Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Mushroom Bourguignon with Potato Cauliflower Mash


Serves 3

Servings: 
Calories: 235kcal
Author: Vegan Richa

Ingredients

Mushroom Bourguignon:

  • 2 tsp (2 tsp) oil
  • 1/2 (0.5 ) medium onion chopped
  • 4 cloves (4 cloves) of garlic finely chopped
  • 10 oz (8 oz) sliced mushrooms mixed or white or cremini
  • 1/4 cup (58.75 ml) brandy or whiskey or red wine or use broth
  • 3/4 cup (75 g) chopped carrots
  • 1 cup (101 g) chopped celery
  • 3/4 tsp (0.75 tsp) dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh
  • 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) Coconut Aminos (or soy sauce but more sodium ,tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tsp (2 tsp) tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) water or broth
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) cornstarch or arrowroot starch mixed in 3 tbsp water (you can also add 2 tbsp of the mashed potato mixture to thicken)
  • 1 cup (30 g) of spinach or greens

Potato Mash:

  • 1 (1 ) large potato cubed small
  • 1 cup (100 g) cauliflower florets (heaping cup)
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) olive oil
  • 2 to 4 tbsp (NaN tbsp) non dairy milk
  • 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) each salt garlic powder
  • (NaN ) black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat the Instant Pot on Saute. Add oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion, garlic, mushrooms and a good pinch of salt and give them a quick mix. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden on some edges. Add a tbsp of water if browning too quickly.
  • Add the wine and mix well for a few seconds to cook out the alcohol.
  • Add the carrots, celery, thyme and garlic and mix well. Add the soy sauce, tomato paste, 1/3 tsp salt (if using water or unsalted broth) and water/broth and give it a mix. Cancel saute. You can also add in 1 bay leaf and some rosemary for flavor variation at this point.
  • Place the steamer basket on top of the mushroom mixture. Add potato and cauliflower to it. 
  • Close the Instant Pot lid. Pressure Cook for 9 to 10 minutes (Manual hi pressure). Add a minute if using larger quantity of either mushroom mix or potatoes, or if doubling.
  • Let the pressure release naturally once the cooking is complete. Open the lid and carefully remove the steamer basket.
  • Put the pot on saute, Add cornstarch slurry and give it a mix (you can also add 2 tbsp of the mashed potato mixture to thicken). Add spinach or baby kale and black pepper and mix. Bring the mixture to a boil to thicken, then cancel saute. Taste and adjust salt and flavor.
  • Meanwhile. Transfer the steamed potato and cauliflower to a bowl and mash roughly. Add garlic powder, salt, pepper, olive oil, non dairy milk  and optionally fresh/dried herbs of choice(eg. thyme, rosemary, chives) and mash well to preferred consistency. 
  • Serve the mash layered with the mushroom bourguignon. Garnish with some fresh thyme or basil and black or white pepper.

Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon with Potato Cauliflower Mash – Instant Pot


Servings: 3

Ingredients

Mushroom Bourguignon:

  • 2 tsp (2 tsp) oil
  • 1/2 (0.5 ) medium onion chopped
  • 4 cloves (4 cloves) of garlic finely chopped
  • 10 oz (8 oz) sliced mushrooms mixed or white or cremini
  • 1/4 cup (58.75 ml) brandy or whiskey or red wine or use broth
  • 3/4 cup (75 g) chopped carrots
  • 1 cup (101 g) chopped celery
  • 3/4 tsp (0.75 tsp) dried thyme or 1 tbsp fresh
  • 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) coconut aminos (for low sodium) or soy sauce ,tamari for gluten-free
  • 2 tsp (2 tsp) tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) water or broth
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) cornstarch or arrowroot starch mixed in 3 tbsp water (you can also add 2 tbsp of the mashed potato mixture to thicken)
  • 1 cup (30 g) of spinach or greens

Potato Mash:

  • 1 (1 ) large potato cubed small
  • 1 cup (100 g) cauliflower florets (heaping cup)
  • 1 tbsp (1 tbsp) olive oil
  • 2 to 4 tbsp (NaN tbsp) non dairy milk
  • 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) each salt garlic powder
  • (NaN ) black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Heat the Instant Pot on Saute. Add oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion, garlic, mushrooms and a good pinch of salt and give them a quick mix. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden on some edges. Add a tbsp of water if browning too quickly.
  • Add the wine and mix well for a few seconds to cook out the alcohol.
  • Add the carrots, celery, thyme and garlic and mix well. Add the soy sauce, tomato paste, 1/3 tsp salt (if using water or unsalted broth) and water/broth and give it a mix. Cancel saute. You can also add in 1 bay leaf and some rosemary for flavor variation at this point.
  • Place the steamer basket on top of the mushroom mixture. Add potato and cauliflower to it. 
  • Close the Instant Pot lid. Pressure Cook for 9 to 10 minutes (Manual hi pressure). Add a minute if using larger quantity of either mushroom mix or potatoes, or if doubling.
  • Let the pressure release naturally once the cooking is complete. Open the lid and carefully remove the steamer basket.
  • Put the pot on saute, Add cornstarch slurry and give it a mix (you can also add 2 tbsp of the mashed potato mixture to thicken). Add spinach or baby kale and black pepper and mix. Bring the mixture to a boil to thicken, then cancel saute. Taste and adjust salt and flavor.
  • Meanwhile. Transfer the steamed potato and cauliflower to a bowl and mash roughly. Add garlic powder, salt, pepper, olive oil, non dairy milk  and optionally fresh/dried herbs of choice(eg. thyme, rosemary, chives) and mash well to preferred consistency. 
  • Serve the mash layered with the mushroom bourguignon. Garnish with some fresh thyme or basil and black or white pepper.



Sunday, April 28, 2019

Quinoa and Kale Cakes


INGREDIENTS



  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large potato, steamed and mashed
  • 1 cup kale, steamed and chopped
  • 1 cup quinoa, cooked (2 cups of vegetable broth/1 cup of quinoa)
  • 500 ml ( 1 pint ) vegetable stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 flaxseed eggs (2 tblspns flaxseed and 6 tblspns water)


INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cook the quinoa for about 10 minutes. Take off of the heat and cover with a lid allowing for the quinoa to soak up the rest of the liquid and become fluffy. If there is still a little liquid left, place on a low heat and cook until the liquid has evaporated. 
Leave to one side.
2. Fry the onions and garlic, with a pinch of salt, over a medium heat until the onions have softened and caramelized.
3. Put the onions into a bowl with the quinoa and all other ingredients and using your hands mash everything together well.
4. Form into 6 equal size cakes and press the cakes into the flour, shaking off any excess.
5. Fry in 2 batches of 3 cakes for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown. The cakes will soak up the oil so be sure not to use more than 2 tablespoons of oil per batch.
Inspired by 

Saturday, February 3, 2018

Garden Vegetable Quinoa Soup

Amazing, Healthy, Filling, Perfect, Serves: 8

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil 
  • 1 yellow onion 
  • 4 cloves garlic 
  • 3 carrots 
  • 3 ribs celery 
  • 15 oz. can kidney beans 
  • 15 oz. can fire roasted diced tomatoes 
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil 
  • 1 tsp dried oregano 
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Freshly cracked pepper 
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa 
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water 
  • 1/4 lb. kale or frozen spinach or some green

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Mince the garlic and dice the onion. Add the olive oil, garlic, and onion to a large pot and sauté over medium-low heat until the onions are soft and transparent.
  2. While the garlic and onion are cooking, wash and peel the carrots, then slice into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Wash the celery and slice into 1/4-inch pieces. Add the carrots and celery to the pot and continue to sauté until they just begin to soften (about 5 minutes).
  3. While the carrots and celery are cooking, rinse the quinoa well with cool running water in a wire mesh sieve. Drain and rinse the kidney beans. Add the quinoa, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, basil, oregano, smoked paprika, and some freshly cracked pepper.
  4. Add the vegetable broth and water to the pot, place a lid on top, and turn the heat up to medium-high. Allow the pot to come to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and let simmer for 25 minutes.
  5. After simmering for 25 minutes the quinoa should be slightly translucent and tender. If not, let simmer a few minutes longer. Stir in 1/4 lb. of kale or frozen spinach until heated through. Season with sea salt and ground black pepper.
Inspired by Budget bites

Monday, January 1, 2018

Vanilla Extract (homemade)

Since it takes six months for this to be ready, I make multiple batches. Basically, I buy the vodka and use it up with this recipe.

Slice vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the caviar


You'll need:

Vanilla beans (I use Madagascar Bourbon)
Sharp knife
Amber glass bottles
Vodka (I use Absolute or Smirnoff)

Cheese cloth (not entirely necessary)

Directions:
- Slice 6 vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape out the 'caviar' with the back of a wide-tip knife.
- Cut the beans into 1/4" pieces. Place the 'caviar' and cut pieces in a amber glass bottle. 
- Add 2 cups of vodka to brown jar bottle and put the cap on the bottle
- Make your own label and mark when you made it and when it will be ready. It will be ready in 6 months. I know ... that's a long time.
- Store the bottle in a cool dark place
- Shake the bottle once a day for the first week
- Shake the bottle once a week for a couple weeks
- Shake the bottle when you think of it
- When the 6 months have passed, use the cheese cloth to strain the vanilla extract and then put it back into the amber bottle. I don't mind having bits of the caviar in the vanilla extract. Sometimes I don't even strain it. It's now ready to use.
Cautionary note: The alcohol will burn off when baking but it will be present if you use it for something you don't bake.


Vodka price varies based on the number of times it is distilled. It's cleaner and smoother. Top shelf is most expensive while the college budget is on the bottom. I go for something in between.