BBQ Seitan Sandwich

(Photo stolen from Columbus Vegan website)

I have to share this BBQ Seitan Sandwich recipe I found. I love it because it is CHEAP and DELICIOUS. The only ingredient you probably don't already have in your fridge is the seitan. Do not skip out on the jalapenos... they add the perfect kick! Of course I add sriracha as well!

Black Bean and Lentil Soup

I think I stole this healthy, easy, and cheap recipe from Self.com a while back but it has since become my own. In total, it costs about 12 bucks and makes about 6-7 servings! Freeze it and then grab it for a no-hassle healthy lunch at work!

2 cans black beans
2 cans lentil soup
1 bag crinkle cut carrots
about 1 bunch fresh kale
about 1 cup chopped onion
Sriracha (to taste)
pepper (to taste)

New Cookbook!

Matt bought me a cookbook while I was being a groomsman in Buffalo. It is titled "Hot & Spicy" and is half Indian and half Thai recipes. We made eggplant curry and vegetable sambar for our friends Brian and Adam. Check it out!

The Greatest Hummus I Have Ever Made (so far)

Chickpeas
(2 cans)
Tahini
(about 1/2 cup)
Lemon Juice
(about 1/3 cup)
Sriracha
(to taste)
Roasted Garlic
(to taste)
Roasted Red Pepper
(I used a 7 oz. jar)

I got a food processor for my birthday, it is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Hummus is so much cheaper (and more fun) to make than to buy. This recipe makes a ton!

Sand Dessert

I made this dessert to bring to a Fourth of July cookout. The bowl was licked clean! I used a traditional "dirt" recipe but subbed the crushed Oreos for crushed graham crackers and vanilla wafers. I originally got this idea from the cooking class Zack and I used to teach with kindergarten through thrid grade students. To make it a little leaner I used Cool Whip Lite, light cream cheese, and skim milk when making the pudding. You could also substitute sugar free vanilla pudding mixture, but I feel that it tastes too "diety". This is a great creative dessert to bring when you are low on cash. I obtained all of the ingredients at Marc's (decorations excluded) for under $10. In retrospect some strawberries would have tasted awesome in there but I am unsure of what sea creature they would represent? Another idea is to serve the dessert in a new beach pail and scoop it with a shovel! Happy summer!

Lemongrass Stir Fry

I got this idea from a Jillian Michael's cookbook. Veggies are incredibly cheap at the West Side Market. This recipe called for coconut milk. I used the light version, definitely not as flavorful but saves on the calories. The other ingredient that made this recipe unique was lemongrass. I went to an Asian market on the corner of my street and luckily they had some. It tastes great but is very difficult to cut. I sliced my finger right open when I made this dish a week ago and it still has not healed! I served the stir fry over quinoa but rice or noodles would work great as well!

Mini Peanut Butter Cup Sandies

Now for a pretty good, cheap, but not so healthy recipe! I have had the itch to bake for the last few weeks, Father's Day finally gave me a good excuse to hop to it! Here is a link to the recipe I followed...

Reese's Sandies
http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/recipes/detail.asp?id=3277&page=1&per=25&keyword=peanut%20butter%20cups&omnituresearch=true&rectypecat=

I made a few modifications. Most importantly, I used itty bitty mini peanut butter cups instead of crushing larger ones. These can be found at Trader Joe's.


Also, I used organic peanut butter. I have been into the Giant Eagle's Nature's Bin brand (crunchy) . Good consistency and flavor, no oily mess! In retrospect, I feel like good ole' Jif would have worked better for this recipe however.

I wasn't incredibly happy with the way the cookies turned out. I think it is because I am not crazy about the texture/ consistency of "peanut butter cookies". I think Grandma said it best when she told me "Once you add peanut butter, it becomes a peanut butter cookie". Matt seemed to be pretty into them, so I decided to post the recipe!