Lentil Cakes

I liked these very much! The boys (including Logan) ate them so....

1 cup dried lentils

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1/2 green bell pepper, diced

1/2 rib celery, chopped

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 bunch parsley, chopped

2 cups cooked rice

Salt, to taste

1 cup ground bread crumbs or flour•

Place the lentils in a large pot and submerge, adding an additional 2 inches of water. Boil for 20 minutes, or until tender.• Sauté the onion, pepper, and celery in the olive oil until the onions are slightly browned.• In a medium bowl, combine the lentils, vegetable sauté, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, parsley, rice, and salt, then mash slightly. Form into small patties.• Roll in the ground bread crumbs or flour, and refrigerate while preparing the sauce.•

When the sauce is done, pan-fry each patty until nice and brown.

For the Horseradish Sauce:

1/4 cup Vegenaise

1 Tbsp. prepared horseradish

1/2 tsp. lemon juice

2 tsp. red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper, to taste

In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients together until blended.• Serve with the lentil cakes.

Quick & Light Pad Thai

work time 30 minutes/ servings 4

8oz rice flour noodles

1/4 c reduced-sodium fish sauce

2 1/2 Tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce

juice of 1 lime (about 2 Tbsp)

1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

1/2 tsp ground red pepper

3 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil ,divided

1 package tofu (firm) cubed

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 egg + 2 egg whites lightly beaten

4 c bean sprouts

(could also add chicken if desired)

4 med scallions, including green tops
2 Tbsp roughly chopped peanuts

1 c cilantro leaves

1. soak noodles set aside ( i cover with boiling water and let set for 20 minutes)

2. whisk together fish sauce, soy sauce, lime, vinegar,pepper,and 1 tsp of the oil in small bowl. Set aside.

3. HEAT remaining 2 tsp oil in wok or skillet over med. heat. when oil is hot (not smoking) add tofu,turning once until light brown about 3 minutes. add garlic and cook another 3 minutes. Add eggs. when set stir gently and push to the side of the pan.

4.ADD (chicken at this point if you are a carnivore)add sprouts and stir gently for about 5 minutes until all ingredients are gently combined. Stir in drain noodles, scallions, and fish sauce mixture and simmer until liquid thickens slightly about 5-10minutes.

5. serve garnished with cilantro and peanuts


This dish was slightly spicy but the boys loved it --of course Gregg would have liked more spice. All except Logan he wanted crackers and grapes.

I think it has been over 30 days we started this vegetarian thAng and I must say we just feel great!!

morning star vs. boca

well we had a taste test this morning! one fake Boca sausage pattie vs. one fake meat morning star pattie we all agree that MORNING STAR WINS!! they were slightly more expensive but worth every penny! we love the Boca burgers and SMART DOGS were a HUGE hit at my house. This vegetarian lifestyle switch was so easy with these wonderful fake meat products :)

Boca is on the left and morning star is on the right!! I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO POST SOME REALLY GREAT MEALS OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS AS WE HAVE HAD SOME SICK KIDDOS! IT IS ZACH AND LOGAN'S TURN TO BE SICK THIS TIME!!

I feel amazing ;)

Tonight we are having "Eggplant and Tomatoes with Pasta"! My crock pot cookbook has a huge vegetarian section woohoo so this is what we will be having tonight.
Here is today's recipe
3/4 c yellow onion chopped
3 cloves of garlic

1/2 C SLICED MUSHROOMS
3/4 pound eggplant cubed
2 tsp fresh basil chopped
1 (16oz) can Italian plumb tomatoes with juice (I USED FIRE ROASTED)
2 tbs olive oil
2tbs balsamic vinegar
1/2 veg. broth or chicken broth
1 tbs tomato paste
12 tsp oregano
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp salt
12 ounces whole wheat pasta shells
saute the onions and garlic in olive oil for 3-5 minutes- drain and place in slow cooker. Put all other ingredients (except pasta) into the slow cooker. Cook uncovered for 3-4 hours until sauce is thickened. reduce temp to low. boil pasta with salt for 10 minutes. drain and stir pasta slowly into cooker. cook on low setting for 30-60 minutes until pats is soft.
PICTURE TAKEN THIS MORNING!
Zachary really is the only one complaining because he loves meat!! He is very sad there will be no more "Pat McKee" ribs. Really I have found this transition very easy and I encourage all of you to eat meat free every once in a while. I really can't tell you how much better I feel- I have no signs of gallbladder pains what so ever for the past 4 days! I am so excited and I wake up feeling great every morning!!