Quick Vegan Baked Beans

I am no stranger to taking dried beans and making things from the beginning but sometimes the convenience of canned beans can't be beat.  I like to use dried beans when I am meal prepping making cowboy beans or chili or whatever it is I make.  I call it chili but it isn't necessarily really chili.  It is beans, peppers, and tomatoes and spices. Stewed beans?  Who knows!

Since it is a holiday today and I have some holiday type food for my guests, I decided to make myself some baked beans as a treat!  I have some special dark maple syrup from my daughter from Canada and super special oregano from Rancho Gordo.  It's a holiday for sure!

Baked Beans

2 cans pinto beans, drained

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tbsp yellow mustard

2 tbsp maple syrup

Garlic Powder

Crushed chipotle

Oregano

Black pepper

Preheat oven at 325.  I used an 8x8 foil pan since who wants extra dishes on a holiday.  Pour the drained beans into the pan and mix in everything else.  The chipotles are such smokey goodness that you won't even miss the bacon.  I do not find them to be too hot but only you know your heat tolerance level. 

Bake at 325 for about an hour.  When it has thickened, has turned darker, and the edges are caramelized you will know it is done! It will also smell like bacon, no joke!

This recipe can easily be doubled.  You could add a tiny bit of cayenne pepper if you like it super spicy or a dash of Tabasco. That cayenne hits me hard so I did not put any in this tiny pan of beans.

Weekly Breakfast Meal Prep

I am trying to kick my Frito habit... at least at breakfast time anyway.  My diet has expanded a bit to include more spices and fruits and condiments too!  I am loving garlic and tomatoes too.  Instead of egg bites, I just made a big egg casserole type thing and cut it into daily portions.  It is a great reason to use my gorgy purple Le Creuset and way easier clean up than muffin tins!

2 tsp coconut oil

10 oz steam-in-bag frozen broccoli, steamed

14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes or fire roasted diced tomatoes

2 gloves garlic (sliced, pressed, minced)

Salt

Pepper

Oregano

Red pepper flakes

15 eggs

Yellow Mustard

Preheat oven to 350 and grease your casserole, mine is 6.5x11,  or a 13x9 pan.  

Heat coconut oil in a frying pan.  Add the garlic to warm it and release its aromatic goodness.  Add the pre-steamed broccoli, the tomatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes.  I don't put amounts on the spices since it is such a personal thing.  I will warn that the red pepper flakes are spicy though so I only use like 5 flakes total.  Cook, uncovered, on medium heat until broccoli is tender and most of the liquid from the tomatoes has evaporated, stirring occasionally.

Set veggie mixture aside to cool completely.

Whisk well all of the eggs in a large bowl, adding a bit of salt and pepper.  I love squeezing in some yellow mustard here too (365 brand is super zippy).  

Add the cooked and cooled vegetables to the beaten eggs and mix well.

Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 40 minutes for the 6.5x11 casserole dish or 25 for the 13x9 pan.  Inserting a knife in the center should come out clean when it is done.

Cool in pan and cut into squares.  You can line these up on a sheet pan to freeze individually and then pack up and store in the freezer, picking a square or two out as you want them.  I just eat it throughout the week and don't bother freezing it.

Pretty Purple Pickles

I had more blueberries than I knew what to do with!  I decided to put the sous vide to work again on this simple sandwich topping.

I found this recipe Sous Vide Supreme and I added a dash of Tabasco to one of the bags.

Here is how I did mine.

2 pints of blueberries, washed
1 cup of distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/4 sugar
1 teaspoon salt
A few shakes of Tabasco

Fill your pot with water and start the sous vide heating it to 140 degrees.  Pour all of the above ingredients into a heavy duty ziplock freezer bag.  Massage to combine and mix.

Place the sealed bag, with the air pushed out, into the heated water for 20 minutes.  Submerge bag in cold water for 15 minutes.

I put these beauties in jars for my friends!

Rainbow Cauliflower Kugel

This is as delicious as it is pretty!  Loads easier than potato kugel.  I'm thrilled with it!

2 bags frozen cauliflower (use rainbow for a little mood boost), roasted in the oven at 425 with oil and salt and pepper

4 large eggs

Dash of Bragg Liquid Aminos

You can absolutely add other spices and flavors.  I've seen recipes that use a package of onion soup mix and others simply add paprika.

Preheat oven to 350 and grease and 13x9 baking dish.

Put your cooled, roasted cauliflower in a large bowl.  Break it up a bit into smaller pieces.

Add the eggs and liquid aminos and stir well until thoroughly combined.

Spread into prepared dish and bake for 45 minutes. 

The crispy edges are so yummy!  I will admit it looks extra fancy in my purple casserole dish too!