Broccoli and Chickpea Crockpot

This green and white concoction is savoury, thick, and utterly comforting. The peeps in my house adore both broccoli and chickpeas, so it's really easy to love this simple dish. The cauliflower and sweet potato aren't really very noticeable, although they do provide body, flavour, and nutrition. The theme of the concoction is definitely broccoli and chickpea. Once again, I mixed a little chickpea flour into the water I added to the crockpot, which thickened up wonderfully over the cook time. Simple, satisfying, and universally enjoyed.

2 tbsp coconut oil
1 onion, finely diced
3 cups of chopped up cauliflower florets

3 cups cooked chickpeas
3 cup frozen green peas

1/2 cup diced celery

4 cups diced white sweet potato


3 tsp sea salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tbsp marjoram

3 cups boiling water
1 cup water + 1/2 cup chickpea flour

500 g broccoli florets


directions:

1. melt the coconut oil in the bottom of the crockpot as it's heating, and then go about chopping.
2. add the onions
3. add the cauliflower florets
4. add the cooked chickpeas
5. add the green peas
6. add the diced celery, followed by the white sweet potato
7. on top of all this sprinkled the seasonings
8. add the 1 cup water and 1/2 cup chickpea flour mixture
9. pour on the rest of the water
10. cook on high for 4-6 hours depending on how well your crockpot does.
11. when it's all done cooking, add in your dismembered broccoli florets, and stir in. I used frozen ones that then didn't really need to be cooked ... if yours are fresh and raw, you might give them a little cook time in the crockpot after mixing in.
12. taste, and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

Split Chickpeas

I live just down the street from Little India, and enjoy going into my local tiny supermarket. This week I  found both split moong dal (split mung beans) and split channa dal (split chickpeas). Always  fun to try new things. I cooked a pot of split moong dal seasoned with just avocado oil, dehydrated vegetables, and sea salt. It produced a thick creamy dish. Today I'm playing with the split chickpeas. I did a quick soak on them this morning, and will now see what fun I can have.

ingredients:

2 tbsp coconut oil
1 finely diced onion
4 cups finely chopped cabbage

3 cups split chickpeas -- soaked but not cooked

1/4 cup crumbled dried mushrooms

1 1/2  cup diced celery

3 cups diced sweet potato

4 cups diced zucchini

1 cup water

3 cups chopped broccoli florets -- lightly steamed, stirred in when the crockpot is finished cooking.

Chickpeas with Sweet Potatoes

2 tbsp butter

4 cups cooked chickpeas

3 cups green peas

2 cups diced carrots

4 cups diced sweet potato

4 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp marjoram


2 cups water

500 g broccoli florets

Lentil and Veggie Crockpot -- Papa's coming to dinner!

So, Papa and Nana came for the afternoon, and with a little arm-twisting, they joined us for dinner. After a long walk on the beach and much playing! Super yummy!!

ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 cups  black lentils
2 cups finely chopped green cabbage
3 cups frozen green peas

2 cups diced carrots
4 cups diced sweet potatoes

4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp marjoram

4 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup coconut butter
6 cups water

3 cups chopped steamed broccoli



directions:

1. as usual, layer the ingredients into the crockpot in the order stated
2. cook on high for 6 hours
3. add the broccoli and turn off
4. adjust salt and pepper to taste

Lentil Crockpot

yummy.

Anyway, Papa was going to be coming over so we made this because he's a huge fan of lentils. Turns out he had to reschedule, but we still got to enjoy the fruits of our efforts. 

Delicious crockpot!!!

ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1 1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 cups lentils
2 cups finely chopped green cabbage
3 cups frozen green peas

2 cups diced carrots
4 cups diced sweet potatoes

1 tbsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp oregano

4 cups tomato sauce
1/2 cup coconut butter
6 cups water

3 cups chopped steamed broccoli



directions:

1. as usual, layer the ingredients into the crockpot in the order stated
2. cook on high for 6 hours
3. add the broccoli and turn off
4. adjust salt and pepper to taste

Green and Orange Layered Terrine -- vegan and sensational!

So, it's sort of like a vegan version of my roasted layered vegetable and goat cheese terrine. I've decided to make it for mothers day lunch. Sort of fancy-ish. It will look beautiful plated on baby greens and sided with some sexy deliciousness such as sauted baby king mushrooms, and baby tomatoes with avocado. Prepare to be amazed!!

ingredients:

2 cups raw cashews soaked in water with a little sea salt for at least 2 hours, drain and rinse
500 g broccoli
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp nutritional yeast
black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup chia -- finely ground

2 cups raw cashews soaked in water with a little sea salt for at least 2 hours, drain and rinse
250 g carrot
250 g sweet potato
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp nutritional yeast
black pepper
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 - 1/2 cup water
1/4 cup chia seeds -- finely ground

4 cups tomato sauce -- I still have a bunch of jars in my freezer from last falls plum tomato extravaganza.


1. process the cashews and broccoli mixture, then set aside
2. process the cashews and sweet potato and carrot mixture, and set aside
3. prepare a springform pan -- grease with coconut oil and layer with parchment
4. cover the parchment with 3/4 cup tomato sauce
5. put your first layer (1/2 of one of the colours), then 3/4 cup of tomato sauce, then a different colour (1/2 of the other), 3/4 cup tomato sauce, then the rest of the first colour, 3/4 cup tomato sauce, and finally the last layer, and the rest of the tomato sauce
6. bake in the oven on 345 for 90 minutes
7. allow to cool
8. remove springform, invert onto platter, peel off parchment, and serve

This vegan dish is simple to make although there are steps and there is a process. It is kid friendly, super delicious, and reminiscent of layered pasta such as lasagna. Rich, savoury, and totally delicious.

For mother's day this year, I will prepare this and serve it on a bed of lightly dressed baby greens, sided by sauteed king mushrooms and a salsa of diced avocado and baby tomato.

A Great Moong Dal Crockpot -- veggies and deliciousness in one great dish

I put my crockpot to work again today while I did other things. Green cabbage, green peas, purple carrots, and moong dal conspired with broccoli to make a fabulous stew. Fantastic.

2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 tbsp finely  minced garlic
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
2 cups finely chopped green cabbage
2 cups moong dal (split mung beans)



3 cups frozen green peas
2 cups finely diced carrots
1/2 cup finely diced celery



4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
black pepper
3 tsp raw cacao powder
3 tsp carob powder



combine the following:

4 cups water
1/2 cup coconut butter
1/4 cup almond butter

4 cups water

2 tbsp lime juice

3 cups (steamed) chopped broccoli -- to be added after cooking is complete



1. layer the ingredients in the order listed
2. sprinkle the seasonings on, then pour on the liquid mixture of water, coconut butter, and almond butter, pour on the rest of the water (8 cups total), reserving the lime juice until cooking is finished
3. cook for 6 hours in the crockpot, then add the lime juice
4. when done, add the broccoli, stir, and let sit for  a little while.
5. serve!

Nemesis makes dinner -- vegan chickpea veggie bake

2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
2 tbsp very finely minced garlic
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cups green cabbage, finely chopped
4 cups chickpeas, soaked but not cooked
3 cups frozen green peas
2  cups chopped celery
2  cup chopped carrots

4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
black pepper
1 tbsp rosemary

1/2 cup coconut butter
1/2 cup almond butter
2 cups hot water
4 cups tomato sauce (I get mine from the freezer)

3 cups steamed chopped broccoli


1. melt the coconut oil in a large casserole or dutch oven -- i use the nemesis
1. layer the ingredients up to the carrots
2. sprinkle the seasonings on top
3. in a large bowl combine the almond butter, coconut butter, hot water, and tomato sauce
4. pour the sauce on top
5. cover and bake at 345 for 2 hours
6. remove from the oven, stir well, and then add the broccoli
7. serve

yum!

Sweet Potato and Chickpea Winter Stew -- vegan, gluten free, delicious

Rich, sweet, mellow, satisfying. This meal in one-bowl is a perfect winter dinner. Vegan, gluten free, etc etc.

ingredients:

2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
2 tbsp finely minced garlic
1 cup finely chopped onion

2 cup finely copped red cabbage
4 cups soaked chickpeas
4 cup diced sweet potato
2 cups diced carrots
3 cups frozen green peas

3 tsp sea salt
black pepper

1/2 tsp cumin

3 cups tomato sauce (I have a couple dozen litres left in my freezer from my summer adventures in sauce-land)
400 ml coconut milk

after -- 500 g chopped broccoli

Green Soup -- peas and broccoli do the tango in my crockpot

My crockpot beckoned and I answered. Hello crockpot, here is some green soup for you to make. Split peas, green peas, broccoli. One of those hearty concoctions that make you glad you're hungry. My husband practically rhapsodized as he ate it, and he's not a guy who gets excited about food. Apparently it full on hit some pleasure center of his brain. I think it was the complex layering of flavours that did it for him -- nothing brash, everything subtle, but fully delicious.

ingredients:

3 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
3 tbsp finely minced garlic
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion

2 cups green split peas, dry

1/4 cup finely crumbled dried mushrooms

2 cups diced sweet potato

3 cups frozen organic green peas

3 cups diced celery
2 cups diced carrots


4 tsp sea salt
black pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp herbe de provence

8 cups hot water

after:

2 tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to adjust  if needed

500 grams chopped broccoli florets

1 cup hot water


directions:

turn on your crockpot and let it start to warm up!

1. layer the ingredients in the order listed, reserving the ones listed under 'after' for the end of cooking
2. cook until the green split peas have dissolved
3. stir in the lemon juice and adjust the salt and pepper if needed
4. add the chopped broccoli florets and 1 more cup water and let cook until done

Vegetable and Lentil Soup -- vegan, satisfying, delicious dinner

So, here, once again, we are. Crockpot working hard and me resting on my laurels. Papa Ed is coming over tomorrow, and apparently he likes lentil soup. So, I made some. The thing is, the flavour combination in this is extraordinary. It's definitely more than the sum of its parts. Wish I could share it with you. This makes a batch big enough to fill my crockpot. If yours is little, divide the recipe in half. Or make the whole thing and invite someone over to share. So good.

ingredients:

3 tbsp extra virgin unrefined organic coconut oil
2 tbsp finely minced garlic
1 1/2 cups finely chopped onion
2 cups very finely chopped green cabbage

2 cups du puy lentils

2 cups frozen green peas

1/4 cup almond butter
1/4 cup coconut butter

2 cups diced carrots

6 cups diced sweet potatoes

1 cup diced broccoli hearts

4 tsp sea salt
2 tbps oregano
black pepper

9 cups water (I add boiling)

2 tbsp lime juice


directions:

1. layer the ingredients in the order listed, reserving the lime juice
2. cook (I did it on High for 4 hours)
3. turn off and add the lime juice, stirring thoroughly to make sure the coconut butter and almond butter are fully incorporated
4. serve or let the flavour mature and serve the next day
5. I will definitely serve this with homemade rolls or garlic bread. But it would be great with not-bread toast (plain or savoury) as well.

Gluten free dinner pastry -- vegan, grain free, and full of sautéed vegetables. What's not to love???

These little dinner pastries were a fun change for us. They are pretty easy to make, although the dough is a little sticky, and must be rolled on parchment or silicone, and you can't make it too thin. They were a big hit in our household, and as far as filling goes, the sky is the limit.

dough:

1 cup water
2 tbsp evco

1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tbsp arrowroot flour
2 tbsp ground chia seeds

1 cup almond flour

1/2 cup coconut flour



filling:

2 tbsp evco
1 medium onion
1 bunch celery hearts (2 cups)
2 small yellow zucchinis
1 tiny carrot for colour

black sesame seeds

honey
soy sauce
lemon juice

500 g broccoli florets (3 cups)

1. prepare the dough and set aside
2. prepare the veggie mixture
3. divide the dough into 10 equal balls, and roll each into a flat circle about 10 cm in diameter
4. scoop a few tablespoons of the mixture into the centre of each circle and fold over carefully
5. bake on a lined baking sheet at 345 for 30 minutes

konnyaku noodle salad -- hot or cold -- gluten free, grain free, vegan, footloose and fancy free ...

Fun with noodles.  I made a version of this in the summer with things that included baby cucumbers, corn, and chickpeas in addition to some of the other delicacies. The chickpeas were not texturally appropriate, but I enjoyed it otherwise. This version is a little more asian flavoured ...

1 package (400 g) shiratake (konnyaku) noodles

1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
2 tbsp coconut oil
4 tbsp cashews
4 tbsp almonds
2 tbsp black sesame seeds
1 cup frozen green peas

2 cups broccoli, cut into little wee bites

1 x 227ml container water chestnuts, sliced and cut in half


soy sauce
honey


directions:

1. sautee the onion and carrot in coconut oil with the cashews, almonds, sesame seeds, and peas. Add the water chestnuts, and some soy sauce and honey to season.
2. add the broccoli, cook to al dente
3. add the konnyaku noodles. Don't over cook!!!
4. serve

Sweet Potatoes and Lentils, IN the Crockpot!

January settles in around us, and there have been days in which we've reached nearly -30 with the windchill. How does a bowl of hot stew sound? Pretty good to me. Crockpot, do your thing.

Don't get too hung up on exact measurements. If you put in a little more or a little less of a particular vegetable, it won't make much difference. Just enjoy the process, and enjoy the results. I rough cut all the vegetables -- as opposed to dicing with precision -- to get them into the crockpot ssssssssuper fast. Things to do, people to see, you know how it is. Actually, just more play time with my son.

The resulting stew is really everything a stew should be: full bodied, full flavoured, mellow, yummy, comforting, and delicious.



ingredients:


2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 cup finely chopped onion

2 cups small lentils (green, masoor, dupuy)
1 cup sliced dried mushrooms (crumbled up) (I think they were shiitake or something bigger ...
5 cups water


coarsely chopped:

3 cups sweet potatoes
2 cups diced carrot
2 cups diced celery
300 g spinach diced


3 cups napa cabbage, chopped small

4 tbsp sea salt
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
handfuls fresh herbs -- I threw in some very large sprigs of rosemary and oregano


500 g broccoli florets


directions:

1. turn your crockpot on, and set the timer if you have one. I think medium heat for 6 hours should do the trick.
2. layer in the ingredients as follows: coconut oil, garlic, onion, mushroom pieces, lentils, celery, sweet potato, carrots, spinach, sea salt, cumin, chili powder, water. Herbs.  Lots of herbs. Now. Later. Herb it up.
3. throw on the nappa cabbage.
4. when the stew is cooked, add in the broccoli and let the residual heat cook it up once you've turned your crock pot off, or cook it for a little while but not too long.
5. think of all the friends you'd like to feed with this yummy stew, and remember how lucky you are to have them.


You can serve this with a loaf of freshly baked bread, or some savoury muffins. Or whilst wearing a hula skirt and a kind of absent-minded smile. Your choice, really. I know what I'd choose, but that's just me.

Actually, we ate our with savoury corn muffins and top hats -- spats optional. No elephants in attendance this time.