Red Lentil Stew and the Great Blondie Experiment

Tonight’s feast was Red Lentil Stew, serving 6. 

1 large onion, chopped
1 green pepper, halved, seeded, cored and chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
12 baby carrots, sliced
6 mushrooms and stems, peeled and sliced
1 18 oz container of Red Pepper Soup OR use same amount of tomato juice
1/2 cup water
10 grinds of black pepper from pepper mill
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian spice mix or curry power
1 tsp garlic powder
1 1/4 cup Shiloh Farms Organic Red Lentils

Saute onion over medium heat (no oil unless you prefer to include it).  After 5 minutes, add the peppers and cook about 3 more minutes.  Add the celery, carrots and cook another 5 minutes.  Add mushrooms and after 1 minute add the soup/juice, water, pepper, salt, spices.  Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer for 20 minutes.  Add the red lentils and cook another 15-20 minutes.

Three Morning Star Sausage links were added to the stew for the Vegetarian Version. For the Meat Eater in the house, a cube steak was grilled.

We served oven roasted cauliflower on the side.  The cauliflower was boiled for 15 minutes and drained. Put into an oven safe baking dish, sprinkled with salt, pepper, and just a hint of curry powder (Ted doesn’t like curry - bummer!). Roast for 20 minutes at 425F.

The Great Blondie Experiment.

 

 

 

For a couple of weeks now and after reading a very good blog by Veggie Girl, it was decided that a blondie experiment would take place:  Vegan Version   (no dairy nor eggs) vs. Standard “Martha Stewart” Version.

The main changes were as follows:

VEGAN:  The dried, chopped figs were soaked in hot water (just covered) while preparing the rest of the batter (10 minutes, approximately).  The figs AND water (because that water takes on the sweetness of the figs) were added to the batter to make it spreadable.  MARTHA:  Used dark brown sugar, no nuts, and added dried cranberries.

The results:

 The VEGAN version is cake like with a relaxed sweetness. Your teeth will be happy. 

The MARTHA version is more “brownie” like and sugary sweet.  Make a dentist appointment…NOW!

For children, they would most likely appreciate MARTHA’s version however, for adults, the VEGAN blondie would be a winner.

 

 

 

As for today’s “to do” list, most of it was completed.  As a reward, the two-some on Hingham are going to see “The National Acrobats of China” performing at The Stanley Theater Center for the Arts.  The expected company includes Rocko and Jackie, Bob and Nancy.   Let’s go have some fun!

Posted in Food thoughts Tagged: Red Lentil Stew, Shiloh Farms Lentils, Vegan Blondies