Sunday 15 December 2013

Vegan Apple Pie

My mom makes an amazing apple pie. I mean it is unbelievable! And she only makes it once a year for Thanksgiving. Since I can no longer take part in this family tradition, it has sucked watching the rest of my family indulge in her fabulous baking. This year I decided to take matters into my own hands and bake myself a delicious vegan apple pie. This would ensure I too got to enjoy delicious pie with the rest of my family!

Below is my mom's pie recipe that has been "veganized". And I must say it was great, just like mom used to make. She even complimented me on a fabulous crust!

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Crust

3/4 cup vegan shortening (I used Earth Balance)

2 cups flours (I used bread flour because it is the only white flour I have in my house)

1 teaspoon of salt

4-8 tbsp of cold water

Combined all ingredients in a medium sized bowl. To prepare pastry, cut dough in half and roll out each half on a floured surface to fit into your pie plate. I usually roll out the bottom place it on the pie plate then roll out the top. I measure if the dough is big enough by place the pie plate just above the dough to make sure it is the right size.














Pie filling

6 cups peeled, sliced apples (I left mine unpeeled to keep the goodness of the apple peel on the apples!)
2/3 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar (depending on tartness of apples )
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg
Pinch of salt

Combine all ingredient in a large bowl and mix well. You want all of the apples coated!















Place apples into bottom crust. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter then cover with top crust. Seal edges, flute and slash top.













Bake in preheated 450 oven for 15 minutes or until pastry is golden.
Reduce heat to 350 and continue baking 40-45 minutes longer or until apples are tender.




My mom's notes on apples: Apples to use are the ones that are more firm so that they hold their shape. Macintosh are not a good choice but they are great for applesauce.








Enjoy!

M

Tex Mex Scrambled Tofu

I have been meaning to post a couple things lately, however I recently got an adorable puppy. She is great, but as you can imagine she takes up a lot of my time! Even without a new pup I find this time of year many people don't have the time to cook elaborate meals. Have breakfast for dinner is the perfect solution -- at least in my book! It is quick, easy and delicious. Scrambled tofu is tasty and versatile. \You can keep it simple by just putting your favourite spices in with mashed tofu or add veggies that you have in your fridge. Anything goes! I create this recipe to satisfy my craving for Mexican. It is easy and quick, which is perfect for those cold winter nights you don't feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

Oil
1 block firm tofu (you can also you medium depending on your preference)
Mustard
Turmeric
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Salt and pepper

Place a pan on medium heat with oil. Place tofu in a medium sized bowl with mustard, turmeric, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. You can use as much or as little of each spice as you like.




 Mash the tofu with a fork and mix all ingredients together. Place the tofu and spice mixture into the frying pan. Cook until the tofu lightly browned.



Add some vegan sausage or bacon, toast, and kale or spinach and you have a terrific and fast evening meal or breakfast!













Enjoy!
M

Monday 16 September 2013

Mushroom, chard, tomatoes and white kidney beans stew

As the weather gets a little cooler I am craving more and more comfort foods. This doesn't have to be unhealthy.  This little recipe is easy and fast.  It can be eaten with a little brown rice, pita or on its own with a salad. This is perfect for nights when you want something easy, yet tastes hearty.



2 cups mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch chard
1 19oz can of white kidney beans
1 Tbps garlic powder
Pepper
Salt

Heat pan over medium heat with a little bit of oil.  Put mushrooms and chard stalks into the pan.  Cook for around 5 minutes until mushrooms are halfway cooked.  Put in rest of chard, white beans, tomatoes, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste.  Cook for 7-10 minutes.  Serve over brown rice, in pita or own its own.  Makes great leftovers too!



Enjoy!


M


Sunday 8 September 2013

Stir-fry with Miso Dressing

I love stir-fries. They are easy, versatile, and tasty! You can use whatever veggies you have in your fridge. This evening I used bok choy, green peppers and tofu. To top it off I made an easy and great tasting miso dressing.

Stir-fry Ingredients
1 package of firm tofu
3 bok choy
1 green pepper
(You can use any combination of vegetables you like or need to use up in your fridge)



Miso Dressing Ingredients
2 Tbls white miso
1/2 Tbls sesame seed oil
1/2-1tsp garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl with a little bit of water to thin out dressing.
Stir till smooth and set aside.




Heat skillet with 1 tablespoon of oil.  Add tofu and cook until browned.  Add green pepper an cook with tofu for 3-5 minutes.  Add bok choy to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes.

Once the vegetables cooked add the miso dressing and cook until sauce is heated.  This is a tasty, yet fast dinner that can be eaten with rice noodles, brown rice or in a pita.

Enjoy!

M









Thursday 28 March 2013

Chickpea, Spinach and Corn Good for you Bowl

Last weekend I was building a wardrobe. Yes it was from Ikea so it took about 3 1/2 hours.  During a much needed break after the 3 hour mark I went to the kitchen to make a quick lunch.  Having no energy leave to make anything too complicated, yet wanting something delicious I came up with the below by throwing together a few things that I have hanging out in my fridge.  Surprisingly it turned out pretty tasty.  So I decided to share my food joy with you all!

1 handful of spinach
1/4 cup of frozen corn
1/4 cup of chickpeas
Salsa and vegan sour cream to taste

Place the frozen corn in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 45 seconds or until thawed.  Place spinach, chickpeas, and salsa into bowl and mix. Microwave for 1 minute or until ingredients are hot.  Add vegan sour cream on top and voila and quick and easy tasty lunch or dinner!

This can be just a starting off point for your next quick creation.  I used what I had in my fridge, but this would also be good with any other kind of veggie.  You could also make a tasty Tahiti dressing (see my post Spinach Cucumber Olive Salad for dressing recipe) to go on top instead of salsa and "sour cream".



Enjoy!


M

Monday 14 January 2013

Spinach, cucumber, olive salad

I have been craving salads lately.  I guess it is from all out of the ordinary choices I have been making lately when it comes to my food and, well an increase in alcohol consumption.  This is a simple salad that has a lot of good for you ingredients, which leaves your feeling energized and full without feeling stuffed.  I used chia seeds for the first time.  These little seeds have been getting quite the press over the past few years.  I was finally urged to try them when I saw Joy McCarthy on the Morning Show talking about five great smoothies.  She put chia seeds in a smoothie, which made me think that these little seeds not only are super nutritious -- omega-3, fiber, and protein-- could be used for a variety of ways.

Spinach, Cucumber, Olive Salad with Tahini Dressing

1/4 of an English Cucumber, cut into slices
1 cup of spinach
1 "chicken" breast, cooked and cut into pieces (I use Gardein's tuscan breast and just throw out the sauce)
1 tbsp of olives

Dressing:
3 tsp of tahini
Splash of lime juice
Dash of garlic powder
1 tsp of oil (safflower, olive, flaxseed)
1 tbsp of chia powder (or seeds)

Place all the salad ingredients into a medium bowl.  In a small bowl combine all the dressing ingredients.  Mix dressing with the salad for a delicious and refreshing bowl of goodness.


Enjoy!


M

Easy Avocado Dip

This is my new obsession. It sounds a bit nutty, but it is beyond delicious! I was skeptically when I found this recipe on VegWeb (a great place to find recipes or inspirations), but I needed a simple appetizer to bring to my boyfriend's mom's on Christmas Eve dinner.  And boy were we surprised how good this turned out to be.  The first time I made it I put mashed avocado into the dip instead on of the cracker, as the recipe suggested.  I also added more garlic because it is so delicious!

Easy Avocado Dip

4 garlic cloves (less or more depending on your preference)
Splash of lemon juice
1 avocado
1 cup Vegenaise (or other vegan mayo)

Mince garlic cloves or use a garlic press and place garlic into a medium bowl.  Cut avocado in half, remove pit and use a knife to remove the flesh of the avocado and place in the medium bowl containing the garlic.  Add the lemon juice and mash the avocado with a fork.  Then add the vegenaise and mix making sure the vegenaise is well incorporated into the avocado mixture.  Eat with your favourite crackers, bread or pitas.



Enjoy!


M