Hoff's Mashed Potatoes II (IP)

Hoff's Mashed Potatoes II (IP)
Yields: 4-5 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 5-6 small/medium Yukon Potatoes
• 1 cup Water
• 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tbsp. Dried Onion
• 1-2 tsp. Sea Salt
• Plain unsweetened Almond Milk (as needed)

Directions:

1. Place Potatoes into the IP on the steamer rack
2. Add Water
3. Close the lid, set pressure valve to sealing
4. Select Steam setting on High Pressure for 20 minutes
5. Use Natural Steam Release
6. Using a Ricer, press each Potato
7. Add Nutritional Yeast, Dried Onion, Sea Salt & splash of Milk
8. Mix "shredded" Potatoes to achieve a mashed texture
9. Add additional "Milk" until desired consistency is reached

Hoff Thoughts: Unless you have "man hands" you'll need to cut larger Potatoes in half before pressing through the Ricer.  Place the cut side down inside the Ricer.  I love the Ricer, because you don't have to peel the Potatoes, the peels will come right off in the pressing process.  Ricing your Potatoes will help prevent the gummy "gluteny" mashed Potatoes that can result from overworking the Potatoes.  While I love Baby Yellow Potatoes because they naturally have a rich, buttery flavor that took forever to rice, I found this side dish comes together much quicker with larger Potatoes.

Mushroom Risotto (Instant Pot)

This recipe was adapted from Vegan Under Pressure: Perfect Vegan Meals Made Quick and Easy in Your Pressure Cooker


Mushroom Risotto (Instant Pot)
Serves: 6-8
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Veggie Broth
• 1 cup Water
• 3 cups Arborio Rice
• 1 cup frozen Edamame/Lima Beans (optional)
• 1 Sweet Onion (chopped)
• 1 carton sliced Mushrooms (chopped)
• 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 1/4 cup Coconut Aminos
• 2 tsp. minced Garlic
• Sea Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Stir all ingredients together in IP
2. Lock lid in place and make sure pressure release valve is closed
3. Press "Manual" button
4. Decrease cooking time to 5 minutes
5. When done, use quick release method, watch for liquid splatter
6. Fluff with a fork, season with Braggs or Sea Salt

Happy Earth Day!

Hoff's Basic Miso Broth

Hoff's Basic Miso Broth
Serves: 1
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Veggie Broth
• 1 tsp. Miso
• 1/2 tsp. Kelp Granules

Directions:

1. Heat Broth anyway you see fit, I opt for 2.5 minutes in the microwave
2. Dissolve the Miso in the heated Broth
3. Stir in the Kelp
4. Sip away

Hoff Thoughts: Some Miso is gluten-free, others are not.  Check your labels carefully if this is a concern.  I intended this recipe as a sipping broth, but it could be the base for a Miso Soup if you wanted to go all the way.

Doc: Statin Nation

This doc was ok - frankly I found it a little confusing.  I really tried to watch
with an open mind, but a lot of the info conflicted with McDougall, Esselstyn, Campbell, etc.  For the record, none of the plant-based heavy hitters make an appearance here.

What I really liked was how Statin Nation exposed the detrimentally effects of statins used to lower cholesterol, in particular Lipitor.  Not that I would ever consider taking a statin, but now I am thoroughly terrified of them.  So in that regard, this is a good doc to watch.

But, that's all I got out of this doc.  I found their diet recommendation of a low carb, high fat diet concerning and they failed to back it up with any hard facts.

Watch this doc with your nutrition filter on if you do find yourself being pressured to take a statin, otherwise, I'd give this one a pass.

Check out the trailer.

Check out the first 13 minutes...

Cleveland EarthFest 2016 - April 17

Join the Earth Day Coalition for EarthFest 2016 at Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds on Sunday, April 17 from 10-5. Celebrate the Year of Clean Transportation at Ohio's largest environmental education event and the longest running Earth Day celebration in the nation. EarthFest will feature over 270 exhibitors in 8 exhibit areas including Clean Transportation, Clean Water, Community Works, Environmental & Energy Science, Family Fun, Green Home & Garden, Health & Fitness and Local & Sustainable Food.

 

Move your way for a cleaner day with activities including:

• Pop-Up Streetscape
• Ride and drives
• Water and clean transportation workshops
• Chef demos
• Eco-activities
• Biodiesel-powered amusement park rides
• Music on four stages
• Urban farm animals
• Petting zoos
• Sheep dog herding demos
• Jungle Bob with his animal friends
• Pony rides
• Local food trucks
• Microbrews and vintners, & much more. 

Admission:
$8 Ages 12+
$4 Ages 2-11

FREE admission:
• Under age 2
• Ride & park your bicycle (at the designated bike valet parking area)
• Ride RTA's Redline (regular fare) to Brookpark rapid station & take the free shuttle to Fairgrounds
• Current Earth Day Coalition members ($35 individual level or $50 family level minimum)
• Teachers and their immediate family (must present current school ID)

EarthFest is generously supported by Cuyahoga Arts and Culture, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Greater Cleveland RTA, TV 19/43 and numerous community partners.  For additional information, visit earthdaycoalition.org or call (216) 281-6468.

Hoff's Quick Minestrone Soup (IP)

Hoff's Quick Minestrone Soup (IP)
Yields: 5-6 servings
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 4 cups Veggie Broth
• 1 jar Spaghetti Sauce
• 1 15 oz. can diced Potatoes (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15 oz.can Bean of choice (rinsed & drained)
• 1 cup Brown Rice
• 1 cup frozen Carrots
• 1 cup frozen Organic Corn
• 1 cup frozen Lima Beans
• 1 cup frozen Spinach/Kale
• 1 tbsp. Italian Seasoning
• 1 tsp. Cumin 
• 1 tsp. Paprika
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Baking Soda
• Season with Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Stir together all ingredients in the IP
2. Close & lock lid
3. Set Pressure Valve to Sealing
4. Select Steam setting on High Pressure & cook for 22 minutes
5. Quick release pressure

Hoff Thoughts: It's the Rice that dictates how long to cook this soup.  If you opt for Jasmine White Rice for example, just cook for 3 minutes.