Category Archives: Entrees & Side Dishes

Vegan Smoked Gouda Au Gratin Potatoes

Okay! It was a huge hit! Not a morsel was left and then Daddy actually said, “That was larapin Gail!”. His highest praise…I’ve learned to accept and keep the recipe to myself:) I’m not keeping it from you though – here you go!

Smoked Gouda Au Gratin Potatoes 
Gluten Free, Dairy Free & All Plants!

Serves 6 to 8

3 pounds of russet or Yukon gold potatoes, sliced ¼” thick
2 cups unsweetened So Delicious Coconut milk Beverage
⅓ cup nutritional yeast*
2 tablespoon tapioca flour (or corn starch)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon white pepper (or less – I like it a little spicy)
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika (divided)
6 tablespoon Earth Balance Butter Sticks (or butter for vegetarian version)

1. Spray 9 x 13 inch glass baking pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange sliced potatoes evenly in pan (its okay to overlap).

2. Whisk together nutritional yeast, flour, vinegar, mustard and seasonings. Pour mixture over potatoes.

3. Dot with butter about every 2 inches. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until potatoes are fork tender. Serve piping hot.

This is as cheesy as it gets. I swear, no one will ever know!

*2 tablespoons of Nutritional Yeast packs a whopping 8 grams of whole protein and is a good source of B-12 making it a vegan’s best friend. Be sure and buy this organic or it may be grown on sugar beet molasses (Simply Organic is one GMO free brand). Sugar beets are one of the largest GMO crops along with corn, soy and canola.

Note:  If you want a traditional scalloped potato dish, just leave out the smoked paprika and mustard.

Other Ideas: Melt 3 tablespoon of butter in a large sauce pan and add sauce ingredients. Bring sauce to a simmer until JUST starting to thicken. Pour over prepared gluten- free macaroni (Ancient Grains Corn and Quinoa is my favorite) for an incredible mac & cheese without all the calories. If you really want to fool them, top with gluten-free seasoned bread crumbs and shredded vegan cheese (or sharp cheddar for vegetarian).

Can you say “Broccoli and Cheese” – A healthy way to get the kids to eat their veggies!

The Comfort of Fall

The Comfort of Fall

Fall has arrived!  I was going to say fall is my favorite time of year.  And, then a small voice said, “No it isn’t”.   I realize I’ve come to appreciate every season equally.

The wind feels different in the fall, don’t you think?  It has a heavier, soothing, caressing texture, like a favorite blanket.

The fall’s light falls on my body differently – not as intense.  I can easily and with comfort turn my face into it, soaking up the rays that nourish my body and spirit.

Autumn is comfortable.  The colors comfort.  The air is comfortable.  It invites a comfortable pace – a slowing down.   All of nature sighs….Ahhhhhh.

In these times of stress and chaos unfolding around us, fall reminds us to take a deep, luscious breath.  It reminds us to take time to get out of our mind and perceive with the senses all the beauty, abundance and peace surrounding us.  It reminds us to take time to soothe our wounds.

Bring into your being the peace this season is bringing. Take a breath with nature.  Soak it in.  Let it fortify and strengthen you.  Let it heal you.

Be good to yourself.  The best thing you can do for the world right now is take good care of yourself.  You cannot give away what you do not have; and what you have you are giving to the world either consciously or unconsiously.

Fall brings comfort in many ways.  Can you say “Comfort Food”?  I’m making one of my favorite fall recipes today and I thought of you.  I hope you enjoy this as much as I’m going to.

May you find comfort and peace in all seasons of life,

Chef Gail

Comfort Stew

2 tablespoon  Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon butter (or more olive oil for vegan version)
2 leeks, clean and chopped with a little of the green part
2 shallots, minced
1 cup button or baby bella mushrooms, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary (or ½ tsp dried)
1 teaspoon fresh chopped tarragon (or ½ tsp dried)
3 tablespoon oat or rice flour
¼ cup dry white wine, optional (chardonnay is good)
1 ½ cup vegetable stock, give or talk (I love organic Better Than Bouillon concentrate in a jar)
¾ cup organic milk (So Delicious coconut milk beverage, unsweetened for vegan version)
2 tablespoon of nutritional yeast (optional for a richer broth and adds more protein)
2 dashes fresh grated nutmeg (or ground)
1 teaspoon sea salt and cracked pepper or to taste
1 bunch collard greens, chopped (boil or sauté until just tender and still bright green)
1 can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
2 cups cubed butternut squash, prepared (sweet potatoes works well too)

Preheat large skillet over medium high (I love to use my huge iron skillet for this).  Add butter and oil and swirl to coat skillet.  Add mushrooms, shallots and leeks to hot skillet with a dash of sea salt.  Sauté for about 3 minutes then add herbs.  Stir frequently until leeks are translucent and mushrooms have released their moisture (5-7 minutes total).

Add flour to mixture stirring for a minute until well blended.  Deglaze pan with wine and simmer for a minute.  Add broth and bring to high simmer.  Gradually add milk stirring constantly until sauce is thickening.  Stir in nutritional yeast and nutmeg.  Add salt and pepper to taste.   Fold in collards. peas and sweet potatoes.

Serve with a rustic, crusty cornbread (recipe below), polenta or quinoa.

Classic Iron Skillet Cornbread
Gluten-free, Diabetic Friendly with Vegan Option

1 cup stoneground organic cornmeal
½ cup polenta (coarse ground grits)
½ cup oat flour (replace ¼ cup oat with ¼ cup tapioca flour for lighter texture)
¼ teaspoon xanthan gum, optional (Replaces gluten so the cornbread holds together better)
½ teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 tablespoon pure maple syrup (or powdered Stevia for non-sugar version)
1 egg gently beaten (or egg replacer for vegan version)*
½ cup organic applesauce (unsweetened)
1 ½ cups more or less of buttermilk (or unsweetened, plant-based milk for vegan version)
Note:  If using plain milk add 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar to milk
1 tablespoon grass-fed butter (Earth Balance for vegan version)

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.   Place iron skillet** in oven while preheating and mixing together ingredients.

In large bowl mix together dry ingredients.  In another bowl, whisk together all wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry, mixing until just blended.  Do not over mix or you will have flat bread.  Batter should be very thick but pourable.

Add butter to hot skillet and tilt to evenly coat the bottom and sides. Pour batter evenly into skillet.  Place skillet on center rack in oven and bake for about 35 minutes or until golden on top and a toothpick comes out clean.  Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before cutting.  (Remove bread from iron skillet before cutting!).

*Vegan Version Egg Replacer; 2 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 4 tablespoon water.  Let stand for a few minutes until thickened.

**Note:  You can use a muffin tin, glass or metal pan for this recipe.  However; a good iron skillet is an excellent source of iron for a plant-based diet.  When it is well seasoned it is virtually “non-stick” and a joy to cook with.


photo credit/Karen Guthrie

Curious if a Food IS Talking Intuitive Food Compatibility
Session with The Intuitive Chef can help you?  Schedule a “No Charge” 15 minute exploratory session here: https://www.foodrevelation.com/schedule/

Gail’s “Intuitive Chef” journey began unfolding in 2009 as a plant-based chef.  foodRevelation.com, birthed in 2011 was the natural result of following her creative passion – recipe creation and cooking.

Shortly thereafter, she experienced a “spiritual awakening” and discovered her intuitive and spiritual gifts.  As a food and medical intuitive, she has helped hundreds all over the U.S. and Canada remember their God-given health and in-born intuition through private sessions, private and public cooking classes and workshops.

Many revelations have been revealed along the way.  Her latest book, “Quinoa Cookbook Journey” (see link below) is the first book in a series entitled “Evolution of FREE Health”. It provides a gentle and tasty glimpse into these revelations and the resulting experiences.  Being revealed next in this series is, “The 7 Missing Links to Abundant Health”.

Gail currently lives in a small town in North Texas with her furry friends Molly and Mo.  In addition to the joy of cooking and recipe creation, she finds great pleasure in long leisurely meals with family and friends, reading, writing; quiet walks in nature and sleeping under the stars.

https://www.foodrevelation.com/the-quinoa-cookbook/

For more about Intuitive Chef Gail – https://www.foodrevelation.com/about/

 

Optimum Eating Style Honors Body & Lifestyle

It’s time to share more recipes in celebration of my 60th birthday month! 

But first, I wanted to share an “Aha” with you.  This came up in conversation recently.  That’s my sign it is time to share it publicly.

Over the years, the Food IS Talking Intuitive Food Compatibility process has evolved as new information has revealed itself through these individualized food charts.

One such reveal occurred a couple of years ago.   I realized that not only do we have a “base line” compatibility (foods that are compatible consistently); we also have an optimum eating style that stays fairly constant unless something drastic happens like –

  • Our sleeping cycle completely changes over a long period of time (for instance – working nights instead of days).
  • Our nutritional needs change drastically due to illness, surgery or long term stress.
  • We make a major shift in diet (like a decision to go from eating meat to veganism)

Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day? It’s been drilled into our heads all our life!  The first meal of the day may be labeled breakfast if you are an early riser.  It may be labeled lunch if you are like me – a night owl.  My first meal is hardly ever before noon.  Your optimum eating style best supports your lifestyle.

Most people fit into 1 of 4 eating styles:

1. 3 squares a day (breakfast, lunch & dinner). No snacks
2. Intermittent fasting (calorie rotation; low 1 day/high the next)
3. 16 hour daily fast (eat for 8 hours only/fast for 16 within a 24 hour period).
4. Grazing (eat 5 or 6 small meals a day)

I am a combination of 2 and 3. I noticed this has happened naturally. I’ve never been a breakfast person. Now I know why – I’m a night owl:)

Okay, onto the delicious part.  The following recipes have been the most popular with my cooking classes.  Super hearty and satisfying.   Perfect for the meat eater transitioning to a more plant-based diet.  My dad often says, “Gail, I don’t know how you do it.  I never miss the meat!”  There is a good reason people call me “The Plant-Based Chef for Meat Lovers & Vegetable Haters”

A dry white wine or one my favorite light reds, Tortoise creek French Pinot Noir is the perfect companion to the herbal and savory tones of this dish.  Hope you enjoy!  If you have any questions, you can contact me here: https://www.foodrevelation.com/contact/

Tuscan White Bean & Sage Ragout
On Top ofHerb & Pepper Crusted Polenta

(With Vegan Version) Serves 6-8

 

Polenta Ingredients and Method 

3 tablespoons butter (olive oil for vegan version)

3-4 garlic cloves, crushed and minced

1 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary (reserve ½ teaspoon)*

3 cups water

3 cups + unsweetened plant based milk (I like So Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage for this)

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 cups polenta (course ground corn meal – not quick cooking)

1 teaspoon coarse ground cracked pepper

olive oil to prepare pan

Melt butter over medium high in a large stainless pan.  Add garlic and ½ teaspoon of the chopped rosemary.  Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant.

Add water, milk and salt.  Bring to simmer and slowly add polenta stirring constantly.  Reduce heat to low simmer and continue to whisk for about 10 minutes or until polenta is very thick and creamy.  Whisk in more milk if necessary.  It should be very thick, but pourable.

Coat 9 x 13 inch glass pan with a little olive oil.  Pour polenta evenly into pan and allow to cool before placing in refrigerator for a few hours or until completely set.  If in a hurry, place in freezer for about 20 minutes.

When ready to serve, slice polenta into 4 x 4 inch squares or use a 3 ½” diameter cookie cutter (I made hearts for Valentine’s DayJ).  A round wide mouth glass jar works too!  Sprinkle top of the polentas with fresh rosemary and cracked pepper.  Broil or grill for about 3 minutes or until tops are golden and starting to crisp.

Tuscan White Bean & Sage Ragout

2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon butter (optional – you can use all olive oil for vegan version)

1 small onion, diced

1 small sweet bell pepper (red, orange or yellow)

4 garlic cloves, minced

½ teaspoon dried thyme

2 tablespoon fresh minced sage (or another ½ teaspoon thyme if no fresh sage)

½ cup dry white wine (chardonnay is good)

1 small squash, cubed

1 small zucchini, cubed

2 cups fresh chopped Roma tomatoes

2 cups cooked cannellini beans, drained & rinsed (or any white bean)

2 teaspoon sweet white miso (optional)*

2 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice

Sea salt and crack pepper to taste (TASTE FIRST!)

Heat a very large skillet or Dutch oven (iron is great!) over medium high.  Add olive oil and butter; swirl to coat skillet evenly.  Add onions with a fat pinch of salt and sauté for 3 minutes, and then add garlic.  Sauté another minute and stir in herbs.

Deglaze pan with white wine and simmer for just a minute before adding squash, tomatoes and beans.  Bring back to simmer and cook gently for 15 minutes or until squash is tender.   Turn off heat.

Add miso to a small fine mesh strainer and then place strainer in skillet to allow the broth to make contact with the miso.  Using a wooden spoon, dissolve miso into broth.  Add lemon juice and re-heat ragout gently while stirring to incorporate miso and lemon.  Taste before adding more salt.  Garnish with a sprig of thyme or sage leaves before serving.

*Miso is a great way to add a meaty-like richness to all your vegan soups, beans and stews.  I’ve found my meat lover friends don’t miss the meat when I use this method.  I use dark miso for dark dishes, such as black bean chili and light miso for lighter soups and beans.

This easy and satisfying recipe becomes is a staple dish at my house.  Wonderful served on top of polenta or as a hearty Italian stew with crusty bread and salad.

Here’s to your Joy, Peace, LOVE & Health!

Gail Blair/The Intuitive Chef

 

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Photo Credit/Karen Guthrie

Photo Credit/Karen Guthrie

Curious if a Food IS Talking Intuitive Food Compatibility
Session with The Intuitive Chef can help you?  Schedule a “No Charge” 15 minute exploratory session here: https://www.foodrevelation.com/schedule/

Gail’s “Intuitive Chef” journey began unfolding in 2009 as a plant-based chef.  foodrevelation.com, birthed in 2011 was the natural result of following her creative passion – recipe creation and cooking.

Shortly thereafter, she experienced a “spiritual awakening” and discovered her intuitive and spiritual gifts.  As a food and medical intuitive, she has helped hundreds all over the U.S. and Canada remember their God-given health and in-born intuition through private sessions, private and public cooking classes and workshops.

Many revelations have been revealed along the way.  Her latest book, “Quinoa Cookbook Journey” (see link below) is the first book in a series entitled “Evolution of FREE Health”. It provides a gentle and tasty glimpse into these revelations and the resulting experiences.  Being revealed next in this series is, “The 7 Missing Links to Abundant Health”.

Gail currently lives in a small town in North Texas with her furry friends Molly and Mo.  In addition to the joy of cooking and recipe creation, she finds great pleasure in long leisurely meals with family and friends, reading, writing; quiet walks in nature and sleeping under the stars.

https://www.foodrevelation.com/the-quinoa-cookbook/

For more about Intuitive Chef Gail – https://www.foodrevelation.com/about/

 

Crazy Good! Vegetarian Rueben Sandwich (Vegan Option)

 

Rueben sandwich

My children call me the “Sandwich Queen”.  I have a knack for recreating healthy versions of sandwiches from some suprising ingredients.  This is one of my all time favorites!

Remember! The tastbuds don’t care if it’s healthy or not – Only that it is delicious!

My healthy version of the classic Rueben Sandwich created at a little, hometown cafe for myself and the girls:   (No one ever misses the meat!)

Start with 2 slices organic whole grain rye bread. (Check out Dave’s Killer Bread “Rockin Rye” or Rudi’s).

Smash ripe avocado generously on both pieces of bread.

Add a thin slice of Swiss cheese to both sides (provolone is good too)*

Add grass fed organic butter or spray coconut oil to medium hot griddle or large iron skillet. Add bread.*

Pile on top of one slice of bread in skillet:

1 medium well basted egg (be careful not to brown egg) or sliced boiled egg.
Sliced tomatoes (sprinkle with a little garlic sea salt and cracked pepper.
Grilled onions & sauerkraut (purple kraut makes it beautiful!)

Swirl on a little mustard or Russian dressing to taste: I like mustard.*

Grill sandwich until bread is toasted (I like it really crispy).

Press sandwich together and slice.

Serve with a salad or light slaw to balance the acidity of the bread, egg, cheese and tomatoes.  This is a heavy sandwich.  Keep the dressing light; use some lemon or lime and a splash of olive oil.  Season with garlic sea salt and cracked pepper.

*Note: For vegan version use spray coconut oil instead of butter.  Add more avocado instead of egg and cheese. Use dairy-free dressing and pile up the veggies!

I can only eat half of this sandwich – very filling. No one is walking away hungry.

Carb Rule:  Carbs that do not get used or stored as fuel convert to fat.  To avoid this only eat 1 serving of starchy carbs per meal; like bread, rice, pasta, whole grains and potatoes. Serving this sandwich with fries for instance would be “carb-overload”.   If weight loss is your goal, following this one simple rule will produce amazing results!

 

Hope you enjoy this rendition of the classic Rueben.

Wishes you much Joy, Peace, LOVE & Health!

The Intuitive Chef

P.S. If you want to know exactly what your “unique” body wants for optimum health, visit me at: https://www.foodrevelation.com/ to learn more about “Food IS Talking” Intuitive Food Compatibility Testing.