Pad Thai (Mark Bittman Recipe)

This was a pretty simple dish to make and it took about an hour for me to do. One note in the recipe is that I used about twice as much ingredients because I used twice as much pasta. I also used more sauce/spices to get a bolder flavor. In addition I did not add a fried egg crepe on top as is told in the recipe because well I don't really like eggs :)

Here is the recipe, all credit to Mark Bittman's Book "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian"

Note: bean sprouts are entirely optional

12 ounces dried flat rice noodles, 1/4 inch thick

5 tablespoons peanut or neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn

4 garlic cloves, minced

8 ounces pressed tofu, or extra-firm tofu, blotted dry, sliced

2 scallions, cut into 1-inch lengths

1 cup bean sprouts, rinsed and trimmed

2 tablespoons soy

2 teaspoons tamarind paste or ketchup

2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 cup chopped peanuts

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

2 small fresh green chiles, preferably Thai, seeded and sliced (optional)

1 lime, cut into wedges

1. Put the noodles in a bowl and pour boiling water over them to cover. Soak until softened, at least 15 minutes; if you want to hold them a little longer, drain them, fill the bowl with cold water, and return the noodles to the bowl.

2. Raise the heat to high and add oil. When hot, add the garlic and scallions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become caramelized, about 2 minutes. Add the tofu, scallions, and half of the bean sprouts to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to plate.

4. Put the drained noodles,soy sauce tamarind, and sugar in the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are heated through, then add the stir-fried tofu mixture. Toss once or twice and transfer the contents of the pan to a serving platter. Top with the peanuts, cilantro, chiles, and remaining bean sprouts. Serve with the lime wedges.

I served the Phad Thai with an Asian salad from a mix and with lots of fresh lime :). 

Enjoy! :-)

Black Bean Bowl and Brown Rice and Sauteed Veggies

This is a pretty straightforward meal that tastes great and is really healthy especially when paired with brown rice. It's basically like a "naked burrito" from a place like Qdoba or Chipotle, but way cheaper and probably healthier.

Start with the brown rice since that will take the longest:
-In your rice cooker (if you use one), put the amount of rice you want in with 2 cups more of water and let sit for 15-20 minutes. (If you have 2 cups of rice add 4 cups water etc.) After 20 minutes or so put the rice cooker on and cook the rice. This way the rice is nice and soft and has a great texture. If you don't use a rice cooker, still soak the rice in water for about 20 minutes, then cook rice as you normally would.

For the bean bowl:
-Black beans (I used 3 cans)
-Pasilla peppers
-Onions
-Frozen corn
-Salt
-Pepper
-Field Roast brand vegetarian chipotle sausage** (by the way this sausage is really messy, so be prepared for that :) )
-Taco seasoning (from Trader Joe's)**
**If you use the sausage, because it's pretty spicy, don't use taco seasoning. If you aren't using the sausage then add taco seasoning or other chipotle flavor to taste.

Recipe:
-Sautee onions and pasilla peppers in oil.
-When sauteed, add in sausage, crumbled.
-When sausage and onions and peppers are pretty done, add in beans and the liquid from the cans, plus some water (about 1/2 a can or so).
-Add in frozen corn
-Let beans simmer for awhile until corn is cooked and they are at desired consistency (not too watery), then turn off stove and let sit.

For sauteed veggies:
-Carrots, cut into sticks
-Bell peppers
-Onions
-Chili powder
-Cumin
-Coriander

Recipe:
-Cut vegetables into strips of similar lengths.
-Sautee in pan with oil (I used a cast-iron pan, but you can use any kind of skillet)
-Add in spices
-If using a cast iron pan, turn off when veggies are nearly done, the residual heat from the pan will finish cooking them.

Serve beans and rice in a bowl topped with veggies, sour cream and cheese.
Enjoy :-)

Waffles with blackberries

This meal is insanely easy and can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner by any busy college student or anyone else whose pressed for time.

Ingredients:

Waffle maker

Pancake mix

Berries ( I used blackberries but you can use any fruit that you want that's in season)

Sugar. 2 teaspoons

Whipped cream (optional)

Syrup (optional)

Recipe:

Mix blackberries and sugar together. Let sit for fifteen minutes or so. Follow instructions on package to make waffle batter. Pour batter in waffle maker making sure not to fill up entire press or it will overflow. My waffle maker flashes green when it is heated up and when the waffle is ready so follow anything like that on yours to know when waffle is done. Once made, top with fruit, or whipped cream and syrup to your liking.

Enjoy! :-)

 

Spaghetti with Tofurkey Sausage

This is a very quick and simple meal to make that tastes amazing especially with tofurkey sausage. 

Ingredients:

Trader Joe's spaghetti ( or any uncooked spaghetti)

Jarred pasta sauce of your preference 

Onion

Peppers

Tofurkey sausage

Salt

Black Pepper

Garlic salt ( a little)

Oregano

Recipe:

Follown instructions for boiling pasta

Once boiled, drain pasta. Cut sausage into circles.

In same pot used to boil pasta, sautée onions and peppers. Add sausage and cool until crisp. Add pasta sauce and spices. When sauce simmers (bubbles) turn off stove, add pasta in, and stir nicely.Garnish with shredded Parmesan if you like.

Enjoy! :-)

Trader Joe's Falafels, Fried Rice, and Homemade Tzatziki

 Greek and Mediterranean food, especially falafels, are some of my favorite things to eat! And, with these already cooked falafels from Trader Joes, making a meal out of it is that much easier. All you have to do is microwave it and they're done. Now you can always buy packaged tzatziki but I prefer to make my own because its creamier and i can make it to my own flavor preference. The rice shown here is something my mom came up with and it is amazing!

For the tzatziki:
-Plain yogurt
-Sour cream
-Feta
-Dried dill (that's what I used, fresh also is fine)
-Onion, diced
-Cucumber, diced

Mix up the yogurt and sour cream to the desired consistency and amount. Add feta, dill, onion and cucumber. Salt to taste. Be careful of adding too much cucumber/salt especially if you'll be storing it or making more to save because it could become watery.


Rice:
-Old rice
-Lemon
-Onion, diced
-Cumin (jeera)
-Cilantro

In a pan with oil, add the cumin, when it's spluttering add onions, sautee. When onions are sauteed add in old rice and mix, making sure to coat the rice in oil. Then turn off stove and add lemon juice to taste and a healthy amount of cilantro.

Serve the meal with pita and hummus if you like.
Enjoy! :)