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Recipes from the April 2011 Newsletter

I have spent the last couple of weeks editing recipes from The McDougall Health-Supporting Cookbooks, Volume 1 & 2 for the App that will soon be available with over 1000 recipes organized in an easy to use format.  It has been a trip down memory lane for me; remembering old favorite recipes from 25 years ago, our life in Hawaii, cooking for young children, and cooking without some of the healthy convenience products that are available these days. I will be including some of our old favorites here in the newsletter over the next several months.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.

Summertime Chowder

We really enjoy this soup in the summer when fresh corn and tomatoes are in season.  Using the fresh corn and pulp gives this a delicious boost of flavor.

Servings: 6-8
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 45 minutes

1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
2 carrots, thinly sliced
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
4 ears corn on the cob
3 ½ cups water
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons basil
½ teaspoon white pepper
3 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 cups rice, soy or nut milk
Chopped parsley or alfalfa sprouts for garnish

In a large soup pot, sauté onion, garlic, celery, and carrot in ½ cup of the water for about 10 minutes. While this is cooking, remove corn from cob using a sharp knife. With the back of the knife, scrape cob to extract creamy pulp. Reserve corn and pulp. (Should be about 2 cups.) Add the remaining 3 cups water, potatoes, and seasonings to soup pot. Bring to a boil. Add corn and pulp. Mix in well, reduce heat, cover and cook about 15 minutes. Then add tomatoes to the soup pot. Cook an additional 10-15 minutes, then add 3 cups acceptable milk, heat through and serve at once. Garnish with chopped parsley or alfalfa sprouts, if desired.

HELPFUL HINTS: Tomatoes are added later in the cooking to prevent them from getting too mushy. Frozen corn could be used in place of fresh corn, if desired. Use about 2 cups. The white pepper makes this a very spicy soup. Reduce to ¼ teaspoon to make it less spicy.

Chinese Hot Salad

I used to make this often when we lived in Hawaii.  Every time we eat it now, it reminds me of the islands.

Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
3 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 stalks celery, thickly sliced
1 green pepper, cut into strips
2 cups bean sprouts
1 cup Chinese pea pods
½ cucumber, peeled and cut into strips
6 lettuce leaves, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice

In a wok or large pan, sauté onion, ginger, and garlic in 2 tablespoons water for 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and the celery, green peppers, pea pods, and bean sprouts. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for 6 minutes. Add the remaining soy sauce, the cucumber, and the lettuce. Continue to cook 3 minutes longer. Sprinkle with lemon juice. Mix well. Serve hot.

Mediterranean Mushrooms

I usually make this for an appetizer and keep it in the refrigerator for a refreshing snack during the day.

Servings: 6-8
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

2 pounds mushrooms
¾ cup water
1 large onion, sliced
1 leek, sliced
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 cup white wine (or apple juice)
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 tablespoon thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
freshly ground pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons arrowroot or cornstarch

Prepare mushrooms by cleaning and removing stems. Leave whole if they are small, otherwise cut in half. Set aside. In a large pot, sauté the onion, leek, carrots, celery, and garlic in ½ cup of the water for 10 minutes. Stir in wine, tomatoes, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and add prepared mushrooms. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix arrowroot or cornstarch with remaining ¼ cup water. Slowly add to mushroom mixture while stirring. Cook and stir until thickened. Serve over rice or other whole grains. Also goes well with pasta. This dish is also very good cold as an appetizer.

HELPFUL HINTS: Save the stems of the mushrooms and chop for your next batch of spaghetti sauce. Freeze until ready to use. Save some preparation time by preparing the mushrooms while the other vegetables are cooking.

Bryani

This is an Indian flavored rice dish.  It will serve 2 people as a main dish and it is especially good with some Sriracha hot sauce over the top.

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 60 minutes

1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 ½ teaspoons curry powder
¾ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cloves
2 ¾ cups water
2 carrots, thinly sliced
½ cauliflower, broken into florets
½ cup raisins
1 cup uncooked brown rice
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen
1 tomato, chopped

In a large pan, cook onions and garlic in ¼ cup of the water for 5 minutes. Add curry powder, cinnamon, and cloves, cook 2 minutes. Add the remaining water, carrots, cauliflower, raisins, and rice. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer about 40 minutes. Stir in peas and tomatoes. Cook an additional 15 minutes. Serve hot.

Curried Chapati Roll Ups

I served this at many dinner parties and potlucks when we lived in Hawaii and it was always a favorite. Garam masala spice mixture is sold in many Asian markets or specialty spice shops, such as Penzeys.

Servings: 10-12
Preparation Time: 60 minutes       
Cooking Time: 45 minutes (need cooked rice)

Sauce:
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 ½ teaspoons garam masala
1 cup water
1 (28 ounces) can tomatoes, pureed  
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce  
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Filling:
1 onion, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
½ pound mushrooms, sliced
2 cups chopped cauliflower
1 cup water
2 teaspoons garam masala
5 cups cooked rice

12 whole wheat chapatis (flour tortillas)
Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish

Prepare the sauce first. Place the onions, garlic and ginger in a saucepan with ¼ cup of the water. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add the turmeric and garam masala. Mix well and let cook for 10 minutes. Then add the tomatoes and remaining water, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes to blend flavors. Add soy sauce and lemon juice. Mix and remove from heat. While the sauce is cooking, prepare the filling. Place the onions in a large pot with ¼ cup water. Sauté for 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cauliflower and remaining water. Add the garam masala, mix well and allow to cook about 15 minutes until cauliflower is tender. Add the cooked rice, mix well and remove from heat.

To assemble rolls: on each chapati put a line of rice mixture down the center (about 2/3 cup or so) roll up chapati and place seam side down in large non-stick baking dish to which 1 cup of the sauce has been spooned over the bottom. Repeat until all chapatis and  the rice mixture are used. Spoon the remaining sauce over the chapati rolls. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley before serving, if desired.

HELPFUL HINTS: Whole wheat chapatis are the same as whole wheat flour tortillas.  There are several brands made without added oil, Ezekiel probably being the easiest to find.  Look for them in your natural food store; sometimes they are found in the frozen food area. This is a good dish to prepare ahead of time and then do the baking just before dinner. This freezes well, so you may want to fill 2 baking dishes, freezing one for later use before the final baking.

Potato Scramble

While many vegan scrambles use tofu (instead of eggs), this recipe uses potatoes, along with navy beans, mushrooms, tomatoes and collard greens. Since there is no oil in this dish, the potatoes are steamed then put under the broiler to make them a little crisp. Top with homemade, salt-free ketchup or lemon-tahini sauce (see recipes below).

5-6 medium Yukon Gold potatoes
¼ cup water (and as needed for sautéing)
1 bell pepper, diced
1 yellow or red onion, diced
6 white or cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
1 can low- or no-sodium navy beans
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
4 collard green leaves, sliced in thin strips
1 tablespoon minced fresh herbs, such as thyme or oregano (optional)

1. Cut potatoes into medium-size chunks and steam for 10 minutes until still firm but not hard. Turn oven broiler on to “hi.” When potatoes finish steaming, place them on a non-stick baking sheet and broil for 5-10 minutes until they begin to brown (be careful not to over-broil them; I set my timer for 5 minutes and then check on them).
2. In a large skillet sauté the bell pepper, onion and mushrooms with the spices on medium-high in a quarter cup of water for 5 minutes (let the onions stick to the bottom of the pan only briefly so that they will caramelize a little and release their flavor before adding more water)
3. Add to the sautéed vegetables: the beans, tomatoes and collard greens (and fresh herbs if using) and cook for about 5 minutes more until the collards have wilted and softened; toss in the cooked/broiled potatoes. Serve immediately. May be served with salt-free ketchup or lemon-tahini sauce (see below).

Salt-free Ketchup
½ cup water
7 oz. no-salt tomato paste (Bionature makes a no-salt tomato paste)
½ of an apple, cored, with or without skin
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon granulated garlic

Combine all ingredients in a blender or Vitamix until smooth.

Lemon-tahini Sauce
¼ cup water
¼ cup tahini (or 3 tablespoons hulled sesame seeds)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cumin

Combine all ingredients in a blender or Vitamix until smooth. Add a bit more water as needed to thin.

Tu-no Salad Wraps
Chickpeas—aka garbanzo beans—are a perfect plant-based substitute for canned tuna when it comes to creating a healthier version of tuna salad. For this recipe, the Tu-no salad is wrapped in warm corn tortillas and steamed collard leaves.
2 15-oz. cans chickpeas/garbanzo beans

4 ribs celery, diced
½ red onion, diced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
¼ cup curly or Italian parsley, chopped
1 avocado, small diced (optional)

½ cup water
½ cup raw, plain cashews
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons apple cider or rice vinegar
1 tablespoon prepared/wet mustard
½ teaspoon garlic powder

1 bunch collard greens
1 package corn tortillas

1. Place the drained chickpeas into the bowl of your food processor and pulse briefly, just until beans are broken up and sticking together slightly. Scrape this into a large bowl and toss with the celery, onion, basil, parsley and avocado.
2. Blend the dressing ingredients (water, cashews, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard and garlic powder) in a high-speed blender until smooth. Add this to the bowl of garbanzos and vegetables, and mix thoroughly. Serve in corn tortillas or wrapped in collard green leaves. (To prepare leaves: after washing the leaves and trimming the thick stem end, place each leaf in almost-boiling water for 1 minute to soften; remove and pat dry before filling and wrapping. Tuck or trim ends, then cut in half.  

Hoppin’ John with Avocado-cucumber Dressing
Hoppin’ John is a southern U.S. dish adopted from West African culture. Black-eyed peas are the trademark ingredient of this dish, which is traditionally eaten on January 1st to bring good luck in the New Year; but I like to eat it throughout the year. This version uses fennel and mushrooms, topped off with a little avocado dressing.
½ cup water
1 medium onion or shallot, chopped
1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 ribs celery or 1 fennel bulb, diced
6 mushrooms, diced

1 clove fresh garlic, minced (or ½ teaspoon dried)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon cumin

2 15-oz. cans black-eyed peas, rinsed
2 scallions (green onions), chopped
½ cup chopped parsley
1 small bunch greens (collards, chard, kale), julienned

1. Using water as needed, sauté the onion, bell pepper, celery or fennel, and mushrooms on medium-high for a few minutes until soft. Add the garlic, thyme, basil and cumin, and sauté another minute.
2. Mix in the black-eyed peas, scallions, parsley and greens, and cook about 5 minutes until the greens are softened. Serve as is, topped with Avocado-Cucumber dressing (below), and/or over brown rice.

Avocado-cucumber Dressing
2/3 cup water
2 teaspoons lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1 avocado, diced
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cucumber (with seeds), diced
½ cup raw spinach (or other greens), chopped (optional)
1 scallion (green onion), chopped

Combine all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Add water as needed to thin to desired consistency.

Oatmeal-raisin Cookies
These are your traditional oatmeal-raisin cookies, but without eggs, dairy, oil, salt, refined flour or sugar. Instead, this recipe uses oats, flax seeds, cashews, bananas and dates.

¾ cup water
6 medjool dates, pitted
½ cup raw cashews or pecans

1 cup rolled oats
2 cups rolled oats, ground into flour (see note below)
3 tablespoons flax seeds, ground
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg

4 tablespoons lemon juice
3 teaspoons lemon zest
½ ripe banana, mashed with a fork
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¾ cup raisins
¾ cup roughly chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or use a non-stick cookie sheet) and set aside. Place the pitted dates and cashews in a bowl with the ¾ cup of water and soak for 30 minutes.
2. While the dates and nuts are soaking, combine all of the dry ingredients (whole oats, ground oats, flax, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg) in a large bowl and mix thoroughly with a fork. In another bowl, combine wet ingredients (lemon juice, zest, banana and vanilla). Blend the soaked dates, cashews and their water in a high-speed blender until smooth; add this mixture to the bowl of wet ingredients, and combine. Add the bowl of wet ingredients to the bowl of dry, and mix thoroughly, adding in the raisins and walnuts last (add a little water as needed if dough is too dry).
3. Using a one-tablespoon measure, place a scoop of cookie dough on the baking sheet and press down gently a couple times with a fork. Bake for 15-18 minutes on the middle rack, until cookies are lightly browned on the bottom and around the edges. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Notes: Regular, whole rolled oats work best (as opposed to quick or instant oats). / A Vitamix or Tribest Personal Blender both work well to blend the nuts and dates, and grind oats into flour. / If you’ve never used fresh nutmeg, this would be a great opportunity to pick some up in the bulk section of Whole Foods and try it. / To zest lemons and nutmeg, use a fine grater, such as a Microplane. / These cookies are not overly sweet; if you’d like to add more sweetness, add two more dates to the recipe.

Preparation: 30 minutes; cooking time: 18 minutes; makes: 25-30 cookies