Fruity Pebbles
3 cups mixed dried fruits of your choice
1 cup finely chopped pecans
grated rind of 1 lemon
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ, plus more for rolling
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons chocolate-orange liqueur (optional)
Chop the fruits in a food processor or chopping bowl to blend. Combine the fruit mixture with the remaining ingredients. Shape into small (½") balls...
Diana Cooks her Extra-Quick Chili
Watch Diana put together the fastest possible pot of chili, to serve over your cooked brown rice or other whole grains for a one-dish meal.
Add a tossed green salad if you like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLwzlND5wn0
Now that you've seen how easy it is, try the recipe yourself!
Extra Quick Chili
Black Bean Jumble Salad
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 small sweet onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 t. cumin
pinch cayenne, or to taste
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients and chill at least 20 minutes.
4 servings
Quick and Hearty Chick Pea Soup
1/2 cup bulgur
6 cups bouillon
2 16-ounce cans chick peas
2 teaspoons oregano
1/4 teaspoon harissa, or hot pepper sauce to taste
1 10-ounce bag baby spinach leaves
Lemon slices or wedges for garnish
Bring the bulgur and bouillon to a boil. Add the chickpeas, oregano and harissa sauce. Return to boiling, reduce the heat and simmer until the bulgur...
Quick Moroccan Vegetable Stew
2 cups bouillon
1 cup whole wheat couscous
1 bag frozen onion-pepper mix
1 bag frozen mixed vegetables (i.e., broccoli, carrots & cauliflower)
1 28-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes, undrained
1 15-ounce can chick peas, undrained
2 teaspoons bouillon granules or crushed bouillon cubes
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 teaspoon Harissa Sauce or bottled hot pepper sauce, to taste
lemon wedges for garnish...
Spicy Crab Salad
1 pound crab meat (or other cooked seafood of your choice)
1 box grape or cherry tomatoes, halved if large
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon mild chile powder
1 jalapeno chile, seeded and minced or bottled red pepper sauce to taste
2 cups cooked, chilled barley
1/4 cup lime juice,...
Cajun Lentils & Zucchini
1 large, sweet onion such as Vidalia, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 cups bouillon
1 cup lentils
1 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, undrained
2 teaspoons cajun spice blend (see note)
4 small, firm zucchini, sliced
Cooked barley or other whole grains of your choice(optional)
Combine all ingredients except the zucchini in a large pot. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat...
Turkish Three-Bean Soup
1 large onion, chopped
6 cups bouillon
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 cup red lentils
pinch cayenne pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 16-ounce can chick peas, undrained
1 16-ounce can fava beans or kidney beans
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves or flat parsley
Combine the onion, bouillon, tomato paste, lentils and spices in a large pot. Bring to a...
Roasted Veggie Soup Starter
If you do this 3 or 4 times a year, you will always have the makings of great soups, veggie stews or chili on hand.
Your choice -- any or all:
Onions
Celery
Peppers-red, green
Carrots
Fennel
Turnips
Garlic
Potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Winter squash
Mushrooms
etc.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Slice or chop all the vegetables into about ½" pieces. Pile into a large roasting pan. Roast, uncovered,...
Creamy Asparagus Soup
2 pounds asparagus
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 broccoli stems, sliced (save the florets for another use)
6 cups bouillon
2 teaspoons oregano
pinch cayenne, or to taste
1 cup quick-cooking or rolled oats
Juice of one lemon
Lemon wedges
Freshly ground black pepper
Break the tough ends off the asparagus and discard. Cut the stalks in 2"...
Chick Pea Gumbo
Chick peas crop up everywhere in my recipes -- in curries, soups, salads and pasta sauces. Here, they are combined with okra and the other classic gumbo ingredients for a hearty dish with a southern flair.
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, cut up
1 dried red pepper, crumbled
1...
Easy Veggie Burger Chili
4 frozen veggie burgers
1 16-ounce bag frozen pepper-onion mix
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 16-ounce can pink beans
1 16-ounce can chick peas
2 cups frozen corn
1 tablespoon mild chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
pinch cayenne or a dash of hot pepper sauce, to taste
Cooked barley or other whole grains of your choice
Break the veggie burgers into 1"...
Spaghetti Squash Soup with Artichokes
1 spaghetti squash, cooked
8 cups bouillon
1 tablespoon oregano
pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
1 large red onion, halved and sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 box frozen artichoke hearts, cut into bite-size pieces
2 cups cooked wild rice or other whole grain
1 can chick peas, undrained
1 lemon
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
Prepare the spaghetti...
West African Seafood Stew
I think every country with an ocean coastline has developed its own version of a seafood stew, and I love them all. The sweet potatoes and green bananas make this one special. It's supposed to be very spicy, but you may want to add a little of the cayenne at a time and taste...
Lentil-Carrot Soup
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups bouillon
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 teaspoon ground cumin
pinch of cayenne, to taste
2 cups orange lentils OR regular lentils (see note)
2 cups shredded or chopped carrots
Juice of one lemon
Freshly ground black pepper to taste Chopped cilantro or Italian parsley for garnish (optional)
Heat the olive oil...
Fastest Beans and Rice
1 16-ounce can black beans, undrained
2 cups cooked brown rice or other cooked whole grains*
1 teaspoon mild chili powder
pinch cayenne, to taste (optional)
2 teaspoons bouillon granules (optional)
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley or cilantro
Combine all ingredients, bring to a boil and simmer 3-5 minutes; or microwave for 3 minutes or until heated through.
4-6 servings
*Note: Try...
Diana Cooks Grains in a Steamer
You can cook any whole grains in a pot on your stovetop, but it's much easier in a countertop steamer. Diana shows you how.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKgNsp7mu7w
You'll find more details on kinds of whole grains, quantities and cooking times in How to Cook Whole Grains
Spicy Garden Pea Soup
6 cups bouillon
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, pressed
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
pinch cayenne, or to taste
1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
2 cups canned Italian plum tomatoes, undrained, broken up
4 cups fresh or frozen green peas
Freshly ground black pepper
Bring the onions, garlic, seasonings and bouillon...
Michael’s Eggplant Sauce for Whole Grains or Pasta
4 tablespoons olive oil
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced (more is fine)
1 large eggplant, cut in 1/2" cubes (skin on)
1 28-ounce can tomatoes
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
1 16-ounce can condensed tomato soup (do not add water)
2 cups sliced or chopped mushrooms
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black...
French Lentil Soup
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 cups tiny green (French) lentils
8 cups bouillon
1 potato, diced
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
pinch cayenne, to taste
1 pound spinach or swiss chard, chopped
Juice of one lemon
Freshly ground pepper
Bring the onion, garlic, celery, lentils and bouillon to a boil in a large pot. Add the...
Tofu Caesar Salad Dressing
4 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons Dijon style prepared mustard
1 package (12 ounces) tofu
¼ cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce or Asian fish sauce, or more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly...
Moroccan Chickpea and Barley Soup
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup diced prosciutto or other cured ham (optional)
1 large onion, chopped
1 cup chopped celery
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups bouillon
3/4 cup barley
1/4 teaspoon harissa, or more to taste (see note #1, below)
3 15-ounce cans chick peas or about 5 cups of cooked chickpeas (see note #2)
Juice of...
Spaghetti Squash Soup
1 spaghetti squash
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups bouillon
1 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, broken up
pinch cayenne pepper, to taste
1/2 cup chopped Italian (flat) parsley
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Harissa or bottled hot pepper sauce such as Tabasco(optional)
Prepare the spaghetti squash in the microwave or oven (see below -- I recommend using your microwave).
Meanwhile, put...
Louisiana Oysters and Shrimp
4 cups water
2 bay leaves
1 pound shrimp
1 onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 green pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 28-ounce can plum tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or to taste
2 teaspoon fresh thyme, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
3 cups okra or green beans, cut in bite-size pieces (fresh...
Hot and Sour Fish Soup
1/2 pound fish steak or fillet (such as salmon or orange roughy)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
6 cups chicken or fish bouillon
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco or other hot sauce, or to taste
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups shredded...
Tofu Fried Rice
1/2 cup bouillon
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
1/2 pound mushrooms, chopped
1 tablespoon minced fresh gingerroot
1/2 teaspoon tumeric
4 cups cooked barley or brown rice
1 12-ounce container firm tofu, cut into ½" chunks
1 tablespoon soy sauce, or to taste
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
chopped parsley for garnish
Bring the bouillon to a boil in a...
Portuguese Potato-Garlic Soup
1 large onion, chopped
8 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups bouillon
6 medium red potatoes, cubed
1 cup quick-cooking or regular oats
1 teaspoon dried marjoram
pinch cayenne, or to taste
1 cup of chopped cilantro leaves
juice of one lemon
Lemon wedges
Freshly ground black pepper
Bring the onion, garlic, bouillon, potatoes , oatmeal, marjoram and cayenne to a boil. Reduce the heat and...
Red Pepper Stew
1/2 cup red lentils
2 onions, chopped
3 cups bouillon
6 medium or 4 large red bell peppers, cut in 1/2" chunks
1 teaspoon oregano or marjoram
1/2 teaspoon thyme
pinch of cayenne, or to taste
1 cup white wine
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 16-ounce can white beans, drained
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley
freshly ground black pepper to taste
cooked whole grains (optional)
plain yogurt...
Quinoa Salad with Melon and Spinach
1/2 pound spinach, preferably baby leaves
1 cup watermelon balls or cubes
1 cup honeydew balls or cubes
1 cup cantaloupe balls or cubes
1 cucumber, cut in 1/2" pieces
1 small red onion, chopped fine
2 cups cooked quinoa (see note below)
1/4 cup honey mustard salad dressing, or the dressing of your choice
Wash and drain the spinach and remove...
Trail Mix Bars
3 cups rolled oats or quick-cooking oats
2 cups trail mix OR any combination of dried fruits, nuts and seeds (your choice)
1 cup mashed ripe bananas, apple butter, apple sauce, or any fruit puree
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix all ingredients together. Line a cookie sheet with foil and pat the mixture onto it about 1/2"...
