vegan sinigang (filipino soup)

sinigang is a soup dish from the philippines that is sour in taste because it is flavored with tamarind, calamansi, or gauva.  this soup usually made with beef, pork, milk fish and shrimp and stewed with onions, tomatoes and veges.  here's my take on vegan sinigang, which is really easy to make.  just don't add meat! ha.

                                        

penne pesto pasta with green beans and potatoes

ingredients:
2 cups of penne whole wheat pasta, cook as directed
french green beans, halved and steamed
1 potato, boil in water then cubed when fully cooked
red pepper, salt and pepper to taste
*toss all of these ingredients together and chill in fridge while preparing sauce.**

pesto sauce:
1-2cups of basil
3 large cloves garlic
6 tbsp raw pine nuts
3/4 – 1 tsp salt, or to taste
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
vegan parmesan cheese 1/4-1/2 cup

directions:
1)  blend all pesto sauce ingredients together.
2) mix sauce with potatoes, green beans and pasta.
3) enjoy!

rasberry banana soy protein shake

one of my favorite shakes after a run.  and yes, i do use the magic bullet!  i made this shake with soy protein powder, soy milk, one banana and a couple of rasberries.  quick and easy!  great for breakfast too!

cuban black beans with chard greens

a couple of weeks ago i tried chard greens for the first time at a restaurant in the city.   it was sauteed and tasted similar to spinach.  i loved it!  here's my take on that dish along with an easy black bean and rice dish.

ingredients for chard greens:
12 oz sliced chard greens
5 cloves of minced garlic
1 tbs olive oil
1 tsp of vegan butter
salt and pepper to taste

directions:
1)  heat olive oil and butter in pan on medium heat.
2)  when butter is melted, add minced garlic.  constantly mix to avoid burning. cook for about 3-4 minutes to flavor the oil.
3)  add chard greens and saute until greens have welted.

ingredients for black beans:
15 oz of canned black beans
1/2 cup of chopped green peppers
1/2 cup of  cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 of a red onion, chopped
1 tbs of red wine vinegar
5 cloves of minced garlic
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 tsp oregano
2-3 tbs olive oil

directions:
1)  on medium heat, saute onions and garlic.
2)  add tomatoes and cook for about 2 minutes.
3)  add beans along with liquid.  once liquid comes to a slight boil, add seasoning and constantly stir.  simmer on low for about 20-30 minutes.
4) lastly add red wine vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

vegan bacon!

yes sirrrr!!! vegan bacon!  fixed myself a tofu and vegan chees whole wheat muffin with morning star's vegan bacon for breakfast today.  y'll need to try it!  tastes like the real thing!