Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Dog Biscuits...HOMEMADE!



Dog Biscuits - Homemade…Your Dog will love them!

These are so easy to make, much less expensive than buying dog treats at the store.  For some unknown reason, when I am baking them, my dogs know it’s for them!

This is Sadie and Radar!  Both are Rescues...YES..They rescued me!  Great Dogs!

Pre-heat the oven to 375°

Ingredients:

2 cups of Flour
3 TB of Peanut Butter
1 cup of Cooked Chicken, Turkey or Pork
Water

Place all the ingredients, except the water in a food processor.  Blend together.  Start adding some water, about ¼ cup while processing.  Add just enough water until the mixture starts to form a ball of dough.

Remove the dough, cut in half and place one half onto a floured surface.  Roll this out at about ¼” thick, use a cookie cutter or the rim of a small glass or cup, and make the biscuits.  

Place the biscuits on a parchment lined baking pan, bake for 25-30 minutes until the biscuits start to brown.  Remove and place them on a cooling rack.


Sunday, August 23, 2015

Key Lime Pie - I dare you to taste the difference!

Yes, I dare you to taste the difference!



Key Lime Pie




I love Key Lime Pie!!!  So I made a non-dairy, low fat version.  I dare you to taste the difference!  You can make it with the ingredients listed or make it totally Vegan by substituting margarine for the butter and totally vegan ginger cookies.

I like using the ginger snaps from Trader Joe’s – as they have pieces of ginger in them.  However, I’ve also used totally vegan ginger snaps that I bought from the health food store and the Pie turns out great with both of these substitutions as well!

I don’t use a whipped cream on top.  It’s high in fat and it’s dairy.  You can ad that if you wish, but the Pie really doesn’t need it…in my opinion.

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees



Ingredients:

1 box of ginger snap cookies
1 half stick of butter or margarine
1 lb package of firm tofu
½ cup of Key Lime Juice (easily found at the supermarket, don’t use regular lime juice, it won’t come out the same)
1 cup of Maple Sugar (I order mine on line)
1 7” or 9” Pie Plate

Instructions:

Place the cookies in a food processor.  Process until ground down, add the butter, grind until it is thoroughly mixed. Remove to the Pie Plate and press down to form the crust.  Set aside.



In a high speed blender (Vitamix is incredible), place the tofu, key lime juice and maple sugar).  Start to process slowly, add the speed until mixed thoroughly and smooth.  Pour into the ginger snap crust.







Place in the oven for approximately 25 minutes, just until the mixture gels firmly and the crust browns (it will harden when cooled).  Keep an eye on the baking, and don’t let the crust to get black or burn.

Remove, let cool.  Once cooled, cover the pie with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Tasty, spiced Faux Nuts



Tasty, spiced Faux Nuts

This is an easy way to enjoy a spicy treat…just like nibbling on nuts, but without the fat!  Also, great if you have a nut allergy.

Ingredients:

2 Cans of Chick Peas
Spices (Chili Powder, Granulated Garlic, Basil, Dash of Cayenne Pepper, Dash of Salt, Pepper, Basil) All mixed together
Coconut Oil

Rinse the Chick Peas under cold water until the foam disappears (this is a good way to start with any Chick Pea recipe, this reduces gas!)

In a large bowl, place the Chick Peas, add the spice mixture and mix well.  Add about ¼ cup of the Coconut Oil, mix.

In a large, heated, Cast Iron Skillet, cook the beans until they are crisp.



At this point, they make a great snack!   

But I take it one step further…This is really cool!

Place the cooked chick peas on a plate to cool.  When cooled, place them in a Dehydrator – on high for a few hours, until dried and crispy.  Add a little more seasoning, if you wish and ENJOY!

This is the Excallibur Dehydrator that I use...

Sunday, August 9, 2015

Extra Rich BBQ Sauce



Extra Rich BBQ Sauce

This is my recipe for an, easy, easy Rich BBQ Sauce!  I use this sauce on my BBQ Tofu.  It is absolutely phenomenal!  And…soooo tasty!

Brew your favorite coffee.  I use Colombian, which is my favorite.  Whatever is left over from the morning, I put it in a container, put in the refrigerator the day I am going to make the BBQ Sauce.  If you have no left over, just brew 1-2 cups.

Ingredients:

Brewed Coffee
Honey
Store bought BBQ Sauce

Pour about 1-1 1/2 cups of the coffee in a pan.  Add 2-3 Tablespoons of Honey (I use local Honey, not the store brand…just my preference).

Cook this at a medium heat and let it thicken some.  Add 1-2 cups of the BBQ Sauce (I like using an all-natural BBQ Sauce.  Use your favorite one!

Stir with a Whisk until its smooth, cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.

DONE! 

Brush or spoon over your favorite Veggie (chicken or meat if you eat that).  Broil or bake for about 5 minutes until bubbly.

ENJOY!!

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Chicken and Waffles....

Recently, I had a mock/chicken and waffles from a local Vegetarian restaurant.  It was made with some thick/juicy mushrooms and was excellent!

It got me thinking...how can I make it even closer to a chicken consistency? 

You will need to either purchase Seitan or make it (I have attached a recipe, very easy to make).

You will need to make or buy waffles, as well.  Here is the mock/chicken recipe.

I like to use sliced Seitan.  You can use the type that you purchase, but slice it about 1/2" thick.

Ingredients:

1 lb of Seitan
1-2 cups of Coconut or Cashew milk
Seasoned flour
Seasoned Panko Bread Crumbs and Seasoned Flour
Chopped walnuts or cashews
Vegetable oil for frying

Maple Syrup
Waffles

Heat the oil in a cast iron skillet.



Slice the Seitan, dredge in the Seasoned flour, dip into the milk, then dredge in the Panko/Flour mixture.

Place the Seitan in the skillet, flip as the sides start to brown.  Remove and place on a paper towel.

In another skillet, heat the nuts to release their oils, remove and let cool.

Serve the Seitan over the toasted waffles, spoon over the Maple Syrup and top off with the nuts.

Yummy!

Let me know how you like it!


 http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/homemade-seitan/


Sunday, April 5, 2015

Bubby's Fried Matzo



Bubby's Fried Matzo

During Passover, a favorite breakfast treat (actually an anytime treat!) is fried Matzo.  Here’s an easy, tasty recipe.   

There are variations and a variety of condiments that people use.  Here is my favorite, basic recipe.  I like it served with a little ketchup and some hot sauce.

This recipe is for two people.  Adjust the ingredients for more.  The amounts will be just enough to cook with a large cast iron pan…perfect for Fried Matzo!



(Use Plain, not Egg Matzo)

4 whole pieces of Plan Matzo, (hand crushed)
1 large egg
Salt, Pepper and garlic Powder
Vegetable Oil (about 2-3 TB)
Heated Cast Iron Fry Pan
Two large bowls

Place the Crushed in a bowl; add enough cold water to cover it.  Let sit for about 5 minutes.  In the meantime, heat the fry pan.

When the matzo is soaked, wring it out, by hand and place in another bowl.  Scramble the egg in a separate bowl, and then add to the matzo.  Add seasonings, stir well.

Add the oil to the heated fry pan; place the matzo in the heated oil.   



Lightly flatten the matzo.  As it sizzles around the edges, cut it into quarters and flip over. Cook until desired crispness.  I like mine crispy, some like it softer.

Remove and serve with your favorite condiment.  Some like jelly, not me!  I like plan with ketchup and hot sauce – with a nice cup of coffee!

Enjoy!