Posts filed under ‘Vegetarian’
Quick N Easy Valentine’s Day Caprese Salad
I have a speedy post for you today. Nothing fancy, but I was playing around with Valentine’s Day cookie cutters and I had to share:
How fun is that? I could have taken better photos…but these were with my iPhone using Hipstamatic on the fly and I couldn’t resist 
If you are looking for a creative yet EASY Valentine’s dish, this may be something that you could throw together in less than 10 minutes. If your better half likes cheese and tomatoes, this just might be the recipe for you!
All you need are the salad ingredients plus the heart-shaped and/or X’s and O’s mini cookie cutters (I bought for $2 at Hobby Lobby) and you are good to go!
Waaalaaaa, I present you with a Valentine’s Day Caprese Salad!
Valentine’s Day Caprese Salad
Gluten-free, Grain-Free, High-Protein, Quick, Vegetarian, Nut-Free
Ingredients
1 log of presliced fresh mozzarella OR 1 ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced evenly into 1/2 inch slices (you may have leftover cheese depending on how many cutouts you make)
grape or cherry tomatoes (about 1/3 cup per salad)
freshly ground black pepper
pinch of sea salt
Fresh basil leaves, rough chopped (not pictured, I got too excited and snapped the photo before sprinkling!)
A drizzle of balsamic vinegar (I use about 1-2 Tbsp per salad or to taste)
A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil (I use about 2 tsp per salad or to taste)
Directions
1. Cut out shapes carefully with mini cookie cutters (hearts, X’s, O’s, I <3 U’s all etc all work). Cut out as many as you want in your salad…and have fun eating the edges or save them for another use (like melting in another dish).
2. In a small bowl, toss tomatoes with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
3. Place cut-out mozzarella pieces in or on a serving dish or plate. Add tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and basil. Enjoy!
5-Minute Cheesecake Mousse
After making my Apple Pie Cheesecake Smoothie as well as my no-bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake, this easy recipe can be whipped up for a quick dessert, breakfast or snack. Plus, the flavor combinations are endless – add your favorite fruits, nuts, spices, citrus, juices, chocolate, coconut etc to make it your own – this stuff is yummy!
If you find yourself dessert-less when your sweet tooth hits and you’re short on time, this cheesecake mousse is a great way to go. It’s creamy and rich-tasting but doesn’t sit heavy in your tummy AND it will keep you full from the high-protein ingredients — bonus!
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Mousse (see variation below)
Use your favorite fruit as the main flavor in this mousse, or combine a few like strawberry-mango for a tropical treat! I even listed a chocolate-peanut butter combo below if you aren’t in a fruity mood
5-Minute Cheesecake Mousse
Gluten-free, Grain-free, High-Protein, Vegetarian, Nut-free, Sugar-free
Basic Ingredients
3/4 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup frozen or fresh berries* or fruit of choice (could try 2 Tbsp all-fruit preserves too but you may want to eliminate the sweetener)
1/4 – 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp honey, coconut nectar or agave OR 1 packet of stevia or to taste (Feel free to adjust sweetness to your liking, will depend on your fruit and ingredients)
optional add-ins: lemon zest, orange zest, lime zest, ground cinnamon, ginger, cocoa/cacao powder
Garnish ideas, optional
Fresh fruit
Chopped nuts or seeds
Shredded or flaked coconut
Cacao nibs, chocolate shavings or chocolate chips
Citrus zest
Granola or cereal
Chia seeds
Directions
1. Add all ingredients to the bowl of a small food processor or high-powered blender. Process or blend until smooth, about 60-90 seconds. Garnish (if desired) and serve immediately or pour into a serving dish and chill for 30-60 minutes, then garnish and enjoy!
*To make a chocolate-peanut butter version, substitution 1 Tbsp cocoa or cacao powder and 2 Tbsp peanut flour OR 1 Tbsp peanut butter for the berries/fruit. If you are allergic to peanuts, use almond butter or sunflower seed butter.
Some of my favorite combinations:
1. Chocolate covered strawberry mousse (pictured) – use strawberries as the fruit, garnish with dark chocolate chunks and fresh raspberries or strawberries
2. Tropical Dream – use mango chunks as the fruit, add a drizzle of orange juice when blending (1-2 Tbsp), garnish with shredded coconut and fresh pineapple (or more mango chunks)
3. Blueberry-Lemon Crunch- use blueberries as the fruit, add a bit of fresh lemon zest (1/2 tsp), garnish with almond granola, sliced almonds and fresh blueberries
Red Thai Tofu Curry (SRC)
The Secret Recipe Club is back in action for 2013 and I was assigned Melanie’s Fabulously Fun Food blog for the month of January! From her Papas Rellenas and Jamaican Jerk Chicken to the Chocolate Guinness Cake and Homemade Gnocchi, Melanie covers all types of cuisine and made my mouth water looking through all her recipes. 
Her original recipe for Red Thai Duck Curry immediately struck my fancy, not only because it was on “Melanie’s Favorites” list but I happen to love anything with curry in the title. Admittedly though, duck freaks me out a bit so when I saw a little blurb for a protein swap, I decided to change up a few ingredients and make this a 100% vegetarian and vegan meal. Why not if I am going that direction anyway?
In addition to substituting the tofu for duck and coconut aminos for the fish sauce, I added a touch of sweetness in the form of coconut nectar syrup that the fish sauce would have added. I added a few wedges of fresh lime and chopped fresh cilantro for brightness and decided against the cooking rice as a side. In the veggie department, I increased the amount of mushrooms and added carrots since I didn’t have any tomatoes or pineapple on hand (though both will be added next time I make this).
I like my curry on the thicker side but feel free to add more liquid to this dish (as noted) if you prefer one on the thinner side. I have mentioned before that I prefer eating rice plain AND separate from my main dish… so I decided to forgo the rice and opted for a second helping of this curry instead After all, I do love my veggies and protein!
A little sweet, a little spicy and FULL of flavor — I LOVED this curry! I can’t wait to make this again soon and experiment with various vegetables and proteins for variety.
Red Thai Tofu Curry (SRC) (inspired by Red Thai Duck Curry)
Gluten-free, Grain-free, Nut-free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Dairy-free option
Ingredients
2 Tbsp butter, ghee, coconut oil or Earth Balance, divided (use oil or Earth Balance for dairy free)
1-2 tsp agave, coconut sugar, coconut nectar or sweetener of choice or to taste**
1 large lime, cut into wedges
Fresh basil and cilantro, chopped (I used about 1/4 cup each) – can use all basil if you aren’t a fan of cilantro
1. Heat 1 Tbsp butter/oil in a wok/skillet over medium-high heat. Stir-fry tofu until golden on all sides, about 6 minutes then remove from pan and set aside.
2. Heat 1/2 Tbsp butter/oil in a medium saucepan over medium low heat. Add Red Thai curry paste to the pan and stir. Cook paste for several minutes to release the flavors (If you have a hood over your oven, use it otherwise you’ll be sneezing up a storm from the chiles in the paste). Pour in the coconut milk, hot water (if using), coconut aminos/tamari/soy sauce, sweetener and minced ginger. Stir and allow to cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
3. In the same wok/skillet you prepared the tofu, heat remaining 1/2 Tbsp butter/oil over medium high heat. Add sliced onions, bell pepper, carrots and mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes or until cook to your preference (I like mine crisp tender). Make sure the pan is hot, then add tofu and stir. Cook for 2-3 minutes until warmed, stirring occasionally.
4.Taste curry sauce, which should be slightly thickened by now. Add more spice if needed. If it’s too spicy, add more coconut milk.
5. Pour curry sauce into the pot with the veggies and tofu. Stir to combine and allow to bubble and simmer for a good 5 to 10 minutes. Add a little hot water if it seems too thick, or allow to bubble longer if it needs more thickening. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes.
6. At the last minute, stir in lots of chopped basil and cilantro. Squeeze fresh lime juice and serve immediately and/or over cooked grain of choice and enjoy!
Serves 4-6 (Depending on if you serve this with or without a side)
*If you aren’t a fan of tofu, feel free to substitute chicken or shrimp in this dish
**Can substitute fish sauce in place of the soy sauce but will not longer be vegetarian. If doing so, eliminate the added sweetener since fish sauce already contains sugar.
For the remaining recipes in today’s reveal, visit:
Chop-It-Up Veggie Salad with Tahini Garlic Dressing
It’s been a long time since I last posted…and wow, that’s an overstatement! The whole month of December flew past without a peep on my end. I could make excuse after excuse but I’ll just leave it at work/business/life got in the way, BUT now I am back…and boy, have I MISSED YOU and BLOGGING!
I must admit, it feels like a year has gone by …..wait, it has! I have a feeling that 2013 is going to be a delicious and healthy one. That’s what I am aiming for at least!
Why not start the new year off with a bright veggie salad that is chock-ful of nutrients, hearty greens, and a explosion of flavor? YES, please!
Variety of colors = lots of vitamins…that means my body is happy! After WAY too many heavy holiday dishes, eating on-the-go, plenty of sweet indulgences and a few too many mornings of hitting snooze in lieu of the gym, I am ready for satisfying and nutritious meals to lighten the load and help get me back on track.
This veggie salad hits the spot with a combination of vegetables, dried fruit, seeds and nuts that is light yet filling, a little sweet, a little savory… and all topped off with a bright lemony tahini dressing that I could use on all types of dishes – grains, meats, a variety of salads, pastas, mmmmm!
I am loving on raw kale, a hearty winter green, instead of romaine or spinach in my salads on occasion. Prior to serving, let this salad sit for 15 minutes or so to allow the greens soften up a bit and soak up all the flavors of the dressing before chowing down Enjoy!
Chop-It-Up Veggie Salad (inspired by Oh She Glows)
(Gluten free, Dairy-free, Soy-Free, Vegan, Nut-free Option)
Serves 3-4
Ingredients
4-5 cups kale, washed and chopped or torn
1/2 bell pepper (color of choice, I used red)
4 scallions, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, sliced thin
1 small head endive, chopped
2 carrots, diced
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup juice-sweetened dried cherries, whole or rough chopped (or other dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries, etc)
3-4 Tbsp hemp seeds (or other seeds)
1/3 cup walnuts or other nuts, eliminate for nut-free
fresh parsley (or other fresh herb), rough chop
Tahini-Garlic Dressing, recipe follows
Directions
1. Combine all chopped/diced vegetables in a large mixing bowl or salad bowl except for greens, hemp seeds and nuts.
2. Make your Tahini-Garlic Dressing (recipe below) and set aside.
3. Tear the leaves off of the kale and rip into bite-sized pieces. Wash and dry leaves thoroughly.
4. Mix the vegetables, greens and dressing (to taste) in large bowl until thoroughly combined. Garnish with hemp seeds and walnuts.
5. Place in fridge to ‘marinate’ for 10-15 minutes. Keeps in fridge in a sealed container for 1 day.
Tahini-Garlic Dressing
Vegan, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Grain-Free, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
1/4 cup tahini
3 Tbsp egg-free mayo (I use soy-free Vegenaise, can sub regular mayo if you prefer)
juice from one large lemon or two small
1-2 cloves garlic (or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder)
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 tsp Himalayan pink sea salt
3-4 Tbsp water (or more to reach desired consistency)
1 small scallion, minced (optional)
freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
1. Add all ingredients to a blender (I used my Magic Bullet) and blend until smooth. The dressing will thicken after refrigeration.
