Sunday, March 27, 2016

Day 87 Lupini and Shiitake Pasta


Lupini and Shiitake Pasta

1 Recipe Neopolitan Sauce (Day 86)
2 Ounces Shiitake Mushrooms, sliced
15 Ounce Jar Lupini Beans*
5 Sweet Peppers, sliced
1 Pound Penne Pasta
Nutritional Yeast for garnish

*This was my first time using lupini beans.  They are similar to fava beans with an outer shell and crunchy inside.  They are not my favorites.  I would consider substituting cannelloni beans.
Sauce

1.  Boil the pasta in a large pot according to package directions.  Drain.

2.  Heat the Neopolitan Sauce in a large pan over medium heat.  Add the mushrooms, beans and peppers.  Cook until the additions are heated through.

3.  Mix with the pasta.  Garnish with the nutritional yeast.

Goes well with sesame breadsticks.

Pairs well with la Zorra temperillo.

Soundtrack Lil Wayne - Tha Carter III

Day 86 Neopolitan Sauce


Neopolitan Sauce

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1/2 Onion, chopped
1 Carrot, peeled and chopped
1 Celery Rib, chopped
4 Garlic Cloves, chopped
2 Pounds Plum Tomatoes, quartered
1/2 Cup Red Wine
Thyme, Basil, Salt and Pepper to taste
Vegetable base

1.  In a large pan, heat the olive oil.  Saute the onion, carrot, celery and garlic until soft.
Added tomatoes

2.  Add the tomatoes and wine.  Cook at a simmer until the tomatoes are broken down.  Use an immersion blender to make a smooth sauce.  Add the herbs and spices.
Ready to blend

Goes well with pasta.

Soundtrack Easter - The Softest Hard

Saturday, March 26, 2016

Day 85 Walnut and Potato Pizza


Walnut and Potato Pizza

1 Cornmeal Dough Pizza Crust, rolled out (Day 84)
1/2 recipe Parsley Pesto (Day 83)
1/2  Cup Walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 Onion, sliced
1/2 Bell Pepper, chopped
1 Russet Potato, baked or microwaved and cubed
Pesto covered and crust crimped

1. Preheat oven and pizza stone to 500F for at least 30 minutes.  Placed rolled dough a pizza peel.  You can use parchment paper for easier transition to the oven.
Ready to bake

2.  Spread the sauce over the dough. Slightly crimp the dough around the border.  Add the toppings.  Cook 15 -20 minutes.  Dough will the browned.  Remove from oven and slice.

Pairs well with Perelada Cava

Soundtrack Lacey Sturm - Life Screams

Day 84 Cornmeal Pizza Crust


Cornmeal Pizza Crust

2 Cups Cornmeal
2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 1/2 Teaspoons Sea Salt
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
1 Cup Water

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.  I started with 1 1/2 cups flour.  Mix to combine.  Slowly add the water and oil.  Mix well.  If the dough is too sticky, add additional flour until dough makes a ball while kneading.

2.  Divide the dough in half.  Roll the dough out on a floured surface.  The dough can be very thin and still be able to be lifted onto a pizza peel.  After placing on the peel, add sauce and toppings.  The crust will be very crispy.  Bake at 500F for 15 - 20 minutes,

The dough can also be cooked for crackers.  Bake at 450F for 15 - 20 minutes.

Goes well with a pesto sauce.

Soundtrack We As Human - Self Titled Album

Day 83 Parsley Pesto


Parsley Pesto

Most pesto sauces are very similar to make, but have variations in the ingredients.  In January, I showed an Arugula Pesto.

1 Bunch Parsley, cut into thirds
4 Cloves Garlic, sliced into quarters
1/2 Cup Pine Nuts
2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
1/4 Water
Juice of 1 Lemon
Salt and Pepper to taste
Hazelnut Oil
Before adding the oil

Place all ingredients except the oil in a food processor fitted with a steel cutting blade.  Process to combine.  Slowly add the oil through the feed tube while the processor is running.  The amount of oil will depend on your use.  For a pasta sauce, the pesto should be thick.  To use as a pizza sauce or sandwich spread it will need to be creamy.  Makes enough for 2 pizzas.

Goes will with pizza.

Soundtrack - Underworld Awakening - Motion Picture Soundtrack

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Day 82 Vegetable Cream Cheese


Vegetable Cream Cheese

1 Container Daiya Plain Cream Cheese, room temperature
2 Green Onions
1 Carrot, peeled
1/2 Red Bell Pepper
1 Sprig of Basil

1.  Place veggies in food processor and mince. Mix into the cream cheese.

Goes well with bagels.

Soundtrack Arandanos - Self Titled Album

Day 81 Italian Neatball Pizza


Italian Neatball Pizza

Dough for one pizza (Day 62)
Vodka Sauce
1 Sweet Onion, sliced
1 Cup Sweet Pepper, sliced
6 Neatballs (Day 56)
1/2 Cup Black Olives, sliced
1/2 Cup Vegan Feta Cheese


1. Preheat oven to 500F with a pizza stone in the oven.
Ready to cook

2.  Roll out the dough and place on parchment paper on a oven peel.  Top with the vodka sauce. Arrange the onion slice on the dough.  Sprinkle the pepper slices over.  Crumble the neatballs to resemble ground meat and toss onto the pizza.  Sprinkle olive slices, then feta onto the pizza.

3.  Bake for 30 minutes, or until the crust is brown.  Removed from oven.  Slice and serve.



Soundtrack Aranda - Not the Same

Day 80 Lentil Stuffed Mushrooms


Lentil Stuffed Mushrooms

2 Portobella Mushrooms, destemmed
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Cup Red Lentils, cooked
1 Onion, chopped
4 Sugar Snap Peas, chopped
1 Bell Pepper, chopped
1/2 Cup Vodka Sauce (Day 58)
Salt and Pepper to taste

1.  Preheat oven to 375F.  Place mushrooms in a baking pan.  Drizzle each with 1 tablespoon oil.

2.  Place a 1/2 cup of cooked lentils on each mushroom. Saute onion, snap peas and bell pepper. Place on top of the lentils. Top each with a 1/4 cup of the vodka sauce.  Season with salt and pepper.

3.  Cook 30 minutes.  Mushrooms should be heated through.

Soundtrack Candlebox - Self titled album

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Day 79 Three Bean Chili


Three Bean Chili

1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
1 Large Onion, chopped
4 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
1/2 Teaspoon Chipotle Sauce
28 Ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes
3 Tomatoes, chopped
15 Ounce Can Red Kidney Beans, rinsed
15 Ounce Can Cannelloni Beans, rinsed
15 Ounce Can Black Beans, rinsed
1 Cup Red Wine
2 Cups Vegetable Stock
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
Salt to taste
Green Onion, for garnish
Cheddar Style Mock Cheese for garnish

1.  Heat Oil in a large pan over high heat.  Add the onions and cook until softened.  Reduced heat, add garlic.  Cook 3 minutes.  Add chili powder, cumin, and chipotle sauce.  Cook for 2 minutes.

2.  Add the tomatoes, beans, wine and stock.  Mix well.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer and cook for 30 minutes.  Add the salt and pepper.

3.  Garnish with onion and cheese when serving.

Goes well with toast.

Soundtrack Filter - Title of Record

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Day 78 Tofu with Red Pepper


Tofu with Red Pepper

1 Package Extra Firm Tofu
2 Tablespoons Thyme
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Ground Pepper
1 Red Bell Pepper, chopped
1 Bunch Green Onions, trimmed and sliced
1 Teaspoon Turmeric
1/2 Cup Vegan Soft Cheese, such as Kite Hill

1.  Preheat oven to 400F.  Oil a large baking sheet.
crumbled tofu

2.  Crumble tofu onto the baking sheet.  It should resemble scrambled eggs.  Mix in thyme, salt, peppers, onions, and turmeric.  Dot with 'cheese'.

3.  Roast in the oven for 15 minutes.  The cheese should be melted and browned.

Goes well with brown rice.

Pairs well with Vermentino

Soundtrack Sick Puppies - Tri-Polar

Day 77 Boston Lettuce Salad with Orange Shallot Dressing


Boston Lettuce Salad with Orange Shallot Dressing

Dressing
1/4 Cup Just Mayo
2 Teaspoons Stoneground Mustard
1/4 Cup Orange Juice
1 Shallot, finely chopped
Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste

Salad
1 Large or 2 Small Heads of Boston Lettuce, shredded
1 Cup Carrot, grated
1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
Dressing

1.  Whisk all dressing ingredients together.
Salad

2.  Mix all salad ingredients together.  Pour dressing over,

It is that easy.

Goes well with Tofu and Roasted Pepper

Soundtrack Hellyeah - Blood for Blood

Day 76 Cranberry Almond Granola


Cranberry Almond Granola

2/3 Cup Frozen Unsweetened Apple Juice Concentrate
1/2 Cup Maple Syrup
1/3 Cup Canola Oil
1/4 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Ground cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
5 Cups Rolled Oats
1 Cup Wheat Germ
1 Cup Whole Almonds, coarsely chopped
1/2 Cup Sunflower Seeds
1 Cup Dried Cranberries

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.  Coat 2 large baking sheets with oil.
Granola liquid

2.  Whisk apple juice, syrup, oil and brown sugar in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, add cinnamon and salt.
Dry ingredients

3.  Mix oats, wheat germ, almonds, sunflower seeds and cranberries in a large bowl.  Stir in juice mixture, toss to coat.  Spread the granola evenly on the prepared baking sheets.
Cooked granola

4.  Bake the granola for 15 minutes, stirring once.  If the baking sheets are on differently racks in the oven, switch positions.  Bake another 15 minutes.  Let cool completely before storing.

Goes well with strawberries and yogurt.

Soundtrack Black Stone Cherry - Magic Mountain

Friday, March 18, 2016

Day 75 Sauteed Carrots


Sauteed Carrots

6 Carrots, peeled and grated
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
Juice of 1 Orange
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat Oil in a large skillet.  Add carrots, cook for 3 to 4 minutes.  Add seasonings and juice.  Continue cooking until carrots are tender.
Sauteing carrots

Yes, it is that simple.

Goes well with Creamy Curry Vegetable Soup

Pairs well with  2013 Macon-Loche Chardonnay

Soundtrack Papa Roach - Fear

Day 74 Creamy Asparagus Pasta


Creamy Asparagus Pasta

8 Ounces Whole Wheat Penne Pasta
1 Bunch Asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
1 1/2 Cups Quinoa Milk
4 Teaspoons Whole Grain Mustard
1/4 Cup Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper, freshly ground
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
3 Tablespoons Garlic, minced
1 Teaspoon Dried Tarragon
Zest of one Lemon
Juice of 1 Lemon
1/2 Cup Nutritional Yeast

1.  Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add pasta and cook till almost done.  Add the asparagus and continue cooking until tender.  Drain and return to the pot.

Cooking pasta and asparagus
2.  Meanwhile, whisk the milk, mustard, flour, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.  Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant and lightly browned.  Whisk in the milk mixture.  Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and cooked till thickened.  Stir in tarragon, zest and juice.
Cream Sauce

3.  Stir the sauce into the pasta mixture.  Cook over medium heat until the sauce is thick, creamy and coats the pasta.  Stir in the nutritional yeast.

Soundtrack Escape the Fate - Hate Me

Day 73 Cherry and Ruby Grapefruit Compote


Cherry and Ruby Grapefruit Compote

2 Cups Frozen Cherries
1 1/4 Cups Water
Long strips of zest from 1 Orange
Juice of 2 Oranges
1/2 Cup Sugar
1 Cinnamon Stick
3 Large Red Grapefruit
Simmering cherries

1.  Combine cherries, water, zest, orange juice, sugar and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan.  Cook on simmer while prepping the grapefruit.
Grapefruit sections

2.  With a knife, remove the peel and white pith from the grapefruit.  Section the pulp from the membranes into a bowl.  Squeeze the juice from the discarded peel into the bowl.

3.  Remove the zest and cinnamon stick from the cherries.  Pour the cherries and juice over the grapefruit.

Eat the compote on its own or as a topping for oatmeal or Cashew Milk Ice Cream

Soundtrack - St. Patricks Day Songs