Alma's Broccoli & Pea Salad

2 cups broccoli, fresh, cut into small pieces (Cuisinart/curved blade)
2 cups frozen peas
2 - 3 stalks celery, diced fine (Cuisinart/squared blade)
1/2 cup almonds, chopped and roasted in skillet (or oven)
1 tsp. dill
1 tsp. sea salt
1/2 cup Vegenaise

Mix all ingredients together after preparing/chopping. Stir until mixed. Serve and enjoy! 

VERY yummy! A good recipe for potlucks because it can be made ahead. Just add the almonds right before serving.

*Use more Vegenaise if you like more moisture.

Elegant Chestnut Soup

Elegant Chestnut Soup
Makes 4 servings

3 cups water chestnuts, roasted and peeled
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
2 1/4 cups water
1 tsp. tamari
1 dash nutmeg, optional
1 Tbsp. oil
1/4 cup celery, chopped
3/4 cup apple juice
1 vegetable bouillon cube, broth OR 1 tsp. chicken-style seasoning

To roast chestnuts: Choose fresh, firm, unwrinkled chestnuts with no signs of mold. On the flat side of each chestnut, make two cuts with a small, sharp knife from one end to the other, making an X. Place the chestnuts, cut side up, on a low baking sheet with a thin layer of water on the bottom. Bake the chestnuts for 20 - 25 minutes at 350 degrees F. until browned and the cuts peel back naturally from the heat. Test one chestnut to check is the "meat" is tender. When tender, remove from oven. Cool only slightly, then peel and enjoy or use in recipes. Some people like to boil the cut chestnuts for easier peeling. 

Prepare chestnuts. Peel off the outer shell and the fuzzy skin before using the inner chestnut meat.

Heat the oil until hot and saute the onion until semi-tender. Add the celery and saute until both are very tender. Blend the water and apple juice with the chestnuts and all the remaining ingredients.* Simmer everything on low to medium heat (do NOT boil) for about 15 - 20 minutes or until hot throughout and the flavors mingle. Enjoy this rich and tantalizing soup with extra chopped or ground nuts as garnish.

Keeps 4 - 6 days refrigerated.

Variations:  Double the vegetable broth and omit tamari if desired. Apple juice can be replaced with 1/2 cup applesauce and an additional 1/4 cup of water.

Mint Infused Chocolate Truffles

8 ounces dairy-free semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (choose a good quality of 62% cacao or higher), chopped

1/2 cup plain soymilk

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

cocoa powder

Over a double boiler, heat soymilk until it starts to simmer. Remove from heat and add mint leaves. Cover and steep in fridge for one hour. Then, strain and place mint infused soymilk back into double boiler and bring to a simmer again. Add a tsp. more soymilk if too much evaporation took place during the simmering process.

Place the chopped chocolate in a separate bowl. Pour the hot soymilk over the cocoa. Add the vanilla. Stir until the chocolate has melted and is creamy.

Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator for two hours or more. Remove from refrigerator. Using a teaspoonful of chocolate mixture at a time, form small balls (wear plastic gloves for this process). Place rolled truffles on parchment set on a cookie sheet. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight.

Then, roll truffles in cocoa powder and place in individual papers.

Makes 30 - 40 truffles

Variations: sift a dusting of powdered sugar over cocoa coated truffles; or roll in chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds instead of cocoa powder. May also roll in unsweetened coconut.