Meatless Monday

It's Monday, which, of course, means Meatless Monday. Here are six vegetarian recipes to help get your week started. Enjoy!

SPICED PUDDING

This yummy recipe comes from the November 2015 issue of Runner's World, page 58 (“Get Pump(kin)ed Up!”), and posted on September 29, 2015. The article begins, “Canned pumpkin is not only more convenient than fresh—it's better for you, too. One cup packs three times as much beta-carotene as boiled-and-mashed fresh pumpkin, plus seven grams of fiber. A caveat: 'Don't get the pre-spiced ‘pie’ mix that has lots of added sugar,' says longtime runner Mark Bittman [RW contributing food writer], whose latest book is A Bone to Pick, a collection of essays from The New York Times. 'You want pure puree.' Here's how he uses this seasonal favorite.”

The pudding recipe begins, “The texture of this pudding is so creamy, you'll swear there's dairy in here.” Makes 6 servings.

To view both this online, click here.

Ingredients

24 oz. silken tofu (about 3 cups)

1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin puree

1/3 cup maple syrup or other sweetener

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

Dash salt

Directions

Put all of the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Puree until the tofu is smooth and the pumpkin is fully incorporated. Divide the mixture into six 1-cup bowls and refrigerate them until set, about 2 hours. Makes 6 servings.

BREAKFAST QUINOA

This is from Seattle’s Macrina Bakery. I highly recommend signing up for their e-newsletter.

Leslie Mackie wrote, “Savory egg, ham, and cheese combinations have always been a part of my favorite breakfasts. As much as I love vegetables, they just lack appeal to me in the morning. But recently I started cooking them with red quinoa and this dish has become my staple power breakfast. It’s a healthy, flavorful way to kick off your day. Not only are your taste buds satisfied, your body is nourished on high-protein quinoa, vitamin-rich broccoli, and energy-rich pecans. Best of all, on a busy weekday morning, I can throw this together almost as quickly as I can a bowl of oatmeal.” Serves 2.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/2 cup red quinoa

1/4 teaspoon salt

2-1/2 cups water

3 ounces (approx. 1 cup) broccoli florets

2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons pecans, roasted and coarsely chopped

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)

3/4 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated

Rinse red quinoa through a strainer and place in a medium sauce pan. Add the salt and water and cover with a lid. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 15 minutes; the quinoa tails should be visible and the grain tender. Add the broccoli florets. Cover with lid again. Reduce heat to low and steam for 7-8 minutes.

Remove lid and add olive oil, lemon juice and pecans. Toss and season with salt and pepper. Divide between two soup plates or bowls. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

BLACK BEAN AND CORN VEGETARIAN CHILI

This is from Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian Food expert. Jolinda wrote, “Who doesn't love a good vegetarian black bean chili recipe? This one is simple to prepare (don't be fooled by the long ingredients list) and is completely vegetarian, low in fat and gluten-free. Omit the cheese and optional sour cream topping if you need it to be vegan and dairy-free as well.

“Made with mostly canned ingredients, this a quick and easy vegetarian black bean chili recipe that's perfect even for novice chefs. Give it a try - it's practically foolproof! Black bean and corn chili recipe and photo courtesy of Bush's Beans.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Yield: 4 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 (6- or 8-inch) corn tortillas, cut into 2-inch strips

2 medium onions, chopped

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1 (15 ounce) can corn, undrained

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained

1 (16 ounce) can tomato sauce

salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Jalapeno Jack cheese (or a blend, optional for serving)

2 green onions, chopped (optional, for serving)

1/4 cup sour cream (optional, for serving)

2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional for serving)

Preparation

First, heat half the oil (one tablespoon) in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the cut tortillas and lightly brown. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate; let drain. These tortilla strips will top your chili and give it a fantastically crunchy finishing touch.

Next, heat the remaining oil (one tablespoon) in same large saucepan. Add the onion, red pepper, garlic and corn, then stir in the chili powder, oregano, cumin and cayenne pepper.

Allow to cook for four minutes, stirring often.

Next, add the beans and tomato sauce. Season with a bit of salt and pepper to taste. Allow to simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.

Serve your black bean and corn chili topped with tortilla strips, cheese, green onions, sour cream and cilantro.

Nutritional Information, Per Serving: Calories: 399, Fat 15g, Sodium 1481mg, Dietary Fiber 14g, Protein 15g, Sugars 13g, Cholesterol 13mg

BLACK BEAN VEGETARIAN CHILI WITH SWEET POTATO

This is from Jolinda Hackett, About.com’s Vegetarian Food expert. For this one, Jolinda wrote, “I have to confess, chili is not my favorite of vegetarian meals, but even I couldn't stop eating this vegetarian and vegan black bean chili, it was just so flavorful! The sweet potatoes and carrots match perfectly with the spiciness of the fresh chili flavor. This is my new favorite homemade chili recipe!” Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 3-4 servings (though it ends “Makes 5 servings of homemade black bean chili.”)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small onion, diced

2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 medium carrots, sliced

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped (optional)

2 tbsp olive oil

1 15 ounce can black beans (or a little less than two cups, if you're cooking them fresh)

1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes or tomato sauce

1/2 cup vegetable broth

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp cayenne (or to taste)

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Preparation

Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil for a minute or two, then add sweet potatoes, carrots and bell pepper until onions are soft, about 5-6 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium low, and add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine well.

Simmer, partially covered and stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes, until flavors have mingled and vegetables are cooked.

ALL-IN-ONE CHOCOLATE CAKE

This comes from Nigella Lawson, from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. If you haven't signed up for their newsletter, I highly recommend it. Nigella writes, “This is the perfect chocolate cake: beautiful, melting, intense but not heavy. The batter comes together quickly in a food processor, and the cake bakes at 350 degrees for a while, giving the baker time to assemble the frosting, which is given a luscious sheen by a bit of corn syrup. Use the best chocolate you can find for the frosting, and gild it however you like: with a few flowers, some birthday candles or nothing at all.” Time: 1 hour 15 minutes; 10 to 12 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

Butter for greasing baking pans

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup best-quality cocoa powder

6 ounces (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla

3/4 cup sour cream, at room temperature

For the Frosting:

6 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces

3 ounces ( 3/4 stick) unsalted butter

1 tablespoon light corn syrup

1/2 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Preparation

For cake: heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter sides of two 8-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment paper. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a knife blade, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, vanilla and sour cream. Process to make a smooth, thick batter.

Using a rubber spatula, divide batter between pans, and smooth tops. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes; do not overbake. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from cake pans.

For frosting: Combine chocolate and butter in a large heat-proof bowl, and heat until melted in a microwave oven or over a pan of simmering water. Remove from heat, and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in corn syrup, sour cream, and vanilla. Whisk in confectioners' sugar until very smooth. Frosting should be thick and spreadable. If necessary, add a teaspoon or two of boiling water to thin it, or additional sifted confectioners' sugar to thicken.

Cut four strips of waxed or parchment paper, and place them side by side on a cake plate, covering the surface. Place one cake layer domed-side down on plate.

Spoon about a third of the frosting onto center of cake, and use a knife or a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the other cake on top, domed side up. Spoon another third of frosting on top of cake, spreading to make swirls or a smooth finish. Spread sides of cake with remaining frosting, and allow to sit for a few minutes until set. Carefully remove paper strips. Place cake under glass or in an airtight container, and set aside in a cool place until serving.

VEGGIE BURGER

This comes from Food.com. It begins, “A homemade substitute for hamburgers, if you ever have a veggie at a party or barbeque. Good, even without the bun!” Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 4 patties.

To view this online, go to http://www.food.com/recipe/veggie-burger-104977.

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup mushroom, finely chopped

1/4 cup onion, finelly chopped

1 carrot, shredded

1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons tomato paste or 2 tablespoons ketchup

1/2 teaspoon salt

pepper, to taste

Directions

Throw all ingredients in food processor (or blender, if you don't have one).

Pulse (or blend) until coarsely chopped.

Chill mixture, then shape into four (4) 1/2-inch thick patties.

Now you can wrap and freeze them for later.

To cook, thaw patties in microwave, then broil 4-6 inches from heat for 10 to 15 minutes (or until warm in the middle).

You can do this in your broiler or on the grill.

Serve like you do your favorite meat patties!