Couscous with Vegetable Saute'

Original Recipe Yield 6-8 servings

 

Ingredients

• 1- 2 tsp oil
• 1 cups green beans, cut into 1 inch strips
• 1 cup Bell Peppers, cut into 1 inch strips
• 1 cup Carrots, cut 1 inch strips
• ½ cup vegetable stock
• 1 cup cashews
• ¼ - ½  cup crumbled feta
• 2 cups Couscous (prepare as directed)

Directions

1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.  Add green beans, bell pepper and carrot strips. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook until vegetables are tender, stirring often.
2. Add stock and cashews and cook until liquid is reduced, approx. 1 minute.
3. Serve warm over Couscous and sprinkle with crumbled feta.

Broccoli and Tofu Stir-fry in a Peanut Sauce with White/Brown Rice

Original Recipe Yield 6-8 servings

 

Ingredients

• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 3-4 heads of Broccoli, chopped
• 2-4 Carrots, sliced
• 1-2 Bell Peppers, sliced
• Crispy Fried Tofu (see recipe)
• Peanut Sauce (see recipe)
• ¼ cup whole peanuts
• 1- 2 cups cooked white rice
• 1-2 cups cooked brown rice

Directions

1. In a large skillet or wok, heat oil over medium heat and stir-fry vegetables until tender.
2. Add peanuts, Crispy Fried Tofu and Peanut Sauce to vegetable stir-fry.  Cook and stir until well coated with sauce.
3. Serve over white/brown rice.

Crispy Fried Tofu

Ingredients

• 2 blocks of extra firm tofu
• 5 tbsp of flour
• 3 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp each of salt and pepper
• 4-6 tbsp olive oil

Directions

1. Slice tofu into cubes, approx. ½ inch
2. Combine all dry ingredients with tofu cubes and gently toss to coat well.
3. In a large skillet or wok, heat oil over medium heat and add coated tofu cubes.  Turn occasionally until golden and crispy, approx. 4-6 minutes.

Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp smooth peanut butter
• 2 tsp soy sauce
• 2 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tsp brown sugar
• Juice of ½ lemon
• ½ cup of water

Directions

1. In a saucepan, combine all ingredients. 
2. Stir constantly over medium heat until smooth; be cautious not to burn sauce.
3. Use more water if needed for desired consistency.

Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes, Feta, Garlic, Basil and Black Olives

Original Recipe Yield 6 -8 servings

 

Ingredients

• 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
• ½ box whole wheat spaghetti
• ½ box enriched spaghetti
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons sliced black olives
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.
2. Bake spaghetti squash with cut sides down on the baking sheet for 30 minutes. Remove squash from oven and set aside to cool.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion in oil until tender. Add garlic and sauté for 2 - 3 minutes.
4. Once squash is cooled, use a fork to create spaghetti strings. Add the spaghetti strings to the skillet, along with the noodles.  Cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Top with feta cheese, tomatoes, olives, and basil. Serve warm.

Vegetarian - to be or not to be?

So, I announced to everyone about 3 months ago that our family is now vegetarian and you would have thought I told them we were selling everything we owned and joining a commune.  People just can't understand how you can survive without meat in your diet.  People I know are constantly asking "What do you eat?" or saying "Good Luck with that!".  It makes me even more determined to find fantastic vegetarian recipes. 

The only time I find it diffiuclt to be a vegetarian, is when we choose to eat in a restaurant.  My BVGF (bestest-veggie-girlie-friend) and I went to lunch the other day and we were both looked at the menu and laughed.  "I'll have the mozzarella sandwich with pesto and a slice of tomato."  REALLY, is that all the restaurants can come up with?  Seriously, they are so many delicious foods to eat and meals to create.

The other day, my youngest sister came to visit and brought me a freezer full of meat!   My boys still eat a little meat, so I guess I would rather have them eat what she brought.  (She and her husband raised the animals and butchered them.)  But, on the other hand, it just goes to show you that people can't wrap their heads around the idea that you don't have to eat meat to exist.  I will confess, I did try a bite of the sausage and bacon she brought.  Now, while it was delicious, I just didn't have a desire to eat it.  I feel better, lighter and healthier without meat in my diet.  My skin is actually glowing these days. 

The answer to the question for me and my family is....TO BE!

So, grab your apron and make a FABULOUS non-mozzarella cheese, pesto and tomato dish!  Happy Cooking!

GREEN Smoothies?

Well...it doesn't have to be GREEN, but it does have some very beneficial yumminess in it.

Do a quick google search and you will see all the benefits of adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet and your family's diet, especially the GREENS!

Check out DaNae Johnson's Smoothie Handbook for more information on "Radiance One Smoothie at a Time!"
http://www.smoothie-handbook.com/benefits-of-green-smoothies.html

Here is an excerpt from her site:

It’s strange. Once someone starts to drink a smoothie with added greens daily for a month or two, they start to get compliments on how radiant their skin looks, on how slim their body is becoming, and on how much vibrant energy they have.

You can expect some of the following things to occur:

1. More Energy
2. Regular Digestion
3. Experience fewer cravings for sugary and salty processed food
4. Receive fewer mood swings
5. Lose weight!
6. Your skin becomes radiant!
7. You may feel an urge to start exercising.
8. Blood sugars may be stabilized
9. Hair and nails grow in faster and stronger

So, try my smoothie below or make your own.  I will be making a different smoothie everyday, so grab your apron and experiment with me.

NOTE:  Try to use ORGANIC and LOCAL ingredients whenever possible.


Morning Green Smoothie #1
 ~ Fruit Medley ~ 

1 cup 1% or non-fat milk1/2 cup orange juice
1/3 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 package of Greens To Go (or any "Green" powder)
1/2 banana
4 slices of frozen pineapple
2 slices of frozen peaches
2 frozen strawberries
1/3 cup of blueberries
Handful of spinach

Blend for approximately 1 minute, until thoroughly blended.
Makes approx. 24-26 ounces ~ enough for breakfast and an afternoon snack....or just drink it all!

Morning Green Smoothie #2
 ~ Orange Strawberry ~

1/2 cup orange juice
1 package of Greens To Go (or any "Green" powder)
4  frozen strawberries
Handful of spinach

Blend for approximately 1 minute, until thoroughly blended.
Makes approx.12-16 ounces ~ enough for breakfast or a morning snack.


Yummy AND good for you!  Happy Blending!

A Weekly Menu

Do YOU make a weekly menu? 

I find that if we do, we don't spend as much money and eat ALOT healthier.  I choose a grain for each day and plan the menu around that.  I also try to limit the cheese in the dishes.  Don't get me wrong...I love cheese.....see my post "Cheese is Amazing!" from March 22, 2011.


Our menu for this week.......
Monday ~ Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes,Feta, Garlic, Basil and Black Olives
Tuesday ~ Polenta with Kale and Feta
Wednesday ~ Broccoli and Tofu Stir-fry in a Peanut Sauce with White/Brown Rice
Thursday ~ Grilled Veggie-Kabobs (beets, carrots, potatoes, onion, peppers, pineapple and gardein chick'n)
Friday ~ Black Bean Tacos with a sour cream sauce (My husband wants pickled vegetables, but I think The Apron Strings will want corn on the cob!  So, we will make both.)

Oh-my-YUM!  

Grab your apron and cook with me!  Just comment below or email me at agirlandherapron@gmail.com and I will send you the receipe/s.

Happy Cooking!

Vegetarian Meats?

I like the taste of the Vegetarian Meat.  It adds a different texture, flavor AND dimension to our meals.  I only add the Vegetarian Meats to our diet once or twice a week, as they are processed.  But, if you are looking for something yummy to add to your pasta, tacos, salad, etc.....try chick'n scallopini by gardein.  Check our their website:  http://www.gardein.com/  YUM!