Momentary Musing

Hoff's "Peanut-free Peanut Butter"

Hoff's "Peanut-free Peanut Butter"
Yields: About 2 1/2 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free


Ingredients:

• 2 cups Almonds
• 1 15oz. can Chickpeas (rinsed & drained)
• 1 tbsp. Whole Flax Seeds (optional)
• 1 tsp. fine Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Microwave Almonds for 1-2 minutes or until warm to the touch
2. In order add Almonds, Chickpeas, Flax, then Salt to a Vitamix
3. Turn to high & using the tamper, constantly push mixture into the blades
4. Run no more than 3 minutes (exceeding 6 minutes could result in this horror)

Hoff Thoughts:  For the record, I loath peanut butter - with good reason, I'm allergic to peanuts.  My lifelong natural revulsion has saved me many times.  However, I did not set out to make peanut butter with this recipe.  What I was trying to do was combine my Almond Butter recipe and my Hofftella (my vegan take on Nutella) recipe to create a whipped, creamy Almond Butter.  It didn't work.  What it did result in, (so I'm told) is something resembling peanut butter.  I'll buy that, because frankly, I'm not loving this stuff either.

Hoff Hit: No More Crying

Does chopping onions turn on the water works?  For me it certainly does.  Next time, try breathing through your nose only (that means no talking) and kiss those tears goodbye!

Hoff's Fried Rice

Hoff's Fried Rice
Yields: 4 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 3 cups Veggie Broth
• 2 cups Jasmine Rice
• 1 carton sliced Mushrooms (chopped)
• 1 cup Edamame/Peas
• 1 cup Organic Corn
• 1/2 cup shredded Carrots (chopped)
• 1 medium Onion (chopped) 
• 1/3 cup Braggs 
• 2 tsp. Ginger
• 2 tsp. Garlic

Directions:

1. In a medium pot, bring Broth to a boil, reduce to simmer, add Rice, cover and cook for 15 minutes, fluff with fork
2. Meanwhile, in a large non-stick Wok or skillet, sautee Onions & Mushrooms in a little Braggs
3. Add remaining ingredients & cook through with a little Braggs
4. Mix in Rice & remaining Braggs and allow to just sit for 7 minutes
5. Serve!

Beet Jar, A Vegan It Spot In Cleveland

Thanks to my friend Katie, I got my ass out of the office finally after a long winters hibernation and hit up lunch at the BEET JAR juice BAR, a new local little gem that has popped up in the Cleveland Veg scene.


Now, while I may be vegan, I'm far from a raw foodie.  So the fact that this restaurant is all raw, I was a little concerned for my rumbling tummy.  But my fears were replaced with genuine love for this vegan delight.

The menu may be small & pricey ($23 for lil' ol' me), but it's packed with unique flavor combinations.

For lunch I gleefully devoured a Silver Apple Raw Juice (apple, beet, cucumber + ginger), cheddar Kale chipz & THE MOST AWESOMEST SANDWICH OF MY LIFE - smokey coconut, greens, cashew mayo, red onion and avocado on toasted sourdough (num, num, num).  Seriously, days later and I am still drooling over this sandwich!



Welcome to Cleveland, Beet Jar!

Soul :) Smile!

Hoff's Adult Spaghetti O's II

Hoff's Adult Spaghetti O's II
Yields: 4 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. Whole Wheat Orzo
• 2 15 oz. can Tomato Sauce
• 1 Veggie Burger (chopped) (optional)
• 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 1/4 cup plain Almond Milk
• 1 tsp. Dried Onion Flakes
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Paprika

Directions:

1. Cook Orzo according to package directions
2. Meanwhile in a medium sauce pan over low heat, heat through Sauce, Veggie Burger, Nutritional Yeast, Milk & Seasonings
3. Combine Sauce with Orzo
4. Relive your childhood

Meditation Music For Relaxation 15 Minutes

Hoff's Reuben Lite

Hoff's Reuben Lite
Yields: 4 sandwiches
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free

Ingredients:

• 8 slices Whole Grain Loaf Bread
• 8 oz. Smoked Tempeh
• 1 cup Sauerkraut (drained)
• 1/4 cup Sweet Onions (half moon slices)
• 2 tbsp. Vegan Mayo
• 2 tbsp. Relish
• 1 tbsp. Ketchup
• Mustard

Directions:

1. Slice Tempeh in pieces the same length as the bread
2. In a small bowl, mix together Onions, Mayo, Relish & Ketchup to create the sauce, mix in Kraut until well coated
3. Use 4-5 pieces of Tempeh per sandwich, top with Kraut mixture & some Mustard
4. In a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium-high heat, brown one side of the sandwich, by using something flat & heavy to apply pressure (I use a medium size pot)
5. Flip & repeat

Spring Is Here!

Rage Against The Dying Light

Video Snack Time! 

Happy Patty Day!

Happy 5th Birthday Soul Pancake - You Guys Rock!

Check out this video snack!

Hofftella

Hofftella
Yields: 3 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 1 15oz. can Chickpeas (rinsed & drained)
• 1/2 cup pitted Dates
• 1/3 cup Cashews
• 1/3 cup Cacao Powder
• 4 tbsp. Vanilla Almond Milk
• 2 tbsp. Flax Seed
• 1 tbsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a high power blender, such as a Vitamix
2. Blend until spread-like consistency is reached (less than 3 minutes)
3. Store in the fridge up to 2 weeks

Event: EarthFest 2014

Families will enjoy all day entertainment with eco-activities, biodiesel-powered amusement park rides, all day music, urban farm animals, pony rides, petting zoos, healthy food from local food trucks, local microbrews and vintners, and much more.

Presented and organized by Earth Day Coalition since 1990, EarthFest is Ohio’s largest environmental education event and the longest running Earth Day celebration in the nation.


When:Sunday, April 13, 2014
Where: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds: 164 Eastland Rd, Berea, OH 44017
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Cost: $4 ages 2-11, $8 ages 12+, Free 2 & under

This Is Cool!

Video Snack Time!

Congratulations Cleveland VegGala!!!

The second annual VegGala took place this past Sunday, March 9, 2014 & The Healthy Hoff was in the house!!!

The event was hosted by local vegan celebrity, Fox8 news reporter, Emily Valdez.  Live music was courtesy of Diana Chittester & Zach Friedhof!

Aside from featuring awesome local, vegan food, its purpose was to help raise funds for the second annual Cleveland VegFest, open and free for all, on Saturday, June 7, 2014, at Cleveland State University.  Another don't miss event!

VegGala featured the best of Cleveland’s local, independent, vegan-friendly food scene, check these players out!

Aladdin’s

Anna in the Raw

Cleveland Vegan Catering

Cowell & Hubbard

Dandy Blend

Deagan's Kitchen & Bar

Earth Bistro

Earth Fare

Empress Taytu

Flaming Ice Cube

Grovewood Tavern

India Garden

Katz Club Diner & Fire

Main Street Café

Metro Croissants

Mo Bite Products

Nature's Bin

The Pierogi Lady

Rawkin’

Root Cafe

Sweet Spot

Tommy’s

TownHall

Vegan Sweet Tooth

Congratulations to all those involved at The Cleveland Vegan Society for another fabulous event and for bring being vegan in Cleveland one step closer to mainstream!

Hoff's Tempeh Bacon

Hoff's Tempeh Bacon
Yields: about 20 pieces
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 1 package Tempeh
• 2 cups Veggie Broth
• 3 tbsp. Braggs
• 2 tbsp. Maple Syrup
• 2 tbsp. Molasses 
• 1 tbsp. Liquid Smoke
• 1 tsp. Paprika
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder

Directions:

1. Stir all ingredients (except) Tempeh together in a medium sauce pan and bring to a boil over high heat
2. Meanwhile, slice Tempeh on an angle to achieve thin slices
3. Add Tempeh to the boiling Marinade
4. Reduce to a simmer, cover & cook for 20 minutes
5. Brown in a non-stick frying pan

Hoff Thoughts: The Tempeh will absorb the marinade and swell, so don't go crazy with thick slices.  Too much for one meal?  No worries - these babies will keep in the fridge for a week!

Hoff's Reuben

Hoff's Reuben

Yields: 4-5 sandwiches
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free

Ingredients:

• 6-8 slices Whole Grain Loaf Bread
• 8oz. Tempeh
• 1 cup Sauerkraut (drained)
• 1/2 cup Daiya Mozzarella Cheese Shreds
• Earth Balance Vegan Butter
• 1 1/2 cup Veggie Broth
• 1 tbsp. Braggs
• 1 tbsp. Liquid Smoke
• 3 tbsp. Vegan Mayo
• 2 tbsp. Relish
• 1 tbsp. Ketchup

Directions:

1. Bring Broth, Braggs & Smoke to a boil in a medium size pot
2. Meanwhile, slice Tempeh on the diagonal for short, thin slices
3. Add to Broth, cover and cook on medium-low for 20 minutes
4. In a small bowl, mix together Mayo, Relish & Ketchup to create the sauce, mix in Kraut until well coated
5. Once Tempeh is done, start assembling sandwiches
6. Butter one side of each piece of bread (outer side)
7. Place 3-4 pieces of Tempeh, top with Kraut & then Cheese
8. In a non-stick skillet, place sandwich, butter side down, using something flat & heavy to press down the sandwich until browned (I use a medium size pot)
9. Flip & repeat

Hoff Thoughts: Yes, a traditional Reuben calls for Rye Bread.  But, I hate Rye Bread, I say use what you like.  This is a super rich sandwich and should only come out for special occasions.  Confession, I have never eaten a real Reuben, the thought of corned beef never appealed to me.  However, I have been reassured by someone who has, that this sandwich blows away the competition!  The number of sandwiches really depends on the size of the bread.

Goodbye Morticia

It's with a heavy heart that I write this post this morning.

Last night Morticia entered into her final stage of life.  She went peacefully, surrounded by those who love her.

You know Morticia from her posts, Adopt A Black Cat - Bring Luck To Your Family! and You Gotta See The Baby!

She's was a critic for the Documentaries section, giving a paws up or paws down when warranted and she also made an appearance in the  Cooking With the Healthy Hoff cookbook. Yep, those are her paws all over the pages.

And even though she wasn't vegan, she supported me during my vegan transition and believed in the vision of the Healthy Hoff.

Morticia has been my unwavering companion for over 16 years.  She always greeted me at the door and followed me wherever I went.  She was always happy and that made me happy.

Morticia was a great cat, a unique cat - a truly compassionate soul.

Till our paths cross again...

Bountiful Benefits of Bananas

NEW Visual Meditation Room by Louie Schwartzberg

Momentary Musings

Hoff's Creamy Tomato Soup

Hoff's Creamy Tomato Soup

Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free


Ingredients:

• 1 14.5 oz can diced Tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can diced Potatoes (rinsed & drained)
• 2 cups Veggie Broth
• 1 clove of Garlic
• 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1 tsp Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Onion Powder

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a Vitamix & blend on high for 6 minutes
2. Serve!

Momentary Musing