Vegan Pumpkin Enchiladas

Born of the wonderful bounty of pumpkin puree I had in my freezer, these pumpkin enchiladas had all my meat-loving friends and family *almost* in tears. Hands-down the best enchiladas I've made, ever. Don't be put-off by the strange ingredients, they're completely, freakin' awesome.

Pumpkin Enchiladas

Sauce:

2 cups unseasoned pumpkin puree, fresh or canned
1 cup water
1 cup veggie broth
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp pepper
1 seeded jalepeno
3 cloves of garlic
handful of fresh cilantro

Puree all ingredients in the blender until smooth.

For the filling

4 red potatoes, diced
1 small onion, diced
1 cup green beans, ends cut off and chopped
5 button mushrooms, sliced
1/2 each, orange and red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup corn kernels (frozen works nicely)

Saute the potatoes 5 minutes in olive oil, stirring occasionally. Add in onion and mushrooms, cook another 3 minutes. Add in bell pepper and corn, continue to cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Cover the bottom of a 9 X 13 pan with pumpkin sauce. Set aside.

Meanwhile, heat corn tortillas (the recipe makes about a dozen or so) to prevent cracking while handling ( I do this over my gas burner for a few seconds).

Fill each torilla with a small amount of filling and roll. Place seam-side-down in the pan and continue to roll tortillas until the pan is filled. Cover with a bit more sauce (not too much or it will all be soggy) and bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

Top with salsa, vegan sour cream and fresh sliced green onions.

I served ours with my "Santa Monica Pilaf" that used a mix of couscous, lentils, rice and quinoa
that was cooked with a bit of garlic and olive oil and topped with cilantro. I'll post that recipe at a later date!

Roasted Bell Pepper and Tomato Pasta Sauce

Today I made a quick pasta sauce, using ingredients I had on hand. I can't tell you how delightful it smells. At first I couldn't figure out what taste it was missing, and then I hit on it: bell pepper. So friends, here is my pasta recipe! We had it with veggie meatballs and whole wheat spaghetti.

2 cans stewed tomatoes with basil and oregano

2 cloves garlic

2 leaves fresh sage

2 tbsp. fresh rosemary

2 tbsp. fresh thyme

1/8 cup olive oil

1/4 cup roasted red and yellow bell pepper (I had some in a jar, but you can easily make your own)

Combine all ingredients, except olive oil, in a blender and blend until smooth.

Heat olive oil in a sauce pan and add in your blended ingredients. Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve warm with your favorite pasta!

Marinated Tofu - Great Sandwich Filling!

This post is for my friend, who has been encouraged to limit the animal protein in his diet, due to a medical condition. It can be difficult, at first, to know what to do with tofu. But this recipe makes great sandwich filling. Just layer slices with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomato, sprouts and avocado, and enjoy!

Marinated Tofu

1 block extra firm tofu, drained and sliced

Your favorite teriyaki sauce

Green onion

Layer slices in a shallow pan with sides and top generously with teriyaki sauce and sliced green onion. Let marinate for 30 minutes then turn each slice over. Marinate for another 30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees until the slices are browned (20-30 minutes) turning once halfway through. Cool thoroughly and then store in the refrigerator, in a covered dish, until ready to use.

Tofu Tacos

I've never met a meat lover that didn't love my tofu tacos! You can spice it up or down, depending on your heat tolerance. It also makes a good burrito filling. So the question really is: soft or crunchy shells?

Tofu Tacos

1 block of extra firm tofu, drained and cubed

2 tbsp. chili powder

2 tbsp. cumin powder

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

1 chopped and seeded jalepeno, optional

Heat up some olive oil in a large frying pan and add in your tofu. With a wooden spoon, smash each cube until they become crumbly. Cook for about 3 minutes, then add in onion, garlic, jalepeno and spices. Continue to cook until the tofu is browned.

Fill your taco shells or tortillas with refried beans and tofu and pile on the toppings! Top with lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa and guacamole!

Olive, Red Pepper and Artichoke Tapenade

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us!

I was recently asked by my editor over at Elephant Journal to post a vegan Thanksgiving menu. Check it out!

Here is a recipe that will make a great starter, for Thanksgiving or anytime!

Olive, Red Pepper and Artichoke Tapenade

1/4 cup pitted calamata olives

1/4 cup stewed tomatoes

1/4 cup roasted red and yellow peppers

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup artichoke hearts

1 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp pepper

2 tbsp. brine from the olives or the artichokes

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

salt to taste

Process the olives, tomatoes, peppers, garlic and artichoke hearts, in a food processor, until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a bowl and, using a wooden spoon, mix in the remaining ingredients. Garnish with parsley and serve with crackers or french bread.

Savory Pumpkin Stew

So many pumpkins are thought to be "only for decoration." But did you know you can actually eat all those gorgeous varieties?

Two medium sized white pumpkins survived the Halloween carving carnage this year and were roasted up to make stew, cupcakes and pie filling. We certainly have more pumpkin than we could use all in one day, so some of it went into the freezer for future usage.

This savory pumpkin stew challenges the idea that pumpkins are only for sweet recipes.

To roast your pumpkins, simply gut them, slice in half and roast open side down at 375 until soft enough to puncture the skin with a fork. Use an ice cream scoop to get the "meat" out and discard the skin.

You will also need raw pumpkin chunks for the soup. Simply chop and cube a raw pumkin, discarding the skin.

Savory Pumpkin Stew

4 cups vegetable broth

2 cups water

1 cup pureed pumpkin (you can use canned, as long as there are no added ingredients in it)

1 cup cubed raw pumpkin

1/2 cup mashed potatoes (optional-it makes the soup creamier in texture but is not necessary)

1 large carrot, sliced into disks

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 onion, chopped

1 large bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup of chopped anise stalks (you can use an alternate herb, if desired)

Seasoning Blend, such as Trader Joe's "21 Seasoning Salute" or Mrs. Dash.

Salt and pepper, to taste.

Saute the onion, celery and bell pepper until soft. Add the broth, water and whisk in the mashed potatoes and the pumpkin puree. Add the rest of the ingredients. Cook for 30 minutes, or until the pumpkin chunks are soft.

A New Take on Twice Baked Potatoes

Call me un-American, but I've never liked twice baked potatoes. Plus they're not very healthy and I was looking for something a little easier on the waistline...

I finally came across an idea that, after tinkered with, came out simply delightful.

There are two variations, one for grownups (savory salsa filling) and one for the littles (cottage cheese and fruit).

To bake your potatoes, puncture them with a fork a few times, rub in oil and salt and bake in the oven at 400 degrees for an hour.

Let them cool a bit, then slice them in half, scoop out the insides (reserving for mashed potatoes?) and turn the halves skin-side-up. Cook another 10 minutes or until crispy. Let cool.

Savory Salsa Filling

For the first variation, combine 1/2 cup mashed mixed beans, 2 green onions, chopped, 1 chopped tomato, 1/2 tsp. cumin, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, salt, pepper and 1 clove crushed garlic with 3 tbsp. salsa. Line the potato halves with fresh spinach leaves and fill with topping.

Cottage Cheese and Fruit Filling


Sweet and savory at the same time! Add 1 chopped apple to 1/2 cup cottage cheese and toss in 2 chopped stalks of celery. Mix well and fill the potato cups.