SOUTHWESTERN PINTO BEAN BURGERS WITH CHIPOTLE MAYONNAISE

Today I Made:

SOUTHWESTERN PINTO BEAN BURGERS WITH CHIPOTLE MAYONNAISE and BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES for DINNER.

Pinto beans, corn, onions, cilantro, jalapeno patties on a whole wheat bun.

Then smothered with a tangy and spicy chipotle VEGENAISE (instead of mayonnaise).

All we can say is:

WOW!!!

This was by far the best burger EVER!!!

Perfectly spicy.

Flavors just melt in your mouth.

This will definitely be my go-to veggie burger recipe.

The sweet potato fries were satisfying, but they could use some work.

Pretty simple recipe:

sweet potatoes (cut into thick strips)

olive oil

salt

pepper

Bake on a preheated 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

Then flip over and bake another 15-20 minutes or until medium brown.

They came out a little too soft for my taste.

I was hoping they would turn out crispy.

But I guess you have to fry them to get them crispy.

VEGAN MEATBALLS

Today I Made:

VEGAN MEATBALLS WITH PENNE ARABIATTA, GARLIC BREAD, AND KALE SALAD for DINNER.

Meatball recipe from My Vegan Cookbook.

Brown rice, lentils, oatmeal, whole wheat flour and a plethora of spices.

But best of all, they are TOFU FREE.

All you do is mix the precooked brown rice, lentils and the rest of the ingredients and form into balls, then bake until brown.

Mix with your favorite tomato sauce and pour over pasta.

ROASTED GARLIC AND WALNUT LINGUINE

Today I Made:

ROASTED GARLIC AND WALNUT LINGUINE AND SPINACH SALAD for DINNER.

Linguine recipe from FRESH AND FAST VEGAN PLEASURES by AMANDA GRANT.

Roasted garlic, toasted walnuts, parsley, and whole wheat linguine.

This recipe calls for 2 whole heads of garlic, but they become sweet and very subtle when roasted.

So worries, no garlic breath.

The combination of the roasted garlic and walnuts was wonderful.

Another restaurant quality dish which I highly recommended it.

For tonight's salad, I decided to use spinach instead of our usual mixed greens.

But everything else is pretty much the same: carrots, red onions and Asian Miracle Dressing.

I prefer the mixed greens.

Can't wait for left overs tomorrow!!!

NO-BEEF STEW AND WHOLE WHEAT BISCUITS

Today I Made:

NO-BEEF STEW AND WHOLE WHEAT BISCUITS for DINNER.

Both recipes from My Vegan Cookbook.

Thick and rich stew full of mushrooms,carrots, potatoes, and peas.

The mushrooms give it its "beefy" flavor.

This stew really surprised me, since both my husband and I aren't mushroom fans.

IT WAS SOOOO AMAZING!!!

The biscuits were so easy to make, it's almost too easy.

Mix dry ingredients.

Mix wet ingredients.

Mix both dry and wet.

Then add oil and mix until combined.

Add more flour if dough is to wet.

Spread dough onto a floured surface and cut into 3" circles.

Then bake for 8 minutes.

Dip the biscuits into the stew or slather some Earth Balance, and you have a perfect winter dinner.

KABOCHA SOUP WITH SPICED PEPITAS

Today I Made:

KABOCHA SOUP WITH SPICED PEPITAS, SALAD, AND GARLIC BREAD for DINNER.

Soup recipe from VEGETARIAN TIMES JAN. 2009 issue.

Kabocha squash, onions, and smoked paprika are the star ingredients.

This was THE best pureed soup I have ever made.

I was a little hesitant since my husband doesn't really care for creamy, pureed soups.

But at his request, I did leave it a little bit chunky.

The original recipe called for 2 Tbs. dry sherry, but since we don't care for alcohol in anything, I used orange juice instead.

The soup is sprinkled with SPICED PEPITAS.

Small pumpkin seeds tossed together with olive oil, agave nectar, smoked paprika, salt, and then baked until puffed and slightly darkened.

They added such a great crunchy mouth feel.

As far as the salad goes, it's our usual recipe... spring mix, julliened carrots, thinly sliced red onions.

I also threw in some dried cherries, avocado, and leftover SPICED PEPITAS.

This time instead of making my own dressing (Asian Miracle Dressing), I used FOLLOW YOUR HEART SESAME MISO DRESSING.

First time trying this bottled dressing.

It's good for emergencies.

I decided to round out the meal with our new favorite: GARLIC BREAD.

This meal turned out to be so comforting, so colorful, and so mutritious,I didn't want it to end!

PINEAPPLE-CASHEW-QUINOA STIR-FRY

Yesterday I Made:

PINEAPPLE-CASHEW-QUINOA STIR-FRY for DINNER.

Recipe from Veganomicon.

A South Asian inspired dish with a South American Flair.

Quinoa cooked in pineapple juice.

Then stir-fried with green onions, pineapple chunks, peas, ginger, red chili, basil, red bell pepper, soy sauce, mirin, and toasted cashews.

Interesting mix of flavors that actually turned out quite tasty.

Sweet and spicy, with a hint of saltiness from the soy sauce.

This dish comes together in a flash, as long as you have all the ingredients set up and ready to go.

This dish would be great for a get together or just for a warm summer night.

Although, it sure warmed us up last night after a rainy day in Southern California.

*If you desire a less spicy stir-fry, remember to remove the veins and seeds from the red chili.

HASH BROWNS AND SALAD

Today I Made:

HASH BROWNS AND SALAD WITH ASIAN MIRACLE DRESSING for DINNER.

Interesting combination... breakfast and lunch?

Brunch?

HASH BROWNS and ASIAN MIRACLE recipes both from Vegan Lunch Box.

I make these hash browns at least once a week.

Husband can't get enough of them.

Neither can I.