Category Archives: additive-free food

Whole Food Plant-Based Recipes with no additives

Butternut Squash Tostada

Butternut SquashLast week I met my friend Susan in my old neighborhood. When we were trying to figure out a restaurant, she suggested Real Food Daily. The restaurant is literally a block and a half from my old condo so it was easy for me to find.

This is a true plant-based whole food diet restaurant! The menu is an intriguing mix of plant-based food (vegan), local and organic dishes. The thing I appreciated most about the menu was there was no guessing about content. The selections were all marked for easy reference:  Soy-Free, Gluten-Free and Nut Free. The only problem was making a decision. I am not used to having that many selections on a menu. As a vegetarian I usually have 3 or 4 choices so making a decision is simple. (more…)

by Genene Cote Posted on November 24, 2012
Posted in additive-free food, diary-free food, gluten-free food, Mexican, plant based diet, vegan, vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Vegan Pumpkin Pie

While I am trying to figure out what else to do with all my pumpkin I decided to make a trial run at a true whole food plant-based pie. One that is sugar-free, egg-free, dairy-free and gluten-free. Last year I made a dairy-free pie that was wonderful! This year the goal is a true vegan pumpkin pie – dairy-free and egg-free as well.

Last weekend I donned my Girl Scout attire (figuratively) and started experimenting so that Thanksgiving prep goes smoothly. I don’t want to be up to my elbows in pie failures come next Wednesday.

by Genene Cote Posted on November 8, 2012
Posted in additive-free food, baking, diary-free food, plant based diet, vegan, vegetarian | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Luxury Problems

weightlossI have a big-time luxury problem! You see instead of “spring cleaning”, we do “fall cleaning”. Most of the spring is devoted to getting the garden in shape. If the house suffers, it’s not like we spend much time inside between March and October. We are, however indoor, a lot, between November and February. So it is either clean up or sit and look at clutter all winter. I, personally, hate clutter!

One of my life “rules” is about changing closets with the season. Each spring and fall I sort and discard clothes:  if I haven’t worn it, it goes! This year I added the caveat that if it didn’t fit it had to go as well. Recently, David and I spend a lot of time looking like we are wearing someone else’s clothes. They are way big and don’t come close to fitting. A lot of them were marginal last year but this year they are just flat out ridiculous! So out with all the XL and a lot of the L size clothes. (more…)

by Genene Cote Posted on October 25, 2012
Posted in additive-free food, Cote Home Grown Fare, diary-free food, Food Additives, gluten-free food, plant based diet, processed food, vegan, vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

No Hassle Tomato Soup

tomatoe soupWe are starting to get a chill in the evening air. For me chill and soup always go together. My all time favorite soup is tomato; probably a link to my childhood.

Over the last couple of years, I have been on a mission to find good tomato soup. I checked dozens of labels and finally reached the conclusion that there is not a canned/packaged tomato soup that doesn’t contain sugar, preservatives or some other strange chemicals.

So, if I want good tomato soup I am going to have to make it myself. (more…)

by Genene Cote Posted on October 21, 2012
Posted in additive-free food, gluten-free food, soup, tomatoes, vegan, vegetarian, Whole Food Plant-Based recipes | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Adventures in Preservation

farmers marketOver the weekend we had an adventure in preserving food. Early Saturday morning we made a trip to Farmer’s Market to pick up our 50 pounds of tomatoes ($30), 25 pounds of apples ($15), an assortment of peppers ($9) and onions ($10). A lot of food for $64.00.

We got home around 8 am; surveyed the boxes and decided the only sensible thing to do was go crawl back in bed a take a nap. We had both been up since 4:00 am.

An hour later we stood in front of the boxes again. This time there was no putting it off. David began cleaning the tomatoes. I put on gloves and began deseeding peppers. (more…)

by Genene Cote Posted on October 1, 2012
Posted in additive-free food, fruit, garden, tomatoes, vegan, vegetarian | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quick and Dirty Broccoli* Mac and “Cheese”

When it comes to comfort food, I am developmentally stuck somewhere in childhood. My favorite things to eat when I feel bad (besides chocolate) are mac and cheese, mashed potatoes with gravy and beets (don’t ask). I probably ought to note that mac and cheese is a favorite no matter how I feel and giving it up was the hardest part of giving up dairy.

(more…)

by Genene Cote Posted on September 20, 2012
Posted in additive-free food, diary-free food, Italian, vegan, vegetarian | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Where’s the Salt Shaker

salt shakerOne of my greatest morning pleasures used to be reading the New York Times online. In our present political silly season. . . not so much! But every now and then, there is a piece that tickles my funny bone. The latest one was in the science section and called Some Restaurants Reduce Salt but Critics Call Moves Unnecessary.

The piece reported on the new table top salt shaker holders – see picture.  In an effort to cut down on the unhealthy effects of sodium the company has replaced salt shakes with these little signs.  If you have trouble reading it it says: (more…)

by Genene Cote Posted on August 27, 2012
Posted in excitotoxins, Food Additives, GMO foods, processed food, Resturants | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nuts to Milk

nut milkFor me the hardest part about giving up dairy was giving up 1/2 and 1/2 in my coffee. Black coffee is just a little to harsh first thing in the morning.

Over the last month I have experimented with different milk/cream alternatives.  I have tried every nut in my kitchen except peanuts which after the pecans and walnuts, I decided not to try; just didn’t seem worth it.  Making  nut milk is ridiculously easy – see below for the method. (more…)

by Genene Cote Posted on August 26, 2012
Posted in additive-free food, diary-free food, kitchen basics, vegan, Whole Food Plant-Based recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Edible Sugar-Free, Gluten-Free Vegan Muffin

zuc muffinsWhen you harvest something like 10 BIG zucchini a week you either waste the food or get creative. This has been a real challenge to my creativity. I have tried everything I can think of, read about, or heard! One of my favorites is the muffins.

I like muffins. They are a neat little snack package stuffed full of good flavors. If you do them right, they are full of good nutrition.

Up till now,  I have been able to make great sugar-free muffins. I have made tasty gluten-free muffins. I have even made passable vegan muffins. But all three at one time has been a lot of trial and error!  Over the last week I have done a series of experiments trying to create an edible sugar-free, gluten-free vegan muffin! (more…)

by Genene Cote Posted on August 19, 2012
Posted in additive-free food, Breakfast, diary-free food, gluten-free food, sugar-free food, vegan, vegetarian, Whole Food Plant-Based recipes | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan

I read this book a few years ago (when it first came out). At the time I was impressed by it’s common sense and simplicity. Last week I was in a used bookstore and found a copy for a dollar. I brought it home and reread it.  I was impressed all over again!

In Defense of Food is an engaging look at food and the food industry.  Pollan writes well and had me captivated within minutes.  For the record, I never intended to do anything more than skim, but I ended up engrossed and read every single word – again!  It was a journey that alternatively amused and enraged me. (more…)

by Genene Cote Posted on August 15, 2012
Posted in additive-free food, book review, kitchen basics, menu, Whole Food Plant-Based nutrition | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment