The Veggie-Full Kitchen

This past weekend we took a day trip to an apple/pear orchard.  We met up with our best buds over at the Little House Of Veggies to pick some of nature's bounty.  It was so much fun!  I think it is so important for us city folk to be able to show our children where their food comes from.  And there is something to be said about letting loose and getting your hands a little dirty.  My 3 year old took it to the extreme, though.  He had dirt everywhere... even his mouth.  He looked like he just walked off the Pirates of the Caribbean set.  Anyway, it was a great time... dirt included! I wanted to make something with our apples and pears that the kids could help me make.  We came up with this perfect afternoon snack.  It is easy, simple, and delicious! Fresh Picked Apple And Pear Salsa Ingredients 1 pear, finely chopped 1 apple, finely chopped 1 nectarine, finely chopped 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 teaspoon f...

I was having a pizza craving the other day and came up with this recipe.  I made the dough and then let my kids top their own.  I try to get my kids involved in the kitchen, when I can.  I've noticed that they are much more likely to like eating something when they have had a hand in making it.  So, not only were these good to eat, but we had good fun making them! The Dough Ingredients 1 1/2 teaspoons evaporated cane sugar 1 1/2 cups warm water 1 tablespoon active dry yeast 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 cup all purpose flour Directions 1.  Dissolve the sugar in the warm water.  Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for about 10 minutes. 2.  Mix in the remaining ingredients and knead until the dough forms, usually 8-10 minutes. 3.  Cover and allow it to rise for about 1 1/2 hours. 4.  Using a rolling pin or using your hands on a well floured surface, form your pizzas. 5.  Bake in a preheated 5...

This is one of my very favorite soups.  It is so rich and creamy... perfect for a cold rainy day.  Although, it hit 110 degrees F here the other day when I made it and it was still divine.  My 5 year old picky eater loves it because there aren't any chunks in it and the rest of us love it because it is absolutely delicious! Ingredients 1 cup yellow onion, chopped 1 cup leeks, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground thyme 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 1 head of cauliflower 5 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper cashew cream (I order this brand online and keep a few boxes on hand) green onions, diced for garnish Directions 1.  Saute the onions, leeks, garlic, thyme, oregano and salt in olive oil over medium high heat until onions are translucent. 2.  Add in remaining ingredients, except the cashew cream and green onions, and bring to a boil. 3. ...

(As I was trying to get the perfect picture, my little man snuck in the shot.  I thought it was pretty cute, so I thought I would share.  I'm pretty sure he's thinking,  Enough pictures, Mom!  Cut me a piece already!) Now, don't judge this recipe too quickly.  I know the thoughts of zucchini replacing the classic 'apple' in an apple pie, may incite doubts... but just give it a chance!  I made this the other day, and my kids and hubby included, gobbled it up without even knowing they were eating their veggies!  You really wouldn't know it wasn't an apple pie, and it's a delicious way to use up all of your summer zucchini. My Go-To Vegan Pie Crust Ingredients 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons evaporated cane sugar 1 cup Earth Balance Buttery Sticks 6 tablespoons ice water 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour 1 cup all purpose white flour Directions 1.  In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients. 2.  Using a pastry blender , cut i...

I am a huge fan of Trader Joe's dried fruit bars.  I'm not a huge fan of paying fifty cents a piece for them.  I decided over the weekend I'd use up the nectarines in my fridge in an attempt to create something similar.  My 2 year old and I loved them.  Dr. J thought they were a little 'toothy' for his liking. I like them that way, so I am happy to eat them all up.  I put a bag of them in my purse so I would have a healthy snack, on hand, if I got hungry throughout my day... which is fairly often for this nursing mama! Ingredients 4 nectarines, pits removed and chopped (I left the skin on for the extra fiber and nutrients) 1/8 cup orange juice Directions 1.  Heat oven to 140 degrees F.  If you have a convection or dehydrate option on your oven, use it.  If not, it will still work on bake, it just might take a little longer to dry out. 2.  Puree nectarines and orange juice in a food processor or blender. 3.  Cover a cookie sheet with ra...

Today was Princess M's 1st day of kindergarten (excuse me while I wipe away a tear... kinda bitter-sweet), and I have been preparing for it in many ways... particularly in regard to her lunches.  I want her to eat a healthy lunch, but not have her feeling deprived when she sees the other kids whip out Twinkies and Cheetos.  On Monday, I had my mom watch my two youngest while I took her shopping.  We went to 3 stores in search of her favorite lunchbox worthy foods.  I bought her Trader Joe's Dried Fruit Bars, Trader Joe's Cinnamon Schoolbook Cookies, fresh strawberries, edamame, Trader Joe's Organic Popcorn With Olive Oil (our favorite!), peaches (Princess M's favorite fruit), salsa, tortilla chips and a few other things.  As far as her sandwich goes, this was a little tricky.  She is so picky, I've been troubleshooting some of my ideas with her over the past few weeks.  This cucumber sandwich was #1 on the list.  I'm a little shocked, as she only ...

If you haven't ever had a scotcharoo, well, let me just say, they are yummy.  These treats do have a few downsides.  First, whenever I make them, I end up eating half the pan myself.  Second, because they are so sweet and I consume so many of them, my mouth hurts for a day or two after eating the last one.  This can't be good... and with all the corn syrup and refined sugar the original recipe calls for, they certainly aren't good for you. So, here is my attempt to make them better for you.  I used a lot less sugar than the recipe calls for, and I substituted blue agave nectar for the corn syrup.  Also, I used organic whole grain puffed rice instead of 'Rice Krispies' or similar cereals.  Now, because of these changes, the texture is not exactly the same... but the flavor profiles are.  Dr. J and the kiddos loved them, and I won't feel so bad about eating half the pan myself... Peanut Butter Puffed Rice Ingredients 5 cups organic whole grain r...

After I had my first child, my mom came to stay with my husband and I to help out for a week.  She cooked and cleaned and held my new baby while I slept or showered.  She gave me advice with breastfeeding and caring for this new little life, of which I had no experience.  It is one of my favorite memories.  During that visit she expressed how important it was to of get good nutrition in order to keep my milk supply up.  Before she left, she wanted to make sure I had enough good food that was readily available to snack on.  She made me about 4 dozen banana nut cookies to keep in my freezer so I could pull a few out as I needed them.  Ever since, I have made it tradition to make some banana nut cookies to have in my freezer to snack on when I have a new baby.  Last April, when I had baby #3, I even took some with me to the hospital and my hubby and I could snack on them.  In my recipe, not only do they taste good, but they are good for you. ...

The first time I ever tried edamame was at a friend's house, when I was a teenager.  My dad and one of my sisters are allergic to soy, so we never ate any soy growing up.  Boy, am I glad I'm not allergic to it!  (Sorry, Sis.)  It's just such a great snack.  Not only does it taste good, but it's really good for you.  Soybeans are rich in carbs, protein, fiber and omega 3's.  I still think that just boiling the soybeans in salt is the best and easiest way to eat them... but I did want to get a little creative with this healthy snack food, so I made this hummus-like dip.  It turned out great and added a little variety to our snacking. Ingredients 2 tablespoons minced red onion 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon red curry paste 2 cloves garlic 2 tablespoons lime juice 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup raw cashews 1 cup edamame, cooked as directed on package, cooled and removed from pods Directions I could tell you tha...

The first time I cooked with beets, it was a disaster.  At the time, my husband and I were newly married, poor college students, and I was inspired by a cooking show I watched every Saturday morning, on one of the only channels that we got via out TV antenna.  It was an episode of New Scandinavian Cooking hosted by Andreas Viestad where he made an authentic borscht.  It was one of those dishes that just looked like it tasted amazing.  Well, I attempted to recreate it and it was not amazing.  It was so bad, I have not touched a beet since... that is until last weekend at our local farmer's market, when I decided to give this root another try.  I did, and this time it was amazing! Beet Puree Ingredients 4-5 beets, peeled and chopped into 1/2 inch cubes water Directions 1.  Place the beets in a pan and add just enough water to cover them. 2.  Bring to a boil and cook until beets are tender.  They should feel similar to a boiled potato when th...

One day when I was in a hurry, I managed to purchase a $12.00 jar of peanut butter.  I didn't realize it until I was checking out, and of course at that point my kids were losing it, so I just bought it anyway.  It was 'natural' and 'organic', which I know, can raise the price...but the taste wasn't anything to write home about.  Ever since this experience I have been meaning to try to make my own nut butter, in attempts to make it the best quality, best tasting and less expensive nut butter.  Mission accomplished!  My 5 year old picky eater practically licked out the remaining cashew butter in the food processor when I let her try it. I decided to use coconut oil in this recipe... mostly because I am in love with coconut oil at the moment.  Not only do I adore the taste of coconuts, but I've been researching all the amazing benefits of using coconut oil.  Read more about it here . Ingredients 2 1/2 cups raw, unsalted cashews 1 tablespoon blue agav...

I think it's safe to say I'm on a muffin kick.  These were a hit with Picky Eater #1(my 5 year old).  Of course I just told her they were chocolate chip muffins.  I feel so sneaky that I got her to eat her carrots without her even knowing it... and before lunch! Ingredients 1 cup fresh carrot juice 3/4 cup almond milk 2 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 1/2 cup walnut pieces 1 cup vegan chocolate chips 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon ground flax seed meal 1/3 cup unsweetened apple sauce 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Directions 1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  2.  In a bowl, combine carrot juice, almond milk, applesauce, vanilla extract, sugar, and ground flax seed meal. 3.  In a separate bowl combine whole wheat pastry flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. 4.  Slowly add dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until combined. 5.  Spray a muff...

Up in the beautiful Teton Valley, located in Idaho, my Great Uncle Del lived for most of his life. He was a retired Air Force pilot, who spent the last 30 years of his life farming the beautiful landscape which he and my Grandfather had grown up on. Every summer as a child, my family would go up to the valley to spend a month at our cabin which was next door to his farm. I would walk over with my dad and play with his kittens while he and my dad spent hours visiting. Flax seed was one of the things that he swore by. I remember him passionately telling my dad how amazing this plant food was. Now that I am grown, I share his enthusiasm. Filled with Omega 3's and fiber, it has a powerful punch! So, in honor of Uncle Del, here are some of my very favorite muffins with a little flax seed hidden within. Ingredients 2 cups flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup orange juice 1/2 cup almond milk 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mea...