Sunday, February 27, 2011

Broccoli Casserole

Since the discovery of my cow milk allergy, I have not been able to make Broccoli Casserole well. This is one of our favorite winter dishes so this has been a real problem. I couldn't figure out how to make the non-dairy equivalent of Cream of Mushroom Soup that was the right consistency. After 2 winters and mountains of beautiful Abundant Harvest Organics Broccoli I have finally figured it out. The finished product tastes just as wonderful as the original. So here it is. Bon Appetit!

Broccoli Casserole

4 Heads Organic Broccoli
EVOO (I never measure it)
3 Tbsp. Earth Balance Butter  
2 Organic Shallots
2-5 Cloves Organic Garlic
8 oz Baby Bella Mushrooms
1 pkg. Organic Mori-Nu Firm Tofu
1 pkg. Simply Organic Mushroom Sauce mix
1/2 cup Vegan Sour Cream 
2 -3 Tbsp. Organic Non-Dairy Milk (unsweetened)
1/2 Cup Pecorino Romano Cheese (Sheep’s milk)
1 Cup Goat’s Milk Cheddar Cheese
2 Cups cooked, chopped Organic Chicken (Optional)
2 Cups GF/DF Breadcrumbs
Paprika, Bragg Sprinkle, Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste (I never measure spices either)

Preheat oven to 350.

Wash and chop broccoli. Blanch and Drain.
Mince garlic and shallots. Coarsely chop mushrooms. 

Saute’ garlic in olive oil and 1 tbsp. butter for 1-2 minutes. Add shallots and cook till translucent. Add mushrooms and saute till lightly browned.

Blend tofu, sour cream, milk and mushroom sauce mix in food processor. Season if desired. Add mushrooms and pulse a couple times. (This mixture replaces Cream of Mushroom Soup in a traditional recipe.) Transfer to a saucepan or skillet, add cheeses and heat through until cheese is melted. 

Melt remaining Butter in a sauce pan. Stir in bread crumbs till coated.

In a large bowl mix broccoli, tofu/mushroom/cheese mixture, and chicken. Season with Paprika, Bragg Sprinkle, Sea Salt and Black Pepper. Pour into a 13x9 baking dish. Top with bread crumbs and, if you are like me, a little extra sprinkle of Pecorino Romano on top. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until browned on top and bubbling.

This is seriously fabulous. Even my 4 and 6 year old love it, which is a HUGE deal since they have hardly eaten any vegetables in the last two years. This recipe was the turning point for them and it makes this mama very proud.

Pancake Day

Every Sunday, for the past 3 years, has been Pancake Day at our house. It started off with pancakes made with freshly ground Organic Hard Red Winter Wheat. Then one Christmas morning I made my Grandma's Pumpkin Puff Pancakes which became a family favorite. My oldest son requested them for his birthday breakfast 6 months in advance. Then my little man was diagnosed with a wheat allergy. I tried about half the Gluten Free Pancake mixes out there and they all had what I call the "Gluten Free funk". I have yet to figure out what it is that gives them that weird "funky" after taste, but it is not good. I gave up on GF pancakes and started serving my youngest GF frozen waffles while we all ate pancakes. He didn't seem to mind but I always felt bad for him being left out. Last month, in a last ditch effort at making GF pancakes, I ordered the Gluten Free Mama's Pancake/Waffle Mix from Azure Standard. I'm so happy that I did! The mix is fabulous, no funk at all. I've used the mix for the last 3 weeks and everyone has loved them. Today I added 1/2 cup of Organic Pumpkin, 1 tsp. Cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. ginger, and 1 tsp Organic Vanilla Extract to the recipe on the back of the package and once again our Pumpkin Pancakes are back.  Thank you Gluten Free Mama for making our Pancake Day enjoyable again.

http://www.glutenfreemama.com/



Saturday, February 26, 2011

Quinoa, Beet Greens and Goat Cheese Frittata with Roasted Carrots

Tonight's dinner I just threw together with what I had and it ended up pretty fantastic. 


Quinoa, Beet Greens and Goat Cheese Frittata with Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Frittata

11 organic, free range eggs
1/4 cup organic rice milk
2 tbsp. mayonnaise 
2 tbsp. evoo
3 cloves of organic garlic, minced
1 organic onion, chopped
Organic beet greens from 6 med.-lrg. beets, chopped
4 cups cooked organic quinoa
2/3 11oz log of Silver Goat Chevre, Garlic and Herb, crumbled or in small cubes
1/2 tbsp. Bragg Sprinkle
1/2 tbsp. Parsley
Sea Salt and Pepper to taste


Beat eggs, milk and mayo with a wire whisk until well blended and frothy on top. Set aside.

Using a large skillet, saute' garlic and onions in oil till the onions are translucent. Add beet greens and saute' till wilted. Stir in quinoa, half of the goat cheese, Bragg and S&P. When cheese is melted pour in the egg mixture and swirl the pan a few times to coat evenly. Cook on med. heat for 10-15 minutes or until the eggs are mostly firm. Mine were still runny on top. Sprinkle with remaining goat cheese and parsley. Bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes until eggs are cooked through and lightly browned on top. You can also broil it for about half the time.


Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Carrots
Parsnips
Bragg Sprinkle
Sea Salt and Pepper

Use desired amount and cut to desired size. Place in a shallow baking dish. Generously coat with evoo. Sprinkle with desired amount of Bragg and S&P.

Bake at 425 degrees for 20-45 minutes depending on the size.

The picture isn't great and the parsnips resemble fingers but it was really very tasty.

Coconut Oil Popcorn

One of my oldest sons favorite foods is popcorn. Since we are "moo-free" store bought, pre-packaged buttered popcorn is no longer an option. Lately we have been getting organic popcorn, still on the cob, from our CSA, Abundant Harvest Organics (http://www.abundantharvestorganics.com/index.html).  Usually my husband pops it (because I tend to burn it) in a brown paper bag, pours it into a large bowl coated with EVOO and then tosses it with a little sea salt. Although it is fantastic that way, we changed it up this week by using Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. It's the best popcorn we have ever had. Here's the recipe.


Coconut Oil Popcorn
Dairy Free/ Gluten Free

1 Ear of Organic Popcorn or 1/4-1/3 cup Organic Popcorn Kernels
1-2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Sea Salt

Remove corn from the cob, pop popcorn, transfer to a bowl, mix with coconut oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. So simple, yet so amazing! Enjoy.