Recipes For Writing and Life

What do recipes have to do with writing? Sense memories; Nostalgia, Connection with others, Retreat plans, Gratitudes; body pleasures, all nourishing gifts for writers’ and readers' minds!

Some of the best things about Winter begin with warm and nostalgic aromas wafting from the kitchen. February and March are still very much Winter in many places on the planet and, Winter is a time for:

going within,

nurturing yourself,

resting,

dreaming,

clearing stuff and emotions away (Spring prep!),

sorting photos, filling albums,

doodling, napping,

and enjoying good food!

SO, my gift to you today is some Yummy-Yet-Health-Conscious Food, and I’ll finish off with a simple process to clear away the emotional glue which may be hampering your wellbeing.

Gift #1. Pappa al Pomodoro (Tuscan bread soup)- First is Pappa al Pomodoro (Tuscan bread soup). I sometimes put cabbage and kale in mine, but you can add any veg you love. It’s a creamy, tomatoey veg soup with the toasted bread added at the end, the hunks of bread make little dumplings.” —

You can find the recipe here- https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/pappa-al-pomodoro/

Gift #2. Avocado Pesto Pasta- “Avocado pesto pasta! It’s creamy and healthy with spinach mixed into the sauce. Tastes great with some vegan Parmesan sprinkled on top!” — https://www.blissfulbasil.com/lean-green-avocado-spinach-pesto-pasta-with-sauteed-mushrooms-vegan-gf/

Gift #3. Burgers- “At first, I felt excited by two words: Beyond Burgers. I discovered these burger patties at the Sprouts right in my neighborhood, so I tried them. Not a fan, BUT I did discover that my favorite thing to do with homemade veggie burgers is to make Copycat FastFood. I top a patty with vegan cheese, caramelized onions, and thousand island sauce made with vegan mayo. So good!”

If you don’t care for BB’s (like I don’t!), make these yummy Vegan Burgers. Seriously good- https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/best-beefy-vegan-burgers

Gift #4. Ben and Jerry’s — Coconut Seven Layer Bar Ice Cream!  Ben and Jerry’s 7-layer coconut bar ice cream is creamy, delicious, and full of yummy ingredients. Truly delicious vegan ice cream, but I also like So Delicious Dairy Free Coconutmilk Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert. It comes in many flavors, too.

Ah! The recipe part- Ben and Jerry’s has published their take on vegan cupcakes using their delicious ice cream! Get the recipe here- https://www.benjerry.com/flavors/recipes/coconut-seven-layer-bar-cupcakes

Gift #5. Vegan Grilled Cheese! What? “Vegan grilled cheese! Can I get an amen?!” Three deliciously cheesy recipes here- https://peasandcrayons.com/2016/11/vegan-grilled-cheese-recipes.html

6. Coconut Corn Chowder- Replace milk with coconut milk or any other milk alternative you prefer to this recipe. OMG!!!!!! https://ohmyveggies.com/vegan-sweet-corn-chowder-with-coconut-milk/

Gift #7. Cinnamon Rolls- Yep, you heard correctly! You can enjoy warm-spice goodness at any time of the year. I use a mix of cinnamon, and cardamom and I like to add a gentle grating of fresh orange or Clementine zest! Ding! https://tasty.co/recipe/the-best-ever-vegan-cinnamon-rolls

Gift #8. Vegan “Buffalo Wing” Sauce for Cauliflower- “Cauliflower with vegan buffalo sauce is a Party Pleaser!” Make it gluten-free: substitute almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour. http://www.noracooks.com/vegan-cauliflower-buffalo-wings/

Gift #9. SUPER BOWL! Pumpkin Chili- “Pumpkin chili recipe has been shared by the masterminds at Thug Kitchen. It’s so amazing; A great serve for “whatever holiday” involving food!

You can find the recipe here- https://www.popsugar.com/food/Pumpkin-Chili-Recipe-35890481

Gift #10. Vegan Zucchini Gratin (wh/yellow squash and asparagus!)- “I LOVE this vegan zucchini gratin made with vegan parmesan (cashews and nutritional yeast). Very YUM!” —

Find the recipe here- https://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-zucchini-gratin/

Gift #11. Lentil and Chickpea Soup- “A beautiful warm bowl of lentil and chickpea soup. Easy to make and delicious. I recommend adding a splash of lemon or lime across the top after serving. PS: It is SO WORTH IT to use “small brown lentils” you can order them online of your market doesn’t carry them. https://www.soupchick.com/2011/08/recipe-for-slow-cooker-vegan-lentil-and-chickpea-soup.html

Gift #12. Pumpkin Mac and Cheese- “I love making this vegan pumpkin mac and cheese, it’s SO cozy and perfect for fall and winter!”

Many variations and tweaks are possible! Start here- https://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-pumpkin-mac-n-cheese/

Gift #13. Gnocchi with Thyme Vinaigrette- The great thing about this recipe is that you can pretty much use the gnocchi as a base and serve it with just about anything! If you don’t want to make gnocchi, buy it!  https://www.edamam.com/recipe/gnocchi-with-thyme-vinaigrette-and-lemon-cashew-cream-1661413107b17cf828837047d9a1d9f2/gnocchi/vegan

Gift #14. McVitie’s Gingernuts Biscuits (Cookies!)- “Not a recipe, but Ginger Nuts biscuits from the UK are vegan and sooooo good!” You can order online or make similar ones. Try this recipe- https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/vegan-ginger-cookies-227114

I used almond milk in place of soy milk because I make fresh almond milk nearly every day AND I freeze some in ice cube trays, too, so I always have it on hand.

Gift #15. Emotional-Clearing is also nurturing -

Take a nap!

Then, during “downtimes” while you are cooking (or “just because”) grab some paper from the recycle bin (what? You have one, right?) and write down a “feel bad” memory.

Pour out ALL your thoughts and feelings. Crumple the paper into a ball and safely burn it, or throw it in the trash while saying, “Flash burned and returned to Source Energy.”

You’ve just dissipated a good deal of, if not all, of the emotions stuck like glue to that memory!

Ahhhhhh!

Whatever you do to nourish your body, mind, and soul, NOW IS THE TIME FOR GRATITUDES TO WORK THEIR MAGIC. Please don’t run yourself ragged and then try to “fix it.”

Nourish your Inner Writer, Come write with us!

Judy McNutt- The Writers Gift Mentor