Hold the Meat – Exploring Tempeh

In this column, I’ve tried to break certain stereotypes about vegetarians: that we all support PETA, or that vegetarians and vegans are the same thing. Now I’m going to drop another knowledge bomb on you: vegetarians can be just as unhealthy as the rest of you. For example, last night, I took a wonderful vegetarian protein source, tempeh, which is also full of iron and calcium, and made a recipe that involved flour, breadcrumbs, sugar, and butter. Oh, copious amounts of wonderful, artery-clogging butter.
Yes, out of all of the recipes for broiled tempeh, or stir-fried tempeh, I managed to find a recipe for tempeh buffalo wings– and man, were they delightful.
Can I have a home cooked meal for $5.00?

With the cost of everything shooting up I have been looking a lot closer at what I am spending and trying to find ways to cut the costs. As I sat thinking about this while the TV droned in the background, a commercial for a national chain of sandwich shops came on. they were touting their $5.00 dollar foot long sandwiches and I decided to see what I could come up with for $5.00 dollars. I went shopping at the local grocery store in town and went to Wal-mart as well. I came up with a couple of different simple dishes that I think are more satisfying than a foot long sandwich and will feed 2 to 4 people.
Stuffing alternatives for a non-traditional Thanksgiving
Each week, fabulous recipes grace Debbie’s in-box and pop up on her computer screen, and she’s sharing her favorites with you.
I’ve got to admit, that even though I don’t eat wheat or white carbs, I always have a bite or two of stuffing on Thanksgiving. It’s partly because my dad makes the most wonderful stuffing imaginable, and partly because stuffing says “tradition” like no other side dish.
Imagine, for a moment, a Thanksgiving without a traditional stuffing. C’mon, try it — you’ll be all right. It’s fun to shake things up a bit and have something unexpected to put on your plate, isn’t it? If you’re a little too steeped in tradition and want to branch out a bit this year, here are some alternatives to a traditional stuffing that you and your guests are sure to enjoy. You might just create a new heirloom recipe for your family.
Healthy crock pot oatmeal in 24 hours – Breakfast at Clique-any’s
I admit, my eye-catching title sure doesn’t make it sound simple, but trust me, this is the easiest healthy breakfast you could possibly create. You can plan ahead a little, right? It’s that simple.
I’ve been experimenting with oatmeal in the slow cooker and I’ve gotten it down to a science. It’s not only convenient, but it’s also the healthiest way to cook oatmeal to get all of the nutritional benefits. I didn’t think I’d ever say this, but it’s not just about the ingredients here: the process is important in boosting the nutrition of this yummy breakfast. Yeah, I admit it — there’s a place for technique.
We’re not talking some snobby French cooking school technique … just follow these three simple steps and you’ll have your healthy oatmeal.
Sour chicken casserole – Redneck Cooking

My Idea of something different for dinner is adding some onion or bacon to my burger instead of having them plain. My wife, on the other hand, thinks cheeseburgers once a week is too often. She likes to try different things and likes a variety in the weekly menu. This chicken casserole is a good change of pace.
Hold the Meat – this butternut squash risotto will save your Thanksgiving

Ugh. Thanksgiving. I’ve never been much of a fan of this holiday. After all, when you’re not eating turkey, what’s the point? I know, I know, being thankful, family, blah, blah, blah. The thing is, I can do that without fighting traffic and spending all day in the kitchen. Fact: one of my favorite Thanksgivings was when my friend Elizabeth and I stayed in New York instead of going home and had grilled cheese at a diner and watched Harry Potter on IMAX. That’s how it should be done.
However, this year I am doing more of a traditional Thanksgiving, so I’m trying to figure out things to cook. Luckily, Elizabeth sent me this AMAZING recipe for butternut squash risotto. I made it last week, and it was a huge hit. The recipe yields something like 10 servings, and it was gone in like a day and a half. Of course, the whole “10 servings” thing is really if you’re using it as a side dish, but it’s rich and filling enough that it can easily be a main dish befitting a certain November holiday.
The beauty of the Thanksgiving sandwich – Eat, Drink, and Be Snarky
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Hands down. No contest. I love all the food, the great times with family (without the stress of having to worry about presents), and the football. I love the turkey, the stuffing, the potatoes, the vegetables, the pies. I love it all.
One of my fondest memories of Thanksgiving is making sandwiches out of all the leftover food. In my family, we wouldn’t even wait until the next day, we would make sandwiches around eight in the evening, after dessert. It seems like in recent years, the Thanksgiving sandwich has become more and more popular, and why shouldn’t it? It’s delicious.



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