Recipes

[MyrddinsPrecint]

So, I'm newly settled into an on-campus apartment, and since Smith has no partial meal plan, we're cooking for ourselves a great deal. There are four of us, and I'm a good cook, someone else is very good, and our other two roommates follow recipes very well. Really, the only problem is that we've got some dietary restrictions:

One person doesn't eat any meat at all. (As in, hasn't ever eaten meat, and probably now couldn't really start if she wanted to.)

One person is allergic to peanuts, and the edible wax they put on the outside of fruit at the supermarket.

I'm lactose intolerant. Yes, I know there are pills--- but I am intolerant enough so that the amount of money I would have to spend on the pills to eat things normally is *ridiculous*, so mostly I just don't.

Our fourth is fine.

Things that various individuals merely dislike include: tuna, eggplants, and onion.

We're eating a LOT of pasta with various things on it, and we're also eating a bunch of tofu. But I'm looking for suggestions for variety, especially for integrating protein.

PS: We'll be starting a foodblog soon, which I'll link once it's up and running.

[Nusy]

My favourite would be a special version of scrambled eggs - add in some tofu (esp. smoked), some chopped mushrooms and maybe other vegetables (I make it with ham and onions, but these are off for you...). Since eggs, tofu and mushrooms are all protein sources, with a fresh French-style toast it's very cool.

[lefty_monster]

I'd suggest fish, if your vegetarian doesn't object to it. Couscous is a good substitute for pasta. Rice, both white and brown, are good sides.

[Nicksmom]

If you can do beans, red beans and rice, (complex protien). There are always the "Boca" burgers and dogs

[MyrddinsPrecint]

What's nice is that we're all sane enough to not be upset when other people eat things we can't. So onions are okay if they're big enough to be removed, meat or cheese are often on the side, etc.

While we've had refried beans in burritos once so far, beans are not something I really know what to do with. Any particular recipes or things that go with them?

Favorite cookbooks?

[lefty_monster]

allrecipes.com is the best. You can do a search by ingredients or by category.

[lefty_monster]

Bean soup is good when it gets colder.

[Neinteen]

Originally Posted by lefty_monster

Bean soup is good when it gets colder.

ew?

[BrianH]

We make a hearty lentil soup, starting with low-sodium chicken broth. It's great in cold weather, and you can add other types of beans. Oh, navy bean soup is also good, even without the traditional ham in it. I also like rice casseroles, as you can add in any number of additional ingredients to suit your taste, and depending on what's in the fridge. Beans, peas, mushrooms, tomatoes, carrots, whatever.

[AndrewH]

i suggest watching Food Network, it's good for ideas and you can always get the exact recipe from the site later when you want to make it.

Stir-frying stuff is quick and versatile, you can use pretty much anything. I like to chop up a bunch of veggies, some meat/chicken (tofu would work also), then toss it with lime juice, salt & pepper, then cook it all up in a wok w/ some ginger & garlic. Don't forget the rice...

If the vegetarian eats fish, grab some cheap white fish fillets (tilapia is good) and season them w/ salt, pepper & paprika, then seal them in foil with lemon juice. You can throw the foil packet in the oven, on the stovetop, on the bbq, in the dishwasher (make sure it's sealed well if you do that) and it'll steam itself to citrusy perfection.

Someone up the thread mentioned scrambled eggs. Good protein and you can add in veggies while you cook (diced habaneros are my favorite addin, if you like spicy food). Along the same lines, you can mix your eggs & other ingredients (dont forget the salt & pepper) and pour into a ziploc bag. Squeeze out the air and seal it up, then drop it in a pot of boiling water til firm. It's like an egg hot pocket! (easy cleanup too)

Curry is a personal favorite, and you can curry anything. Saute some onions along with chicken/tofu/fish/whatever, then add in some curry powder or paste (you can get different types of paste at the supermarket). Then add in a can of coconut milk and a bunch of veggies, and simmer for 20 minutes or so. Don't forget the rice with this one either.

I'm hungry now...

[lefty_monster]

In the dishwasher??? O_o

I guess you could also put it in the toaster, on a rock in the sun, in someone's car or under a laptop that is running iTunes.

[magic_moose]

Originally Posted by MyrddinsPrecint

beans are not something I really know what to do with. Any particular recipes or things that go with them?

Since one of my favorite office mates was a Smithie, I feel obligated to jump in here


Tuscan Beans

Pick over a
* 1 lb bag of white beans (canelli are the best, great northern second best – Goya is better than the store brand) (worth the extra 20 cents )

and toss out anything that looks like a rock or doesn’t look like a good bean.

Put in a 4 qt pot cover with a lot of water.
Bring to a boil (lid off!) and boil one or two minutes.
Cover and let stand about an hour.
Pour off the water (gets rid of the notorious bean effects)
Cover with fresh water and add
* About two dozen fresh (must be fresh, dried is a really poor kind of bitter second best here) sage leaves
* Freshly ground black peper (1/2 tsp, more or less)
* 1 – 2 Tablespoons of chopped fresh garlic (to taste J )

Bring to a boil with the lid off, then cover and cook on low for about an hour.
* Add 1 – 2 tsp salt to taste
Cook about another half hour or hour (depends on the freshness of the dried beans) until done.

They can sit in the pot or in the fridge until you are ready to eat.

Serve with a large splash of * extra virgin olive oil.


Heaven. Just had a batch tonight

Good for poor college students.. feeds 4 for about $1.25


Leftovers:

Rinse cold beans in a colander.
Toss with vinaigrette (olive oil and wine vinegar)
Optional: Add a can of tuna (or salmon for the tuna haters)

Serve on lettuce.

[magic_moose]

Originally Posted by BrianH

Oh, navy bean soup is also good, even without the traditional ham in it.

Use a dash of liquid smoke (Wrights is the best) and you won't even notice that there isn't any ham. Just let it cook in for a bit so it doesn't taste "raw".

[AndrewH]

Originally Posted by lefty_monster

In the dishwasher??? O_o

I guess you could also put it in the toaster, on a rock in the sun, in someone's car or under a laptop that is running iTunes.

Yea, gets plenty hot in there.

[BrianH]

You can cook dinner and wash your mask at the same time! Not to mention wash some dishes.

[pigeonmeister]

I take it the peanut allergy extends to all nuts? If so- go for seeds, of which pumpkin have by far the most protein in.

Lots of roasted veg- I like sweet potato and butternut squash (which incidently makes an amazing soup, I gues you could use soya cream to enrich)
For roasting both, cut into chunks (keep skin on- best bit nutritionally) and coat in olive oil, whole garlic cloves (don't peel- can eat if really like garlic) salt pepper and rosemary or tyme (or both) Roast 200 C 30-35 mins. Much more nutritious than normal potato. Can add courgette (sorry zuccine!) red (Bell) peppers, eggs plant and onion (friend can avoid both) and you have a good meal with not much washing up. Fry an egg for protein- spinach salad on the side.

Beans have been mentioned. For an immediate mash (much quicker than potato) just take a can of cannelini beans, blend with salt pepper, garlic infused olive oil (or crushed garlic), lemon juice and chilli if desired. Don't overblend- keep some texture. Warm through slowly in a pan- great with lamb or fish. Also makes an amazing bruschetta- add parmesan and grill on ciabatta bread. Very cheap and quick to make.

Fish is also great- make tin foil bag add lemon, fennel (optional), olive oil, s+p, herbs, cherry tomatoes; seal bag and bake. Also good with soy, garlic, oyster sauce and sesame oil for asian meal.

falafel good for vegetarians- tinned chick peas, cumin, garlic, cayenne and coriander powders, s+p, lemon juice, baking powder. Process until fine but not pureed, form into balls, deep fry and serve in pitta bread with yogurt (not for you though!)

Potato and spinch curry- fry onions (thinly sliced and wont be noticed), garlic, ginger and chill until almost brown, add curry powder (or mix cumin, coriander, cardamon, cinnamon to make own) and diced potato, fry for 2 mins to coat pots in spiced oil. Add half coconut milk and veg stock to cover, put lid on and cook until pots done- add bag of spinach, place lid back on and cook for 3 mins. Can use just stock (cube or powder fine) if no coconut milk. Just use water otherwise as spices will provide plenty of flavour. Add chick peas or lentil for more protein. Serve with brown rice (or basmati)

Hope this helps

[lefty_monster]

Originally Posted by BrianH

You can cook dinner and wash your mask at the same time! Not to mention wash some dishes.

I guess if you don't mind your food tasting like soap...

[AndrewH]

Man, why all the hatin' on my dishwasher fish?

Here's an example: Dishwasher Salmon with a Piquant Dill Sauce

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Originally Posted by AndrewH

Man, why all the hatin' on my dishwasher fish?

I don't have a dishwasher : P


This is a great thread---- If you've got recipes you just NEED to share that don't fit the (bizarre) qualifications, go ahead. We'll all be away at various times-- Our veggie is going to be away all weekend, I'll be gone for fencing events, etc-- so other recipes are great for me as well, and other people should be able to get ideas from this thread too!