Breakfast Sandwich with Daiya Havarti and Green Tomato Salsa

Breakfast Sandwich

Came up with this yummy breakfast sandwich after I lucked into to some Daiya Garlic and Jalapeno Havarti at my local Kroger the other day. Here's hoping they keep stocking it.

You will need:

SoyBoy Smoked Tofu (I have to drive 2 hours to get this stuff)

Daiya Havarti

whole wheat english muffins

tomatoes

garlic powder to taste

salt and pepper to taste

1) Toast your english muffin in the toaster first. But, don't get it too brown.

2) Now, slice your SoyBoy tofu block in half or thirds depending on how big you want your piece. The package comes with 4 individual blocks. 

3) Put tofu on one side of you english muffin and layer some cheese on top

4) Put sliced tomatoes on other half and sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Now cover with a layer of sliced cheese.

5) Broil in toaster oven or regular oven until cheese is melty

6) Assemble and eat!

Green Tomato Salsa

I wanted to make fresh raw green tomato salsa but most of the recipes I found online said to cook the tomatoes, so I made this one up. It turned out great.

4-6 green tomatoes (diced small)

1 large green pepper (diced very small)

1 T sugar (more if you want it sweeter)

1 T lime juice

1 T lemon Juice

a couple sprigs fresh purple basil cut up (you can use green but I like the pop of color the purple gives)

salt and pepper to taste

Combine all and let sit for several hours or overnight so flavors can come together for a unique, delicious salsa!

Cornerstone Deli- Columbus, OH

I visited Columbus, Ohio yesterday. It's about a 2 hour drive for me from down here in Southern Ohio. I absolutely love going there, though it feels like I can never accomplish all I want to get done in one day. When I go, I almost always stop at Cornerstone Deli for lunch. My favorite thing to get is the Herbivore Wrap, which is spicy tofu mixed with greens, carrots, banana peppers, sunflower seeds and almonds. I crave it so bad sometimes that I make excuses to drive up there for the day :-) The employees are friendly and food comes out fast. Cornerstore Deli, which is located right on High Street where parking can be difficult, has a parking lot. Huge bonus in my book! And nestled right in the middle of the busy city, is an adorable garden where they grow tomatoes and flowers.

 

If spicy tofu isn't your thing and you want to keep it vegetarian/vegan, they have a big salad bar where you can choose your toppings and a few other sandwiches and wraps that will work. 

Should you find yourself in Columbus, make sure you take in at least one meal at Cornerstone Deli. 

Enchilada Stuffed Portabellas

These delicious, creamy stuffed shrooms are very filling on their own. Serve with macaroni and "cheese" and if you're a real rebel, mix your enchilada sauce into the macaroni... yum! 

You will need:

1 6 pack of baby portabella stuffer mushrooms

6 oz room temp tofutti cream cheese

1/8-1/4 cup vegan parmesan cheese

1-2 teaspoons taco seasoning

1 or 2 chopped green onions

1 cup Daiya cheddar cheese

1 cup enchilada sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Remove stems from shrooms (discard or use for something else) and clean off any dirt with a damp paper towel

In a small bowl, stir together cream cheese, parmesan cheese, taco seasoning, green onion, 3/4 cup of the Daiya cheese, salt and pepper. You can make this about an hour early and let it sit so the flavors will come together if you have time.

Now, stuff your shrooms with the cream cheese mixture. place them into a small baking dish and pour enchilada sauce on top. Now, put the remaining 1/4 cup Daiya cheese on top.

Bake 20-30 minutes until brown and bubbly.  Before serving, pour some of the enchilada sauce from the baking dish on top of them. Enjoy!

Chickpea Tacos

This would be a great recipe for families trying out Meatless Monday. It's fast, healthy and based on something most people already love.

You will need:

taco shells

package of taco seasoning

2 cans chickpeas

lettuce, tomato, onion

cheese (I used Daiya vegan cheese)

1) Drain one can of chickpeas and discard the liquid. Take the other can and put the liquid from it into a medium saucepan. Now, take the chickpeas from both cans and add them to your food processor along with an onion and a package of taco seasoning. Blend until it's crumbly and resembles the texture of taco meat. Don't overblend!

2) Now, add this mixture to your saucepan with the liquid from the 1 can of chickpeas. Cook over medium for about 10-15 minutes. Watch it and stir often so it doesn't burn. Add pepper and salt to taste.

3) Preheat your oven and heat your taco shells. In the meantime cut up you lettuce and tomato.

4) Once your chickpea "meat" is thoroughly warm and your shells are done, prepare you tacos. Serve with some Mexican rice or chips and salsa.

MYO Snack Bars

These are so delicious. Kids that like nut butter will love these too!

Ingredients:

1/2 c peanut or other nut butter

1/3 cup liquid sweetener: agave, maple syrup, etc....

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 1/2 cup old fashion oats

2 T wheat germ

1/2 cup nuts or 1/4 cup chocolate chips (I prefer chocolate chips)

1) Over low heat in a medium saucepan, melt the first 3 ingredients, stirring often.

2) Mix in your oats and wheat germ and peanuts (if using) stir. 

3) Remove from heat and add chocolate chips if using. They may melt a little but that's okay.

4) Line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment or foil and press mixture into it. Cover pan with plastic wrap. 

5) Put into freezer overnight. Take out, let it soften a bit and cut into squares.

6) You may want to wrap them individually and freeze, but they probably won't last long enough!

Nutrient Rich Pasta Salad & Regrowing Green Onions

Regrow Green Onions

I saw online somewhere that you can regrow store bought green onions. Seemed like a fun thing to try. After I used my last batch of green onions I put the white parts, which only had a tiny bit of green left on them, down into a measuring cup with about an inch of water. I changed the water daily and waited. Within a couple days they were growing back. Apparently, you can keep doing this over and over. I've gotten so much use out of this one batch, just cutting off what I need as I need it. If you love green onions, you really have to do this!

Nutrient Rich Pasta Salad

I've always made pasta salad a certain way but at a family gathering recently my mom brought some that had beans and canned mushrooms in it and I have to say I loved it. 

box of whole wheat pasta

packet of Italian dressing mix

bottle of Italian salad dressing

black olives

tomatoes

green onions

chives

can of mushrooms

can of beans (I used cannelini beans)

+ whatever else you like

to season: nutritional yeast, paprika, season salt, salt and pepper

Make pasta according to package directions and rinse with cold water when it's done. While it's getting ready. Toss about a half a bottle of Italian dressing in a big bowl with a packet of Italian dressing seasoning mix and put all your veggies and bean in. Mix well. After the pasta is done, add it to the bowl and mix. Season to taste. Enjoy!

Cleaning House & Thrifting

CLEANING HOUSE

My grandfather passed away last month at the age of 90. My grandmother passed in 2004. We started cleaning out their house recently. It's sad and there are many memories. We have to sort through what we want and what we plan to donate. On a positive note, the attic is full of great vintage stuff. I found matching rooster wall plaques and a decorative tray that matches my kitchen perfectly, strands of bells that I played with when I was little..... 

I'll post more pics of other things later on. Lots of owls and 70's decor! My grandparents really had good taste :-)

The coolest thing I've found so far is a LOOK magazine from 1968 with some amazing Beatles pics

THRIFTING

Went to our local Goodwill this week (Portsmouth, OH). I usually don't have much luck there. It seems like they don't get much good stuff and they ask a lot for it. For instance, you'll see a bowl with a dollar store $1 price tag on the bottom and Goodwill will have it marked for $1.89. I mean, seriously?

Anyway, I decided to stop in just in case and picked up a couple cheap treasures. 

I got this Vino sign for 69 cents which will be so cute above my wine fridge 

Carved wood coaster 59 cents. Not sure why I bought this :-)

Danny has been wanting a magazine holder for months.
I got this one for $3.10. It needs some TLC but cheaper than a
new one.  Maybe I should paint it? Not sure about that yet.

BARGAIN SHOPPING

This salt and pepper shaker set is not a thrifting find. I got it at Kmart, but it is seriously so cute for $7.00!

Life is Short Sign, Eat Dessert First sign. A bargain at Hobby Lobby $9.00. Half price!

Until next time......