Sometimes, the simplest food can be the best. I am a huge fan of breakfast (the most important meal of the day) although I don't always eat then. I woke up this morning after a fitful night of sleep (kittens racing about from 3am on) and decided to make something tasty to tide me over until dinner.
12 oz of Mushroom
1 shredded potato
1 tube of quick cooking polenta
1 TBLS of Cajun Spice
1/2 TBLS of Bragg's Liquid Aminos
Black pepper to taste
olive oil
Wash and shred the potato. Add some olive oil to a pan, heat to about medium, and cook the potato, hashbrown-style. Flip once the potato has become crispy on one side to cook the other side to crispy as well. Move the hashbrowns to a side dish and keep warm. Add the mushrooms to the pan with a little olive oil and Bragg's. Cook until soft and brown.
While the mushrooms are cooking, add some olive oil to a cast iron pan and heat. Once hot, add the sliced polenta (probably 1/2 inch thick) to the pan. Cook until crisp on both sides, about 20 minutes.
Once the polenta is done, mix the mushrooms and hashbrowns together. Serve the mushroom-hasbrowns over the polenta. Season with pepper to taste.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Quick and Dirty S'ghetti
If you work for a living, you probably don't have all day to make a good pasta sauce. If you do both, you are probably making it on the weekends, or you know a helluva lot more than I do about making pasta sauce (which is entirely possible). I have a quick way to make pretty tasty spaghetti sauce within, truthfully, about 40 minutes. I have been making this for about 10 years or so now and learned some of the basics from my Mom.
The follow recipe was written while listening to the eponymously titled album by Graveyard and drinking Goose Island India Pale Ale. It serves three to four:
Ingredients:
1 medium white onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 oz black olives, chopped (or 1/2 of a 3.8oz can)
5 to 6oz of shitake mushrooms
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 29oz can of tomato sauce
6 to 7 cloves of garlic, minced
8 to 9 0z of Morningstar Farms sausage crumbles (about 2/3rds of the bag)
4 to 5 tablespoons oregano
1/4 to 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese
salt & pepper to taste
8 to 10 quarts of water
In a skillet, add 1/2 of the oil and bring to medium heat. Once hot, add 1/2 of the minced garlic and stir occasionally for 5 to 10 minutes until the garlic starts to brown. Add the mushrooms and cook until the majority of the water has cooked out of them, about 20 minutes or so. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large sauce pan (3 quarts or larger), add the remainder of the olive oil and heat to medium. Add the chopped onions, black olives, and green peppers. Add the remainder of the garlic. Season with salt, pepper, and some oregano. Cook until the onions are wilted and brown, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Add the 'sausage' crumbles, and cook for about 10 minutes until hot. Add the tomato sauce. Stir for about 2 minutes to ensure that all ingredients have mixed together properly. Add the parmesan cheese and add more oregano to taste, if desired. Turn heat to low and cook for about 25 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the water to another stock pot with about 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package.
Drain spaghetti. Add to plate, and cover with sauce. Server with warm garlic bread.
So tasty....
The follow recipe was written while listening to the eponymously titled album by Graveyard and drinking Goose Island India Pale Ale. It serves three to four:
Ingredients:
1 medium white onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 oz black olives, chopped (or 1/2 of a 3.8oz can)
5 to 6oz of shitake mushrooms
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 29oz can of tomato sauce
6 to 7 cloves of garlic, minced
8 to 9 0z of Morningstar Farms sausage crumbles (about 2/3rds of the bag)
4 to 5 tablespoons oregano
1/4 to 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese
salt & pepper to taste
8 to 10 quarts of water
In a skillet, add 1/2 of the oil and bring to medium heat. Once hot, add 1/2 of the minced garlic and stir occasionally for 5 to 10 minutes until the garlic starts to brown. Add the mushrooms and cook until the majority of the water has cooked out of them, about 20 minutes or so. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large sauce pan (3 quarts or larger), add the remainder of the olive oil and heat to medium. Add the chopped onions, black olives, and green peppers. Add the remainder of the garlic. Season with salt, pepper, and some oregano. Cook until the onions are wilted and brown, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Add the 'sausage' crumbles, and cook for about 10 minutes until hot. Add the tomato sauce. Stir for about 2 minutes to ensure that all ingredients have mixed together properly. Add the parmesan cheese and add more oregano to taste, if desired. Turn heat to low and cook for about 25 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the water to another stock pot with about 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Bring to boil. Cook the spaghetti according to the directions on the package.
Drain spaghetti. Add to plate, and cover with sauce. Server with warm garlic bread.
So tasty....
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
"Barley-Sprouts" with Red Potatos and Tofu
Read this while listening to Eagles of Death Metal "Heart On"
Recently, I have been sampling the stock of some local breweries (hint, hint), and I have become quite fond of the Double Barrel IPA and Pale Ale, respectively. I started thinking about something that would compliment (at least in my taste) the intricacies and complexity of both beers.
Here is what happened:
12oz Extra Firm Tofu
4 medium to large red potatoes, 1/4" slices (julienne)
10 to 15 brussle sprouts, cleaned and halved
1/2 Anaheim pepper, sliced thinly; sliced halved
3/4 cup uncooked barley
4 celery stalks, julienne in 1/2 to 1 inch pieces (i like chunky. Say it. Chunky.).
Garlic powder (to taste)
Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Oregano (to taste)
Cumin (to taste)
6 to 7 tablespoons of olive oil
3 cups of water / veggie stock / beer ( your choice)
Rock Bottom Double Barrel IPA (3 pints; drink it)
Broad Ripple Brew Pub Pale Ale (2 pints; drink it)
Preheat oven to about 425 degrees Farenheit.
Drain tofu and press to remove excess water. Slice in half to make two large, thin patties. Slice those in 1/2 as well to make four (4) rectangle-shaped tofu pieces (longer than wide).
Add barley to 1.5 cups of water or stock to a 3 quart sauce pan. Add barley. Season with salt, pepper, or whatever spices you like. If you are making this, you already know what you should use for seasoning (use your taste). Season lightly as we all like different seasoning. Bring to a boil, and once boiling, reduce to low. Simmer SLOWLY for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until barley is cooked. Remove when done and set aside.
Meanwhile, add olive oil to cast iron skillet (12"). Bring to about medium low to medium heat. Season the tofu pieces with oregano, garlic powder, and cumin to taste (mine taste buds are less sensitive, so i use more...be reasonable for your palate). Cook each side of the tofu patty slowly until firm on both sides, about 25 minutes. It is done when it is crispy on all sides.
Once the tofu has started, you should be choppin' up the veggies (potatoes, brussle spouts, celery). Sprinkle some olive oil liberally in a square cassarole dish (glass), smear it around, and layer the bottom with the potato slices. Evenly spread the celery slices over the potatoes, and then do the same with the halved brussel sprouts. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin.
The barely should be done cooking now. Spread it evenly over the veggies in the cassarole dish, and then add the remainder of the liquid (1 1/2 cup; water, veggie broth, beer) to the cassarole dish.
Cook this shit in the oven for about 30 minutes. If the tofu is done before, take it off off the heat and set it aside.
Once the casserole is about 5 to 7 minutes from being complete, start reheating the tofu in the skillet until it is hot again. You can do one of two things with it: cut it into bite-size pieces, or leave it as it is.
Scoop some of the cassarole onto a plate, and add some tofu. Eat.
No kittehs were injured in the making of this post...only loved on.
Such a baby...Azreal.
If you gots no beers, go the pub. If you gots no kittehs, go the shelter. It is always better to have too much than not enough. Praise Bob.
You can make a difference in so many ways. Act.
Recently, I have been sampling the stock of some local breweries (hint, hint), and I have become quite fond of the Double Barrel IPA and Pale Ale, respectively. I started thinking about something that would compliment (at least in my taste) the intricacies and complexity of both beers.
Here is what happened:
12oz Extra Firm Tofu
4 medium to large red potatoes, 1/4" slices (julienne)
10 to 15 brussle sprouts, cleaned and halved
1/2 Anaheim pepper, sliced thinly; sliced halved
3/4 cup uncooked barley
4 celery stalks, julienne in 1/2 to 1 inch pieces (i like chunky. Say it. Chunky.).
Garlic powder (to taste)
Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Salt and Pepper (to taste)
Oregano (to taste)
Cumin (to taste)
6 to 7 tablespoons of olive oil
3 cups of water / veggie stock / beer ( your choice)
Rock Bottom Double Barrel IPA (3 pints; drink it)
Broad Ripple Brew Pub Pale Ale (2 pints; drink it)
Preheat oven to about 425 degrees Farenheit.
Drain tofu and press to remove excess water. Slice in half to make two large, thin patties. Slice those in 1/2 as well to make four (4) rectangle-shaped tofu pieces (longer than wide).
Add barley to 1.5 cups of water or stock to a 3 quart sauce pan. Add barley. Season with salt, pepper, or whatever spices you like. If you are making this, you already know what you should use for seasoning (use your taste). Season lightly as we all like different seasoning. Bring to a boil, and once boiling, reduce to low. Simmer SLOWLY for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until barley is cooked. Remove when done and set aside.
Meanwhile, add olive oil to cast iron skillet (12"). Bring to about medium low to medium heat. Season the tofu pieces with oregano, garlic powder, and cumin to taste (mine taste buds are less sensitive, so i use more...be reasonable for your palate). Cook each side of the tofu patty slowly until firm on both sides, about 25 minutes. It is done when it is crispy on all sides.
Once the tofu has started, you should be choppin' up the veggies (potatoes, brussle spouts, celery). Sprinkle some olive oil liberally in a square cassarole dish (glass), smear it around, and layer the bottom with the potato slices. Evenly spread the celery slices over the potatoes, and then do the same with the halved brussel sprouts. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin.
The barely should be done cooking now. Spread it evenly over the veggies in the cassarole dish, and then add the remainder of the liquid (1 1/2 cup; water, veggie broth, beer) to the cassarole dish.
Cook this shit in the oven for about 30 minutes. If the tofu is done before, take it off off the heat and set it aside.
Once the casserole is about 5 to 7 minutes from being complete, start reheating the tofu in the skillet until it is hot again. You can do one of two things with it: cut it into bite-size pieces, or leave it as it is.
Scoop some of the cassarole onto a plate, and add some tofu. Eat.
No kittehs were injured in the making of this post...only loved on.
Such a baby...Azreal.
If you gots no beers, go the pub. If you gots no kittehs, go the shelter. It is always better to have too much than not enough. Praise Bob.
You can make a difference in so many ways. Act.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Red Beans with mushroom soup, TVP, and spiral pasta
I tend to make dishes based on whatever I can find in my kitchen. I tend to buy things that look or sound good without buying anything with which to pair them. I am lax about following recipes, and I generally embellish them with things that I prefer.
Here is another one of those dishes.
This will provide 2 to 4 servings.
1 can red beans
1/2 cup of reconstituted TVP (texturized vegetable protein)
1 can of mushroom soup
1 can (14 to 15 oz) veggie stock
1 to 2 cups of spiral pasta, cooked (I used a spinach, tomato, and beet medley)
1/4 cup of scallions
1 small to medium jalapeno, deseeded and cut in 1/4" by 1/4" pieces (thinly sliced and julienned)
1 medium white onion, peeled & quartered
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of Chef Han's Cajun seasoning (any Cajun spice mix will do)
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 ears of fresh corn, cooked and de-kerneled
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
Add as much water as necessary to cook the corn in a stock pot with a pinch of salt. Add the corn, and boil for about 25 minutes. Once it is done, remove all kernels into a separate bowl.
Boil 1 cup of vegetable stock with the Cajun spice and garlic powder. Add TVP and allow to reconstitute (about 10 minutes). Set aside for later.
Add olive oil to a cast iron skillet on medium heat. Once hot, add quartered onions and green onions. Heat until wilted but still crisp. Add the can of beans without draining. Mix well with the onions. Season with black pepper. Stir occasionally for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until hot. Reduce heat to low. Add the can of soup 1 spoonful at at a time, stirring each spoonful into the mixture. Add the corn and stir for about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the reconstituted TVP in the same manner.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package using the remainder of the veggie stock and an appropriate amount of water (I season this with a pinch of salt also). I only used about 2 cups of uncooked pasta to get the right amount. Once the pasta has cooked (about 10 minutes), drain and rinse with hot water. Return pasta back to the pan in which it was cooked, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Allow cheese to melt.
Scoop some of the pasta and cheese into a bowl. Top with the bean, veggie, and mushroom soup mixture. Serve hot.
Look for another recipe later this week with brussel sprouts. Mmmmm...tiny cabbages.
Here is another one of those dishes.
This will provide 2 to 4 servings.
1 can red beans
1/2 cup of reconstituted TVP (texturized vegetable protein)
1 can of mushroom soup
1 can (14 to 15 oz) veggie stock
1 to 2 cups of spiral pasta, cooked (I used a spinach, tomato, and beet medley)
1/4 cup of scallions
1 small to medium jalapeno, deseeded and cut in 1/4" by 1/4" pieces (thinly sliced and julienned)
1 medium white onion, peeled & quartered
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of Chef Han's Cajun seasoning (any Cajun spice mix will do)
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 ears of fresh corn, cooked and de-kerneled
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
Add as much water as necessary to cook the corn in a stock pot with a pinch of salt. Add the corn, and boil for about 25 minutes. Once it is done, remove all kernels into a separate bowl.
Boil 1 cup of vegetable stock with the Cajun spice and garlic powder. Add TVP and allow to reconstitute (about 10 minutes). Set aside for later.
Add olive oil to a cast iron skillet on medium heat. Once hot, add quartered onions and green onions. Heat until wilted but still crisp. Add the can of beans without draining. Mix well with the onions. Season with black pepper. Stir occasionally for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until hot. Reduce heat to low. Add the can of soup 1 spoonful at at a time, stirring each spoonful into the mixture. Add the corn and stir for about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the reconstituted TVP in the same manner.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the directions on the package using the remainder of the veggie stock and an appropriate amount of water (I season this with a pinch of salt also). I only used about 2 cups of uncooked pasta to get the right amount. Once the pasta has cooked (about 10 minutes), drain and rinse with hot water. Return pasta back to the pan in which it was cooked, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Allow cheese to melt.
Scoop some of the pasta and cheese into a bowl. Top with the bean, veggie, and mushroom soup mixture. Serve hot.
Look for another recipe later this week with brussel sprouts. Mmmmm...tiny cabbages.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Nothing Like an Epidemic...
...to bring us all together.
With all of the hype surrounding H1N1 (formerly 'swine flu'), I thought it would be a good idea to make a few notes about which foods (veggie of course) are helpful in boosting your immune system. A little searching on Google turned up the following:
-broccoli: one of my favorites. Steam this one, if you can. You won't flush out all of those antioxidants (which is in great supply) and A, C, and E vitamins
-yogurt: packed full of probiotics that help increase white blood cell count.
-garlic: this is not only used as food...it also has medicinal powers. High in antioxidants also, garlic helps your body's cells against the rigors of daily life. Plus, it tastes f*cking awesome.
-turmeric: this bright yellow spice contains something called 'curcumin' which has been proven to help immune cells resist negative stimulation from viruses and bacteria...essentially acting as an anti-inflamatory agent.
Here is a good list of things that you should add to your diet to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.
There are also a few things that you should avoid to keep your immune system in top shape...sadly they are sugar and coffe.
A few other things to remember about the preventing the transmission of H1N1:
I will try to post a new recipe tomorrow using the ingredients listed in this post and in the links.
Update: I have yet to do this, but it is on my agenda for later this week.
With all of the hype surrounding H1N1 (formerly 'swine flu'), I thought it would be a good idea to make a few notes about which foods (veggie of course) are helpful in boosting your immune system. A little searching on Google turned up the following:
-broccoli: one of my favorites. Steam this one, if you can. You won't flush out all of those antioxidants (which is in great supply) and A, C, and E vitamins
-yogurt: packed full of probiotics that help increase white blood cell count.
-garlic: this is not only used as food...it also has medicinal powers. High in antioxidants also, garlic helps your body's cells against the rigors of daily life. Plus, it tastes f*cking awesome.
-turmeric: this bright yellow spice contains something called 'curcumin' which has been proven to help immune cells resist negative stimulation from viruses and bacteria...essentially acting as an anti-inflamatory agent.
Here is a good list of things that you should add to your diet to keep your immune system in tip-top shape.
There are also a few things that you should avoid to keep your immune system in top shape...sadly they are sugar and coffe.
A few other things to remember about the preventing the transmission of H1N1:
- Wash your hands often. Use anti-bacteria hand cleanser (waterless) also. H1N1 is spread from person to person by contact.
- Sing the 'ABC' song you learned as a child while washing your hands, or count to at least 20 (i heard that on NPR this morning)
- Avoid using other people's phones, keyboards, silverware, etc.
- Elevator buttons and remote controls are nasty. Politely ask other people to press those buttons for you.
I will try to post a new recipe tomorrow using the ingredients listed in this post and in the links.
Update: I have yet to do this, but it is on my agenda for later this week.
Spicy Curried Tofu with Green Onions, Shitake Mushrooms, and Cous Cous
It has been forever since I posted anything here, so I thought I would share a recipe I made last night. This makes about three to four servings.
-Ingredients-
1lb Extra Firm Tofu, cut in pieces ( your choice on size)
2 tablespoons of curry powder (or to taste)
2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper (or to taste)
2 tablespoons of garlic powder (or to taste)
5 to 6 fresh basil leaves
1 bunch of green onions cut into 2 to 3 inch long pieces
5 to 6 ounces of shitake mushrooms
1 can or 15oz of cooked garbanzo beans
1/4 cup of lemon juice
2 to 3 cups cooked cous cous (you can use a box of flavored cous cous if you like)
5 to 6 tablespoons of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
-Directions-
Add 4 tablespoons of olive oil to a heavy cast iron skillet, and heat slowly to about medium heat. While oil is heating, press as much water as you can from the tofu without destroying it. Cut tofu into pieces of whatever size you like. Add the tofu and season it in the skillet with the curry, garlic powder, crushed red peeper, shredded basil leaves, salt and pepper (to taste). Cook tofu until all sides are brown, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the remainder of the oil to another skillet and heat to medium high. Add the mushrooms, garbanzo beans, lemon juice, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper. Stir occasionally to prevent the mushrooms from sticking to the pan. Cook until mushrooms are soft and the garbanzos are hot, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Prepare the cous cous by following the directions on the box, or make it ahead of time if you are not using the box cous cous method.
Add a scoop or two of the cous cous to the middle of a plate. Place the mushrooms, garbanzos, and green onions on top of the cous cous. Put some pieces of the fried spicy tofu around the edge of the plate.
Enjoy!
-Ingredients-
1lb Extra Firm Tofu, cut in pieces ( your choice on size)
2 tablespoons of curry powder (or to taste)
2 tablespoons of crushed red pepper (or to taste)
2 tablespoons of garlic powder (or to taste)
5 to 6 fresh basil leaves
1 bunch of green onions cut into 2 to 3 inch long pieces
5 to 6 ounces of shitake mushrooms
1 can or 15oz of cooked garbanzo beans
1/4 cup of lemon juice
2 to 3 cups cooked cous cous (you can use a box of flavored cous cous if you like)
5 to 6 tablespoons of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
-Directions-
Add 4 tablespoons of olive oil to a heavy cast iron skillet, and heat slowly to about medium heat. While oil is heating, press as much water as you can from the tofu without destroying it. Cut tofu into pieces of whatever size you like. Add the tofu and season it in the skillet with the curry, garlic powder, crushed red peeper, shredded basil leaves, salt and pepper (to taste). Cook tofu until all sides are brown, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, add the remainder of the oil to another skillet and heat to medium high. Add the mushrooms, garbanzo beans, lemon juice, and green onions. Season with salt and pepper. Stir occasionally to prevent the mushrooms from sticking to the pan. Cook until mushrooms are soft and the garbanzos are hot, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Prepare the cous cous by following the directions on the box, or make it ahead of time if you are not using the box cous cous method.
Add a scoop or two of the cous cous to the middle of a plate. Place the mushrooms, garbanzos, and green onions on top of the cous cous. Put some pieces of the fried spicy tofu around the edge of the plate.
Enjoy!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Napa Cabbage Rolls
Wow...the holiday season took its toll on my wife and I. We drove all over the countryside to visit our friends and family during this busy time of year. In all of our travels, we did little fine dining.
However, my mother did get me a fantastic cook book from the writers of Vegetarian Times. I happened to make a passing comment about this book as I was reading it while I was in Tucson back in November with Auntie Cynthia (see some of my previous posts). It is a fantastic book that not only has recipes and all 'need to know' info (cholesterol, fat, calories, etc), and it contains a great forward / several chapters about vegetarian theory.
At any rate, my wife insisted that we have cabbage today as it is the first day of the year (something about good luck, i think). So, I decided to make the first cabbage entree (second from top) that I could find in my new cookbook.
I am still learning to eat eggplant, but it is getting easier each time i make it. I think you could easily substitute some other veggies or even rice for eggplant in this recipe. I may do that next time.
However, my mother did get me a fantastic cook book from the writers of Vegetarian Times. I happened to make a passing comment about this book as I was reading it while I was in Tucson back in November with Auntie Cynthia (see some of my previous posts). It is a fantastic book that not only has recipes and all 'need to know' info (cholesterol, fat, calories, etc), and it contains a great forward / several chapters about vegetarian theory.
At any rate, my wife insisted that we have cabbage today as it is the first day of the year (something about good luck, i think). So, I decided to make the first cabbage entree (second from top) that I could find in my new cookbook.
I am still learning to eat eggplant, but it is getting easier each time i make it. I think you could easily substitute some other veggies or even rice for eggplant in this recipe. I may do that next time.
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