Hassleback Potato

2 Russet baking potatoes
Olive Oil
butter
Black pepper
thinly sliced garlic

After washing potatoes, rub potatoes with  olive oil, just to moisten skin. Take a sharp knife, and very carefully cut thin slices about 1/8" thick, along the tops of the potatoes, about two thirds to three quarters of the way down. Be careful not to slice all the way to the bottom. Slide a garlic slice or two into a couple of the slits of each potato. Season potato with pepper, smear potato with butter.
Bake in 350 oven until fork tender.

I really love these potatoes. So easy and toppings are endless.

Decisions, decisions....

Early in the week, after a melt-down over what to make for dinner. Vegan Sloppy Joes happened.
And now what to do with the leftovers...

Genius!

Vegan/Lazy Sloppy Joes

1-2 cups Brown lentils cooked according to package
1 (14 oz) can of Manwich sloppy joe sauce; or make your very own.

After lentils are cooked to perfection, add sloppy joe sauce, heat thru and serve as desired.

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day ------------- 

Janet Jackson - Nasty

Not a big fan of Cauliflower, I've given myself a challenge each month to add a once neglected veggie to my plate.

So Cauliflower is the star today!
What shall I make with thee?... Mac n' Cheese?... Cauliflower Mash with Mushroom Gravy, perhaps?



Cauliflower Mac n' Cheese

1/2 Large head of cauliflower broken into florets
8oz Penne Pasta
1 (4oz box) silken tofu
7oz colby cheese
2-Tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
1 handful fresh parsley
1-1/2 chipolte pepper in adobo sauce
1 tsp adobo sauce
1/2 roasted red pepper
S&P to taste
2 tsp Dijon Mustard
1/8 red onion
2 cloves minced garlic

Cook pasta according to package. Add C-flower to pasta water during last 4-5mins.
In a food processor blend: parsley, garlic, 1-1/2 chipotle pepper and tsp adobo sauce, roasted red pepper and red onion. Pulse to a fine chop consistency. Add tofu, mustard, 1/2 shredded colby cheese and nutritional yeast flakes. Blend until smooth.
Pour cheese mixture over hot pasta & cauliflower, add additional cheese if desired.
Bake in 350 degree oven until uniformly melted and golden brown.

Cauliflower Mash w/ Mushroom Gravy

After this testing session, I fell in like with cauliflower again. Until the next post. Enjoy!

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day -------------
Eric Carmen - Hungry Eyes

First post of the new year! New year full of new challenges, and aspirations. I have taken on a new challenge to really change my lifestyle as far as eating and working out. So far it has been pure bliss. I am kickboxing my way through 2012... Amazing TUNA salad As a lover of many salads that are not the healthiest. Going along with my healthy lifestyle challenge this year, making small changes for the better. I made this creation. Tuna Salad 2(5oz) cans of albacore tuna in water 1 carrot 2 celery stalks 1/4 red onion 1 T relish handful of parsley dash of coarse black pepper dash of lemon pepper 3 T earth balance mindful mayo with olive oil Drain tuna, combine tuna and mayo in a bowl. In a food processor, pulse carrot, celery, parsley, and onion until desired consistence. Combine pulsed mixture with tuna, season with pepper and lemon pepper. Chill before enjoying!!

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day ------------- Otis Redding - Try a little tenderness

Since I was a kid, I always had the best lunch. So it only makes sense to feature my best lunch meals...Bon Appetite!!!

**Roasted Butternut Squash/Artichoke Penne

Butternut Squash 1 can Artichoke hearts 1/2 tub Philadelphia Cooking Creme: Italian Herb half brown onion salt + pepper chill pepper olive oil

Peel and cube squash, toss in olive oil, salt, pepper and chill powder, spread in a single layer on sheet pan and roast for 45-50mins until fork tender in 400 oven. Add sliced onion to pan during the last 5mins. Let squash and onions cool completely. Sautee Artichokes for a few minutes, add cooled squash mix. Heat until warmed through, add cooking creme and toss with your favorite pasta, until fully incorporated. Season to taste if need. Enjoy!!! **This recipes made 4 servings, I also used a small squash about 1-1/2lbs**

------------------ Soundtrak of the Day ------------- Foster The People - Pumped Up Kicks