Dulce de Lechosa ~ Papaya in Syrup

1/4 cup baking powder
1/2 a green papaya peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cinnamon stick

Dissolve baking powder in 5 cups water in a large non-reactive bowl. Add papaya and soak it for at least 15 minutes. Drain the fruit and rinse it well under cold running water. Cook the papaya with the sugar in a large pot, covered, over medium-high heat. stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes until he papaya turns clear. Do not add water. The papaya will cook in its own juice. Reduce the heat to very low, add the vanilla extract and cinnamon stick, and simmer the papaya, uncovered, until the juice thickens into a thin syrup, about 30 minutes.

Remove the cinnamon stick and allow the papaya to cool. Serve it  chilled with some Queso Fresco and crackers. Store any leftover papaya in syrup in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator.

What I'm Working With

Nesco Pro Dehydrator

Cuisinar Mini Processor

Oster Juicer

Aroma Citrus Juicer

GE Digital Hand Mixer

2 , 3 and 4.8 quart glass casserole dishes. Typical pots n pans. Blender. Coffee and spice grinder. Electric can opener ~ if the lights go out I'm out of luck. Electric wine cork...opener?! yea no worries if the lights go out here I own a FEW manual ones. AND I DO NOT OWN A MICROWAVE! It's only been about a month w/o and so far so good!

Curry Soup Surprise

 It's good...but help me make it better.

2 tablespoons olive oil 

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons curry powder 

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 medium butternut squash 

2 sweet potatoes

1/2 sweet onion

2 apples

salt to taste 

pinch of back pepper

Cashew French Toast

The Savage recipe.

1 c. water
3/4 c. raw cashews
4 dates
1/2 t. salt
1 T whole-what flour
1/2 c. fresh orange juice
1/2 banana

Whiz in blender until smooth.
Pour into shallow bowl.
Dip slices of bread.
Toast in pan.
Top with fresh fruit.

White Bean Burgers

Makes 6 large burgers

1.5 cans of 19 oz cannellini beans

1 small onion or 1/2 a large onion 

3 gloves of garlic 

1/4 cup all purpose flour 

6 fresh sprigs of fresh rosemary

1 teaspoons of fresh parsley
1/8 tablespoon of salt
Dash of pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 loaves ciabatta bread

Non-stick cooking spray (olive oil)

4 tablespoons mayo 

1.5 teaspoon of chipotle salsa/puree  

White Bean Burgers

Open, rinse and drain cannelllini beans. Finely chop onion, garlic cloves, rosemary and parsley. In a large bowl mix in all above ingredients. Add flour and olive oil. With your hands (yes! works best ) mash/mush ingredient together till they are evenly spread in the mix. Coat baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray and spray a little on the face of the burgers before going into the oven. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes flipping them after 20 minutes. Throw Ciabatta bread in the oven for a few minutes to get it nice and warm/ toasty right before serving. Homemade fry's/ chips on the side. 

Chipotle Mayo 

4 tablespoons mayo 

1.5 teaspoon of Chipotle salsa/puree  

In a small bowl mix these two bad boys together. Add more Chipotle for more spice.

Moroccan Vegeable Stew

 This was another recipe from Good Housekeeping Family Vegetarian Cooking. I loved it! I happen to have some zucchinis around so I added those.

1 tablespoon olive oil 

2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into cubes

1 medium butter nut squash, peeled and cut into cubes

1 medium onion, chopped

1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1 can stewed tomatoes 

1/2 cup pitted prunes, chopped

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 1/2 cups of water

2 tablespoons parsley, chopped  

1 cup of couscous

1 cup vegetable broth

I added 

2 zucchinis, cut into cubes

Kills All Zoup

 Enough for 12 peps.

1 1/2 cup barley 

1 can pinto beans 

1 bunch of baby broccoli

2 small carrots

3 red potatoes

2 turnips

1/2 sweet onion

1 bunch of Brussels sprouts

1 can whole tomatoes

1 teaspoon black pepper 

salt to taste

2 ears of corn

2 cups of vegetable broth 

3 cups water

1 pack of vegetable soup mix

1 can tomato sauce

1 teaspoon of dill

1 teaspoon of thyme

1/4 can chipotle pepper (start small, this stuff can easily over power your soup!)

Yaris Trail Mix

This is MY jam! I usually make a lot and then divided it up into 6 or so zip lock baggies. I encourage everyone to make their own trail mix. It's really simple! plus you can experiment with different nuts and berries and make your signature mix for cheaper than store bought.

Cranberries

Walnuts

Pumpkin seeds

unsalted Sunflower seeds

Semi sweet chocolate 

combined and keep chilled!

Roasted Poblano Peppers & Cold Green Bean Salad

 Roasted Poblano Peppers

6 Poblano peppers

1 yellow bell pepper

1 red bell pepper

1 orange or green bell pepper

1 1/2 sweet onion 

1 1/2 cups quinoa

1 cup of vegetable broth or water 

salt to taste

A dash of black pepper

1 tablespoon of olive old

1 tablespoon of hemp oil

1 package of Colby jack cheese 

Cold Green Bean Salad 

Green beans 

3 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard  
2 tablespoon of Honey

2 1/2 tablespoons white vineger

4 tablespoons of olive oil 

salt to taste

Dash of black pepper

1/2 pack of cherry tomatoes

Spinach Potatoe Gratin

This Recipe came from Good Housekeeping Family Vegetarian Cooking a gift from my lovelies CassieMac and KornRolla. I made it 3 days ago and although it was good, I couldn't help but feel like it was missing something (or maybe a few things). SO I'm writing down for ya'll the original recipe and ALSO my twist on it.

    ORIGINAL RECIPE

1 tablespoon of butter 

3 large shallots

2 packages of frozen chopped spinach

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of coarsely ground black pepper

1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg

3 pounds all-purpose potatoes (7-9 medium potatoes)

4 ounces of Gruyere cheese (1 cup)

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon cornstarch

    YARI'S MORE BADASS RECIPE

1 tablespoon of butter

3 large shallots

2 packages of frozen chopped spinach

Always salt to taste (some people like a lot of salt some don't! Always start with less then add more)

1 teaspoon of coarsely ground black pepper

A little less than a teaspoon of nutmeg

3 pounds of all purpose potatoes (7-9 medium potatoes)

6 or 7 baby bella mushrooms 

1 1/2 cup of white sharp cheddar cheese ( Gruyere~ Expensive and way too mild for this luscious dish!)

1 cup of milk

3/4 cup of heavy cream 

1 tablespoon of cornstarch  

Spinach Drain-O

This soup was inspired by Alans aunt Jane. 

2 packs frozen spinach

1 can of diced tomatoes

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 an onion 

3/4 cup of barley

1 large carrot of 2 medium ones

1 can of white canelli beans

pinch of red pepper flakes 

1 box of vegetable broth (2 1/2 cups)

1 1/2 cup of water 

salt to taste

1 teaspoon of cumin

1 teaspoon of pepper

1 table spoon of olive oil