Comfort Foods

I've been craving squash lately and since necessity is the mother of invention, some pretty great dinners were created:
First up is tonight's feast of yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, and whole wheat-sweet potato gnocci.  Ingredients for 2 servings are as follows.  Measurements are approximate since I work with handfuls and pinches and tasting, I promise to work on measuring as I go :)

1 C gnocci (I used whole wheat-sweet potato because they are healthier but regular would work fine)

1 C yellow squash

1/3 C diced onion

1 clove garlic, diced

1 1/2 C cherry tomatoes

Salt to taste

Dried basil to taste

*If you prefer bottled marinara to cherry tomatoes in the blender, skip salt, basil, garlic, half the cherry tomatoes and just add sauce to cooked veggies & gnocci, then heat through

Soften onion & garlic in a lightly oiled skillet, toss in sliced yellow squash, boil gnocci while your veggies cook.  Put half of cherry tomatoes into your blender (I used my magic bullet) and puree.  Cut the remaining cherry tomatoes into halves.  Pour the puree in your veggie skillet, add salt & dried basil to taste, and simmer for a minute or two to let the sauce thicken slightly.  Add in cooked gnocci (they only cook about 3 minutes and float when they're done), toss in halved tomatoes & heat through.  Serve immediately.  If it's a little acidic, add a touch of sweetener (this is a tip I learned from an ex-military construction buddy, you'd be suprised how many construction workers are fabulous chefs!!!)  I avoid processed, white, granulated sugar.  I prefer agave, honey, or date paste so I added a small squeeze of agave to mine.

Next up is zucchini & quinoa.  Two of my favorite foods in the whole world on one plate!  This is a protein packed dinner, no meat needed.  Makes aprox 4 servings.

1 C quinoa (usually available in the rice section of the store, I buy mine at Costco where its much cheaper AND organic)
2 C water
1 Zucchini, diced
1/3 C diced onion
1 clove garlic, diced
1/2 C cherry tomatoes
Spoonful of guacamole or diced avocado
Salt to taste

Cook quinoa as directed on package ** see tips below.  Sautee garlic, onions, & sliced zucchini.  Chop cherry tomatoes.  Put all veggies on top of quinoa & top with a dollop of guac :)  mmmmm *Quinoa tip - package directions call for water, add some extra flavor by adding your favorite spices to the mix (I like Adobo with cumin) or even chicken broth if you are not a vegan.  **Quinoa tip 2 - on medium heat, bring to just simmering, then cover & turn heat down to low.  Cook until quinoa doesn't move around when you give the pan a little shake, 12-15 minutes.

Mona's Raw Vegan Stir Fry

All I can say is "WOW!" Mona has done it again. I was interested in raw vegan but hadn't ventured into it much until I sat in Mona's demonstration last October. I've been mostly raw ever since. Today I came across her recipe for raw vegan stir fry and had to make it immediately! I'm even eating it with chopsticks as she suggested, truly enjoying it, results below :)  Here's the site where her recipe is posted: www.somelikeitraw.com/raw-stir-fry/

Teacher's Pet

I started this blog to share with family and friends who tell me "if you only lived in the same state, you could feed me your wonderful cooking."  Well, my concoctions just aren't all that difficult to make.  A good amount of creativity goes into dreaming them up but I like to keep things simple and leave the complicated stuff for the weekend.  Here are a few things I have taught them to make and even a photo from the other side of the country where my best friend made her first Dave Sketti!!Green smoothies and fresh juice usually start off my day.  I've even got my dad making this stuff :D  Here are two I am currently addicted to.  First up is a banana protein smoothie.  Large handful of spinach, 1 broken up banana, couple dashes cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice,  a touch of vanilla, a squirt of agave or honey, a couple heaping spoons of hemp protein powder (you can leave this out or use a different protein), almond milk.  Put everthing in the blender except the milk, then add just enough milk to get it to mix.  Run blender until it is very smooth, then slowly add in the remaining milk until you reach your desired consistancy/thickness).  This makes for a much less chunky smoothie.  If you add all the liquid at the beginning it just doesn't blend as well.

Beet was a 4 letter word to my husband until I juiced up this beet, pineapple, lemon, apple favorite of mine and plunked down in front of a movie rental with him.  Throughout the movie he was stealing gulps from my tall glass of iced crimson drink.  It wasn't until the next day when I was telling my friend about how I had converted him that he said "What??  That wasn't berry juice??"  1 peeled beet with or without greens, 1 slice pineapple (you can leave core but I cut off the outside), 1 peeled lemon, 1 apple.  Put through your juicer and serve over ice.

Raw almond butter is a huge part of my diet.  I use it in smoothies, wraps, dips, and anything else I can dream up.  My dad called me the other day and I could hear him smiling as he told me he was enjoying an almond butter and honey sandwich.  Atta boy!  I absolutely love when I can tell someone is elated by their food being so delicious AND good for them.  That's what I'm all about.  Health food is not yucky, if it is, you are doing it wrong!  Haha.  Here is a pic of one of my favorite snacks.  A sliced up apple and some almond butter.  Also fabulous on celery and carrots.

And the feature of the day.......Dave Sketti!  Here is a pic of it all assembled, followed by a pic from teacher's pet after success on her first try!  That's why I named it after her :D  To make this fabulous dish you only need 3 ingredients.  1 spaghetti squash, these usually have directions right on them.  Simply cut in half, scoop out seeds (like a pumkin), place cut side down on a microwave safe plate, pour 1/4C water onto plate, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave for 12 minutes (give or take a few minutes).  You know its done if it gives when you push on it.  Let it cool, then simply run a fork across the inside to free the "noodles".  Toss with pesto and halved grape tomatoes.  This would also be fantastic with pine nuts sprinkled on top but in keeping with our easy and inexpensive theme, they are not part of the recipe.

Healthy & Happy

Here's what I've been up to lately.  I have thrown in a few cooked items for a family member who is not a raw foodie but needs to get healthy quick.  This post's for you.A fruity delicious start to the day.  Fruit & milk.  It's a little like when I was a kid and mom would chop up fresh peaches and pour cream over them.  Chopped banana, diced strawberries, sprinkle of dried cranberries, dash of cinnamon, coconut milk poured over the top.  So fruity & creamy you could have it for dessert instead!

Next is a nutritional power house that's perfect for someone who loves some fresh, crunchy food. Wash kale, remove stems, chiffonade or chop, drizzle with lemon juice & olive oil, then massage them into the kale.  Toss in shredded carrots & sprouts.  I bought a variety package of already sprouted beans.  Sprinkle with salt if desired.  This is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and crunch!

This one my best friend demanded I make.  So, when I saw portobellos on sale, I jumped on it!  I cleaned it up, rubbed a little olive oil on the top of the mushroom, then turned over and removed stem, spread a little pesto around on the inside, spooned a layer of tomato sauce on, sprinkled with cheese, and put my favorite veggies on top.  Bake @ 325 for 13 minutes, give or take a few.  Mine is on the right and hubby's is on the left with some salami on his.  He ooohhh'ed and aaahhh'ed over this so it must be good!  Incredible dinner and MUCH more filling than I expected.

Zucchini "Pasta"

It doesn't get any simpler or more delicious than this:

2 zucchini

3 tbs pesto

1 small tomato

Shred zucchini into "noodles" with a mandolin. A cheese grater can be used if necessary. Slice tomato in half, remove seeds, and dice. Cherry tomatoes are even better if you have them on hand. Toss all 3 ingreditents together.

Assembly tip: DO NOT TOSS AHEAD OF TIME. The pesto causes the zucchini and tomato to weep, so eat quickly, mixing frequently, to avoid a puddle of water in the bottom of your bowl.

Grocery tip: My favorite pesto brand is "Classico".