12 May 2012

Another Daniel Fast Meal


This was an incredibly filling meal and again made a large pan of food that feed my roommate and I for several days. This was two separate dishes. It is a black bean chili bake served with broiled polenta squares. I started by making the polenta because it needs to sit in the fridge to set up.

Broiled Polenta Squares
6 cups water
1/2 Tbsp garlic salt
2 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
1 tsp dried basil

Bring water to boiling in a large saucepan. Add the garlic salt. Reduce heat to simmering and slowly pour the cornmeal and basil into the pan in a thin stream, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until the polenta is thick and pulls away from the sides of the pan. With a paper towel rub the sides and bottom of a 9x13 pan with water to prevent sticking. Press the polenta into the pan until well packed. Cover and allow to sit in the fridge for 2 hours or until completely cooled. 

When ready to serve, cut the polenta into squares and place on an oiled cookie sheet under a high broiler (a toaster oven will also work) until they are slightly browned and crispy on the outside. 

 Black Bean Chili Bake
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 large can chunky tomato sauce
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 can corn kernels, drained
1/2 cup diced onion
1 Tbsp chili powder
sprinkle cayenne pepper
sprinkle garlic salt
sprinkle cinnamon

Put beans in a large bowl and mash until they are about half crushed. Add remaining ingredients and stir until will combined. Put in a 9x13 that has been lightly rubbed with olive oil. Bake in a 350*F oven for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through. I served this with avocado on top and some green bell pepper on the side.

10 May 2012

Baked Oatmeal

I recently went on a Daniel Fast. For anyone who doesn't know what that is I will describe it briefly for you. Basically you eat fruits, veggies, whole grains (like brown rice and oats), and beans. So for someone who enjoys food as much as I do, this can be incredibly difficult. The plus side is that I feel awesome! I feel spiritually, mentally, and physically very clean and focused. I am however, looking forward to enjoying foods that I wasn't able to eat, but I thought I would share a few recipes that I tried while on the fast with you.


This baked oatmeal is divine. It is seriously so delicious, nutritious and makes a whole 9x13 pan (which my roommate and I ate in 2 days).

Baked Oatmeal
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3 cups unsweetened almond milk
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup dried fruit*
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

*You can use apricots, raisins, dates, cherries. Whatever suits your fancy. Just make sure to get dried fruit that does not have sugar added to it. You might have to go to a health foods store to find it.

Mix all the ingredients together and pour into a 9x13 that has been lightly greased with olive oil. Bake at 350*F for 40-50 minutes or until slightly browned on top. Serve warm with some peanut or almond butter on top. You could also serve this with some baked apple slices or fresh fruit like pineapple.

08 May 2012

Stir Fry

I had a friend over for lunch the other day, and by the other day I mean it was probably 2 months ago now. My how time flies! When I asked if there was anything specific that she wanted to eat, she said that she had really enjoyed the curry I made, so maybe something like that. I decided to make stir fry, mostly because I hadn't made it in a rather long time, and it sounded good to me.

Stir fry is super easy to make and can be altered so easily to fit different dietary needs. It is also super healthy and delicious.


Start by setting your rice to cooking because that will take the longest. I made sushi rice with coconut milk.  Next cook a couple of chicken breasts that have been cut into chunks. I cooked these in a little coconut oil and seasoned with curry powder, turmeric, cayenne pepper, garlic salt, cinnamon, and pepper. When the chicken is finished cooking set aside and keep warm.


Add to the wok cut up veggies of your choice. I think I used onion, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus. It is best to use fresh veggies. You can also use bell peppers, zucchini or yellow squash, green beans, peas, really any vegetables you like. Allow these to cook until they are a little soft, but not all the way cooked. This gives you a nice crunch. Add the chicken back in and cook just a little longer.


Serve with the rice and eat right away. You can also use some soy sauce if you want that flavor.


This is a really great meal to make because it is fast and easy, but can be easily modified to suit almost anyone's taste buds. It is also really easy to make this a vegetarian meal.

06 May 2012

French Silk Pie


I keep mental files on people I know. Nothing creepy, just mental notes of what they like or don't like. I find it makes it easier to cook for people when you are able to make things that they enjoy. I have a very dear friend who loves french silk pie, but she does not like it with any whipped topping. Most french silk pies come topped with either cool whip or whipped cream, so whenever I see my friend (who lives far away from me) I make a point to make her some french silk pie. There are many versions of french silk pie, and this is mine.

French Silk Pie
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 eggs
6 ounces chocolate, melted (I use a dark chocolate)
1 pie crust (I use an oreo crust)

Begin by beating the butter until it is smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and beat until incorporated. Add in the chocolate and beat until smooth. Add in the eggs and beat until the filling is stiffer and has become lighter. Spoon into pie shell and allow to sit in the fridge for several hours or until set. Keep refrigerated as this does have raw eggs in it. You may serve it with whipped cream or plain. You may also add in about a tablespoon of peppermint schnapps to make it a minty chocolate pie. Enjoy!

03 May 2012

One-Bowl Brownies

These brownies are possibly the first thing that I remember making on my own. They are called One-Bowl brownies because you make them all in one bowl.  And they are the prefect brownie to take to any event because they are super easy and fast to make, and they will be devoured because they are delicious!

One-Bowl Brownies
4 square unsweetened chocolate
3/4 cup unsalted butter
2 cups brown sugar
3 eggs*
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour


*I used applesauce to replace the eggs, but if you are making these for people who aren't used to applesauce replacement for eggs you will probably want to stick with the eggs as the applesauce does slightly change the consistency and flavor.

Start by putting the butter and chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwaving it for 2 minutes, checking it at 1 minute to stir. Be careful with how long you microwave it for because the chocolate can burn easily.


Stir until the chocolate is all melted. Add in the sugar and vanilla. I might have added a dusting of cinnamon here as well.


 Add in the eggs (or applesauce) and stir to combine.


 Add in the flour.


 Pour into a 9x13 pan or a 9x9 pan for thicker brownies. I also don't have a 9x9 pan so I use a 9x13.


Bake at 350*F for 30ish minutes. Here is where it helps to know your oven because you definitely don't want to cook these too long. You want them to be a little gooey in the center.


You can eat these with ice cream and Bailey's or some salted caramel sauce or just straight out of the pan when they are warm.