Vegetarian Recipe of the Month - COOKIES!

Blue Ribbon Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies - We make these *all* the time and with the oats they are a nice, filling snack. I like to double the recipe.

Note: Vegan options

1 1/4 cups flour (I mix whole wheat and pastry flours)
1/2 TSP baking soda
1 cup packed brown sugar (I use evaporated cane juice which works just fine)
3/4 cup margarine (we use Earth Balance)
Egg Replacer - 2 eggs worth
1 TSP vanilla
2 1/2 cups rolled oats, uncooked
6 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips (use carob chips to make these cookies vegan)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I like to skip the walnuts but Kira likes them)

In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; mix well. At the same time, prepare your egg replacer. In a large bowl, beat together sugar and margarine until light and fluffy. Blend in egg replacer and vanilla. Add flour mixture; mix well. Stir in oats, then add chocolate chips and walnuts.

Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets (grease with olive oil). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool on rack.

Makes about 2 dozen 2-3 inch cookies.

Vegetarian Recipe of the Month

Spinach Lentil Soup (Vegan)

Cheap, easy, and sooo good!

1 package dried lentils (red or brown, rinsed)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic
2 tbsp cumin seeds (or dried cumin)
1 tsp salt (or more, to taste)
1 (10 oz.) package of frozen spinach (thawed and coursely chopped)
5-10 carrots (peeled and coursely chopped)
8 cups water

Serves 6-8, and we like to serve in a bowl over brown rice. Can also be served with pita bread.

Sautee garlic and onions in olive oil over medium heat, stirring occasionally for ~4 min. We like to do this in a 2 gallon pot and just add everything else to it as we go.

Stir in lentils, cumin, salt, spinach, and carrots. Add water and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. About 10 min before soup is done, add more cumin or salt to taste.

If you want it spicy, add Patak curry paste and/or Tabasco sauce. Enjoy!