Tasty Thursday: My Version of GF/Vegan Cholent

Reading about Cholent on one of the blogs I follow, Frugal and Kosher, got me curious about a vegan version.  I found a recipe to get started with, then modified it with what I had on hand in the kitchen.

I put the following into the crockpot:

4 cups water
2 cups TJ's hearty vegetable broth
9 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tsp. dried parsley
1 tsp. caraway seed
1 tsp. applewood smoked salt
4 twists on the pepper mill
2 bay leaves
2 cups red lentils
1/2 lb. bag of matchstick carrots
3 large organic russet potatoes, cut into chunks
1 jar TJ's pizza sauce
1/2 can black beans

The black beans were leftover from last night's meal.  I had planned to add another can of red kidney beans but the crock pot is so full I'm thinking if it needs something more I will toss more beans in at the end.

While this is cooking we tossed a batch of these molasses cornbread muffins into the oven to serve with the soup.  The batter filled my Lodge cornbread pan, mini muffin pan and small loaf pans.   I use blackstrap molasses so we get a little extra iron from that plus the benefit of cooking them in the cast iron pans.  The sub for whole wheat flour was my favorite, most convenient GF blend, Bob's Red Mill.

Tasty Thursday: Sweet Red Lentils and Rice

Another easy crockpot recipe.  I got my inspiration here.

Into my crockpot I tossed:

2 1/2 cups red lentils (1lb. bag)
4 cups liquid (I used 1/2 cup orange juice, the rest water.  Would have used a whole cup OJ if I'd had it.)
1 tsp. powdered ginger, organic
1 heaping teaspoon dried local garlic flakes
4 Tbsp. local honey
A good shot of Bragg's Liquid Aminos
2/3 cup rice, uncooked

Turned the pot on Low and let it sit for four hours.  If I hadn't been sleeping I might have taste tested it and turned it off a little earlier.  The rice started to get a little gummy, but overall I'd rather have that than crunchy, undercooked rice.

It came out quite tasty!  Hubby added a little margarine to his, which made me want to try that too, but I prefer it just straight out of the crockpot.  Each of us had two bowls and there is some left for folks to take to work for lunch if they'd like.

Enjoy!

I Just Joined Smiley360.

My niece referred me to join.  I've just completed my profile and now I'm signing up for a 'mission' on broth.  Can't wait to receive the package and try it.

Please consider taking a look.  My personalized link is: smiley360.com—Be Heard. Be Happy.

Tasty Thursday: South River Certified Organic Chickpea Miso

My local health food store recently began carrying South River Certified Organic Chickpea Miso.  I have been on a chickpea jag for a few weeks now so when this caught my eye, I managed to not let the $12 price tag deter me from trying it. 

While I love, love, love Miso soup, I have to admit that I haven't  tried this as soup yet.  It makes an amazing spread on crackers, wraps and sandwiches!  I have even spread it on veggies, both raw and cooked. 

The first jar lasted a week and when I asked the family if they liked it as much as I did, I was told no one else had tried it.  That means I ate an entire 16oz. jar completely on my own in a week!  I'm going easier on the second jar - it is $12 after all - but I don't expect it will last much more than two weeks.  The taste is wonderful; tangy, aged chickpea mash, just delicious.

If you are a fan of chickpeas highly recommend you give this one a try.  I just goodsearched and found the company has an online store.  Yikes!  They don't ship during the summer months.  I'm going to have to hit the HFS and pick up whatever they have on hand ASAP. 

(I was not compensated by the company for this post, I just like the stuff and wanted to share my enjoyment.)