African Yam Stew

05 Aug 2012 Leave a comment

by likemotherlikedaughterfoodblog in Main, Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

This recipe originally called for chicken. That’s not something you’re gonna find in our house, so we adapted it until it was delicious and still super filling. The peanut butter adds a lovely creaminess. The yam, peas and chickpeas are there to remind you that it’s healthy dish, even though it tastes like comfort food. It’s been cold, rainy and gloomy here, so this dish has been nice to dig into!

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large yam, peeled and diced
4 carrots
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup vegetable broth
1 1/2 cup water
1 cup frozen peas
3 tablespoons natural peanut butter
1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons fresh, chopped parsley

1. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Add chopped onion and saute for 4 minutes.
2. Add carrots and saute for an additional 4 minutes. Add garlic, yam, cumin, chili flakes, coriander and fry for a few minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Mix in vegetable broth and water, cover, bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Stir in the peanut butter, frozen peas and chickpeas. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 more minutes. Make sure the peanut butter is well blended.
5. Remove from heat, add salt if needed, and garnish with 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley.

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Tofu Cacciatore

17 Jun 2012 Leave a comment

by likemotherlikedaughterfoodblog in Main, Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Cacciatore is an interesting word. Chicken cacciatore refers to chicken prepared in a spicy tomato sauce with mushrooms and herbs. The Italian word literally means “hunter.” It refers to the ingredients that a hunter might have on hand when preparing the dish. So, here is tofu cacciatore – hunter style. Just imagine yourself on in the middle of the prairies, lassoing some wild tofu. A call to simpler times. Serve this with our garlic mashed potatoes.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 pound firm tofu, cut into 1/2” slices
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 green bell pepper, chopped
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
1/4 cup white wine
1 clove garlic, minced
5 crimini mushrooms, sliced
2 celery stalks, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon Vegeta
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 small can stewed tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup tomato sauce
Fresh parsley, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Heat a large skillet coated with 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion, carrots and bell peppers and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and saute for another 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the wine, basil, oregano, salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes.
5. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
6. Heat another large skillet coated with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat. Add the tofu and saute for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly browned on both sides. Place the browned tofu cubes in a 13” X 9” baking dish and cover with the prepared tomato sauce.
7. Bake for 1 hour. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve over garlic mashed potatoes.

– DJ

Fresh Basil and Macadamia Nut Pesto

20 May 2012 1 Comment

by likemotherlikedaughterfoodblog in Main, Recipes, Side Dish Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

With macadamia nuts instead of pine nuts you can add a tasty island twist to a traditional pesto pasta recipe.

3 cups fresh whole wheat pasta
1/2 cup unsalted, dry-roasted macadamia nuts
2 cups fresh basil leaves
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 bunch of asparagus
1/2 of a zucchini

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain the pasta when it’s done.
2. Wash the asparagus, snap off the ends and discard. Wash and thinly slice the zucchini. Top the vegetables with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Grill for 7 minutes, or broil for 10 minutes.
3. In the meantime, pulse the macadamia nuts in a food processor, then add garlic and basil and pulse a few times more. Slowly add the olive oil while the food processor is on. Scrape the sides of the food processor with the rubber spatula, add salt and pepper and pulse a few more times.
4. In a large bowl, mix pesto mixture and cooked pasta.
5. Cut up grilled asparagus and zucchini and add to the pasta.
6. Garnish with grape tomatoes and serve.

– DJ

Chickpea and Eggplant Curry

12 Mar 2012 1 Comment

by likemotherlikedaughterfoodblog in Main, Recipes Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

This is one of our favorite curry recipes. It’s so delicious we’ve been making it every week. DJ adapted this recipe from Post Punk Kitchen’s Eggplant and Black Eyed Pea Curry.



Chickpea and Eggplant Curry

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 eggplant, peeled and cut into small chunks
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
Fresh ground black pepper
A dash of cayenne (leave out if you don’t like spicy, increase if you do)
1/2 cup red lentils
5 cups vegetable broth
1 can organic chick peas, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup tomato sauce

1. Preheat a pot over medium high heat. Saute onions in olive oil until translucent for about 7 to 8 minutes.
2. Add garlic and saute for another 2 minutes. Add the eggplant, salt, ginger, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cayenne, and black pepper along with one cup of the vegetable broth. Cook the eggplant for a couple of minutes.
3. Add lentils and the remaining 4 cups of vegetable broth. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Once it’s boiling, lover heat to a simmer and cook for about 40 minutes, until lentils are tender and the eggplant is soft. Add the chickpeas and heat through, then stir in tomato sauce and lemon.
4. Serve with brown rice, quinoa, couscous, or with naan bread and cucumber salad.