[mostly-healthy] nacho casserole

Nacho casserole is as awesome as it sounds. Another very flexible recipe. Follow most of the steps, add the stuff you like, and it'll be delicious.

You need:
1 ear of corn, removed from cob
(one can will do, too)
1 medium onion, diced
1 package Smart Ground
(or other protein crumbles)
1 can black beans
tortilla chips
oil
chili powder
garlic salt
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup grated cheese
spinach or lettuce
jalapenos, to taste
sour cream
tomatoes, diced
salsa

Do this:
Saute the onion and corn in oil for about 10 minutes on medium heat. Add the Smart Ground and break it up, then add the chili powder, garlic salt (both to taste!), and black beans and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 and cover the bottom of a casserole dish with tortilla chips. Cover the chips with the crumble mixture. Add in layers the carrots, jalapenos, and cheese. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is totally melted. To serve, scoop the nachos onto a separate plate and top with generous helpings of lettuce and/or spinach, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, and whatever else you can think to throw on them!

hungarian mushroom soup

I first had this soup in a bookstore cafe in Fairbanks. It blew my mind. I made it my goal to learn and perfect the crafting of such a soup. A word of advice: don't skimp on the mushrooms. By which I mean, if you just use the cheap white mushrooms, you will not get the maximum flavor this dish has to offer. Go all out- it's worth it! I usually use a blend of shiitake (necessary!), portabella, and button.

a crazy vegetarian

You need:
1 lb. mushrooms, coursely chopped
1 head garlic, diced
1 large onion, chopped
2 tbsp. butter
4 cups vegetable broth
1 cup milk
3 tbsp. dill weed
1 tbsp. paprika
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. parsley
salt & pepper to taste
sour cream






Do this: In a large pot, saute the onions and garlic in butter until golden. Add the mushrooms and cook for about five minutes. Add the broth, soy sauce, and spices, bring to a boil, and turn down the stove to simmer. Simmer for fifteen minutes. Add milk and keep on heat for another five to ten minutes before serving. Serve with a generous helping of sour cream on top and a nice crusty bread!

vegetable masala

Ah, Indian food! Something I never dreamt I would be able to cook myself. And now I've got this spice-mixing thing down! You can really add any vegetables you'd like, I always enjoy the hearty standby of cauliflower and potatoes. Comfort food to the max. Conor wrote down the spice recipe as I was making it this time- it always turns out well, but this particular masala was the best yet! Our lovely friends Nikki and Natasha joined us for this delightful affair- Natasha loves Indian food, Nikki, bless her little heart, stuck to the naan, recipe also included.


Courtney's Masala Spice Mix:
2 tbsp. garam masala
2 tbsp. red pepper flakes
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. turmeric
dash of clove

You also need:
2 tbsp. butter
one large yellow onion, diced
1 head garlic, diced
1 red pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, chopped
1 head cauliflower, chopped
2 regular potatoes, skinned and cubed
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 can coconut milk
1 12-oz. can tomato paste
1 can garbanzo beans
1 cup water

happy diners!

This recipe, like most of my recipes, is pretty concise. You need to slightly brown the onions in the butter and add the garlic, cooking it for just a couple minutes before adding the rest of the vegetables. Saute the veggies for about eight minutes and begin to add the water, tomato paste, coconut milk, and spice mix. I usually add a little of each at a time, stirring constantly. Once everything else is in the pot, throw in the garbanzo beans and simmer for a good forty-five minutes before serving. Boom. Curry.

Here is the naan recipe I use. It's super simple, delicious, and can be made during the time your vegetable masala is simmering. All you need is flour, water, salt, and plain yogurt!

Enjoy!