Chili-Garlic Tofu

I adapted this from a slow-cooker pork recipe - and it turned out delicious! Spicy and sweet at the same time. Yum!

Chili-Garlic Tofu

1 lb tofu, cut into cubes
3 tbsp chili-garlic sauce
3 tbsp soy sauce (or liquid aminos)
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tbsp fresh grated ginger
1/4 cup broth
1/3 cup chopped green onions

Mix everything but onions in small bowl and let sit at least 1 hour. Cook in pan over medium heat until heated through. Add onions and cook another minute or two. Serve over rice.

Double Chocolate Walnut Cookies

I altered my grandmother's super yummy chocolate chip cookie recipe a little to make it gluten free and a little fancy. The results were fantastic. Here it is.

Double Chocolate Walnut Cookies*

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown rice flour **
2 tbsp teff flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup tapioca starch
2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 eggs
1/2 tsp baking soda dissolved in 1/2 tbsp hot water
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Stir in baking soda and hot water. Add flours, cocoa powder, baking powder and xanthan gum. Mix will. Gently stir in nuts and chocolate chips. Drop onto greased baking sheets by heaping teaspoonfull (or refrigerate for one our and roll into small balls then place on greased baking sheets). Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

*Recipe may be doubled, but use only 3 eggs and 1 tsp vanilla

** to make with regular wheat flour, use 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, subbing 2 T cocoa powder for 2 T of the a-p flour

Kale and Walnut Pesto

This pesto turned out amazingly yummy and it is packed full of healthy vitamins too. Tastes great over corkscrew pasta.

Kale and Walnut Pesto

1 bunch kale, without stems, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup toasted walnuts
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3/4 cup parmesan
salt and pepper
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1.5 lbs cooked pasta

Cook kale in pot of boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain in colander and rinse with cold water. Squeeze kale to remove water. Place kale in food processor and add walnuts, garlic and parmesan. Puree until almost smooth. Add salt and pepper. With machine running, add EVOO. Add pesto to cooked, hot pasta, mixing in enough water to achieve desired consistency. Sprinkle with additional parmesan if desired.

Veggie Egg Scramble

Here's one from my hubby - always a genius with stir-fries and scrambles.

Veggie Egg Scramble

1 red pepper

7 large eggs

1 handful of green grapes

4 stalks of turnip greens

3 small (roma size) tomatoes

1 teaspoon ginger

chop red pepper and sautee red pepper in olive oil

add eggs and scramble

chop turnip greens and add to skillet

chop tomatoes and add to skillet

cut grapes in half and add to skillet

cover skillet for 5 minutes

add ginger

cover skillet for 2-3 minutes

Indian Poblano Potato Poppers

My husband is a whiz in the kitchen. He can rumage through the pantry and fridge and come up with the most amazing things. Like these pepper/potato snacks. So yummy and so easy.

Indian Poblano Potato Poppers

2 large poblano peppers
2 medium baking potatoes
cheddar cheese
garam masala

Slice potatoes into 1/4 inch thick slices. Cut polbanos in half, flatten out, then cut into pieces the same size as potato slices. Top potatoes with peppers. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Remove from oven and top each potato with a slice of cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with garam masala. Return potatoes to oven until cheese is melted.

Tuna Rice Casserole

I discovered this as I was attempting to make a hearty dinner from just the items I had on hand. Simple, easy, and yummy!

Tuna Rice Casserole

4 cups cooked rice
1 tbsp oil
1 cup onion, diced
1.5 cups frozen peas
1 can tuna, drained
1 can mushroom soup
1 cup milk (omit if not using condensed soup)
1/2 tsp ground mustard
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cayanne
1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400. Over medium heat, sautee onion in oil. Add peas and cook till peas and onions are tender. Meanwhile in large bowl, combine tuna, mushroom soup, milk, mustard, pepper, cayenne and cheese. Stir well. Mix in rice and peas and onions. Pour all into 2 quart casserole dish. Top with additional shredded cheese if desired. Bake for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Brown Cookies

Every Valentines my Grandmother made a version of these and cut them into heart shapes. Yummy, easy, and sweet.

Brown Cookies

1 cup raisins, ground or chopped
1.5 cups brown sugar
1 cup butter, softened
3 eggs
4 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon baking soda
4.5 cups flour (all purpose or gluten free)
extra flour for dusting

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in water until moist but not sticky. Add raisins. Turn out onto floured surface and roll to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into heart shapes (or any shape desired). Place on buttered baking sheet. Bake at 375 for 10 minutes or till lightly browned.