Blissful Learning ~ Apple Cider Vinegar, Potato Flakes, Rice Crumbs

 If you have visited my site before you probably have already noticed I use a LOT of Apple Cider Vinegar.  YES...I used it in many recipes and foods and dressings, etc...but I also use it as a cleaner for many different issues - among other things.  More recently - I have been using it in my kitchen to get 'rid of' gnats and fruit flies.  I really haven't had a problem with this until this year.  And it's NOT because of the produce in my house!  I think it's because of  the moisture near my kitchen sink!  Between the Apple Cider Vinegar AND boiling hot water 'treatments' I think it's really helping.  I've been talking to family, friends, and co-workers and they are having problems with them this year, too!  I use Bragg's Brand for Apple Cider Vinegar.

Another 'problem solver' I have been fond of lately is using Potato Flakes and/or Rice Crumbs as a thickener for soups, sauces, and dips.  Sometimes they might be a bit too thin for my liking and these two items seem to really help thicken it up without changing the flavor of the food I am making (too much if at all).  For Potato Flakes I have been using Bob's Red Mills in most cases.  For Rice Crumbs I really like the Orgran Brand and have blogged about them before.  I have also been known to use Edward & Sons Vegan Organic Bread Crumbs for Casseroles and such.  BUT...I have to admit...I'm currently out of my Rice Crumbs almost thru my stash of Potato Flakes!  I must really get to some shopping VERY soon!  But...I did want to blog a bit about these items today as they are VERY handy and with all of the at-home food prep I have been doing it's been fresh in my mind and I thought I would share my tips with you.

Orgran Rice Crumbs

I've had these in my cupboard for a while now and find myself using them more and more!  I figured it was about time I gave them some notice and blog time with a little review!

Why Rice Crumbs?

Well, because I was looking for a "crumb" a while back that was dairy-free.  Prior to this I used Edward & Sons Organic Bread Crumbs but ran out of them and couldn't find them locally/regionally.  What I did find were these babies!

 

THESE are free of MANY allergens - which is always nice - even if you don't have allergies yourself, ya know!?

 

They're made with one ingredient and one ingredient ONLY...100% Natural Baked Brown Rice! 

For all of the specifics check THIS out!

But in short...they are low in calories, have no saturated fat, cholesterol, feature good fat, carbs, protein, fiber, have 'next to NO' sodium, and even have a little bit of Vitamin C and Iron.

The Product Description on their website says...

Orgran All Purpose Rice Crumbs is a quality product ideal for use in all crumbing applications of meats, fish or vegetables. It is also versitile in sausages, added to sausage meats, or as a stuffing base to which you may add your own herbs. Also ideal as a thickener in soups and casseroles.

 

And I have already used it for a thickener in sauces, vegan-cheeses, soups, casseroles, bakes, stove-top meals, stir-fry dishes, and more!  These are so handy and I do like the flavor, too!

Spicy Cheese-E Quinoa Pasta Bake

Originally inspired by this blog post

 This is one of these dishes that one thing turned into another that turned into another!  This first picture is the Cheese-E Sauce in the above link but tweaked a bit based on what I had on hand!  Here's what I used:

• ½ cup + raw cashews
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• pinch of Garlic Sea Salt
• 2 cups Almond Milk
• 1.5 tbsp cornstarch
• ¼ cup Grapeseed oil
• 2 tbsp light miso paste
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

 I added to Quinoa Pasta and topped with Rice Crumbs!  I figured here is one dish!  Mac & Cheese - Vegan Style!

 And for left-overs...I added a bit of medium-spicy salsa!  I sampled a bit of each and I'm totally proud of both!

I also used my Magic Bullet for this PREP!

Orgran Rice Crumbs & Quinoa Pasta

 I was going to blog about the Spicy Cheese-E Quinoa Pasta Bake I did tonight but I thought it made more sense to tell you about two products I have been tinkering with, first!  Last week you may have remembered me mentioning Rice Crumbs...well, in this post I feature them - along with Quinoa Pasta!  Above you can see the Pasta I have been using!  For tomorrow's dish I specifically used the Shells!  This Pasta is Gluten-Free and the closest to 'real pasta' texture I have come across so far!

 

And here we have the Rice Crumbs I was telling you about!!!  Another Gluten Free AND Vegan Product!  I have to give a great big THANK YOU to my mother for finding them at Wegman's!  THANKS MOM!

These are pretty awesome!  The texture is right-on and they are SO convenient!  LOVE THESE!

So here are two more Vegan Products I wanted to feature today before posting my new creation for tomorrow!