Tempeh Lettuce Wraps

Recipe adapted from: http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/thai-lettuce-wraps/

Ingredients for Filling:

2 8-oz. pkg. plain tempeh, broken into chunks

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

1 Tbs. minced ginger

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth

¼ cup chopped fresh basil

¼ cup lime juice

2 shallots, chopped

1 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce

1 Tbs. rice vinegar

1 tsp. sriracha

1 tsp. light brown sugar

Toppings:

Peanuts (ground into small pieces is best)

Raw green beans (chopped)

Carrot (shredded)

Cucumber (shredded)

Plus:

1 bunch of romaine lettuce

Sriracha, for serving,

Peanut sauce, for serving

Directions:

To make Filling: Pulse tempeh in food processor until coarsely crumbled. Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic, and sauté 1 minute. Add tempeh and broth, cover, and cook 
5 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to medium-high, and cook until liquid has evaporated. Stir in remaining filling ingredients.

Wash and dry the individual lettuce leaves. Fill the lettuce with filling, then top with toppings and serve dipping sauces on the side.

Peanut Stew

adapted from : http://theveganstoner.blogspot.com/2011/07/peanut-stew.html#comment-form

1 small onion or 1/2 large onion
1 can crushed or stewed tomatoes
1/2 can garbanzo beans
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 potato
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp minced/crushed garlic

Peel and chop the potato and microwave for at least 3 minutes (4-5 probably better). Chop onion and cook in a medium sauce pan for a few minutes. Add crushed garlic and sautee for a minute or two longer. Add the tomatoes, peanut butter, and half can of garbanzo beans. Add potato and thyme. Bring to a boil then turn heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

verdict: pretty good. I only microwaved the potato for 3 minutes and ended up having to simmer for at least 25 minutes because it wasn't cooked. So I would microwave the potato longer next time.

note: I ended up buying stewed tomatoes, and had to add it after the onion but before everything else and mashed it since it had whole tomatoes. I would recommend getting crushed tomatoes.