Fajita Bean Dip

Absolutely delicious dip for veggies or spread for burritos!

1 can garbanzo beans, drained
1/2 c. cashews
1/3 c. sundried tomatoes
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 lemon juiced
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 Tb. nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. chili powder
2/3 c. water
1/2 tsp. salt

Process or blend until creamy.

CREDIT GOES TO: Tandi

Vegan Breakfast Sausages/Maple Sausages

These are super easy to make and taste way better that Tofurky Sausages. The texture is so similar to sausage it is scary.! I went crazy with the spicing: fennel, rosemary, sage, thyme, basil, oregano, parsley (and no red pepper flakes). Feel free to throw in whatever you want. I made 6 sausages instead of 4.

INGREDIENTS

- 1/2 cup pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup cold vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (I use Tamari Sauce)
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or very finely minced
- 1 1/4 cups vital wheat gluten
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fennel seed, crushed
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Several dashes fresh black pepper

METHOD
1. Before mixing your ingredients, get your steaming apparatus ready, bring water to a full boil. The rest of the recipe comes together very quickly. - I use my rice cooker as my steamer.
2. Have ready 6 sheets of tin foil. In a large bowl, mash the pinto beans until no whole ones are left. Throw all the other ingredients together in the order listed and mix with a fork. Divide dough into 6 even parts. Place one part of dough into tin foil and mold into about a 5 inch log. Wrap dough in tin foil, like a tootsie roll. Don’t worry too much about shaping it, it will snap into shape while it’s steaming because this recipe is awesome.
3. Place wrapped sausages in steamer and steam for 40 minutes. (Steam for 20 minutes for 25 small sausages.)
4. OPTIONAL: Place sausages in a frying pan with 2 tbsp of water and 1/4 cup maple syrup. Bring to bubbling and simmer until syrup thickens. Serve.

- To make maple sausage increase maple syrup by replacing 1/4 of the water with maple syrup. Also, add 1/2 tsp maple extract. Makes six large sausages or 25 small.

CREDIT GOES TO: http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2008/03/breakfast-sausages.html

Queso Dip with Raw Cashews

I can't find the link to the blog I got this recipe from - but thanks to some blog in cyberspace I have a new yummy dip to serve at parties, gatherings and just for fun. My son claims it is his "favorite" and loves to dip tortilla chips in it. It is amazing!

Makes approximately 7 ½ – ½ cup servings

Ingredients:

½ cup raw cashews, soaked and drained
½ cup oatmeal, ground into flour
1 ½ cups water
2 teaspoon onion flakes, dried
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 clove garlic, peeled
14 ounces diced tomatoes or about two cups salsa if you like heat (Pace, Mild is great)
1 teaspoon paprika
1 crushed red peppers to taste (optional)
½ teaspoon chili powder
1 dash cayenne
1 teaspoon real sea salt

Directions:

Combine the cashews, oatmeal, water, onion flakes, turmeric, and garlic in your blender. Puree until the mixture is smooth. Pour the mixture into a heavy bottom saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring often to keep it from sticking. Add the canned diced tomatoes with their liquid (or salsa if using), paprika hot crushed peppers, chili powder and cayenne and stir to combine. Taste the mixture and add salt and pepper, as you desire. Cook the mixture (continuing to stir) until it is hot and the texture you want. You can add more liquid if it gets too thick.

Nutritional Information:

Amount Per Serving
Calories - 65.95
Calories From Fat (39%) - 25.78

Total Fat - 3.08g
Saturated Fat - 0.55g
Cholesterol - 0mg
Sodium - 5.32mg
Potassium - 209.9mg
Total Carbohydrates - 8.69g
Fiber - 1.68g
Sugar - 2.01g
Protein - 2.35g

Comments:

This dip is thick and rich and tastes much more decadent than it actually is. We like to eat it with corn chips, but more often it shows up on a baked potato stuffed with broccoli.

Each serving of the queso dip contains 600IU of vitamin A, and 70mg of phosphorus.

Sun-dried Tomatoes

Sun-dried tomatoes are sooo delicious. I use these in my Stromboli recipe.

About 6-7 Roma tomatoes sliced (or garden tomatoes)
2 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup fresh basil finely chopped
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Put all ingredients in a freezer bag and toss until well coated. Lay on dehydrator sheets and dry 125 degrees for about 18 hours.


CREDIT GOES TO: Tandi

Awesome Veggie Stir Fry

Ingredients (use vegan versions):

• 1 cup carrots
• 1 cup snow peas
• 2 heads of broccoli (about 2 cups)
• 1/2 red pepper (may also add yellow and green)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup onion, diced
• 1 pint of mushrooms, sliced (or 2, 4 ounce cans)
• 1 small can water chestnuts, drained
• 1 small can bamboo shoots, drained
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 cup teriyaki sauce (I use the SOY VAY brand - Veri Veri Teriyaki)
• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• Bragg's Amino Liquids to taste

Directions:

Turn wok (or large pot) on lowest setting. Add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and spread around wok. Add minced garlic, onions and carrot.

While those are cooking, cut up broccoli and snow peas. Add to mixture. Turn up heat add the water. Let steam for a minute. Next, add second tablespoon of oil and mushrooms. Add teriyaki sauce after a few minutes. Finally add water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts and red pepper.

Continue cooking until all vegetables are coated. They should be softened but
not soggy!

This can be served with any rice of your choice or alone if you choose. Spray with Bragg's to taste.

May add tofu (which is delicious when cut up into small chunks), chick peas or any other vegetable or protein source for variety.


Serves: 4
Preparation time: 25 minutes