One Frugal Foodie

Don’t Pinch My Blog, I’ve Got a Green Recipe!

Posted by alisa on March 17, 2010 | 12 Comments

As mentioned in my last post, we are on week one of our first CSA. It was like Christmas pulling out one surprise veggie after another … until I got to the final item, the lump of coal at the bottom. “What’s this?” I said. It didn’t quite look like kale or chard, but similar. I went to the inventory sheet and my fears were realized – collard greens.

My first and only experience with collard greens was purchasing them in a bag on sale at a mega-grocer about seven years ago. Terrible, terrible, terrible. But determined to polish off that entire CSA box and give every veggie a fair trial, I headed to one of my favorite healthy cookbooks, Whole Life Nutrition. I was confident that Alissa (gotta love her name) would have a recipe to turn those greens into something good. In fact, she had two. One was for Apple-Spiced Collard Greens, which sounded rather tasty, but I didn’t have any apple juice on hand. The second was for Collard Green and Hummus Roll-ups. Now hummus, that is something I almost always have on hand!

My version is more of a guide / idea than a recipe, but let me tell you, it really worked to turn those nice big collard leaves (perfectly flat and excellent to work with, unlike kale or stiff chard leaves) into a tasty large snack or small meal – however you view it. And I realize Collard Greens don’t exactly shout “St. Patrick’s Day,” but hey, they are GREEN!

Now it is quite possible that there will be more of these collard greens in today’s CSA box, so please do tell … Do you have any ideas or favorite recipes for using Collard Greens?

Collard Green and Hummus Mini-Wraps

Adapted from The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook by Alissa Segersten and Tom Malterre. This recipe is Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, and optionally Vegan.

• Collard Green Leaves, nice full healthy ones
• Hummus, your flavor of choice
• Carrots, for shredding
• Avocado, sliced (optional – I didn’t have any)
• Leftover Chicken (optional – omit for a vegan option)
• Olives (optional – my hummus was kalamata olive hummus so I could resist)
• Other Veggie Toppings of Choice (go wild!)

Lay the leaves flat, and cut them in half, carefully cutting out that thick stem. Spread each leaf half with your favorite hummus (I was using an olive hummus, hence the darker color), and sprinkle with grated or shredded carrot.

Okay, get ready, this is my first ever step by step photo – except it is just one step …

Now, simply roll them up tight for a very light snack (I did this once, and they were tasty just like this!), or top them with your choice of toppings. The second time I made them I had some leftover chicken and olives, so I went with this, which made thicker rolls.

Yields as many as you like

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Creamy Green Garlic Soup

Posted by alisa on March 15, 2010 | 15 Comments

This recipe is an ever so slight detour from my ususal “grocery store” fare (though regular garlic can be used, as noted), because I have at last joined the CSA world! Last week I got my very first ever CSA veggie box. Now that we live reasonably close to some of those great California farms, and since all of you wonderful food bloggers have introduced me to this concept, I had to join up. I was actually on the waiting list for Mountain Bounty Farm (who delivers to the Tahoe area), and was able to cut in mid-season.

I must say, I am not the least bit disappointed! A close friend splits a share with another friend, and she thought I was insane getting a whole share for just myself and my husband. But, I think she underestimated 1) my twisted love for vegetables and 2) how much food bloggers relish quality, organic goods. Lets just say, I have had no problem polishing off the entire box, and have still picked up some other veggies at the market this past week.

Since I was new to a few ingredients, like green garlic, I have been trying to stick to recipes with few ingredients, so that I can really taste what these veggies are all about. Green garlic is interesting, as it is the immature version of the bulb garlic we buy at the grocery store. It is milder, and to me it did have a “green” taste. It did seem to be a cross (in both looks and flavor) between large green onions / spring onions and mature garlic.

This is really just a very basic creamy potato soup made with green garlic. You could easily sub in a few cloves of regular garlic, or even a bulb of roasted garlic for a different, but delicious variation. Actually, I think if I were to choose, I would try this soup next with roasted garlic, but the green garlic was a nice variation that was a touch sweeter and had that “cold-kicking” garlic essence that I was craving after a big snowstorm hit.

Creamy Green Garlic Soup

Cheap russets or baking potatotes are the best for soups like this due to their high starch content. Yukons have a medium starch content and will also work well, while adding a touch of their “buttery” feel. This recipe is Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, and optionally Vegan / Vegetarian.

• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil or Dairy-Free Margarine (I used olive oil)
• 1 Medium Onion, diced (about 1-1/4 cups)
• 1/2 lb Green Garlic or 3 bulbs, thinly sliced and cut in half (I used the whites, pink, and part way up the green) – can sub 2 to 4 minced medium garlic cloves
• 1/2 lb Yukon Gold or Russet Potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I didn’t peel)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt, plus more to taste (I used 1 teaspoon total)
• 1 Quart Vegetable or Chicken Broth (I used Pacific Foods Free Range Chicken Broth)
• Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste
• 1/2 to 1 Tablespoon Dairy-Free Margarine (optional)

Heat the oil or margarine in a stockpot over medium heat. Add the onions and saute for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften and become translucent.

Add the garlic, potatoes, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and saute for another 5 minutes – keeping things moving. If the pan dries out, splash in a wee bit of the broth to keep the ingredients from sticking.

Add the broth and bring the soup to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to medium-low, allowing the soup to simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are nice and tender.

Using an immersion blender, or in two batches in a regular blender, puree the soup (garlic, onions, potatoes and all) until it is nice and smooth. I did it in my blender, allowing each batch to spin for a couple of minutes. Use caution when you turn the blender on, making sure you have a firm hand on the lid to ensure that no hot soup escapes. Trust me, that is never fun!

Return the soup to your pot and season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. As noted, I used a fair bit of salt, because I was craving it, but go for what you like best. If you have some miso on hand, I might try mixing in some of this for a different flavor variation instead of the extra salt.

If desired, serve with 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon of margarine swirled in to each bowl.

Yields 3 light lunches

Hoki-Dokie Oven “Fried” Fish Filets

Posted by alisa on November 3, 2009 | 8 Comments

As promised, I have some delicious recipes for using the cereal in my U.S. Mills Organic Breakfast Giveaway (see that post to enter to win now).

This particular recipe was a huge hit after a series of fish fillet bombs. For some reason (whether it be frost-bitten fish or questionable recipe), every piece of mahi or salmon I made was coming out too dry, too chewy, or too bland.

But the combination of this popular New Zealand fish (that I stumbled upon at my local grocer) and this easy cooking method left us with wonderfully flavorful and flaky fish. Even my husband, who only likes his fish raw, proclaimed it was “Excellent!”

Of course, cod, halibut, or other firm white fish will work beautifully in this recipe should hoki not be available to you.

Hoki-Dokie Oven “Fried” Fish Fillets

This recipe is Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Low Fat, and optionally Gluten-Free. Did I mention it is positively delicious too?

• 10 Ounces Fish Fillets (I used Hoki, but any thin white fish filet should work well)
• 1 Tablespon Dairy-Free Margarine (I used Earth Balance Soy-Free)
• 1/4 to 1/3 Cup All-Purpose, Whole Wheat, Spelt, Chickpea, or other Gluten-Free Flour (I actually used oat flour – oats ground in my spice grinder to a powder)
• 1 Egg
• 1 Cup Cornflakes, crushed or whizzed into crumbs (I used Erewhon Organic Corn Flakes)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 Teaspoon Paprika
• 1/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon Pepper (black or white)
• 1/8 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Preheat your oven to 400ºF.

Baste both sides of your fish fillets with the margarine, and sprinkle them with the flour until lightly coated.

Beat the egg in a shallow dish, and briefly set it aside.

Combine the corn flakes and all of the remaining ingredients (I actually combined the flakes and spices / salt in my spice grinder and gave them a few good pulses to turn the corn flakes into crumbs and combine everything), and place them in a large zip-top baggie.

Dredge one of the fish fillets through the egg (both sides), place it in the zip-top baggie and give it a good shake to coat, remove and place it on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining fillets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the filets. You may opt to flip them midway, but mine worked well without the flip.

Yields 2 healthy “fried” entrees

Random Bites of Autumn Deliciousness

Posted by alisa on October 30, 2009 | 16 Comments

I haven’t created many unique and stellar recipes this past week … in fact, since we have been quite busy, I have been enjoying simplicity a bit. Don’t worry, this isn’t just a “what I ate” post. Think of it like a collection of mini recipes.

Lunch all week has been two poached eggs atop whatever vegetables need to be eaten most urgently. But, I did fit in a “new to me” veggie. What could that be nestled in that pile of cabbage? …

Why kabocha squash of course! I finally gave into the food bloggie peer pressure (and the fact that organic kabochas were on for $.49 a pound!). Since I was a kabocha virgin, I didn’t experiment, I used this tested recipe for Japanese Style Simmered Sweet Kabocha. I didn’t have dashi, so I just used water, and it still came out delicious! The only thing I couldn’t figure out was if I was supposed to cover the pan as it cooked. I did, and ended up with tons of liquid left, so if you try it, don’t cover. I ate the squash skin and all (my first time for that too!) and it was wonderful.

For some reason, I was obsessed with making a Pumpkin Pecan Pie Spread for our morning rice cakes. After three mornings of trials, I was satisfied, but never did get what I would call perfection. Nonetheless, since the husband was getting a bit burnt out on pumpkin, I called it a day. Here is where I left off …

• 2 Tablespoons Pecan Butter (I used some Artisana I was trialing, but you can also make your own)
• 1/4 Cup Pumpkin Puree
• 1 to 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup (I took the middle ground with 1-1/2)
• ½ Teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Generous Pinch of Salt
• Protein Powder (optional)

In a small bowl, whip it all together. If desired, stir in protein powder to your desired taste and consistency. I like to add a little egg protein powder; it also thickens it up a bit.

This spread really is so simple that you could easily customize it to your tastes by tweaking an ingredient or two, or even simply subbing the maple syrup for your sweetener of choice. This yielded enough for four rice cakes, two each, perfect!

Now, for my sweet treats of the week, I seemed to have a bit of a graham cracker obsession … cinnamon graham crackers to be specific …

This is nothing more than a cinnamon graham topped with lusciously creamy cashew butter (seriously, this stuff is like frosting!) and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Mmmm.

But the following may have even topped that one …

Maple-Pecan Graham-wiches

• 1 Tablespoon Pecan Butter (would probably be awesome with any nut butter!)
• 1/2 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
• 1 Teaspoon Coconut Oil or Coconut Butter, melted
• 2 Whole Cinnamon Graham Crackers (each broken in half, so you have four squares)

Combine the nut butter, maple, and coconut oil or butter in a small dish. Refrigerate it for just a few, allowing it to thicken just a bit as the coconut oil cools and solidifies. Top two cinnamon grahams (cinnamon-side up) with the butter, top with remaining graham. Enjoy the oozing goodness.

If you don’t like messy sandwiches, try this snack open faced.

Hopefully you have found some delicious inspiration amongst this haphazard post! I have just a few quick shout-outs to end with.

• Thank you to All Access Pass to Jack for the Lemonade Award. I will have to pass this on very soon!
• Zesty is having another blog makeover giveaway! I want to win so bad that I am telling you all to enter just to get myself one more entry. Logical?
• I have another big giveaway coming up too. Stay tuned, it will be up in just a couple of days! (I have to go write it up now).

Oh yes, and Happy Halloween!!

Cauliflower “Risotto” (Grain-Free AND Dairy-Free)

Posted by alisa on October 20, 2009 | 26 Comments

Recently, I stumbled across the idea of Cauliflower “Rice” on a Paleo / Primal Diet blog. Smitten by this idea for incorporating even more veggies into my dinner (and sneaking cauliflower in on my husband, hehe), I went with it. My first attempt was this Cauliflower “Risotto,” which amazingly turned out awesome right out of the shoot!

I have since made it a few times with the nod of approval from my usually cauliflower-hating husband. I have also made some basic cauliflower “rice” to serve as the base under stir-fries. It has worked out well, but my husband agreed that the risotto is just better.

Another Bonus: Surprisingly, a large head of cauliflower only makes about 3 to 4 healthy servings. When grated, the cauliflower seemed much less overwhelming than eating large florets.

Cauliflower “Risotto” with Fresh Basil (Grain-Free AND Dairy-Free)

This recipe is Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Soy-Free, and Sugar-Free.

I like to use just a bit of nutritional yeast, but keep the amounts moderate so that it enhances the meal without creating an overpowering fake cheesy taste. Nutritional yeast can easily be found online and in the bulk bins of some natural food stores. Make sure it is specifically called “nutritional yeast;” brewer’s (which the grocery attendants will try to hand to you) is not the same thing. If you don’t have any on hand, try this recipe without it, I am sure it will still be quite yummy!

• 3 Tablespoons Pine Nuts (about 1 ounce)
• 1-1/2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
• ½ Teaspoon Salt, or to taste
• 1-1/2 to 2 Tablespoons Grapeseed, Olive, or Coconut Oil
• ½ Cup Minced or Diced Onion
• 3 Cups Grated Cauliflower (about ½ medium to large head – if you have a food processor, you are golden; I grated by hand)
• 1 Garlic Clove, minced
• ¼ Cup Broth (chicken or vegetarian)
• Chiffonade 6 to 10 Fresh Basil Leaves
• Fresh Ground Pepper, to taste (optional)

Combine the nuts, nutritional yeast, and salt in your spice grinder, and give it a few pulses. The nuts should grind up, and begin to clump. It is best if it stays a bit powdery and doesn’t turn into a paste, but if it does, no loss. Set aside while you cook the cauliflower.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 3 minutes. Add the grated cauliflower and continue to sauté / stir-fry for about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and suate for 1 minute more. Add the broth, reduce the heat to medium-low, stir, cover and allow it to sit for 2 to 3 minutes. This cooks it to the perfect “al dente” consistency for us, but feel free to cook it to your desired tenderness.

Remove the lid, turn off the heat, and stir in the reserved nut mixture. It may clump a bit, but continuing to stir it in the hot pan will help it to distribute and become creamy. Stir in the basil and fresh ground pepper to taste, if using. Serve.

Yields about 2 side servings

No Onion? I ran out of onion the second time I made this dish, so I skipped the onion sauté, but added ¼ teaspoon of onion powder to the nut mixture. The fresh onion was better, but this was still tasty in a pinch!

To Serve: This versatile dish can be served with a salad or steamed veggies (broccoli or asparagus would be nice) to keep it light and vegetarian. For an omnivorous meal, we found it went quite well with baked chicken, and also made a quick lunch with leftover chopped chicken added.

Lower Fat Option: I haven’t tried this as of yet, but I think this would work with just 2 teaspoons of oil if you were trying to go lower in fat. I would just sauté the onions in the oil, add the cauliflower and sauté for just 1 minute, and then add the broth and cover. Cook until it reaches your desired tenderness. You may need to use a touch more broth. Don’t skip the pine nuts though; they add richness and nutrition!

Blog Events: I am submitting this post to:

• Slightly Indulgent Mondays over at Simply Sugar Gluten-Free
• What Can I Eat That’s Gluten-Free over at Gluten-Free Homemaker
• Real Food Wednesday over at Cheeseslave (ironic!)

Taste & Create: Rustic Potato Summer Gratin

Posted by alisa on August 23, 2009 | 25 Comments

The week flew by, and I had an enjoyable, but rather uneventful weekend. We watched the movie There Will Be Blood. Has anyone else seen that? It was good, but totally mental! We also went out one night to one of our favorite restaurants, sat with a view of the giant fish tank, savored hearty sesame-ahi tuna wraps (I need to make those at home), and sipped on a couple of MGD 64’s. I know, woo! Don’t lose control there. Aside from that, there was a nice long walk, a good cardio workout, an hour of stretch, and … I made a delicous Potato Gratin, rich with tomatoes, onions, and garlic.

You didn’t think I was going to get to the food did you? Well, this dish is actually a take on my partner’s recipe from Taste & Create, food blogger Kendall at Res-O-Puh-Leese.

I had a doozy of a time picking a recipe, as there were so many to choose from buried within her blog, but I eventually settled on the Potato, Tomato, and Garlic Gratin.

Of course, since this recipe was already tested and approved as is, I decided to play around with it a little; within reason of course. Kendall isn’t a fan of onions, but I am, so I referenced the original recipe to add those babies back in. I took the fats down, as some of the oil seemed a bit unnecessary (no compromise there!), and I simplified a few of the steps (she is quite the gourmet!) for my simple kitchen style. In the end, I renamed it a “Rustic” gratin, because I like my potatoes unpeeled. The skin adds so much wonderful flavor and texture. The “Summer” part came from the use of fresh tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.

Here is a close-up just before I popped it in the oven …

Now, I ran into one little glitch. Those potatoes on top crisp up and start to blacken well before the potatoes are done. At 45 minutes, I took it out, turned those top potatoes over, and popped it back in. You can do this, or try the untested tip which I include at the end of the recipe. I think it will work just fine.

The end result was rich, delicious, and completely gone in one meal (Thank you Kendall!) …

Oh yes, would you like the recipe?

Rustic Potato Summer Gratin
Adapted from Res-o-puh-leese, which was adapted from Simply French by Patricia Wells & Joel Robuchon

This recipe is Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Nut-Free, and optionally Vegan / Vegetarian

• 1 Tablespoon Olive or Grapeseed Oil
• 1 Medium Onion, halved and thinly sliced
• Sea Salt, to taste (1/2 t is probably enough, but I went overboard with 1 t, and we loved it!)
• Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste
• 2 Garlic Cloves, Minced
• 1 lb Ripe Tomatoes, cored, peeled, seeded & chopped* (I used fresh, but you can substitute 1 14.5 ounce can of drained diced tomatoes in a pinch)
• 1/2 Teaspoon Honey
• 1.5 lbs Baking Potatoes (nice big Russets!)
• 3 Teaspoons (1 tablespoon) Margarine, divided (I used Earth Balance Soy-Free, but you can substitute more olive oil)
• 3/4 Cup Chicken, Beef, or Vegetable Broth
• 2 Tablespoons Fresh Flat-leaf Parsley, snipped
• 1 Teaspoon Fresh Thyme

Preheat your oven to 425°F / 220°C.

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium-low, add the garlic and saute for 1 minute more. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and allow it to cook and thicken for about 10 to 15 minutes. Taste for seasoning.

Meanwhile, prep those potatoes! Give them a good scrub. I leave them unpeeled for that “rustic” effect, but peel them if you must. Thinly slice the potatoes (about 1/4-inch worked for me).  Set aside about 1/4 to 1/3 of the potatoes in a medium-sized bowl to use as the topping.

In a large bowl, combine the remaining potatoes with the sauce and toss carefully to blend.

Liberally rub the bottom of a 9″ pie dish (or similarly sized oven-safe dish) with 1 teaspoon of the margarine, or oil if using instead.  

Transfer the potato-tomato mixture to the baking dish, smoothing it out with the back of a spoon. Add the broth to cover.

Add the remaining 2 teaspons of margarine (or oil) and the parsley to the reserved potatoes for the topping. Toss to coat evenly.

Arrange the “buttered” potato slices one by one atop the potato-tomato mixture in your baking dish (in an overlapping pattern), until the entire dish is covered with an even potato layer. Sprinkle with the thyme.

Place the dish in the centre of the oven and bake until the potatoes are soft, most of the liquid has been absorbed, and the top is golden, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Check in after 40 minutes. If those potatoes on top are crisping too fast, turn them over to cook the other sides, and return to the oven. Serve immediately.

* Peeling Tomatoes (this was cool!): Bring a saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water large enough to hold all the tomatoes. Cut a slit in the skin of each tomato from top to bottom, and drop them all into the boiling water. Leave them in the boiling water for approximately 1 minute before removing each tomato with a slotted spoon and placing it immediately in the bowl of cold water. As soon as the tomato is cool enough to touch, remove the skin, which will now slide away easily.

Alternate Baking Method: If you run into the potato crisping problem I had, try this … reduce the broth to 1/2 to 2/3 cup, and bake for just 45 minutes to 1 hour. I think this timing will work well, since the potatoes are definitely done by 1 hour but with 3/4 cup broth, it isn’t all absorbed.

Yields 4 rustic servings

Sweet Nutrition: True Blue Smoothie

Posted by alisa on August 16, 2009 | 14 Comments

Thanks to this year’s bumper blueberry crop, our [tiny] freezer is quickly filling. But I must say, it is worth it; this year’s blueberries seem sweeter than ever. Plus, you can’t beat the prices. We have been getting loads of these delicious Oregon blueberries for just $1.00 to $2.00 per lb at our local grocery stores.

Though I offered to make some blueberry bars, my husband quickly declined with a, “Save them for the smoothies!” Considering how much he loves cookies and bars, this says a ton for his adoration of our homemade smoothies. In fact, there is one sweet blueberry smoothie, which  he not only enjoys immensely, but also brags to others about (in attempts to thwart his less than healthy childhood image).

You might be thinking, “Sure, fruit smoothies are healthy; what’s the big deal?” Well, for starters, I make them only with ripe fruit and unsweetened liquids, no added sugars; though you are welcome to sweeten to taste if your fruit is less than scrumptious. I also add in whatever I think we need at the time, such as some ground flaxseed, a little protein powder, etc. But what my husband got most excited about was what he didn’t know was in the smoothies for the first two months I was serving them too him.

Can you tell? (focus on the blue and please ignore the water spots!)

Do you see those wonderfully sweet blueberry flecks throughout? Those were my disguise. What you can’t taste, or see, is the spinach! You have probably seen claims on other blogs that you can’t taste spinach in smoothies. Years ago I put this theory to the test, and it was true, but because it turned the smoothie a less than attractive green, I couldn’t get my husband to go near it. However, when I snuck the spinach into this blueberry smoothie (blackberries work too), he was none the wiser, as he happily sipped away his new favorite breakfast.  

After I let him in on the secret, he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. I have overheard him many times boasting, “You can add spinach to smoothies and you can’t even taste it!” My job here is done …

True Blue Smoothie

This recipe is adapted from my book! - Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living. Depending on the milk alternative you use, this recipe can be Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Nut-Free, Sugar-Free, and Low Fat.

“This is my go-to smoothie, and trust me on this one … don’t omit the spinach. I don’t care who you are serving it to, they will never know it is in there. The blueberries mask the green color, resulting in a beautiful purple beverage. As for the flavor … even the most adamant non-believers come back to me with surprise comments of delight. I never add sweetener, but feel free to add a bit if your fruit isn’t very sweet.”

•  1 Medium Very Ripe Banana, Broken into Chunks
• 1 Cup Frozen Blueberries
• 1/2 to 1 Cup Plain or Vanilla Milk Alternative of Choice [This summer I am using 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk]
• 1/2 Cup Packed Fresh Baby Spinach Leaves
• 1/2 Cup Ice

Toss the banana, blueberries, and 1/2 cup of the milk alternative into your blender, and process until smooth. Add the cinnamon (if using), flax seeds, and spinach, and blend until those little green specks vanish. Blend in more milk alternative until it reaches your desired consistency. If desired, blend in a handful of ice for a frostier treat.

Optional Add-ins:

• Sweetener, to Taste (agave, sugar, or your choice)
• 1 Tablespoon Whole Flax Seeds (left whole or pre-ground in your spice grinder)
• 1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (optional)
• 1 to 2 Tablespoons Protein Powder of Choice

Yields 1 to 2 Servings

Freezing Blueberries (or other summer berries) – As mentioned, blueberries freeze beautifully:

1. As soon as you get home with your bounty, set aside some fresh ones to consume over the next few days.
2. Take the remaining blueberries, rinse them well, and pat them dry.
3. I usually leave them on the counter on a towel in a single layer, after I have patted them dry, for an hour or so to get rid of any excess moisture.
4. Place the blueberries in large freezer bags (make sure they are freezer bags, not the regular ones), zip them closed, getting as much air out as possible, and freeze.
5. I usually lay the bags flat in the freezer and stack one on top of the other.

Taste & Create: Indian Potato-Stuffed Flatbreads

Posted by alisa on July 20, 2009 | 12 Comments

This month on Taste & Create I was paired up with Divya Vikram of the blog Dil Se. Though her baked bread recipes seriously tempted me, I thought I might be missing the whole experience if I didn’t trial an Indian recipe from her blog. I decided on the Aloo Paratha recipe, or personal-sized, Indian potato-stuffed flatbreads. Yes, it was still technically bread, but no oven required, bonus!

Though my ratios need to be perfected, this multi-step recipe was surprisingly simple, and it really flowed.  I kneaded the no-yeast bread within a few minutes, set it aside to rest, made the potatoes (while the potatoes were boiling I put the soup on – see next paragraph), rolled the dough out, plopped in the potato, bundled them up, flattened, pan-fried, and viola! A nice, flavorful, whole-grain, and dare I say, adventurous vegetarian meal.

Okay, so mine aren’t quite perfection … yet. But that doesn’t take away from the taste. Though this flatbread making does take practice, you should have some tasty and doable results on the first try.

Divya says that this is an authentic North Indian breakfast, but we decided to have them for lunch, alongside the creamy Lightly Curried Cruciferous Soup from my book, Go Dairy Free. It seemed fitting since both recipes used garam masala, so I could just make one little batch of the quick garam masala spice mix from my book, and I was good to go!  You can use a homemade version such as the one I used, or store-bought if you wish.  

As she mentions, these flatbreads are definitely best hot, but I did read on another site that they freeze well and can be reheated later.  They are certainly unique and full of good flavor. Enjoy!

Indian Potato-Stuffed Flatbreads (Aloo Paratha)
Recipe adapted from Dil Se ..

This recipe is Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, and relatively Low in Fat

• 1 Cup Warm Water, plus additional as needed
• 1 Tablespoon Oil (I used grapeseed), plus a little extra (or a little bit of dairy-free margarine) for pan-frying
• 3 Cups Whole Wheat Flour, plus additional as needed (use white-wheat or half wheat / half white for a lighter bread, if desired)
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt, divided, or to taste
• 1 1/4 lbs Potatoes (about 3 medium), cut into 1/2-inch chunks (your choice – I used baby russets, but white, red, or yukon gold will work – no need to peel in my opinion)
• 1 Teaspoon Garam Masala

Place the warm water and 1 tablespoon of oil in a large bowl. Add in the flour and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and combine, kneading to bring the dough together into a ball. It should be just a little sticky but fairly firm; add more water or flour as needed. Lightly cover the bowl, and set the dough aside while you prepare the potatoes.

Boil the potatoes for about 15 minutes, or until they are fork tender. Drain well and mash them with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and garam masala. Taste test, and season to taste with additional salt and/or pepper as desired (Divya adds a little cilantro, but we are an anti-cilantro household).

Divide the dough into twelve equal portions, and one at a time, roll the dough out into a circle that is about 6 to 7 inches in diameter (use additional flour as needed to prevent sticking). Place a potato ball in the center, and bring up the dough to enclose the potato mixture, pinching the seams at the top to seel (almost like a “purse”). If the potato balls are too large, just take a bit out so that it fits – you may end up with some leftover potato mixture. Turn the ball seam-side down, and gently roll it out (some potato mixture may appear or escape, nothing tragic), until it is fairly thin – maybe 1/4-inch high. Repeat with remaining dough and potato mixture.

Heat a little oil (maybe 1/2 teaspoon) or dairy-free margarine in a skillet over medium heat. Add a couple of the flatbreads and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until it just begins to brown. Flip and cook for another minute or so. Remove to a plate, and repeat with remaining flatbreads, adding more oil to the pan if needed. Consume while hot!

Yields about 12 hearty flatbreads

Easy Mexican Meals: Part 2 – Sloppy Joses over Polenta

Posted by alisa on July 10, 2009 | 22 Comments

(Part 1: Easy Mexican Meals: Homemade Taco Seasoning)

By most people’s standards, my grandpa was a very difficult man. He was often labeled as stubborn, tough,  and bull-headed, but to me he was a loving grandfather with so much wisdom from life. He dropped out of school in the 8th grade. He built his first fortune from scratch in his twenties. He lost it all. He built his second fortune. And once again, he lost it all. He built his third fortune (no, this man was not a quitter!), but this time he held onto it, invested wisely, and lived a comfortable and long retirement.

Of course, my fondest childhood memories of my grandpa revolved around food. He loved my grandma’s loganberry jam and pies; OH how he clamored for those pies! But he always took a minute away from his dessert cravings to make sure my grandma put out an antipasto platter filled with black olives when we were coming for dinner. Within minutes of our arrival I would find my way to the olives, popping one on each finger and nibbling them away one by one until dinnertime. It always made my grandpa smile and laugh.

My grandpa passed away last month, but he fought his way to the wonderful age of 91. Though I miss him greatly, I think he would be happy to know that I am still playing with my olives …

Turkey Sloppy Joses over Polenta
This recipe is Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Low-Fat, and Sugar-Free (depending on your tomato sauce)

This version is served over polenta, but you can use rice or a hamburger bun (with some lettuce of course!) as your base if you prefer. My husband convinced me long ago that Worcestershire sauce adds a “meaty” flavor to ground turkey that it seems to be lacking, so I frequently use it in dishes such as this one.

• 2 Teaspoons Grapeseed or Olive Oil
• 1 Medium Onion, Diced
• 1 20-ounce Package Lean Ground Turkey
• 2 to 3 Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce (optional)
• 1 8-ounce Can Tomato Sauce (like Hunt’s or a generic)
• 2 Medium Tomatoes (around 3/4 to 1 lb), diced
• 1 Batch Alisa’s Homemade Taco Seasoning, black pepper omitted (can sub 1 packet of premade taco seasoning, but if you ask me, mine’s better)
• 1 Cup Frozen Corn*
• 1 Chub Prepared Polenta*
• About 1 Dozen Black Olives, sliced

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and sauté for two minutes. Add the turkey, and sprinkle with the Worcestershire if using. Sauté, breaking up the turkey as you go, until it is cooked through (no pink!). Add the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, and corn. Stir until everything is well combined. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and allow it to simmer for a few minutes or longer if you prefer.

While that  is simmering, slice the polenta into 1/2-inch thick slices, and heat it in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat, flipping once.  Divide the polenta between four plates, and top with the turkey mixture. Sprinkle with olives and serve.

*Since corn is a top GMO product in the U.S., I always purchase organic corn products. Organic frozen corn shouldn’t set you back more than an extra quarter or two depending on where you shop. Most chub polenta that I see is organic, so it shouldn’t be hard to find by default. Do not purchase the polenta at a local grocer unless on sale, they tend to charge way too much. You should be able to find it for around $2.00 to $2.50.

Yields 4 sloppy servings

Blog Events: I am submitting this recipe to Thrift Thursdays at Amanda’s Cookin’. I also just discovered the wonderful “food movement” at Food Renegade. I am submitting last week’s recipe, the Sweet Strawberry-Watermelon Soul Smoothie for Fight Back Fridays on that blog.

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5 Good Things Since My Last Post (oops, I almost forgot!)

1. I emailed with a good foodie friend whom I hadn’t heard from in a very long while.
2. When picking up some weights we happened across a clearance sale at a sporting goods store. While looking through the shoes my husband handed me a pair that were in the wrong section and said “these belong in the 6’s.” Me, not listening, thought he handed them to me to try on. So I put them on and they fit great! Up until that point only Asics fit my narrow heel and wider forefoot, but the Renegade Brooks fit like a glove and were on sale for a steal! I should not listen to him more often!
3. I made fresh-squeezed lemonade, yum!
4. Today I finished 3 big to-do items from my list. Yes, I am a list freak.
5. I was honored with some personal tips from the blogger guru, Zesty, so you may see a facelift on this blog soon!

Easy Mexican Meals: Part 1 – Taco Seasoning

Posted by alisa on June 18, 2009 | 18 Comments

Unless it is a burrito shop like Chipotle, my husband balks at the idea of going out for Mexican food. He just does not like it. But, he loves my homemade Mexican cuisine. Authentic or more likely, not, my homemade enchiladas, nachos, fajitas, and tacos hit his taste buds just right.

I love to make all of these dishes from scratch, including homemade dairy-free “cheese” for the nachos. However, when it comes to quick Mexican-inspired meals, I rely heavily on my good ol’ taco seasoning. In fact, over the past few weeks I have whipped up this taco seasoning about a half a dozen times. I will share the recipe for the meals I have made with it in upcoming posts, but for now, I thought that I should start out by sharing the taco seasoning from my guide and cookbook! You can of course use store-bought taco seasoning, but really, this tastes so much better, has no additives, and is a great frugal alternative to packaged and processed foods.

Flavorful Taco Seasoning
This recipe is from Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living

We use a mild chili powder, as we prefer to control the heat of our meals after the fact, with hot sauce or salsa to taste, but you can use a medium or hot one if you prefer. This recipe is Vegan, Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Soy-Free, Gluten-Free, Wheat-Free, Sugar-Free, and Non-Fat.

• 1 Tablespoon Mild Chili Powder
• 1-1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
• 1/2 Teaspoon Paprika
• 1/4 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1/4 Teaspoon Dried Crushed Oregano
• 1/8 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (increase if you like spicier)
• 1/2 to 1 Teaspoon Salt (I use the full amount)
• Up to 1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper (optional) [I often omit]

 In a small bowl, stir all of the ingredients together. If not using immediately, store in an airtight container.

To Prepare: Add the full batch of this seasoning mix to 1 lb of almost cooked ground meat, cubed chicken, vegan “meat” crumbles, cubed tofu, or chopped vegetables. Finish cooking with the seasoning incorporated to help the flavors meld.

Yields 2-1/2 Tablespoons or the Equivalent of a 1/4-Ounce Packet of Store-Bought