Award-Winning Chili!!

I wanted to share my good news.

I fixed a large batch of my Super Soy Chili (receipe posted Apr 08)
to participate in a Chili Luncheon fundraiser at the local hospital where I work. (10.24.08)

I was UNAWARE that there was also a Taste-Contest, unitl someone said "Congratulations!"

My super soy receipe had won "Best Chili"

and I was asked to prepare another batch to represent the Hospital in the Local Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook-Off.

I am so proud that my 'healthier' version of traditional chili still tastes good enough to compete with good 'ole Kentucky home-cooking.

Smiling from my Kitchen in Kentucky,
Laura

Super Soy Chicken and Mushroom Quesadillas

Now for the gourmets who enjoy more challenge in the Kitchen. . .

Amy's quesadillas pictured here inspired this latest creation in the kitchen.

Yum-Yum!

Super Soy 'Chicken' and Mushroom Quesadillas

1/4 cup oil for cooking (vegetable, olive, or coconut as you prefer)

1 cup Super Soy Chicken Strips

1 cup boiling water

1 tbsp taco seasoning (optional)

1/2 cup chopped onions

1 lb. assorted mushrooms (try crimini, portobello, shiitake, or any other variety)

1 Tbsp. chopped garlic

1 Tbsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. cumin

2 tsp. salt

1/3 cup chopped cilantro

12 flour tortillas (recommend the whole wheat or low-carb versions)

2 cups shredded vegan Monterey Jack cheese

> Stir taco seasoning into boiling water, then add Super Soy Chicken Strips, let sit 5 minutes

**note: recommend crumbling or smashing dry soy pieces into smaller pieces before reconstituting**

>Heat the oil in a large sauté pan; add the soy chicken pieces and cook for 3 minutes on each side, or until browned and crispy. Remove from the oil and set aside.
>Next, add the onions to skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened.
>Add the mushrooms and garlic and sauté on medium-high heat for 8 minutes, or until the mushrooms have softened and released their liquid. (Note: You may add additional oil if the mushrooms become dry during cooking.)
>Place the chili powder, cumin, salt, and cilantro in the pan and mix well; remove from the heat. Return "chicken" pieces and stir again.
>Lay out 6 tortillas and evenly spread the cooked mixture onto each tortilla. (Note: If there is residual liquid, pick the mushrooms up out of the liquid to prevent soggy quesadillas.)

>Sprinkle the "cheese" on top, cover with the remaining tortillas, and brush the tops lightly with oil.
>Heat a clean nonstick sauté pan and place one quesadilla at a time, oiled side down, into the heated pan. Brush oil on the dry side of the quesadilla.
>Cook for 3 minutes, or until browned. Flip and cook the other side. Repeat until all the ingredients are used.
>Cut each quesadilla into 4 segments and serve with salsa, guacamole, and vegan sour cream.

Alternate Cooking Method: Oil both sides of the quesadillas, place on a cookie sheet, and cook in a preheated 375°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until crispy.
Makes 6 quesadillas

My thanx to Amy for her blog receipes and helping inspire me to my own versions.!

http://blog.vegcooking.com

May Abundance be found in Your Kitchen and Your Heart,

Laura in the Kitchen

Super Soy Personal Pizza Cups

What do you get when you combine 2 kid favorites????

Pizza + Cupcakes = Super Soy Personal Pizza Cups!!

(picture to come later *grin*)

I've found this to be a hit with kids and grownups alike :)

1 can (12 oz) refrigerated biscuits (10 biscuits)
1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup Super Soy Ground Beef
1 jar (14 oz) Pizza sauce [1/2 a jar of spaghetti sauce works too]
1/2 cup low fat shredded mozzarella cheese
garlic to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix super soy ground beef with boiling water, may add dash or two of garlic if you like. Set aside, Let soy reconstitute 3-5 minutes.

In 12 cup muffin pan, evenly press each biscuit in bottom and up side of each cup; set aside, you may place in frig to chill until ready to fill.

Now stir together reconstituted soy and sauce, heat through.

Evenly spoon "soy beef" mixture into prepared muffin cups. Bake 15 minutes.
Sprinkle with cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and biscuits are golden. Let stand 5 minutes. Gently remove pizza cups from muffin pan and serve.

Makes 10 pizza cups.

Estimated Prep: 10 minutes Estimated Cook Time: 25 minutes

>>>I wanted to share this receipe as a tribute to my sister Julie, who shared the receipe with me, and Michael Brian who thinks ANY party is complete with pizza & cupcakes :)

SUGGESTION #1: If you like more "stuff" on your pizza, reduce the amount of super-soy ground beef and add some veggies like mushrooms, onions, green peppers, etc. Let your imagination RUN WILD!

SUGGESTION #2: This can be a great way to use up left over spaghetti sauce, OR when preparing spaghetti for dinner one night go ahead and fix extra "soy-meat" sauce and use the day after for this receipe.

SUGGESTION #3: Let the kids JOIN IN! Older children could participate in pressing biscuits into muffin pan. yourger children could be allowed to scoop sauce (give them a specific size scoop like 1/8 cup) or let them pinch and sprinkle the cheese.

SUGGESTION #4: Serve with carrot or cucumber chips ( ripple cut slices)
[I got my ripple cutting tool from Pampered Chef: Kim Mays 270-737-9615 email: kim@mail.krmhome.com ]

SUGGESTION #5: This is also a great food for potlucks! Crowd Pleaser!!!!

SUGGESTION #6: Use minature muffin pan [Pampered Chef has one of these too] and split biscuit dough in half for each cup, while doubling the number of muffins--will be popular with little fingers.



Hope You Enjoy!!!!
From the Kitchen,
Your Friend Laura in KY

Super Quick, Super Soy Dinner Solutions -- Super Soy Vegetable & Rice Skillet Dinner

Super Quick, Super Soy Dinner Solutions

Preface: Watching a good friend and single parent of 2 young boys trying to prepare dinner amid the noise and chaos of children under foot. After a day apart between work, school, and daycare, these boys just wanted mom's attention. . .

It started me to thinking. . .

How Can Dinner Be Made Faster and Easier

Without Skimping on Nutrition??????????????

So off to the kitchen, I scanned a few receipes,
then thought about where could corners be cut?
what could be done to reduce and simplify prep time??

Ideas:
>>Reduce cooking time. . .
>>Reduce time spent cutting up meat or vegetables
>>Minimize # of dishes (that require washing later)

Result: Super Soy Vegetable & Rice Dish

WOW! The dish was actually done cooking in 23 minutes.

From cupboard to table in 30 minutes!!

1 cup Super Soy Ground Beef
1 tsp Super Soy Onion Broth mix
2 1/4 cups boiling water (hint: heat quickly in microwave)
1 tbsp dried minced onion [Like OnionOnion *]
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
(hint: remove from freezer and zap in microwave x 2-3 minutes)
2 cups Minute White Rice, uncooked
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2-3 shakes of garlic powder

Mix 1 cup boiling water with 1 cup Super Soy Ground Beef, stir and let sit a few minutes.

Place a large skillet on stovetop, Medium heat. Add entire can of tomatoes to skillet.
Stir in 1 tbsp dried minced onion and reconstituted Super-Soy Ground Beef.

Mix 1 1/4 cup boiling water with 1 tsp Super Soy Onion Broth, then at broth to skillet.
Add thawed vegetables and garlic powder, Stir. Bring mixture to a boil.

Once boiling, mix in rice and cheese; cover and remove from heat.
Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese before serving, if desired.


Time Savers:
>>No need to layout meat in advance or defrost.
>>Heating water and reconstituting super soy saved the time it takes to brown raw ground beef.
>>Using dried minced onion saved time required to peel and chop onion, then sautee.
>>Frozen vegetables come pre-mixed and no cutting required.


I was amazed at how quick and easy this dish was to prepare. A fast, simple and nutritious meal--a great dinner solution for busy moms, singles, non-cooks, vegetarians, persons with hand or joint limitations such as arthritis. . .
well, you get the idea. :)

I buy my super soy products online here.

**I enjoy using "OnionOnion" a product by Tastefully Simple.

Hope you enjoy!

In the Kitchen, Laura in KY

SuperSoy Chili

Super-Soy Chili

This is a flexible recipe that can easily feed a family or be doubled (or tripled) to feed a crowd. It's great for the vegetarians or persons-looking-to reduce (cholesterol) meat intake, BUT the meat-lovers don't notice the difference and LOVE it too.

1 cup dry super soy ground beef (meat substitute)
Note: come dry and will be reconstituted.
1 cup hot water
1 tsp super soy onion broth powder (optional, may use bullion or other seasoning)
1 can mexican chili beans
2 cans diced tomatoes (green chili optional)
2-3 8oz cans tomatoes sauce1 small - medium onion diced
1 pkg Chili seasoning
1 small green pepper diced
salt/pepper/sugar to taste




Sautee onion and green peppers in pot (use spray oil or olive oil to coat pot). Heat water to boiling, dissolve bullion cube or broth mix, stir in super soy, let sit a few minutes. Once onion and pepper are cooked (beginning to soften), fluff super soy with fork then add to pot.
Add chili beans, diced tomatoes, tomatoe sauce, and package of chili seasoning and stir thoroughly. Heat to mild boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 - 30 minutes. Add salt, sugar, or pepper to taste.
(Note = sugar will cut the "tanginess" of the tomatoes).

Variation--1.)This can also be easily prepared in a crockpot. 2.) additional can of tomatoe paste will thicken chili

*NOTE- I buy my super-soy on line at http://successtransformations.vitamark.com/shopping/Default.asp?CatID=3&page=3
It's item #205 OR you can find meat-substitutes at a local Health Food store.

Enjoy!!! Laura in the Kitchen