Wednesday, February 1, 2023

In My Kitchen - February

Let's take a peek into what's going on IN MY KITCHEN  at the beginning of February. 

polenta roll from Trader Joe

I purchase this organic cooked polenta roll at Trader Joe's. I usually slice it and cook it in marinara sauce. It gets soft and delicious. 

wide mouth thermos

wide mouth thermos

 I love this thermos. I am able to put an entire meal in here when I am out for the day (shopping, beach, site seeing)  and don't want to eat out. I put rice, beans, and vegetable in here for a full healthy meal. 

Hannah hummus large container

My favorite Hummus ( don't know why they spell it Hommus) . I purchase it at Costco (but I believe it is sold in a smaller size in the markets). It's entirely organic and tastes great!

cocoa crisp cereal organic

This is the first time I tried this cereal. It taste good, not too sweet. I bought it at the regular supermarket.

homemade jar of tofu mayonnaise

I made my own plant-based (tofu) mayonnaise in minutes in my blender. I was extremely pleased with the taste and much lower fat content than regular mayonnaise. I made a small jar that lasts a little over a week. Tofu Mayonnaise recipe link.

vegetable juicer

I bought this juicer at Aldi's during the holidays. It was quite reasonable ($39.99) so I was surprised how well it works and has a wide mouth for larger vegetables or fruit.  

I had been needing a new juicer (to replace the Braun that I had for 30 years and loved- but they no longer make the Braun compatible for US use). I  tried some of the more expensive brands and just couldn't find anything I liked. I need a small one to accommodate the smaller space in my condo winter kitchen.


I'm sharing this post and joining Sherry and other bloggers on IMK ( In My Kitchen)  IN MY KITCHEN 





Thursday, January 26, 2023

Instant Pot Steamed Potatoes and Potato Salad

Beautiful organic potatoes steam easily and quickly in the Instant Pot !

bag of red potatoes

Steaming potatoes in the Instant Pot is easy peasy. I mean it. 
Simply wash and quarter your potatoes. Place them in a steamer basket inside the liner of the Instant Pot. Add water and set to pressure cook for 4-5 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes. I steamed this batch for 4 minutes.

bowl of quartered potatoes

Once steamed, I proceeded to make a simple delicious potato salad using celery, scallions, and plant-based mayonnaise which I made myself in just minutes. 

quartered potatoes in the Instant Pot

Ingredients: 
15 medium potatoes, washed and quartered
2 cups of water

Directions: 
Place the steamer basket into the insert liner of the Instant Pot. Add the quartered potatoes and water. Secure lid making sure the pressure valve is sealed. Set to pressure cook for 4-5 minutes depending on the size of your potatoes. When done, cancel function and release steam according to the manufacturers directions. When done, carefully remove the lid and the steamer basket. Place potatoes into a bowl to cool. 

vegan potato salad

Use for potato salad, salad nicoise (link to recipe), or mash potatoes. 

Potato salad with Vegan Mayo (link to recipe)
Ingredients: 
2 cups of chopped organic celery
1 cup of scallions
1/2 cup of diced red onion
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 cup of vegan mayo (recipe: 3 minute Vegan Mayo in blender)
2 tablespoons of capers 
1/4 cup of caper juice

Directions: 
Place cooled potatoes in a large bowl. Add celery, scallions, red onions, garlic powder, vegan mayo, capers, and caper juice.  
Optional: 2 tablespoons of cumin seed

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Homemade Plant-Based Mayonaise- Creamy, Dreamy, Fast and Easy


tofu mayonnaise, plant-based

Get out your blender and get ready for an amazing treat! 
This delicious plant-based mayonnaise is low in fat, oil-free, high in protein, and tastes and looks delicious! 

It's perfect for anyone who has an egg allergy or doesn't eat eggs or tons of oil- like me!

Do you know that regular mayo contains 10 grams of FAT per tablespoon? That is because regular mayo contains mostly oil.

This plant-based recipe contains no oil and is about 1 gram of fat per 2-3 tablespoons! Huge difference! I think lower fat for heart healthy!

Free photos of Business

How Does It Taste?

I LOVE IT!

How much effort does it take to make it ? 

Minutes to make it and clean up the blender!  
Now I have mayonnaise for the entire week. 

How will I use it ?- the possibilities are endless. 

dips, mayonaise, ketchup,
My mom used to mix ketchup and mayo together to make what she called " French Dressing". I'm excited to make some mayo based salad dressings using my new plant-based mayo. 

 I have not had traditional mayonnaise in 2 years since I became a vegan (was a vegetarian for about 40 years) and truthfully I did miss mayonnaise in potato salad, on sandwiches, in mock tuna/chickpea salad, etc.

mayonnaise in a glass cup

This is a game changer for me and anyone on a vegan oil-free egg free diet!

Since it is also much lower in fat and cholesterol than traditional mayo, you might want to try it because it's so easy to make and tastes great. 

The final result is a smooth creamy mayonnaise that looks and tastes similar to mayo and absolutely delighted me in my red potato salad. 

Ingredients:
 
1 container of firm silken tofu
1/2 teaspoon of mustard powder
1 tablespoon of dijon mustard 
Salt and pepper 
Water enough to blend (about 1-2 teaspoons only if needed) 

Directions: 

Add all of the ingredients to a strong blender and blend until creamy. Transfer into a large jar and use as desired for sandwiches, salad dressings, potato salad, etc.



My Soups Cookbook is Available On Amazon 

If you are a follower of my blog, you know that I LOVE soup and published a plant-based soups cookbook (affiliate link to Amazon)

Soups cookbook, Easy Plant-Based Soups From Farm To Ladle

 with over 80 easy and delicious soup recipes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and meet kosher-parve requirements as well. 





Thursday, January 19, 2023

Creamy Cauliflower Soup Using Frozen Cauliflower

bowl of cauliflower soup, vegan, gluten-free

It's soup season and cauliflower makes a really tasty soup that requires very little effort on your part especially because I use frozen cauliflower right from the bag and yes it comes out great! 

If you are looking for ways to take a few shortcuts in your homemade cooking, this soup may be just what you need. It cuts down on the work but not on the nutrients.

Let's face it- there is nothing like a pot of homemade soup to bring family and friends together in the winter!

Don't want to use frozen cauliflower? 
You can cut up two medium-large cauliflowers into florets and cook them a little longer. I've done it both ways!

Cauliflower, Vegetable, Food

However, I always keep frozen cauliflower in the freezer. I'm able to purchase a 1 pound bag of organic frozen cauliflower at Whole Foods Market for just $1.99/bag. Since we eat out quite often in Florida, my fresh produce often goes bad before I get to cook it, therefore I use frozen vegetables most of the time.

Cauliflower soup, vegan, gluten-free,

Lately, I've been finding that a variety of frozen produce works great in soups and is a real time and mess saver! Truthfully, I don't notice any difference in the final taste either. 

If you don't care for cauliflower, try my  green bean soup (link to recipe) made with frozen green beans which is real easy and tastes exceptional.

White Vegetables Are Loaded With Nutrients 
For this delicious pure white vegan soup, I used onions, cauliflower, garlic powder, and a large parsnip. It's a white soup made with all white vegetables. 
  • Onions offer protective antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, fiber, and nutrients. Great during cold and flu season.
  • Parsnips are a cousin of the carrot and offers excellent fiber as well as anti-inflammatory properties and immune boosting Vitamin C. My mother used to use parsnip in many of her homemade soups. 

Parsnips,

Cauliflower Is A Powerful Cruciferous Vegetables 
 Cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, arugula, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, boo choy, and collards greens provide valuable antioxidants that are thought to help boost immunity against diseases such as cancer. These are great vegetables to include in your daily diet.

The flavor of this soup is mild and creamy and not only delivers a bowlful of cruciferous goodness but also feels comforting and soothing to the tummy. A perfect choice to warm you up on a cold day. Of course being in Florida, the weather is mild and warm, but I still love to eat soup.

Bowl of creamy cauliflower soup, vegan, kosher

Another bonus is that this soup is really low in calories and carbs too! It's a perfect soup if you are following WW. 

This recipe makes about 4-6 bowls of soup. If you are cooking for one or two, simply cut the recipe in half. I cook for two, but we do not mind eating soup two days in a row. 

Cutting Board, Knife, Chopped, Parsley

Garnishes Add Flavor Too
Once you make this soup, you could experiment with adding additional garnishes such as chopped dill, parsley, scallions, gluten free croutons, GF crackers, seeds or nuts. 

Instant Pot or Stove Top Works
I make all my soups in the Instant Pot, but you could easily make this soup on the stove top. 

Ingredients: 
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
1 large parsnip, washed, peeled and diced small
2.5 bags of organic frozen cauliflower florets (1 pound bags) 
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
5 cups of vegetable broth, divided
Sprinkle (or more to taste) of ground sage (or substitute another spice that you like or have on hand) to each bowl before serving.
Cracked pepper to taste 

Directions for Instant Pot 
Add onions, parsnip, and 1/2 cup of vegetable broth to the insert liner of the Instant Pot. Press sauté and sauté for about 4 minutes, stirring. Add frozen cauliflower, garlic powder, remaining vegetable broth, and cracked pepper, stir well.  Secure lid, cancel sauté and press to pressure cook for 1 minute. 

When done, release steam manually according to the manufacturers directions. When all steam is released, carefully remove the lid. Using an immersion blender to blend the soup (right in the IP or pot) until creamy. Adjust seasoning (extra salt, pepper, garlic powder) and add garnishes of your choice.

Stove Top Directions
Sauté the onions and parsnip in vegetable broth. Add cauliflower, garlic powder, remaining broth and pepper. Cook covered until cauliflower is soft. Use an immersion blender to blend to creamy. 



Gold Rim Crockery, Soup Bowls, Terrine


My Soups Cookbook is Available On Amazon 

If you are a follower of my blog, you know that I LOVE soup and published a plant-based soups cookbook (affiliate link to Amazon)
Soups cookbook, Easy Plant-Based Soups From Farm To Ladle
 with over 80 easy and delicious soup recipes that are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and meet kosher-parve requirements as well.



MY NOTES
1. All of my recipes on my blog are gluten-free, vegan, and oil-free (since 2020); and prior recipes are all gluten-free and vegetarian or vegan.
2. This is a dairy-free creamy thick soup 
3. Variation Options: Add some oat milk to the soup if you like
4. I buy parsnips by the pound in Whole Foods, but they are available in most markets (sometimes in a bag like carrots).
5. I used sage as a spice for this light bland soup- if you don't have sage in your cupboard (who does?) try a spice of your choice - thyme? 
6. Hi to Vicki
7. Hi to Laurala 
My two good friends who religiously read my blog- Love you both and appreciate your support 💖

Another Parsnip Recipe





















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