Gazpacho

I have always wanted to make gazpacho. I mentioned it to my son the other day, and was surprised to discover he'd never heard of it before! So I asked my husband - he, too, had never heard of it! My strike three happened when I asked my other son, and got the same reply. To say I was shocked is an understatement; we live in Texas! Well, I had to remedy this!

Gazpacho

2 stalks of celery, chopped

One red onion, chopped

2 cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and chopped

4 ripe tomatoes, chopped

4 or more cloves of garlic, minced

4 c. tomato juice

1/4 c. balsamic vinegar

1 T. olive oil

Place all of the ingredients in a blender, and give it a whir. You want it just a little chunky, rather than totally pureed. Chill. Serve. Enjoy!

Honestly, I thought this was going to be more like a V8, but it was much better! I will say that I did eventually drink mine, though!

Layered Vegetable Salad

For YEARS now, ever since I saw my first one, I've wanted to make a salad in a trifle bowl. I thought they looked so cool! But I didn't happen to have one of those bowls - until recently. Well, not that recent. Maybe a year or so. But I finally got around to making one of  these dishes!

Layered Vegetable Salad

Lettuce of choice

1 c. chopped red cabbage

1 c. chopped red onion

1-2 can vegan tuna (I used Unmeat Tuna)

1 can of green peas, drained

1 can of corn, drained

2 c. shredded carrots

1 c. vegan mayonnaise

1/2 c. vegan sour cream

Starting with the lettuce on the bottom, layer each level in the order given. Mix the mayonnaise and sour cream together and spread over the top. I had lettuce left over, and though its not as pretty, I just added it to the top. Cover and chill. Serve. Enjoy!

This seems like the simplest of salads, but trust me, its really good!

Healthy Bowl

I just don't know what else to call this dish, so I'm calling it a Healthy Bowl. I mean, c'mon, everything about it is good for you! And it's really delicious. So you should make it and try it!

Healthy Bowl

3-4 carrots, sliced thin

1/2 half of a red onion, diced or sliced

Butternut squash (I used a package of frozen)

Olive oil

1 t. garlic powder

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. chili powder

Diced scallions and cilantro

Brown basmati rice, cooked

Saute the carrots and red onion in the olive oil. Add the squash, garlic powder, cinnamon, and chili powder and stir to mix and coat well. Cover with a lid and heat over medium low for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing is sticking. When the vegetables are nice and soft, serve over the brown basmati rice and sprinkle some scallions and cilantro on top. Salt and pepper to taste, if you like.

This was soooo good. And it smelled heavenly while cooking.

Pasta with Meatballs and Sausage (Crock Pot)

As much as I love my Instant Pot, I still love my crock pot. I've only ever had one dish made in the crock pot that didn't come out absolutely delicious, and I suspect it was the ingredients more than anything else. But that's all part of cooking, trial and error!

Pasta with Meatballs and Sausage

One package vegan meatballs (I am partial to Gardein)

One package of vegan sausage - your choice - sliced into coins

One onion, chopped

2 cans (28 oz each) diced tomatoes

1 can of tomato paste (or use what was left over from the Biryani!)

1/4 c. dry white wine

Garlic, minced

2 t. brown sugar

1 t. rosemary

1 t. basil

1 t. marjoram

1/4 t. red pepper flakes

Cooked pasta of your choice

Saute the onion and sausage coins until the onion is softened and the sausage is slightly crisped. Add this and the remaining ingredients (except for the pasta) to the crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Serve over the pasta and enjoy!

Aloo Chana (Instant Pot)

 If you don't have an Instant Pot, I cannot stress enough how you need to get one! Like a crockpot, you can add the ingredients and walk away, except this is the pressure cooker version. No hovering over the stove making sure the little jiggler is jiggling at the proper speed. I absolutely love my Instant Pot!

Aloo Chana

1 t. cumin seeds

1 onion, diced

Garlic, minced

1 T. minced fresh ginger

1/2 t. cayenne

1/4 t. turmeric

1/8 t. black pepper

1 T. coriander

1/2 t. garam masala

2 tomatoes, chopped

3 c. water

2 potatoes, cubed

2 cans of chickpeas, drained

Saute the cumin seeds, onion, garlic, and ginger until onion starts to soften. Stir often to avoid burning (and getting a burn notice ;) ). Add the cayenne, turmeric, black pepper, coriander, and garam masala, and tomatoes to the pot and stir well. Add the water, potatoes, and chickpeas, and stir well again. Turn off saute mode, place the lid on the IP. Press Manual or Pressure Cook and set the timer for 20 minutes. Let release naturally for 15 minutes, then do a quick release. Serve. Enjoy!

Biryani

Occasionally my youngest and I get a hankerin' for Indian food. I don't like things too spicy, and he is just the opposite - the spicier the better! But we both agreed this was delicious.

Biryani

1 c. basmati rice

1 bay leaf

1 onion, diced

Garlic cloves, minced

1 t. freshly grated ginger

2 t. garam masala

1/2 t. cumin

1/2 t. coriander

1/4 t. red pepper flakes

1/4 t. turmeric

2 T. tomato paste

2 tomatoes, diced

1 bell pepper, diced

1/2 head of cauliflower, cut into florets

1 c. green peas

1/4 c. roasted cashews

1/4 c. dried blueberries

1/4 c. roasted pumpkin seeds

Cook the rice according to the package directions, adding the bay leaf and salt and pepper to taste. Saute the onion in a neutral oil until almost soft. Add the garlic, ginger, and spices and cook until nicely mixed. Add the tomato paste and vegetables and 1/2 c. water. Cook until all if well mixed and slightly softened. Remove from heat and add the rice, cashews, blueberries, and pumpkin seeds. Serve. Enjoy!

Pizza Casserole

This was so simple to make, and no, it doesn't look beautiful, but it did taste divine!

Pizza Casserole

1-2 packages of favorite vegan ground beef

One bag of noodles - your choice - cooked

One bag of shredded vegan mozzarella

One onion, chopped

28 oz. pizza sauce

Vegan pepperoni, cut in half

Cook the meat and onion in a skillet until onions are soft and meat is heated through. Layer all of the ingredients in a crock pot, meat, noodles, cheese, pizza sauce, pepperoni, repeat. Cook in a crockpot on low for 4-6 hours.