Enchilada Sauce

INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons whole wheat flour
2 teaspoon unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for those who like it hot)
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup water
1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce

DIRECTIONS:
In a pot combine all the dry ingredients and stir until mixed. Slowly add vegetable broth and stir into a paste. Add the remaining vegetable broth and the water and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and stir in the can of tomato sauce.

SOURCE: Happy Herbivore by Lindsey Nixon

Veggie Pizza

INGREDIENTS:
1 bag of Bob’s Red Mill Whole Wheat Gluten Free Pizza Crust
Tomato sauce (see spaghetti for sauce recipe)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cups spinach, chopped
1 zucchini, halved and sliced
2 cups broccoli, chopped
2 cups mushrooms, sliced and halved
2 tomatoes
cheese (optional, I used non-dairy Daiya)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the over to 425 degrees. In a bowl prepare the pizza crust flour as directed. After the dough is done rising roll it out on a pizza pan. I used a cookie sheet, which made for a nice 1/2 thick crust when baked.

Cover pizza dough with tomato sauce and top with a thin layer of cheese. Add red pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, onion, spinach and top with tomato. Bake in the over for 15-17 minutes.

Mexican Brown Rice with Pinto Beans

INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ onion, diced fine
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup long-grain brown rice, rinsed and drained
1¾ to 2 cups water
1 tablespoons tomato paste or sauce (I used diced tomatoes)
3 cups cooked pinto beans

DIRECTIONS:
Heat a 2-quart pot. Add cumin and chili powder and sauté for a few seconds. Add onion and salt and continue cooking until onion is soft. Add rice and stir well to coat. Add water and tomato paste and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer, covered, until all of the water is absorbed (about 40 minutes). Serve warm, alongside the cooked pinto beans.

SOURCE: Culinate.com

Spaghetti

INGREDIENTS:
1 small onion, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
2 (15 ounce) cans tomato sauce
2 cups water
3 teaspoons basil
2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar (I omitted the sugar)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
1/4 cup red wine (a good Cabernet!)
1 lb wheat grain spaghetti
Parmesan cheese (optional)

DIRECTIONS:
In large, heavy stockpot, brown Italian sausage, breaking up as you stir.
Add onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until onions are softened.
Add garlic, tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce and water.
Add basil, parsley, brown sugar, salt, crushed red pepper, and black pepper.
Stir well and barely bring to a boil.
Stir in red wine.
Simmer on low, stirring frequently for at least an hour. A longer simmer makes for a better sauce, just be careful not to let it burn!
Cook spaghetti according to package directions.
Spoon sauce over drained spaghetti noodles and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

SOURCE: Food.com

Chicken Parmigiana

Ingredients
1 lb. boneless chicken breasts
1 cup flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Romano cheese
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped basil
4 Tbsp. olive oil
26 oz. jar of Full Circle Organic Tomato Basil Sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions
Place the flour, beaten eggs and bread crumbs in separate pans. Cut breasts into fillets. Using a meat tenderizer, pound the chicken into fillets that are 1/4 inch in thickness. With 1 lb. of chicken I can usually get 10 fillets.

Dredge each side of the fillet in the flour, followed by the beaten eggs and the bread crumbs. Place each breaded fillet on a wire rack. Over medium heat add the olive oil in a 12 inch pan. Place 2-3 fillets in the pan to brown (3-4 minutes each side). Remove and place on wire rack.

Add cooked, breaded fillets to a 9″ x 13″ Pyrex pan. Cover fillets with Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Add the chopped basil and over with the tomato basil sauce. Add shredded mozzarella to the top and cover. Heat over to 350 degrees and cook for 25 minutes. Serve with spaghetti.

Notes
One of the things I didn’t do was make my own tomato sauce. Instead I just bought an organic brand at the store, but in the end it turned out wonderful. I could have also used slices mozzarella over each chicken fillet, but opted for the shredded. The fresh basil enhances the entire dish! Experiment, that is what makes cooking enjoyable.