Buffalo Ranch Roasted Chickpeas

Howdy!

Sorry (again) for my absence lately… as you know, things are a little crazy around here! Our 1-year old is now walking and our 3-year old has more energy than ever. My hubby had sinus surgery last week and is slowly recovering. I haven’t had a ton of time to cook anything new lately so I’ve been rotating old favorites. I’ve been making a lot of Italian’ish Lentil Tomato Soup because it’s easy and the kids enjoy it. I’ve also been experimenting with bean/lentil/rice burgers since they’re really easy to reheat in a hurry.

I’ve been so busy that I keep forgetting to eat and I find myself starving at night after the kids go to bed. Since that’s my only time to get things done I look for things I can eat in a hurry. I had a craving for something buffalo’ish (minus the chicken wing part) so I made up these roasted chickpea snacks the other night. They turned out REALLY GOOD!!! Our toddler enjoyed them too even though they do have  a little kick to them!

Buffalo Ranch Roasted Chickpeas

Buffalo Ranch Roasted Chickpeas

Ingredients:

* 2 cups of cooked chickpeas (OR you could use 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed – maybe dry them off a bit first)

* 2-3 Tbsp Frank’s Hot Sauce (more if you prefer – I sort of eyed this amount so you could use less or more depending on how coated you want them to be)

 * 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

* 1/2 tsp garlic powder

* 1/2 tsp dried dill

* 1/2 tsp onion powder

* 1/4 tsp black pepper

* 1-2 Tbsp dried parsley (I like a lot of parsley but see what you prefer)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Combine chickpeas with hot sauce and coat evenly. Add in the nutritional yeast and spices, combine well. 

3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out the chickpeas evenly, patting them down. 

4. Roast 40-50 minutes or until slightly browned. Shake pan or stir every 15 minutes throughout the baking process! 

5. Enjoy!

Combine chickpeas and buffalo sauce, stir to coat. Then add in spices and nutritional yeast, stir to combine well.

Spread onto baking sheet and bake for 40-50 minutes

Roast until browned

Enjoy!!!

Real-Deal Nacho Cheeze

I haven’t made this in awhile… not because it’s not THE BEST NACHO CHEEZE EVER but because making this leads to a large consumption of chips and other snacks type things we don’t really eat too often. Yes, I know people need to splurge every now and when we do it’s for this sauce and these nachos! I usually double this recipe and mix it in my VitaMix. I use my TVP Meat with Hidden Greens recipe for the “meat” part of our nachos… my family loves this for nachos, burritos, tacos and anything with a Mexican flair!

For a really good bean dip, add a single batch of this nacho cheese to this bean dip recipe and stir to combine. Serve in a small crockpot to keep warm – good with chips of any kind!

1 can refried beans
1/2 cup vegan sour cream
small can chopped green chiles 
1 packet taco seasoning – or a batch of the homemade taco seasoning 
1 green onion, chopped (optional)

P.S. I made this for my Grandpa and Uncle, SERIOUS MEAT EATERS from Colorado… they had no idea it was dairy-free!! They were confused when I told them… “what do you mean it’s cheese without cheese??” 😉

Real-Deal Nacho Cheeze

Real-Deal Nacho Cheeze

  • 1/4 cup raw cashews 
  • 1 1/2 cups cold water
  • 2 ounces pimientos (half of a 4 oz. jar)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chilies (optional but SO GOOD!)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Soak cashews in hot water while combining the remaining ingredients (except chiles) in a blender. If you don’t have a high powered blender, soak cashews for an hour or two in hot water first.

2. Add cashews to blender and process on high for 1-2 minutes.

3. Cook in a sauce pan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick. Add chiles and serve or use in other recipes that call for cheese sauce.

Blend ingredients except for cashews

Add cashews and blend for 1-2 minutes

Done blending

Heat and stir until thickened

Add green chiles (if using)

Ready to serve! Tell me that doesn't look like the real thing!?!

YUMMY NACHOS!!!

* Another good vegan cheese recipe for ya!


Beer-Simmered Seitan Carnitas

When I served this for dinner a few nights ago, my husband immediately said “this is a keeper!” after his first bite and my daughter ate her portion without throwing it. Success!!

Beer-Simmered Seitan Carnitas on a wheat tortilla with spinach, grape tomatoes, Follow Your Heart Nacho Cheese (shredded) homemade guacamole and Habanero Sauce on top!

This is a Happy Herbivore recipe, she has easy, great tasting recipes for everyone!

INGREDIENTS:

* 3/4 cup vital wheat gluten

* 1/4 cup chickpea flour

* 3 tbsp nutritional yeast

* 2 tsp onion powder

* 1 tsp garlic powder

* 3/4 cup water

* 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

* 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

* 1/2 tsp vegemite

* 1/4 tsp garlic powder

* 1/4 tsp onion powder

* 12 ounces beer – I used Newcastle Ale

* 1/2 tsp vegemite


INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk vital wheat gluten, chickpea flour, 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 2 tsp onion powder and 1 tsp garlic powder together in a bowl and set aside. Combine warm water (hot from the tap) with soy sauce, 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1/2 tsp vegemite (or marmite or vegan Worcestershire sauce), 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp onion powder together. Pour liquid into flour mixture and stir to form a dough. If it’s too dry, add another tbsp or two of warm water but becareful not to make it too wet or soggy. You want it to be firm, but pliable and moist. Knead 5-10 times then place into a large pot.

2. Pour beer over top (mine was room temp), cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add 1/2 tsp more vegemite, reduce to low and simmer until most of the liquid has absorbed, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. About 1/4 cup cooking liquid should line the bottom of the pot .

3. Use a butter knife (not a sharp knife) to shred thin slices off of the seitan. If the seitan is too wet or juicy for you, place slices on a cookie sheet and bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes on each side. Ne careful not to over bake the seitan — you want it slightly firmer but not dried out and hard.

4. For “carnitas” slap seitan into whole wheat tortillas with lettuce and tomatoes, and spoon residual cooking liquid over the filling.

Whisk vital wheat gluten, chickpea flour, 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 2 tsp onion powder and 1 tsp garlic powder together in a bowl and set aside

Combine warm water (hot from the tap) with soy sauce, 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1/2 tsp vegemite (or marmite or vegan Worcestershire sauce), 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp onion powder together

Pour liquid into flour mixture and stir to form a dough

Knead dough 5-10 times

Place in pan, pour beer over it, bring to boil, add 1/2 tsp more vegemite, boil 45 or until done

Done

Slice with butter knife

Ready to assemble carnitas!

Spinach, grape tomatoes, Follow Your Heart Vegan Nacho Cheese (shredded), homemade guacamole and Habanero Sauce on top!

YUMMY!!!

In case you don't know what Vegemite looks like...

Lick-The-Bowl Cheezy Cabbage Potato Soup

This is the ultimate comfort soup! It’s SO GOOD you’ll want to lick the bowl when you’re done! The cabbage and mushrooms are such nice additions too.

Cheezy Cabbage Potato Soup

This recipe is from Melomeals: Vegan For $3.33 A Day (FAV!) I added sliced baby portobello mushrooms because I had them and they were a nice addition! The ingredient list is long but this is actually a really easy soup to make so don’t be intimidated!!

Cooking spray (optional, you can water saute if you’re oil-free)

1 onion (around 1 cup, diced)

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried dill

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp caraway seeds

5 cloves garlic

pinch salt

6 cups shredded green cabbage (around 1/2 a medium head) – (I used the fresh organic cabbage from my CSA box, YUMMY!!!)

1 (8oz) pack of sliced baby portobello mushrooms (white mushrooms would be okay too)

2 cups diced potatoes (around 2 medium) – (Used the organic potatoes from my CSA, so good!)

1-2 canned chipotle pepper in adobo (use 1 if you don’t like heat in your soup) – I use 2

6 cups water

1.5 bouillon cubes – I use no salt added veggie broth cubes

black pepper to taste

Method:
1. In a large, heavy bottomed soup pan over medium heat spray with cooking spray add the onions, garlic and spices. Cook for several minutes, or until the onion is translucent.

2. Now, add the cabbage, mushrooms, potatoes and chipotle pepper(s) and coat with the spice/onion mixture for several more minutes. This part is tricky because the veggies haven’t cooked down yet so use two spoons to mix.

3. Add the water and bouillon and bring to a boil, uncovered. Simmer for several minutes, then turn the heat down to low and cover and allow the potatoes and cabbage to cook.

4. Meanwhile, prepare the ‘cheese/cream mixture’

Cheesy Cream:

1/2 block lite tofu – I used half a box of Organic Mori -Nu Firm Silken Tofu

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1.5 Tbsp tahini

2 tsp dijon mustard

2 small cloves garlic – I used about 1 Tbsp minced garlic

1 tsp yellow mustard (prepared)

2 Tbsp umeboshi vinegar (or 1 T soy sauce and 1 T lemon juice)

1 Tbsp lemon juice

Directions:

1. Process all of the above in a food processor until totally smooth.

2. When the soup is done take it off the heat (this is VERY important or the mixture will curdle) and stir the cream mixture into the pot.

3. Let it sit, covered for 5 minutes and taste for salt/pepper.

4. If you’d like, add around 3 cups of the soup to the food processor and puree for a creamier soup (and to get all of the cheesy sauce out!). Add the pureed soup back into the pot – THIS IS WHAT I DID

This makes around 8 cups of soup… trust me you will LOVE the leftovers! This soup gets better the longer it sits in the fridge too!

Saute onion, garlic and spices. Add in cabbage, potato, mushrooms and chipotle

Add water and bouillon

Make Cheezy Cream in food processor (only takes a minute!)

I added 2+ cups of soup into the food processor with cheeze, blended then poured back into main soup

Poured back in

Yummy!

Kool Ranch Kale Chips

WOW these are good! I’ve made a ton of kale chips in the past but these are my new favorite!! I used my dehydrator to make these but you can use a regular cookie sheet lined with parchment paper if you don’t have one.

Kool Ranch Kale Chips

Kool Ranch Kale Chips

1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 1 hour to soften

-1 bunch of kale – I used lacinato/dinosaur kale but it would be good with any kind

-1/8 – 1/4 cup water

-1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

-1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

-1 tsp dried parsley

-1/4 tsp garlic powder

-1/4 tsp dried dill

– 1/4 tsp onion powder

– 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

-1/4 tsp sea salt

-1/4 red onion, chopped 

-paprika and extra sea salt for pre-dehydration sprinkling

1.) Blend (great in a VitaMix!) the cashews, water and seasonings in a blender until smooth. Place mixture in the bottom of a large mixing bowl and add the chopped onions.

2.) Wash the kale and remove the stems. Tear off chip-sized pieces of the kale and add to the bowl. Using your hands, massage the mixture onto the kale bites so that each piece is well coated.

3.) Transfer the kale to your dehydrator or parchment lined baking sheet and sprinkle with paprika and additional sea salt.

4.) Dehydrate for 5-8 hours at 115 degrees – my dehydrator took about 5 hours

** If you use the oven method,  spread kale chips on a cookie sheet and bake in the oven until crisp, on the lowest setting with the door slightly ajar.

Blend cashews, seasoning and water

Add to bowl with onions

Wash kale, remove stems, tear into chip pieces and add to bowl

Massage mixture into each piece and transfer to baking sheet or dehydrator, top with salt & paprika

Dehydrate for 5-8 hours at 115 degrees

Yummy!

Bet you can't eat just one!

Original recipe from The Kurious Kale website.

Easy Seitan (the other “wheat meat”)

What is Seitan, you ask? It’s made from wheat but has little in common with flour or bread. Some call it “wheat meat”, “wheat gluten” or simply “gluten”. Seitan is surprisingly similar to the look and texture of meat when cooked, making it a popular meat substitute. Seitan is also high in protein, making it a great choice for those who do not eat meat yet want something to put Finger Lickin’ Good BBQ Sauce on! I make Seitan into “chicken” wings and nuggets, ribz, pulled pork-type sandwiches, meatloaf and a few other things. It can be boiled or steamed – this recipe is boiled, it’s the easiest one I’ve found and takes the least amount of time.

This recipe is from Post Punk Kitchen, one of my all-time favs! I serve this right out of the pot with Finger Lickin’ Good BBQ Sauce or I slice it and mix it with the same sauce for sandwiches. I know it may not look like what you’re used to but it’s really good!

* Homemade Seitan

1 cup vital wheat gluten flour
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
1/2 cup cold vegetable broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, pressed or grated on a microplane grater

For the simmering broth: 
4 cups vegetable broth
4 cups water
1/4 cup soy sauce

Fill a stock pot with the water, broth and soy sauce, cover and bring to a boil.

In the mean time, in a large bowl mix together gluten and yeast.  In a smaller bowl mix together broth, soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Pour the wet into the dry and combine with a wooden spoon until most of the moisture has absorbed and partially clumped up with the dry ingredients. Use your hands and knead for about 3 minutes, until it’s an elastic dough. Divide into 3 equal pieces with a knife and then knead those pieces in your hand just to stretch them out a bit. Let rest until the broth has come to a full boil.

Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer. Add the gluten pieces and partially cover pot so that steam can escape. Let simmer for 45 minutes, turning occasionally. Turn the heat off and take the lid off, let sit for 15 minutes.

Remove from broth and place in a strainer until it is cool enough to handle. Slice and use as desired.