The Veggie-Full Kitchen

This is one of Dr. J's favorite meals.  It's a perfect warm weather dish, and with it being over 100 degrees F here, it's was just the ticket for dinner the other night.  My favorite part of this is the carrot/cilantro/lime combo... it is so refreshing.  Definitely one of our family favorites! Carrot & Red Onion Escabeche Ingredients 2 cups carrots, sliced into matchsticks 1 large red onion, diced finely 1/2 cup fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons sunflower oil 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 teaspoon kosher salt Directions Combine all ingredients. Chili & Lime Marinated Chick'n Ingredients 1/4 cup tomato sauce 1/4 cup olive oil 2 cloves garlic 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon chili powder juice from 1 lime 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt dash of red pepper 1 package of Gardein Chick'n Scallopini Directions 1.  Combine ingredients and marinate in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. 2.  Remove the patties from the marinade and saute over medium high heat until ...

A week or so ago, I was in a class where I learned about Square Foot Gardening .  It's quite an amazing approach to gardening.  As soon as our teacher said there was no weeding involved... EVER... I was sold.  After the class, my mother-in-law and I decided to start our own square foot garden together.  She's a lot more experienced than I am when it comes to gardening.  She also reads the directions, which I am notoriously bad at.  Anyway, this is our progress so far.  We got the building and set up out of the way, so now we just need to plant and let things grow!  I will keep you posted on our garden's progress.  Square foot gardens definitely have the potential to make it as one of my favorite things...especially when it comes time to harvest!  I can't wait to come up with, and share some new recipes inspired by our garden...   

We decided to go camping this past weekend on a whim.  I wanted to keep it close to home, so we set up camp in our backyard.  I wasn't feeling up to packing everything up and using a potty that wasn't my own... I've gotten really lazy in my old age... plus, my kids are young enough that I can get away with it.  I used to be quite the outdoors woman in my college years.  I almost majored in Recreational Therapy, which will come as a shock to many who know me now.  I did try to make our camp out as much like REAL camping as possible, so we lit our fire pit, set up our tent and  I made these yummy tin foil dinners, which could easily be taken and made on a REAL camp out.  The kids loved cooking them and gobbled them up!  After our tummies had their fill, we just sat around the fire, telling stories and looking up at the stars until bedtime.  I have to say, it was a great use of a Friday night! Basil Balsamic Marinade Ingredients 1/4 cup olive...

Popcorn is one of my favorite foods.  It's in my DNA to like popcorn.  As a kid, every Sunday night my mom would pop some homemade popcorn on the stove and my whole family would gather around the TV to watch the latest episode of Star Trek.  There is nothing better than a warm, salty bowl of this fluffy white stuff...  I could do without the Star Trek, though. It's so easy to make, and you can switch it up for a little variation.  Here are just two ways that I like to make it: Homemade Olive Oil & Sea Salt Popcorn Ingredients 1/2 cup popcorn kernels 1/4 cup olive oil Sea Salt Directions 1.  Heat the oil in a large pot over medium high heat. 2.  Once hot, add in the popcorn and cover. 3.  Occasionally shake the pot to keep the kernels at the bottom. 4.  Once the popping slows to about once every few seconds, remove from heat. 5.  Pour into a large bowl, salt to taste and mix. Homemade Kettle Corn Ingredients 1/2 cup popcorn kern...

Last Saturday I had two treats.  The first... Dr. J got up with our kiddies so I could sleep in.  The second... I made and ate these.  I tend to forgo breakfast messes much of the time with a simple smoothie, but I am so glad I went the route of chick'n & waffles.  It was sooooo worth it!  You will love the balance of flavors... sweet... spicy... savory... it's crazy good!  Dr. J might make sure I sleep in every Saturday from now on if I make him these.  Sounds good to me... I'd say a win/win for sure! Mama E's Chick'n Ingredients 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning 1/4 cup flour oil to coat the pan 1 package Gardein Chick'n Scallopini Directions 1.  Mix the flour and Cajun seasoning in a shallow bowl. 2.  Dip the chick'n in the flour mixture. 3.  Over medium high heat cook the chick'n in a preheated and lightly oiled pan until browned and cooked through. Mama E's Waffles Ingredients 1/2 cup white whole wheat flour 1 cup white flour 1 1/...

Earlier this week I made these yummy cupcakes for my 3 year old's birthday.  I used a recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World by Isa Chandra Moskowitz and Terry Hope Romero.  Every recipe I have made from their book I love.  These two have vegan cupcakes down to an art!  They have everything from your basic Chocolate Cupcake to your more unusual cupcake, like the Pistachio Rosewater Cupcake.  I haven't tried one of their recipes that I don't like... these are  DEFINITELY some of my favorites!   

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...