Happy 2011! What's Cooking in January ?

[kismetbaby]

Thought I'd better just get this party started and make the Jan thread! I'm ready for some new fun ideas for 2011. . .let's get cooking!  

Please post here with what you are up to in the kitchen: recipes, ideas, what's working, what isn't, ingredients you are loving, etc

So we were felled by stomach flu around New Years and ever since then my cooking (and eating) mojo has been MIA.  But I am hoping the inspiration will hit again soon.  

There are two meals I have been wanting to try, so tonight will be VeganDad's Seitan fajitas http://vegandad.blogspot.com/2007/11/seitan-fajitas.html

and tomorrow night we'll have pumpkin curry (thanks catnip!) http://catnip13.blogspot.com/2010/11/pumpkin-curry.html

Edited by kismetbaby - 1/4/11 at 12:25pm

[abbylotus]

I made a garbanzo bean and veggie casserole tonight for dinner, big spinach salad, with homemade chocolate soy pudding. A crowd pleaser! And I still hae enough to eat for leftovers tomorrow. WAHOO!!!

[jldumm]

tonight was black bean and acorn squash empanadas from veganomicon.... Lots of work and the kids drove me crazy because they wanted to eat all my dough and mess up my shapes.

They were OK... i took out the jalapeno's for the kids and i could have used the spice, maybe need to up the other spices.

We also made pretzels, and they worked! yeah. Yum. second attempt and tried this recipe. I also put the dough in the bread machine, which i think is the key with a 3 1/2 year old and 1 1/2 year old super helper.  Our shapes were odd, but yummy.

http://www.cookingwithmykid.com/giveaway/countdown-to-2011-sweet-2011-pretzels/print/

This ladies website is off the hook.

Tomorrow is hot and sour soup from moosewood low fat faves or something

friday is pizza, Dh thinks every friday should have pizza.  After today it may be tortilla pizza, cause i am doughed out.

[SandyBeachBums]

Last night we had falafel. I just use the dry mix stuff. Tabouli salad, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, garlic sauce, and pita. We are all very garlicky this morning. We had brownies with frosting since it was our second child's birthday. He gets a cake this weekend, too.

Tonight I think might be canned soup, grilled cheese, and black bean burgers.

[abbylotus]

I am going to give vegan mac and cheese a whirl with some steamed cauliflower. I have never made veg mac and cheese before so I will have the regular stuff on hand for the omnis in my family in case the veg mac and cheese is an epic fail.

[kismetbaby]

abbylotus--I've never been "brave" enough to try vegan mac n cheese. . .I don't usually like vegan "cheese", so I tend to shy away from recipes that feature it.  Let me know how it was though!

Sandybeachbums--Mmmmm falafel, wish I had the time to make some. I have a from-scratch recipe that I love, but it just isn't practical with a 15mo!  Happy 2nd bday to your LO.

I have not had good cooking luck/inspiration this week. Sigh.  I was not in love with the seitan fajitas from vegandad.  I can make fajitas without a recipe, but I thought I'd try his. . .but nope.  I didn't like his spice combo and it turned out too salty. . .but maybe that's b/c I used store bought seitan?  And I haven't been able to make the pumpkin curry yet (which I am really wanting to try) b/c I am out of some ingredients, but haven't had time to get to Whole Foods this week. 

Tonight though, I am making stuffed cabbage rolls.  Now I just need to hunt a down recipe and veganize it. 

[kangamitroo]

happy new year, mamas!  here's to a year of good eating.  for me, less kitchen laziness and more trying new things.

garlicky collard greens, roasted sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas, and rice tonight.

i'd love to make cornbread, too....but i am not happy with the flavor of soymilk in baked goods.  i have to figure out a new way.

[clovergirl]

Originally Posted by kangamitroo 

i'd love to make cornbread, too....but i am not happy with the flavor of soymilk in baked goods.  i have to figure out a new way.

Just wanted to pop in and say that I recently made dairy free cornbread using the So Delious coconut milk and it came out amazing.  No "off" flavor at all.  We use it for just about everything these days.  It's really very good.

[FitMOmmyOf2]

Hi everyone!

I haven't been on Mothering in quite a long time and am very surprised about the new look and options! I'll have to get used to it! *lol*

Anyway, I need to get back to planning weekly meals and would like to join this thread for inspiration!

Tonight we'll have Taco soup, nothing special but very yummy!

[kismetbaby]

FitMommyof2--welcome back!  It took me a couple weeks to get used to the new MDC, but now I love it.  I'd love your recipe for Taco soup of you have a link or time to type it out! That sounds yum.

Kangamitroo--I have to second the vote for SoDelicious coconut milk.  Its really good and not very coconuty tasting (unlike the canned version of coconut milk). Its really good in baking, although personally, I have never found soy milk to have a strong flavor in baking. 

Yesterday I made baked kale chips for the first time and they were so awesome!  I'm always looking for ways to eat more greens.  You just wash, dry and tear up the kale. Then toss with some olive oil and salt. And put on a baking sheet in a 300 degree oven, for about 20min stirring the tray every 5min or so till they are all dry.  They really taste great!  I've also been experimenting with my bday gift of a Vitamix, been making some good smoothies and hiding spinach in there along with berries and coconut milk kefir and banana.

I think tonight I'll be making one of my favs, pasta with lentils, arugula and caramelized onions.

I need to make a meal plan for next week though. I feel like things go so much more smoothly during the week when I have a plan and I don't end up rummaging desperately in the fridge at 5pm.

[jldumm]

i know this wan'st addressed to me, but had to share. My Dh declared this one of his favorite meals ever... it is tortilla soup not taco soup but i imagine the concept is the same.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/vegetarian-tortilla-soup/Detail.aspx

This week.  I totally sent this pregnant lady to the grocery store hungry last night.  Didn't do too bad, just more veggies than i had planned. i have a hard time not indulging myself with what i "want" when pregnant.  Maybe to make up for the first months when nothing sounds good.

Eggplant and mushroom enchiladas

roasted beets & purple potatoes, kale chips

Quinoa stirfry (veganomicon)

veg chili and cornbread and broccoli

chile cheese fries

spinach lasagna and salad

[FitMOmmyOf2]

Originally Posted by kismetbaby 

FitMommyof2--welcome back!  It took me a couple weeks to get used to the new MDC, but now I love it.  I'd love your recipe for Taco soup of you have a link or time to type it out! That sounds yum.

I need to make a meal plan for next week though. I feel like things go so much more smoothly during the week when I have a plan and I don't end up rummaging desperately in the fridge at 5pm.

Thank you! :) Yes, I'm sure after a while I'll get used to the new look. It just took me completely offguard! LOL

I got the recipe from another (fitness) board; there were 2 recipes posted and I kinda combined both, taking some ideas from one and the other

Taco Soup

3 can chili beans ( these are like the seasoned kidney beans not a can of chili with beans ).
1 - 8oz. can tomato sauce
2 cups water
1 can green chilies
1 envelope Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix ( dry )
1 lb frozen corn
 1 chopped onion

In a Pam sprayed pan, brown turkey & onion together.
Combine the rest of the ingredients and simmer 30 mins... super easy, filling and good!

 Taco Soup
2 cans chopped tomatoes
2 cans Rotel chopped tomatoes w/chilis (or one if you prefer it milder)
1 chopped onion
2 cans hominy (I sometimes used frozen corn, but I like hominy better)
4-6 cans of various beans: black, kidney, red, white, whatever
2 T. powdered Ranch dressing mix
2 T. taco seasoning
Water to desired consistency

Optional garnishes- Avocado, cilantro, grated cheese.

 

 I'm also currently trying to get back into the groove of planning my weekly meals! I've totally slacked the past months; mainly because my kids eat something else than us most of the time (especially DS is terribly picky.. *sigh*) but I do like to know what we'll have and I know DH loves coming home, knowing what's for dinner instead of having a clueless wife! LOL

Tonight I've made a potato soup with spinach dumplings; first time I've made the dumplings and they turned out nice! DH liked it and even DD asked if she could have it next time with us after trying a spoonful!

In case everyone wants the recipe, here it is: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Potato-Soup-with-Spinach-Dumplings/Detail.aspx

[FitMOmmyOf2]

Originally Posted by jldumm 

i know this wan'st addressed to me, but had to share. My Dh declared this one of his favorite meals ever... it is tortilla soup not taco soup but i imagine the concept is the same.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/vegetarian-tortilla-soup/Detail.aspx

This week.  I totally sent this pregnant lady to the grocery store hungry last night.  Didn't do too bad, just more veggies than i had planned. i have a hard time not indulging myself with what i "want" when pregnant.  Maybe to make up for the first months when nothing sounds good.

Eggplant and mushroom enchiladas

roasted beets & purple potatoes, kale chips

Quinoa stirfry (veganomicon)

veg chili and cornbread and broccoli

chile cheese fries

spinach lasagna and salad

Thanks for the link, I'll have to check out this recipe as well! I used to make a lot of chilis and bean salads but the taco soup had a special twist (for me) as I've used chili beans as well as tomatoes w/chilis for the first time and also never used ranch dressing mix before to spice a soup.

Would you mind sharing your recipe for the eggplant & mushroom enchiladas? They sound delish!!!
 

[kismetbaby]

Thanks for the recipes/links mamas!  I'm gonna have to try those this week.  I grew up eating a lot of beans and mexican-inspired food, but for some reason I never have had or made tortilla (or taco) soup.  And that potato soup sounds fantastic.  Supposed to be rainy here this week, so soups will be awesome.

Here is my loose plan for the week:

--leftovers

--Potato soup 

--stir fry with Gardein "beef", veg and brown rice

--Taco or tortilla soup

--pumpkin curry

I've been craving vegan chocolate cake, so if i get the chance I'll bake that this week.  I don't know if anyone has tried a similar recipe, but it's super easy and makes the most amazing moist, chocolatey cake.  http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Eggless-Chocolate-Cake

[maciascl]

I got some oyster mushrooms as a surprise from our produce coop and I had no idea what to do with them. I found this recipe for vegan clamless chowder and it was awesome!!

I am at such a loss as to what to make anymore. I am trying to cook more vegan since DH is having dairy & egg issues, the kids don't like anything but spagetti, and I am bored with the same stuff over and over again.

[FitMOmmyOf2]

Hi mamas,

sorry for being MIA the past 2 days! Yesterday we had simple spaghetti w/tomato sauce and white beans. Today it was grilled cheese and tomato soup.

I bought some zucchini today that I plan on baking in the oven (slice open, brush w/olive oil, sprinkle w/salt, pepper, garlic, done! Soo yummy!) and I have 4 bigger potatoes I need to use up... Still at a loss what to make with them... I need to start sitting down and literally planning each day again!!!

[catnip]

Last night was my awesome iron chef challenge: A gluten free vegan dinner for 12 with NO notice, and no time for a grocery run. (a chunk of our homeschool group adjourned here when it started raining at parkday, and a few of them stayed until after 11 pm). I had a crockpot going with a cup and a half of white beans in it, I used a bunch of kale and some extra water to pad that out into a really tasty soupy sauce, then made a giant pot of polenta to pad it out. Another friend brought the pot of pinto beans that she had cooking to add to the spread, and then I made a batch each of GF vegan brownies and chocolate chip cookies, and we geeked out and played boardgames and built RPG characters until the littlest ones were half asleep. SO FUN!

[kismetbaby]

FitMommyof2--you could always do a baked potato bar. . .you know, baked potatoes then all kinds of fixin's to go inside them.  Zucchini sounds good that way, I'll have to try it. I'm a big fan of over roasting veggies. . .practically any veg is good with some olive oil salt and oven roasting! We really like broccoli this way.

catnip--wow, that does sound like a challenge!

Haven't exactly stuck to my meal plan this week. Oh well. some weeks are just like that.  DH worked late last night, so DS and I were on our own for dinner. Usually when that happens I go rogue and make something that I prefer, but DH doesn't love. So I made a curry stew with chickpeas and kale last night.

I'll be making potato-leek soup tonight. Can't decide if I'll make a green salad to go with it or cornbread or both.

[jldumm]

Originally Posted by FitMOmmyOf2 

Originally Posted by jldumm 

i know this wan'st addressed to me, but had to share. My Dh declared this one of his favorite meals ever... it is tortilla soup not taco soup but i imagine the concept is the same.

http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/vegetarian-tortilla-soup/Detail.aspx

This week.  I totally sent this pregnant lady to the grocery store hungry last night.  Didn't do too bad, just more veggies than i had planned. i have a hard time not indulging myself with what i "want" when pregnant.  Maybe to make up for the first months when nothing sounds good.

Eggplant and mushroom enchiladas

roasted beets & purple potatoes, kale chips

Quinoa stirfry (veganomicon)

veg chili and cornbread and broccoli

chile cheese fries

spinach lasagna and salad

Thanks for the link, I'll have to check out this recipe as well! I used to make a lot of chilis and bean salads but the taco soup had a special twist (for me) as I've used chili beans as well as tomatoes w/chilis for the first time and also never used ranch dressing mix before to spice a soup.

Would you mind sharing your recipe for the eggplant & mushroom enchiladas? They sound delish!!!
 

That is funny. i knew someone would ask me that... but i don't really use a recipe.  i use this recipe type thing from my friend as a suggestion and plug in what ever veggies i have.  i always make one without the green chile for the kids, then add the green chile for me and DH.  I made one with zuke and sweet potato once that was really good.  ialso usually use can tom in winter and real tomato in summer, cause i can never use us a whole can of tomato paste. i also usually add in beans as a layer for extra...

This is from my friend-

Ah....recipes..heh heh...I'm TERRIBLE about being able to make the same thing twice, but since you did specify that you wanted a recipe "of sorts", and because I'm confident in your cooking ability, here it goes...

 

Make sauce: You'll need flour to thicken, some stock, salt/pepper, chili carribe powder (or chopped green chile if you prefer green), onions if you like them, chopped veggies.... Tomato paste for heat reducer--if you accidentally make them spicier than you planned :)

 

Make a roux; sautee the onion in some olive oil (+ butter if you'd like) to clear, add ~ a couple tablespoons flour, brown. Bring up to desired volume (~ a quart) with stock, and cook to thicken a bit. Add your chopped veggies, and chile (powder or chopped), salt/pepper. You'll add chile to taste. I think I probably told you you can make them spicier than they turn out once baked. If you go too far on the spicy, add tomato paste by tablespoon.

 

Assemble: You'll need grated cheese (I've never tried making it with bechamel...I may try it next time to make it less cheesy; more creamy)--1/2 to 1 lb, corn tortillas, more chopped onion if you like. Dip and coat generously in chile, corn tortilla, place in casserole dish (if dish is square, you'll do two tortillas this way for one layer, a large rectangle, four), next layer onion if you're doing more, then cheese. Continue layering chile coated tortilla, onion, cheese, finishing with cheese. If I have chile left at the end, I'll spatula it out on the casserole before the final cheese layer.

 

Bake at about 400 until top cheese is melty.

[FitMOmmyOf2]

Thanks for the idea, Kismetbaby!

I ended up making a creamy Shepherd's Pie yesterday and today we had healthy oven baked onion rings and a Kashi pizza w/tons of extra veggies on top.

Thanks for the 'rough' recipe, jldumm! Now I have a better idea! ;)

Are we the only ones who check in here this month?

Have a nice weekend!