Easy Kale and Coconut

kale and coconut with figs
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

This is one of our favorite ways to eat kale. The coconut adds a nice nutty flavor that complements the taste of the greens really well (or, at least, we think so!). It's dead easy to make, takes about 10 minutes to prepare, and our 2-year old gobbles it up and almost always asks for more!

Ingredients

• 1 bunch of kale (our favorite is dinosaur kale)
• ~1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes or shredded coconut
• dash of salt
• ~1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tbsp. olive oil

De-rib kale and cut in coarse chiffonade.

Sautee kale in olive oil over medium heat until slightly wilted (approx. 2-3 minutes).

Add in coconut and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Add lemon juice and a dash of salt to taste.

Enhanced Hot Cereal

enhanced hot cereal
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

We're always looking to bump up the nutritional profile for many of the things we feed our 2-year old toddler. One of the ways we do this is to just make a basic hot cereal (we like Bob's Red Mill multi-grain cereals -- 7-, 9- or 10-grain) and then add coconut milk (our own idea) and a little flax seed oil (inspired by Le Pain Quotidien's Omega-3 Oatmeal).

The coconut milk adds a nice nutty flavor to the cereal as well as adding extra fat (essential to toddler development) while the flax seed oil adds extra protein and omega-3's.

Dylan loves it!

Ingredients

• hot cereal (prepared as usual)
• 1 tbsp. coconut milk
• 1 tbsp. flax seed oil

Prepare cereal as you normally would.

Stir in some coconut milk and drizzle on some flax seed oil and enjoy!

Chickpea-Quinoa Pilaf with Steamed Broccolini

chickpea-quinoa pilaf with broccolini
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

The quinoa is the first recipe we tried from Veganomicon and it was super good and super easy to make (that means it tasted good even though I cooked it!).

Having some steamed broccolini from this week's farm share was the perfect accompaniment (and Dylan loves broccolini!). The quinoa was a little on the salty side for our taste (we'd probably reduce salt a smidge next time) and the broccolini helped cut through the salt hit.

We'll post a modified version of the recipe soon....We are planning on adding butternut squash or sweet corn to make it even more interesting next time.

Bananas in Coconut Milk

This is a super easy variation of a Thai dessert called Kluay Buat Chee and is basically a minimalist version of Filipino ginataan. It takes all but 10 minutes in total to make! And, if you're wary about the coconut, rest assured that coconut milk has many health benefits.

Ingredients

• 1-14oz. can of coconut milk
• 1 or 2 medium bananas cut lengthwise and then cut across into about 4 pieces
• 1 tsp. maple syrup

Bring coconut milk to a boil over medium heat.

Add bananas and cook until soft (about 3-4 minutes).

Add maple syrup.

Mexican Wedding Cookies

cookies pictured with cupcakes
(no picture of the cookies alone!)
Originally uploaded by coffywoman.

Adapted from VegNews (December 2007). The original recipe called for pecans, but since Dylan still hasn't had pecans (a high-allergen, tree nut), we used almonds instead.

It was completely delicious and got good reviews from the fam.

Ingredients

• 2 sticks non-dairy, non-hydrogenated butter (we use Earth Balance buttery sticks)
• 1/4 c. granulated sugar
• 2 tsps. vanilla
• 2 c. unbleached, all-purpose flour, sifted
• 2 c. raw almonds finely chopped
• 2 c. powdered sugar, sifted

Preheat oven to 300F.

Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or use a non-stick baking sheet.

With a mixer, cream the non-dairy butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).

Add the flour, mixing until thoroughly combined.

Add the nuts, mixing well.

Measure out generously rounded teaspoonfuls of dough and roll into balls.

Place 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.

Bake until cookies start to turn golden, about 30 minutes.

Test cookie doneness by cutting one cookie in half and making sure that center is not doughy.

Roll cookies in the powdered sugar while they are still hot.

Cool before serving.

Chocolate Almond Brittle

Adapted from VegNews (December 2007). This has a brittle taste but a much softer texture (which I happen to like as it makes me feel like I won't chip any teeth in the process of eating....) and is pretty quick and easy to prepare.

I'm eager to try some different nuts (cashews or pistachios) some time in the future, too.

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. non-dairy, non-hydrogenated butter at room temperature
• 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 4 oz. of graham crackers (about 6 rectangles), broken up into small bits (but not crumbs)
• 1 1/4 c. almonds, toasted and chopped

Lightly grease a 9-inch pan (square, round, no matter).

In a medium saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over medium heat.

Once chocolate is melted, remove from heat and stir in the graham cracker bits and the chopped almonds.

Spread the mixture into the pan and refrigerate for at least a couple of hours.

Roasted Red Pepper Cashew Dip

Adapted from VegNews (January-February 2008). This dip is another great VegNews find. It's super easy and super quick. We brought some to Candice's house on Christmas Eve and some to Cindy's house for Christmas.

Ingredients

• 2 large pieces of jarred, roasted red pepper
• 1 c. raw cashews (unsalted, unroasted, etc.)
• Water as needed
• Salt and pepper to taste

Put everything in a food processor and blend it up until smooth (about 4 minutes).

Add water 1 tbsp. at a time to get the desired consistency and add salt and pepper to your satisfaction.

Serve and delight your family and friends.