Shelley's Holiday Ribbon Salad

I'm posting this recipe because my hubby LOVED it. He didn't even eat it with salad dressing. I couldn't find radishes and I only had a few pomegranate seeds so I added craisins as well. I ate it with the dressing and really enjoy it too. This recipe is also in the greensmoothiegirl's book.

2 cups each, kale and collards, cut in fine ribbons
2 cups cabbage, shredded or finely chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 cup radishes, finely chopped
2 apples, shredded
1 large mango, finely
3/4 of a pomegranate
2 avocadoes, chopped

Mix all well, and serve with any tangy dressing.

Optional dressing:

Dill Lemon-Honey Dressing

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp. honey
2 garlic
1 Tbsp. dry dill (or 1/4 cup fresh)
1/4 tsp. sea salt

Blend all ingredients in mixer. Excellent on whole-wheat veggie wraps or Shelley's Holiday Ribbon Salad.

Chipotle Black Bean Soup

I love this soup! It's from the greensmoothiegirl. www.greensmoothiegirl.com. I highly recommend downloading her book. I love her recipes. Here's a taste of what's in there.

2 cups dry black beans
2 Tbsp. coconut oil
2 small onion
2 carrots
2 medium green bell pepper
2 cloves
1 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
3 dried chipotle chilies
2 tsp. hot chipotle sauce (I didn't use this)
8 cups water
2 bay leaves
1/2 cup barley (hulled is you can find it)
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 tsp. sea salt
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

Soak black beans overnight, drain and rinse well. Heat coconut oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, peppers, carrots, and garlic; saute for 1 minute. Reduce heat and add oregano, cumin, chilies and sauce; saute for 1 minute. Add water, bay leaves, beans, and barley. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until beans are tender. Stir in cocoa powder, cinnamon, orange juice, cilantro, vinegar, and salt; simmer 5 minutes uncovered. Remove dried dried chipotle peppers before serving (either throw them away, or puree them with a bit of soup and add them back in.) I removed the chilies because it was spicey enough for me.

Serve optionally with corn bread or whole-wheat biscuits.

Honey Bun Popcorn

One of my friends here in Japan gave me this recipe. It is sooooo good! I love caramel popcorn so this slightly healthier version is great. I made it even healthier by substituting pure maple syrup for the honey. I also did not put any sugar in the honey/maple syrup and reduce the oil and the sugar in the popcorn to just a sprinkling. I also added only a tsp. of butter. It was great and the maple syrup works really well.  I also reduced the cinnamon and you can add some vanilla. Enjoy!

 
Honey Bun Popcorn
 
1/4 c. Honey
2 tsp cinnamon (I don't usually add this much, lately I've just left it out)
1 T butter
1/2 c. sugar: divided
1/4 c. unpopped popcorn (I add more)
1/4 c. oil (I think I use less)
 
 
Combine honey, cinnamon, butter and 1/4 c. sugar in saucepan. Bring to boil over med heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and set aside. Pop popcorn in hot oil and remaining sugar in large pan with lid. (pop it over the stove.) (Our stir crazy popcorn poppers work better!)  Remove from heat when the popping stops. Quickly pour in honey mixture and shake to mix well. (I just stirred the honey mixture into the bowl of popcorn with a spoon) Pour into bowl and stir. Cool. Makes 2 quarts.

Spring Rolls and Stuffed Peppers

Spring Rolls (Baked)

I start with sauteed onion, celery, garlic in a broth or light oil.  Then I add veggies like carrots, edamame, broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms.  Lastly I add finely chopped cabbage and spinach, bean sprouts, and finely chopped water chestnuts.  Cook to taste, add salt (flavoring) to your liking.  Cool the stir fry (very important).  Wrap in lumpia wrappers (I stuff them pretty big) and bake on a cooking sheet. I added a spritz of fake butter to the top but I'm not sure if that matters.  The outside will be crunchy.  There are several dips you can make, find one your family likes. 

 

Fresh Spring Rolls (My Favorite)

 

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 rice vinegar

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce

2 teaspoons sweetener

2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic

1 ounce rice sticks

1 cup peeled, shredded carrot

1/4 cup packed fresh cilantro

3 tablespoons shredded fresh basil

1 cup shredded green leaf lettuce

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1/4 cup finely chopped scallions

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 cup seeded red bell pepper

16 medium shrimp or mushrooms

8 8-inch round rice-paper sheets

 

Mix first 6 ingredients together and set aside. This is the Soy-Ginger Dipping Sauce. Cook rice sticks to instructions about 3 minutes, drain under cold water, drain again. Combine rice sticks, carrots, cilantro, basil, lettuce, garlic, scallions, red pepper flakes, and bell peppers in a large bowl. Cut each shrimp in half lengthwsie or mushroom. Place one rice paper sheet in a shallow bowl or pain. Cover with 1" lukewarm water and let stand for 30 seconds or until soft.  Place the sheet on a flat work surgace.  Place 1/2 cup rice stick filling in the center of the sheet.  Place the roll on a plate and cover with a damp towel.  Repeat with the remaining rice-paper sheets, filling and shrimp.  Place the dipping sauce in a small bowl and serve with the rolls.

 

The Volumetrics Eating Plan by Barbara Roll, PH.D. pg. 82-83

 

Dipping Sauce Ideas:

Hoisin-Chili Sauce:
3/4 cup prepared hoisin sauce
1/4 cup minced onion
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons water
2 to 3 teaspoons Asian Red Chili Paste
2 tablespoons minced salted roasted peanuts

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine Hoisin sauce, onion, rice vinegar, and water; heat and stir approximately 3 minutes until mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in chili paste. Let sauce cool at least 30 minutes. Just before serving, stir in peanuts.

Curried Mayonnaise Sauce:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon water
2 teaspoon curry paste (or to taste)

In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, lime juice, water, and curry paste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Garlic-Lime Sauce:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup hot water
1 red serranto chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup fish sauce

In a medium bowl, combine sugar and hot water; stir to dissolve the sugar. Whisk in chile pepper, garlic, lime juice, and fish sauce. Serve at room temperature.

Strawberry Sauce:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon strawberry preserves
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, soy sauce, strawberry preserves, ginger, and red pepper. Serve at room temperature.

Spicy Peanut Sauce:
Bunch fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tablespoons sesame oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoons hot chili sauce
1 tablespoons rice vinegar

In a food processor or blender, place the cilantro leaves, peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, chili sauce, and rice vinegar. Process until smooth. Serve at room temperature.

Lemon Vinaigrette Sauce:
Juice of one lemon
Juice of one lime
Juice of one orange
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, minced

In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, rice vinegar, and ginger. Allow mixture to sit fifteen minutes; strain out the ginger and any citrus seeds. Add the shallots and slowly whisk in the olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.

 http://whatscookingamerica.net/Appetizers/SpringRolls.htm

 

Stuffed Peppers

Cut the very top of peppers and clean the inside.  Boil the peppers for 5 minutes.  Make a simple mixture for the inside- start with onions in a little oil/liquid (I used one whole onion), next add TVP (I used 1/2 bag), next add frozen corn (I used nearly 2 cups), next add brown rice (I used 2+ cups and could add more), and lastly add with 1/2 can tomato sauce and simmer for a few minutes.  Stuff the mixture inside the peppers and top with sauce to taste (also suggested is mozzerella cheese but I omitted and it was fine).  Bake until ready.  You don't need to bake them too long because everything is already hot.

Recipe for Family Fun

Here is something I did for family home evening tonight. I read about it in my book called The Potentially Sane Mother's Guide to Raising Young Children by Tamara A. Fackrell. The first section is about the family team. We read Matthew 12:25 and discussed being united as a family team and working together. The family teaching activity was called: Homemade Ice Cream Team. Here is the recipe (if it wasn't healthy for our bodies it was healthy for family unity!):

Ice Cream Ingredients:
1 quart whole milk
1 quart half and half (I only bought half the amount by accident, but it still worked)
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Other items:
Ice (tons!!!!)
Rock Salt (Lots!)
1 gallon-sized zipper bag
1 pint-sized zipper bag for every two people

Mix the ice cream ingredients together and pour the mixture back into the containers.
Have family members pair up or rotate bags (that's what we did).
One partner takes a large bag, and the other takes a small bag.
Fill the large bag half full of ice and sprinkle in plenty of rock salt (two adults handfuls, 3-4 small child handfuls).
Pour the milk mixture into the small bag until it's half full. Press all the air out of the small bag and place it inside the large one. Press all the air out of the large bag.
To make ice cream, the bag needs constant movement. Work in teams to keep it constantly moving until you reach your goal. The process takes about fifteen minutes--ten if you prefer a milkshake!
Add toppings to make your treat even more delicious.
Talk about how this activity involved teamwork. Sometimes the team members' hands got cold--sometimes teamwork can be uncomfortable--but it is nice to share the burden with another person. Explain that working together is sometimes hard, but sweet is the reward. Matthew 12:25.

This was a great activity even for my young family. I have never had all my kids attention at family home evening and not one of them left to do something else! They all wanted to help, and we did have cold hands afterwards. We also ran out of ice, so my hubby ran outside to get some!!! Thanks goodness it's winter time. The ice from outside worked like a charm. Hopefully you can all do this activity sometime. I'll never buy an ice cream maker now that I know all you need it are a couple of plastic bags!!!

Sour Chick-Peas

Here's one more Indian recipe that our friends made for us.

2 1/4 cups chick-peas, washed and drained
7 1/2 cups water
3 medium onions
2 1/2 teaspoons salt (yikes)
1 fresh, hot green chili, finely chopped
1 tablespoon peeled, very finely, grated ginger
4 tablespoons lemon juice
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons garam masala
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Soak the chick-peas in the water for 20 hours. Put the chick-peas and their soaking liquid into a large pot and bring to a boil. Cover, lower heat, and simmer gently for 1 1/2 hours or until the chick-peas are tender. Strain the chick-peas and save the cooking liquid.

Put 2 tablespoons of the copped onions, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the green chili, ginger, and lemon juice into a small cup. Mix well and set aside.

Put a little oil in a heavy, wide pot and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put tin the remaining copped onions. Stir and saute for about 8-10 minutes or until the onion bits develop reddish brown spots. Add the tomatoes. Continue to stir and saute for another 5-6 minutes, mashing the tomato pieces with the back of a slotted spoon. Put in the coriander, cumin, and turmeric. Stir and cook for about 30 seconds. Now put in the drained chick-peas and 1 3/4 cups of their cooking liquid, the remaining salt, garam masala, and cayenne. Stir to mix and bring to a simmer. Cover, turn heat to low, and cook very gently for 20 minutes. Stir a few times during this period. Add the mixture in the cup. Stir again to mix. Serve hot or lukewarm.

Mixed Vegetables in a Mustard and Cumin Sauce

This past Friday our neighbors had us over from some Indian food. It was really, really good so I'm posting the recipes before I forget and have to return his book!

1 lb. potatoes, boiled, cooled, and peeled
1 medium-sized cauliflower, broken into fairly chunky florets
8 cloves garlic
3 inch piece of ginger, peeled and coarsely chopped
4 tablespoons plus 2 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon black mustard seeds (If only I could find these here!!!)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/4 teaspoon kalonji (I have no idea what this is and our friend admitted to leaving it out)
1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/4-1 1/2 teaspoons salt (I would probably not use this much. It's a little to much for my piece of mind!)
2 cups finely chopped tomatoes
2 medium-sized carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch thick rounds
1/2 teaspoon garam masala (this is a spice blend)
2 cup peas, fresh, or frozen and defrosted


Cut the potatoes into thick "chips" about 1 1/2 inches long. Put a little oil in a wok or frying pan and saute until golden. Remove and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with cauliflower. Remove.

Put the ginger and garlic into the a food processor or blender with 4 tablespoons of water and blend until you have a smooth paste, pushing down with a rubber spatula when necessary.

Put a little oil in a pan and when hot add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. As soon as the mustard seeds begin to pop put in the kalonji and 2 seconds later the fennel seeds. Give one quick stir and add the paste from the blender. Stir and saute for 2 minutes. Put in the turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander, and cayenne. Stir once or twice and put in the salt and tomatoes. Stir and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the tomatoes are soft. Add 2 1/2 water and bring to a simmer. Cover, turn heat to low, and simmer for about 7 minutes. Put in the carrots, cover again, and simmer for 3 minutes. Now put in the garam masala, peas, potatoes, and cauliflower. Mix gently and bring to a simmer. Cover and continue to simmer on low heat for 6-7 minutes, stirring gently now and then.

Sweet Potato, coconut and shrimp soup

My friend has this soup on her blog. It was really really good. I didn't add the shrimp but I can imagine how yummy it would be with shrimp in it. Our soup was exciting because the sweet potatoes here are purple at the moment! My oldest thought it was the greatest idea to have purple soup!

smidge of olive oil
1 c. chopped onion
1 c. chopped red bell pepper
3/4 c. chopped celery
2 cloves minced garlic
4 c. peeled, cubed sweet potatoes
1 T grated ginger root
3/4 tsp cumin
3/4 tsp coriander
3/4 tsp curry
1/4 tsp cinnamon
2 cups chicken broth
1 can light coconut milk
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 T cilantro
3 T basil leaves, fresh, chopped
2 T peanut butter
1 T brown sugar
1 T lime juice
1 lb cooked medium shrimp, tails removed

In soup pot, cook onions, pepper, celery and garlic until soft. Stir in sweet potatoes, ginger root, and bottled spices. Cook for 30 seconds. Add broth, coconut milk, and pepper. Bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes, just until sweet potatoes are tender.
Transfer half the soup to a blender and puree until smooth. Return pureed soup to pot with remaining soup. Stir in cilantro, basil, peanut butter, brown sugar, and lime juice. Mix well. Add shrimp and heat for about 2 more minutes, just until shrimp is hot.

Brownie Fruit Pizza

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 cup sweetener (I've used maple syrup, date sugar, and pureed dates into the tofu)

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 12.3 oz. package Mori-Nu Lite Silken Tofu, firm or extra firm (I've used other types of tofu and it is fine)

1/2 cup fortified soy milk or rice milk

1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Preheat over to 350. Stir flour, sweetener (if dry), cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in a large mixing bowl.  Puree tofu in a food processor or blender until completely smooth, then blend in milk, vinegar, and vanilla. Add tofu mixture to dry ingredients and stir just enough to mix. Spread batter on a cookie sheet. Bake for about 10-15 minutes. Cool. I spread a macadamia nut cream on the brownie. (Macadamia nut cream: 2/3 cup dates, 1 1/3 cup macadamias, 1 cup soymilk) You could try spreading a low sugar jam on it as well or whatever you want. Then add fruit of choice. I added apple, banana, pineapple, kiwi, mandarin, oranges and a little coconut on mine.

Crispy Caribbean Veggie Wraps

These are so good. My youngest daughter kept eating these and wouldn't stop! Be sure to double the recipe. You'll be glad you did.

 

1 medium sweet potato

1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained (I actually added the whole can of beans)

1/4 cup red onion

2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 teaspoon each ground cumin and chopped jalapeno

1 garlic clove

1/4 cup water

22 wonton wrappers (I couldn't find them so I used lumpia wrappers cut into fourths)

1 1/2 cups salsa

 

Bake or microwave the sweet potato until tender. Cool. Slit potato and scoop pulp into a small bowl.  Mash pulp; stir in the next eight ingredients. Lightly brush water over all four edges of one wonton wrapper.  (Keep wrappers covered with a damp paper towel until ready to use.) Spread 1 tablespoon filling along one edge of the wrapper; roll up tightly.  Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling.  Place on a baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray. Lightly spray wraps with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until golden brown.  Serve with salsa.

Veggie Turkey Roast

8 oz. cashew nuts, raw, whole and ground

4 oz. whole wheat bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten (optional)

1 onion, small and finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

3 parsnips, medium-sized, coarsely chopped (or any other white root vegetable, parsnips, potatoes etc.)

1 teaspoon rosemary, fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried

1 teaspoon thyme, fresh, or 1/2 teaspoon dried

pinch of sage (I put in  more)

1 teaspoon miso (Asian food section)

1/2 cup water, hot

3 tablespoons olive oil

8 oz. mushrooms, chopped

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ground cashews with breadcrumbs. If using egg, add to dry ingredients. Steam parsnips until soft and then mash. Add parsnips and herbs to nut mixture. Water saute onion, garlic and mushrooms and then add to the nut mixture. Dissolve miso in 1/2 cup hot water, then add to mixture and mix thoroughly. Grease baking tray with olive oil and shape mixture to look like a turkey or place in a loaf pan, or shape like a loaf on a baking tray. Bake for 1 hour covered, last 15 minutes uncovered. Check earlier as sometimes it is done before an hour.