Bolognese Sauce (WFPBNO)

I have a ground beef crumble that uses this same concept of cauliflower, walnuts and mushrooms. Pulse in a food processor, add taco seasoning for tacos or use in a casserole, etc. Using this same idea and a marinara sauce recipe I made this for dinner last night. It turned out really good and you can't taste the mushrooms as there are only a few and there is so many other flavors going on. I served this over brown rice spaghetti. It is better to let the sauce simmer for a while and thicken up so you will want to start your sauce early in the day. I started everything early and let the crumbles sit while the sauce simmered.

For the crumbles:

• 1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets
• 3/4 cup walnuts
• 4 ounces mushrooms, large chopped (I used baby bellas)
• 6 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

Preheat oven to 375F. Pulse all the above ingredients in your food processor, don't over do it you want something resembling ground beef. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mixture into an even layer.  Bake for 15 minutes, then gently toss, add back to oven for another 15 minutes.

Marinara Sauce:

• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic (I buy pre minced)
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 cup red wine (or veggie broth) I used Pinot Noir
• 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• several grinds of black pepper
  
  
• 1 16-ounce package spaghetti noodles, or your favorite pasta.

Set a large Dutch oven over medium heat and saute the celery, onions and garlic for 3-4 minutes in a few tablespoons of water.

Add the tomato paste and a little more water and stir well. 

Add the red wine and stir, allow to cook about 5 minutes.

Add the remainder of the sauce ingredients. Stir well and let cook about 5-6 minutes. 

Reduce heat and let the marinara sauce simmer at least 20 minutes. But longer results in a thicker sauce.

While that simmer check on the cooling crumbles. Start your water for your pasta.

Once the sauce is the thickness you like add the crumbles. 

Stir well and leave on low while you cook the pasta according to the package directions.

Serve it up with a salad, or some bread. 

Enjoy!!!

Hearts of Palm Crabless Salad (WFPBNO)

This weather has been unbelievably hot! I've been making pasta salad, three bean salad, chickpea-of-the-sea salad, etc. to have something as a go to for meals. This keeps me from having to cook and makes meals readily available. A few days ago I made this Crabless Salad and it was delicious. I served it stuffed into a half of an avocado with tomato wedges on top of a bed of lettuce. It was really filling and tasty. It was also good on crackers for a snack. I think you'll enjoy this salad. Be sure to make your own mayo without oil to keep it WFPBNO. 

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup plain plant-based yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Other ingredients:

• 1 can hearts of palm, drained and pulled (or cut) into thin strips
• 1/4 cup diced sweet onion
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot
• 1/4 cup diced celery

Combine all the dressing ingredients, mixing well.

Add the remaining ingredients; toss well to combine. Chill for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to marry.

I served this in an avocado half, on top of a bed of salad greens with tomato wedges.  You could also make a sandwich or stuff a tomato with the salad.

Enjoy!!!