Quick Cooking Corn On The Cob

Confused on how long to boil corn on the cob?

Skip the water and go for the microwave.

3 minutes per ear, husk left intact.

Use an Ove' Glvoe (or towel or oven mitt) to remove, and hack off the bottom.

Grab the top with the strings and shake until the cob comes out clean.

DIY Microwave Popcorn

DIY Microwave Popcorn
Serves: 1
dairy-free, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. Organic Corn Kernels
• 1 Paper Lunch Bag

Directions:

1. Add Corn Kernels to bag
2. Fold over top of bag once, about 1/8" (you need plenty of room for the Popcorn)
3. Seal with 2 staples
4. Microwave for 2 minutes (or less depending on your microwave)
5. Stop Microwave when popping slows down
6. Season & enjoy the show!

Hoff Thoughts: Was I concerned that the staples would start a fire.  Of course, I've had my share of microwave fires, but Alton Brown said it was OK and it was.  But I wouldn't walk away while cooking...

Hoff's Beans, Rice & A Little More (Instant Pot)

Hoff's Beans, Rice & A Little More (Instant Pot)
Yields: 5 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Brown Rice
• 2 1/2 cups Water
• 1 15 oz. can organic Corn (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15 oz. can Kidney Beans (rinsed & drained)
• 1 12 oz. bag shelled Edamame/Lima Beans
• 1 cups Sauerkraut

Directions:

1. Add everything to Instant Pot and stir to combine
2. Set Manual setting at High Pressure for 22 minutes
3. Set vent to sealing 
4. When done, turn off IP, natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release

Hoff Thoughts: This is my take on the traditional beans & rice, I kick it up a notch with organic corn and Edamame.  This is one of my weekly lunch recipes, you can see you'll get enough servings for 5 days worth.  I didn't bother letting the Edamame defrost before cooking and all was well.  While it works just as well plain, I like to top with a little BBQ sauce.

Hoff's Lunchtime Split Pea Soup (Instant Pot)

Hoff's Lunchtime Split Soup (Instant Pot)

Yields: 5 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free*, gluten-free*

Ingredients:

• 8 cups Water
• 2 1/2 cups dried Split Peas
• 1 cup Brown Rice
• 1 15oz. can diced Potatoes (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15oz. can diced sliced Carrots (rinsed & drained)
• 1 cup frozen chopped Onions
• 1 cup frozen Spinach
• 1 bunch Cilantro (chopped)
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 3 tbsp. Braggs or Coconut Aminos*
• 1 tbsp. Vegan Worcestershire Sauce* (optional)
• 2 tsp. Cumin
• 2 tsp. Smoked Paprika
• 2 tsp. Garlic
• 2 tsp. Onion Powder
• Season with Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Add everything to Instant Pot (Bay Leaf on top) and stir to combine
2. Set Manual setting at High Pressure for 15 minutes
3. Quick release steam
4. Remove Bay Leaf

Hoff Thoughts: I called this Lunchtime Soup because I make up a pot on Sunday and divide it out over the week for lunch.

Hoff's Quick & Easy Thai Noodles

Hoff's Quick & Easy Thai Noodles
Serves: 2-4
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 1 6 oz. package Rice Noodles

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Braggs
• 1/3 cup Almond Butter
• 2 tbsp. Honey Mustard
• 1 tbsp. Rice Vinegar
• 1 tsp. Frozen Ginger
• 1 tsp. Frozen Garlic

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
2. Add Noodles and simmer for 10 minutes
3. Drain
4. Using a pair of kitchen scissors, cut Noodles into smaller pieces
5. Meanwhile in a Vitamix or Nutribullet, blend Sauce Ingredients until smooth
6. Toss Noodles with Sauce to coat
7. Enjoy!

Oil-Free Honey Cashew Butter

Oil-Free Honey Cashew Butter
Yields: About 2 cups
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Cashews
• 1 tbsp. Whole Flax Seeds (optional)
• 1 tbsp. Honey
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Microwave Cashews for 1-2 minutes or until warm to the touch
2. Add Cashews, then Flax, then Salt, then Honey to Vitamix
3. Turn to high & using the tamper, constantly push Cashews into the blades
4. Run about 3 minutes (exceeding 6 minutes could result in this horror)
5. Spoon Cashew Butter into airtight containers such as 2 pint canning jars
6. Store in the fridge

Hoff Thoughts: I like to start with raw, unsalted Cashews.  Heating the Cashews helps the nuts release their own natural oils & aid in the blending process.  The Honey acts as a natural preservative, helping to extend the shelf-life of the butter.

Corn On The Cob (Instant Pot)

Corn On The Cob (Instant Pot)
Yields: 1-6 ears of corn
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free oil-free, gluten-free, soy-free

 

Ingredients:

•  Organic ears of Corn (shucked)
• 1 cup Water

Directions:

1. Place steamer rack in Instant Pot
2. Add Water
3. Cris cross Corn to allow air flow in between
4. Cook Manually on High Pressure for 3 minutes
5. Quick release steam
6. Dig in!

Hoff Thoughts: It's summer and that means my favorite vegetable is in season!  I could eat this stuff every meal of the day.  But I never got it right when using the boiling method and I could never remember how to make it - salt the water, don't salt the water, bring to a boil and then add the corn or bring to a boil with the corn, lid on or off, how long...  Steaming is so much easier and fool proof with my Instant Pot.  I have the 6 quart pot, so I am able to get up to 6 ears of corn at a time.  I love COC straight up, but I have heard of people eating with Mustard or Nutritional Yeast - to each their own.

Easy Sweet Potatoes

Easy Sweet Potatoes
Yields: As many as you want
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• Sweet Potatoes

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees
2. After washing Potatoes, pierce with fork
3. Place Potatoes directly on middle cooking rack
4. For Sweet Potatoes that are 2-3 inches in diameter bake for 45 minutes, 4 inches in diameter bake for an hour, super large Sweet Potatoes bake for an hour & 15 minutes.

Hoff Thoughts: This technique is great for cooking Sweet Potatoes in bulk. The end result the skins will peel right off and the Potatoes will be caramelized & perfectly soft.  Top with your favorite flavorings: maple syrup, brown sugar, sea salt, etc. Highly suggest you place tin foil in the bottom of the oven or use something to catch the Sweet Potato drippings.

15 Minute Meditation - Deep Rain

15 Minute Meditation - Deep Rain

Cooking With The Healthy Hoff For Kindle!

Cooking With The Healthy Hoff: Quick, Easy Meals, Fueled by Plant-Based, Oil-free Whole Foods!

Now Available For Kindle!

If you loved the print version, you're going to love the Kindle version!  But wait - it gets better!  If you buy the print version or have in the past, the Kindle version is FREE!

This fun, easy & sassy, cookbook features 21 of my favorite plant-strong recipes!  

From breakfast to dessert, I've got something awesome for all your meals.  I'll show you how to make old school oatmeal super quick & tasty.  Put a new spin on the traditional salad, with my 5 Day Salad.  Blow you away with my OMG! Broccoli Cheddar Soup.  I didn't forget that vegans love Mac & Cheese too!  And I don't even know which is better; the Pretzel Bark or I Can't Believe It's Not Dairy Chocolate Shake!  All this and many more will have your friends & family taking back what they said about vegan food being tasteless & boring!

Even Morticia makes a guest appearance in the book!

Available now on Amazon in print or for Kindle.

Keep it Healthy!

Doc: The Connection: Mind Your Body

If you suffer from a chronic illness or an autoimmune disease, The Connection is a game changer.

The mind is a powerful tool that we under-utilize daily.  This doc explores the enormous benefits meditation has on combating stress, which plays a major roll in illness.

The film features scientists, researchers, writers and doctors, as well as remarkable true stories of people adding mind body medicine to their healing toolkit to recover from severe back pain, heart disease, infertility, cancer and multiple sclerosis.

We can't get rid of the stressors in our life: work, family, traffic, mean/rude people... But we can change how our mind & body react to stress.

Just a mere 5 minutes a day could change your life.  What are you waiting for?

 Check out the trailer:

Hoff's "Hamburger Helper II"

Hoff's "Hamburger Helper II"
Serves: 6-8 serving
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free


Ingredients:

• 16 oz. Whole Wheat Pasta
• 2 Vegan Veggie Burgers
• 1 Zucchini (shredded)

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 Red Pepper (deseeded & rough chopped)
• Juice from half a Lemon
• 1 15 oz. can Tomato Sauce
• 12 oz. Silken Tofu
• 1/2 cup plain Almond Milk
• 3/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 2 tbsp. Cashews
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Paprika

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta according to directions
2. Meanwhile blend Sauce ingredients in a Vitamix until smooth & well combined
3. Nuke Veggie Burgers for 1-2 minutes, finely chop to resemble ground beef
4. Drain Pasta, return to pot, mix in "Cheese Sauce," Veggie Burger & Zucchini, heat through
5. Enjoy!

Soul :) Smile

Charming Charlie A Vegan's Paradise?

I define a Vegan's Paradise as any place I can be and not have to worry about whether or not anything is made using any part of an animal - be it for food or goods.  Typically, my Vegan Paradises have been restaurants.

But that all changed one random, ordinary day...

As I walked through those enormous double doors with a singular vision - "Get earrings, look at nothing else"- my perception of Charming Charlie began to shift.  What I once considered just a store for cheap, trendy jewelry, I suddenly realized could be my vegan fashion salvation.

The whole premise of the store is to provide "cost effective" wears and that includes their extensive line of handbags.  Translation, no leather or suede - no animals harmed!  Woo hoo - purse heaven!!!

What was a mind blowing epiphany to me probably wouldn't impress the average consumer.  Even the clerk wasn't sure how to take my excitement.  But for someone who doesn't want to bear the burden of killing an animal in the name of fashion, Charming Charlie instantly became my candy store!

While I had spent about three months searching for a suitable vegan purse online, I snatched up two that I adored within five minutes!

I had been so busy hunting down vegan companies, that I overlooked the fact that cheap, typically means fake - fake suede and leather that is.  The trick is to look for "man made" materials.  This is an industry term for synthetic materials.  And just as I suspected, every purse I picked up had the "man made" label!

Now don't think that cheap and/or fake has to look cheap and/or fake.  We've come a long way and just like faux fur, it's nearly impossible to spot faux leather or suede when done right.  So you can be fashionable and compassionate at the same time, so why not be?

I used to love leather - used to view it as a status symbol.  But yet thought wearing fur was unacceptable.  Then I watched the trailer for Earthlings.  Those 2.5 minutes have been burned into my soul and have changed my life forever. 

But, back to Charming Charlie, if you're looking for vegan handbags or shoes, check this place out.  Just like everything in life, don't make assumptions.  Always check your labels and when in doubt ask.

Check it out!

Momentary Musing

Keep Your Avocados Fresh

Check out this video snack!

Hoff's Asian Broccoli

Hoff's Asian Broccoli
Serves: 2
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch Broccoli (chopped)
• 1 shot glass of Water
  

 Sauce:

• 1/4 cup Braggs
• 1 tbsp. Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1 tbsp. Sambal Chili Paste
• 1 tbsp. Maple Syrup
• 1 tsp. frozen Garlic
• 1 tsp. frozen Ginger
• 1 tsp. Arrowroot

Directions:

1. Whisk together Sauce ingredients in a measuring cup, set aside
2. In a non-stick frying pan or medium wok, sautee Broccoli & Water for about 2 minutes or until Water cooks away
3. Add Sauce & stir to coat
4. Cook for about 3 minutes until Sauce thickens & desired texture is reached

Corn & Baked Beans

It's finally "summerish" and that means boat loads of farm fresh corn on the cob!!!  I seriously could make an entire meal of just ears of corn. But for this meal, I restrained myself to a mere three ears & paired those with Bush's Vegetarian Baked Beans (which are really vegan) and began the meal with a romaine/chickpea side salad.

Super quick, minimal preparation, minimal clean-up & oh so good!

Keep in mind that nearly all conventionally grown corn in the U.S. is now GMO, to avoid this only buy organic corn or ask if the corn is non-GMO, small farmers tend not to be able to afford the organic certification.

Help Wildlife by Sharing the Beach

Check out this video snack!

Hoff's Mexican Tomato Basil Sippin Soup

Hoff's Mexican Tomato Basil Sippin Soup 
Yields: 6 cups
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free


Ingredients:

• 3 cups Veggie Broth
• 1 15 oz. can Diced Tomatoes
• 1 15 oz. can Diced Potatoes (rinsed & drained)
• Juice from 1 small Lime
• 4-6 Basil Leaves
• 2 tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
• 2 tsp. Taco Seasoning

Directions:

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

Hoff Thoughts: I know it sounds odd that I would recommend Taco Seasoning with chicken in the title, but it's the only Penzey taco seasoning that does not contain dairy.  Don't worry the Penzeys Chicken Taco Seasoning is vegan: kosher salt, garlic, Ancho chili pepper, onion, Spanish-style paprika, cumin, cilantro, Tellicherry black pepper, Mexican oregano and jalapeo powder.

Soul :) Smile June 2015 Desktop Calandar

(To set as Desktop,  right click on image and select "Set as Desktop Background...")

Get the full-color, print version of this heart warming, 
customizable calendar (choose start month & year) now!