Seven Layer Dip – Vegan or Not

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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It’s still ON! The Christmas special!

Buy a signed and LETTERED (hence – limited to 26 copies) copy of my book FROM THE LINK BELOW, and get copy of the short on DVD & 3 signed bookplates so you can give three people signed copies as gifts. The cost will be $25 which will include DOMESTIC shipping.

First come – first serve. When the 26 are gone – that is it. Buy ASAP if you want to be sure to get the templates for your gift giving this season!

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I have never made one of these before but I will make one again!  Easy & feeds a lot of people & can be endlessly customized to suit your dietary tastes & concerns.

I used real cheese but vegan cheese would be great.  I skipped the sour cream – but you could choose to add some.  I used one deep bowl but, in the future, might opt for two shallower pans – like a lasagna or casserole pan because this got pretty deep & a spoon was required to facilitate eating it.  But doesn’t it look fresh & pretty?

If you make one this deep – I definitely suggest letting people use a serving spoon to put a bunch on their plate rather than dipping chips into the bowl directly.

INGREDIENTS

(open to your tweaking)

2 (16 oz) cans re-fried beans (I used one can of pinto refried beans & one can of black refried beans)

8 oz shredded cheese (vegan or otherwise)

1/2 head romaine (or other lettuce) washed & shredded

8 oz container of your favorite salsa

8 oz container of guacamole (I used 8 small, fresh avocados mashed with some salt & fresh lime juice like I made in a smaller quantity HERE)

Small can sliced black olives

Taco seasoning (1-2 TBS to taste)

1/2 red onion – diced

5-10 Cherry or grape tomatoes – halved

3-4 radishes sliced

Cilantro – chopped

2-3 scallions – sliced

Jarred or fresh sliced jalapeno (optional)

Sour cream (optional)

Corn (optional)

CHIPS!

DIRECTIONS

Mash the beans together with the taco seasoning.

If making fresh guacamole – do that.  I left two avocado pits in it to keep it from browning & even left the pits in the layered dip.

Then just layer it up as you like.  I began with beans then added salsa, guacamole, onion, lettuce, cheese & then topped it all with the tomatoes, olives, radishes, scallions, cilantro.  You might want to layer sour cream or pickled or fresh jalapenos or even some corn.

Chill this a bit & serve with corn chips.

Again – if you make one this deep – I suggest letting people use a serving spoon to put a bunch on their plate rather than dipping chips into the bowl directly.

Cranberry, Banana and Pecan Bread

 

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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Another really easy one.  I overcooked mine a bit as I was distracted photographing another but it was still yummy!

Cranberry, Banana and Pecan Bread

INGREDIENTS

2-3 bananas – smashed

1/4 cup soft (room temperature) butter

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened soy milk (or other milk)

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup pecans (or other nut) – chopped

1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries (whole or chopped)

TBS powdered sugar (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Blend the sugar into the butter & then add all the other ingredients.

Pour into a greased loaf pan & bake at 350 for about an hour.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Voila!

Coconut Banana Bread

 

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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It’s still ON! The Christmas special!

Buy a signed and LETTERED (hence – limited to 26 copies) copy of my book FROM THE LINK BELOW, and get copy of the short on DVD & 3 signed bookplates so you can give three people signed copies as gifts. The cost will be $25 which will include DOMESTIC shipping.

First come – first serve. When the 26 are gone – that is it. Buy ASAP if you want to be sure to get the templates for your gift giving this season!

http://www.bathingandthesinglegirlbook.com/store/p6/Christmas_LIMITED_Special%21.html

Nothing to say except this is yummy & easy!

COCONUT BANANA BREAD

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup sugar

4 TBS melted butter

3 eggs

3 bananas – mashed

1 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 cups grated coconut

DIRECTIONS

Blend all ingredients well & pour into a greased loaf pan.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

See?

EASY!

Easy Cauliflower and Broccoli and Turmeric Mac and Cheese

 

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option.  Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out.  It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing.  The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.

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It’s still ON! The Christmas special!

Buy a signed and LETTERED (hence – limited to 26 copies) copy of my book FROM THE LINK BELOW, and get copy of the short on DVD & 3 signed bookplates so you can give three people signed copies as gifts. The cost will be $25 which will include DOMESTIC shipping.

First come – first serve. When the 26 are gone – that is it. Buy ASAP if you want to be sure to get the templates for your gift giving this season!

http://www.bathingandthesinglegirlbook.com/store/p6/Christmas_LIMITED_Special%21.html

I took those two outdoor images this weekend on my Hollywood sign hikes.  Living in LA does NOT suck.  Don’t believe the hype.

You know what else doesn’t suck?  Pretty much any variety of mac & cheese.  But being a big fat ass does suck – so I added a huge head of cauliflower & two small heads of broccoli to this so it is about 50% veggies & 50% pasta.  Easy & delicious.  I skipped the whole roux business so this is a very quick dish to put together.

I used turmeric because it adds that vibrant yellow color but I also added it because it is really good for you.  Google “turmeric benefits” or look HERE & see some of the amazing good it can do for you.

Easy Cauliflower and Broccoli and Turmeric Mac and Cheese

Feeds 6 easily

INGREDIENTS

1 lb dry pasta

1 large head cauliflower – cut into bite-size florets

2 medium heads broccoli – cut into bit-sized florets

1 cup sour cream

1/2 pint heavy cream

3 cups pepper jack cheese – grated

2 cups cheddar cheese – grated

1 TBS turmeric

1 tsp salt

1 TBS ground pepper

A few squirts of hot sauce – I used Crystal (optional)

1-2 cups panko or other bread crumbs

`

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oven to 350 & grease a large casserole pan or a bunch of ramekins.  The quantity I ended up with filled my largest casserole pan plus two ramekins.  Your results may vary depending on the quantity of vegetables you use & the sort of pasta.

Put the cauliflower florets in a large pot of water (large enough to hold all the pasta & veggies).  Heat it to boil & add the pasta.  Cook as long as the package says – but add the broccoli in the final three minutes.

Toss with all the other ingredients (except the breadcrumbs) and top with the panko.

Bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly & the breadcrumbs are beginning to brown.

Devour.

Chocolate Chip and Fresh Cranberry Bread

 

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option.  Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out.  It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing.  The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.

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First order of business – it’s ON!

The Christmas special!

Buy a signed and LETTERED (hence – limited to 26 copies) copy of my book FROM THE LINK BELOW, and get copy of the short on DVD & 3 signed bookplates so you can give three people signed copies as gifts. The cost will be $25 which will include DOMESTIC shipping.

First come – first serve. When the 26 are gone – that is it. Buy ASAP if you want to be sure to get the templates for your gift giving this season!

http://www.bathingandthesinglegirlbook.com/store/p6/Christmas_LIMITED_Special%21.html

OK, kids – post number two of my four part sweet bread recipes.  These are easy as I don’t get all into whipping butter with sugar & making shit harder than it has to be.  Just stick it all in a bowl, mix it up & bake it.  This one is a crowd-pleaser!  Gorgeous & full of melted chocolate bits.  Mmmmmm!

Chocolate Chip and Fresh Cranberry Bread

INGREDIENTS

2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)

6 TBS butter – melted

1 cup fresh cranberries

1 cup chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet)

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oven to 350 & grease a loaf pan.

Mix the ingredients up in a large bowl.  Pour into the greased loaf pan.

Bake for about an hour or until it is golden on top & a wooden skewer or toothpick comes out clean when you insert it.

Eat it before anyone sees it.  Pretend it never happened.

Jack Daniel’s Honey Whiskey Banana Almond Bread

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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Bananas & avocados.  Delicious when they are perfect.  Perfectly ripe, that is.  “Perfectly ripe” is a tiny window in time for these fruits.  And perfectly ripe is open to interpretation – especially with bananas.  I like mine with a bit of green on the peel & the inside still very firm.  Others like them at their candy-sweetest – once a few spots begin to appear on the skin.  But, so far, I have never met anyone who prefers them mushy & showing as much as brown on the outside – so – when I spotted a bunch of bananas in this sad & dejected state – I took them & decided to make banana bread.  As long as the fruit inside itself is not brown – no banana is too ripe for banana bread.  I made three versions of banana bread & another sweet bread without bananas so this will be one of four breads I will roll out in the next few days.

Jack Daniels Honey Whiskey Banana Almond Bread

INGREDIENTS

3 ripe bananas

1/3 cup butter – melted

1/4 cup honey

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

2 TBS Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey Whiskey (optional)

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

pinch nutmeg

pinch cloves

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup chopped almonds (and a few whole ones for decoration)

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

If your almonds are whole – put them in a sandwich bag & crush them.  I used the bottom of the Jack Daniels bottle.  Save a few whole ones for decoration.

Mash the bananas in a large bowl.   Then, just basically mix up the ingredients.  Pour into a greased loaf pan, place a few whole almonds on top, if you want, and bake for about an hour or until a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted comes out clean.

Voila!

Awesomely Easy 3-Ingredient Fresh Raw Cranberry Sauce

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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OK – I am not a fan of cranberry sauce but I always serve some at dinners during the holidays.  Experience has proven that my homemade efforts are never as popular as that ring-marked canned gelatin shit so, for years now, I have just given in & served that crap up & nobody has ever complained.

Then, this Thanksgiving, I was at a friend’s house & when dinner was served, this gorgeous stuff was among the selections.  I could not resist taking a small dollop of this scarlet creation.   See it there with my other vegetarian delights?

And it was SO DELICIOUS that I had to ask my friend BJ, who made it, for the recipe.   She obliged & I am now sharing it with you here.  If you own a blender or food processor – this takes less than 5 minutes.  Are you ready?

Awesomely Easy 3-Ingredient Fresh Cranberry Sauce

1 package fresh cranberries (I tend to freeze the cranberries ahead of time but this is not necessary).

1 navel orange – cut into segments.  I remove the pith but use the rest of the orange including the rind.  (You might see some pith in the image below.  I suggest removing all that white stuff as it is the bitter part.)

¾ – 1 cup sugar, to taste

24 hours prior to use in a food processor combine cranberries, orange segments and sugar.  I break it up into 3 batches as you want the orange and cranberry to be finely chopped.

Put in a non-reactive bowl overnight in the fridge.  I stir in the morning and taste for tartness.   If necessary add some more sugar, stir and place back in the frig.  Approx one hour prior to serving remove from fridge.

See?  No cooking required!

Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells (Vegan – Vegetarian – Or Not)

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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This is another VERY easy dish.  I used vegan sausage but real sausage would work, too.  I added a half cup of ricotta because I had it around but a vegan alternative would work – or it could just simply be omitted.  I used a homemade sauce I had left over but your favorite sauce, homemade or not, will do.  Even a white sauce would work – if that is what floats your boat.  Whatever your dietary fancies might be – this dish will please you – I promise!

Vegan sausage is usually pretty nasty but I keep hoping I can find a way to doctor it up & make it edible and, finally, with this dish – I SUCCEEDED!  The secret was a pinch of fennel & a shit ton of crushed red pepper.  The filling in these shells was so delicious – I kept eating it directly out of the pan.  A few simple ingredients, a half hour in the oven – and you are neck deep in heaven.  Trust!

Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells (Vegan – Vegetarian – Or Not)

Feeds two very well

INGREDIENTS

1/2 lb dry fill-able pasta shells (any variety works)

Olive oil

2 sausages (vegan or otherwise) – chopped

1/2 lb fresh spinach

4-10 garlic cloves (depending on the size & your passion for garlic) – coarsely chopped

10 oz can chopped tomatoes (I used Rotel)

1/2 cup ricotta (or vegan alternative) – optional

1/2 cup grated Parmesan (or vegan alternative)

1 pinch fennel

1 tsp dry oregano

1 TBS crushed red pepper (I used closer to 3 TBS but I love spice)

1-2 cups red pasta sauce (I used 1 cup but if you like wetter pastas – use more)

1 handful of grated mozzarella (or vegan alternative)

S&P

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cook the pasta until al dente – or maybe a minute less than the package suggests.  Drain & run under cool water.

If you are using real meat, you probably won’t need olive oil as the sausage will provide that fat.  If you are using vegan sausage – add 1-2 TBS of olive oil to a large saute pan.

Saute the sausage with spices (fennel, oregano & crushed red pepper) until it is cooked (cook thoroughly if using real meat – or heat it through, if using vegan meat).

Add the garlic & spinach & tomatoes.  Cook until the spinach is just wilted.

Put the mix in a food processor & puree it.  Add the Parmesan & the ricotta (if using it).  The blending is not strictly necessary but it makes filling the pasta easier if the filling is mushy.  Season with salt & pepper & blend them in.

Put your pasta sauce on the bottom of a casserole or pie dish.  Fill the pasta shells & place them on top of the sauce.  Sprinkle with whatever amount of mozzarella appeals to you.  Put it in the oven & bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted & bubbly & the pasta is brown in spots.

Vegan Carrot and Sage Soup – Easiest Soup Ever!

 

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option.  Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out.  It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing.  The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.

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 Another crazy easy recipe & it is seriously yummy & guilt-free.  This can be made with so many other veggies, too.  Instead of carrots, you could substitute them with squash or broccoli or pumpkin or sweet potatoes.  Sage adds a real depth to this so I really recommend you include it.

Vegan Carrot and Sage Soup – Easiest Soup Ever!

INGREDIENTS

2 lbs carrots – cut into chunks

1 large onion – cut into chunks

Olive oil

1 cup (or one bunch) fresh sage – chopped

1 tsp each of S&P

6 cups of vegetable stock

DIRECTIONS

If you want to, you can put a glug or two of olive oil into a stock pot & saute the onion until it softens but this step can be skipped.

If you wanna just cut to the chase, simply boil all the ingredients together (skipping the olive oil) until the carrots are soft.

Puree in increments in a blender – being VERY careful not to burn yourself.  Season with S&P.

Eat.

Arugula and Ricotta Cream Pizza with Heirloom Tomatoes and Herbs

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option.  Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out.  It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing.  The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.

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Yesterday, I posted my Arugula, Ricotta, Cream Cheese and Parmesan Pie with Heirloom Tomatoes – seen above.

I found myself with a bit of extra arugula-ricotta cream & some extra tomatoes – so I made this pizza.

Because I used extra ricotta from the pie recipe – I don’t really have details on the ingredients needed for such a small amount – but I will try to approximate.

It was a lovely & mild pizza but I added tons of crushed red pepper flakes once it was cooked – as you can see below.   I added fresh basil & thyme – primarily because I had them.  Rosemary & fresh oregano would be nice, too.

 

 

Arugula and Ricotta Cream Pizza with Heirloom Tomatoes and Herbs

INGREDIENTS

Pizza dough – I always make THIS but your favorite dough will work

Heirloom (or other) tomatoes – sliced thin, salted a bit & pressed between paper towels to reduce moisture

Fresh herbs (I used thyme & basil but rosemary and/or oregano might be nice, too)

Grated cheese (I used mozzarella)

1/2 cup fresh arugula

1 clove garlic

4 oz fresh ricotta (or vegan alternative)

1 oz cream cheese – optional (or vegan alternative)

S&P

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oven to 450-500 degrees.

Sliced & drain the tomatoes (sprinkled with salt) between paper towels.

Puree the ricotta, arugula, garlic & cream cheese (if using) in a blender or food processor.  Season with salt & pepper.

Roll out the dough.  Place it on a cooking sheet either treated with olive oil or cooking spray of covered in parchment paper.

Top it with a thin layer of the ricotta cream, some grated cheese & then the tomatoes.  Season with S&P.

Bake for 8-12 minutes or until your crust is done & the tomatoes look a bit seared.

Garnish with fresh herbs.  Reflect on how nice it is to eat pizza made at home & NOT be at a fucking food court in a holiday-crazed mall.  Continue eating the entire pizza.

FTW!

 

Arugula, Ricotta, Cream Cheese and Parmesan Pie with Heirloom Tomatoes

 

 

 

 

All Photos © Christine Elise McCarthy 2014

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All my posts now have a VERY customizable PRINT & PDF option.  Create a PDF & save the recipe to your computer or print it out.  It offers a “remove images” option & you can delete any part of the post you do not need before printing.  The button is below by the Twitter & Facebook links.

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I keep throwing softballs like this out there to you kids.  Softballs in that the recipe is easy & the result delicious.  When, oh when, will you trust me & try one?

This one is almost like a quiche but uses no eggs or heavy cream.   I suppose it can be made vegan – if you can find vegan alternatives to the dairy ingredients.    I used three colors of heirloom tomatoes but any tomatoes would work, even cherry tomatoes, I suspect.  I used a packaged, raw pastry dough but you can make your own if your prefer.  HERE is a recipe for dough that I included in my Savory Three Mushroom & Kale Pie, seen just below.

The ingredients & instructions lists are short so, if you like tomatoes & arugula & a light but creamy entree – why not give this one a try?
Arugula, Ricotta, Cream Cheese & Parmesan Heirloom Tomato Pie

INGREDIENTS

Pie crust – uncooked

3 heirloom (or other) tomatoes – sliced thin

2 cups fresh arugula

2 cloves garlic

15 oz fresh ricotta – or vegan alternative

4 oz cream cheese – or vegan alternative

S&P

1 cup Parmesan – grated  – or vegan alternative

Basil – as garnish

DIRECTIONS

Heat the oven to 400 degrees.

Press the dough into a greased pie or tart pan.  A traditional pie dish is absolutely OK to use – as is a spring form pan.  Slit the crust at the bottom and par-bake it for 7 minutes.

Put the sliced tomatoes on paper towels, salt them & press more paper towels on top.  If your tomatoes are very wet & seedy, squeeze some of the seeds out to avoid excess moisture in the pie.  You can see that I did this with my red tomatoes.

Meanwhile, blend the ricotta, cream cheese, arugula & garlic in a blender or food processor.  Season with S&P.

When the crust has baked 7 minutes, top with the cup of grated Parmesan, the ricotta mix & the drained tomatoes.  Add some S&P.

Bake for 45-60 minutes – or until the ricotta is set.  You might need to wrap the edges of your pie with foil (or one of these cool silicone things – the red thing below – that I got at Bed Bath & Beyond) to prevent the crust from over-browning.

Depending on how deep your crust and/or pan might be – it is possible that you will have leftovers of the ricotta filling.  If you do – hang onto it.  Don’t overfill the crust or you run the risk of the tomatoes slipping off while cooking.   I will post a pizza recipe tomorrow that uses the ricotta filling.

When the center seems set, allow this to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting into it.  It can be eaten warm or room temperature.

Garnish with basil & eat it up!