Lentil Stew with Spinach and Potatoes Recipe

 

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, chopped
3 cups canned vegetable broth
1 cup lentils, rinsed
8 ounces red-skinned potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (grated lemon peel)
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
6 ounces fresh spinach leaves, to (about 8 cups)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
Salt and pepper

Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds. Add vegetable broth and lentils; bring to boil. Reduce heat,
cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add potatoes; cook uncovered until potatoes and lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
Add lemon zest, lemon juice, spinach and cayenne pepper to stew.
Cover and simmer stew until spinach wilts and is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Mix in mint. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Spoon stew into large soup bowls.

Note: 

• Serves 4.
• Can be prepared 1 day ahead. 
• Cover and refrigerate. 
• Re-warm over low heat before serving. 
• Recipe can be doubled.

Frugal Yogi Crockpot Chili Recipe

1 1/4 cup dried kidney beans
1/2 cup dried black beans
1 large onion, chopped
2 – 3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 can diced tomatoes (giant sized can, 6 pounds 6 ounces)
1/2 bag frozen corn (12 ounce size)
Salt, pepper, sugar, chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper to taste

Let beans soak overnight in several inches of water.
Rinse and drain.
Place beans in the crockpot (slow cooker). Cover beans with 1-2 inches of water.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours.
Add onion, garlic, tomatoes, and corn.
Add seasonings to taste.
Cook for 3-4 more hours on high or till beans are soft.

Note: 

• Make another batch with the leftover tomatoes and corn to freeze for later.
• Goes great with cornbread.
• Serves 4

Falafel Recipe

1 cup dried chickpeas, or 16 ounce can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans.
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon cumin
2 tablespoons flour
Salt and pepper
Oil for frying

Place dried chickpeas in a bowl, covering with cold water. Soak
overnight.
Drain chickpeas, and place in pan with fresh water, and bring to a boil.
Boil for 5 minutes, then let simmer on low for about an hour.
Drain and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Omit this step, if using canned beans.
Combine chickpeas, garlic, onion, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper (to
taste) in medium bowl. Add flour.
Mash chickpeas mixture well. Can also combine
ingredients in a food processor. The result should be a thick paste.
Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of a ping-pong ball.
Slightly flatten.
Fry in 2 inches of oil at 350°F., until golden brown (5-7 minutes).
Serve hot.

Note :

• Serves 4
• To reduce the spattering of oil on the stove, use a stockpot, instead of a frying pan, to fry the falafel.
• 
  
• Serving Suggestion
• Falafel can be served as an appetizer with hummus and tahini or as a main
• course. Stuff pita with falafel, lettuce, tomatoes, tahini, salt and pepper.
• As an alternative, falafel can be formed into patties and served like burgers

Eggplant Meatballs Recipe

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound eggplant, peeled or unpeeled, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced, equals approximately 1 tablespoon
1 cup cooked or canned white beans
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, leaves only
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 cups marinara (pasta sauce)
Pinch of red chile flakes (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Use 1 tablespoon olive oil to grease a large rimmed baking sheet fitted with parchment paper. Put 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add eggplant and 1/4 cup water. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until eggplant pieces shrivel a bit and are tender and beginning to color, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer eggplant to the bowl of a food processor.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet along with the onion and garlic and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently until onions are soft and translucent.
Drain the cooked beans. If using canned beans, drain and rinse them. Add the beans and parsley to the eggplant and pulse until well combined and chopped, but not pureed.
Place the eggplant mixture in a large bowl. Add the onion and garlic and toss. Then add the breadcrumbs and red chile flakes, if using and mix well. Taste and adjust seasonings. Roll mixture into approximately 12 balls, about 2 inches in diameter. Transfer meatballs to the baking sheet. Bake undisturbed, until they are firm and well-browned, 25 to 30 minutes.
Warm the pasta sauce. Serve the meatballs, hot or at room temperature along with the pasta sauce.
Serve over pasta, rice, quinoa or steamed greens.

Note: Meatballs can also be added to and warmed up in the pasta sauce. Serves 4-6.

Black Bean Chili-Topped Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe

4 large sweet potatoes, washed well (do not peel)

1/2 cup onion, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup green pepper, seeded, and diced
1/2 cup Roma tomatoes, seeded, and diced
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 ounce can black beans, rinsed, and drained
8 ounce can tomato sauce
hot pepper sauce, to taste

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Using a fork, pierce the skins of the sweet potatoes in several places. Place an oven-proof rack on a cookie sheet and place the sweet potatoes on the rack. Bake for 60-75 minutes or until the sweet potatoes feel soft when gently squeezed. While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the black bean chili. In a medium saucepan, sauté the onion in the olive oil on medium heat for 3 minutes to soften.
Add the green pepper and saute an additional 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add the tomatoes, garlic, and seasonings, and saute an additional 2 minutes. Add the black beans, tomato sauce, and season to taste with hot pepper sauce, stir well to combine, and simmer the chili for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Remove the saucepan from the heat. When the sweet potatoes are tender, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and leave the sweet potatoes on the rack to cool for 5 minutes. For each serving, place one sweet potato on a plate or in a bowl, split it open, ladle some of the black bean chili over the top, and serve.

Note : Serves 4

10 Minute Vegan Chili Recipe

16 ounce package ground vegan burger substitute
1 jar salsa (any brand will work)
15 ounce can kidney beans or pinto beans, drained
1/2 cup chopped green peppers
1/2 cup chopped onions
jalapeno peppers, chopped, if desired.

Mix all of the ingredients together in a pot. Heat until hot.

Note : Serves 2-4