Pinterest Win: Vegetable Lime Chickpea Chili

Guess what day it is... MEATLESS MONDAY! Ok fine, so my play on the camel with Hump Day didn't go over well. Just cuz you don't think I am funny doesn't mean I don't think I am funny.

This is my third Meatless Monday post, and I have to say that I am really enjoying these recipes. One of my besties, Bambi, is vegan so I invited her over tonight to try my new dish. Bambi said she liked it, and Bambi doesn't lie. I mean, hello, she is vegan... people who don't eat meat can't lie. They don't have enough energy to do that. tee hee hee

I have said in earlier posts that participating in Meatless Mondays is healthier and saves you money. Pretty sure my clothes aren't fitting looser, but I can say my grocery bill isn't as high. In addition, it is interesting and challenging to find recipes not based on meat. Most my meal planning started with what meat I had in the fridge or freezer, and then building the meal around that. On Meatless Mondays, it is what vegetables and alternative protein choices I have on hand. Basically, it is similar to switching from building an outfit off what shoes I have, and starting to build outfits from the jewelry on hand instead. I might have lost some men on that analogy, but pretty sure I got my point across.

Back to Bambi's and my dinner date. To be clear, a bottle of wine was involved. I know some of you were worried.

I pinned a recipe on Pinterest over a year ago, and am glad that I found it again. This is posted on my Gluten Free board. The recipe comes from a blog called Two Peas & Their Pod. Maria and Josh are a married couple who love cooking & entertaining and created a blog around it. Their blog literally puts mine to shame, it is good stuff. They have great recipes, and pictures of/references about their son Caleb who is a cutie. You should definitely check out their blog, and their stories.  You will feel like you are a part of their inner circle. :)

Maria and Josh have a recipe for Vegetable Lime Chickpea Chili. It comes from a friend of theirs cookbook. I agree with Maria that the recipe just looks great with all the fresh ingredients.

Photo from http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com
 

For me, one of the best parts is how quickly you can make this chili. The longest part is chopping up the vegetables. This is such an easy meal. The flavor is simple but so good at the same time. Not complex, not over done, just perfect. It is not a "heavy" chili, definitely one you can have in the summer or spring and still feel you have warm, comfort food.

I started sautéing the zucchini and squash first, then added the mushrooms & onion. I made sure the vegetables were cut around the same size so that they will cook evenly. Then all the other ingredients came in and it made a great meal. This literally took about 30 minutes and was very flavorful. This recipe is a go-to for the crazy busy SAHM's and those of us who spend our days behind the desk. Easy, simple, full of flavor ~ definitely will be loved by all.

If you don't believe me, then just ask Bambi. She had two bowls... fine, we both did. And we finished off the bottle of wine. I call that a great Monday night!

I know many of you have rolled your eyes at me trying this Meatless Monday thing, but I encourage you to try some of these meals. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.... and more importantly, full!

Go make you some Vegetable Lime Chickpea Chili!

Pinterest Win: Creamy Chicken Soup!

As you all know, I love soup. Like crazy love soup. It could be 110 degrees in Houston, with 100% humidity and I still want soup. Not that cold soup crap, but yummy warm soup. {Remind me one day to tell you about the one and only time I tried gazpacho, or how I like to refer to it: salsa.} 

I decided to act like I was in my twenties again on Sunday night, and today was definitely a much needed recovery day. There are few things more comforting to me than soup. I knew I had to have it today. I perused my 'Soups' Pinterest Board and found this enticing pin. This is my first cream soup to make, so I was a bit nervous. But, more importantly I was hungry. Very hungry... not quite hangry, but I could see that development. It was on the horizon.

The blog that the recipe is featured on is called The Cookie Rookie. This young woman, Becky, who writes the blog says that she loves to cook and enjoys easy recipes. I am thinking Becky and I could be friends. We seem to like the same things. It's a great blog, you should definitely check it out. Also, check out her picture of the soup.

Photo from http://www.thecookierookie.com

Looks good, huh? The recipe seems a bit overwhelming but it actually was really easy. I used Half & Half instead of heavy cream or regular milk. I had almond milk in the fridge but wasn't in the mood to experiment too much. I mean, I was hungry and I needed to be able to eat what I make. Ya know? I got priorities...

 

The flavor of this soup is amazing! I had two bowls. Yup, fatty had two bowls. I would have had three but I got full. That is right kids, Momma is no longer hungry. You can imagine me doing the Happy Lee dance. It's a fun dance. You should try it. Though, it might not be called the Happy "Lee" dance when you do it. Anyway, I digress...

 

This recipe literally makes about 10-12 servings. I have so much to eat all week, and probably another week or two after that. I am a big fan of leftovers, so this recipe works well for me. If you are cooking this for a family then you'll obviously not have as much leftovers as me. Seeing as I made the soup for one, this girl is going to be eating soup for a while. Again, cue the Happy Lee dance. Check out my version of the soup (as usual, not professionally taken...)

 

 

 Now get off the internet and go make yourself some soup!

Mmmmmm...

Pinterest Win: Dynamite Tofu

I have seen a lot of postings on Pinterest about "Meatless Monday". I know that I surely could eat healthier so I figure "why not"? Of course, I launch this tonight... the same day that I meet my friend Felicia for lunch downtown at III Forks for Houston Restaurant Weeks. That's right, Momma had a steak - medium rare - for lunch. It kicked butt. So, going meatless tonight probably was a really good idea. Look at me! Woot woot!

Over a year ago I pinned a tofu recipe called Dynamite Tofu. Hello... it has the word dynamite in it. The dish has to be good!

The recipe looked crazy easy so I obviously had to make it. Granted, the actual recipe calls for it to be served with broccoli and rice. I skipped the rice trying to be healthy, but still steamed some broccoli to eat with the "dynamite" tofu.

I went to the store on the way home to pick up the tofu and broccoli. I had all the other ingredients on the website. Conveniently I love making Asian food, so that is helpful when I find new recipes.

Yes I have said this before, but the dynamite tofu recipe is literally one of the easiest ones to make. I believe it was written so that you can easily change the recipe for your personal liking. I prefer spicy food so I added more Sriracha than the recipe calls for and I added red pepper flakes. Yes, it was hot... and yes, it was SOOOOO good.

Including the prep time of cutting the tofu (which literally takes less than a minute), the total cook time for me was 24 minutes. That, ladies & gentlemen, makes me happy after a day at work - especially a Monday.

To get to the part you have been waiting for, the recipe can be found on my Hungry Hungry Hippo board on Pinterest. Since I have so many recipes on that board, I recommend you fun a search for "tofu". It will show up much easier. Doesn't the pic look yummy?



Photo from http://www.peta.org

Now, I have to be honest that I didn't realize the above beautiful picture would take me to the PETA website when I clicked on it. If you have met me then you know I heart animals, maybe not roaches or spiders, but definitely animals. However, I also think fur coats are soft & comfy. Man, did I just set myself up to get harassed by a hippie? Dangit.

In all seriousness, the PETA website actually has some awesome recipes on there. I definitely recommend you checking it out. Don't worry all my Oil & Gas working friends, I think your company will allow you on the PETA site. At least I think so. I dunno.

Back to me... I mean the recipe. So easy. So tasty. So awesome. Definitely will make this again. Now, my picture doesn't look at yummy as PETA's but pictures can be deceiving. This dish was delish, or shall I say DYNAMITE! (Below is my sad, pathetic picture...)

Maybe next time I should use a smaller plate...

Now go out there and try some tofu. I swear you won't notice a difference from chicken. That's right, I am not gonna lie - you'll know the difference from steak. Definitely will know the difference between tofu and steak. Give me a break, I am a true Texas girl... through & through.

Hope you join me for Meatless Monday!