Retro Pineapple Cheeseball

I call this Retro Cheeseball because it totally reminds me of the 1970s. In fact, anything with pineapple and green pepper reminds me of the 70s. Lawry's Season Salt, too. I don't know why. Now that I think about it, a cheeseball reminds me of the 70s. Cocktail parties, church potlucks, open houses. Well, it's time to being back the cheeseball - this one is super.

As I was struggling with this mound of cheese, trying to roll it in the walnuts, I realized that this might be the very first cheeseball I have ever made. I served it at lunch on Thanksgiving Day and we polished it up the next day for leftovers.

Here's what you need:
8 oz cream cheese (I used Tofutti brand vegan cheese - it's excellent!)
1/3 C crushed pineapple (drained well)
2-3 T minced green pepper
1-2 T minced green onion
1-2 t Lawry's season salt
1 C chopped walnuts

Here's what you do:
Bring the cheese to room temperature. Using a fork, mash in the pineapple, green pepper, green onion, Lawry's, and 1/2 C of the walnuts. Place cheese mixture in fridge to completely chill.

Spread the remaining walnuts on wax paper and plop the completely chilled cheese on the nuts. Carefully, press the mass into a ball and place on a serving plate.

Banana Rabanada (Brazilizan French Toast) from Isa Chandra

Banana Rabanada (Brazilian French Toast)

Just saying the name of this recipe is fun and elevates it to a more exotic level. 

Banana Rabanada. Banana Rabanada.

 I love it! 

I tested this recipe and made this meal for my son a few months ago, planning to serve it to my sister-in-law and her friend when they visited from Brazil in September. The bummer was that I never actually had the chance to make it when my Brazilian guests were here. We did eat well, and I did get to cook for them, but  brunch was never in the plans, so my Banana Rabanada had to go by the wayside. 

This recipe is another total winner from Isa Chandra's "Vegan Brunch" cookbook. Basically you soak good bread in a super delish banana milk, toast them in a hot skillet, and serve them with cocoa and cinnamon. Simple ingredients, fantastic result. The bread is key here - choose a high quality baguette and toast it completely to create those chewy places. I think I might have gone overboard with the cocoa powder, but it was worth it. I think this would be a good choice for a brunch party, because it could hold well in a warm oven - it's pretty sturdy. 

Here's what you need for 4 servings: 

2 very ripe bananas

1 1/2 C non dairy milk

2 T cornstarch

1 t good vanilla

1 T unsweetened cocoa powder

1 t ground cinnamon

1 stale baguette, sliced diagonally in once inch slices

extra fruit for garnish

Here's what you do:

Blend the bananas, milk, cornstarch, and vanilla in a blender. Place bread slices on a baking sheet and pour the banana mixture over them. Allow the bread to soak for about 20 minutes, turning them over at the 10 minute mark. 

Heat a skillet, use a small amount of oil, toast the bread slices for at least 5-7 minutes on each side. Do not try to turn them over too soon! Let them get brown before you flip them. You don't want any of the banana goodness to 'peel' away from the bread and get stuck in the pan. 

Mix the cocoa powder and cinnamon together and dust each serving liberally before serving. 

Thanksgiving Menu Inspiration: Part Two

Yesterday I shared appetizers, soups, and salads. Today I share vegetable side dishes, main courses, and desserts.

Zucchini Tart - much easier than it looks! 

Vegetable Bake with Crispy Topping - I only made this once, but I still remember it. It's on my menu for this year's Thanksgiving. 

Nut Loaf - excellent! serve with potatoes and gravy and everyone's happy

Autumn Harvest Stuffed Squash- The colors of Thanksgiving

Adonis Cake - one of the best chocolate cakes I have ever eaten

Pear Frangipane Tart - I've made this many times and it always gets rave reviews 

Thanksgiving: Menu Inspiration Part One

Some menu ideas for your upcoming day of thanks. I chose recipes that can be made ahead which makes the big day of eating and watching football and being with family and friends a little more relaxing.  You can find recipes by clicking on the links.

This will be the 4th year that I have not served or eaten the traditional turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, and guess what? I'm still alive to tell about it! I didn't shrivel up and waste away because I didn't eat turkey on Thanksgiving. Can you rise to the challenge and step out of the the box a tiny bit? Try some new foods and see how much your guests appreciate it. 

Today I'm sharing appetizers, soups, and salads. Tomorrow I'll share vegetable side dishes, main entrees, and desserts galore. 

Burgundy Mushrooms- serve with good bread to soak up the juice - it's amazing! 

Maple Nut Snack Mix - put down the puppy chow. (You have powdered sugar on your chin)

Cauliflower and Potato Soup with Applesauce Reduction  - this is a restaurant photo, mine is much different, but my version of the soup was memorable!

Creamy Wild Mushroom Soup - a meal in itself, but perfect as a first course on a Thanksgiving table.

 

Celery Salad with Miso Dijon Dressing - I always associate celery with Thanksgiving.

Dijon, Orange and Dill Dressing - good on greens or veg. 

Curried Coconut Carrot Soup with Carrot Top Pesto

What glorious fall colors! This soup is a total winner. I used a combination of recipes from all over the place to create this warm, spicy, comforting (and gourmet, if I do say so myself) bowl. If you are fortunate enough to use fresh carrots, do not throw away those carrot tops! The garnish is a MUST in this soup.

I'm still all a-glow over the carrots I grew in my garden this summer and I'm already planning to expand my space for even more next year. Aren't they gorgeous?

Basically, you soften the veg in coconut oil, simmer it all in veg broth, and then season well with coconut milk, curry and ginger.

Here's what you need:
2 T coconut oil
1 C chopped onion
2 lb chopped carrots
1/4 C fresh ginger, or less to taste
4 C vegetable broth
1 can full fat coconut milk
1 T curry (hot or regular, more or less to taste)

Here's what you do:
Heat the coconut oil and add the onions. Cook on medium until onions are soft. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer until everything is well cooked. I often allow my soup to sit around with the lid on to really help meld the flavors. It's good to let it cool a little bit before blending it anyway.

 I made a double batch.... plenty for the freezer. 

Here's what you need for the carrot top pesto:

1 small bunch or handful of carrot greens

1 small bunch or handful of cilantro

1/2 C slivered almonds

2-3 cloves of garlic

1/4 C olive oil

salt to taste

Keep blending it until you get a nice smooth consistency. The amounts given is enough for the double batch of soup I made..... You might want to reduce quantities if you're only making a single batch of soup. OR - keep the pesto in the freezer for other uses. I didn't waste any! I even used a tiny bit in some 'ranch' dressing the next day - AMAZING! 

Corn Fritters

Corn Fritters

Not a lot to say about these, except that they are tasty little buggers. What is it about eating food with your fingers? Appetizers and small plates are so fun to serve and eat. 

I served these corn fritters with marinated mushrooms and a Spanish 'Queso' Fundido and garlic toast. Thinking back on the meal, I remember that the corn fritters could have benefited from some spicy mayo, or a drizzle or dollop or drip of some concoction. Something to keep in mind. 

Here's what you need: 

1/2 C garbanzo flour

1/4 C all purpose flour

2 T fine cornmeal 

1/2 t baking powder

1/2 t cumin

1/4 t thyme

1/4 t paprika

1/4 t salt

pepper to taste

1 C corn kernels

2 T finely grated carrot

1 T minced onion (or chopped chives)

1/4 C non dairy milk

Here's what you do:

Mix it all together until it's a thick, sticky mess. Form small patties. Fry until brown. 

(recipe from "Vegan Finger Foods")

Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake (www.onegreenplanet.org)

Looking for something spectacular to serve on Thanksgiving?

Want a contrast to the pumpkin pie on the dessert table?

Tired of all the cheese in your diet, but still want to indulge in something rich and decadent? 

This recipe is from the fantastic site "One Green Planet." Their recipes are always spot-on and this is no exception. True, strawberries in November is a tiny stretch, but I bet at Thanksgiving you'll find them. I'm betting that other fruit would work well in this cheesecake as well: mango, raspberry, blueberry. 

I remember the first time I used Medjool dates in my baking.... I was skeptical. Now, it feels like the most natural thing in the world. So if you're new to 'raw' baking - fear NOT! It's simple and super tasty - better than using butter and eggs. 

Crust:

1 C buckwheat flour

1/2 C walnuts

8 Medjool dates

1/2 t vanilla

1/4 t salt

Filling:

2 C soaked raw cashews

1 cup coconut milk

1/4 C coconut oil

4 dates

2 t vanilla

juice of 1 lemon

1/4 t salt

Frosting:

2 C strawberries

4 Medjool dates

juice of 1/2 lemon

Blend flour and walnuts in food processor. Add dates, vanilla and salt and continue to blend until well incorporated. Press into a 9-inch spring form pan.

Combine the filling ingredients in a blender except for the coconut oil. Melt the coconut oil and add it to the blender. Pour the filling over the crust and freeze for at least 2 hours.

Blend the strawberries, dates and lemon juice till smooth. Pour over the top of the cheesecake when ready to serve. Garnish with more strawberries.

Creamy Corn Gazpacho (lindawagner.net)

This photo is my soup made with red (rather than yellow) tomatoes. Please be sure to use yellow tomatoes for the original glorious yellow color. 

Everyone and their uncle is going bonkers for pumpkins at this time of year, however I only think of pumpkins at Thanksgiving. There is still plenty of time on the calendar for other vegetables. And cold soup is not out of season yet in my kitchen.

Here is a time I made this with red tomatoes. Yellow is the preferred color though.

This recipe was very unusual and completely refreshing. Since it is a raw soup, it came together in a matter of minutes. I think the garnishes are important because you want nice contrasting colors. I also think, in a jam, you could get away with using frozen corn, but seriously, there's nothing better than fresh corn on a cob.

Basically, you put everything in a blender and whirl to your desired consistency. I left mine just the tiniest bit chunky.

Another reason that I'm posting this 'summer' soup now in the autumn, is because I'm going to try heating the soup after blending. I know it will be great.

(from Linda Wagner) Creamy Corn Gazpacho

4 ears raw sweet corn - 3 for soup and one for garnish - kernels removed

1 can white beans, drained

1 yellow pepper, seeds and veins removed, chopped in pieces

1/2 shallot

2 C yellow tomatoes, cubed

3/4 C almond milk

1/4 C water

juice of 1 lime

1 t garlic powder

1 t onion powder

1/2 t cayenne

1/2 inch of fresh ginger, peeled and cut in pieces

salt and pepper to taste

olive oil for garnish

Place ingredients in a blender. Serve cold.  Choose garnishes that contrast well with the flavors and color of the soup: cilantro, tomatoes, black pepper, olive oil, green peas, more corn kernels.

Oven Baked Onion Rings (Ellie Krieger)

Raise your hand if you're guilty of eating an entire "Blooming Onion" at The Outback.
 I've come close. 

The problem with fried onion rings, besides being totally greasy, is that they get way too cold, way too soon, and you're left with a plate of mushy deep fried breading. And you want to keep eating! Am I right?

Another problem with fried restaurant onion rings is that the portion is so dang small. Who can really eat only 4 onion rings? (Well, if they're cold and greasy, I guess I could.)

All the classic onion ring problems are magically solved with this incredible recipe from Ellie Krieger.  I make these all the time and apart from the mess you create while making them, they are perfection.

Here's what you need: 

1 large bag of baked potato chips (Lays brand is best)

1/2 t cayenne

1 C soy milk or other plain plant milk

12 C plus 2 T flour

1/2 t salt

1/2 t ground black pepper

1-2 large Vidalia onions

Spray oil (like Pam)

Here's what you do: 

Spray a baking sheet and set aside. Oven at 450 degrees. Put potato chips in food processor and turn into fine crumbs. Transfer crumbs to shallow bowl and add cayenne. Set aside. In another shallow bowl combine milk, 2 T flour, salt and black pepper. Set aside. Slice onions into 1/2 inch rings, saving the smaller pieces for another use. You need about a dozen rings.

Place the remaining flour in a plastic bag and add the onions. Shake the bag until each onion is totally covered in flour.

Here's the fun part! Dip each onion ring into the milk mixture, then into the potato chip mixture.  Shake off any clumps. Place on prepared baking sheet.

Spray canola oil over the tops of the rings and bake for 20 minutes or until coating is crisp. Season with salt and serve immediately. 

Celery Salad with Miso Dressing (deliciousliving.com)

Celery is surprisingly nutritious.  It's loaded with vitamins K and C. It's great in all kinds of soups and stews; I even put it in my chunky spaghetti sauce sometimes. I never really ate much celery as a kid and I often forget about eating it as a snack or raw vegetable now-a-days too. But I feel as if I have found the BEST way to eat celery! I made this salad about a dozen times this summer: small servings for my husband and me and large amounts for potlucks. Always rave reviews. 

The best thing about this salad is how unusual it is -  uncommonly delicious. Plus, it's gorgeous on a plate or large platter.

2 cloves minced garlic (or use a garlic press)

1 T light miso

1 T dijon

2 t agave

4 T olive oil

8 stalks celery, sliced diagonally into very thin slices

1/4 C toasted walnuts
coarsely ground black pepper for garnish

baby lettuce or bib lettuce

Whisk the dressing ingredients and pour over sliced celery. Mix well. Arrange celery over leaves of soft lettuce. Garnish with toasted walnuts and cracked black pepper.