Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Steamed Whole Artichokes

Happy spring everyone! One of my favorite things about spring is artichokes. I get this question a lot, how do you cook artichokes so here we go!

Steps
Using a knife cut off the stems close to the base, also pull of the lower petals that are small and tough.
Place the artichokes in a steaming basket that is in a pot of water, the water should only come to the top of the basket.
Turn on the Stove.
Once the water has boiled turn the heat down to mid love and cook for 30-40 min (If you have a very large artichoke you may need to steam it longer.)
How to eat!
Pull off a leaf and scrape the "meat" off that is at the base of the leaf. 
You may also take the leaf and dip it in vegan mayo or butter then scrape off the "meat"
Enjoy!













Saturday, March 28, 2015

The Happy Cow Cookbook Review

Over the past two weeks I have made 4 recipes from The HappyCow Cookbook. The HappyCow is an app for your phone Link here. It is so helpful if you are trailing and want to find restaurants that have veg or vegan options.
So This book is recipes from all over the world from top rated vegan restaurants. I will do a mini review and my thoughts about each recipe.


Tofu Spinach Lasagna from Buddha Burgers, Israel.
**** 4 out of 5 stars
It was really fun to make but I wasn't 100% with the taste of the cheese I made.


Celery-Breaded cutlet with mixed vegetables from Coox and Candy, Germany
*** 3 out of 5
I will for sure do the cutlet again it was soo good. The mixed veg with the sauce wasn't that good and not worth the time to make.



Roasted spaghetti squash cauliflower and mashed potatoes with porcini mushroom gravy from Peacefood cafe, new york
*****5 out of 5
This was soo easy to make and so yummy! The gravy also could be a mushroom soup, its soo good. 



Porcini-Crusted Tofu from Candle Cafe, New York
*****5 out of 5
Very easy to make, the gravy took the longest, but so worth it! 


I love this cookbook! And I think everyone that wants to try more vegan food for sure should get this book! I can't wait to try more recipes. 

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

How to Make Kombucha

Kombucha contains high levels of antioxidants, b-vitamins, probiotics and glucaric acid. It has been reported to have a variety of health benefits. Find out about Kombucha here.

Kombucha is brewed from sweetened tea, most of the sugar ferments out. It is made caffeinated or green tea. When you are starting this for the first time I wouldn't sagest herbal teas unless you have a PH meter.

The Kombucha is brewed with a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Yeast and Bacteria) that “eats” the sugars and the caffeine in the tea and creates an acidic, vitamin and probiotic rich beverage. Find out more about SCOBY here.



How to Get a SCOBY?

SCOBYs are living and thriving colonies of bacteria and unfortunately, you can’t just pick one up at your grocery store. 
I got mine from a friend, this also seams like the easiest way to get one. This is called a "baby" SCOBY. Every time you make a batch of kombucha the SCOBY makes a "baby". :P Funny I know.
You can order your own here
Or try to grow your own but I haven't tried this.

One last thing

Make sure your hands and everything is clean before you start for no cross-contamination.

How To Make Kombucha
Ingredients:
  • One gallon glass jar
  • A SCOBY
  • 3 tea bags black or green tea (I use organic green tea)
  • 1/4 cup organic sugar
  • Cheese cloth with a rubber band
Prepare the sweet tea. Boil the water, add the sugar to the glass jar. Add in just enough water to cover the sugar and swish the jar around trying to dissolve all the sugar. (DO NOT use a spoon of any kind we don't want to touch the tea at all)
Then add in the rest of the hot water, leaving just 5 cm of space for the SCOBY. (You can see this in my first photo.)
Let the tea cool to room temperature. (If the tea water is too hot it can kill your SCOBY.)
Pour in 1/4 from the old kombucha that the SCOBY was in into the new jar.
With clean hands take the SCOBY out of its old jar. You can now take off any old layers if its getting too big.
 Gently place the SCOBY at the top of your jar. (The SCOBY doesn't always float its fine what ever it wants to do.)
Let sit to ferment for around 5 days at the least up to a month. (I like to leave mine for 7) You can test the Kombucha by placing a straw in the jar carfully. It should taste tart but still very slightly sweet.
You can add what ever fruit or fruit juice to add some flavor to your tea. I like to drink it as is. I quite like the taste.
*  (You don't have to do this step.)Now the Kombucha is ready for a second ferment. Pour the Kombucha into another jar with an airtight lid and seal for about 3 days. This adds the bubble to your drink. 
Have you  made Kombucha before what do you think?
What is your favorite thing to add to yours?


Here is a photo of me steeping the tea


Old jar to the left and new tea to the right
I am just about the add the old Kombucha to the new jar
This is the old jar of Kombucha


Here you can see "mother" SCOBY (left) with "baby" (right


They can get pretty big

New jar brewing up

Onto second ferment


Time to drink :D

Monday, March 23, 2015

Vegan Reuben Recipe

 For this recipe all you need is:
Rye bread
1 Avocado
Half of a Tomato
Sauerkraut
Vegan Mayo
Ketchup

Assemble your sandwich and enjoy!


Thursday, March 19, 2015

Vegan Avocado Creamy Sauce

 I just love this avocado pasta sauce, its soo easy too!
All you need is:
1/4 cup fresh basil
6 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 med.- large avocado pitted
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

In a food processor, add in all ingredients and pulse. Add in 1 tablespoon until smooth.
Add this to your favorite cooked pasta and your done!

 So what is your fav pasta dish? Let me know in the comments below thanks everyone, happy eating!
© CandiWare. Powered by