44th meeting. Foods that start with the letter O.

Where? Ch and L's
Attendants: Ch, Y, L, D, A, G

Menu
1) Orzo
2) Osso bucco
3) OK. Over-the-top chocolate nut pie or Out-of-this-world or Outstanding...

43rd meeting. Crepes

Where? D's
Attendants: L, Ch, Y, A, C, G, D

Menu:
1) Sweet potato crepes
2) Baked fruit

1) Sweet potato crepes topped with coconut sauce

Filling:
3 lbs sweet potatoes
1 bell pepper
2 onions
6 garlic cloves
2 TBS minced ginger
1 TBS red pepper flakes
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp cardamom
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
salt, pepper
1 can coconut milk

Sautee onions and pepper for 10 min on medium fire. Add garlic and ginger, spices and continue for 2 minutes. Add chopped sweet potato and coconut milk. Simmer until potatoes are tender.

Sauce:
1 bunch cilantro
1 can coconut milk
Juice of 1 lime
1 TBS maple syrup
2 TBS tamarind
1 cup cashews

Put ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth


Crepes:
3 cups flour
1 cup chickpea flour
salt
4 cups water
4 TBS olive oil

Mix vigorously until smooth in blender or with fork. Let it rest in the fridge, but it is not necessary. Put 3/4 cup of the ensuing goopy mess in a 10-inch pan and flip until you get a fluffy crepe.


Crepe batter


Crepe in the making


Prior to rolling


Crepes being eaten


Happy diners


Satisfied diners


Confused diners?

42nd meeting. Tamales!

Where? G's
Attendants: G, A, Ch, L, D, (E)

Menu
1) Tamales

Tamales

Masa:
- 4 cups maseca masa
- 4 cups broth/water
- 1 cup vegetable shortening/margarine
- 1 TBS baking powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast

Mix dry ingredients, add margarine, incorporate hot broth/water a little at a time



Filling:
- 1 package of better-than-sausage
- Chipotle powder
- Chili powder
- Onion
- Garlic
- Green pepper
- Ketchup

Sautee onion and green pepper for 10 minutes, add garlic and spices and sautee for 5 minutes, add the rest of ingredients until you get a homogeneous mixture. Cool overnight.

41st meeting. Potluck

Where? G's
Attendants: E, G, Y, Ch, L, D

Menu:
1) Coconut Tofu Korma
2) Nut Loaf
3) E's salad
4) Baked apples


Coconut Tofu Korma
1/4 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, pressed
1 medium onions, minced
2 packages of extra firm tofu, diced
1 (16 ounce) can coconut milk
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoon curry powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon red pepper paste
1.5 cans of tomato sauce
1 1/2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1 1/2 cups chopped carrot
Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, onion, and tofu; cover, and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, cumin, curry powder, ginger, salt, and red pepper paste; bring to a simmer. Stir in tomato sauce, peas, and carrots; simmer, covered, about 30 minutes.
   

Nut Loaf (adapted from www.veganfamily.co.uk)

Cashew Nut Roast with Sage and onion stuffing

A sixth of a cup/30g/1oz of vegan margarine

2 sticks of celery, finely chopped

1 medium leek, finely chopped

1 and a half cups of hot water

1 teaspoon of yeast extract (marmite, vegemite etc.)

3 cups/550g/16oz of ground cashew nuts (or other nuts of your choice - almonds work well too)

2 Tablespoons of soya flour

2 teaspoons of fresh herbs - winter savoury is great (if using dried 1 teaspoon)

3 cups/160g/6oz of white bread crumbs

seasalt and pepper to taste

sage and onion stuffing (printable recipe - http://www.veganfamily.co.uk/stuffing.htm)

Melt the margarine (in a large pan for mixing) and cook the celery and leek in it for a few minutes. Mix the yeast extract into the hot water (alternatively you could use any stock you like) and add this to the leek and celery. Stir in the soya flour, nuts, herbs, breadcrumbs and salt and pepper and mix well. Allow to cool slightly while you grease a loaf tin. Place half the nut roast mixture in the tin and press down well - then add the sage and onion stuffing (pressing down well again) and place the rest of the nut roast mixture on top. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes at 180/360 then turn out of the tin and slice. Nice served with all the traditional trimmings.

Variations:- you can substitute wine (red or white) or soya milk for the water and yeast extract. The sage and onion stuffing is optional - it works just as well without it and might actually slice up easier! A layer of sliced mushrooms and garlic is an alternative to the stuffing.

40th Meeting. Tofu-Broccoli in Peanut Sauce

Where? D's
Attendants: D, G, A, E, L, Ch

Menu
1) Tofu-Broccoli Stir Fry in Peanut Sauce