Pomegranate...

 ...a chambered, many-seeded, globose fruit, having a tough, usually red rind and surmounted by a crown of calyx lobes, the edible portion consisting of pleasantly acid flesh developed from the outer seed coat.

 The above description of a pomegranate comes from dictionary.com.   My definition includes: hard to eat, but great tasting juice.Or lots of seed with very little juice.  I would not buy them, but opt for buying bottled juice once in awhile at the store.  But alas when they are free, and come from the trees on your own property...

 

 A labor of love ensues for those who like this fruit. I sometimes squeeze them through a lemon juicer to eliminate the seeds and save the precious little bit of juice. Others who don't mind just spitting the seeds out will pop them into the mouth. This morning I pulled them off the skin, and those that want to can eat it as is.  Tomorrow morning I will juice whatever is left.

Vegan Scalloped Potatoes

  Here is a recipe that turned out good! The recipe called for too much pepper.   I cut down the quantity here. We use very little black pepper.  I have wanted to replace with ground papaya seeds, but never have them on hand...

Vegan Scalloped Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup vegan margarine, melted
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 6 tbsp flour
• 6 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups soy milk
• paprika
• parsley sprigs for garnish

Preparation:

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. With a little of the vegan margarine, lightly grease a 9 inch square baking pan. Stir the salt and pepper into the flour.
Place 1/3 of the sliced potatoes along the bottom of the pan, followed by 1/3 of the onion, 1/3 of the remaining margarine, and half the flour.
Repeat this layer with 1/3 of the potatoes, 1/3 of the onions, 1/3 of the margarine and the remaining flour. Top this with the rest of the potatoes, onions and margarine.
Pour the soy milk slowly into the pan until it almost covers the top layer. Sprinkle with paprika.
Bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until the potatoes are soft and the milk is thick. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Mangos Busy Day

One day this week, Chief and I took these:

peeled and cut them off the seeds:

then put them into freezer bags for the freezer.  

Make great smoothies and sauces!

Tasty!

When I chose to become a vegan, one of the foods I have missed most is cottage cheese.  I had never thought that there might be a substitute until someone very dear to me offered me...

Tofu Cottage Cheese

It is not exactly the same flavor, but  is tantalizing addictive to me.

Here is my version of the recipe:

1 lb. firm tofu....drained

1 1/4 T. minced fresh chives

1t. minced fresh parsley

1/4 t. dill weed

2 t. vegenaise

1 1/2 t. fresh lemon juice

1 t. onion powder

1 t. salt

1/4 t. garlic powder

  Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Let stand in refrigerator for a short time to let flavors blend.

Sick... Anyone?

Doesn't this look like a great strawberry smoothie?  Until you taste it...oh what a surprise!
We call it "poison", as the family who shared the recipe with us originally called it. It really cures you quick of what ales you.  I made up the brew this morning for a family member who awoke with a sore throat. Here is what makes it "so good":

juice of  7-10 lemons
10 radishes
1/2 red onion
1/2 garlic bulb
1 T. honey
1 t. anise seed

Blend together...sip throughout the day...and enjoy ;)
We have found it to be effective in easing symptoms  and duration of  colds or flu.