Friday, July 27, 2012

Fresh Fig Bars

 I can honestly say I had never tried fresh figs until I made this dessert. I'm so silly and didn't think to buy dried figs for fig newtons so instead I made a fresh fig bar! It turned out absolutely delicious. Jerry went wild for them! I made them Wednesday and they're already gone! I can't wait to get some more fresh and dried figs to try other variations. Enjoy. ;)
  

Filling:

  • 1 package fresh black figs
  • 2 fresh squeezed lemons - small or 1 normal 
  • 1/4 cup cranberries
  • Dash of water
  • 2 tbsp agave

Crust / Topping:

  • 1 cup oats
  • 1 cup ground oats
  • sea salt - 1/4 tsp or a few grinds
  • 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/8 cup + oil
  • 2 scoops soy vanilla protein powder
  • 1/8 cup agave
  • 1/8 cup coconut nectar

Directions:

  1. Preheat to 375
  2. Grease a 8" pie dish or whatever you have handy. :) 
  3. Combine ingredients for filling in blender until it forms a thick consistency. 
  4. Grind oats in food processor, combine other ingredients. Mix well. 
  5. Place 1/2-3/4 of the crust mixture on greased pan and press out with hands until the dish is covered.
  6. Pour the topping mixture (I used a spatula) over the crust. 
  7. Take the rest of the oat mixture and crumble on top. Pour a dash of agave on top. 
  8. Bake 30 min.
  9. Let it cool completely (if possible), cut into squares and dive in! Serve with coconut ice cream for a sensational experience! 

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Vegan Lettuce Wraps

Light, quick and very tasty! Thank heaven for TVP! Add one cup of boiling water and some seasoning and vegetables and you have a meal! I've always wanted to make lettuce wraps and can't wait to try them again! 


Ingredients:
  • 1 cup TVP
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 2 tbsp sunflower oil (Or olive etc)
  • 1/2 red onion - chopped
  • 3-5 garlic cloves - minced
  • 1 green bell pepper - diced
  • Hot sauce - 1/2 tsp
  • Soy Sauce - 2 tbsp
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 4 leafs of lettuce (preferably iceburg... I used what I had - romaine) :)
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • 1-2 tomatoes sliced
Preparation:
  1. Add boiling water to TVP and set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a pan over med-high heat. 
  3. Add onion and garlic sate for 2-3 minutes. 
  4. Add bell pepper and sate for another 2-3 mintues. Add tomatoes, TVP mixture, sauces and salt and pepper to taste. Combine and heat though.
  5. Set lettuce on plate add the TVP mixture and decorate with tomatoes and avocados.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Sweet Corn with Herb Roasted Potatoes

Sweet corn in the summer time is the best! Add some herb roasted potatoes with tofurkey, vegan pepper-jack cheese and jalapenos and you're in business. :)

Jerry loves some "meat" and potatoes - who doesn't? 




Ingredients:
  • 2 pieces corn on cob - shucked 
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1 lb mini potatoes - quartered
  • 1/2 red onion - chopped
  • 3-5 garlic cloves - chopped
  • 2-3 jalapenos - chopped
  • 2 tofurkey linkes - sliced
  • vegan pepperjack cheese - shredded
  • 1/4-1/2 cup fresh herbs chopped or your fav mix (I used: Basil, oregano, thyme, sage, cilantro and parsley on the side for decoration)
  • 2 tbsp + Sunflower / olive oil
  • 2-3 pieces romaine lettuce - sliced
  • 1 tbsp flax seeds
  • Handful of blueberries, raspberries with a strawberry on the side
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  2. Boil water in a medium pot, add salt.
  3. Place corn and boil for 15 minutes or until done. (Fork should go in easily)
  4. Prep potatoes, onion, garlic, jalepenos, tofurkey and herbs. Mix with vegan cheese and oil. 
  5. Place potatoes in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  6. Prep the side salad while potatoes and corn are cooking. 
  7. Place everything together on a plate and enjoy! 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Soy Yogurt Parfait

Fresh yogurt, granola and berries are such a nice combination. This is a refreshing and satisfying dessert that is great in the summer time. Enjoy!


Ingredients:

  • Yogurt (Plain soy or other favorite - coconut, almond...etc)
  • Granola
  • Favorite summer berries (I used blackberries, blueberries and raspberries.)
Layer ingredients and dig in!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Healing Soup for Colds

Jerry wasn't feeling well yesterday so I made some soup to bring him to good health. Today he's already feeling much better! Garlic, ginger, onions and jalepenos come together well to provide some serious healing action. Garlic acts as nature's antibiotic, ginger is a great digestion aid, onions help with congestion, jalapenos are high in vitamin C and also help with congestion. Take a hot bath with some essential oils and herbs afterwards with lots of rest and you'll be well on your way. 

Healing Soup for Colds 

Soothing Pineapple Smoothie

Sore Throat? Pineapples contain anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce irritation and contain plenty of Vitamin C!

Ingredients

Soup:
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 red onion diced
  • 6-8+ garlic cloves diced
  • 2-4" chunk of ginger diced 
  • 4+ jalapenos sliced (or 1/4 cup pickled jalapenos, add juice for flavor and spice)
  • 1 carrot - diced
  • 1 red potato - diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh herbs sliced - (Bunch of Basil, Orageno, Thyme and Rosemary)
Smoothie:
  • 1 pineapple
  • 1 cup water (add extra dash if needed)
  • Stevia to sweeten (opt)
  • 6 ice cubes
Soup Directions:
  1. Combine ingredients together in large pot
  2. Cook on med to low heat for 20-30 minutes
  3. Serve hot
Smoothie Directions:
  1. Combine ingredients into Blender 
  2. Blend until smoothie consistency (about 45 seconds) 
Statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA or SAMCC and should not be seen as health claims.

Friday, July 13, 2012

Vegan TVP Tacos

Who doesn't love tacos for dinner? Yum! Plus they just happen to be vegan friendly and absolutely amazing! I took the easy route in a few places....it's Friday night after-all! 



Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of boiling water
  • 2 cups of TVP
  • 1 package Taco Seasoning (I used Trader Joe's)
  • 2 tbsp Oil (I used Sunflower)
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1/2 - 3/4 cup diced tomatoes 
  • 1 diced avocado
  • Vegan Cheese
  • Tofutti Sour Cream
  • Taco Shells
  • Cajon Style Black Beans - Trader Joe's (can) :)
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
  2. Boil 2 cups of water, add to TVP and set aside.
  3. Heat black beans to warm throughout. 
  4. Heat oil in skillet, saute onion for 2 minutes, add TVP and taco seasoning and heat throughout for 5 minutes.
  5. Add 1/2 cup diced tomatoes to taco mixture. Heat throughout.
  6. Place taco shells in oven for 2-3 minutes.
  7. Place taco mixture into shells, add vegan cheese tomato avocado and anything else you fancy!
  8. Place soup in bowl with a dollop of "sour cream" and touch of avocado. Dig in!