Hummus Pasta with Red Pepper & Broccoli

Source: Clean Eating magazine
Makes 4 servings

8 oz. whole grain pasta
1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, drained & rinsed
3 TB lemon juice
1 clove garlic, cut into quarters
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup olive oil
1/3 cup water
1 large crown broccoli, cut into florets
1 red pepper, slivered

1. Prepare hummus sauce: Place beans, lemon juice, garlic, sunflower seeds, salt, oil & water into food processor; puree until smooth. Add more water if necessary.
2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain & set aside.
3. Saute broccoli & red pepper in lightly oiled skillet until crisp-tender; place in large serving bowl with pasta & hummus sauce. Toss well to coat & serve at room temperature.

Aimee's Vegetarian Recipes on Facebook!

Would you like to get FB updates when there's a new recipe on this blog? Plus extra tidbits on recipes already posted?
Here is a link to my Veggie Blog Facebook page:
facebook.com/veggieaimee
You can also share this web site directly to your FB page by clicking "share" in the upper left corner. Enjoy!

Suzi's Black Bean Lasagna

Recipe from Anne Jones

1 1/2 tsp salt
1 bayleaf
1/2 tsp pepper
3 TB olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
4 garlic cloves, chopped
3/4 cup red wine
3 cups tomato puree/sauce
2 cups crushed tomatoes
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp oregano
2 cups Ricotta cheese and/or cottage cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup fresh coriander (or 1 TB dried)
1 cup parmesan cheese
9 lasagna noodles
1 lb mozzerella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup (9oz) dried black beans (or two 15-oz.cans of black beans (3.5 cups))

Soak beans overnight. Drain, add 4 1/2 cup water, 1 1/2 tsp salt, bay leaf and pepper. Boil, simmer 1 1/4 hours (until tender). Puree 1 cup beans with 2 TBS oil (I added no oil). (If using canned beans, drain and rinse, heat in skillet with salt, bay leaf and pepper. Puree 1 cup of the beans. Take out the bayleaf.)

Saute onions and garlic in oil. Add wine and boil until liquid is nearly gone. Add everything up to the ricotta, including beans, and simmer sauce 20 minutes, stirring (do not boil).

Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl, combine ricotta, egg, coriander and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Cook noodles al dente. Drain noodles and rinse in cold water. Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish. Arrange 3 noodles, spread 1/2 ricotta then 1/3 tomato bean sauce. Arrange 1/3 mozzerella, sprinkle with 1/3 remaining Parmesan.  Repeat noodle/ricotta/sauce/mozzarella layers.  Top with remaining noodles, sauce, & mozzarella. Bake for 30 minutes til bubbling. Serves 8.

Farfalle with Tomato-Goat Cheese Cream Sauce

Source: Vegetarian Times
Makes 4-6 servings

12 oz. farfalle pasta (bow-tie)
1 cup frozen peas
1 TB olive oil
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/4 cups cream of tomato soup
1/4 cup half-and-half
1 TB dry white wine (optional)
4 oz. goat cheese crumbles
2 TB pine nuts, toasted

1. In large pot, cook pasta according to package directions, adding peas during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain in colander.
2. Return pot to stove; heat oil & saute garlic. Stir in soup, half-and-half, and optional wine; simmer over medium-low heat until mixture is slightly reduced, stirring occasionally. Add goat cheese & simmer until cheese is melted.
3. Stir pasta, peas, & pine nuts into sauce; toss well & serve.

Butternut Squash Soup

Source: Prevention Magazine

1TB oil
2 large leeks (trimmed), green & white parts chopped
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1.5 lbs butternut squash, peeled & cubed (about 4 cups)
2 large carrots, sliced
3 cups vegetable broth (two 14-oz. cans)
salt & pepper to taste

1. Heat oil in large pot; add leeks & saute until soft (7 minutes). Add cinnamon & nutmeg & saute 1 minute more until fragrant. Add squash, carrots, & broth and bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat & simmer 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove from heat & transfer to large bowl; let cool a little. Puree in batches & return to pot. Season with salt & pepper and simmer on low until ready to serve.

Honey Peach Pie

Source: Cooks.com (modified by Aimee)

2 frozen deep dish pie crusts (preferably whole wheat)
2.5 pounds peaches (pared, pitted, & sliced), about 4.5 cups
3 TB cornstarch
2 TB plus 1/4 cup honey
1/4 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 450. Remove 1 pie shell from pan and let thaw on a cutting board; unthaw the other shell in its pan. Flatten the pie shell on the cutting board and press dough together to form a circle. Sprinkle 1 1/2 TB cornstarch and 2 TB honey in panned pie shell.
2. In large bowl, combine peaches, 1 1/2 TB cornstarch, 1/4 cup honey, and vanilla. Spread in prepared pie shell.
3. Cut flattened shell into 10 strips. Lay 4 strips one way across and 4 strips the other way, to form a lattice top. Moisten the outer edge with water, and lay the 2 longest strips around the edge, crimping with the tines of a fork.
4. Bake 15 minutes; reduce heat to 350 and bake 25 minutes more or until browned & bubbly.

Choco-Cherry Cookies

Source: Cooking Light (slightly modified by Aimee)
Makes 30 cookies

2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp baking soda
6 TB butter
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup dried cherries
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks

1. Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, combine flour, oats, & baking soda.
2. Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat & stir in brown sugar until dissolved. Add sugar mixture to flour mixture; stir until well blended. Add cherries, vanilla, & egg; mix well. Fold in chocolate.
3. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on oiled baking sheets. Bake for 8-12 minutes, until lightly browned.

Tuscan Cheese Potato Bake

Source: Better Homes & Gardens
Makes 8 servings

2 lbs. red potatoes, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp thyme
2 TB butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 cup buttermilk
8 oz. shredded Italian cheese
1/3 cup blue cheese (dressing or crumbles)
1/2 cup panko (Japanese style bread crumbs)
1 TB olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 400. In large pot, cook potatoes in boiling water 15-20 minutes until tender; drain.
2. In same large pot, saute garlic & thyme in butter for 1 minute; add potatoes. Coarsely mash potatoes (leaving some chunks). Stir in salt, pepper, & buttermilk. Fold in blue cheese and 1/2 the Italian cheese. Spread in oiled baking dish.
3. In small bowl combine panko, olive oil, & remaining Italian cheese; toss with a fork to combine. Evenly sprinkle mixture over potato mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly and top is golden.

Berry Almond Coffee Cake

Source: Kashi (slightly modified by Aimee)

1 cup silken tofu
1/4 cup oil
1 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup milk
1 TB vanilla
1 large whole egg
2 egg whites

1 cup Kashi Heart to Heart blueberry & oat flakes cereal
1 cup almond flax granola
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup dried berries

Toppings:
1/2 cup Kashi cereal (above)
1/2 cup granola
1/2 cup sliced almonds

1. Preheat oven to 350. Place first 8 ingredients in food processor & puree until smooth; transfer to large bowl.
2. In medium bowl, combine the next 5 ingredients. Crush cereal into smaller pieces & mix well. Add to wet ingredients & stir until moist throughout.
3. Spread mixture into oiled 13 x 9 dish. Bake 10 minutes & remove from oven.  Mix toppings together & sprinkle evenly over dish. Bake 30 minutes more or until cooked in middle. Cut into squares & enjoy!

Bow Ties with Lemony Broccoli Pesto

Source: Vegetarian Times
Makes about 6 servings

This meal makes a great main dish served with tofu, or you can serve it cold as a summer side dish.

2 cups broccoli florets
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 1/2 cups loosely packed parsley leaves
1/2 cup mint leaves
1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest
4 tsp lemon juice
3 tsp minced garlic
3/4 cup water
salt & pepper to taste
12 oz. farfalle pasta


1. Steam broccoli until crisp-tender; place in food processor.
2. Toast pine nuts in small saucepan until golden, shaking often; add to food processor along with parsley, mint, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, & water. Process until smooth and place in small saucepan.  Season with salt & pepper; cook until heated through, stirring occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain & toss with heated sauce.

Chickpea & Feta Salad

Source: Vegetarian Times

2 TB lemon juice
1 TB olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
2 cups baby spinach leaves
1 can garbanzo beans, drained & rinsed
1 cup shredded carrots
1 small red pepper, finely chopped
1/3 cup toasted sunflower seeds
1 small head Romaine, cut into 1/2 inch strips
3-4 oz. crumbled feta
Vinegar dressing for drizzling

1. Whisk together lemon juice & oil. Stir in red onion; set aside.
2. Roll a few spinach leaves at a time into a cylinder, and slice into thin strips.
3. Combine spinach, chickpeas, carrots, red pepper, & sunflower seeds into a large bowl. Stir in onion mixture & toss to coat. Season with salt & pepper.
4. Place Romaine lettuce in a large serving bowl, followed by chickpea mixture & top with feta. Drizzle with additional dressing if desired.

Black Bean & Beer Chili

Source: Vegetarian Times
Makes 6-8 servings

2 TB oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 red pepper, diced
5 tsp minced garlic
2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, minced
2 TB cumin
2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained & rinsed
24 oz. dark beer
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 cup corn
salt to taste

Heat oil in large pot; saute onion, red pepper, & garlic. Add chipotles & cumin; saute mixture about 5 minutes. Stir in beans, beer, tomatoes, & corn. Bring chili to a boil. Reduce heat & simmer 45 minutes or until thick.

Aimee's Mini Stuffed Potatoes

Makes about 40 appetizers.

24 oz. baby red potatoes
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar
1/2 tsp dill weed
1/2 tsp chives
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
garnish (optional): extra chives or dill weed to top, or use fresh dill sprigs

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cut potatoes in half, then cut a small sliver off the bottom so potato halves stand upright. Boil about 30 minutes or until tender; let cool a little.
2. Gently scoop out the middles & place in food processor with sour cream; puree until creamy. Transfer to bowl & stir in cheddar, dill, chives, salt & pepper.
3. Place potato skins on oiled baking sheet; fill each with a little of the sour cream mixture. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Garnish if desired.

Blueberry-Yogurt Bread with Lemon Glaze

Source: Vegetarian Times (slightly modified by Aimee)
BREAD:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup oil
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs
7 oz. Greek yogurt
2/3 cup blueberries

GLAZE:
6 TB lemon juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 TB water
1 TB corn starch

1. Preheat oven to 350. Stir together all-purpose flour, 3 TB whole wheat flour, cornmeal, baking powder, & salt in bowl. In larger separate bowl, beat together 3/4 cup brown sugar, oil, & vanilla with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in eggs. Alternately add flour mixture & yogurt to egg mixture until combined.
2. Toss blueberries with remaining 1 TB flour, and fold into batter. Pour into oiled loaf pan & bake 60 minutes or until knife inserted into middle comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes & unmold onto serving plate.
3. Make glaze: whisk together lemon juice, brown sugar, & water in measuring cup. Place corn starch in small saucepan; slowly whisk in lemon mixture. Bring to boil & stir until thickened. Pour evenly over cake, letting the glaze drip over the edges. Let cool before serving.

Aimee's Grilled Brie & Berries

I was inspired by this recipe after having a French-style grilled cheese sandwich at a local restaurant. What a delicious combination!

Makes 3 sandwiches
5 oz. packaged wedge of creme de brie (no rind)
6 TB strawberry or raspberry jam (100% fruit)
6 slices whole grain bread
3 TB softened butter

Melt 1 1/2 TB butter in frying pan.  Spread brie on 3 bread slices, then spread 2 TB jam over each slice.  Place butter-side down in heated pan.  Spread remaining butter over 3 slices of bread & place butter side up on to of jam.  Fry until golden brown on both sides.

Basil Parmesan Dip

Source: Cooking Light1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup lightly packed basil leaves
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
3/4 cup sour cream
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp minced garlic

In blender, combine all ingredients and process until smooth. Transfer to serving bowl & serve with pita chips and/or veggies.

Dinner Club: 2/27

Current invitees for this date include families from Shilah & Serena's "down the hill" playgroup. We will update this post with the menu, and later with comments from those who attended!

Although only one family from the playgroup could make it, we had a lot of fun! The menu was dairy-free, soy-free, corn-free, and gluten-free. I served Pad Thai Noodles, and for dessert I made Chocolate Crispies.

Slow Cooker Three Bean Dip

Source: Prevention (modified by Aimee)
1 can pinto beans (15 oz)
1 can black beans (15 oz)
1 can kidney beans (15 oz)
16 oz. picante sauce
1 tomato, chopped
1 glove garlic, minced
2 tsp dried cilantro
1 tsp chili powder
1 avocado, chopped

Drain & rinse beans; add to slow cooker along with picante sauce, tomato, garlic, cilantro, & chili powder. Cover & cook on low 4 hours. Stir in avocado & serve with hearty chips (Frito Scoops work well).

Pasta Nicoise

Source: New Vegetarian Cuisine
Makes 6 servings

This recipe contains many of the ingredients popular in the cooking of Nice: olive oil, tomatoes, olives, garlic, pesto, & potatoes. Serve with cubed, fried tofu to top.
4 medium red potatoes, cubed
12 oz. whole wheat pasta (such as rotini)

2 TB olive oil
1/2 cup chopped green onion
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1/4 cup pesto
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
20 kalamata olives, pitted & cut into quarters
3 ounce package julienne sun-dried tomatoes
3/4 cup vegetable broth
crumbled feta to top (optional)

1. Boil potatoes in water about 10 minutes or until just tender. Drain & set aside.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain & toss with 1 TB olive oil.
3. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 TB olive oil in large skillet. Add garlic & green onion and fry a little; add potatoes & stir. Stir in pesto, parsley, olives, tomatoes, garlic, & broth. Stir together & simmer 10 to 15 minutes until potatoes are tender, stirring often.
4. Toss pasta with potato mixture & mix well. Serve topped with feta.

Aimee's White Bean Casserole

Makes 8 servings

1 cup uncooked brown rice
6 oz. package Wild Rice mix with seasoning
2 TB butter
½ cup chopped red onion
1 TB ketchup
1/6 cup lemon juice
1 TB brown sugar
1 tsp sage
2 cans (15 ounces each) navy beans, drained & rinsed
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar

1. Place brown rice & 2 cups water in saucepan; bring to boil, reduce heat, cover & cook 45 minutes; set aside.
2. At the same time, cook wild rice according to package directions.
3. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350. In large skillet, cook onion in butter over medium heat. Stir in lemon juice, brown sugar, sage, & ketchup. Add beans & stir to coat. Simmer over medium heat 10 minutes or until heated through.
4. In large bowl mix together rices, bean mixture, & 1/2 cup cheese. Spread in oiled 13 x 9 baking dish. Pour vegetable broth evenly over the top, and sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese. Cover with foil & bake 30 minutes.

Apple Pie with Oatmeal Cookie Crust

Source: crust from The New Enchanted Broccoli Forest, filling from allrecipes.com

Crust:
2 1/4 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 tsp cinnamon
4 1/2 TB brown sugar
1/4 cup finely minced nuts (optional)
3/4 tsp vanilla
1 stick butter, melted
1/4 cup water

Filling:
2 TB cornstarch
1 TB ground cinnamon
8 ounces apple juice
4 large green apples (peeled, cored, & diced)

Crumb Topping:
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 stick butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make crust: combine all ingredients & press into pie plate.

2. In a small bowl whisk together cornstarch, cinnamon, and a little of the apple juice.

3. In a saucepan simmer apples with remaining apple juice until apples are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in cornstarch mixture and continue to simmer until thickened. Remove from heat. Spoon apple mixture into pie shell.

4. Make topping: combine brown sugar & flour in bowl; stir in melted butter until crumbly. Sprinkle crumbs over apple mixture.

5. Bake 45 minutes; let cool 10 minutes.

Tempeh Bolognese

Source: Vegetarian Times (slightly modified by Aimee)
Makes 8 servings


 28 oz. can fire-roasted diced tomatoes 
1 TB plus 2 tsp olive oil, divided
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 TB dried oregano
1 TB minced garlic
8 oz. package tempeh, cubed
1 TB soy sauce
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 TB tomato paste
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup evaporated milk
24 oz. whole wheat spaghetti

1. Pulse tomatoes coarsely in food processor and place in medium saucepan.
2.  Heat 1 TB oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, oregano, & garlic; cook 5-6 minutes, stirring often. Stir mixture into saucepan.
3. Heat 2 tsp oil in same skillet over medium heat. Cook tempeh until browned, about 5 minutes. Add soy sauce & 1/2 cup water; cook 5 minutes more, or until liquid has absorbed. Break tempeh into crumbles with spatula.  Stir tempeh into saucepan along with wine, tomato paste, & Worcestershire sauce. Simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes. Stir in evaporated milk & simmer 5 minutes more.
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Serve tempeh sauce over cooked pasta.

Flaxseed Bread

Source: Vegetarian Times
Time: overnight, plus 4 hours.
This is probably one of the best-tasting (and healthiest) breads I've ever made, even including breads I've made in my breadmaker! Flaxseeds are an excellent source of omega-3.
1/2 cup whole flaxseeds, plus extra to sprinkle on top
1/2 cup plus 1 TB flaxseed meal (ground flaxseeds)
2 TB honey
2 1/4 tsp active yeast
3 cups bread flour
2 cups whole wheat flour, plus at least 1/2 cup more for kneading
1 1/2 tsp salt

1. Place 1/2 cup whole flaxseeds in a bowl; cover with 3 inches of water. Let soak overnight. (will resemble egg replacer when done)
2. Combine honey, yeast, & 2 cups warm water in measuring cup. Let stand 5 minutes.
3. Stir together flaxseed meal, flours, and salt in large bowl. Drain soaked flaxseeds & stir into flour mixture. Add yeast/water mixture and stir until smooth dough forms, adding a little water or flour if necessary.
4. Transfer dough to well-floured work surface. Knead 7 minutes or until dough no longer sticks to your fingers, adding flour as needed. Shape into a ball, and place in large bowl coated with oil. Cover & let rise in warm place 1 hour or until doubled in size. Punch down, reshape into ball, & let rise 1 hour more.
4. Preheat oven to 400. Shape dough into tight ball & place on an oiled baking sheet. Brush dough with water & sprinkle with extra flaxseeds. Cut a tic-tac-toe crosscross in top of loaf. Bake 45 minutes or until loaf is dark brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Cool at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Thanksgiving!

"What do vegetarians eat for Thanksgiving?" That's a question I hear quite often. I made a garbanzo-cheese loaf, sweet potato balls, and a low sugar apple pie. Gabe made mashed potatoes and rolls. Yum! Here are links to some of the recipes:

http://veggieaimee.blogspot.com/2008/02/evies-garbanzo-cheese-loaf.html

http://veggieaimee.blogspot.com/2008/04/sweet-potato-balls.html

Aimee's Cream Cheese Calzones

Makes 4 calzones. You can personalize this recipe and do 4 different fillings for different taste buds!

Whole wheat pizza dough (Breadmaker recipe):
1 cup warm water
1 TB sugar
2 TB oil
1 tsp salt
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 ½ cups bread flour
1 tsp active dry yeast

Filling:
15 oz. ricotta
8 oz. whipped cream cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp oregano
1 TB parsley
2 TB olive oil
1 tsp basil
1 TB parmesan
1/2 cup veggie filling for each calzone, optional (broccoli, green peppers, jalapenos, etc)
marinara sauce for dipping

1. Add ingredients to bread maker pan in the order above; select course 12 (50 minutes). Divide dough into 4 balls & roll out into circles.
2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 4oo. In large bowl, mix together ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, egg, oregano, parsley, & optional veggies. If making different calzones, divide filling into bowls and stir in veggies.
3. Place 1/4 filling on half of one of the dough circles; repeat with the other circles. Fold dough over on each circle and seal in the filling by pressing the dough together. Cut slits on the top of each calzone & transfer to oiled baking sheet. Brush tops with oil & sprinkle with basil & parmesan.
2. Bake 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Let cool 5 minutes & serve with marinara sauce.

Dinner Club: 11/21/09

Current invitees for this date include the class managers and instructors from my Jazzercise business. We will update this post with the menu, and later with comments from those who attended!

And… the cuisine winner is Asian (again)! Our guests currently include 7 adults and 3 kids. Here is the menu for dinner this Saturday: Cream Cheese Wontons, Pad Thai with Tofu, and Pumpkin Chocolate Cheesecake for dessert. I couldn't help making the same appetizer & main dish I did last time... some of my favorites! This time I'll make a sweet & sour sauce instead of a peanut sauce to go with the wontons. We will also have a kid-friendly option. You can find these recipes under the category to the right labled “Asian." Stay tuned for details of how the dinner went!

It was so great to see my colleagues outside of Jazzercise. Below are direct links to the recipes I made from my blog:

http://veggieaimee.blogspot.com/2008/09/tofu-cheese-wontons.html

http://veggieaimee.blogspot.com/2008/03/pad-thai.html

http://veggieaimee.blogspot.com/2008/03/pumpkin-chocolate-swirl-cheesecake.html

Maple Pumpkin Spice Bread

Source: Vegetarian Times
Makes 1 large loaf or 4 mini loaves

Serving idea: Make this a dessert & spread honey-cream cheese frosting onto slices!

2 cups all purpose flour
1 TB cinnamon
2 tsp ginger
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp allspice
1 1/4 cups pure maple syrup
1/2 cup oil*
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325. Stir together flours, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, & allspice in large bowl.
2. In separate bowl, whisk together syrup, oil, & eggs; stir in pumpkin & vanilla. Pour flour mixture in & stir until well-mixed; stir in optional nuts.
3. Pour into oiled loaf pan(s). Large loaf: bake 60 minutes or until knife inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Mini loaves: bake 45 minutes. Cool 5 minutes, unmold onto serving platter, & cool a little more. Serve warm.

*use 1/4 oil plus 1/4 cup applesauce if desired

Evie's Seitan Rice Casserole

Makes 10-12 servings

3 cups uncooked brown rice
6 cups water
oil for frying
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 red pepper, diced
16 oz. seitan
2 cups shredded cheddar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup flour
3 cups milk
1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated parmesan
paprika to top

1. Cook rice in water (~ 45 minutes); set aside.
2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350. Place seitan in food processor & pulse until finely chopped. Heat a little oil in large pot; saute onion & red pepper. Add seitan & saute a little more until browned. Remove from heat & stir in cooked rice, cheddar, & salt.
3. Heat olive oil in small saucepan; stir in flour until blended. Add milk & cook until thickened & bubbly, stirring frequently. Pour into rice mixture & mix well, along with hot sauce and salt & pepper to taste.
4. Spread mixture into oiled 13 x 9 baking dish. Sprinkle parmesan and paprika on top. Bake 40 minutes.

Broccoli Lasagna Bianca

Source: Favorite Brand Name Vegetarian Cooking
(modified by Aimee)

9 lasagna noodles
4 crowns broccoli
3 TB butter
½ cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, chopped
6 TB flour
1 tsp salt
3 cups milk
15 oz. ricotta
4 eggs, beaten
8 0z. tofu, mashed
2 TB parmesan
1 tsp dried basil
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1 tsp oregano
1 tomato, chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain.
2. Meanwhile, put broccoli (one crown at a time) in food processor & pulse until finely chopped; set aside in bowl.
3. In large saucepan, melt butter & saute onion & garlic. Stir in flour & salt; gradually stir in milk. Cook until mixture thickens & begins to boil. Remove from heat; stir in broccoli.
4. Combine ricotta, tofu, eggs, parmesan & basil.
5. Place 3 noodles in greased 13 x 9 dish; top with 1/2 each ricotta & broccoli mixtures. Repeat layer one more time. Top with 3 noodles, mozzarella, oregano & optional tomato. Bake (covered) for 1 hour; remove from oven & let stand 10 minutes & serve.

Easy Chocolate-Tofu Mousse

Source: Prevention

12 oz. silken tofu
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup Greek style plain yogurt

1. Melt chocolate chips.
2. Place tofu & vanilla food processor & puree until smooth. Add melted chocolate & blend until well-mixed. Pour into large bowl.
3. Fold in yogurt until just blended. Cover & refrigerate until ready to serve.