was craving chocolate so I decided to indulge her with a delicious yet nutrient-dense dessert. These muffin tops are allergy-friendly, fudge-y, and have a light molasses flavor. These beat Vita Tops any day! They're even picky 3-year-old approved ;)

Double Chocolate Muffin Tops (GF Vegan, oil-free, refined sugar free)

Yields: 12 | Time: 1 hour

Dry:

3/4 cup oat flour

3/4 cup almond flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pink salt

Wet:

1 cup date paste (7 large medjools *175g* and 1/4 cup+ water)

1 flax egg (1 heaping tbs golden flaxmeal + 3 tbs water)

1/4 cup blackstrap molasses*

1/2 cup plain applesauce

1/4 cup plain plant milk

2 tbs coconut sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup chocolate chunks**

* If you don't like the taste of molasses, date syrup is a nutritious alternative

** I recommend Enjoy Life brand

Mix the flaxmeal and water in a small bowl. Add the dates to a small bowl of water to soak. Wait 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350F/177C.

Pit the dates and add to a small food processor with water. Blend until smooth.

Sift all the dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.

In another bowl, mix all the wet ingredients gently with a spoon.

Pour in half of the dry ingredients, fold, pour in the rest and fold again until incorporated.

Add a tablespoon of batter into each muffin mold (use a silicone tin so there's no sticking).

Add six chocolate chunks to each muffin and top with the remaining batter.

Bake for 26-28 minutes depending on how fudge-y you want them.

Remove from the oven and let cool/rest for 20 minutes.

Squeeze the molds gently from underneath before popping the muffins out.

Serve with a tall glass of cold plant milk!

Enjoy :)

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Nutrition facts (per muffin):

Calories: 160

Fat: 5.8

Sat: .5g

Protein: 3.5g

Carbs: 26g
  Fiber: 4g

Manganese 29% DV
Magnesium 12% DV

Potassium 14% DV

Copper 14% DV
Calcium 9% DV

Iron 12% DV
Selenium 5% DV

Update: Since these were such a big hit I decided to make them again but I realized halfway through I was out of dairy-free baking chips. Using my quick thinking I threw in some peanuts instead and they were fab! Good for those lovers of chocolate and peanut flavors together - but who isn't?

Chole Bhature (GF V HCLF)

I love Indian night at our house! My dad and I love a good curry. My mom? She can't handle the heat. If you can't either then don't make this dish because cutting back on the heat would be chipping away at the foundation of the dish.

Serves: 4 | Time: 25-45 minutes

Main ingredients:
3 cups cooked chickpeas
1 cup low-fat coconut milk
1 tsp cumin powder
1/8-1/4 cayenne powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp amchur/mango powder
1/2 tsp black or pink salt
1 cup filtered water

Paste ingredients:
1 pint of grape tomatoes
1/2 medium red onion
1/2 inch ginger
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp green curry paste

Tempering spices:
2 bay leaves
2-3 whole cloves
a pinch of asafoetida/hing
1 tsp cumin seeds or 1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 inch cinnamon or 1/2 tsp ceylon cinnamon
2 green cardamom or 1/8-1/4 tsp cardamom powder
2-3 black peppercorns or 1/4 heaping tsp black pepper

Garnish:
1/3 cup chopped cilantro

Soak 1-1.5 cups of dried chickpeas overnight. Cook for 30 minutes and strain. Alternately use 2 cans of precooked chickpeas. Rinse and drain those, if using. Set aside.
Blend the ingredients for the paste in a food processor, set aside. If you're sensitive to onions, like me, then I suggest cooking the onion first.

Add the tempering spices to a hot pan and stir for a few minutes. Pour in the paste and bring to a simmer. Stir in the chickpeas.
Add the spices, water and coconut milk. Stir and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Serve with coconut or plain basmati rice and garnish with chopped cilantro. This is also great with flatbreads. I steamed some carrots which my mom said was a nice touch.

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Banana Date Muffins (GF Vegan, soy free, oil free)

Ever find yourself with a lot of ripe bananas? Sure, you could freeze them and make ice cream or a smoothie, but why not do what mom did? Make banana bread! Minus the eggs, milk, and who knows what else ;)

Yields: 14 muffins or 12 muffins and 2 ramekins | Time: 40 min

1/2 cup buckwheat flour*

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/2 cup millet flour

1/4 cup brown rice flour

1 tbs baking powder

2 tsp ceylon cinnamon

4 very ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup plain applesauce

1/2 cup plant milk

1/4 cup + 2 tbs water

8 pitted medjool dates

2 tsp vanilla extract

* I buy coconut and brown rice flour, but it is healthier to mill your own. I have a coffee grinder that I use to make millet, buckwheat, teff, and other flours.

Preheat the oven to 400F/205C

Sift together the dry ingredients in a bowl. In a small food processor, add the dates and water. Blend until smooth. In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas and add all the wet ingredients. Stir. Add half the dry ingredients to the wet, stir, and repeat. Stir well as the mix will be thick.

In a silicone muffin tray, spoon in the mix. I filled them almost completely because gf banana muffins don't rise as much as others. Brush two ramekins with coconut oil and add the remaining batter.

Bake for 30-32 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool (about 30 minutes) before removing.

Enjoy with a refreshing glass of plant milk!

Adapted from:

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/01/banana-date-walnut-muffins.html

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Coconut Carrot Curry (GF Vegan)

For those that need a good soup to warm up with this cold weather, try this creamy curry full of vitamins and warming spices.

Serves: 2-4 | Time: 40 min

13 med-large carrots
1/2-3/4 onion, chopped
1 can light coconut milk
2 cups vegetable broth
2 stalks of celery with leaves
2 large roasted red peppers
3 dried bay leaves
1/2 tsp celery seeds
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp nigella sativa
2 inches organic ginger
1/2 tsp green curry paste
1/2 tsp TJ dry chili paste
1/4 tsp tamarind
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp garam masala

Grab a large pot and place over medium heat. Add just enough water to cover the bottom. When it begins to sizzle, add the bay leaves, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and nigella sativa (black cumin/kalonji). Temper for a few minutes and make sure the seeds pop. Add the veggie stock and cover.

Wash and peel (if necessary) your carrots. Dice roughly. Chop your onion as well. Mince your ginger. My mom is not a fan of how ginger tastes and my dad doesn't like the little strings you get from it sometimes. My trick is to place the ginger inside a tea leaf steeping spoon and place it in the broth for 5 minutes as it heats up. I then toss half the ginger and keep the rest. You can modify this however you want.

Now add the carrots and onions to your pot and cook for 20 minutes. We're not using a lot of stock because I don't want the end soup to be too thin and I don't want the taste of the coconut to be overwhelmed. However, you can add more liquid towards the end if you prefer it thinner.

Make sure the carrots are soft enough to blend. Remove the bay leaves and add the coconut milk, roasted red peppers, and spice pastes. I enjoy spicy food - not too spicy, but I don't mind a little burn - but if you don't then omit the chili paste. I'm using a stick blender because I'm too lazy to transfer to and from a food processor. Blend until relatively smooth (or leave it a tad chunky if you prefer). Cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, mince the celery. I like to add this towards the end to add a little texture to the soup. If you want a smooth soup then you'll want to add this before blending. Add the remaining spices and cook for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust spices accordingly. I didn't use too much curry powder because I want to be able to taste all the different components of the soup.

Spoon into bowls and allow to cool a bit before enjoying. Sprinkle with the celery leaves from an extra treat! This soup is perfect served with flatbreads or over basmati rice.

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Blueberry Banana Teff Porridge (GF Vegan)

I've found a new breakfast option that's perfect for that winter weather! Personally I love a warm bowl of porridge when it's cold outside, and it's a lot cheaper than a fruit-centered meal.
This recipe features teff. The world's smallest, mineral-rich grain. I ordered a bunch to make injera (shown here) and now I'm experimenting with other recipes.
There are many variations for this teff porridge, but here are two of my favorites.

Serves: 1 | Time: 20 minutes

Blueberry Banana

3/4 cup unsweetened plant milk
3/4 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup whole grain teff
1/2 cup filtered water
1 tbs maple syrup*

2 small bananas, sliced
10 pecan halves, chopped
1 tbs raw hemp hearts

* make sure it's pure

In a medium sized pot, mix together the teff, plant milk, water, and maple syrup. Place over a medium heat, covered, and stir every 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, chop the bananas and ready your toppings. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, stir in the blueberries.
When thick, pour the porridge into a bowl. If you like a thinner consistency, 15 minutes should be an adequate cooking time. Top with your goodies. Enjoy!


Red, White & Blue

3/4 cup unsweetened plant milk
1/2 cup whole grain teff
1/2 cup filtered water
1 tbs maple syrup

6 raw pecans/walnuts
1 tbs raw hemp hearts
1 med banana, sliced
4 strawberries, sliced
10 blueberries

Follow the above instructions, using your brain to make the necessary changes/additions ;)

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