How to refresh one's cooking regime

This is a great idea! I've wanted that recipe before, so I'm glad you posted it. I've got a few I can add, but I can't do it right now. I'll be back. Anyone else want to join in? 

  I'll join in... but can't just this second... i'll be back!  My least favorite chore is making my grocery list and then heading to the store.  I enjoy cooking, most of the time, except for class nights... I've taken to cooking enough on Wednesday evenings or cooking even more ahead for nights I'll be out of the house for class or class related activities.  It isn't easy - - I try a lot of new things, some are hits and some aren't.  If John asks if there are enough leftovers for his lunch, then I know I hit it out of the ballpark. 

I LOVE this idea, but I don't see many recipes posted! Being a student and renting rooms (and therefore not really being able to set up a kitchen), I tend to live off of peanut butter and banana sandwiches and the sort. But I recently made this minestrone soup and was VERY happy with how it turned out. It makes a very large batch! I ate it for lunch and dinner about 4 days in a row and had leftovers to bring to my students at school. So you could probably half the recipe for a family of 2-4. It took a little bit of prep work, but was quite easy and a lot faster than I expected.

Saute:

2 c. kidney beans (either canned or pressure cooked)

2 onions, chopped

4 stalks of celery, chopped

4 carrots, cut in rounds

1 small cabbage, shredded

in 1/2 c. oil until limp. If you are going to add potatoes, add them at this time also.

Next add:

4 c. stewed tomatoes

2 tsp. garlic powder

2 tsp. oregano

4 tsp. basil

1 Tbsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

8 c. water

When this comes to a boil, add 1 c. noodles or cooked rice. Boil for 15 mins., stirring occasionally to keep from sticking. Add the beans and simmer for a few minutes before serving.

Christina

Here's a recipe for any guy out there that wants to impress his wife.  This recipe is virtually indestructible, yet provides a safe environment to practice cooking creativity.  (Ladies, this recipe is not below you; I learned it from a woman who used it frequently.)

Oat waffles

• Quick oats -- however much you want.
• water -- enough so the oats are soupy, not sticky.

Mix and cook in a waffle iron.

While the basic recipe is great, here are some ideas for improvement if you feel comfortable with more than two ingredients:

• A little salt is nice
• Cinnamon and nutmeg add a nice flavor
• A little sugar or honey can add a hint of sweetness (and I suggest sticking with just hint.)

The key to making this into a nice breakfast, is a nice topping.  Stewed fruit is nice, but if you aren't feeling fancy, peanut-butter and apple-sauce are good.

sounds yummy and easy! Thanks Christopher. :)

Christina

This has become one of our favorites.  It is maded with chicken and white beans.  We found after making it the first time we like it better with less chicken and more beans.  Plus I never had the corn meal it calls for so I always used a very fine flour to add just a little thickness.  I think the green tobasco sauce is perfect for it.  Go here for the recipe.  Also, you can do without the green onions for garnish as well as the yogurt if you don't have any.  It adds a nice touch but not necessary.  The last two times I made it I did not use either. 

Tofu Dark Chocolate Mousse Pie - from a vegan restaurant in San Jose, CA

16 oz dark chocolate (no milk) melted in just enough soy milk to cover it in the pan
16 oz tofu (silken works best, but other will do)

blend in a good blender

pour in a store bought crust or i put vegan mint oreo type cookies (Newman's works well) in the food processor and then coat the pie pan. You don't need any margarine etc because the cookie middle holds the crust together. it crumbles easily but it holds well enough in the pie pan to fill without falling apart.

Christina

That sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it.

Okay this one is a favorite from my childhood.  What makes it nice is that it is loved by my non-vegetarian friends and can easily be vegan.  Hope it is not considered to be too complicated.

1 Large onion chopped

1 clove garlic

6 Cups Chicken broth (McKays for the vegetarian)

16 oz Diced canned tomatoes

3 carrots Sliced

3 potatoes diced

2-3 Celery Stalks Sliced

1/2-1 Frozen Corn (opt.)

1 tsp Sugar

2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Pepper (opt.)

Saute onions and garlic if desired.  Boil ingredients 20 to 30 min.

Garnish with your choice of the following ingredients.  I prepare garnishes/condiments and then have them ready for the left over soup.  I do this for all but the avocado.  LOL!  Avocados I like to prepare as I eat them.

Condiments

Baco bits

Sour Cream or vegan version

Green onions

Hard Boiled Eggs crumbled

Tortilla chips

Green and Red Taco Sauce

Grated Cheese or veggie shreds or leave it off

Avocado diced with lemon juice

Cilantro

Salsa

a fellow soldier of the cross,

Kristen Hoover