peanut butter cookies

A quick and easy peanut butter cookie.

1/4 c powdered peanut butter
1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c white sugar
1/4 c ground golden flax seed
1/2 c chunky peanut butter
1/4 c water

Preheat oven to 375F. Mix all ingredients to make a very sticky dough. Put by spoonfuls on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with fingers or back of spoon. Bake 15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Makes about 12.

Banana Coconut Muffins

These tasty muffins are full of whole grain, they are also gluten free.

1/2c sugar
3/4 c coconut flour
3/4 c brown rice flour
1/2 c tapioca flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 c golden flax meal
2 ripe bananas
1/4 c oil (I used light olive)
1 1/3 coconut milk
abt 1/3 c flaked coconut or chopped dried fruit
Mix flax meal and coconut milk in measuring cup or small bowl. Mix sugar, coconut flour, brown rice flour, tapioca flour, baking powder and cinnamon in a large bowl. Mash bananas and add along with oil. Mix in coconut milk/flax mixture. Beat well (a mixer is helpful). Put into 12 muffin papers or greased muffin tin. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes.

Chocolate Smoothie

A lovely chocolate smoothie with loads of good for you nutrients. In one cup 6.6g of protein, 4.9g of fiber, 150mg of calcium, and 2.8mg of iron. All for about 188 calories. (Data computed from USDA nutrient database, plus nutrition facts on my jar of powdered peanut butter.) Powdered peanut butter, the only slightly odd ingredient, can be found online or in some health food stores. I used PB2, a brand out of Georgia.

¼ c coco
4-6 T sugar
2c unsweetened coconut milk
1 carrot
1 ½ c fresh spinach (45 grams)
4 oz tofu
¼ c powdered peanut butter (4T)
1 frozen banana
Put everything in the blender and blend. For best results add the powders after the spinach, so they don't get stuck on the bottom. Makes about 4 cups.

White bean and pasta soup

A lovely very thick soup (based on this one). Best served with bread and olive oil.

abt 2T olive oil
2 long sprigs rosemary
1T thyme
2 bay leaves
dash red pepper flakes
1 onion, chopped
1-2 carrots, chopped
3-4 ribs celery, chopped
2 (15oz) cans white beans, drained
1T minced garlic
3T nutritional yeast
 1T salt (or less)
7c water
8-10oz orzo pasta

Put olive oil in soup pot. Add rosemary, thyme, bay leaves (broken in half), red pepper, onion, carrots, and celery. In separate bow stir together water, garlic, yeast, and salt. Stir constantly over high heat until onion is clear and beginning to brown. Add water mixture and beans. Bring to boil and add pasta. Reduce heat slightly and cook 8-10 minutes, until pasta is tender. Remove from heat and serve.

carrot muffins

These muffins are very sweet, like cupcakes. When measuring the carrots, smash them into the measuring cup to eliminate empty space. The tops will deflate when cooling, giving a flat top.

3c cooked carrots
2c flour
1 1/2c sugar
1c oil
1T baking powder
1/4c water
1c raisins, optional

Preheat oven to 350. Blend carrots and oil in a blender or food processor until smooth, scraping down side frequently. Stir together flour, sugar and baking powder. Mix carrot puree into flour mixture. Stir in raisins, if desired. Bake in well oiled muffin pans for about 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with only a trace of the muffins. Allow to cool a few minutes before removing from pan. Makes about 21 muffins.

Simple Thai Salad

A simple and easy salad to accompany a Thai, or other meal. I had mine today with Thai pot stickers and pad thai. As a testament to its greatness, it was eaten before I could take a picture. This salad is also a great way to use up the center of a head of lettuce after the outer leaves are used for sandwiches.

1/2 head iceberg lettuce (outer leaves removed ok)
1/4c chopped mint
1/3c sweet thai chilli sauce

Slice the lettuce into 1/2 inch (1cm) slices. Sprinkle with mint and drizzle with chilli sauce. Eat.

Utah Brownies

These simple and inexpensive brownies are the perfect mix of fudge and cake. I named them after another brownie I used to make in Utah, but have never been able to make again (the altitude must have contributed to the texture).

1 c flour
1c sugar
1/3c coco powder
1/2tsp baking powder
1/4tsp salt
1/2c oil
1/2c water
1/2tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix dry ingredients, then stir in wet. Place in greased 8x8 glass pan and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out only holding a crumb. Cook 15 minutes before cutting.

Hot chocolate

This version of the classic drink is richer and more intensely chocolate flavored than most others.
1T coco
2T granulated sugar
1c rice milk

Mix coco and sugar. Add rice milk and heat. Beat until slightly frothy. Serves one. Larger batches may be made in a saucepan on the stove, stir while heating.

applesauce cinnamon pancakes

These super easy pancakes are a quick breakfast. They are delicious all by themselves, or can be served with syrup, applesauce, or other toppings.

1 1/2 c flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
2 T sugar
1 c applesauce
1/2 c oil
3/4 c water

mix dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Add applesauce, oil and water, stir until smooth. If batter is too thick, add a little more water. Cook on griddle until lightly browned both sides. Makes about 15 3" pancakes.

Hearty weeknight noodles

2-4T olive oil
1 lb sliced mushrooms
1 medium onion, sliced into wedges
1T peanut butter
8oz rice noodles, cooked
1c water
salt and pepper

put oil in large non-stick frying pan or dutch oven. Add mushrooms and onions, salt and pepper liberally. Saute over high heat until onions begin to turn golden. Add more oil as needed. (Mushrooms should have lots of color and become a bit sticky.) Add water and remove from heat. Let rest 5 minutes. Stir in peanut butter and cook over high heat until boiling and liquid reduces to a sauce. Stir in noodles, serve warm.

Vegan No-Bake Cookies

1/2 c peanut butter (creamy)
4 T cocoa
2 c sugar
1/2 c water
3 c quick oats

combine sugar, water, cocoa, and peanut butter in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally until it comes to a full boil. Boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in oats. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper and allow to cool. Makes 2-3 dozen cookies. Store in airtight container.

Simple white bean casserole

This casserole is fast and delicious. Serve with a salad for a complete and easy weeknight dinner.
2 15oz cans white kidney beans, drained
1 15oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 6oz fried onions
1tsp thyme
1tsp sage
pepper to taste

heat tomatoes, beans, thyme, sage and pepper in saucepan on medium heat, stirring frequently until boiling. Mix in 2/3 of onions and spread in 2qt casserole dish. Top with remaining onions. Bake covered at 350degress for 15 minutes.

Safron rice

1 c white rice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp saffron threads

Mix all ingredients in large saucepan with 2c water. Bring to a boil. Reduce head to low and cook, covered, for 22 minutes. Fluff with fork and serve.

cauliflower soup

This soup is easy and fast, and a great solution for cool evenings.
2 head cauliflower
4c vegetable broth
4T oil
1tsp dry thyme
1/4tsp red pepper flakes
salt and pepper

Steam cauliflower just until soft, reserving 1c cooking water. Blend cauliflower and broth in blender or food processor (may take several batches). Use reserved water if needed. Saute thyme and red pepper in oil over high head 1 minute. Add blended cauliflower and reserved water. Bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Pasta bean salad

This is a great salad that can be made quickly and is perfect for summer dinners. Feel free to add other vegetables as available.

8oz macaroni or salad pasta, cooked and cooled
1 can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2-3 tomatoes, diced
1/4c finely diced red onion
1-2 dill pickles, diced
2-3T prepared mustard
1T olive oil
1T raspberry vinegar or other vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Chill before serving.

kidney bean cabbage soup

1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 15oz can white kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 25oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
8-10oz mushrooms, sliced
1/2 head cabbage, chopped
2-3T olive oil
1tsp dried oregano
1qt vegetable broth

Saute onion and oregano in oil until onion starts to become clear. Add mushrooms and saute 1-2 minutes further. Add broth and both colors of beans and bring to a boil. Add cabbage and cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Serve hot.

Onion Mushroom Sandwiches

1-2T oil
8-10oz sliced mushrooms
1 red onion, chopped
1/4c apple juice
salt and pepper to taste
whole wheat bread, lettuce, mustard, etc.

saute onions in oil until soft and browning, add mushrooms and continue to cook 1-2 minutes. Add apple juice and bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat. Simmer 10 minutes. Uncover, salt and pepper to taste. Increase heat and boil until liquid is almost all gone, stirring occasionally. Serve on bread with sandwich fixings. Makes 2-3 sandwiches.

Pasta with onion and white kidney beans in a tomato sauce

1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
1 15 oz white kidney beans, rinsed (sometimes called cannellini beans)
2T olive oil
2T apple juice
1/4t dried oregano
1/4t red pepper flakes
1 small onion
12oz Farfalle (bow tie) or other mid-sized pasta

heat water for pasta. mix all ingredients except pasta and onion in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, reduce to a low boil. Cook pasta and drain. coarsely dice onion and add to sauce for last 2 minutes. Mix sauce and pasta, serve. About 20 minutes. Add more red pepper flakes for a spicier sauce.