Tag Archives: vegan

Bok Choy and Tofu Stir-Fry

So a long time ago, during my days of waiting tables and tending bar somewhere around age 19, I once convinced a customer that bok choy was a type of sauce. Curious as to what it really was, our restaurant food prep guy told me it was lettuce. But the table had already bought my made-up sauce story and didn’t question me further, so I continued to wait their table and go about my day.

So over the span of about 10 years I have still never cooked with it, eaten it or had any desire to try it.

 Having joined the Elf4Health movement a couple weeks ago, I was excited to start the challenge with Meatless Monday. Each day poses a new challenge and the entire program is based around a personal sense of accountability for your health. I found a recipe weeks ago for a stir fry (yes, it included bok choy; there’s always a point to my little anecdotes…) and thought the first day of the Elf4Health challenge would be a perfect day to employ it. I’m usually sold on any recipe that calls for orange juice. It was amazing, I have tons of leftovers and it’s the type of recipe that you can change up if your fridge is missing something. 10 points in my book! Thanks FatFree Vegan for the idea, see her recipe here.

{green stuff? bok choy! haha, it was delicious!}

 

Rewind: Just so you know, I did go back to the table before they left and informed I fibbed, and really had no idea what bok choy was. When I told them that it was a leafy green and not some type of imaginary asian sauce, they actually told me that they knew but were just quizzing me. Instead of letting myself get embarassed, I laughed along with them and accepted their praise for my persuasion skills. Lesson learned.

Food tastes even better if there’s a story or memory behind it!!!

Orange Cranberry Bread

Thanksgiving Orange Cranberry Dessert Bread

Paula Deen makes everything with sour cream, cream cheese & milk. I love watching her cook, but I can hear my arteries clogging as she does. Not necesary Paula, not necessary… But it’s okay. I adore her and the Orange Bread I saw her make one day. About a month ago, I made some (Lori-style) and loved it. I replaced her eggs with a flax meal & water mixture and made sure to keep everything else light. It had just enough orange zest to bring that orange-y flavor but wasn’t overwhelming.

Fast forward to my Thanksgiving planning…Our menu is pretty simple: My husband wants ham for the carnivores in the family, and I’ll make a Tofurkey for me (it better be good!). I’ll include the usual sides of vegetables and potatoes. But since we’re not Pumpkin Pie eaters I figured I would make a loaf of dessert bread ahead of time. So I found the recipe for Paula Deen’s Orange Bread that I had previously doctored and decided to add in some fresh cranberries for a little extra zing….

Ingredients

1 cup Gluten Free All-Purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 bananas)

1 Tbs orange zest (1 large orange)

1/3 cup plain or vanilla yogurt (I usually use soy or coconut yogurt for cooking)

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

2 Tbs flax meal + 6 Tbs water (to replace 2 eggs from the original recipe)

1/4 to 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries (I prefer fresh)

What to do… (It’s not difficult, I promise!!!)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl or cup mix the flax meal and water, and let it sit while you prepare the other ingredients.

2. In a small mixing bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking soda & salt.

3. In a large bowl, mash the bananas (mash them very well!) and add the coconut oil, yogurt & vanilla. Add in the flax meal/water mixture and mix completely.

4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture. Stir in the orange zest, cinnamon and cranberries until its all incorporated.

5. Line a loaf pan lightly with coconut oil and add the dough. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick/tester comes out clean. Let the bread cool on a rack before cutting. Garnish with banana slices, nut butter or honey!

*Other optional ingredients instead of the cranberries can include nuts, raisins, chocolate chips…The possibilities are endless! That’s why I love easy breads. Make it yours!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Chocolate Pancakes

 

Sunday Morning Chocolate Pancakes…with peanut butter syrup

I get excited to make my son breakfast on mornings when we have some extra time. That day usually ends up being a Sunday. I can’t wait for the day when he gets ready for bed on a Saturday night and says “mom, can you make me special pancakes tomorrow morning?!” Until then, I’ll be the excited one and he can just enjoy good breakfasts and make a mess…

Ingredients

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup milk (or water)

2 Tbs brown sugar

4 Tbs cacao powder

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

2 Tbs applesauce

optional: chocolate chips, nuts, blueberries…

What to do…

Mix the flour, brown sugar, cacao powder and baking powder in a bowl. Add the applesauce and milk/water and mix until combined. Add in nuts, chocolate chips, etc. Cook over medium heat.

Peanut Butter Syrup

In a small bowl stir together 1 Tbs of creamy peanut butter and 2 Tbs maple syrup. You can add a little milk or water to thin it out. Yum!

see? …a big mess! …but he loves them