Forks Over Knives Navy Bean Soup and Greek Stuffed Peppers

I have tried a few new recipes from Forks Over Knives cookbook (you can get them online at http://www.forksoverknives.com/category/recipes/page/2/).  I made Navy Bean Soup and Greek Stuffed Peppers.  I really like both but my family didn't absolutely love either of them but I will make them again for them.  One note about the peppers is that I think it's unnecessary to make them the way they did.  Next time I'm not going to worry about actually stuffing the peppers.  I'm just going to combine it more like a casseroleish thing.  I always add cheese for my family to make it more appealing.

Cauliflower Alfredo substitute

K frankly there are a lot of recipes out there for this.  I used a really basic recipe which was basically a bunch of cauliflower boiled for a while and then blended with some of the water and add garlic.  I was supposed to add milk but forgot and I still thought it turned out pretty good although my family were not fans.  I want to experiment a little bit.  I just saw a recipe that added nutritional yeast to it.  So, if I find another recipe that everyone loves or at least tolerates a lot better I will definitely post it.

Broccoli Burgers (or patties)

Ok Brenda and Lisa here you go! (sorry no pictures)
It's a little bit of work but I'm pretty sure you could 1. make them ahead of time and bake them for dinner 2. make a big batch and freeze them.  The sauce you could make whenever too.

This link takes you to the recipe too:
 http://thetolerantvegan.com/2011/05/baked-broccoli-burgers/

Burger ingredients:

• 1/3 cup dry couscous
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped scallions
• 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 15 ounce can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 tablespoon sesame tahini
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

Tahini dressing ingredients:

• 1/3 cup sesame tahini
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
I did these first three steps simultaneously in order to speed up the prep time.
1. In a small pot, bring the water and couscous to a boil. Remove from heat immediately and allow the couscous to sit in the pot for 10 minutes, soaking up the water.
2. Steam the broccoli in a steamer for 5-7 minutes (or use a microwave or stove method, you just want the broccoli to be soft in the end)
3. In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add in the onion and scallions, stirring occasionally for 3-5 minutes until the onion softens. Remove from heat and stir in the cumin.

I made these last week and almost all of my family liked them.  I really liked them with the tahini sauce.  They get a little dry if you bake them too long so having a sauce is great!

Snacks for Kids Delivered to Your Door!!!

I have found a reasonable solution!!!  This is one of the hardest things for me is what to feed my kids now that we are eating mostly plant based foods and I have stopped buying fishy crackers and all the other kinds of crackers and fruit snacks and stuff.  Lisa and Mary both have given me some great ideas for store bought already prepared snacks that don't have as many processed ingredients.  Then today I decided to look at the amazon subscribe and save deals.  I am excited to report that I am now have delivered to my door these items next month:
Fig Bars: 3 different kinds, apple cinnamon, peach apricot, and raspberry (whole wheat of course)

Brothers all natural fruit crisps a variety pack

Stretch Island fruit leather strawberry (there are other kinds too)


I am going to evaluate it after I get my first order next month.  All together those are costing me $50.  This might be a little bit too much money for us every month but I will see how it goes.  I probably spend that much on snacks each month anyway.  It is a total of 90 items or servings so averaging .55 per serving or item.  I know the fig bars are basically the same price I paid for them or slightly less so why not have them delivered to my door?  One less thing to worry about.
  Some other ideas that I've been given and like are: Just Mangoes from Trader Joes, Texas Caviar from Costco, Seaweed snacks from Costco? or Trader Joes (Anna loves them but the other two are wary of them), Go Go squeeze apple sauce (I know it's probably got some sugar in there but my kids love those things)
I'm not opposed to making homemade snacks but sometimes a mama just gotta have something easy and on hand.  I'm sure you understand.