Aubergine and Wild Mushroom Moussaka

Along with being a Mom, I’m also a student, taking 5 college classes: English Lit, Sociology, Biological Psychology, Math, and French. Don’t call me Wonder Woman, call me crazy: I’m Dog Tired. Feeling a little sorry for myself today, I made a rustic dish to make me feel like I was wrapping up in a cozy blanket of yummyness.  I couldn’t turn down the plump aubergines (eggplant) or the wild mushrooms at the market today, so went for  a nice veggie Moussaka. Served with a herb salad on the side and a glass of Malbec, hello, I was back in business! Eggplant and Mushroom Moussaka 2 medium aubergines (eggplant), sliced 4 tbs good olive oil 1 meium onion sliced 1 clove garlic, minced 1 lb wild mushrooms, roughly sliced 1 28 oz can of chopped tomatoes, drained 1 tbs balsamic vinegar 3 tbs fresh parsley, chopped 1 tbs dried marjoram and thyme 3 medium potatoes, cooked until tender, peeled and sliced 1cup grated cheddar cheese salt and pepper to season Bechamel Sauce 2 cups cows milk or Soy milk 2 oz ricotta cheese 3 tbs unsalted butter 3 tbs plain flour pinch of nutmeg sea salt and freshly ground black [...]

Fig and Date Flapjacks

Prepare yourself for a sweet treat that’s soft in the middle, with a moreish toffee crispness on the top and sides. If you’re fast enough, you might get your hands on one of those heavenly crunchy corner pieces! I’m not going to sing the recipe’s praises for keeping your waistline in check because once in a while I throw caution to the wind and live a little, albeit with something homegrown from my own kitchen rather than a flat tasting industrialized dessert. O.k., that may sound a tad judgemental, but you know what I mean. On the other hand, food that’s cooked with love and readymade comes with a premium pricetag, so why not do it yourself in less than 30 minutes and save money? That’s right, fancy pants, 30 minutes. Figs are in season, so buy a handful and get your groove on! There’s a wonderful organic garden program at my son’s school where the kids have a blast learning about the natural world and nutrition. Celebrating figs this month, Jake had a tasting with his class. A cleaver parent came up with the catch phrase, “don’t yuck my yum,” thereby pooh poohing the idea of bumming other kid’s trips [...]

Sag Paneer

We have Indian food at least once a week in our house, and I’m telling you, this is a cracking recipe. Not only because it requires little preparation, but also because it’s so good for you. If you don’t like Paneer (Indian cheese) or don’t have an Indian grocery store nearby, this dish is still divine. Try it with basmati rice and oooh, I can’t help myself: a nice bowl of Dal would go nicely with it. Argh, I know, we’re trying to save time, but I just have to slip the idea in. Just cuz. I can honestly say that I too have those days when I just want to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea, turn on the TV, and chill out without a thought of what to make for dinner each night. Don’t we all dream about having our own personal chef (a personal assistant would be nice as well) on our craziest days? When I finish my tea, come back to reality, and shimmy off the couch, I roll up my sleeves and cook simple yet satisfying dishes that save money and time. Sag Paneer Soaked Masala 1/2 cup water 1/2 tsp [...]

Superhero Soup

This recipe is a twist on Charlotte Gerson’s famous Hippocrates Soup which is full of rejuvenating nutrients to help you enjoy good health. Enjoy Superhero Soup when you are feeling low on energy, in need of an uplifting meal after a big night out, or simply just to enjoy “feel good” food. I often start by checking out what greens are hanging out in the fridge, then I add a few special ingredients: rainbow carrots, shiitake mushrooms, daikon, or lotus root. Whatever takes your fancy, as long as it’s organic and fresh. Always remember that when your greens get bendy and limp, they’ve lost their spark and lack nutritional value. For a nice kick, add a splash of Nama Shoyu (naturally brewed soy sauce) at the end of cooking for flavor. In case you’re wondering, you won’t turn into Wonder Woman or Bat Man as a result of eating this soup, but you will feel energized, clean, serene, and lean by incorporating this recipe into your regular diet. Superhero Soup 6 cups of filtered water 1 cup broccoli florets 1 1/2 cups of rainbow carrots, chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 cup daikon, cubed 1 cup mushrooms (any organic type that takes [...]

Vegan Chocolate Pudding

This recipe was born out of a Choc Attack. No seriously. There I was, lazing one afternoon revisiting Virgina Woolf’s, “A Room of One’s Own,” and bam, I longed for a blast of chocolate to accompany my tea. Pain in the bum that I am, I didn’t hanker for a Snickers,  Hershey bar, or Almond Joy, but something high end that wasn’t high maintenance (that’s right, I am a pain in the derriere). The only redeeming part of my idiosyncratic desires in the food department is that my recipes are full of flavor, easy, and fuss free. Phew. By the way, this dessert’s a winner with the wee ones. Make a batch with the kids, but be careful: once they find out how yummy the pudding is, you might have to duck and dive to keep their fingers from dipping into the bowl. Don’t say I didn’t tell you so. Vegan Chocolate Pudding 5 bananas, mashed 7 tbs coconut oil 2 tbs vanilla 3/4 cup cacao powder 6 tbs agave syrup 2 cups fresh raspberries to garnish 1. Put all of the ingredients into a Magi Mix and whizz until smooth. Pour into individual bowls, and chill for 1-2 hours (if [...]