Maple-Glazed Tofu on Pumpkin Seed Couscous

Maple-Glazed Tofu on Pumpkin Seed Couscous
Serves 6; Vegan

Sorry to be SO late on this, but we're just beginning to get settled from the drive. I'm not sure how this is going to taste, since I don't have anything in the kitchen yet. So, hopefully, this comes out yummy.... If not, one out of the many is not bad! ~_^

Maple-Glazed Tofu
2 10-oz. pkgs. extra-firm tofu
2 tsp. cracked black pepper
2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup maple syrup

Pumpkin Seed Couscous
2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 medium carrots, chopped (1 cup)
1 cup frozen edamame, thawed
2 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat couscous
1/2 cup toasted unsalted pumpkin seeds


To make Maple-Glazed Tofu:

1. Place tofu between two plates and set heavy pot on top. Drain 10 minutes, and pat dry. Cut tofu into 3/8-inch-thick slices. Combine pepper, thyme, and salt in small bowl. Coat tofu slices with pepper mixture, and set aside.

To make Pumpkin Seed Couscous:

2. Bring broth, carrots, edamame, olive oil, and salt to a boil in covered saucepan. Remove from heat, stir in couscous and cover. Let steam 5 minutes, then fluff with fork.

3. Meanwhile, heat oil and maple syrup in large skillet over medium-high heat until bubbling. Place tofu in pan, and cook 3 minutes. Turn, and cook 3 minutes more, spooning thickening sauce over tofu.

4. To serve: Stir pumpkin seeds into couscous. Spoon onto plates, and top with Maple-Glazed Tofu.

Per SERVING: Calories: 577, Protein: 26g, Total fat: 26g, Saturated fat: 3g, Carbs: 71g, Cholesterol: mg, Sodium: 444mg, Fiber: 10g, Sugars: 27g

Found: Adapted from Vegetarian Times

Autumn Vegetable Tagine

Autumn Vegetable Tagine
Vegan; Serves 6 (Can be made Gluten Free)

This recipe shows you how to quick-soak dried chickpeas in a pressure cooker in about 5 minutes—a good technique to know because you can use it with any dried bean. When cooking beans, adding a tablespoon of oil to the pressure cooker minimizes foaming. This dish calls for harissa, a North African chile paste available in Middle Eastern markets and some supermarkets. If you can't find harissa, substitute sriracha sauce and 1/4 tsp. each of ground cumin and ground coriander. To make the tagine gluten free, substitute quinoa for the couscous.

Ingredient List

1 cup dried chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped (1 cup)
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (3 1/2 cups)
1 lb. collard greens, coarsely chopped (8 cups)
1 lb. plum tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped (2 cups)
1 Tbs. harissa
1 10-oz. pkg. whole-wheat couscous
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro
Lemon wedges, for garnish

Directions

1. Combine chickpeas and 4 cups water in pressure cooker; bring to a boil. Lock lid in place. Bring to high pressure over high heat. Reduce heat, and cook 2 minutes. Release pressure using automatic pressure release, or carefully transfer cooker to sink, and run cool water over rim of lid. Remove lid, tilting away from you to let steam escape. Rinse and drain chickpeas. Set aside.


2. Heat oil in pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes, or until onion is soft. Add chickpeas and 3 cups water. Lock lid in place. Bring to high pressure over high heat. Reduce heat, and cook 15 minutes. Release pressure using automatic pressure release, or transfer cooker to sink, and run cool water over rim of lid. Remove lid, tilting away from you to let steam escape.


3. Stir in squash and collards. Lock lid in place. Bring to high pressure over high heat. Reduce heat, and cook 5 minutes. Release pressure using automatic pressure release, or transfer cooker to sink, and run cool water over rim of lid. Remove lid, tilting away from you to let steam escape. Stir in tomatoes; cover, and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in harissa. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.


4. Meanwhile, prepare couscous according to package directions. Fluff with fork. Serve tagine over couscous. Sprinkle with cilantro, and garnish with lemon wedges.
Nutritional Information

Per serving (1 1/3 cups tagine; 3/4 cups couscous): Calories: 414, Protein: 16g, Total fat: 8g, Saturated fat: <1g, Carbs: 74g, Cholesterol: mg, Sodium: 142mg, Fiber: 16g, Sugars: 8g


Found: Vegetarian Times Issue: October 2009

Spicy Garden Couscous

Spicy Garden Couscous
Vegan

Adapted from The Co-Op Cookbook, by Rosemary Fifield (Chelsea Green, 2000).

Couscous only takes 5 minutes to make. When you load it up with fresh garden veggies like zucchini and red bell peppers, you get great antioxidant nutrition. Add some ginger and hot pepper flakes and you’ve made one fast and spicy treat for a night when you don’t have a lot of time to cook.
This is one quick-to-make and tasty crowd-pleaser.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup dried couscous
3 cups vegetable stock or water, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
4 carrots, cut into coins
pinch hot red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1. Put the couscous in a large bowl and add 1 cup of boiling stock or water. Cover the bowl and let stand for 5 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, and ginger and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add carrots, red pepper flakes, coriander, and remaining stock. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook 5 minutes. Add zucchini, cover, and cook 3 minutes. Add red bell pepper, and cook uncovered for 3 minutes.

3. Fluff couscous with a fork. Pour vegetables and cooking liquid over it, mix, and serve.
Serves 6.

Found: Care2.com

Chickpea and Date Tagine

Chickpea and Date Tagine
Serves 6; Vegan

I hope all had a beautiful holiday and I wish everyone a joyous new year!!!!! I made this for a holiday potluck and it was a HUGE success!

1 Tbs. olive oil
1 large onion, diced (2 cups) **I used less
4 cloves of garlic, minced (4 tsp.) **I used about 2 1/2 tsp.
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 15-oz. can crushed tomatoes **I used fire roasted tomatoes (organic)
3 cups cooked chickpeas or 2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup whole-wheat couscous **I used organic regular
1 cup pitted dates, halved
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup chopped cilantro

1. Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 10 minutes, or until starting to brown, stirring often. Stir in garlic, cumin, coriander, ginger and cinnamon, and saute 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, and 1/4 cup water; simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, toast couscous in small saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes or until fragrant. Add 1 3/4 cups water, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let stand 5 minutes. **I had to let it sit a little longer.

3. Stir dates and lemon juice into tagine, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve over couscous, sprinkle with cilantro.

Found: Vegetarian Times December 2011