Thursday, January 11, 2007

Stickin' it to Hamburger Helper

Lunch today was awesome!! Another Vegan Lunch Box inspired one, this had inari sushi, edamame and a pear. I couldn't find botan rice candy, as Jennifer recommended for the Asian-inspired lunch, but I did find something else at the Asian grocery store. Fruity coconut jelly. They're like jello cups almost, but with no gelatin/glycerin...it uses seaweed extract and coconut jelly. They're so yummy!













The inari turned out great. I was tired last night when I was preparing the lunch, so I didn't prepare the sushi rice recipe from the cookbook. The frozen inari I had came with seasoning, so I just mixed that into the rice. They were so easy to assemble, and so delicious! Simple and good.













I have another recipe to share. As you may have noticed, these recipes aren't fancy but they're quick and easy. I hope this doesn't make me the vegan Rachael Ray...we just need some solutions for the later nights at school. And Billy shovels this stuff down, so count me in! I adapted this from Cooking for the Rushed also. Its like hamburger helper stuff, but more home made. And it has a chili-like taste, which always wins.

"Hamburger" Jumble (I served it with some warm baking powder biscuits from La Dolce Vegan)

2 packages ground round
olive oil as needed
1Tbsp. oregano
1 tsp. minced garlic
1 tsp cumin powder
1/2 onion (use a whole onion if you want, I just wanted to use up the one in my fridge, and Billy is not a big fan)
1 small green pepper
10 mushrooms
1 cup chunky salsa
2 cups water
400 ml mushroom pasta sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1 Tbsp. vegan Worcestershire sauce
250 g whole wheat rotini
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup grated "Cheddar" cheese (Optional)

1. Cook ground round in a large pot at med-high, in oil. Add spices (oregano, garlic, cumin) while ground round is warming. Chop onion and green pepper into small chunks, adding to pot as you chop. Wash and slice mushrooms, adding to the pot as you slice.

2. In order, add to the pot: salsa, water, pasta sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, rotini and corn. Stir til hot and simmering (bubbling). Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes (check that pasta is cooked).

3. Add cheese to pot if using, and stir til melted. Serve right away, with buns or rolls.

The picture for this one isn't too great, thanks to the horrible lighting.
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13 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a perfect lunch--balanced, fun and vegan. And in an attractive lunch box, too.

Harmonia said...

Looks and sounds AWESOME!

My Sprouted Lentil Soup is up, btw

Anonymous said...

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There's a rad recipe for homemade vegan mac-n-cheese, which you seem to appreciate.

Anonymous said...

Ooh, thanks for the recipe- it sounds delicious!

The jelly looks really cool- hopefully if I go to the Asian supermarket here there'll be something similar.

Michelle said...

those little jellies look so cute! i wonder if there's anything like that around here, hmmm.

Anonymous said...

I grew up on hamburger helper! Marty & I both love chili so this should be a fun recipe to try.

Cute lunch. Looks like you're really putting your new book to good use.

Anonymous said...

Great looking inari. In fact everything looks amazing!

Just discovered your blog and it's great! Congrats on a year of veganblogging...

I'll be back!

Anonymous said...

melissa, that inari is impressive, even if it was simple! You found it in the freezer? Did you buy it at a special Asian grocer? Love the bento box lunch.

Melissa said...

hi tofu mom :)Thanks

Melissa, yep, I found it in the freezer section of the Asian Grocery store near my apartment. Apparently you can also get it canned.

Anonymous said...

looks good!

Dori said...

Thnaks for this post! I have been trying to find something like a hamburger helper style meal for my son to cook. Love the lunchbox entries, I just got mine in this this weekend. I love it!

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