Twice-Baked Potato Stuffed with Broccoli

Prep Time: 15min
Cook Time: 1hour
Makes 1 serving

1 russet or sweet potato
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 bunch broccoli, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup water
salt

Preheat the oven to 400 F.

Wash the potato and pierce the skin in one or two places with a knife to allow steam to escape. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the inside is soft. Test for doneness by gently squeezing the middle of the potato (use a pot holder). If it gives in easily to your touch, it's done. Remove the potatoes from the oven, and lower the oven temperature to 350 F.

In a med. saucepan, add the oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Saute for 1 minute on medium heat. Add the broccoli and stir for 30 seconds. Add the water, cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 10min or until broccoli is tender.

When the potato is cool enough to handle, cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the inner part, leaving 1/4 inch of the potato on the skin to strengthen the shell. Add the pulp to the broccoli, blending with a fork until combined. Salt to taste. Refill the potato sheet and drizzle with a small amount of olive oil. Bake 15 - 20 minutes.

recipe from: Student's Go Vegan Cookbook

Vegetable Fritters

Another winner from The Gluten-Free Vegan, this recipe goes over great with non-vegans and vegans alike. This recipe makes only a few of these fritters, I generally double or triple the recipe when I make it in order to have enough to feed everyone (and have a few leftovers).

Ingredients:
2/3 cup garbanzo bean flour
5 tablespoons water
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp cayenne (optional)
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup peeled and grated yam
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1-3 tablespoons grapeseed or canola oil
1/2 tsp salt (test this, I find these need a LOT more salt)
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper (or to taste)

In a large bowl, combine the garbanzo bean flour, water, cumin, cayenne, turmeric, and cilantro; with your hands, mix together until very well blended. Add the yam, onion, and garlic, and mix well.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat (closer to high than to medium) and pour in 1-2 tablespoons of the oil. When it is hot, scoop about 2 tablespoons of the mixture into your hands and form a ball. Carefully place the ball into the skillet and flatten it to form a patty. Add more balls and flatten them, until the skillet is full. Fry on each side until they are crispy, 6-8 minutes, then carefully flip over and fry on the other side. Remove from the skillet with a slotted spatula and place on a platter. Repeat with any remaining mixture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

recipe from: The Gluten-Free Vegan

"Vodka" Sauce

Here is a pasta sauce recipe that one of my friends invented. To me it is just plain comfort food.

Ingredients:
1 cherry pepper
1 onion
2 diced tomatoes
1 box of sunshine burgers (these are GF soy free veggie burgers!)
Marinara sauce - most of a jar
1 1/2 - 2 cups of nutritional yeast

Sautée the chopped onion with the cherry pepper. Add 2 diced tomatoes. Break up the sunshine burgers and add them. Add marinara sauce and nutritional yeast. Simmer until sunshine burger is minimal and the sauce is creamy. Add some vegan creamer or rice/almond milk. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve over pasta for a hearty diner.

recipe from: Nick Verrastro

Rice and Beans ala Jack

Ingredients:
your favorite cooked rice
1 can black beans
4 or 5 small sliced tomatoes
sliced sweet onion
1 T olive oil
juice of 1/2 a lime
corn
oregano
cinnamon
cilantro
cayenne

Roast corn with cayenne and cilantro.

Drain black beans. Heat in pot with a dash of oregano and two dashes of cinnamon.

In a separate bowl combine tomatoes, onion, olive oil, and lime juice (you can substitute this for apple cider vinegar).

chop cilantro for topping.

layer rice, black beens, onions, corn, and top with cilantro. enjoy.

recipe from: Jack Kling

Buckwheat Breakfast

Here is a warm breakfast for those days that you need something hearty to start the day.

serves 1

Ingredients:
1/4 cup Buckwheat (yes it is gluten free)
1/2 cup water
almond or rice milk
2 T flaxmeal
1 T flax oil
spoonful of nut butter
maple syrup to taste

Cook buckwheat with water for 20 minutes (the same way you cook rice or quinoa). When buckwheat is done add almond milk until you reach desired consistency. Then add flaxmeal, flax oil, nut butter, and maple syrup to taste.

recipe from: Jamie Tilley

Ice Cream, and Yogurt, Oh My!

Check out your local natural foods store to get some tasty ice cream and yogurt, who knew you could be a soy free vegan and live so well?!

1.Coconut milk ice cream

I have tried the So Delicious brand in Chocolate and Vanilla (both are quite excellent and taste like the real thing to me!). Also, it is made with agave nectar so as to keep you sugar levels from spiking;) I have also heard of another brand, coconut bliss, that is supposed to taste very good.


2. Coconut milk yogurt

It's been so long since I could enjoy yogurt, mmmm. This yogurt comes in a whole host of flavors. I do not like the vanilla, raspberry, or passion mango (although I do know some people who do). But I am in love with the blueberry flavor. I am also using the plain in all sorts of recipes, starting with mango lassis:D

check these out: http://www.sodeliciousdairyfree.com/products/Coconut_Milk_Yogurt_Reviews.html

Swiss Chard Pizza

mmmm this pizza is so good:) I didn't have olives or capers so I'm going to list them, but it tastes amazing without them too;)

Ingredients:
1 onion, sliced
olive oil
1 T sugar
salt
1 bunch rainbow chard finely chopped
chopped olives
capers
balsamic vinegar
squeeze of lemon
minced garlic (optional)

Prepare pizza dough

carmalize the onions by sautéing them in oil with salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Cook until brown, about 20min. In a bowl toss chard, carmalized onions, olives + capers (if used). Sprinkle salt, balsamic vinegar, and a squeeze of lemon.

Sprinkle over pizza dough. Sprinkle garlic (if used) over dough as well. Cook in oven until done (about 30min).

recipe from: Food For Thought Podcast (Compassionate Cooks)