Using my Tuesday Tips this week to bring you My Favorite Kitchen Hacks. Even during a pandemic, My Vegetarian Family is still here π helping my friends and followers survive this crazy time.Β We are all still cooking and eating! Still managing grocery deliveries, and the never-ending infection control process.Β We are all doing our part to find ways to be healthy + safe while staying active, connected, and above all staying grateful.
As we survive this great big pandemic, we also need to survive on a smaller scale.Β In our own minds, hearts, families, and in our own kitchens! The buzz I keep hearing is that all you guys want to do is bake. Food is food right now! Bake + eat what you love!
I donβt know about you, but finding the foods I rely on has been a real struggle.Β We have had to adjust some of our favorite meals and recipes.Β I have had to get creative with kitchen swaps + hacks.Β Some foods we have too much of, some not enough of.Β Not sure there is an end to this in the near future. SO β¦. I have compiled a list of some of my favorite kitchen hacks that are helping MVF survive life in the kitchen during the Coronavirus pandemic. I hope they help you too!
Tara’s Favorite Kitchen Hacks (Pandemic Edition):
DIY:
Almond or Peanut Butter: This is a fun activity AND a way to use up the giant bag of nuts you bought. Roast 3 cups of raw almonds or peanuts in a 250 degree oven for 20 minutes.Β After cooling, place the nuts in a food processor and have a little patience β¦ after about 15 minutes, guess what? Youβve got yourself some nut butter! For my almond butter, I add 1 tbsp cinnamon and Β½ tsp coarse sea salt.Β Optional but awesome.
Taco Seasoning: I call this my βone of everything seasoningβ: 1 tsp of each one of these: red chili pepper powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika (optional/can also use smoked paprika if you like), oregano, onion powder, black pepper, salt. If you know us, we like things spicy SO β¦ I increase the chili powder.Β If you donβt have red chili pepper powder, any spicy pepper powder will do such as red pepper flakes or chipotle pepper powder. Place all spices in a glass jar and shake them up. Sprinkle over some veggie crumbles or tofu and serve with Guacamole + Corn Salsa + Vegan Queso!
Garam Masala: 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1 tsp cardamom. Place all spices in a glass jar and shake them up. Easy! Use your garam masala in this Easy Instant Pot Chick Pea Curry (Chana Masala).
My Favorite Hacks If You Stocked Up Too Much On Something:
Bananas
If you see your bananas turning brown, slice them first then put them in individual containers in the freezer for smoothies, or βniceβ cream. Alternatively, you can bake them into something awesome.Β Browning bananas are absolutely perfect for baking! Try them in these Pumpkin Banana Muffins, Banana Zucchini Bread, 3-Ingredient Cookies.
Garbanzo BeansΒ
Cook them in your instant pot (1 cup garbanzo beans + 3 cups water + cook for 35 minutes + let the pressure release naturally). 1 Β½ cup cooked garbanzo beans = 1 can.Β air fry them, Turn them into edible cookie dough π, whirl them into fabulous hummus, add some tomatoes + onions to turn the into Chana Masala. OR simply divide them out into 1 Β½ cup servings and freeze them in a jar for when you are ready to use them.
Jalapenos or Garlic or Onions or Tomatoes
Donβt throw them away! If they are on the brink of spoiling, you can toss any one of these (separately but not all together!) in your food processor and process them until chopped super fine.Β What I then do is spoon them into ice cube trays, cover the tray, pop them in the freezer and defrost them when I need them in a recipe later.
Lemons or Limes
You are going to love this one. First, thoroughly wash the entire outside. After they are super clean, place them in a large glass jar or container.Β Fill the jar with enough water to cover the lemons or limes and tightly seal the top.Β Place your jar in the refrigerator and your lemons or limes will stay fresh for weeks!
My Favorite Kitchen Hacks if You Run Out Of Something:
Milk
Turn oats into milk! Full how-to here. Easy + quick.Β Great substitute in a recipe or over cereal, oats, or muesli. Check out my guide to milk alternatives here for other options.
Flour
Add rolled oats to a food processor.Β Process until they are a coarse powder.Β Pause your food processor and scrape down the sides.Β Process again until your oats are a fine flour.
Cheese
Use Nutritional Yeast! Yummy + Easy + Extremely Versatile. New to Nutritional Yeast? Start here for LOTS of tips + recipes.
Eggs
I have a lot to say about egg replacements π because we do not eat eggs.Β I am an egg-replacement expert π₯. Here are my tips:
- Flax: 1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg
- Chia Seeds: 1 tbsp chia seeds + 1/3 cup water = 1 egg (good for density + nutty flavor)
- Bananas: Β½ mashed banana = 1 egg (adds sweetness and texture). Try it out in this Easy Blender Waffles Recipe.
- Applesauce: ΒΌ cup unsweetened applesauce = 1 egg (adds thick moisture but does not make your recipe fluffy)
- Commercial egg substitutes: Follow Your Heart Vegan Egg, Ener-G Egg Substitute, Bobβs Red Mill Egg Replacer Gluten- Free.Β Try it out in this Peanut Butter Banana Bread Recipe.
- Craving scrambled eggs but donβt have eggs? Use Tofu: Try it out in this Easy Tofu Scramble Recipe.
- Vinegar & Baking Soda: 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tbsp vinegar = 1 egg
- Yogurt: ΒΌ cup plain yogurt = 1 egg
- Arrowroot Powder: 1 tbsp arrowroot + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg
- Aquafaba: 3tbsp aquafaba + 1 egg. Liquid from canned chickpeas, replaces egg whites.Β Adds a light fluffy texture to your baked goods.Β Best recipe here for Aqua Faba Vegan Meringue.
All the best,
Taraπ
βοΈDo You Have A Favorite Kitchen Hack? Leave your ideas in the comments below!
πΈI love to see your creations! Tag @myvegetarianfamily on Instagram and hashtag it #myvegetarianfamily
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