Winter weather and white crystal precipitation sounds like a request for stillness. Winter is a time for hibernation and snow may very well be heaven speaking to us. Seeing as snow only comes during the winter months when everything is dying off and preparing us for spring, perhaps it can be appreciated as a reflection of transformation and new beginnings. I have never been fond of cold weather and would rather it be 70 and above and would only like to experience snow in a log cabin (far away from home), by a fireplace, sipping, in good company while watching my dog play in it and eat it.
So rather than sitting relegated to my home with a full refrigerator that could produce extra and unnecessary pounds, I decided to find and share some of my favorite healthy comfort foods
Spaghetti is one of my favorite comfort foods and it is quick nd easy to make. Below is my recipe from last night.
Ingredients
one pack of plant based beef
2tbs of olive oil
3 garlic cloves
1/2 onion
red peppers
sweet peppers
can of diced tomatoes. Last night I used basil and garlic diced tomatoes. (of course you can use fresh tomatoes)
One jar of tomatoes sauce
Herbs...fresh basil, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and sage. Of course you can use dry herbs. Most of my herbs were from my garden this summer that I dried at the end of the season. I never measure herbs in spaghetti. I simply go by taste.
Directions
Saute garlic in olive oil, add onions and peppers. Saute for 3 minutes then add the plant based beef. Break meat apart with spatula and cook until brown.
Add diced tomato and herbs, cook for another 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce. Mix and let it simmer on light heat for another 1 minutes to allow the herbs to marinate. Also guaranteed it will be even more favorable the second day.
Boil vegetarian pasta...edamame, black bean or brown rice pasta. Enjoy!
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Quinoa
Prep time 10 mins
cook time 45 mins
Yeilds 8 servings
INGREDIENTS
1tbs olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
5 tsp minced garlic
2 cups uncooked quinoa (I like to use red or mix quinoa)
1tsp chili powder (divided)
4 cups of vegetable broth
6 tablespoons of butter (I use coconut oil) divided
1 pound raw tail-on shrimp
salt and pepper to taste
fresh parsley for serving
fresh lemon for serving
DIRECTIONS
Heat the oil in a large nonstick pot over medium high heat. Add the onion and sauce until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 2 tsps of garlic and sauce for1minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Add the uncooked quinoa and 1/2 tsps chili powder. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute for another1minute to add flavor to the quinoa. Add the broth, bring to a boil, cover and cook for 15-2- minutes. When the quinoa is done, it will be soft throughout. Fluff with a fork and toss with fresh minced parsley.
While the quinoa is cooking, heat 1tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. When the pain is hot and the butter is melted, add the shrimp and sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 tsp chili powder directly in the pan. Season with salt and pepper and sauce until no longer translucent and golden brown on the outside. Just at the end of the sauce, add 1tsps garlic and swirl around in the pan until the garlic is very fragrant.
Melt the remaining 5 tbsp butter with the 2 tsps garlic to make a sauce for drizzling (for this, crushed garlic or garlic paste would work really well but minced is also fine)
Serve quinoa and shrimp together in one dish, topping with fresh chopped parsley and lemon juice if desired. When the butter is melted and cooled slightly, drizzle over the shrimp and quinoa. Serve immediately while still hot.
Curried Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges with Peanut Sauce
Ginger Sweet Potato Coconut Milk Stew with Lentils
https://thefirstmess.com/2020/02/19/sweet-potato-coconut-milk-stew/ Vegan zucchini critters
Vegan Zucchini Fritters
Ginger Glazed Carrots
30 Minute Vegan Chili
Note: I use Trader Joes Vegetarian Chorizo as an addition to whichever bean I select. It is flavored similar to chili so I don’t use as must chili spices.
Hot cocoa
2 tbs of dark cocoa powder
1-2 tbs agave to taste
3/4 tbs vanilla extract
2 cups coconut milk, oat milk, rice milk or almond milk...whichever your preference.
Mix all ingredients then heat. Do not overheat. I like to create froth with my battery operated brother