Category Archives: Vegan
Sauteed Tofu with Hoisin Sauce
1 pack extra firm tofu, drained of excess liquid
¼ cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
3 garlic cloves, grated
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Salt
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 tablespoons peanut oil
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
¼ cup green onions, chopped
Place the drained tofu on a plate lined with several paper towels. Cover tofu with several more paper towels and top with a heavy pan or something heavy. Let sit for 30 minutes to drain excess liquid.
Mix the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, oil, 1 teaspoon salt and red pepper flakes in a large bowl and keep aside.
Cut tofu into bit sized squares and toss in the bowl with the sauce. Marinate for 30 minutes.
Heat a heavy pan with peanut oil. Once really hot, add tofu and sear on all sides- about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
Remove from heat and sprinkle sesame seeds and green onion. Serve with rice.
Roasted Cauliflower and Potatoes with Harissa
1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
4 to 5 medium to small potatoes, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
Oil to drizzle and cook with
Salt
Pepper
5 to 6 green onions, whites and greens separated and chopped
2 inch fresh ginger, grated
2 tablespoons harissa
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ cup chopped cilantro
Preheat broiler to high.
Transfer the cauliflower florets and cut up potatoes to a lined cookie sheet. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix to make sure all the veggies are coated well with oil. Place the veggies under a hot broiler and roast them for 5 to 10 minutes or till they are golden brown. Take them out and keep aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a heavy saucepan. Add the white parts of the green onions and ginger. Saute on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the harissa and saute for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the roasted veggies and mix well. Add 1 teaspoon salt and ground coriander, mix well, lower the heat and cover with lid. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes or till the potatoes are cooked through. Take the lid off, check for seasonings. Garnish with cilantro and the green parts of the green onion.
Brussels Sprouts and Pomegranate Seeds with Orange Tahini Dressing
I like to experiment different dishes before Thanksgiving- this one is a winner. Delicious roasted Brussels sprouts in an orange tahini dressing.
3 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half
Roast the Brussels sprouts with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt and pepper in a 400 degrees oven for 15 minutes, till golden brown. Set aside and let cool.
1 cup pomegranate seeds
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup fresh parsley, leaves picked and cleaned
Salt
Dressing
2 tablespoons tahini, room temperature
Juice of one large navel orange
Juice of one lime
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, grated
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl, check for seasonings and adjust if necessary.
Transfer the sprouts, pomegranate seeds, walnuts and parsley to a serving bowl. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of dressing, mix well and add more dressing if necessary or fix seasonings by adding salt and pepper. Serve room temperature.
Moroccan Inspired Cranberry Orange Sauce
2 cups organic cranberries
2 cups orange juice
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons harissa
2 navel oranges, supremed
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Transfer the washed cranberries into a medium saucepan. Add the orange juice, sugar, salt and harissa. Bring to a boil and lower heat to a simmer. Cook on a simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or till the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens. Check for seasoning and cool completely. Add the orange supremes and fresh parsley and serve.
Channa Dal with Curry Leaves
2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 green chili, chopped
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 cup channa dal, rinsed and soaked in water
2 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon garam masala
Juice of one lime
1 teaspoon ghee or oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
5 to 7 curry leaves
1 teaspoon garam masala
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Heat a medium pressure cooker with the oil. Add the onion, garlic and chili. Saute on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the tomato and sauté for 2 minutes on medium heat. Drain the dal and add to the sautéed onion. Add the water, salt, cayenne pepper and turmeric. Bring to a boil and cook under pressure for 20 minutes. Take the lid off once the pressure has subsided. Continue to cook on medium heat. Add the lime juice and check for seasonings.
In a small frying pan, add the ghee, cumin seeds and curry leaves. Cook on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes till the cumin seeds begin to sizzle. Transfer the cumin seeds and curry leaves to the cooking dal. Mix well and add the garam masala and fresh cilantro. Serve warm.
Gochujang Tofu Stir Fry
We love, love Korean cuisine- this one is a play on the Korean flavors…
4 tablespoons Gochujang
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons Mirin
1 teaspoon salt
Mix the ingredients in a small bowl and keep aside.
1 18 ounces firm tofu package, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 tablespoons corn starch
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup peanut oil
Transfer the tofu into a medium bowl, add the corn starch and salt. Mix well till all cubes are coated properly. Heat a frying pan with the peanut oil and brown the tofu on medium heat till all sides are golden brown. Drain on some paper towel and keep aside. Save the peanut oil for stir frying the veggies.
1 medium onion, sliced
2 cups Cremini or any mushroom of choice, slices
1 large red bell pepper, sliced
4 cups Chinese broccoli, or bok choy or spinach
3 green onions, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
Heat a wok like pan with 2 tablespoons of the saved peanut oil. Add the onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat. Add the mushrooms and sauté on high for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the red pepper and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat. Add the greens and let them wilt and add the browned tofu and the gochujang sauce. Mix well and bring to a boil. Check for seasonings. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with jasmine rice.
Sicilian Caponata
1 cup mix of black and green olives, pitted
1 tablespoon capers
2 garlic cloves, peeled
½ teaspoon dried oregano
Juice on half a lemon
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
½ cup fresh parsley
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Puree all the ingredients, except the olive oil, salt and pepper, in a food processor until a paste is formed.
With the motor still running, stream in the oil until a smooth consistency if formed. Season with salt and pepper and serve.