With gluten free this, avoid that, and whatever else we are adding to the “avoid list” lately, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of calling something what it actually isn’t. For example, a “cauliflower” is commonly being called a “steak,” and no one seems to mind at all. Are we finally losing it as a society? Well, I guess, keeping it all in perspective, it’s cool to get creative with naming some healthy substitutes. It’s just a word anyway, right? I just want whatever I am eating to satiate and hit the spot on whatever my mind and my appetite have conspired to enjoy together. Whenever that happens to be cold tomato basil noodles, this recipe does the trick. For the sake of avoiding the faux food naming pattern, we’re going to call these babies “zoodles”. Whatever you do call it, get ready for “yummy” sounding words and noises when you serve it. Oh, and it’s raw too!
Read MoreGreen Glaze Collard Green Wraps with Shrimp, Coconut-Curry Rice & Kimchi
I have been growing a particular variety of collards in my garden called Green Glaze Collard Greens. I acquired the seedling from a fantastic local edible gardener, Loretta Allison. Unlike the collards we are used to, this plant produces tender leaves that are a perfect round shape for making collard green wraps or rolling up any number of ingredients. They have a delicate, well balanced, slightly sweet flavor that complements their filling without overwhelming the dish.
I have also been on a fermented food kick lately, and I had some kimchi calling out to me from the refrigerator. This got me thinking of Korean bbq and how good it would be to use those collards to hug some Asian-ispired flavors and textures. And this is what I ended up with…
Romanesco Cauliflower Instant Pot Soup
An Instant Pot soup can be a great solution for busy work-day meals. When I go grocery shopping I typically load my cart with lots of different colored vegetables and fruit, not always knowing what the plan is! This week a head of beautiful romanesco cauliflower made it’s way into the mix. Thanks to my Instant Pot, I was able to throw together a really nice, clean soup with some nutritional complexity. You can make this soup in easily under 30 minutes, maybe even 20 minutes!
Read MoreSuperfood Veggie Frittata
Try this superfood veggie frittata for an easy way to seriously kick-up your breakfast nutrition. One recipe makes enough frittata for 4 breakfasts or any other meal on the go! Add this to your weekly healthy meal prep.
Read MoreCauliflower Bhaji with Spinach
Have you ever heard of cauliflower bhaji? Sometimes weekdays can be tricky for preparing fresh whole food dinners. This probably isn’t news to most readers. But then, sometimes, those rushed days, when all you have are some bits and pieces of vegetables and random bags of beans and grains, end up producing the most memorable dinners. This cauliflower bhaji with spinach is a perfect example. It is extremely simple to make and it tastes great!
Vegan Cream of Mushroom Soup
Looking for a quick comfort food to whip up after a stressful day at work? This Vegan Cream of Mushroom soup delivers creamy, delicious comfort the right way- with clean, wholesome plant-based nutrition. Check out the instructional video below for step by step instructions!
Read Morevegan caesar-style salad with roasted yams and pomegranate
I love making hearty, colorful, nutrient dense salads for dinner, like this vegan caesar style salad.
Some salads consist of a variety of fresh, raw vegetables. For this filling-yet light salad, I used leftover oven roasted yams. But leftovers or not, you can roast up some yams, beets, rutabagas, and put together a delicious, plant-based entre salad in less than 30 minutes. Read More
Root Vegetable Stacks with Wild Mushroom Ragout
These root vegetable stacks are a great example of what you can prepare with just a few ingredients, and at those times when you have nothing planned for dinner. Thinking of what to make for dinner always sits in the back of my mind throughout the day, no matter what else is going on. The other day I was experiencing a busy and challenging day. I knew I needed to go grocery shopping but didn’t have the time. So I resigned to the idea that I would just work with whatever I had in the kitchen when I got home. By the time it was over, I was reminded that sometimes breaking the pattern of relying on regular grocery staples is just the ticket I need to get the creative culinary juices flowing. What is the point of this story? When you are charged with preparing dinner and all you have on hand is a yam, a beet, and some mushrooms, take a pause, make like you are in a cottage in Provence, and romance some garden herbs and that jar of Dijon mustard sitting in the back of the fridge! In most cases, simpler is actually a lot better. Embrace what you have, make it the star, and you will never go wrong!
Read MorePortobello Mushroom Stuffed with Miso-Ginger Squash
I’ve always suspected that butternut squash and miso would love hanging out together… and I was totally right! This combination, along with the marinated Portobello mushroom, packs a lot of flavor. And it’s a super easy way to warm up your winter weeknight dinner table.
Indian Spiced Black Eyed Pea Hummus
Now that the heavy-hitting holidays are officially over, it’s nice to lighten things up a bit. This recipe gives consideration to the New Year’s tradition that originated in the south, of eating black-eyed peas for prosperity in the New Year. But this offers more versatility. Enjoy this hummus on a sandwich, a top a cracker as an hors d’oeuvre, or even as a dip with raw vegetables, in the event you have already decided to take on a post-New Year’s detox or weight-loss program. I enjoyed it on some leftover sourdough bread crostini along side a baby green salad.
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