Green Bean Casserole

GreenBeanCasserole (1)
Things Needed
  • 1 pound green beans (with the ends removed and cut into about inch long lengths)
  • 1 to 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
  • 1 14.5 can of diced tomatoes
  • 1 to 2 small onions (diced)
  • 1/4 tsp dried basil
  • 1/8 black pepper
  • Olive Oil

Directions

In a skillet type pan or electric skillet, add olive oil garlic and onions.  Let cook until the onions are nearly clear.  Add the tomatoes and spices and let cook for about 3 to 5 minutes.  Add in the green beans and stir them around until they are covered in the tomato/onion mixture. Cover and let simmer/steam for 6 to 8 minutes.

Serve this in a dish with a lid as this has a tendency to lose its heat fairly quickly.

Stuffed Pumpkin

StuffedPumpkin (1)

Things Needed

  • 1 medium Sugar Pumpkin (cut open as you would a jack-o-lantern or as seen straight across)
  • 3 medium carrots (thinly sliced)
  • 2 medium onions (thinly sliced)
  • 1 green bell pepper (thinly sliced)
  • 4 to 5 cloves of garlic (minced)
  • 1 can drained garbanzo beans
  • 1 package vegan crumbles
  • 1 can drained corn
  • 1 tsp Chili Powder (keep this available)
  • 1/4 tsp Cumin (keep this available)
  • 1 14.5 can diced tomato
  • Veggie Broth
  • Olive Oil
  • Cajun Seasoning (optional)
  • 4 cups rice (cooked)

Directions

For the Pumpkin

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the pumpkin either as you would a jack-o-lantern or straight across the top so that you have what appears to be a lid and a bowl.  Discard any seeds/stringy “guts” but try to leave as much of the pulp intact.  Rub the fleshy part of the pumpkin with a bit of chili pepper and a bit of cumin. In a oven safe glass dish with a bit of olive oil place the gourd parts flesh side down.  Let this cook for 1 hour 30 minutes.

For the Stuffing

Over medium heat add olive oil, garlic, onion, carrot and bell pepper stir to a large soup pot for about 3 to 5 minutes (or until the onion is nearly clear).  Add the crumbles, spices and tomato stir (the consistency should be somewhat like chili), let cook for 3 to 5 minutes.  Add Garbanzos and corn again stir and let cook for 3 to 5 minutes.  Add the veggie broth just enough to cover the mixture and let simmer between 1 and two hrs.  As needed, add additional veggie broth and other spices (I used typical cajun seasoning: pepper, paprika, thyme, etc.).  At the very end of the cooking time, add the cooked rice and stir.  The rice will pick up all of the sauce.

To serve I turned the pumpkin back right-side up and over-filled it with the stuffing then placed the cap back on the bowl.