Rhymes With Vegan

Happy Holidays!

a very happy and compassionate holiday to everyone from my dog and me...see you in 2010!!

tofu taco soup

when the days are as cold as they are here, nothing beats a soup that kicks it up a notch on the heat level.  enter taco soup.  what's so great about this soup is you can really make it as spicy or mild as you prefer.

AND, it's so easy to make, with it's warm, spicy, flavorful and "stick to your bones" texture, you'll be making this a staple on your winter menu.

tofu taco soup

serves 6

1 package extra firm tofu (drained and crumbled)

1 can black refried beans

1 can chili beans

1 can black beans

1 can kidney beans (optional)

2 cans diced tomatoes

2 large Anaheim peppers – chopped

1 jalapeno – chopped

1 medium yellow onion – chopped

2 cloves garlic – chopped

3 celery ribs - chopped

1 tbsp cumin

1 tbsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

¼ tsp garlic powder

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

1 ½ tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

in a large stockpot add your oil and brown your tofu.  add your onions, garlic, chopped peppers and celery and cook for 10-12 minutes.   add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil.

add the can of refried beans and mix in well.  add remaining ingredients and simmer for 30-40 minutes.

garnish with non-dairy sour cream, cilantro and corn chips.

serve with a cold beer.

enjoy!

hearty morning muffins

as the weather gets colder it's a lot harder to wake up to a cold bowl of cereal, or a typical slice of toast.  i think these muffins are the perfect solution.

full of grains and fiber to fill you up

packed with flavors of cinnamon, banana and vanilla to kick the tastebuds into gear

oh, and did i mention that they're good for you?

you've just found a new way to start your day.

hearty morning muffins

makes 12

 

1 large banana

1/3-cup soy flour

1/3-cup cornmeal

1/3-cup whole wheat

1/3 –cup earth balance

1/4- cup wheat germ

1/3-cup brown sugar

1 ¼ cup soy cream

squeeze of ½ lemon

1 tsp salt

1tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp cinnamon

handful of craisins

canola oil spray

 

preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

mix the cornmeal, whole wheat and wheat germ with the soy cream and squeeze of lemon (this will make for a sort of buttermilk).  let sit for 10-15 minutes, or until the grains have softened.

in another bowl, cream together your vanilla, sugar, butter and banana.  be sure to get it as soft as possible, with few lumps.

add the other dry ingredients and milk mixture to the creamed ingredients.

stir together until mixed.

grease your muffin pan to avoid sticking.

spoon into pan and bake for 12 minutes, remove and add the craisins on top.  put back into the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown.  be sure to use a toothpick to see if your muffins have been cooked thoroughly.

 remove and let cool.

serve with a warm cup of josephine and a little bit of earth balance.

 

enjoy!