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Cocoa fudge cookies

1 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
5 tbsp butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
2/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup plain yogurt, low-fat
1 tsp vanilla extract

  1. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Put aside.
  2. In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in cocoa powder, sugar, and brown sugar. Stir in yogurt and vanilla.
  3. Pour cocoa mixture into bowl, stirring until moist. Place tablespoons of mixture onto baking sheet.
  4. Bake at 350 F for 8 minutes. Cool on pan 2 minutes, then on wire rack.

Dal nirvana

1 cup dry lentils
15 oz can of crushed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 inch fresh ginger, minced
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp butter
1/3 cup cream
1/4 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

  1. Place lentils in a pot with a couple inches of water. Bring to a boil over high heat and boil until tender, about ten minutes. Drain.
  2. Return the lentils to the pot. Add butter, ginger, garlic, cayenne, and salt. Add the tomatoes and one cup of water. Stir well.
  3. Bring to a simmer then reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for half an hour, until soft and thick.
  4. Stir in cream and cilantro. Serve over rice or with naan.

Caramel pudding

4 cups milk
6 tbsp cornstarch
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup sugar

  1. In a small bowl, whisk 1/2 cup milk with the cornstarch, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
  2. In a large saucepan, combine sugar with 6 tbsp of water and bring to a boil. Cook undisturbed over moderately high heat until caramel color forms, about 6 minutes. Immediately remove from heat.
  3. Stir in the remaining milk, and place back on moderate heat, stirring, until the caramel dissolves. Simmer about 10 minutes.
  4. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the caramel. Cook about 1 minute, until pudding thickens.
  5. Pour into bowls and refrigerate about 2 hours.

Strawberry oat bars

INGREDIENTS COST
1 cup all-purpose flour $0.06
1 cup quick oats $0.20
1/2 cup brown sugar $0.24
1/4 tsp baking soda $0.02
1/8 tsp salt $0.02
1/2 cup butter (room temp) $0.40
1 cup aspberry jam $1.06
TOTAL $2.00

1 cup white flour
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup strawberry jam

  1. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Add softened butter, and combine with hands until texture is uniform and crumbly.
  2. Grease an 8 x 8 glass baking dish, and put in half the crumb mixture. Pack down uniformly on the bottom.
  3. Place down jam in a layer, avoiding the edges by a half inch. (Vigorous jam spreading will pull up the crumb mixture, so spread gently.)
  4. Sprinkle the remainder of the crumb mixture on top. Pat down gently.
  5. Bake at 350 F for 35 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes, then cut into squares.

Garlic sauce

2 1/2 tbsp rice vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp chili paste
1/4 tsp sesame oil
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
1 tbsp water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
3 medium garlic cloves, chopped

  1. Combine the rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, chili paste, and sesame oil in a small bowl, stirring to combine. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in the water.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add the garlic and cook, stirring until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
  3. Add sauce mixture to the saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring, about one minute.
  4. Add cornstarch mixture to the sauce, stirring to thicken.

Salmon burgers

15 oz can of salmon
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg

  1. Drain canned salmon well. Combine in a medium bowl with onion, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add bread crumbs and mix well. Combine with egg and mix until uniformly wet.
  3. Grill in a skillet on medium-high heat in vegetable oil. Serve tastily.

Hot cocoa

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup water
4 cups milk
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract

  1. Mix sugar, cocoa, and a dash of salt in sufficiently large saucepan. Stir in water.
  2. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until boiling. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring.
  3. Add milk and heat. Do not boil. Remove from heat, and add vanilla. Serve.

Oniony, buttery tomato sauce

28 oz can, whole peeled tomatoes
1/2 stick unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and halved

  1. Put the tomatoes, onion, and butter in a 3-quart heavy saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Bring the sauce to a simmer then lower the heat to keep the sauce at a slow, steady simmer for about 45 minutes, or until droplets of fat float free of the tomatoes. Stir occasionally, crushing the tomatoes against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon.
  3. Remove from heat, discard the onion, add salt to taste (if tomatoes not already salted). Serve with pasta.

Mushroom veggie burger

24 oz mushrooms, sliced
1/2 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup Parmesan, shredded
3/4 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

  1. Sauté mushrooms, onions, and garlic in olive oil. Let cool slightly.
  2. In a large bowl, combine mushroom mixture with all other ingredients. Mix until combined well.
  3. Form into patties (about 6), and fry in olive oil until browned. Serve like a burger.

Moroccan spaghetti squash

1 (3 1/2- to 4-pound) spaghetti squash
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
3/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

  1. Pierce squash all over with a small sharp knife. Cook in microwave for 6 minutes. Turn squash over and microwave until squash feels slightly soft when pressed, 8 minutes more. Cool squash for 5 minutes.
  2. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until it is barely golden. Stir in spices and salt and remove from heat.
  3. Carefully halve the squash it lengthwise, and remove the seeds. Scrape squash flesh with a fork into a medium bowl, separating strands. Toss with the spiced butter and cilantro.