Hakuna Matata, NO Fooling it's April!!

[deekaypee]

Oooh, foodie discussions. Love 'em! (I'm not a foodie, per se. I just like to eat. )

Here's a couple of simple things. The first post features a a cashew-ginger sauce, perfective for over steamed broccoli and rice, or the veggie/rice dish of your choice. It comes from the Moosewood Cookbook--Moosewood, for those who don't know, is a famous vegetarian restaurant from back in the day, when vegetarians weren't so mainstream. Here's a link to some of their recipes online, btw.


CASHEW-GINGER SAUCE (MOOSEWOOD COOKBOOK)
40 servings of 2 TBS. each (Moosewood recipes tend to make HUGE quantities; you can adjust down or freeze. I also admit to using more sauce on my servings than I should.)

• 2 C. toasted cashew pieces (use plain, unsalted cashews and toast them in your broiler)
• 3 C. water or milk (I use 1%)
• 2 tsp. freshly grated ginger
• 2 tsp. tamari (soy sauce), or more to taste
• ½ tsp. salt, or more to taste

Puree until very smooth in blend. Heat gently. Stir from the bottom as you serve.

If you want a thicker, creamer sauce that goes a little further, make a roux:

• Melt ~ 3 Tbs. butter
• Whisk in ~ 3 Tbs. flour
• Cook, whisking over low heat 2 – 5 minutes. Whisk in heated cashew puree, and cook for an additional 8 – 10 minutes.

Serve over steamed or sautéed vegetables and/or grains. Top with chopped scallions.

Cashew-Ginger Sauce
Nutritional Information
Servings Per Recipe: 40 (of 2 TBS. each, although I often use more sauce it's so tasty! The Nutritional information includes the roux ingredients.)
Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 57.2
• Total Fat: 4.2 g.
• Cholesterol: 3.2 mg
• Sodium: 55.1 mg
• Total Carbs: 3.7 g
• Dietary Fiber: .2g
• Protein: 1.8 g

 

[deekaypee]

And here's a ratatouille recipe from All Recipes. Recipes for ratatouille are all over the internet, and I chose this one because A) it's fairly representative of the ingredients and cooking time and B) it offers the nutritional information. Ratatouille is really a mix-and-match recipe, so it's good for those of us without a lot of cooking skills (me!); who like a variety of vegetables or to buy local/seasonal ingredients or have a garden; and like to make larger dishes for leftovers. You can also do this as a one-pot recipe, but sauteeing the veggies separately helps with the mush factor.

SUMMER VEGETABLE RATATOUILLE
8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 onion, sliced into thin rings
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium eggplant, cubed
• 2 zucchini, cubed
• 2 medium yellow squash, cubed
• 2 green bell peppers, seeded and cubed
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced 1 chopped red bell pepper
• 4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoon of the oil in a large pot over medium-low heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and saute the zucchini in batches until slightly browned on all sides. Remove the zucchini and place in the pot with the onions and garlic.
3. Saute all the remaining vegetables one batch at a time, adding 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet each time you add a new set of vegetables. Once each batch has been sauteed add them to the large pot as was done in step 2.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Add the bay leaf and thyme and cover the pot. Cook over medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and parsley to the large pot, cook another 10-15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
6. Remove the bay leaf and adjust seasoning.

Summer Vegetable Ratatouille
Nutritional Information
Servings Per Recipe: 8
Amount Per Serving
• Calories: 191
• Total Fat: 14.1g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 13 mg
• Total Carbs: 15.9 g
• Dietary Fiber: 5.9 g
• Protein: 3.2 g


There are several advantages to ratatouille.

1. Most of the cooking is in the prep work of chopping veggies, so you can prepare ahead or enlist help. It’s a simple, colorful dish, very casual. This makes enough for leftover, so you can vary how it’s consumed. a) Serve once with rice, another time with pasta, make a veggie wrap…. b) It heats up and freezes well.
2. Ratatouille takes advantage of fresh, local veggies, so it’s a great summer dish. You can substitute veggies you have on hand or like instead of sticking with the ingredient list. For that matter, you can substitute canned for fresh. a) You may substitute canned tomatoes for fresh (2 cans/28 oz.) b) For more protein, you might want to add some garbanzo beans. c) You can use mushrooms, summer squash, green chilies, etc.
3. You can substitute or add spices, adjust the amount of oil, or add other liquids. a) Some alternatives: dried parsley, fresh basil, oregano, chilies, marjoram b) Additional flavors you might like: tamari soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, etc. c) You can sauté the veggies in less oil; I never use as much as it calls for (closer to ¼ cup) d) Tomato paste will thicken this up a bit, if you like that. d) Add about 4 Tbs. of burgundy or dry, red wine of your choice!
4. It can be served over rice, with pasta, with fresh bread, and/or topped with a variety of cheese, so it’s quite filling. I also use it as a “gateway” veggie dish by adding these things for my family members who don’t quite understand the veggie lifestyle. And non-veggies—you can add meat to this! (Apparently it tastes quite good with chicken or a spicy sausage?)
5. Some add-ons you might like: grated cheese (feta, parmesan, asiago, goat), chopped black olives,

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi cousins! I didn't want to miss out on the food discussion. I'm all about learning food things. I have a link to the previous list of recipes for runners on the go in my siggie. Feel free to add to this list. It might be helpful to put things in a place many of us can get to.

I'm going to check what everyone here has to offer now. Thanks for this mixer.

 

[SamSam]

I posted this over on the Ducks thread, but realized this is the place to share recipes.
I"m definitely not a vegetarian, but neither do I have to have meat at every meal. Here is an African recipe that I actually got at a food event at the Wine and Food Festival from an African visiting chef.
Chakalaka with Mieliebrood
(Veg. Stew with Cornbread)

Chakalaka
¼ cup olive oil
½ cup thinly sliced carrots
½ cup shredded white cabbage
¼ cup thinly sliced onion
¼ cup diced tomatoes
1 tsp. diced jalapeno pepper
¼ cup cauliflower florets
2 cups prepared vegetarian baked beans (Bush’s makes a good one)
½ tsp. ground cumin
¼ tsp ground coriander
Salt and pepper to taste
1. In a med. sized pot, heat the oil over med. heat. Add the carrots, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, jalapeno pepper, and cauliflower. Cook until vegetables start to wilt, about 10 minutes.
2. Add the beans and season with the cumin, coriander and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the vegetables 15 minutes.
3. Serve at room temp. with fresh cornbread.

Cornbread
1 cup white cornmeal
1 cup cake flour
½ cup sugar
3 tsps. Baking powder
1 pinch salt
3 eggs
1 cup milk
3 TBLS. Cooking oil
½ cup cream style sweet corn

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Sift together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Beat eggs, milk and oil together until well combined and add to dry ingredients.
3. Stir in sweet corn.
4. Pour into a lightly greased baking pan. Bake 1 hour or until firm in the center.

Sorry, I tried to make it as a link, but wasn't able to.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hi Team! The recipes look awesome!! I have to admit that I'm not much of a cook so I will be printing these out and giving them to DF. I'm pretty slow in the kitchen and clumsy with sharp things. If we were making movie character comparisons, I'd be Emile and my DF would be Remy from Ratatouille.

Connie - Thanks for having this mixer for me! I was talking to someone at work about recipes and she suggested that fry brussel sprouts in oil with garlic. I never really cared for them because growing up, my mom would just boil them - yech!

Eva - The voice over work was a summer job of sorts when I was in university. I wish I had thought about taking a semester off and just doing voice overs! But if that was the case, I probably wouldn't have gone back and finished my degree. Congrats on finishing your real estate course!

Beth - Mac and Cheese!! This is one of my favourite comfort foods! Never thought to add broccoli in - just more cheese and occasionally hot dogs!

Margie - Glad you're feeling better! I haven't seen the Disney tree e-mail yet. I'll have a look for it tonight.

Jack - Congrats on your promotion! More responsibilities and better pay or just more responsibilities? I had a friend who was promoted but just got more work. He was not impressed.

Scott - Hope you have better weather soon! We are slowly getting nicer weather... but someone mentioned ice and snowy weather on Sunday. Yikes!

Debra - With the ratatouille recipe, do you know if it freezes or refrigerates well? I figure I can make a batch and eat it slowly over the week.

Jennifer - Good luck on your race! I laughed when I read Eva's comment because I thought the same thing

Sue - I read on another board that Stockwell Day is running Boston. Politics aside, I thought that was pretty impressive. I always like reading about politicians who are active and healthy.

MaryJ - I like your pasta recipe! I have most of those veggies in my house on regular basis. That and I love pasta! I'm a carbo-holic!

Okay, that's all for now! Chat more later everyone!

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hey all, a Walt's Warrior stopping by.

This is a stanby for all those on Weight Watchers. The "zero points" soup.

Garden Vegatable Soup:
Makes 4 servings about a cup each.

2/3 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup diced onion
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups fat-free broth (beef, chicken or vegetable)
1 1/2 cups diced green cabbage
1/2 cup green beans
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of zucchini (if you like it or any other veg you like)

I tend to put a bit of Worcestershire Sauce in there.

Prep:
In a large saucepan, sprayed with nonstick spray, saute the carrots, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 min.

Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano and salt; bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered, about 15 min or untile beans are tender.

Stir in the zucchini and heat 3-4 minutes, Serve Hot.

Per serving: 42 calories, 0g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 8g total carbohydrates, 2.4 dietary fiber, 3g protein and 41mg calcium.


Thanks for the mixer!!!
Tracy

 

[wdw4us]

Sorry just doing a drive by because it's already 8 and I have to get off the computer.

I had a terrible headache for 2 days from my walk. I think my arms were too high and I paid for it. It finally went away around 3 today. One girl at work thought I looked pretty bad but I'm thankful that it's been a while since a bad one.

I thought I would take it easy today but figured, I'd have a belly with a headache but would probably feel better if I had a headache and no belly so I went out again tonight for 5 miles. Mark went to the local Tea Party in town. Handed out some new bumper stickers - Dave I'll send you one -. So I went out alone - still light out and with plenty of traffic and people doing yardwork so I was safe.

Will update my siggie with the miles. Tomorrow is a rest day, I have a massage and I'm sure she'll help me a lot. Can't wait!

Take care all.

denise

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Haha, Jack wins the prize for the closest prediction. I did my race in just under 19 minutes (7:20 ish pace). I was in the top 5 non-athletes which means I got a free Adidas backpack/gym bag, t-shirt, headband, and socks. (everyone got a prize, but you got more/better prizes depending on how you placed)

I also did a 3 mile warm up run this morning (it would normally have been a 45 minute tempo run day so I was trying to get the two to add up to that) and did it 23 minutes.

Best,
Jennifer

 

[jship210]

Haha, Jack wins the prize for the closest prediction. I did my race in just under 19 minutes (7:20 ish pace). I was in the top 5 non-athletes which means I got a free Adidas backpack/gym bag, t-shirt, headband, and socks. (everyone got a prize, but you got more/better prizes depending on how you placed)

I also did a 3 mile warm up run this morning (it would normally have been a 45 minute tempo run day so I was trying to get the two to add up to that) and did it 23 minutes.

Best,
Jennifer

Ok, am I missing something here? This girl runs a 7:20 ish pace and is NOT
considered an athlete? Holy &$#, what does that make me at a 10:ish + pace?
Congrats Jenn, very impressive times.

Jack

 

[deekaypee]

Popping in again!

Vicky: Yes, ratatouille freezes very well, so you can double up on batches. If you like it a little stew-ier and less soupy, leftovers make good wraps for lunch the next day, too! I tend to cook things that can be doubled and frozen because I'm lazy.

Denise: So sorry to hear about your headache after your walk.

Haha, Jack wins the prize for the closest prediction. I did my race in just under 19 minutes (7:20 ish pace). I was in the top 5 non-athletes which means I got a free Adidas backpack/gym bag, t-shirt, headband, and socks. (everyone got a prize, but you got more/better prizes depending on how you placed)

I also did a 3 mile warm up run this morning (it would normally have been a 45 minute tempo run day so I was trying to get the two to add up to that) and did it 23 minutes.

Best,
Jennifer

Congratulations, Jennifer! I'm with Jack---you're considered a non-athlete? I've been missing checking up on you on the weekly thread (just been that kind of week or so), so I loved seeing this post. This sounds kind of strange to say, but I'm very proud of you.

Debra-

Did you catch the Final Frozen Four ?

BU v. Miami (Ohio) game?

What a Great game. Boston U 4 Miami 3 in OT
Boston came back from 3-1 in the final 90 seconds to tie and got the OT win..

Jack

Jack: Yes, yes I did. I couldn't look my brother in the eye if I didn't. here are some right back at you. And a

 

[Scott H]

Jennifer, do we need to go talk to someone about your athletic status???? We are more than willing to help them understand.

Recipes look great, to Quote Fozzie Bear from Muppets 4D " your right Needs more sugar" just kidding. Gotta copy some of those guys out.

Work work work, getting ready to sue Al Gore for inventing the internet, LOL... 39 hours so far this week,

Cold Rain and wind this AM.

Later kids,

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Haha, thanks everyone. They based athlete status on being on a varsity team, which worked in my favor because even though I'm training about 30 miles a week I didn't have to compete against the track and cross country teams (although I did beat several of them). I know I'm athlete, don't worry.

I was up early and did 3 miles this morning in 23:30 and will likely being going to Pilates and Zumba with my friends tonight.

Jennifer

 

[bunnyfoo]

Jennifer - Congrats on your race!

Denise - Glad to hear your headache is finally gone! Enjoy your massage today

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Team!

Jennifer - great job on the race!

Great recipes, don't worry Scott, I have already copied them!

The dogs and I did get in 6 miles yesterday while it was still nice - today is rainy, windy and cold! But today I need to get in a weight workout anyway. May just get on the treadmill for a warmup. Knee is bothering me enough that I made another appt with the Orthopod this morning - but the earliest I could get was in May - if I keep up the exercise, I may have solved the problem by then!

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Villains_Rock]

Just a drive-by before I start working...

Chop (my 6 yr old mutt) attacked the puppy this morning. She has puncture wounds on her muzzle and in her nose. We have some meds so she doesn't get infected, but I am pretty worried about the behavour of my Chop. I don't know if he's sick or what, but he's been going after the puppy for a week now. Mostly just snapping, but this morning was bad. The thing that I worry about most is what will happen when we have a baby. Have any of you ever had an aggresive dog and what did you do? He has been through obediance training and is a very good boy (listens to comands, etc) but he has been gettting more and more aggressive as he ages. He was a rescue and had been abused so he has always had "fear aggression". Any time he get's scared or a rush of adrenaline he can be mean. I'm thinking of looking for a doggie shrink to help. I DO NOT WANT TO GET RID OF HIM...unless we absolutely have to. Sooo sad.

 

[Scott H]

Weather took a turn, Schools, County, and City Closed not the State yet, I get in to my office to learn there is a delay of the start of Business. LOL Oh well.

Such is Spring in the Rockies.

Eva good luck with Chop, how about the Dog Whisper books??? just a thought.

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Team!

Ugly day here! Snow and wind! We might have a foot of snow by tomorrow when it stops - but it will all melt on Sunday when it hits 60 degrees!

Eva - go for professional help with Chop - I have heard of great things done by professionals with problem dogs, and I would not want to trust that training to myself. I know how you feel, one of my dogs is very aggressive to other dogs, but as I have no children, and she is fine with our other dog (her mother), I just keep her away from other dogs, as I can control that situation. If I needed to, I would definately shell out the money for professional intervention rather than getting rid of her. Good luck with the situation.

Have a great day!

 

[windwalker]

Eva we had a similar situation with a beautiful dog we had. She was a chow and border mix. At 6 months old she killed our 15 year old poddle in a battle over dominance. We had her to training and advanced training. We could never trust her completely and she was always leased when she walked with us. About 7 years old she started getting agressive toward Erica and our daughter. Then she bit our zero agressive lab baddly and we choose to have her put down. It was a hard decission even though it had gotten to the point that she growled and snapped if one of us tried to pet her. Erica is a super animal person and she became afraid of her.

Sad for you Panda

 

[bunnyfoo]

Happy Friday team! I'm very much looking forward to the weekend - sort of. I'm going to run my 9 miler on Saturday. I hope that goes well because it's been busy here and I haven't had a chance to go running all week. And my spring cleaning continues... I'm a bit of a pack rat and have a hard time tossing things but I know that if I can make enough space, I'll have room for lots of spring clothes!

Eva - Sorry to hear about the problems you're having with Chop. I've never had two dogs myself but I remember a former coworker talking to me about having more than one dog - she said that when you get a new dog, there's an adjustment period that they have to go through where the dogs figure out whose going to be the alpha. I'm not sure how they do this but the biting sounds scary. Is there a dog behaviour expert you could consult in your area?

Scott - Sorry to hear about the weather. It's almost May so the bad weather will have to stop sometime soon.

Have a great day everyone!!

 

[Scott H]

Vicky, The called about an hour ago and shut the stat down due to weather, my team has been here for three hours LOL great bunch of guys.

We will head home soon but we are getting bunches done as it is quiet.