AFRICAN PEANUT SOUP
Yield: 6 servings
2 pounds (900g) Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
6 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 cups (1.25 liters) water
1 8-ounce (225g) can tomato sauce
1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh mint leaves, minced, divided
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes or to taste
2 cups (480 ml) finely chopped Swiss chard or spinach
3/4 cup (180 ml) chunky, unsalted, natural peanut butter
1/4 cup (60 ml) crushed roasted peanuts
- Combine the tomatoes, onions, garlic, and olive oil in a large stockpot and cook and stir over high heat for about 5 minutes, or until the tomatoes are softened and the onions are transparent. Turn the heat down to a simmer.
- Add the water, tomato sauce, 3 tablespoons of the mint leaves, chili powder, cumin, salt, and red pepper, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Add the Swiss chard and peanut butter and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly to distribute the peanut butter. The soup will thicken slightly.
- To serve, spoon the soup into bowls and garnish with a pinch or two of the remaining mint leaves and crushed peanuts.
Instead of packing your suitcases, simply put on an apron, and take a culinary tour through Africa where the varied cuisines are earthy, highly-seasoned, and very hearty. For a seductive meal, meet up with a kabocha squash and serve this robust stew with a cooked grain like brown rice or millet, cooked spiced lentils, a tossed salad, and some whole-grain bread.
AFRICAN PUMPKIN STEW
Yield: 5 to 6 servings
1/2 small kabocha squash (pumpkin), about 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms)
1 large carrot, peeled
1 very large red onion or 2 medium, coarsely chopped
1 pound (450g) tomatoes, diced
1 cup (240 ml) water
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup (60 ml) roasted, unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped, divided
- Wash the pumpkin and cut it in half. Discard the seeds or roast them if desired. It is not necessary to remove the skin, but if you prefer to peel the pumpkin, place the cut side down on a cutting board and hold a sharp, firm-bladed chef's knife in a horizontal position with the blade pointing away from you. Place it on the highest point of the pumpkin and use a pushing motion to cut away strips of the peel.
- Cut the pumpkin into 1-inch (2.5 cm) cubes, place them in a steamer, and steam them until tender but still firm, about 8 to 12 minutes. Set aside.
- Mince the carrot and onion in a food processor and transfer them to a large, deep skillet.
- Add the tomatoes, water, salt, coriander, cumin, chili powder, thyme, cloves, and pepper to the skillet, and simmer about 30 minutes or until the vegetables are softened. Adjust the seasonings if needed.
- Add the steamed pumpkin and half the peanuts, and heat through for a minute or two to combine the flavors.
- Transfer the stew to an attractive serving bowl, and sprinkle with the remaining peanuts.
New Years Day holds special promise in the Southern part of the U.S.. An old tradition brings many diners to the table to eat black-eyed peas with the hope of good fortune in the coming year. Cookbook author Jessica Harris suggests adding a dime to the pot. The one who finds it in his dish is sure to have good luck. Some Southerners say the black-eyed peas represent copper, while the turnip greens symbolize money. In some families, each pea eaten equals a penny's worth of good luck, others say a dollar's worth. Black-eyed peas are a humble food that also symbolizes humility. If a person eats one black-eyed pea every day of the year, will he have 365 days of good luck? Perhaps!
HOPPIN' JOHN
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
2 cups (480 ml) black-eyed peas
1 quart (1 liter) water
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes or hot sauce
2 1/4 cups (540 ml) water
1 cup (240 ml) Basmati brown rice
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
3 to 4 tablespoons water
1/3 cup (80 ml) vegan bacon bits (Sunrich Farms Baco-Bits)
1 teaspoon hickory smoke seasoning (liquid smoke)
- Pick over the peas and discard any broken or spoiled beans. Rinse the peas and drain. Soak them in water to cover by 3 inches (7.5 cm) for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the peas.
- Transfer the soaked peas to a 10 to 12-quart (10 to 12 liter) stockpot. Add the water, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper flakes and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the peas are tender, adding small amounts of water as needed. Do not cook the peas dry.
- While the peas are cooking, combine the water, rice, and salt in a 2-quart (2 liter) saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to low and steam for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and all the water is absorbed.
- Combine the chopped onions and water in a skillet and cook over high heat, stirring constantly, until the onions turn golden, about 8 to 10 minutes. Set aside.
- When the peas are tender, make sure there is at least 1 cup (240 ml) of liquid in the pot. Add the cooked rice and onions to the peas.
- Then add the bacon bits and hickory smoke seasoning and stir well to distribute all the ingredients. Adjust seasonings if needed.
A hallowed dish in the African American community, this long-standing Southern comfort favorite is an easy sell with the kids and the adults as well. With its roots dating back to the early 1800s, this simple blend of pasta and cheese with a spicy kick has evolved into revered soul food. And when you choose a whole-grain pasta, such as whole wheat, quinoa, kamut, spelt, or rye found at most natural food markets, you can be assured the extra fiber will make this dish a little healthier.
MAC 'N' CHEESE
Yield: 4 servings
1/2 pound ((225g) whole-grain penne-style pasta
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup (60 ml) water
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Sauce
1 1/2 cups (360 ml) unsweetened soymilk
3/4 teaspoon salt
Dash hot sauce
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 1/4 cups (300 ml) shredded vegan cheddar or nacho flavored cheese
1 cup (240 ml) shredded vegan mozzarella or Jack cheese
2 tablespoons vegan Parmesan
1/4 cup fine bread crumbs
- Lightly oil a 3-quart (3 liter) casserole and preheat the oven to 350 degrees (Gas Mark 4).
- Cook the pasta according to the manufacturer's instructions, drain, and transfer to the casserole.
- Combine the onion, water, and olive oil in a deep, non-stick skillet. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for about 5 to 8 minutes until the onions are nicely browned and all the liquid is absorbed. Add the onions to the pasta and toss well.
- TO MAKE THE SAUCE, combine the soymilk, salt, hot sauce, and pepper in a 2-quart (2 liter) saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Watch carefully to avoid a messy boil-over, turning the heat down slightly if needed.
- Thicken the sauce by combining the cornstarch and water in a small bowl or cup. Stir to a thin paste and add to the gently bubbling soymilk a little at a time, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 1 minute.
- Add the cheddar, mozzarella, and the Parmesan cheeses and stir until the cheese is completely melted, about 3 minutes. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Pour the sauce over the pasta and onions and sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Bake for 20 minutes until bubbling hot.
Good old traditional eats, mustard greens take on special meaning when eaten on New Year's day. Those humble greens symbolize money when eaten along with black-eyed peas on the first day of the New Year. An uncomplicated dish, greens deliver great nutritional benefits and a good dose of calcium. Consider serving this dish with cornbread to mop up the "pot likker."
MUSTARD GREENS WITH TEMPEH BACON
Yield: 4 servings
- Wash the mustard greens thoroughly. Remove the tough stems, coarsely chop the leaves, and place them in a 4-quart (4 liter) saucepan.
- Add the water, onions, organic sugar, and salt and cover the saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low, and steam for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the greens are tender.
- While the greens are cooking, heat the canola oil in a 10-inch (25 cm) skillet over high heat. Add the tempeh bacon and toss frequently for about 4 or 5 minutes, or until the bacon is almost crisp.
- Just before serving, stir the bacon pieces into the cooked greens. Lift the greens out of the pot with a slotted spoon and put them into a serving bowl. Pour the "pot likker" into another bowl so guests can dip their cornbread into it, if desired.
This stew is rather tame for a Cajun dish. But those who like their N'awlins cuisine a little perkier can toss in more of the Cajun seasoning, stir well, and cook a few minutes longer to combine the flavors. To serve family style, cook up a batch of brown rice and spoon the okra stew over the top. You can also serve the stew in individual bowls as a side dish. Traditionally the onions and peppers would be fried in oil before adding the remaining ingredients. Omitting the oil makes this dish truly low calorie and low fat. If you don't have a kitchen scale at home, weigh the tomatoes and okra when you purchase them at the market in order to have the proper quantities. Measuring by weight gives more consistent results in a recipe.
N'AWLINS OKRA STEW
Yield: 6 servings
- Combine the tomatoes, okra, onion, bell pepper, garlic, Cajun seasoning, thyme, oregano, marjoram, salt, fennel seeds, and pepper in a large, deep skillet.
- Pour the 2 cups (480 ml) of water over the vegetables and cook over high heat, stirring frequently, for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the okra feels tender when gently pierced with a fork.
- Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl or cup and stir thoroughly to make a smooth, runny paste. Reduce the heat slightly and add the paste to the gently bubbling okra stew a little at a time, stirring constantly, until thickened to desired consistency. Adjust seasonings if needed and serve.
Fresh okra comes to market in mid-summer after basking in the hot sun until it's ready for harvesting. But during the winter months, turn to frozen okra for this tasty dish. Steaming and stir-frying are the easiest and most popular ways to prepare this unique vegetable. Enjoy it in soups, stir fries, casseroles, and in traditional picante Southern dishes like this one. Okra has its roots in Africa, making it a traditional food to serve during Kwanzaa. Since the holiday creates a special time to pay homage to one's ancestors, it becomes a historically meaningful time to serve some of the foods brought to the U.S. from Africa.
OKRA CREOLE
Yield: 8 servings
1 large onion, sliced
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup water
1 clove garlic
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or pinch cayenne
2 to 3 medium tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 cup (240 ml) fresh, canned, or frozen corn kernels, thawed
20 fresh okra pods, topped, tailed and sliced or left whole, or 2 pounds (2 kilos) frozen cut or whole okra, thawed
Salt
Freshlly ground pepper
1 green onion, sliced, for garnish
- Combine the onion, bell pepper, water, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, and pepper flakes in a heavy skillet and cook and stir over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are just softened. Add 1 or more tablespoons of water as needed to cook the vegetables and prevent burning.
- Add the tomatoes and corn. Decrease the heat to medium and cook another 7 to 10 minutes to soften the tomatoes and create a thick sauce.
- Add the okra and cook about 3 minutes, or until the okra is just tender. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with sliced green onion, if desired.
Perfect veggie comfort food, this light, autumn-inspired stew is just right for serving with a hearty chunk of whole grain bread to mop up the tasty pan juices. It even tastes better when made a day ahead. While pumpkin is closely associated with pumpkin pie, this beautiful squash can also lay the foundation for a hearty homemade family dish.
VEGGIE BACON PUMPKIN STEW
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (Gas Mark 4) and have ready a 7 x 11-inch (17.5 x 28 cm) glass baking dish.
- Pour the water into the baking dish and set aside. Prepare the onion, tomatoes, tofu, bacon bits, and pumpkin in individual bowls in preparation for layering the stew.
- Arrange 1/2 of the onions and 1/2 of the tomatoes on the bottom of the baking dish. Season generously with the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed oregano.
- Next layer all of the tofu followed by 1/2 of the bacon bits.
- Arrange all of the pumpkin over the bacon bits and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed oregano.
- Top with the remaining onions and tomatoes and season lightly.
- Sprinkle the remaining bacon over the top and cover the dish with aluminum foil, shiny side down.
- Bake for 1 hour, lift the foil, and spoon the pan juices over the top. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Replace the foil and bake for another 20 minutes, or until the pumpkin is fork tender. Spoon the stew into bowls and include some of the pan juices.
This unique, gluten-free corn bread tastes deliciously rich and offers a hearty, moist, and dense texture. While many corn bread recipes tend to be quite dry and crumbly, this one relies on ripe bananas to guarantee its moistness.
CORN BREAD
Yield: 12 generous servings
1 1/2 cups (360 ml) yellow cornmeal
1 1/2 cups (360 ml) plus 3 tablespoons soya powder*
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups (300 ml) plus 2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup (120 ml) plus 2 tablespoons regular or unsweetened soy milk
2 tablespoons organic sugar
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons liquid lecithin**
3/4 cup (180 ml) ripe banana, thoroughly mashed
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees (Gas Mark 3) and lightly oil an 8-inch (15 cm) square glass baking dish.
- Combine the cornmeal, soya powder, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl and mix to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Combine the water, soymilk, organic sugar, canola oil, and lecithin in a small bowl, stir thoroughly, and add to the dry ingredients, mixing well.
- Add the mashed banana and mix well to incorporate ingredients thoroughly. Spoon the corn bread batter into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 50 to 55 minutes and test by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cornbread. The toothpick should come out dry. If it is slightly moist, bake for another 5 to 8 minutes. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes:
*Soya powder differs from soy flour because it is precooked and very finely ground.
**When cleaning up liquid lecithin, first wipe the measuring spoon with a paper towel, and then wash it. Do the same with the bowl that held the liquid ingredients. This stuff is so sticky it's unbelievable. Simply washing the utensils in soapy water doesn't work without wiping them off first.
Enhanced with zesty spices of the season, this delectable treat is pure delight to present at dessert time and demonstrates the great versatility yams offer at the table from a main dish ingredient to side dish to putting the finishing touch on the meal. Count on this tantalizing pie to create the perfect finish to a fulfilling celebration. Make it a day ahead to allow it to firm in the refrigerator. If desired, serve with a dollop of vegan whipped cream and top it with a sprinkle of nutmeg.
SWEET POTATO PIE
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Crust
1 1/2 cups (360 ml) whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup (120 ml) flaxseed meal
2 tablespoons organic sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (120 ml) organic canola oil
1/4 cup (60 ml) plus 1 tablespoon water
Filling
2 pounds (1 kilo) yams, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened soymilk
3/4 cup (180 ml) organic sugar
1/4 cup (60 ml) arrowroot powder
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch salt
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (Gas Mark 4) and have ready a 9-inch (23 cm) pie pan.
- TO MAKE THE CRUST, combine the flour, flaxseed meal, sugar, and salt in the food processor and pulse to distribute the ingredients thoroughly. Add the canola oil and water and pulse and process until well mixed. You may have to stop the machine and redistribute the ingredients and process again. Alternatively, combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl, add the oil and water and mix thoroughly by hand.
- Spoon the crust mixture into the pie pan and use your fingers to press it into the bottom and sides of the pie pan. Set aside while preparing the filling.
- TO MAKE THE FILLING, place the sliced yams in a steamer, cover, and steam about 10 to 15 minutes, or until fork tender. Transfer the cooked yams to a large bowl and mash them well with a potato masher or a fork.
- While the yams are steaming, place the soymilk, sugar, arrowroot powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, ginger, and salt in the blender and process until smooth and creamy. Add the soymilk mixture to the mashed yams and mix until thoroughly incorporated.
- Spoon the yam mixture into the prepared pie crust and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Cool completely and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
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