Yummy Vegetarian Recipes

I am sharing with you all two recipes that I have tried lately that are not only delicious, but very healthy.   One recipe came from a friend (thanks Shawn), and the other came from someone who attended the Vegan potluck at the yoga studio a couple of weeks ago.  Both are easy to make and my girls loved the pie! 


Vegan Peanut Butter Pie

• 16 oz. soft silken tofu
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (make sure the natural peanut butter firms well when refrigerated, so as to help form)
• 3/4 sugar (one part brown sugar and one part sugar)
• 2 tbsp soy milk (I used rice milk and it worked out fine)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pre-made vegan pie crust baked (I used regular pie crust)
• 1/2 cup peanuts

Mix tofu, peanut butter, sugars, soy milk, and vanilla in a food processor or a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer.


Spoon contents into baked pie shell.  Place in refrigerator and cool for at least 2 hours then enjoy!


For chocolate topping:


In a small deep pan, pour 1/2 cup soy milk and place 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips in a pan on low to medium heat.  Stir slowly until all the chips have melted.  Sprinkle chocolate topping and peanuts on top of pie.   If you don't want to add the chocolate and/or nuts, the pie tastes great without this topping.




Black Bean and Tomato Quinoa

• 2 tsp grated lime zest
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup quinoa (found in rice section of grocery store)
• 1 (14-15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced (you can use fresh or canned)
• 4 scallions, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (I used 1/2 cup, because I love cilantro)

Whisk together lime zest and juice, butter, oil, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.


Wash quinoa in 3 changes of cold water in a bowl, draining in a sieve each time.


Cook quinoa in a medium pot of boiling salt water (1 tbsp for every 2 quarts water), uncovered, until almost tender, about 10 minutes.  Drain in sieve, then set sieve in same pot with 1 inch of simmering water (water should not touch the bottom of sieve).  Cover quinoa with a folded kitchen towel, then cover sieve with a lid (don't worry if lid doesn't fit tightly) and steam over medium heat until tender, fluffy, and dry about 10 minutes.  Remove pot from heat and remove lid.  Let stand, still covered with towel for 5 minutes.


Add quinoa to dressing and toss until dressing is absorbed, then stir in remaining ingredients and salt and peper to taste.

Here's to getting off the comfort couch and living life ~ Lisa