Powerpuff Girls Bento "Beat Your Greens" (BBTB #3)

This bento was super fun to make - I even enjoyed adding the broccoli and hot dog heart more than usual. I guess that's because I was so proud of making another Powerpuff Girls bento, based upon the episode titled "Beat Your Greens" where all of the children of Townsville refused to eat their vegetables until plantoid-type aliens invaded and froze their parents. It was up to the kids (and a few goats) of Townsville to eat their vegetables and save the day - and I'm sure that it's helped quite a few other children eat their own greens. This bento was extremely simple, and one of my favorite pieces is the Bubbles Hair lemon peel.

Beat Your Greens Bento Ingredients:

Lemon

Sweet Potato

Orange

Veggie Dog

Broccoli

Masa Sheets (Chlorophyll & Pandan)

Whole Wheat Bread

Enjoy!

Vegan Italian Beef W/ Homemade Hot Giardineria (Fat-Free Option)

This has got to be the best "slow-cooked" seitan that I have ever had - its so tender and juicy from the broth I made, with little to no chew so it literally melts in your mouth. The juiciness helps reactivate more of the creaminess and meltiness from the flavored cream cheese (chive and garlic)  that I spread upon the buns before toasting them to an utmost crispness. The light spice from the peppers and the kick from the salt and vinegar make this an extremely addicting sandwich that anyone could love.

(Italian Beef Ingredients)

• 1 cup of Vital Wheat Gluten(Bob's Red Mill)
• 1/2 tsp of Salt
• 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
• 1 tsp of Basil
• 2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 3 tsp Italian Seasonings
• 1 tsp Olive Oil or Chilled Chickpea Broth

(Broth Mix Ingredients)

• 5 cloves Crushed Garlic
• Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Salt and Italian Seasonings
• Molasses to darken the broth
• 1 gallon of Cold Water

(Italian Beef Directions)

• Mix your dry and your oil together and slowly add in your cold water. Knead lightly about 30-35 times and keep whatever liquid comes out in the bowl with the seitan.
• Combine your broth ingredients together in a large pot and bring to a boil. Then add in the seitan and leftover liquid. .
• Place a pot top on the seitan and turn the heat on low, then check about 20 minutes in to see if it has expanded, if it has you can spoon a little broth on top and make sure that nothing has over boiled. Let this cook for about five more minutes until well-browned and it looks cuter.
• Remove the pot lid, then turn the heat to the highest degree and cook for exactly one minute.
• Return the pot top and cut off the heat, letting it sit from two hours to the whole night
• When you are ready, place your large piece of seitan on a plate and squeeze the water out of it - but do not drain your broth at all.
• Take a fork and a knife and cut the seitan in half, then scrape the "skin" and "meat" off from each other, away from you. If a piece gets bigger than your thumb, chop it up.
• Place into a nice pasta drainer or fryer net and allow for your seitan to warm up in the broth as you turn the heat on medium. Once it has warmed, you can get some of the extra liquid out by cooking it in a dry, non-stick skillet.
• When the seitan has come to your liking, place atop two well-toasted buns that have been schmeared with cream cheese or vegan margarine and then delicately lay on your giardineria.

(Homemade Giardineria Ingredients)

• 2 stalks of Diced Celery
• 1 small Diced Carrot
• 1/2 Diced Green Bell
• 1 (half) De-Seeded Jalapeno Pepper
• 2 cloves Diced Garlic
• 1/4 Diced White Onion
• Diced Green Olives and Cauliflower
• Oregano, Black Pepper and Salt
• 1 cup of White Vinegar
• 1/2 cup of Olive Oil (add none if you want fat-free)

(Homemade Giardineria Directions)

• Pour boiling water on your vegetables, dip them in cool water then combine all of the ingredients in a jar.
• Let it sit in the fridge, untouched, for 2-6 days or until you believe it is ready. Serve atop your Italian beef and enjoy!

Vegan Haluski & Seitan Pork Steak (German-Inspired, Sugar-Free)

This is an easy to love dish - you have thick, homemade rye noodles covered in the warm juices of pan-fried cabbage and collard greens. Mixed with it are caramelized onions, garlic, mace and sweet, sticky rutabaga. On top of that is fennel-spiced seitan "pork" that has been lightly fried with garlic powder, salt and all sprinkled with a light touch of mace and nutmeg. This is the perfect family dish that can be made into a casserole or each item eaten on its own.

(German Pork Seitan Ingredients)

• 1 cup of Vital Wheat Gluten(3/4 Arrowhead Mills 1/4 Bob's Red Mill)
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Fennel Seed
• 1/4 tsp Mace
• Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup Ice Cold Water)

(German Pork Seitan Directions)

• Mix your dry together, including the oil, and then slowly pour the water in until all of the Vital Wheat Gluten flour is gone
• Knead lightly so that the dual-flours and spices can come together, but don't let them become too strong.
• Boil for about 15 minutes with the top on, then remove the top and boil for 15 more minutes.
• Place onto plate to let cool, slice into steaks and pan-fry in a small amount of oil after patting dry.

(Rye Noodles Ingredients)

• 4 cups of Dark Rye Flour
• 6 cups of All-Purpose Flour
• 2 tsp Salt
• Water to mix

(Rye Noodles Directions)

• Mix your dry and then knead your water in until it is a durable dough and no longer soft.
• Knead lightly so that the dual-flours and spices can come together, but don't let them become too strong.
• Place through a pasta roller then roll it through a dye-cut part of the pasta maker (or slice it yourself).
• Coat in flour and boil until they float.
• Pan-fry with your cabbage and serve under your seitan.

(Fried Cabbage Ingredients)

• 3/4 Cubed Rutabega
• 1/2 Sliced Large Cabbage
• 2 thinly Sliced White Onions
• 6 Minced Cloves of Garlic
• Salt, Pepper, Fennel and Mace
• Garlic Powder

(Fried Cabbage Directions)

• First, caramelize your onions in a dry pan then remove
• Boil the rutabaga until it changes color slightly, then add in your onions. Once they soften to being almost forkable - add in your cabbage and seasonings.
• Place a pot top on then wait until it is all cooked.
• Add in your garlic, taste, then take out what you want to pan-fry with the noodles.

Assemble everything together and enjoy!

*Mace can be replaced with nutmeg or allspice in smaller amounts*