3 Quickies for the Hungry and Tired

I no longer eat processed food, so this means that I either have to make all my own meals, or stop off at local restaurants that are aware of health, global, and human rights issues. If I am near the Drive this isn't usually a problem, but if I am just on the bus from SFU to home in Coquitlam, it's not so easy (the only options are Subway, KFC, or McDonalds). Normally I don't mind cooking something that takes a while and tastes great, but sometimes I am dead tired. So here are a few of my "I'm dead tired" recipes! Enjoy!

(1.) Asparagus and Coconut Rice
This one is so good, I make it regularly, no matter how tired I am!
You'll need:
-2 cups of sticky or basmati rice
-500mL of Coconut Milk
-1 and 1/3 cups of water
-Enough asparagus spears for whoever is eating
-shaved, sweetened, dried coconut (optional, but yummy!)

Now, there are two ways of doing this. Three, actually.
1.) Mix the water, coconut milk, and rice in one pot, stir, and cook like you would normal rice. Then separately steam the asparagus. Viola! You are eating in 20 minutes!
2.) Mix the water, coconut milk, and rice in a RICE COOKER, and steam the asaparagus on the stove. You are still eating in 20 minutes.
3.) This is my favorite way... If you have an over the pot steamer, you can put the water, coconut milk and rice in a pot... then steam the asparagus OVER the cooking rice... Now you have only ONE pot to clean! Even better!!!

You sprinkle the dried coconut over the rice. This meal is my favorite!!! You can also make pineapple rice in this same way... or peach rice... or mango rice... mmmmmm!!!

(2.) Dad's Green Bean Soup, Modified!
My dad makes this with hamburger, and it is delicious! But alas, I am a vegetarian, so I had to modify it! With Yves Veggie Ground Round, it is STILL amazing!
You'll Need:
-1 Jar of your favorite red spaghetti sauce
-1 Can of french style Green Beans
-1 Cup of uncooked macaroni noodles
-1 package of Yves Veggie Ground Round

1.) In a soup pot, brown the Yves Veggie Ground Round until it's cooked.
2.) Add your spaghetti sauce, and then add 2x the amount of HOT water (just use the container the sauce came in: 2 parts hot water = 1 part spaghetti sauce).
3.) Add UNDRAINED string beans.
4.) Bring to a boil and add the macaroni noodles. SIMMER.
5.) Eat when the macaroni is tender. Add salt and pepper to taste!!!

(3.) "East Ender" Chop Suey
No meat in this Chop Suey! "American Chop Suey," or "Goulash," whatever you want to call the original, this tastes just as good, but there is no meat here!
You'll Need:
-1 cup COOKED macaroni noodles
-1 package Yves Veggie Ground Round
-1.5 cups of your favorite red spaghetti sauce
-1 big can of diced tomatoes
-1 chopped pepper (any color will do!)
-1 garlic glove, pressed
-1/4 of a medium onion, diced
-seasoning salt of your choice

1.) Add oil to a pot and when it is hot, add your garlic and your onion. Don't burn it :)
2.) Throw in the peppers, and sweat the veggies for a minute or two.
3.) Now throw in the diced tomatoes. Stir. Let cook for another minute or so.
4.) Add the Yves Veggie Ground Round. Stir stir stir. Keep stirring until it is all "cooked."
5.) Add the spaghetti sauce. Stir until it is hot.
6.) Finally, add the cooked noodles. Stir for another minute or so until it is all hot. It's now ready to eat.

It tastes good with some cheese sprinkled on it!