Lentil Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

- 2 cups dried lentils
- 3 cups water
- 2-3 cups vegetable stock
- 1/4 cups chopped carrots
- 1/2 cups chopped onion
- 1/4 cups chopped celery
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp vegetable bullion (optional)

Directions

1) Soak lentils in crock pot with the water. This is the long part, but the nice thing is that you can just leave them to sit as long as you need to. This will soften the lentils and make the cooking time faster.

2) Bring lentils and water to a light boil or simmer. Remember that the lentils will absorb the water, so add the stock to keep them from sticking to the bottom of your pot and burning. Trust me - burnt lentils do not taste yummy. If you think you need to add more liquid, go for it!

3) Add in your chopped vegetables and tomatoes, then vent and cover.

4) Test the texture of the lentils and carrots frequently to determine the cooking time.

5) You want a soft but not split-pea consistency, so you want to be able to distinguish individual lentils. If you have to make the texture of the lentils a little softer because of the carrots, don't worry (just chop the carrots slightly thinner next time).

6) If you want a bit of extra flavor, stir in the vegetable bullion along with the vegetables. Feel free to add herbs like basil, rosemary or sage for a more earthy flavor.
Serve it with your favorite bread. If you can't finish the entire pot, just freeze the leftovers in freezer-safe containers and thaw them when you feel the need for comfort food again.

Enjoy!

Summer Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

* 1 lb box of pasta (either elbows or shells - no large pastas like spaghetti)
* 2 8oz packages of shredded cheese (use two different kinds; I use sharp cheddar and colby jack)
* 3 cups milk
* 1 small onion
* 3 tablespoons butter
* 3 tablespoons flour
* 1 tablespoon mustard powder
* dash of salt & pepper
* 1 teaspoon of paprika
* 1 egg, beaten in a small bowl

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Finely dice the onion. Boil the pasta until about halfway cooked. Don't cook it until it's completely soft, as it will spend time in the oven. Drain pasta. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. When melted, add the flour and mustard powder and whisk together. Keep it moving with the whisk until it gets a little darker in color; maybe 3 or 4 minutes.

Add the milk, onion, paprika and salt and pepper. Keep whisking over MEDIUM heat until it comes to a boil. This should take about ten minutes. When it boils, it will thicken. Take it off the heat, take 3 tablespoons of the sauce and stir it into the egg, which is in a separate bowl. When fully mixed, put the egg mixture back into the sauce and stir well. Add all but about a half-cup of the cheese, stir well, and mix in the pasta. In a baking dish, put the pasta in and layer with the remaining cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes.

Source: http://recipes.ireallylikefood.com/727917778/summer-mac--cheese/?cuttag=true#cuttaganchor

Applesauce Wheat Pancakes

First mix the dry ingredients.

* 1 cup whole wheat flour
* 1/2 tablespoon white sugar
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

- Whisk together thoroughly.

In a separate bowl, first beat eggs. Then add milk, then gradually add the other ingredients.

* 1 egg
* 2 tablespoon applesauce (we use original, no extra flavors)
* 1 cup milk
* 1/2 vanilla extract

Cinnamon Doughnut Muffins

Ingredients

*1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
*1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
*1/2 teaspoon salt
*1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
*1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
*3/4 cup sugar
*1/3 cup vegetable oil
*1 egg, lightly beaten
*3/4 cup milk
*Jam

Source: http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2pBbkd/noblepig.com/2010/01/30/cinnamon-doughnut-muffins.aspx

Tofu Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients
*1 head lettuce or Napa cabbage
*1 pkg extra firm tofu (drained)
*2 1/2 cups chopped shitake mushrooms
*3 tablespoons chopped garlic (fresh)
*2 tablespoons chopped ginger (fresh)
*red pepper flakes
*tamari or soy sauce or Braggs
*salt
*pepper

Directions

Dice the tofu into small bite size squares. Spread them out on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt , pepper, red pepper flakes, and soy sauce. Bake for 35-45 minutes at 350.

When that is almost done, heat up wok or frying pan and throw in the chopped up garlic and ginger. Fry for about 5-7 minutes until they are softer. Throw in the shitakes. At this time you can add more soy sauce , usually about 4 or 5 shakes. Also, if you’d like, some more salt and pepper and red pepper flakes.

Cook about another 10 -12 minutes, then add the tofu and finish up the cooking - about 2-5 minutes.

Wash and dry the lettuce/cabbage and pull off pieces about the size of your palm.

Spoon the mixture into the leafs and roll them up!

Source: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=13346.0

Whole-Wheat Pancakes

Ingredients

*1 1/4 c. whole wheat flour
*2 1/4 tsp. baking powder
*1/4 tsp. salt
*1 egg
*1 1/4 c. skim milk
*Nonstick vegetable cooking spray

Directions

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in mixing bowl. Beat together egg and milk and stir into flour mixture to form lumpy batter. Spray non-stick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Drop by spoonfuls to make 4 inch pancakes. Reduce heat to low and cook until bubbles begin to form on cakes. Turn and cook on other side until golden brown. 8 servings - 87 calories each.

Vegan Banana Bread

Ingredients

*1/2 cup brown sugar
*1/2 cups white sugar
*1/2 cup margarine, at room temp
*3 very ripe bananas, mashed well
*2 cups flour
*1/2 teaspoon baking soda
*1/4 cup vanilla soy milk, mixed with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
*1 teaspoon vanilla
*1 teaspoon cinnamon
*1/4 teaspoon allspice
*1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 8x4 bread pan with non stick cooking spray, or lightly coat with margarine.

Sift together flour, baking soda, salt and spices.

Cream together the margarine and sugars. Add bananas, soy milk and vanilla.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry. Mix well. Pour batter into pan. Bake for an hour to an hour 10 minutes.

Notes
* 1/3 cup of sugar is sufficient
* 1 tbsp of margarine is sufficient (?)