Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Power Potatoes, Avocado "Egg" Salad, A Word About Kala Namak, and Arugula Sprouting Update

I shall call them "Power Potatoes"...it all started with my craving for Mashed Potatoes.  I'm semi-embarrassed to say that back in the day I would have TONS of 'regular' mashed potatoes.  Ever since going dairy-free I haven't had many at all.  Last night...that finally changed!  But these aren't just 'any' mashed potatoes...these are POWER POTATOES...I swear they even have special powers!  Okay...that's a little inflated but the are jam-packed with protein, potassium, calcium, B Vitamins, Fiber, and more!  
Here's what's in it:

1 Pound Yellow Potatoes (mostly peeled)
2 Cloves Garlic
1/4 C Tahini
1/2 C Almond Milk
Splash of Lemon Juice
2 tea Hemp Hearts/Seeds
Small handful dried Parsley
Small handful of Nutritional Yeast

Then...what do we have here?  It's Vegan Avocado "Egg" Salad!  I believe I was inspired by a recipe I originally saw on my Whole Foods Recipes App but you know me...I have a hard time following instructions.  I'm kind of rebellious that way, I guess!  So here's what I did for this:

2 Avocados
1/4 C Almond Milk
2 Pickle Spears
3 Stalks Celery
1/4 of a Red Onion
4 teaspoons of dried Parsley
2 teaspoons of Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Turmeric
1 T Agave Nectar
1 T Balsamic
My special ingredient?  Kala Namak...to taste!  I totally forgot I had this and came across an unopened container of it I bought at a spice store that was quite Veggie Friendly.  This Kala Namak - if you don't already know - is a Sea Salt.  It's Pinkish and Purplish in color.  I've read this is a 'Vegan's Best Friend' when it comes to replacing egg in flavor and aroma.  That's because of it's natural sulfur.  Some say it originates from near Volcanic Activity.  In the future I will be making a Tofu Scramble with this as well.  Other benefits of this 'salt' is that it's considered a 'cooling spice' in the natural medicine world and is also used as a laxative and digestive aid.  Some have also said it helps with Heart Burn and to help cure goiters.
In other news...I told you I would keep you posted on my progress with sprouting Arugula.  Yesterday was Day Three!  Here is a photo of that.  I'm pretty happy with the outcome so far.  I will continue to monitor the growth.  In addition to growing these Arugula Sprouts I still have a windowsill plant of Sweet Basil and a Crazy lil Chive Plant.  I was going to do a garden this year but decided against it because we have had SO MUCH rain - it's been NUTS!  Perhaps next year!  I'm not upset about it, really, because I am supporting our local Farmers Market Vendors in the meantime.

10 comments:

  1. I think I would love your POWER-ful potatoes. :) Avocado salad - yet to try. Usually I would just eat them like that with a sprinkling of sugar - if I can get hold of any, that is. Not easy to find here...and they're imported = VERY expensive.

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    1. About how much are they over there when you can get them. I know they are fairly expensive where I live and it's just across the country for the California Grown Avocados - some are from Mexico. But when they are at a good price I will certainly get a few :)

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  2. Ooh 2 great recipes! The first one sounds especially tasty. I've never thought of adding tahini to mashed potatoes - genius move!

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    1. Thanks :)
      I'm learning that Tahini is good in just about everything these days! teehee

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  3. * I was going to do a garden this year but decided against it because we have had SO MUCH rain*

    Well most vegetables will like all the rain. :) We've received a lot of rain too (here in Maryland) and we're definitely reaping the benefits with an overabundance of vegetables in our acre garden.

    There's plenty for ourselves and I've given away a lot to friends and I'll be donating more to our church's food closet.

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    1. After I posted that part I KNEW how silly it sounded because it would have been PERFECT for the growing - I just couldn't make it work for first time planting in my yard because it was so soupy and I still feel I need to educate myself more, too! 'maybe next year' - I know, I know...excuses, excuses! LOL

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    2. Speaking from someone that made excuses repeatedly (honeybees) you sometimes have to push yourself off that ledge. Afterwards, you realize it wasn't as hard as you built up in your own mind. ;)

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    3. Very true! I think this year I am going to try and stick with some Urban Gardening - like in-house and windowsill stuff - MAYBE - then I can transplant them into the ground at some point.

      Right now I have: Sweet Basil, Chives, Sprouting Arugula, Aloe...and I am going to do some more sprouting. I have Cherry Pits and Avocado Pits I saved and hope to experiment with :) I have seen a few people do them in their home believe it or not :)

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  4. The potatoes sound wonderful, adding nooch is perfect! Jealous of all your rain, we need more here this summer - crazy weather!

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    1. Funny! I'm jealous of your beautiful year-round weather!

      :P

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