california air-wedges

Overview

Time: 45 minutes
Dishes: skillet with lid, air-fryer, measuring cup, strainer, large bowl

Hello, hello Dear Readers!

I was going to call these meatless, vegetarian, and vegan fries, but I decided "fries" take too long to cut, so wedges they became.  I would have added the vegetables to the air-fryer, too, if the fryer would have had enough room, but as it was, three pounds of potatoes was pushing it. 

I have an extra large air-fryer so if you don't, use 2 pounds of potatoes instead of 3. This was a suprisingly filling meal and was quite delicious, even tough it has brussels sprouts in it! If you don't have them or don't want them, cook chopped zucchini, chopped green beans, even Gardein or seitan would be great. 

I wanted to make the lentils "fried" also, so I added them to the air-fryer. Vegan Richa has a technique to make crispy lentils, and that includes draining them well and pan-cooking them, but I wanted to get this done faster.

You can also use whatever ranch dressing you have on hand, even if it isn't too tasty, because the whole dish together masks any one thing that is a bit off. This is one of those dishes that proves that the sum is even better than the parts.

Enjoy!

Speedy Cooking Tips:

• Add the potatoes to a bowl of water as you cut them. This will allow them to soak for as long as possible to remove the starch.
• Drain the lentils next; they need to drain well. Place the strainer on a towel to absorb more water.
• Heat the water for soaking the tomatoes in the microwave. Don't try to chop sun-dried tomatoes without soaking them well. Save some of the soaking water to thin the sauce, if needed.
• Use a knife to cut the sprouts; the mandoline was a pain!
• The vegetables only take 10 minutes to cook; use a lid.
• Use a spatula to remove the potatoes; the melted cheese will spread over the potatoes as you do so.

 

California Air-Wedges

Makes 4 servings 

moderate

Preheat air-fryer to 400-F 

1. Potatoes: Chop the potatoes into 1/2-inch thick wedges. Soak them in water while the air-fryer preheats, 3–4 minutes. Drain well and season with chili, garlic and salt. Air-fry for 30 minutes total.

3 pounds red potatoes

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2. Lentils: Rinse and drain the lentils very well using a strainer. Drain while the potatoes are cooking. Add the lentils to the Potatoes in the air-fryer when the potatoes are half way through cooking (at 15 minutes) 

1 (15-ounce) can green or brown lentils

3. Sauce: Heat 1/2 cup water in the microwave for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes to soak for 5-15 minutes. Mince the tomatoes well and mix with the Ranch. Thin the sauce with 1/4-teaspoon soaking water if too thick.

3 sun-dried tomato halves

1/4 cup vegan ranch dressing

4. Vegetables: Finely shred the sprouts using a knife. Add the oil and vegetables to a large skillet, heated over medium-high heat. Cook, using a lid, stirring often, until tender. Season with salt.

1 teaspoon olive oil

12-16 ounces brussels sprouts, shredded

1 medium carrot, sliced

1 medium bell pepper, sliced

1 small onion, thinly sliced

5. When the Potatoes are crisp, add and cook for 1 minute to melt:

5 vegan cheese slices or 1/2 cup shreds

6. Serve: Layer the Potato mixture on a plate, add the Vegetables, top with the Sauce and garnish with any or all of the following:

1 jalapeno, thinly sliced

2 green onions, thinly sliced

1/2 avocado, chopped

© 2020 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.

dan dan noodles

Overview

Time: 30 minutes
Dishes: medium pot with lid, large skillet, measuring cup

Hello, hello Dear Readers!

Full disclosure: bump this meatless, vegetarian, and vegan recipe to a "moderate" if you add the stir-fry vegetables (from frozen is perfectly fine). I made this as a copy-cat recipe from PF Chang's, who make this without the vegetables, but I find adding them makes this dish even better; besides - vegetables are always great by me.

The sauce is sweet and just a bit spicy (unless you cannot have spice - as always, make the dish to suite your taste). This is best with tofu, but use seitan or Gardein with equal success. Mince the protein pretty well (check out the picture) because texture influences flavor.

Use a lid to heat the water for the pasta to get this meal on the table quickly - even with the added work of the vegetables, 30 minutes is all the time you'll be spending in the kitchen - unless you eat there, as well. 

Enjoy!

Speedy Cooking Tips:

• Put the water on for the pasta before grabbing the ingredients.
• Use a lid while heating the water.
• Grab the vegetables and thaw in water (unless already thawed). 
• Squeeze the excess water from the vegetables before cooking.
• Chop the green onions while the protein cooks and the water heats.
• Prepare the sauce while the pasta cooks (unless you had time already).
• Chop the protein while the green onions cook.

 

Dan Dan Noodles

Makes 4 servings 

easy

1. Pasta: Cook the pasta in a medium pot of salted boiling water, until   al dente. Drain and use the pot for the Sauce:

12 ounces thin spaghetti

2. Protein: Cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat, with a lid:

1 teaspoon olive oil

16 ounces tofu, sliced or 4 Gardein scallopini

3. Remove from the skillet and set aside to cool. Once cool, mince.

4. Cooking Sauce: mix all the ingredients in a large measuring cup until sugar dissolves. Set aside. 

1 1/3 cups vegetable broth

1/3 cup tamari

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons garlic-chili sauce

2 tablespoons cornstarch

5. Dan Dan Sauce: using the medium pot from the pasta, heat over medium-heat and add: 

1 teaspoon olive oil

2 tablespoons minced garlic

5 green onions, minced

6. When golden (do not burn), add the Cooking Sauce (stir the sauce first) and the minced Protein. Cook until thickened, about 3 minutes.

7. Stir Fry Vegetables (optional): Heat the large skillet from the Protein step over medium-high heat and cook until tender:

1 teaspoon olive oil

3 cups stir-fry vegetables (if frozen, thaw first)

8. Serve: Add cooked Pasta to a bowl, top with Stir Fry Vegetables (if using) and Dan Dan Sauce. 

© 2020 Copyright Zsu Dever. All rights reserved.