Brussels Sprouts and Shiitake Mushroom Soup

Notes: We thought this was so-so. If there is a next time I’ll change the spices. Didn’t care for the thyme or maybe I just put in too much. I halved the recipe and it still made a lot.

Ingredients:
1 medium onion, chopped
14 -16 ounces small Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half
6 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups water or vegetable broth
1 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/2 teaspoon rubbed sage
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/2 cup uncooked brown rice
1 15-ounce can great northern beans, drained and well-rinsed (optional)
1 cup no-chicken broth (optional)
1-2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional)

Directions:
Heat a large, non-stick pot. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it becomes translucent. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook until onion begins to brown, about 2 more minutes. Add the mushrooms and garlic and cook for about two more minutes.
Add all remaining ingredients except for the optional ingredients. Cover and simmer on low heat until rice is cooked, about 50 minutes. Check seasonings and add more along with the lemon juice, if desired. If you’re using the beans, add them and the broth and cook for about 15 more minutes.

Source: FatFree Vegan Kitchen

Quinoa

Quinoa (the name is derived from the Spanish spelling of the Quechua name kinwa or occasionally “Qin-wah”) originated in the Andean region of Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia and Peru, where it was successfully domesticated 3,000 to 4,000 years ago for human consumption, though archeological evidence shows a non-domesticated association with pastoral herding some 5,200 to 7,000 years ago.

I just find it interesting looking.

Dark Chocolate Pistachio Truffles

Source: Slightly altered from this recipe at My Whole Food Life. We used almond butter and regular dates.

Notes: These are pretty good.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup almond butter
1 dark chocolate bar
1 8oz bag of dates (pits removed)
1/3-1/2 cup pistachios (Chopped fine or ground into dust)
1/4 tsp salt

Directions:
In the food processor or blender, combine the pecan butter and dark chocolate. Once they are mixed well, add in the dates and salt and mix until well combined. A ball of dough will form. Spread your chopped pistachios onto a plate. Roll the dough into balls, then roll the balls through the chopped pistachios. Once that is done, place the balls on a lined baking sheet. Once all the balls are done, stick the baking sheet into the fridge to firm up.

Black Bean and Sweet Potato Quesadillas

Notes: Nova liked this better than I did. I just thought it was so-so. I used whole wheat tortillas.

Ingredients:

1 large sweet potato
1 cup brown rice, cooked
8 ounces vegetarian, no added oil, re-fried beans
1 cup of salsa
1 cup fresh spinach
8 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon chili powder
¼ teaspoon cumin
1 jalapeño pepper, diced (optional and HOT)
6-8 Flour or Grain Tortillas

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375ºF
2. Prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper
3. An hour before you plan to eat, peel and quarter the sweet potatoes
4. Bake sweet potatoes in the oven for 45 minutes to one hour, until soft
5. In the meantime, prepare rice in a rice cooker or on stove top as directed
6. Remove sweet potatoes from oven and toss into a mixing bowl
7. Mash sweet potatoes with the salsa, rice and fresh spinach
8. Place sweet potato mash in a sauce pan and mix in black beans and refried beans, heating mixture thoroughly over medium heat
9. Add onion powder, chili powder and cumin to taste and stir
10. Place a tortilla in a frying pan on medium heat, and slather the side facing up with sweet potato and bean mixture
11. Add jalapeños if desired
12. Place another whole wheat tortilla on top
13. Press down on top tortilla with spatula with pan on medium heat for about 3 minutes
14. Flip with spatula and cook for another three minutes
15. Voila! Cut into desired number of sections
16. Serve topped with salsa

Tip: Also try this with black-eyed peas instead of the black beans or any other favorite beans.

Source: Engine 2

Quinoa Burgers

Quinoa Burger on skinny bun and tater-rounds.

Quinoa Burger on skinny bun and tater-rounds.

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 flax eggs (2 tbsp of ground flaxseed with 6 tbsp of hot water)
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 green onions sliced thinly
1/2 cup finely chopped mushrooms
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp Liquid Smoke
1 TBSP Tamari
Oil for cooking

Directions:
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir well to combine.
Form the mixture in to balls and then flatten in to patties.
Cook quinoa burgers in a medium heat skillet about 4-5 minutes per side.

New Fence

We are having the front section of our fence replaced after it was damaged in the Spring storm.

Italian Style Quinoa Cakes

Notes: We both thought these were really good. Pictured served with Spaghetti Squash.

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked quinoa
1 flax egg (1 tbsp of ground flaxseed with 3 tbsp of hot water)
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 green onions sliced thinly
2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
8 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 cup mozzarella Cheese-Style Shreds
1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 1/2 tsp cayenne
1 tsp olive oil, for cooking

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir well to combine. Form compact cakes with about 1/2 cup of the mix per cake. Heat a frying pan over medium heat with 1 tsp olive oil. Place quinoa cakes in the pan and cook about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown.