De Ma Cuisine

vegetarian Archive

Monday

25

November 2013

3

COMMENTS

Apple Bourbon Galette and Non-Traditional Thanksgiving Ideas

Written by , Posted in Baking, Dessert, Fruit, Holiday, Menu Planning, Vegetarian

AppleBourbonGalette_4If you’re like me, Thanksgiving might just be one of your favorite meals of the year. My perfect bite is one that includes EVERYTHING: mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce. And, yes, I am a traditionalist when it comes to the Thanksgiving meal food. I don’t want roast beef, I’d rather not have creamed corn, and I definitely don’t need a salad. I love all these things, buuuut, not at Thanksgiving. To be honest, I can even do without the rolls (but that’s only because they kinda just take up extra stomach space that could be used for more of everything else). However… I know that not everyone feels the same way. And that’s great. We don’t all need to think like I do.

Some may think it would be fun to eat something other than turkey for Thanksgiving. Awesome. Some may not love mashed potatoes and gravy. Cool. Some may detest sweet potatoes and green beans. I think you’re missing out, but then there’s more for me. Whatever your reason, I do love to plan a fun themed menu, so I have some ideas for you.

To start, you could enjoy a delicious Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. I made this soup a few weeks ago and I just loved it (um, I will note that Tim, who is not a super fan of squash, said it was good, for a squash dish ;)).

For the main dish, Herbed Roasted Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomatoes would be awesome. I made this for an episode of the show. I looks great, and tastes even better! Along with the chicken some Crispy Potatoes would be amazing and I always love roasted broccoli… can’t go wrong with roasted veggies.

If you need some sort of bread to go with a special meal, Garlic Bread would be fun. (When we eat garlic bread, sometimes I don’t want to eat whatever else we’re having because I love bread so much.)

Pomegranates are in season. How about making some homemade Pomegranate Juice to drink? Confession: I’ve never done this. I need to.

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Ok, now we need something to replace the traditional Pumpkin Pie. I made these Apple Bourbon Galettes a few weeks ago and they were phenomenal. They’re great for a special occasion, but also perfect for a weeknight dinner… yes!

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On Wednesday I will have some ideas for what to do with your Thanksgiving leftovers. I wonder if anyone in the history of Thanksgiving has ever not had leftovers. I doubt it. Actually, I don’t think I like that idea. Thanksgiving leftovers are so yummy!!

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Happy Eating!

Apple Bourbon Galette
Recipe Type: Dessert, Baking, Apples, Fruit, Sweet
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 T honey
  • 2 T butter, cut into small chunks
  • 1/4 C coconut palm sugar (or brown sugar or raw sugar)
  • 1/4 C maple syrup
  • 2 t bourbon (optional)
  • 2 t vanilla extract
  • 1 T apple cider vinegar
  • pinch salt
  • 1/2 t cinnamon
  • 1/4 t nutmeg
  • 1-2 pinches ginger
  • 1-2 pinches allspice
  • 4-5 (about 4-5 C) apples, thinly sliced
  • 1 pie crust, divided in 4
  • 1 egg, whisked
  • butter, for greasing
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 375F. Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Butter the parchment paper.
  2. Whisk together honey through allspice (it’s ok if there are still small chunks of butter).
  3. Toss sweet mixture with apples, making sure all apples are coated.
  4. Roll out individual pieces of crust in a circle. Place on parchment paper. Place a few scoops of filling on one crust. Fold crust up and around filling, leaving the center open. Make sure there are no cracks in the crust or the liquid will run. Repeat with remaining pieces of crust.
  5. Brush each crust with egg.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until crust is golden and flaky.

 

Thursday

21

November 2013

0

COMMENTS

Mac and Cheese with Roasted Veggies – In the Kitchen with Rachel O – Video

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, In the Kitchen with Rachel O, Lunch, Pasta, Roasting, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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I’ve said it time and time and time and time again. Pasta is one of my go-to meals for a quick and easy dinner. It has come to the rescue many times. It just happens, doesn’t it? The dinner hour arrives and there’s nothing to eat… dun dun dun.

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Usually my solution is to boil some salted water for pasta and sauté some veggies. But, this time, I thought that it might be nice to get a little more creative.

One of my favorite, all time best, totally the yummiest ways to eat veggies is when they are roasted. Don’t even get me started on how they taste… Ok do. They get kinda sweet, a bit nutty, crispy outside, tender inside. I can eat a whole pan by myself. No joke. I usually make extra because I know how much I want on my plate, and I know that I have to share with Tim. Yes, I’m selfish that way. I don’t like to share my roasted veggies.

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I liked shells for this dish, but I think elbows would be delicious, rotini could be amazing, maybe even orzo would be good… You get it. Use the pasta that you and your family love best. I just like the shells because the sauce seems to get trapped and makes each bite so much yummier. Oh, and also, they’re multi-colored and they look fun.

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Maybe it’s a pasta night tonight. There are endless ways to make it great.

Happy Eating!

Mac and Cheese with Roasted Veggies
Recipe Type: Main Dish, Pasta, Cheese, Vegetables, Vegetarian, Roasting, Stove Top, Oven
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 small head garlic, top sliced off
  • drizzle of olive oil (for garlic)
  • 3 C summer squash, cut into large chunks
  • 1 1/2 C tomato, cut into large chunks
  • 1 C onion, cut into large chunks
  • olive oil (for veggies)
  • salt (for veggies)
  • pasta
  • 2 T olive oil
  • 2 T all purpose flour
  • 2 C milk
  • 1/2 C pasta water
  • 1 to 1 1/2 C cheese (pepper jack and parmesan)
  • to taste, salt
  • to taste, pepper
  • 1 t unsalted butter
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375F.
  2. Drizzle garlic with olive oil and wrap in foil. Place on a baking sheet a roast for 15 minutes.
  3. Toss veggies with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add to garlic baking sheet and continue to bake for about 25-30 minutes more.
  4. Cook pasta, reserving 1/2 C starchy water for sauce before draining.
  5. Heat a medium pot. Add 2 T olive oil. When hot, whisk in flour. Cook for 30-60 seconds. Slowly add milk, a little at a time, whisking and letting it thicken between additions. Heat until steam rises, but do not boil (sauce may break). Add pasta water.
  6. Remove from heat and whisk in cheese, a bit at a time. Season with salt and pepper.
  7. Mash 6 cloves of roasted garlic and whisk into sauce. Stir in butter. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  8. Combine pasta with veggies and sauce. Let it stand a few minutes before serving.

 

Monday

18

November 2013

4

COMMENTS

Christy’s Homemade Granola Bars

Written by , Posted in Baking, Breakfast, Fruit, Grains, Guest Posts, Kid-Friendly, Quick and Easy, Snacks, Vegetarian

My friend, Christy, is an inspiration to me. She’s a great cook. A really great cook. She makes healthy foods taste great! She’s a homemade savvy, down to earth, super awesome friend.

She and her husband, Rick, are instilling great eating habits in their four kids. They don’t do much in the way of processed foods. I applaud and admire this. They don’t tell their kids they can’t have anything processed, or occasional treats. But, the majority of their food is made by Christy.

I admire this!

Christy gladly shared her favorite recipe for Granola Bars. They are a staple in their home. I’m going to make them as soon as I finish typing this post, to eat the rest of this week, and to take with us to Paris (I’m writing this way in advance… no working for me while we’re away!!).

Happy Eating!

Christy’s Homemade Granola Bars
 
Author: Christy Durrance (adapted from Kitchen Stewardship)
Cook time:
Total time:
Ingredients
  • ½ c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ c. peanut butter (or other nut butter)
  • 1 c. honey
  • 1 t. vanilla
  • 4 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 c. oat flour (or whole wheat flour)
  • 1 t. baking soda
  • ¼ c. wheat germ, optional
  • ¼ c. flax seed meal, optional
  • 2 cups total of any combination of the following extra goodies (or anything else that sounds good to your family in a granola bar): Chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, etc.)
  • Seeds (sunflower, sesame, pumpkin, etc.)
  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped, dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, cherries, apricots, etc.)
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes
  • Cocoa powder (up to ¼ cup)
Instructions
  1. Place butter through vanilla in bowl of stand mixer. Using a mixer with paddle attachment, beat on medium speed until smooth.
  2. Add old-fashioned oats, flour, baking soda, wheat germ (optional), and flax seed meal (optional), and continue to beat with mixer until oats are broken up into smaller bits.
  3. At this point, add 2 cups total of any combination of the extra goodies.
  4. Press firmly into a 9×13 pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15-18 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool completely before cutting into bars (I often cover and put in the fridge for a few hours which makes cutting a bit easier). Best stored in the refrigerator or freezer, though they travel just fine.
 

 

Monday

11

November 2013

2

COMMENTS

Vegetable Stock Tutorial – Storage Tips

Written by , Posted in Soups, Storage/Prep, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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One of the ways that I love to save money is by making my own stock. So far, my favorites are vegetable stock and chicken stock. Veggie stock gets made from those sad sad items in the produce drawer that just didn’t get eaten. They are about to go bad and need to be used up so they don’t end up in the compost. Chicken stock gets made from the bones, giblets, and skin from a whole chicken (which is how I usually buy them).

Today, let’s talk about the veggie version.

It’s easy.

It will save you money.

It will feel like you’re wasting less produce, because you are.

Oh and bonus, you control what goes in it. I don’t salt my stocks. I leave them pure and simple, and add salt when I’m making the soup.

Whatever your reason for wanting to do it, here’s what I’ve learned to do.

I find some veggies, a few herbs, some water, and a large pot. Most any veggies will do. I’ve used broccoli and cabbage, carrots and parsnips, lettuce ends and kale stems… If you’ve got it, it can probably be stock.

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Cover the veggies with water. You can always add more later if you need to, but make sure there’s a good amount. Then it’s going to cook away for an hour or so.

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That’s it. You just made vegetable stock.

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If you want to go a step further in the responsible consumer arena, you could use water that you’d used to boil pasta to make your stock. Or water that you’ve used to boil potatoes, or cook beans… Sure, it will be a little bit different, but why not?! And then, an extra extra step, let your dog eat the boiled veggies. Our dog, Brando, loves them (which is weird because he usually prefers his veggies doused in bacon grease).

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Making our own stock is a great way that we can save money, use our resources wisely, and to be even more responsible with our food. Less waste, more taste. Let’s do this!

Vegetable Stock
Recipe Type: Stock, Soup
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 8.5 Cups
Ingredients
  • 3 carrots, roughly chopped
  • 4 radishes, quartered
  • 2 summer squash, quartered
  • 1/2 sweet pepper, chopped
  • 1 lettuce end
  • 3-4 garlic ends and peels
  • 1 lemongrass end
  • 1 sprig fresh sage
  • 1 t dried rosemary
  • 2 T dried parsley
  • 1 sprig fresh savory
  • bunch fresh chives
  • 8-12 C water
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients in a large soup or stock pot. Cover with water.
  2. Cover with a lid and bring to a boil.
  3. Uncover and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 45-60 minutes.
  4. Strain and let stand to cool on counter for about 30 minutes.
  5. Refrigerate until completely cool and then freeze in freezer safe containers with date and amount written on a label).
Notes
Feel free to substitute with other veggies that you have on hand.

 

Wednesday

6

November 2013

4

COMMENTS

Vegetarian Enchiladas – In the Kitchen with Rachel O – Video

Written by , Posted in Baking, Beans, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, In the Kitchen with Rachel O, Leftovers, Legumes, Main Dishes, Rice, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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Sometimes I feel like I can’t quite get ahead. Like I’m stuck in a downward spiral. Overwhelmed by a never ending list of things to do. Sometimes. Or right now.

I understand why people resort to take out and pre-made meals. My go-to meals have been random leftovers, grilled cheese, and pancakes. I feel like I don’t have time to cook. I feel like I don’t have time for anything… except work. Isn’t it funny that my job is food, but I don’t have time for it?!

I’m realizing that part of the fault lays in my time management. I can make list after list after list, but if I spend all my time on figuring out when to do it all, I’ll never have time to get it done. So I’ve put away the day planner… for a while. I’m focusing on getting things done. I’m trying to do my best at what I love. I’m working on more than just feeding us so we have the calories we need, but instead finding a balance between working hard and having time to spend on the rest of life. I don’t know that I’m finding much success. Yet. I’m working on it.

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For days like these, there are meals like this one. It can be made ahead of time and frozen. It can be whipped up the night of in no time at all. It’s yummy enough to serve to guests, simple enough to eat on a weeknight. And the leftovers, if there are any, are perfect for the next day’s lunch.

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Enchiladas to the rescue!

Vegetarian Enchiladas
Recipe Type: Main Dish, Easy, Dinner, Vegetarian, Vegetables, Legumes, Beans, Rice, Stove Top, Oven, Leftovers
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4-6
A veggie filled twist on enchiladas.
Ingredients
  • Filling: 1 t olive oil
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 carrot, grated
  • 1/2 serrano pepper, ribs and seeds removed, minced
  • 1/2 t salt
  • 1/4 t pepper
  • 1/4 t cumin
  • 1/4 t ginger
  • 1 t chili powder
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 C black beans
  • 1 C mixture of cranberry and kidney beans
  • 1 1/2 C cooked brown rice
  • 1/2 C corn (frozen is fine)
  • Sauce: 2 C tomato sauce
  • 1 C vegetable stock (optional)
  • 1 t chili powder
  • 1/4 t cumin
  • to taste, salt
  • to taste, pepper
  • 1/2 serrano pepper, ribs and seeds removed, minced
  • For assembling: 6-8 tortillas
  • 1 to 1 1/2 C pepper jack cheese, grated
  • salsa, for serving
  • Greek yogurt, for serving
  • tomato, chopped, for serving
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350F.
  2. Heat a skillet and add olive oil. When oil is hot, add zucchini through chili powder (in filling section). Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat.
  3. Add rice, beans, garlic, and corn. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Whisk sauce ingredients together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Pour about 1/2 into the bottom of a large greased ovenproof dish.
  5. Divide filling between tortillas. Tuck ends in and roll up. Place seam side down in sauce.
  6. Top with remaining sauce (or enough sauce to partially cover), and sprinkle with cheese.
  7. Bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes, or until cheese and sauce are bubbly.
  8. Serve topped with yogurt, salsa, and tomatoes.