Smoky Sauce or Cheesy Dip (GF vegan, oil-free)

This sauce is super easy to whip up if you have a high-speed blender. And it's highly versatile! I have used this on pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and crackers. I've tried fancy stovetop recipes for similar sauces and in my opinion they aren't really worth the time when you can get this flavor and texture so readily.

Yields: 3 cups

1 cup raw cashews

1 cup boiling water

1 can organic white beans (partially drained, not rinsed)*

2 tbs organic mild miso paste
1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes

5 cloves roasted garlic

5 drops mesquite liquid smoke
1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried chives

1/2 tsp Italian herbs

1/4 tsp smoked paprika

Few dashes cayenne

Black pepper, to taste

* I used Simple Truth from Kroger/Smith's; your can of white/cannelini/great northerns might be slightly more watery or thick

Start by boiling 1 cup of water in an electric kettle. To a high-speed blender, add 1 cup of cashews and the boiled water. Open the can of beans and use the lid to drain off any excess liquid on top, but preserve the liquid keeping the beans in the can. Add all remaining ingredients to the blender. Blend on medium-high until smooth and fluffy. Add pepper to taste. I found the salt from the beans and miso to be enough.
Now get out there and slather stuff with this deliciousness!

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Mediterranean Potluck Pleaser! (GF Vegan)

Recently Around the winter solstice, my partner and I went to a Saturnalia potluck and white elephant gift exchange. Our loot wasn't completely a bust. I got a few good DVDs and he got some "snowballs" that jingle when they hit people. Or our cats get to them. More notable, the food we brought was a huge hit and we promised to post the recipe asap. Umm...Sorry! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Oh, and sorry in advance for the crummy photos. My iPhone fell out of my pocket at the climbing gym and I lost everything around that time, so I only have a few Will took. He's my cowriter today, too...

Falafel fritters:
2.5 cups (1.5 cans) chickpeas, drained
1.5 cups cilantro, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tbs salted tahini
3 tbs breadcrumbs
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp himalayan salt
1 tsp fresh pepper
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 cup + 2 tbs flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
3 tbs virgin coconut oil, for frying

Hi, my name is William and I'll be your cooking instructor for this recipe.
Combine wet ingredients in food processor and pulse to desired texture (we blended it to not be too fine to still maintain some texture.)
Mix dry ingredients in mixing bowl then stir in wet ingredients.
Use a non-stick sheet or dust a surface with flour, then form balls about ping-pong ball size in your hands or by using an ice-cream scoop.
Heat pan over medium high heat, then add coconut oil, and cook the falafel balls - covered - on each side until browned.

Sweet Tahini sauce:
1/3 cup salted tahini
1-2 tbs maple syrup
1/4 tsp kebsa
1/4 tsp anardana powder
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
1/4 tsp mustard powder
1/4 tsp lemon powder

In a small mixing bowl, add all the ingredients and whisk thoroughly.

Tangy Tzaziki:
1 container Tofutti cream cheese
1/2 package firm tofu, undrained
1 medium cucumber, finely diced
1 large lemon, juiced
2 tsp dried dill weed
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp Mrs Dash Italian Medley
1 tsp himalayan pink salt
1 tsp fresh black pepper

So...I messed up and bought the wrong container of Tofutti! If you buy the sour cream you shouldn't need the tofu or as much lemon juice. Also if you can't do soy, there are tons of substitutes you can use and recipes out there that should give you an idea of the proportion.
For this, I simply added all ingredients, save the cucumber, to a food processor and blend until smooth. I'm sensitive to garlic and onion, but you can use fresh if you prefer. About 2 cloves and half an onion.
I then cut my cucumber in half, deseeded it with a spoon, and chopped into tiny pieces. Some people also peel the cucumber, especially if it's a more bitter variety like those typically sold in the store.
You should let this sit for a few hours minimum, so the flavors can develop. I usually do it overnight, beginning at room temperature. I really think this helps, but it could be just me.
Stir and add a little dill on top before 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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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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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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