Tomato and Herb Tempeh

2 8-oz. packages tempeh, diced

1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

3 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp low-sodium tamari

2 tsp dried thyme

2 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp mild paprika

3/4 tsp dried onion

black pepper to taste

In a medium bowl, whisk together the tomato paste and vinegar until combined, then whisk in the olive oil and tamari. Pour the mixture into a large ziploc bag and add the herbs, paprika, onion, and black pepper, then add the tempeh. Seal the bag and mix until the marinade evenly covers the tempeh, then place the bag on a large plate and refrigerate overnight (or up to 48 hours).  

When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking pan or casserole dish with foil. Spread the tempeh in an even layer and cover with additional foil. Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the tempeh and bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.  

Basic Chocolate Cupcakes

1 cup non-dairy milk
1/2 tbsp cider or rice vinegar
3/4 cup cane sugar
1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 dry egg replacer
1/2 tsp baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a small cup or bowl, combine the non-dairy milk and vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes, until it curdles slightly. While the milk sits, combine the cane sugar, oil, vanilla, almond, and salt in a large bowl and beat or whisk to combine. In a separate bowl, sift or whisk together the remaining dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined. Bake at 350°F for 18-20 minutes. Let cool, then frost:

Almond-Rum Buttercream

1/4 cup non-dairy margarine
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp light rum
1/2 tsp almond extract

Bring the margarine and shortening to room temperature and cream together. Begin to beat in a half-cup of the powdered sugar, then add the rum and almond extract. Continue to add the sugar in batches, adding small amounts of additional rum as needed to bring frosting to the desired consistency.

Summery Lentil Soup

3 medium carrots, diced
3 medium zucchini, diced
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried minced onion
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup green and/or red lentils, rinsed
4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried marjoram
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne
juice from 1/2 lemon
black pepper and additional salt to taste

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and add the carrots, zucchini, and 1/2 tsp of salt. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the minced garlic and onion and continue to cook for another 5 minutes.  Stir in the tomatoes with their juice, lentils, vegetable broth, water, and the herbs.  Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes.  Remove the bay leaf, then add the remaining 1 tsp salt, the cayenne, and the lemon juice and stir.  Use an immersion blender to puree the whole vegetables into the soup.  Add additional salt and pepper as needed.

Winter variation: Reduce olive oil to 2 tbsp and substitute the zucchini for 1/2 bunch of kale, torn or sliced into strips, added to the soup for the last 10 minutes of cooking.  Reduce the lemon juice to 1/2 tbsp and add 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.

How to Cook Beans

Chickpeas

2 cups dried chickpeas, rinsed and picked over
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sea salt

Place the chickpeas in a large pot and add the baking soda.  Fill the pot the rest of the way with cool water and soak in the refrigerator overnight.

Thoroughly rinse the chickpeas and return them to the pot.  Add water to the pot until filled around two inches from the top.  Bring to a boil over high heat and boil for 10 minutes, skimming off any foam that comes to the surface, then reduce the heat and allow the chickpeas to simmer for 1 hour and 20 minutes.  If simmering uncovered, add additional boiling water to the pot around halfway through the cooking time.  Remove the chickpeas from the heat, add the salt to the water, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Pinto Beans / Black Beans

2 cups dried pinto and/or black beans, rinsed and picked over
1 tsp sea salt

Place the beans in a large pot and fill with cool water. Soak in the refrigerator overnight.

Thoroughly rinse the beans and return them to the pot.  Add water to the pot until filled around two inches from the top.  Bring to a boil over high heat and boil for 10 minutes, skimming off any foam that comes to the surface, then reduce the heat and allow the chickpeas to simmer for 1 hour and 25 minutes.  If simmering uncovered, add additional boiling water to the pot around halfway through the cooking time.  Remove the beans from the heat, add the salt to the water, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Soaked Brown Rice

Add the following to a medium glass bowl:

1 1/2 cups medium grain brown rice
3 cups cold water
2 tbsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar (optional)
2 tbsp wheat bran (optional)

Cover the bowl and let sit at room temperature for 6-8 hours, then either move the bowl to the refrigerator or drain and rinse the rice thoroughly under cool running water.

Preheat your oven to 375°F, then add the rice to a pyrex baking dish along with:

2 cups boiling water or broth
1/2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil

Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 75 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and serve.

Overnight Muesli

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup non-dairy milk
2 tbsp non-dairy yogurt or cultured milk
1 rounded tbsp wheat bran
2 tbsp dried fruit (currants, raisins, cranberries, dates)
2 tbsp sliced/chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans) OR
1 tbsp seeds (hemp, chia, sesame) or shredded coconut
1 tsp liquid sweetener (maple syrup, molasses) (optional)
pinch of cinnamon or cardamom
pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and cover. Let sit in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours before serving.

Basic Pizza Dough

Sea Level

2 cups bread flour
1/2 tsp cane sugar
1 tsp instant dry yeast
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup warm water + 1 tbsp warm water
1 tbsp olive oil

Combine the bread flour and salt in a large bowl. Proof the yeast in 1/4 cup of the water with all of the sugar, then add the proofed yeast mixture, the remaining warm water, and the olive oil to the bowl.  Combine into a ball and knead.  Form into a ball and refrigerate until ready to use.

If making dough in a bread maker on a dough cycle, it's easier to double the recipe and freeze one half for later.

High altitude version: Add an additional 1/2 tsp sugar and 1 tbsp warm water.