Pumpkin Protein Muffins

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There’s a chill in the air and “warm and cozy” is what I crave. The aroma of fresh-baked goods and a pot of garlicky beans are comforting. And we all increasingly need comfort these days. There is a certain madness going on in the world – a madness I had never hoped to see play out again. But as I said in my previous post, we still need to eat and sustain our energy for whatever is coming our way. Pumpkin Protein Muffins come with all of the flavors associated with fall in a package that also happens to be healthy.

Lumpy and bumpy with dried cranberries and toasted pecans, I look forward to eating Pumpkin Protein Muffins with a good cup of coffee each morning. These are a riff on my Banana Protein Muffins and Apple Protein Muffins (they appear in the same post as the Banana Protein Muffins). Each muffin is a mini-cake – only better.

Normally, I absolutely hate recipes (Ina Garten, I mean you!) that only use a partial can of something or a teaspoon of some obscure ingredient. However, while you will have some left-over pumpkin puree from this recipe, I use mine up in vegetable or meat stews and chilis. It adds creaminess and a very subtle depth of flavor.

The state of the world is leaving me bereft of words, so I’ll just go right into the recipe. The muffins should keep for about 5 days well covered. However, they also freeze beautifully.

Recipe

Yield: 12 standard size muffins

Ingredients

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup lightly pan-toasted and coarsely chopped pecans

1 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup brown sugar (I like to use dark brown sugar but light is fine)

1 Tablespoon unsulphured molasses

1 rounded teaspoon sweet hawaij or pumpkin seasoning

2 Tablespoons peanut butter powder

1 cup natural ground almonds or almond flour

3/4 cup of blanched almond flour

1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

3 large eggs at room temperature

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly (I prefer refined coconut oil, but virgin coconut oil also works

Directions

Heat the oven to 400° and line the wells of a standard muffin tin with parchment paper or foil muffin cups or spray well with a vegetable spray.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flours, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, peanut butter powder and protein powder. Add in the dried cranberries and lightly pan-toasted and coarsely chopped pecans. Mix through. Set aside.

In another mixing bowl, add in the melted coconut oil, brown sugar and eggs and whisk everything well to combine. Then add in the pumpkin puree and molasses and continue mixing until there are no lumps and everything is well incorporated.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix through thoroughly but only until everything is just combined. Do not over-mix. You will have a fairly thick batter.

Using a cookie scoop or spoon, fill the muffin cups almost to the top.

Bake for 5 minutes at 400° F then reduce the heat to 375°F . Bake for another 5 minutes. If your oven is like mine, I turn my baking pan around at this point and continue baking at 375 degrees F for another 10 or 11 minutes. (Total baking time is about 20 minutes. Ovens vary.) The tops should spring back when pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Cool in the pan for 15 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Now enjoy!

Vegan Orange “Chicken”

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It can be difficult these days to write about anything so mundane as what to make for dinner. These are very troubled and disturbing times across the world and here at home. But eat we must. So I am especially happy when I can pass on something that is visually striking, quick to make, nutritious, delicious and riffable. Vegan Orange “Chicken” fits the bill on all levels.

I have used a chicken substitute here, which is the absolute fastest method. However, this can just as easily be prepared with pressed extra firm tofu. Check out the preparation for using tofu on Pick UP Limes. And frankly, the sauce, which I got from the blog Pick Up Limes is good enough for those of you who prefer to use real chicken. If you are unfamiliar with this blog, which is also on YouTube, and are thinking of trying some Vegan recipes, this is a great place to start. Everything I have made from here has worked as written and has been delicious.

While the world is going to hell in a handbasket (I never quite understood that phrase, but I love the way it sounds), we still have to nourish our bodies and those of ones we love. Even if you work full-time, this dish is put together in under 30 minutes, especially with a few shortcuts. Give it a try.

Recipe

Yield: 3 to 4 servings

Ingredients

For the stir-fry

3 to 4 Tablespoons neutral oil (I like Avocado)

10 to 12 ounces of vegan diced chik’n (There are a number of brands out there now)

About 6 cups of broccoli florets (about 10 or 12 ounces or 1,050 gr, if buying it pre-cut) (IF you wish to use some other firm vegetable or even a mix of vegetables, go for it.)

2 to 3 scallions, cut on an angle, white and green parts

1 mandarin orange, peeled and broken into segments

For the sauce

1 cup (240 mL) orange juice

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tsp (10 mL) sriracha hot sauce 

2 Tablespoons (30 mL) sodium-reduced soy sauce or Amino Acids

½ Tablespoons (3 g) freshly grated ginger

½ Tablespoons (7 mL) rice vinegar

1 Tablespoons (8 g) cornstarch 

½ Tablespoons (7 mL) agave or maple syrup, plus more to taste 

Directions

Follow the package instructions for cooking the vegan chik’n. In my case, I heated on medium high heat 2 Tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or wok. Non-stick is best or a well-seasoned cast iron pan. I poured in the diced chik’n pieces, carefully breaking them into pieces, if frozen together. I cooked the pieces, stirring frequently, for half the amount of time stated on the package.

After 8 minutes (according to my package) I added another Tablespoon of oil and threw in my broccoli florets. I tossed everything through the oil and cooked for another 5 minutes.

While the vegan chik’n and broccoli is cooking, I prepared the sauce in a large measuring cup (or medium bowl). After whisking together the sauce so that there are no lumps of cornstarch, I poured it over the stir-fry mixture, mixing it through. I also added my mandarin sections. The heat was turned up to high and the sauce was brought to a low boil. If you don’t get the sauce hot enough, it won’t thicken. I continued cooking and coating everything with the sauce for 5 to 7 more minutes.

When I was ready to serve, I plated cooked brown rice (any rice will do) and generously ladled out the Vegan Orange “Chicken” over it. I scattered the cut scallions and enjoyed!

Cheese Bread

~ lisaandfrancescook ~ 1 Comment

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The Jewish New Year has not begun well. The barbaric attack on unarmed Israeli civilians and guest workers by Hamas has shocked most civilized people in its level of brutality. For the Jewish People, the rising anti-Semitism coupled with this massacre is something that we never hoped to see again and has left many of us feeling vulnerable – and angry.

In this divisive world filled with so much hate, what makes me feel safe? When I am anxious, a large pot of soup on my stove and fresh bread in my oven calms me – at least for a time. Right now I have a large pot of my Split Pea Soup on the stove and this Cheese Bread is in the oven. It won’t solve the world’s problems. However, it warms the chills in my body that are only partly from the damp, autumn weather.

The act of chopping vegetables is very therapeutic as is kneading bread dough. And my house smells warm, comforting and inviting. So when so much is beyond my control, I can take at least take command of a small piece of my world. Feeding my family well is my love language.

The original recipe for this Cheese Bread comes from Beard on Bread, with a few tweaks by me. This bread toasts wonderfully and is perfect for sandwiches or to accompany the soup of your choice. As you can see, I’m no professional when it comes to forming the loaves, but it doesn’t prevent us from gobbling up this delicious bread.

Recipe

Yield: Two 8 x 4-inch loaves

Ingredients

1 package (2.25 teaspoons) active dry yeast

1 Tablespoon granulated sugar (I actually used Demerara since it was already out on my counter)

1.75 cups warm water (Tap water that is just warm to your fingers is perfect.)

5 + cups of Artisan Bread Flour (I like Bob’s Mill), although all-purpose or regular bread flour will also work

1 scant Tablespoon kosher salt

4 ounces (1/2 stick) unsalted, softened butter

1 teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce

1 cup of freshly grated cheese (You can use cheddar, Emmenthaler, Compte, Parmesan etc. – a combination OR any one cheese.)

Directions

This can all be done by hand, but I used a standing mixer.

Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 cup of the warm water along with the sugar. Set aside and allow to proof for about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl or the bowl of your mixer, add 5 cups of the flour and the salt. Stir through and then add the softened butter, the remaining 1.5 cups of warm water, the hot sauce and the yeast mixture.

If you are using a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix everything on the lowest speed. Once you have a shaggy dough (1 or 2 minutes) turn the speed up to the second level and knead the dough for about 5 minutes. Don’t add any water or flour yet! It takes a minute or two for the dough to really start to come together. Depending on the kind of flour used, you may not need to add any additional flour or water. I did not. If you feel that the dough is really too wet, then add flour, a little at a time. If the dough REALLY seems too dry after a few minutes of kneading, then add water, one Tablespoon at a time. Scrape down the sides if necessary. As soon as the dough looks supple and smooth, stop the kneading and remove the dough from the dough hook. Place it on the counter and form it into a smooth ball.

If you are doing this by hand, mix with a wooden spoon or dough whisk until a shaggy dough begins to form. Then turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 10 to 12 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Depending on the kind of flour used, you may not need to add any flour.

Using about 1 Tablespoon of a neutral oil, coat a large bowl. I use the same bowl I mixed the dough in because who wants to wash more dishes!? Then take your dough ball and roll it in the oil.

Cover the bowl with a towel or silicone lid and place in a warm, draft-free place. I usually use my microwave, but I’ve seen people use their dryer or in a corner on their stove. Allow the dough to rise for about 1.5 to 2 hours until doubled in size.

Punch down the dough and turn it onto a floured surface. Knead in the grated cheese, until thoroughly incorporated. Then cut the dough into 2 equal pieces and allow the pieces to rest, for about 10 minutes. This allows the dough to relax, which makes it easier to roll out.

Now roll out each piece of the dough into an 11 x 6-inch rectangle and allow these to rest for about 3 minutes. Starting with the short end of the dough, tightly roll each rectangle up, pinching the edges as you go. Then tuck under the ends so that you end up with a loaf that measures 4.5 x 7.5- inches.

Place the dough into two well-buttered or oiled baking tins. Place the tins in a warm, draft-free spot. Allow the loaves to rise to the top of the tin or even slightly above. Depending on how warm your place is, this will take about 30 to 45 minutes or a bit longer.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F with a rack in the middle of the oven. When the loaves have risen, bake for about 30 minutes or until the loaves sound hollow when you rap on the tops and bottoms with your knuckles or a wooden spoon. Take the loaves and place them directly (out of the tins) onto the oven rack and continue baking for 3 to 5 minutes more to firm up the crusts. Cool the breads completely before cutting.

Plum Cake with Streusel

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I have always loved Italian Prune Plums. To me they represent the beginning of fall and the Jewish New Year. Perhaps their very brief season contributes to my delight, knowing just how precious they are. And this Plum Cake with Streusel, which is buttery rich with luscious plums- is the perfect coffee cake and one that does justice to the fruit. As a sucker for a good streusel topping, I find this simple cake utterly irresistible. I think you will too.

I even have special French dessert plates that my then boyfriend surprised me with. We had passed a display window with these dessert plates and I said how much I admired them and then forgot about it. Soon after, Andrew surprised me with a set and I knew that he was a keeper. That was 39 years ago and I’ve never regretted that decision!

Unfortunately, prune plums are usually available for only a few weeks at the beginning of fall. So if your store is already out of them, other plums can be substituted. You simply need to cut them into wedges. This lovely cake with lots of delicious streusel on top will also work well with apples. I would choose a Honeycrisp, MacIntosh or Golden Delicious. You can leave the skin on. I would not use a Granny Smith, however. It would be a bit too tough here. Just don’t make the wedges any bigger than 1/4-inch thick.

Recipe

Ingredients

For Cake

Yield: One 8 or 9-inch cake

Ingredients

6 to 8 Italian Prune Plums, depending on size for an 8-inch cake. (A 9-inch cake might require a few more.)

1 scant cup of granulated sugar

1/2 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature

1.5 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon of kosher or fine sea salt

2 large eggs at room temperature

2 Tablespoons milk or cream

1 generous teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

For Streusel Topping

1/2 cup (100g) packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar

1.5 teaspoons of ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter (114g or 8 Tablespoons), melted

1.25 cups (157g) all-purpose, unbleached flour

Garnish

Sifted Powdered or Confectioner’s Sugar

Directions

For the cake

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease or butter the bottom of an 8 or 9-inch springform pan. Cover the bottom with a round of parchment and then grease (I like a vegetable spray for ease) the parchment round and the sides of the pan. Place about 2 generous Tablespoons of granulated sugar in the bottom of the pan. Then gently roll the pan to coat the bottom and sides with the sugar. If there is any excess, just pour it out and discard. If you need a bit more, add a bit more. Set the pan aside.

Here’s a tip: buttery cakes always, always leak while baking. So if you are about to buy a springform pan, get one that has a built-in tray. I only recently started using one and I love it! (FYI I receive no remuneration from this and I am certain that pans by other companies could also be good.) Also, I have found that most 9-inch cakes are even better in an 8-inch pan. They come out a little higher and retain their texture longer without drying out.

Using a stand or hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar for about 5 minutes, scraping down the bowl and beaters frequently. The end result should be VERY fluffy and a pale yellow.

Add the eggs, one at a time and beat well after each addition. Then add the milk or cream, salt, almond and vanilla extracts and beat well. The mixture will look curdled but will smooth out as soon as you add the flour.

Sift the flour and baking powder. You can omit this step but it makes for a finer crumb on the cake.

Add the flour and baking powder and only beat long enough to incorporate it. Don’t over mix which results in a tough cake. Using a spatula or large spoon, transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Tap the pan against the counter to get rid of air bubbles and using the spatula or the back of a spoon, smooth out the surface so that it is even and goes to the edges of the pan.

Cut each plum in half down the natural indentation and remove the pit. Cut each half, lengthwise down the middle so you now have 4 pieces. Carefully place the quarters cut-side down into the batter. Slightly push it into the batter.

For the Streusel Topping

Melt the butter.

Mix together all of the remaining ingredient and pour the melted butter over the top. Using a fork, scrape the mixture together, leaving some clumps. Everything should be moistened with butter and with no flour showing, but you don’t want the topping perfectly smooth.

Distribute the streusel all across the top of the plums, making sure that there are no bare spots.

Place the cake on the middle rack in the oven and bake for one (1) hour. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 20 minutes. Then take a thin knife or spatula and carefully run it around the inside of the pan. Loosen the spring on the pan and carefully remove the ring.

Allow the cake to continue cooling for another 20 minutes. Then using an off-set cake spatula, slide it under the cake lifting it carefully. The parchment paper should slide out. Place it on a cake board and leave it on the rack to cool completely. While you can cut the cake as soon as it is cooled, I prefer it the next day.

Once the cake is fully cooled, place it on a cake plate and cover it well. I love a well-fitting cake dome for preserving cakes. At this point, or just before serving, dust the cake woth confectioner’s sugar that is sifted over the top.

Kabocha Squash Lentils Rice and Caramelized Onions

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Sweet savory, comforting and downright delicious. Kabocha Squash Lentils Rice and Caramelized Onions. Any of the elements of this wonderful dish would be great on its own or as part of another dish. And the entire dish can be prepped ahead and cooked one hour before you are ready to eat or cooked ahead and gently rewarmed. How convenient.

Kabocha Squash Lentils Rice and Caramelized Onions is easily riffable and can be entirely vegan if you choose one of the other toppings than the one pictured or use a vegan cheese. I seasoned my vegetables with baharat, a warm Middle Eastern spice blend that is perfect for all of the fall and winter comfort foods. But you could just as easily use ras el hanout, hawaij or even pumpkin spice blend. Any one of these would give you delicious results.

Until a couple of years ago, winter squash for me meant either butternut or acorn squash. I was, frankly, a little afraid of all of those interesting, and often misshapen squashes I would see at the farmer’s market and grocery store. I simply had no idea how to cook them. And then came the pandemic. You all remember that, right? Suddenly, I was seeing all of these squash options and figured that there were more things to be afraid of than an unfamiliar vegetable. My world expanded and I have never looked back.

Kabocha squash is a winter squash that is also known as Japanese Pumpkin. It is a knobbly looking squash that when roasted is incredibly sweet. When my husband started eating this dish, he asked what sweetener I had used and was surprised when I answered “None.” I only used EVOO, baharat and a bit of salt.

Kabocha Squash Lentils Rice and Caramelized Onions is a wonderful vegan meal and the lentils and brown rice make a complete and filling protein. This recipe makes extra filling on purpose. You can use the leftover lentils and rice and add a vegan or other sausage and you have a totally different meal that only requires a green salad and some good bread. And since making perfect caramelized onions isn’t difficult but does take time, I always make a big batch and it lasts for a long time in the fridge, covered with EVOO. We love it on pizza and flatbread, but it’s also great with Sabich and Sephardic slow-cooked eggs known as Huevos Haminados.

The next time you are looking for that perfect autumn meal that will drive away the damp and chill, give Kabocha Squash Lentils Rice and Caramelized Onions a go.

Recipe

Yield: 4 servings with extra filling

Ingredients

For Squash

2 Kabocha Squash

About 1 teaspoon baharat spice blend (this will depend on how many squashes you actually choose to make)

Sprinkling of kosher salt

EVOO for drizzling

For Lentils and Brown Rice

1 cup brown lentils (I like Pardina Lentils, also known as brown Spanish lentils. They hold their shape well and have a creamy, nutty flavor.)

1 cup brown rice, preferably short-grain, but any kind will do

3 cups of water or vegetable stock

1 teaspoon salt

1.5 rounded teaspoons baharat spice blend

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

a generous handful of fresh herbs chopped (I used dill, parsley and cilantro)

For Caramelized Onions

5 or 6 large white or yellow onions

1/4 cup EVOO

Optional toppings for serving

Tahini dressing

Labneh or plain yogurt

Feta cheese, crumbled

Grilled Haloumi Cheese

Chutney

Directions

For Caramelized Onions

Peel, halve and thinly slice all of your onions. Warm the EVOO in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet with high-ish sides. Cast iron is great for this.

Add the onions and using tongs or large spoon, gently stir the onions to coat with the oil. Cook over low heat, only stirring (or turning over) the onions occasionally until they are deep brown and almost spreadable. Be patient and don’t rush this. The result is worth it. The cooking time can take up to 3 hours, which is why I make a big batch and always have it in my fridge. As long as there is a layer of EVOO covering the onions, they will last a very long time in the fridge and even just a small amount lends incredible flavor to any dish you use them in.

For the Kabocha Squash

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Oil the bottom of an oven-proof pan that is large enough to hold the cut halves of squash. I actually only made one squash for the two of us, but the filling recipe could easily feed 4 or even 6, so make as many squash as you like.

Using a large, sharp knife, cut the squash in half vertically starting with the stem at the top. Scoop out the seeds and stringy stuff in the cavity of the squash. Sprinkle the cavity and rim of the cut squash with salt and a generous sprinkling of spice blend.

Place the squash, cut-side down, on the oiled pan and roast for 40 minutes. Turn the squash over and continue roasting for another 20 minutes. If you are worried that the squash is becoming too brown, loosely cover them with aluminum foil. The squash should give easily when cooked. These can be kept in a warm oven with the heat turned off and covered for up to an hour. They can also be rewarmed. I would add a bit more EVOO if rewarming.

For the lentils and rice

Rinse and drain the rice and lentils. Pick over the lentils to be sure that there are no small stones or other debris. (This will entirely depend on where you buy your lentils.)

Bring the water or vegetable stock to a boil with 2 Tablespoons of EVOO, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of ground turmeric and 1.5 rounded teaspoons of baharat. Add the drained lentils and rice and bring the mixture back to a boil. Cover the pot tightly and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 45 minutes. Then turn off the heat. Uncover the pot and give everything a fluff with a fork. Recover the pot and allow the mixture to steam for about 10 minutes. Add in the chopped herbs, reserving a little for garnish.

When you are ready to serve, assemble your dish. Fill the squash cavity with the lentil rice mixture and top with some of the caramelized onions. Then the rest is up to you. Add a simple tahini dressing to keep it vegan or some feta crumbles for a vegetarian version. To eat this yummy dish, smush the squash flesh and mix it with the other ingredients. It might not look elegant, but the taste is wonderful.

Fruity Noodle Kugel (Vegan)

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So I think that the world is divided into two kinds of people – those that like potato kugel and those that like noodle (lokshen) kugel. I am clearly Team Noodle Kugel. What is kugel (or kigel, depending on your country of origin) you ask? It is essentially a baked pudding or casserole that is frequently made and eaten for Shabbat and holidays. It can be sweet or savory. And there now exist many, many varieties.

However, most noodle kugels that I have eaten – and in 70+ years, that’s a lotta kugel – I generally find them too rich, too sweet and just too much.

To be honest, I had forgotten about this Fruity Noodle Kugel. I used to make it quite frequently and then somehow it went out of rotation. But since we are in the midst of the Super Bowl of Jewish holidays, I started to look for recipes to make and share with you. Browsing through The New Jewish Holiday Cookbook by Gloria Kaufer Greene for ideas, I came across her Fruity Tofu Lokshen Kugel. Instantly I knew that I would be making it with a few of my own tweaks to make it vegan and more creamy.

This Fruity Noodle Kugel is fruity, creamy (dairy free) and never sacrifices flavor. And if you choose a non-egg noodle, this kugel is vegan. It also is high in protein and low in fat.

I have always been interested in nutrition, but not if it meant sacrificing flavor. And as my husband and I get older, a healthy diet is even more important. Our meals fall clearly into the “blue zone” by both preference and design. I want to make those calories count. But I also want to make Shabbat and other holidays truly special and allow for some splurging.

Tofu replaces the dairy in the meal and is a wonderful vehicle for absorbing all of the delicious flavors in this kugel. I use both a silken tofu and an extra-firm tofu to mimic the desired texture that you would achieve if using eggs, cheese and sour cream. My version makes for a much less fatty kugel with lots of healthy protein. And you won’t feel any regret for having indulged. Left-overs are great eaten at room temperature or gently rewarmed. I even eat this as breakfast.

Since if like me, you are not a purist about being vegan, I also have included two other wonderful lokshen kugels that I have blogged, which I still enjoy making – and eating! And while kugel is considered a quintessential Jewish food, you don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy it.

Jerusalem Kugel

Apple Cinnamon Noodle Kugel

Recipe

Yield: About 8 servings

Ingredients

8 ounces medium-wide noodles

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/4 cup mild vegetable oil (Canola, Avocado, Safflower or even a fruity EVOO)

1/2 cup maple syrup, agave or brown sugar (I used brown sugar as I like the molasses, caramel taste)

1/4 cup orange or apple juice

2.5 rounded teaspoons of ground cinnamon (or sweet Hawaij, baharat or pumpkin spice mix)

1/2 teaspoon of kosher or fine sea salt

14 ounces extra-firm tofu, well-drained and crumbled

1 pound silken tofu

1 large flavorful baking apple (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Jonagold, MacIntosh, Golden Delicious etc.), finely diced or grated. No need to peel the apple first.

1 cup of raisins of choice, softened in warm water for about 10 minutes unless they are fresh and plump (Other dried fruits or a mix of dried fruits, e.g. dates, apricots, prunes, pears could be used instead. Just cut any larger pieces to approximate size of large raisins.)

1/4 cup, coarsely chopped, lightly toasted walnuts

Directions

Heat your oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease (or vegetable spray) a baking dish (about 10 to 11-cup capacity – mine is a 7-inch x 11-inch rectangle). However an equivalent capacity round or square pan works just as well. Make sure that the pan sides are at least 3-inch deep.

Cook the noodles according to the package, but one minute less than the minimum recommended time since these will also bake in the oven. Drain the noodles.

While the noodles are cooking, place the silken tofu, brown sugar, sweet hawaij (or other spice mix), salt and apple sauce in a blender. Whooz it up until smooth. Then add in the oil and OJ and whooz again until the mixture has emulsified. Using a spatula and with the blade removed, add in the raisins and walnuts.

Once the noodles have been drained add them back to the pot. Pour in the mixture from the blender and fold it through the noodles until evenly distributed. Crumble in the extra-firm tofu and mix through.

Pour everything into the prepared baking pan. If you like, you can sprinkle the top lightly with more of the spice you used mixed with a bit of sugar (any kind will do.)

Bake for about 45 minutes or until set. I like the top to darken and the top noodles to get slightly crisp. However, if you prefer the noodle mixture to be lighter and to remain soft, cover the casserole with foil after 25 minutes. This can be served warm or at room temperature. Leftovers should be refrigerated or can be frozen or rewarmed gently.

Harvest Chicken (with Japanese Sweet Potato and Dried Fruits)

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As with many recipes of mine, it started out as one thing and developed as I began rooting through my cupboards and fridge. When I am unable to sleep, which is all-too-often, I grocery shop in my head and make up recipes and menus. And over time and as I actually begin to grocery shop and cook, the dishes morph.

This Harvest Chicken recipe is one such. Delicious, fragrant, fruity and with a bit of tang, it is also perfect for the upcoming Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot. It’s a one-pot meal that can be adapted to the ingredients on hand. And it is prepped in about 30 minutes with the remaining time spent in the oven while you go do other things. And don’t we all have other things to do?

The recipe below is how I made it, with some suggested alternative ingredients. Strict measuring is not essential here – this is home cooking, not baking! Depending on appetites or sides, this recipe would generously feed 4 but could also feed more if you are serving younger children or dieting women. Feel free to increase the amount of chicken but that ultimately might require two pans.

Over the years, I have observed that cuts of meat or poultry and varieties of fruits and vegetables seem to go in and out of fashion and availability. For instance, the “saddle” of chicken was once a quite common cut, easily found in every grocery. But I almost never see it now. So if you cannot find chicken thighs with the legs attached, the “saddle,” then use just thighs or thighs and legs. I do not recommend white meat. It can dry out and birds are bred with enormous breasts these days that I believe are rubbery and generally tasteless.

And while Japanese Sweet Potatoes are flavorful and packed with nutrition, regular sweet potatoes or yams can be used. I am using prunes and dried apples soaked in a combination of prune and orange juice. Why? because that’s what I happened to have. But dried apricots or pears would be lovely too. And if you only have apple juice, pineapple juice or orange juice – well use that.

You don’t see leeks at the store, then use onions or shallots or some combination. The important thing to remember is that we eat with all of our senses. So cook with gusto and use your eyes and nose when creating a dish. And, of course, your tastebuds. But you can tell A LOT about spices and seasonings that would work simply by smelling them. It’s as if you are creating your own food “perfume.”

I hope that you will try this Harvest Chicken recipe soon.

Recipe

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

About 2.5 pounds of chicken saddles (thigh with leg attached) or thighs and legs with bone in and skin on

4 Tablespoons Canola, Avocado or other neutral oil

1 small onion, peeled and chopped

1 large leek, well washed and thinly sliced – white and light green parts only

8 ounces moist dried fruit (I used prunes and apples, but you could also use apricots, peaches or pears or a combination)

About 1.5 pounds of sweet potatoes or yams (I used Japanese sweet potatoes this time), peeled and cut into pieces (I did this lengthwise, but you also use a large cube, if you prefer. Just try to make the pieces fairly equal in size.) You could also use a butternut squash if you like.

1.5 cups of dry white wine or chicken stock

1 cup of juice (prune, orange or apple)

8 to 10 large cloves of peeled garlic

1 rounded teaspoon of each: kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper and ground turmeric

Rounded 1.5 teaspoons baharat

About 2 teaspoons of tamarind paste

Chopped flat-leaf parsley for serving

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Pour the juice over the dried fruit and warm the mixture. Cover and allow to steep for about 30 minutes.

Take chicken out of fridge one hour before you start cooking. Make small deep slits in the meaty part of the chicken. Generously salt and pepper both sides of the chicken parts and also dust with 1 teaspoon of ground turmeric. Gently rub the spice mixture into the skin of the chicken. Set aside.

In the largest, heaviest oven-proof pan you have (or use two, if necessary), heat the 4 Tablespoons of oil until it shimmers. Add the chicken front-side down and brown for 8 minutes at a medium high heat. I like to add a spatter screen at this point, which helps keep clean-up manageable.

Once the chicken has gotten nicely seared, it should release easily from the bottom of the pan. Turn the chicken over and add all of the remaining ingredients, including the soaking liquid from the dried fruit. Scatter the garlic cloves, fruit, sweet potatoes, leek and onion around the chicken. try to push the sweet potatoes into the liquid as much as possible.

Cover the pan and place in the oven. Cook for 40 minutes. Then crank up the oven heat to 375 degrees F. Uncover the pan and continue cooking for another 20 to 30 minutes. You can give a stir to distribute the ingredients into the liquid. Everything should be beautifully browned. That’s it! Garnish and serve.

This can be made ahead and gently rewarmed. There is no need to add a grain because of the sweet potatoes, but if you want to serve this over rice, by all means. You do you.

L’shana tova u’metukah!

Banana Protein Muffins

~ lisaandfrancescook ~ Leave a comment

Now with bonus recipe for my best yet high protein muffins: Applesauce Walnut Protein Muffin variation. See recipe at the end of this post.

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Banana Protein Muffins are high in protein and flavor with a texture that is light and fluffy. Being healthy never tasted so good! I have also included a variation below made with applesauce, walnuts and cranberries that is equally delicious.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted an Oatmeal Protein Muffin. And while I liked it, being an oatmeal fan, I was still searching for a high protein muffin that looked and tasted just like a regular muffin. This Banana Muffin takes the cake! There is protein from multiple sources: whey protein powder, peanut butter powder, eggs and almond flour.

This is definitely my new go-to breakfast or afternoon snack with a cup of tea or coffee. You can give this delicious treat to your kids without guilt and zero compromise of flavor. And because of all of the protein baked in, one muffin will carry you through a busy morning.

Banana Protein Muffins come together very quickly and freeze well with no special equipment needed. So even with a busy life, these can be put together and baked in less than an hour.

I came across these muffins in a search of the web and then added a few tweaks of my own, which added both flavor and additional protein. And while I am NOT gluten-free, for those who are interested, these Banana Protein Muffins are GF. Definitely give these muffins a try.

Recipe

Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients

1¾ cups almond flour (I have made these with both blanched almond flour and natural. They were equally delicious.) For me, the perfect ratio is 1 cup of natural almond flour and 3/4 cup blanched almond flour.

¼ cup coconut sugar OR any other light brown sugar such as Demerara

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp fine sea salt

½ cup vanilla or plain protein powder (I used a grass-fed whey powder, but if you wish to avoid dairy, there are multiple options available, such as soy.)

1.5 Tablespoons peanut butter powder

2 large bananas mashed banana

3 large eggs (at room temperature)

¼ cup coconut oil (melted but not hot)

1 tsp vanilla (Use even if using vanilla protein powder)

4 Tablespoons dark mini-chocolate chips or coarsely chopped and lightly toasted walnuts – or more. No judgement here! (Optional, but highly recommended)

Directions

Heat the oven to 400° and line the wells of a muffin tin with parchment paper or foil muffin cups or spray well with a vegetable spray.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut sugar, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, peanut butter powder and protein powder. Set aside.

In another mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth with almost no lumps. Add in the coconut oil, vanilla extract and eggs and stir everything well to combine. Stir through chocolate chips, if using.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be sure not to overmix!

Divide the batter into the lined muffin tin wells.

Bake for 5 minutes at 400° then reduce the heat to 375° and continue baking for 10-13 minutes. The tops should spring back when pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Cool in the pan for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Applesauce Walnut Protein Muffin variation

Lightly toast 1/3 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts

1/4 cup of dried cranberries or raisins

Replace the banana with 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon OR sweet hawaij

Follow all of the directions for the banana muffins except swap out the applesauce for the banana. Add the walnuts, cranberries and spice to the dry mixture. I left out the lemon zest, but you could include it. Bake it the same way. Delicious!

Sweet Hawaij

Yield: About 1/2 cup

1 Tablespoon ground cloves

2 Tablespoons freshly grated nutmeg

2 Tablespoons ground cinnamon

2 Tablespoons ground ginger

1 Tablespoon ground cardamom

This will last in a cool, dark place kept in a small glass air-tight jar for up to a year. Mine gets used up waaaaaay before that!

Black Bread with Walnuts

~ lisaandfrancescook ~ 1 Comment

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This dark, savory Black Bread with Walnuts is the perfect sandwich bread. It can be sliced thickly or paper thin and will hold up to any filling without overpowering it. With a few surprise ingredients, this bread has a long fermentation giving it a depth that no store-bought commercial bread can have. And it will hold up for over week if well-wrapped and left on a counter.

We love bread in our house and bake different kinds every week. My husband has gotten into baking and now makes the best challah hands down. It’s my recipe but his work that makes it so delicious. Andrew is more of a scientific baker, which is not surprising given his background in astrophysics. But I am an instinctual baker. I go by look and feel and smell and can’t be bothered to weigh out ingredients (except when making cakes) or to measure so that each strand of dough is the same size from week to week. Don’t misunderstand. I completely appreciate when someone can standardize things so that they will always work.

I do have a sort of formula that I follow when cooking or baking from my own recipe – just as I do when I make my salad dressings. But like a jazz musician, I’m not afraid to riff on it and go where the music – uh recipe – takes me.

Therefore, I hesitated writing down how I make my weekly bread. It’s never quite exactly the same. But I love that freedom and innovation. However, this bread was so delicious and has such a wonderful crumb that I felt I should try to make it replicable.

My flour comes from an organic farm in Illinois that I began buying from during the pandemic when flour and other staples had disappeared from grocery shelves. I love it so that I buy 25 pound bags of it now. And they have heritage flours that you might not see anywhere else.

As any bread-maker will tell you, there are many factors that can affect your finished product. The flour, the water, the yeast, the humidity, your oven and on and on. So can I say that your bread will turn out exactly like mine? In all honesty, I cannot. But if it inspires you to make your own delicious bread, then it is worth the journey. And this one is just too good to pass up.

You will need a Dutch oven to make this bread as well as parchment paper. I know that some people are put off from baking bread because it seems to be so labor and time sensitive. But it doesn’t have to be. The actual amount of hands-on time for this bread is under an hour. There is no long kneading and the bread rests overnight while you are sleeping or doing whatever it is you do at night. Then the bread is formed and has a second shorter rise while your oven heats up. It bakes for about 40 minutes and you have a gorgeous loaf of bread and a house that smells AMAZING.

There are many wonderful bread recipes on my blog so if this one doesn’t float your boat or if you are looking to expand your repertoire, please check them out.

Recipe

Yield: One large loaf

Ingredients

1.5 teaspoons Active (or instant) Dried Yeast

3 cups of lukewarm water (You may not need all of it)

3/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, lightly pan-toasted

Rounded 1/2 cup dark rye flour

2 Tablespoons diastatic malt powder

1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

1 Tablespoon instant espresso coffee

1 Tablespoon Kalonji (Nigella) seeds

2.5 teaspoons kosher or sea salt

1/4 cup Black Emmer flour (This is an ancient grain, high in protein and with a wonderful depth of flavor. You could substitute another whole grain flour, but I encourage you to try using this wonderful flour.)

2.5 cups Artisan Bread Flour ( I use Janie’s but Bob’s Mill Artisan Flour is also good)

2 cups whole kernel bread flour (Use whole wheat if you are not buying specialty flour)

Flour for dusting the counter and bread

You will need a Dutch oven to make this bread as well as parchment paper.

Directions

Mix together all of the dry ingredients (including nuts and seeds) either using a whisk or your hands (nature’s whisk!) There is no necessity to proof your yeast even if using active dry yeast as I do. Unless your yeast is really old, there shouldn’t be a problem. Most of the fermentation is achieved slowly and naturally overnight. This slow fermentation also gives exceptional depth of flavor and allows the bread to hold up well for days.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add 2 cups of the lukewarm water and slowly start to gather in the dough, adding water as necessary to allow the dough to come together. As the dough begins to form, remove it to a board or counter and knead just enough so that all of the flour is incorporated. When you can form the dough into a smooth ball with no visible signs of dry flour – STOP. That’s it. Place it back in the bowl and cover it.

Place the bowl in a draft-free place and let it rest overnight. The dough can rest for anywhere between 10 to 14 hours. You have leeway.

In the morning, place a Dutch oven (at least 6 quarts) in the oven and preheat the oven and pot to 485 degrees F. You want the Dutch oven and your oven to be hot.

Gather the dough from the bowl, lightly flouring it if it is sticky and form it into a ball. If you have a 9-inch banneton flour it and place the dough ball inside. If you don’t have a banneton, just use a stainless or other bowl that will hold the dough ball with only a little room to expand.

Cover the dough and allow to rise to the top of the banneton or bowl. This takes anywhere from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on how warm your place is and the amount of yeast spores floating around your place. The more you bake, the more of these spores exist and the faster (generally) your bread will rise. I have made certain of these slow-rise breads with as little as a 1/2 teaspoon of active yeast.

When the dough has risen, remove the very hot Dutch oven from the oven. Carefully turn the dough out onto a lightly floured piece of parchment. Carefully place the parchment and dough into the HOT Dutch oven.

Cover the Dutch oven and place it in your HOT oven for 40 minutes. Then partially uncover the Dutch oven and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes. The internal temperature should be about 205 degrees F. (I rarely check by temperature but use the smell and knock test. I take a wooden spoon and knock on the bread. If it sounds hollow, the bread is done.) Turn the dough out onto a cooling rack and allow to cool completely. Then enjoy.

Oatmeal Protein Muffins

~ lisaandfrancescook ~ 2 Comments

Due to the unprovoked, criminal and seemingly endless brutal war of annihilation against Ukrainian civilians by Vladimir Putin and his army and the worsening humanitarian crisis, please consider helping by following the link below. There are a number of reputable aid agencies from which to choose. Many of these agencies will also help victims suffering the devastating effects of natural disasters.

Support Humanitarian Efforts in Ukraine

Satisfying and super healthy Oatmeal Protein Muffins are my new go-to breakfast. While I love breakfast foods, unless I am hiking or in Israel (where breakfast is an experience), I seem only able to have milky coffee and something very small to eat first thing. For some time now, I have been eating a single medjool date and a few almonds or pistachios along with my coffee and 8 Greens.

But I have realized that I am just not consuming enough protein in the morning to keep me going strong throughout the day. So I decided to look for something that is relatively high in protein, low in calories and unnecessary fat or sugar that would satisfy me without making me feel too full. And because while I may love to cook, I generally do not want to cook at breakfast. So something I could make ahead.

After checking out several recipes – and reading the comments – on line, I came across a recipe for Protein-Packed Oatmeal Muffins. I decided to give them a try, with a couple of my own tweaks.

They came together easily, but I was highly skeptical of how they would bake up. The batter seemed soooooo liquidy that I thought it would never come together as a muffin. Even when they had baked for the suggested amount of time, I thought, well this is a noble failure. Thankfully, I was wrong.

These are not the most beautiful muffins you will ever see and the texture, while fine, is not a traditional muffin. So don’t go in with that expectation. These muffins are gluten-free since only oatmeal is used as the base. I personally do not have a problem with gluten so I did not choose them for that reason. But if you do limit or cut out gluten from your diet, these muffins are for you as well.

The muffins are very tender and moist (why do people have a problem with that word??). I upped the spicing and used some fresh berries as a topping. The Oatmeal Protein Muffins are very open to changes in spicing and toppings. You could use hemp or pumpkin seeds on top and use pumpkin spice or any other mixture you like. For an afternoon snack, you could even go a more savory route. But below is what I did.

These should be stored in an airtight container in a cool place or frozen for future use. They rewarm in the microwave in about 10 seconds. I ate mine with a bit of almond butter on top for an extra hit of protein.

The waiting time before removing them from the muffin tin is essential. The oatmeal continues to absorb the liquid after they come out of the oven and this allows the muffins to firm up. Mine were baked directly in the well-PAMed muffin tin, but I might use paper or foil muffin cups next time to make it even easier to remove from the pan.

Give them a try if you want a muffin that is actually healthy for you.

Recipe

Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (Do NOT use quick-cooking oats)

3 scoops vanilla protein powder (I used a whey protein powder, but plant-based is fine, too)

1 tsp baking powder

1 rounded teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom or nutmeg

Zest from one medium lemon

1/2 tsp fine sea or kosher salt

2 large eggs

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce OR one ripe banana, peeled and smushed

1/2 cup plain 0% Greek yogurt

2 tbsp coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup honey, maple syrup or Agave

1 cup unsweetened soy or other plant-based milk

2 tablespoons pumpkin or hemp seeds (OPTIONAL)

Berries or mini dark chocolate chips (OPTIONAL but recommended)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl combine oats, protein powder, baking powder, cinnamon and sea salt.

In a separate bowl combine eggs, vanilla extract, applesauce, Greek yogurt, coconut oil, maple syrup, lemon zest and soy milk.

Add wet ingredients to dry and stir to combine. The batter will be VERY wet!

Grease a muffin pan very well with vegetable spray or coconut oil. You could also line the muffin tin with paper or aluminum muffin cups.

Divide batter evenly across the muffin tin. (I used a cookie scoop to do this evenly)

Lightly press in your toppings of choice into each muffin. You can alternate toppings. There is no need for them to ll be the same.

Sprinkle hemp or pumpkin seeds evenly across cups, if using. (I did not)

Bake for 15-20 minutes (mine took 20 minutes)

Allow to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes. The muffins will firm up during this time. Then using a tin spatula or spreader, remove the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.

Store in an airtight container on the counter or in the fridge for up to 5 days. OR freeze for up to 3 months. Warm in a microwave or oven before eating for best taste.