Convenient Meals

This weekend I tried out some new dishes and retried some old favorites.  For all of my fellow wannabe chefs out there, these are some tasty and EASY recipes.  All of these recipes are things you can make on the fly (especially if you keep most of the indigents in your house already).  Here is a food diary of some of my favorite (and easiest) meals from the last three days.  Enjoy :)

Coconut & Rice Pudding
1 can of coconut milk
1 1/2 cup almond milk (unsweetened or vanilla)
1 cup of rice**
3tbs of organic sugar
Dash of vanilla extract
Dash of salt
Dash of brown sugar (for topping)

Directions
Combine all ingredients (except brown sugar) in a mixing bowl and stir well.  Pour into sauce pan.  Simmer on medium heat for 45-60 minutes.  The sauce will be very thick and the rice will be very tender.  Serve hot.  Top with brown sugar.

Bean Thread Stir Fry
1/2 package of bean thread noodles (pre-soaked for 20 minutes)
Broccoli (as much as needed)
Carrots (chopped- as much as needed)
Peas (as much as needed)
Garlic (as much as needed)
1tbs Organic Soy Sauce
Dash of Red Pepper
Dash of Salt
Dash of Pepper
**Additional spices can be added to add more heat to the dish.

Directions
Noodles: Cut noodles into slightly smaller strands after soaking. Boil noodles in water until they become clear and tender (5-10 minutes).  Drain noodles and put in a large mixing bowl.  Add soy sauce and spices.  Mix well.
Veggies: Add a dash of olive oil to a skillet and sauté vegetables until they begin to become tender.  Add garlic.  Continue sautéing until garlic becomes lightly browned.  Add to the noodles and mix together.









Cheese, Rice, & Broccoli Casserole (Vegan)

1 cup uncooked rice** (I used jasmine, but any will work)
2 cups soy milk
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
1tsp olive oil
2tsp garlic
1 1/2 cup broccoli (fresh or frozen)
Dash of onion powder
Dash of salt
Dash of pepper
Breadcrumbs (optional)

Directions:  Preheat oven to 375F.  Put all ingredients in a casserole dish.  Stir well.  Stick casserole dish in the oven for 45-50minutes (or until rice is tender).  Top with breadcrumbs.  Serve. (This is a super easy dish!!  Prep time is only about five minutes)

**I have been using white rice for most of my dishes lately.  There has been a lot of information come out lately about arsenic in brown rice (all rice really, but brown has higher levels).  So, I have been kicking it old school with the white rice.  Obviously, this is a personal choice.  Any type will work for these meals.


Hope you enjoyed the recipes!!  All three of these meals are SUPER easy and fast to make.  I figured we could all use a little convienece this time of the year.  Happy Sunday!