Archives for January 2015

Kung Pao Chickpeas with Brocolli. Vegan. Gluten Free.

January 29, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Nuts, Running/Races, Side dish, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 7 Comments

Kung Po Chickpeas with Broccoli. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Kung Pao Chickpeas with Broccoli. Vegan. Gluten Free.

A long time ago I used to love Kung Pao chicken. I thought it would be fun to recreate the recipe with chickpeas and it turned out great. And to be honest, I started marinading these on Monday and didn’t get around to making them until yesterday at lunch. One I forgot about them in the snowstorm/delayed school -kids being home throwing my schedule off -period. Then Tuesday was a repeat of Monday with the weather/delay etc. Then I jinxed myself Tuesday night (after I couldn’t get to my daughter’s swim meet due to a conflicting doc appt.) that everything would resume to a normal state on Wednesday. Yeah. NO! I was awakened yesterday by my youngest who had a raging fever and in conclusion (and withholding all the nastiness) the flu. Once on Tamiflu, and my oldest off to school with laryngitis, I got to address these babies marinating in the back of my fridge.

Despite everything else in my week not going as planned, it turned out that marinading these for 3 days was the best thing. The chickpeas absorbed fantastic flavor and I have to admit, once I sat down with a bowl of them… they were the best thing I had in days. It made two nice servings for a main vegan course or would easily be a side dish for 4-5 people. This dish turned out so good.

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— Knead to Cook

Easy Apple Pie Oatmeal. Vegan. Gluten Free.

January 28, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Running/Races, Snacks, Vegan, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Apple Pie Oatmeal. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Happy Hump Day! We managed to make it out unscathed from Juno the massive snowstorm that hit Long Island and New England. I think we got 4 inches or so over two days. Schools were delayed and schedules were disrupted. Today, finally, expecting to get back to normal and my youngest came down with a raging case of the flu. I should’ve known with her being away all last weekend for a church retreat and just everyone being sick that it would happen. AND my oldest has laryngitis. Fun times! It’s winter… what more would I expect.

We just returned from the pediatrician and got a dose of Tamiflu. She is off to bed and I’m bleaching my house and blogging. My scheduled post has been postponed as it’s still marinating and I plan to make it shortly and have it posted tomorrow. This post has been my dinner over the past few nights. I’m typically not starving by dinner for some reason and I’m always craving something warm. This bowl is just heavenly and comforting when the winds are whipping and the temps are nasty. It is easily prepared and would make the perfect breakfast, snack or even dinner when you don’t feel like making anything huge.
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— Knead to Cook

Mocha Espresso Bean Protein Balls. Vegan. GF.

January 26, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, No bake/cooking required!, Running/Races, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 7 Comments

Mocha Espresso Protein Balls. Vegan. GF. || Knead to Cook.

Happy Monday! Another week, another missed snowstorm. All the pomp and circumstance on the news and we got a few inches of the white stuff. Kids were delayed but thankfully that was it. No need for the snowblower and the kids still got to go to school. Plus bonus – I got to make my girls some freshly squeezed blood orange juice.

I have been thinking about this recipe since Vega sent me their new bionic (seriously – its packed with tons of bionic vegan ingredients) mocha flavored protein powder last week. This paired with espresso beans. Why do I hate coffee but love vegan dark chocolate covered espresso beans? I have no idea. I had them one day at a restaurant and couldn’t believe it… I loved them. And here’s a little tidbit, most better quality dark chocolate is vegan. No milk! YAY! So I found some favorites and I stash them in my pantry. I have a few in the morning for a caffeine punch. But today, I chopped up a bunch and put them in this recipe. Bionic balls! Ha! Now that should make you laugh!
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— Knead to Cook

Coconut Almond Green Protein Smoothie. Vegan. GF.

January 21, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Fruit, Gluten Free, Nuts, Running/Races, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 2 Comments

Coconut Almond Green Protein Smoothie. Vegan | Knead to Cook.

Yesterday I got the best delivery from one of my favorite companies (and people ever) – Vega One! And as soon as I saw this awesome new flavor, coconut almond, I knew it was going to make its way into my recovery run shake this morning. I couldn’t wait to get home and try it!

Today, one child woke up with a sour stomach and the other got an early dismissal with the pending snow that was going to arrive this afternoon along with swim practice being cancelled. The snow arrived and its coming down at a nice pace. Expected to get 2-3 inches of winter fun. So a big pot of soup is simmering on the stove (mandatory on a snow day) and I’m sitting here blogging, plotting and doing a bit of laundry. How about you?

Well, I better move on to this smoothie recipe because this is a food blog after all. Super easy. Insanely tasty. I love green smoothies! Being a vegan or not – it’s a fantastic way to get protein in your diet. Plus Vega One’s new formulation is bionic. It’s packed with more protein, more greens and made from real whole food! Plus non-GMO and totally vegan. This is NOT a sponsored post, btw.
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— Knead to Cook

Smoky Marinated Flaxseed Tempeh.

January 20, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Beans, Fitness., Gluten Free, Salads, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Smoky Marinated Flaxseed Tempeh| Knead to Cook.

Happy 2nd Monday of the week. Ha! I always feel that way when we have Monday off… Tuesday by default becomes the Monday of the week. Fighting to get everyone (ummm I mean my youngest) out of bed. School. The bus. Practice. Are you with me?

Well I started marinating this tempeh on Sunday. Baked it on Monday and added it to mixed greens for a nice dinner. I try to steam and marinade several blocks of tempeh on the weekend so that I just need to cook it during the week and use it for tacos, a sandwich, paired with quinoa or for a bowl. Tempeh, when cooked properly, is very flavorful and packed with vegan protein. I’m not a tofu or seitan fan so I’m pretty much relegated to tempeh but I don’t mind. It is a favorite of mine.
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— Knead to Cook

Vegan and GF chocolate chip cookies.

January 19, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 6 Comments

The BEST vegan and gf chocolate chip cookies | Knead to Cook.

Vegan and GF chocolate chip cookies.

Happy Martin Luther King Day and Monday… yes, we meet again. Everyone but my husband is off today so it was a bit of a lazier morning for everyone, well except that I got up with my husband at 5:30. I was planning on taking a rest day after my run yesterday – more on that later. Plus I had my orthopedist appointment today to check out the progress of my finger.

I’ve been working, tirelessly, on the perfect vegan and chocolate chip cookie. You know that kind that isn’t gluten free and vegan that you once loved? Yeah, that kind. And let’s face it… Monday’s can always use a good chocolate chip cookie break built-in. Ha ha. So finally, yesterday, I gave it another attempt and success was achieved. I was quite pleased. I normally don’t eat cookies but I had one… contemplated 4 more but walked away. Yet as I type this… they are calling my name again. Actually my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Okay so in the spirit of giving…. here you go! I hope you love these as much as we do!
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— Knead to Cook

Horseradish Dijon Vegan Cashew Cheese Sauce.

January 15, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Dips, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Nuts, Party Foods, Sauces, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free 1 Comment

Horseradish Dijon Cashew Cheese Sauce | Knead to Cook

Horseradish Dijon Cashew Cheese Sauce.

If you think cheesy sauces are off the menu when going vegan you are so wrong! Before I get into the how-to, let’s go through the various uses. Let’s see ~ sandwich spread, straight-up dip, atop raw veggies, roasted veggies, sauce for your vegan protein like tempeh or seitan. Grilled tofu fries with this sauce on the side. Top your baked sweet potato. Atop your favorite gluten free pasta. Yes! Just to name a few. Sauces like this are just incredibly versatile and are only limited to your imagination. Ohhhh and a chickpea scramble topped with this sauce on the weekend! Yes! Okay, now I’m hungry for that too.

First things first… get your cashews soaking. That’s the key to making a great cashew cheese sauce. Now onto the recipe.
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— Knead to Cook

Oat Almond Butter Bars. Vegan. Gluten free.

January 14, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Cookies, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Nuts, Party Foods, Running/Races, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free 3 Comments

Oat almond granola bars. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Oat almond butter bars. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Happy Hump Day people! How’s the week going for you? Pretty eventful here. Booked a big surprise vacation. Mid term exams happening for my oldest. Swim meet last night. Anxiety and stress eating are in full swing for her. The weather is slightly, slightly… warming up. It gives me hope for spring, which cannot come soon enough.

I created this recipe for my oldest daughter so that she can snack and get good nutrition for optimum function for both her tests and for swimming. Healthy fats and proteins are necessary for proper brain function. I’m always so distraught when people avoid healthy oils and fats…. they are needed by the body. Healthy fats serve three main functions: provide energy. Some types of vitamins rely on fat for absorption and storage. Vitamins A, D, E and K, called fat-soluble vitamins, cannot function without adequate daily fat intake. These vitamins are essential parts of your daily diet. Fat cells, stored in adipose tissue, insulate your body and help sustain a normal core body temperature. So in moderation, healthy fats are imperative.
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— Knead to Cook

Cauliflower Cream Pasta Sauce. Vegan.

January 13, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Pasta, Running/Races, Sauces, Vegan, Vitamix, Wheat Free Leave a Comment

Cauliflower Cream Sauce. Vegan. Gluten Free.

Happy Tuesday!!! I feel like a new person. I ran today – outside!!! After yesterday’s ice storm and being relegated to my house all day -I so needed it. But more on that later.

I made this pasta sauce yesterday. It was inspired by a Thug Kitchen recipe with a bit of a departure. It was so delicious. It’s creamy and garlicky without any of the guilt of a traditional cream sauce. It took me 10 minutes to make this dinner from start to finish. Perfect weeknight dish. AND a great Meatless Monday idea. I would also use this sauce atop roasted or steamed veggies. Oh and that lemon in the pic — I grew that! Yes, my little lemon tree in my sunroom is blooming with lovely lemons. So excited to use one in my recipe.
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— Knead to Cook

Good Morning protein muffins. Vegan. Gluten free.

January 12, 2015 by Knead to Cook Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fitness., Gluten Free, Holiday Baking Ideas, Muffins, Running/Races, Vegan, Wheat Free 4 Comments

Who doesn’t need to power up in the morning? These muffins have you covered minus your chosen caffeine fix. These are packed with protein and fiber – just what every healthy body needs. These are so good. Again, made half with and half without vegan chocolate because of my husband’s allergy to cocoa. These are totally gluten free and vegan – but pinky promise your kids will devour these too! Why don’t you share and make a batch to share with a neighbor or friend who might need a pick-me-up? Just a thought. #kindacts #bestlifeproject
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— Knead to Cook