Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 16 oz. bag pasta of choice (I used gluten free macaroni)
• 1 can of organic green peas
• 1 small red pepper, chopped
• 1 small red onion, diced
• 1/2 C vegan mayonnaise
• 1/4 C white balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 - 2 T dijon mustard
• 1/2 t dill weed
• salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. 
2. While pasta is cooking, whisk dressing ingredients (mayo, balsamic, mustard, dill, salt, and pepper) together in a large bowl.
3. Add vegetables and mix to coat.
4. When the pasta is done, rinse it with cold water.
5. Add pasta to the bowl and mix thoroughly to coat.
6. Enjoy!

Mediterranean Tofu Scramble

Breakfast used to be my favorite meal - I loved eggs, but it was never really about the eggs. It was about what I put on or in them! I usually have a smoothie for breakfast these days, but I'll splurge on the weekends and make something like this scramble.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1 block organic tofu
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 large sweet onion, chopped
• 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 C Kalamata olives, chopped
• 1/4 C sundried tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 C fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 t Italian seasoning
• 1/2 t turmeric
• 2 T nutritional yeast 
• salt & pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. 
2. Add the onions and cook until the onions are translucent. 
3. Add the garlic and the peppers; sauté until all the veggies are soft and starting to brown. 
4. Cut the tofu into quarters and squeeze out the excess water. 
5. Crumble the tofu and add it to the veggies. 
6. Add the dried spices and sauté until the tofu is hot and the spices have been absorbed. 
7. Add the basil, sundried tomatoes, and olives. 
8. Cook until heated all the way through. 
9. Stir in the nutritional yeast, and enjoy!

Atakilt Wat in the Instant Pot

AKA Ethiopian Cabbage, Carrots, and Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium white onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 T Berbere spice blend
• 1 t dried ginger
• 1 t turmeric
• 1/2 t ground fenugreek seed
• 1 1/2 C vegetable stock
• 3 C Yukon Gold potatoes cut into 1" chunks
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1" pieces
• 4 C sliced green cabbage (about half a medium head)

Preparation:

1. Set the Instant Pot (IP) to saute on low and add the oil. 
2. When the oil is heated, add the onions and cook for about 2 minutes.
3. Add the spices and cook for another minute. If anything starts to stick, add a tablespoon or two of the vegetable stock.
4. Add the potatoes and the vegetable stock. Lock the lid and set to 1 minute (manual) high pressure.
5. Quick release the pressure per IP instructions, being careful with the steam.
6. Add the carrots and cabbage, and stir everything together.
7. Lock on the lid and set to high pressure (manual) for 5 minutes.
8. Let the lid naturally release.
9. Enjoy!

*Recipe Source: Vegan Under Pressure by Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN, with slight modifications.

Berbere Spice Blend

Berbere is a spice blend that is traditionally used in Ethiopian cuisine. It is excellent in red lentils, and it brings wonderful flavor to vegetable and grain dishes as well.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 C ground cayenne
• 1/3 C paprika
• 1 1/2 t ground ginger
• 1 t garlic powder
• 1 t ground fenugreek
• 1 t ground cinnamon
• 1 t ground turmeric
• 1 t ground coriander
• 1 t ground black pepper
• 1 t finely ground sea salt
• 1/2 t ground cardamom
• 1/4 t freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 t freshly ground allspice
• pinch of ground cloves

Preparation:

1. Mix and store in a glass container.
2. Enjoy!

*Recipe source: Vegan Under Pressure by Jill Nussinow, MS, RDN. (I highly recommend this cookbook - it is awesome, and I use it all the time for recipes for my Instant Pot!)

Cashew Sour Cream

Ingredients: 

• 1 C soaked cashews
• 1/2 C organic rice milk
• 2 T fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 t apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 t garlic powder
• 1/2 t onion powder
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/4 t ground white pepper

Preparation:

1. Put all ingredients in a high-powered blender and blend until completely smooth and creamy.
2. Enjoy!