Pasta Della California Via Vcon

This dish is refreshingly good! If you haven't tried it yet, do yourself a favor and make it, now!

More V-Con: Cornmeal Crusted Tofu & Dip

Last night I made the Chili Cornmeal crusted tofu (with blue corn meal) and sweet potato fries & BBQ sauce for dipping. I don't know if you know this about me, but I hate tofu! Well, maybe I don't hate it, I like it blended in things, but I've never found a tofu-as-a-main-dish recipe that I've loved. And this time is no exception. While it was probably better than other attempts it just didn't cut it for me.

However, for lunch & snacking, I made the Spinach Asparagus Dip which is awesome! It made a lot, and my husband and I finished it off by the end of the day. If I hadn't have used up the last of my cashews I would make some more for today!

Lookie what we got!

Well, I finally did it! With some belated birthday money, I bought myself 2 books I've been wanting. Better late than never, huh?

Here is my first dinner from V-con: Seitan & Mushroom Spinach something or other (I can't get up and check the title right now, I have a sleeping baby in my arms. I ommitted the mushrooms and onion because I am out, but it was still very tasty without. Served over quinoa, and yum!

Curried Lentil Loaf & Maple-Mustard Potatoes & String Beans

This dinner was from last week, and I just haven't posted it yet. But I wanted to post this one so I could get to what I am going to post tomorrow.

Here is Curried Lentil Load from the Veg. Meat & Potatoes Cookbook with Maple Mustard potatoes and string beans from VWAV.

I've been keeping really busy, with school and my baby. Yesterday we tie-dyed some clothes and cloth diapers.. here's a look at our first attempt. We had so much fun, I ordered more dye to do some more!

The easiest Sloppy Joes, Ever

Sorry, I've been bad about posting! My hubby has been working out of town a lot, and cooking a big dinner for just myself and my 9 month old is very challenging! Here is an easy dinner that we've had on a weekend, sloppy Joe's from hubby's childhood recipe:

One 1/2 package veggie grounds (Smart Grounds)
1/2 diced onion
1/3 c. ketsups
1 Tbs brown sugar
2 Tbs olive oil
4 pieces of bread or 2 buns

Saute onions in olive oil, add smart grounds when they are cooked. Add ketsup and brown sugar, coat grounds well. Serve on bread of choice. Easy!

Baked Rigatoni

This simple baked pasta was so comforting and delicious! A day later, I want to make it again for lunch! It is kind of heavy on the processed side, since I used veggie grounds and Follow Your Heart cheese, but it is so worth it!

Ingredients:

• Half Pound rigatoni pasta (or ziti)
• One 28 oz can chopped tomatoes
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 tbs Italian seasoning
  
• 1/2 pound veggie grounds (I used Light Life brand)
• soy mozzerella to top.
  

Directions: In a large pot boil water, and cook noodles until almost done. Meanwhile, chop and saute the onion and galic. Add veggie grounds- saute to break them up and mix flavors, then add tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and wine, adjust flavor as desired. Let simmer until noodles are ready to be drained.

Preheat oven to 375. In a casserole dish layer noodles, then sauce, and top with cheese. Bake for about 30 mins, and serve with garlic bread and a glass of red wine (if you'd like).

I think this dish would also be good with sliced olives on top. I will try that next time. It also takes great cold the next day. This is ultimate comfort food!