Cuban Congri – Rice and Black Beans

This dish goes by a few different names, depending on which part of Cuba your family came from, but in my household we always called it congri. Congri is one of the few Cuban specialties that is traditionally vegan, although some restaurants add pork fat, so always ask and check. This dish, where you cook the beans and the rice together, results in a greyish rice … Continue reading Cuban Congri – Rice and Black Beans

Vegan Cornbread Muffins

I love cornbread with holiday meals, and I especially love them with chili. This is a very standard recipe that I got from an old Good Housekeeping cookbook and experimented with egg and dairy alternatives until I felt like I got it just right. The reason I chose light tasting olive oil for this recipe is because it helps the edges crisp so that the … Continue reading Vegan Cornbread Muffins

Black Eyed Peas aka Hoppin’ John

Happy New Year! Celebrating the turning of the page of the calendar fills most of us with hope, ambition and the intangible feeling of what could be. It allows us to dream big and make promises to ourselves and to others without our usual skepticism or cynicism. Oh the possibilities! The truth is every new day is an opportunity to get closer to a goal, make progress towards a dream, … Continue reading Black Eyed Peas aka Hoppin’ John

Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf

Mushrooms are one of those truly divisive ingredients in the culinary world. People tend to love them… or hate them with such a passion they won’t allow them to touch their plate because they believe they’re so icky and gross. I absolutely adore mushrooms, and I feel kinda bad for those that don’t appreciate them for the delectable, nutritious earth fruit that they are. As I’ve mentioned before, … Continue reading Wild Rice and Mushroom Pilaf

Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

My SO said to warn you that this recipe should never be served for a first date. Also, these mashed potatoes will ward off any local vampires. The garlic flavor is strong with this one. And that’s just how I like it. Consider yourself warned. I almost always make this for Thanksgiving as it pairs deliciously with my Tofurky. But don’t feel like you only … Continue reading Cheesy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Portobello Mushroom Steaks

People ask me all the time: “Don’t you ever just want to eat a big, fat, juicy steak?” The answer to that question is a resounding “No;” at least not in the conventional understanding of what a steak constitutes.  Growing up in the great U.S. of A, there is the prevalent mindset that meat makes the meal. It’s slightly sacrilegious to believe someone does not want … Continue reading Portobello Mushroom Steaks

Garlic Rosemary Potatoes

This is a very simple, easy recipe that looks great on the plate and smells absolutely delicious while it’s cooking. Who doesn’t love roasted potatoes? This dish pairs well with just about anything; I like to serve it with brown rice and red quinoa and a Quorn cranberry and goat cheese chik’n cutlet. It also works great for holiday meals since it is basically comfort food. … Continue reading Garlic Rosemary Potatoes