Canellini Bean Spinach Hummus

Sometimes necessity really is the mother of invention. I wanted to make hummus but didn't have any garbanzo beans in my pantry. It didn't dawn on me to use chickpea flour, which would have worked just fine; instead I turned to the canellini beans that I'd been overlooking for a month and thought, 'What the hell?' What the hell indeed! Subbing the white beans for the garbs makes for a super creamy, buttery hummus that's a bit more refined than its grainier predecessor. What a wonderful discovery! I will happily make this happenstance of a recipe again! I hope you like it as much as I do!

Canellini Bean Spinach Hummus


1 can garbanzo beans/chickpeas (15 oz), drained
1/2 C fresh spinach, chopped
1/4 C tahini
2 T garlic
2 T lemon juice
2 T olive oil
1/4 t Kosher salt


In a food processor, process beans, garlic, spinach and olive oil. Add lemon and salt and blend. If spinach hummus is too thick, add 1 tablespoon water until desired consistency. Hummus should be smooth and creamy.

Chana Masala

Chana Masala

Ooh, this one’s a keeper! It’s a recipe by the vegan cookbook goddess, Isa Chandra. Hearty and satisfying, the chickpeas are nutty and chewy, the curry flavor is rich, and the heat is subtle but very noticeable. Mark and I really enjoyed it and we’ll be sure to make it again!  

Chana Masala

Spice blend:

1 T plus 1 t ground cumin
1 T ground coriander
1 t ground tumeric
1/2 t fennel seeds, chopped
1/2 t cardamom
1/4 t cinnamon
1/8 t ground cloves
1/4 t ground cayenne (optional, and more or less to taste)

For everything else:

3 T coconut oil
1 large onion, sliced in medium pieces
2 jalapenos, deseeded and thinly sliced
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 heaping T minced fresh ginger
1/4 C finely chopped fresh cilantro
3 lbs tomatoes, diced
Fresh black pepper
1 t salt
3 1/2 C cooked chickpeas (or two cans, rinsed and drained) note: 2 cups dried will give you the right amount
1 t agave
Juice of one lime, or 1 t tamarind concentrate, or 4 t bottled lime juice (I use 365 brand)

Preheat a large pan over medium heat. A large pan is better than a pot because it will get the tomatoes to cook down faster.

Meanwhile, mix together the spice blend in a small bowl.

When the pan is hot, saute the onion in the coconut oil for about 10 minutes, until nicely browned. While it’s sauteeing you can prep the rest of the veggies.

Add the jalapeno, garlic and ginger, and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the cilantro and saute until wilted. Add the spice blend and toss to coat the onions, letting the spices toast a bit (about a minute or so).

Add the tomatoes and mix well, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Add salt and pepper, chickpeas and agave. Cover the pan and bring heat up a bit. The tomatoes should take about 10 minutes to breakdown and get saucy. Remove the lid, and cook for about 20 more minutes on low heat, so that the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. It shouldn’t be too thick (like a marinara), but it shouldn’t be watery, either.

Add lime juice or tamarind concentrate. Taste for seasoning, you might want to add a little of this or that. Let sit for 10 minutes or so off the heat before serving. Serve with basmati rice and garnish with extra cilantro, if you like!

From the ppk.com

Curried Cabbage and Peas

Curried Cabbage and Peas with Basmati Rice

I fell in love with curried cabbage and peas dish at a local Indian restaurant last spring - this fall I finally got around to trying to duplicate it at home. This recipe was created by Anna Thomas and came from The Vegetarian Epicure (book2) via food.com. I modified it to make it entirely vegan and sugar-free and tweaked it a bit for flavors and I think it comes close to the restaurant version. The first time I made this was on a Sunday night - it was so good I made it again the following Thursday! Super easy, incredibly tasty - Mark and I both love it and will make this dish again and again! 

Curried Cabbage and Peas

1 medium head green cabbage
3 T vegetable oil ( although I only use 2)
1 t crushed dried red chilies
1/2 t ground ginger
1/2 t whole mustard seeds
1/2 t cumin
2 bay leaves
1 t ground coriander
1/2 t ground turmeric
2 t salt
1 C water
1 C fresh peas (or frozen)
1 T vegan butter
3/4 garam masala
1 T lemon juice
1/2 t agave nectar


Shred the cabbage coarsely (I use a food processor). Measure out the crushed red chilis, ginger, mustard seeds, cumin, bay leaves, coriander, turmeric, and salt. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet and stir in the prepared spices. Heat the spices gently for about 2 minutes stirring often.

Add the shredded cabbage and saute it stirring often, until it is evenly coated with the spices and beginning to wilt, 10 to 15 minutes.

Add the water and the peas, cover, and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes. Remove the cover, stir in the butter, garam masala, lemon juice, and sugar, and simmer uncovered, for another 10 to 15 minutes. There should be very little or no excess liquid at this point. Serve hot with rice, or as is.

Nutrition per serving (4 servings per recipe): Calories 252.9; Fat 14.0g; Saturated Fat 3.2g; Cholesterol 7.6mg; Sugars 13.9 g; Sodium 1230.6mg; Total Carbohydrate 27.5g; Dietary Fiber 10.2g; Sugars 13.9 g; Protein 8.4g

Sh*t Vegans Say

Happy New Year! I saw this clip this morning and couldn't stop laughing! This is for everyone who's done a cleanse, and everyone who's gone full-tilt vegan or veg afterward! I know you'll get a kick outta this! Sh*t Vegans Say