Meals and free ERC recipes!
ERC Staff facilitators.
Download our Winter 2010 ERC Newsletter.
Without a doubt, the most memorable experience at the Ecology Retreat Centre is the incredible food. We specialize in vegetarian cuisine but we are not limited to it. We also cater to "special diet" requests and diet restrictions.
Below are four sample recipes from our cookbook Best Recipes: Special Meals for Special People by Special Cooks that you can easily make in your kitchen and have the taste of the Ecology Retreat Centre at home. For only $27 (includes taxes, shipping and handling) you can order a cookbook here.

Enjoy!
 
Too-Good-To-Be-Tofu BurgersGreat Gravy
Gypsy SoupHazelnut Torte
 
Too-Good-To-Be-Tofu Burgers(Serves 6-8)
 
1 cup cooked riceMix together in large bowl.
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1½ cups grated carrot
1½ cups grated mushrooms
 
1 package FIRM tofuCrumble and slightly process in food processor. Add to above mixture and mix well.
 
¼ cup fresh parsley, choppedCombine and add to above mixture. Mix well.
2 TBSP. fresh basil, chopped
1 tsp. dried oregano
¼ cup tamari/soy sauce
1 TBSP. tomato puree
Salt and pepper to taste
 
½ cup whole wheat flourWorking with clean hands, add flour to above mixture. Add bread crumbs until mixture is firm enough to form into patties.
Whole wheat bread crumbs, approx. 1 cup
 
Form mixture into patties and coat each with crushed corn flakes.
In frying pan fry in hot oil until nicely browned on both sides.
Very nice served on a platter with Great Gravy.
 
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Great Gravy(Serves 6-8)
 
4 cups waterBring to a boil and keep ready.
 
1½ TBSP. olive oilHeat oil in a heavy pot. Add garlic and allow to sizzle for 2 minutes. Do not burn.
1 TBSP. minced garlic
 
¼ cup tamari/soy sauceAdd to pot with garlic. Blend thoroughly until a paste ball is formed.
½ cup flour (regular or spelt)
¾ cup nutritional yeast
½ cup tahini sauce
1 TBSP. rubbed marjoram
½ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. pepper
 
Add boiling water 1 cup at a time, only adding more water once gravy has come to a boil again. Gradually keep adding water until gravy is the consistency you are looking for.
 
½ cup fresh parsley, mincedWhisk into gravy before serving.
 
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Gypsy Soup(about 6-8 servings)
 
2 cups onions, diced ½ inchSaute in a heavy soup pot for about 5 minutes. Stir often to prevent burning.
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups sweet potato, diced ½ inch
1 cup celery, diced ½ inch
½ cup olive oil
 
1 TBSP. paprikaAdd to above. Saute on high heat for 1 min. Stir constantly.
1 TBSP. turmeric
1 TBSP. dried basil
1 TBSP. sea salt
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¾ tsp. cayenne pepper
4 big bay leaves
 
6-8 cups vegetable stockAdd to above. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.
 
1 cup tomatoes, diced ½ inchAdd to above. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
½ cup green pepper, diced ½ inch
1 cup cooked chick peas
 
1 TBSP. tamari/soy sauceAdd to soup just before serving.
 
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Hazelnut Torte1-10" spring form pan
 
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter and flour a 10 inch spring form pan.
 
1½ cups ground hazelnutsBlend in food processor until mixture is in fine even crumbs.
1½ cups chocolate chips
 
1 cup soft butter or margarineCream butter with electric mixer and then add sugar. Whip it good.
¹/3 cup white sugar
 
7 eggsSeparate eggs.
 
Whip egg whites to soft peaks and set aside.Add yolks to sugar/butter mixture.
Beat until puffy.
Mix together nut/chocolate crumbs with the butter/sugar/yolk mixture.
Fold the whipped egg whites into chocolate batter one half at a time until there are no egg white lumps. Pour batter evenly and carefully into spring form pan.
Bake for 40 minutes and then test.
 
Chocolate Sauce
1 cup chocolate chipsMelt together in microwave (1 minute increments).
Pour over cake before serving. Sprinkle with almond flakes.
¹/3 cup soymilk
¹/3 cup almond flakes
 
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