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Vegan Recipes
for Special Occasions


Chocolate Nanaimo Bars
Chocolate Nanaimo Bars
Vegan Easter Pie
Vegan Easter Pie
Tomato Rice Tart
Tomato Rice Tart
Black Bean and Fennel Salad
Fennel and Black Bean Salad
Crazy Vegan Black Bean Pizza
Crazy Vegan Black Bean Pizza
Garlic Lover's Tomato Penne
Garlic Lover's Tomato Penne
Orange Ginger Duck
Orange Ginger Duck
Savory Roasted Potatoes
Savory Roasted Potatoes
Spicy Roasted Portabellas
Spicy Roasted Portabellas
Butter Roasted Asparagus
Butter Roasted Asparagus
Traditional Bread Stuffiing
Traditional Bread Stuffiing
Chinese Burritos
Chinese Burritos
Veggie Chicken with Tomato Cream Sauce
Veggie Chicken with Tomato Cream Sauce
Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup
Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup
Chocolate Nanaimo Bars
Chocolate Nanaimo Bars
Chocolate Coconut Balls
Chocolate Coconut Balls
Mince Tarts
Mince Tarts
Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Tomato Rice Casserole
Tomato Rice Casserole
Tomato Rice Tart
Tomato Rice Tart
Black Bean and Fennel Salad
Fennel and Black Bean Salad
Veggie Chicken with Tomato Cream Sauce
Veggie Chicken with Tomato Cream Sauce

Tomato Rice Casserole

Tomato Rice Casserole

This larger version of my Tomato Rice Tart will satisfy 8 to 10 guests. Roasted red peppers and tomatoes top a scrumptious brown basmati rice crust infused with rich layers of flavour from the buttery-sweet caramelized onions, savory spices, and port wine.

The rice is then drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and baked to a crunchy caramelized goodness. Nutritional yeast adds body, taste, vitamins, and protein, while nobody will ever suspect it is there.

This dish has enough protein to suffice as the main course, but you will want to compliment it with several side dishes. Some suggestions are Black Bean and Fennel Salad, seasoned toasted baguette, cold (or hot) cauliflower soup - depending on the season, and tossed green salad with sweet basmati dressing and candied pecans. (All of these recipes are coming soon.)

The Rice

Here is an Indian method for cooking rice which is basically the same procedure we use for pasta. I love this method because you don't have to worry about exact measurements, when to lift the lid, or finding the rice burnt to the bottom of your pot. The one extra step is to wash the rice first which eliminates any debris and some of the starch.

First you pour the rice into a large pot and cover it with warm water. Stir with your fingers until the water becomes milky, then carefully pour the water out without spilling the grains. Repeat until the water is relatively clear. Now you are ready to cook it just the same way you would spaghetti. Just add lots of cold water, salt, bring it to a boil, and simmer until the rice is (al dente). Don't forget to stir, especially before it comes to a full boil.

While the rice is cooking you can prepare the caramelized onions and the roasted red peppers if your doing them yourself. Of course you can always buy a jar to save time.

Pour your cooked rice through a strainer and set aside until the onions are done.

Caramelized Onions and Rice

The Onions

In a large non-stick skillet heat the oil over medium-low heat and sauté the onions until they are very soft and lightly browned, stirring frequently. Cook slow enough so they do not burn. This takes about half an hour- you may have to turn the heat lower. Then add the port, tamari, basil, and thyme.

Continue cooking and stirring frequently until all of the liquid is reduced and the onions are caramelized.

Add the vegan butter to the onions in the skillet, then add the cooked rice and nutritional yeast. Stir to combine and cook over medium heat for five minutes. Stir in cayenne pepper to taste, black pepper, and lemon juice. Remove from heat.

Combine Onions and Rice

Press the rice into the bottom of a 15 by 10 by 2 inch casserole dish. Bake in the centre of the oven at 425 degrees for about thirty minutes or until the crust is brown and crisp around the edges without letting it burn.

The Toppings

Top the crust with the tomato slices, and the roasted red pepper (skin side down).

Combine Onions and Rice

Sprinkle with salt and pepper, drizzle with the oil and lemon juice. Put the tart back in the oven at 400 degrees and bake until the topping is bubbling and browned, which takes about twenty minutes. Sprinkle the top with a touch of nutritional yeast just before serving. It adds a nice texture, color, and a bit of a cheesy flavor.

Note: This recipe can be prepared a day or two ahead and reheated. The taste only gets better. You could also make the rice several days in advance, either alone or mixed with the onions and spices and even store it in the freezer to assemble later. When you are serving a large crowd it is always best to keep it as simple as possible the day of the party.

This serves eight to ten. See Tomato Rice Tart for a smaller version.

Roasting Peppers



Roasting Red Peppers

Roasting red peppers brings out a wonderful smokey sweet flavour. It can be done on the barbeque or in the oven. For the oven method place the washed peppers on a baking sheet on the top rack of your oven on broil.

Watching them very carefully, allow the skins to blacken while turning them frequently with cooking tongs. When they are completely black all over put them immediately - while still hot - in a bowl with a plate over top for a lid to allow the steam to loosen the skin. Wait at least fifteen minutes or until the peppers are cool. You should then be able to easily peel away the skins.


About Turmeric

Turmeric is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and liver disorders? It is said to have many medicinal properties and has been used for centuries in India on cuts and burns as an antiseptic. It is also used as an antibacterial agent.

You will find turmeric in many western foods as a coloring agent. It is a main ingredient in mustard. Think how you might use it as a natural food coloring in sauces, rice, white cakes, and even icings. Be careful because it does stain clothing.


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Ping

A beautiful young woman recovering from a terrible plague fears she is the only person left alive on earth.

Stranded alone until spring with no means of communication, she begins to believe a child is contacting her telepathically.

In a traumatic search to find him she runs into an attractive man with a dark and secretive past.

Swayed by his insistence that her telepathy is imagined and that they must begin to repopulate the earth immediately, Kate is torn between Jack and her gut feeling the voices are real.

The second book in the series is now available.

Ping

The few survivors—preoccupied with their struggles to raise healthy children and preserve what they can of civilization—are unaware that eight-year-old Travis has a dangerous plan that will ultimately change their world in ways they could never have imagined.

Tomato Rice Casserole
Tomato Rice Casserole
Tomato Rice Tart
Tomato Rice Tart
Black Bean and Fennel Salad
Fennel and Black Bean Salad
Crazy Vegan Black Bean Pizza
Crazy Vegan Black Bean Pizza
Garlic Lover's Tomato Penne
Garlic Lover's Tomato Penne
Orange Ginger Duck
Orange Ginger Duck
Savory Roasted Potatoes
Savory Roasted Potatoes
Spicy Roasted Portabellas
Spicy Roasted Portabellas
Butter Roasted Asparagus
Butter Roasted Asparagus
Traditional Bread Stuffiing
Traditional Bread Stuffiing
Chinese Burritos
Chinese Burritos
Veggie Chicken with Tomato Cream Sauce
Veggie Chicken with Tomato Cream Sauce
Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup
Mediterranean Red Lentil Soup
Chocolate Nanaimo Bars
Chocolate Nanaimo Bars
Chocolate Coconut Balls
Chocolate Coconut Balls
Mince Tarts
Mince Tarts
Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies