Tag Archives: vegan

Eggplant Soba

25 Saturday May 2019

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This recipe is the first stab at recreating a bread spread I had at lunch one day that was so magical I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what it was. I thought some form of mustard with cardamom, but no – hidden veggies! Yay, hidden veggies!

This version isn’t half bad. It isn’t quite there, so expect to see more attempts this summer – but it’s good. And it was delicious swirled into some leftover buckwheat noodles with nice crunchy radishes on top.

gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan

Eggplant Soba

4 small Italian eggplants
10 garlic cloves, halved
Neutral oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 tsp, fresh ginger, minced
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
3 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cardamom
2 tsp. cayenne powder
2 tsp. lemon powder
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
Salt & pepper
1 stack soba noodles per person to serve
2 – 4 thinly sliced radishes per person to serve
1 green onion, thinly sliced to serve

Halve your eggplants lengthwise and cross-hatch score. Salt, and lay face down on a cooling rack to drain for 10 minutes.

When your eggplants have drained, pat dry and preheat your oven to 200 – 220C. Line a baking sheet with foil or a silpat.

Fill the scores of the eggplants with the garlic halves. Drizzle some oil over top and sear in a large pan 3 – 5 minutes or until you get some color. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet face side up.

Roast eggplants 20 – 30 minutes or until softened and cooked through. Pull from the oven and set aside until cool enough to handle.

This is a good time to make the soba according to package directions.

When your eggplant is cooled, scoop the flesh into a blender or food processor.

In your searing pan, toast the onion and spices in 2 Tbsp. oil over medium-high heat until the spices are fragrant and the onions are beginning to go translucent. Add the mixture to the eggplant and blitz. Taste, add the vinegar (if desired) and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve tangled into the buckwheat noodles and topped with the green onions and radish if desired.

Makes enough sauce to feed 4

Herbed Hummus Dip

11 Saturday May 2019

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Mmmmm … hummus. This quick to whip together dip is a fantastic last-minute thing to bring to a party, and pairs well with pretty much anything you want to dip in it (I served with raw veggies & pretzels, but potato chips were also fantastic).

gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan

Herbed Hummus Dip

Prepared hummus
4 Tbsp. olive oil
Big hand parsley
Big hand mint
Juice of 1 lemon
1 green chili
1 tsp. ground cumin
Salt & pepper
Toasted pine nuts
Pomegranate molasses
Zaatar

Whiz together the herbs, oil, lemon juice, chili & cumin. Salt and pepper to taste.

Add the hummus to a small bowl. Swirl the herby oil over top. Add a swirl of pomegranate molasses. Sprinkle with the pine nuts. Dust with zaatar. Serve

Makes enough for a 6-person game night with a second dip

Brunch Yogurt 3 Ways

04 Saturday May 2019

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Here are three super simple but impressive ways to serve yogurt to your guests as part of a brunch spread. All are at least gluten-free, paleo and (lacto ovo) vegetarian; and all can be made vegan.

gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian

Simple Peanut Butter Granola

1/4 c. date molasses
1/3 c. peanut butter
1 – 1.5 c. rolled oats
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
Pinch salt

Melt the date molasses and peanut butter together in a glass measuring cup or small pan. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until all the oats have been incorporated.

Spread evenly over a baking sheet lined with a silpat or baking paper, making sure to leave some clumps.

Bake at 325 F for 20 minutes or so or until starting to brown. Let sit on the pan until cool. Transfer to a jar or bowl.

Citrus Curd

1 c. citrus juice (I used a combo of grapefruit, blood orange & lemon)
Zest of 1 of those fruits
1 whole egg
2 egg yolks
2 Tbsp. honey
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Pinch salt

Bring the juice to a simmer in a small pan over medium-high heat. Simmer until liquid is reduced to 3/4 cup. Transfer to a glass cup to cool. Add zest.

In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, yolks and honey.

Drizzle the cooled juice into the mixture in a steady stream while whisking.

Pour the eggy juice back into the pan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the mixture thickens to the texture of pudding.

Strain to remove any little bits of egg that cooked and transfer to a jar or bowl. Refrigerate to set.

Quick Berry Chia Jam

500g bag frozen mixed berries
1/4 c. chia seeds
2 Tbsp. orange juice
4 Tbsp. date molasses
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients. Sit on the counter to defrost for 3 hours or in the fridge overnight. Mash with a potato masher until desired chunkiness is achieved. Chill 20 – 30 minutes to set.

Roasted Citrus Galettes

27 Saturday Apr 2019

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This is a super simple and beautiful way to serve up some late winter/Spring citrus fruits – and yes, you can eat the peels!

Makes a great brunch spread centerpiece- stay tuned next week for 3 quick and easy yogurt additions to serve alongside.

Gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan

Roasted Citrus Galettes

Grapefruits, blood oranges, clementines – whatever looks good at the grocery
Olive or neutral oil
Rosemary or thyme (preferably fresh, but work with what you have)
Salt
Date molasses or honey
Phyllo dough squares or toast or some other hand-to-mouth vehicle (gluten free if you need!)
Optional: goat cheese or vegan spreadable cheese

Preheat your oven to 350 F and prep a sheet pan with silpat or baking paper.

Scrub your citrus and slice into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Quarter the slices and arrange on the baking tray.

Sprinkle with herbs, oil, and a little salt.

Bake 25 – 30 minutes or until nicely browned and caramelized. In the last 5 minutes or so if cooking, drizzle a little honey or date molasses over top.

Bake your dough squares, toast your toast, or prep whatever eating vehicle you are using.

To serve, spread the base with cheese if you want and tip with a tangle of caramelized sweet and tangy and bitter all at once citrus.

A Standard Southern Slaw

02 Saturday Feb 2019

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This year for his birthday, DH requested a Southern-style feast to go with games and an ice cream cake.

Southern, I can do – no problem. The ice cream cake was a stretch (shudder remembering all the terrible ice cream cakes I had growing up and the disappointment that they still had icing), but it went over well – as did my backup lactose-free salted caramel ice cream stuffed red velvet cupcakes.

This simple slaw I made so we’d have a (non-fried) veggie (the fried okra I made was a big hit as well), and something with a little crunch. Lactose-free mac-n-cheese that certainly didn’t taste it and pulled pork with ENC style sauce rounded out the day.

gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan

A Standard Southern Slaw

About 2 cups shredded red cabbage
About 2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 Granny Smith Apple, chopped
1/4 white onion, minced
1/2 cup your favorite mayo or mayo substitute
1 Tbsp. Apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. your favorite mustard
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
Liberal salt & black pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients (mayo and below).

Add the fruit & veggies and mix with your hands, massaging the dressing into the cabbage. Liberally salt & pepper.

Let sit in the fridge a couple hours to marinate and serve.

Serves enough for a party

Guac Noodles with Miso Pesto

19 Saturday Jan 2019

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This recipe comes largely courtesy of Heidi Swanson from 101 Cookbook’s Instagram feed. She mentioned restocking her freezer after a move and the outline of what she calls Winter Green Miso Paste and it sounded fabulous, so I decided to make my own version.

And boy am I glad I did. This stuff is versatile! I served it with shiritaki noodles, a neutral guacamole, roasted broccoli & batch cooked ground chicken, but it would also be fantastic baked with salmon, swirled into soup, piled into or onto root vegetables, or thinned a bit and used in place of chimichurri to dress up red meat.

Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, low carb

Guac Noodles with Miso Pesto

First, make the pesto by whizzing:

1/2 c. yellow miso
3/4 c. your favorite oil
6 large cloves garlic
3 Tbsp. fresh rosemary
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch parsley
16 garlic chives
2 inches fresh ginger
2 tsp. vinegar
Salt & pepper

Then, the noodles:

1 pack shiritaki or kontjac noodles
2 tsp. stock powder (I used Ina Parman’s chicken, which is strangely vegan)
2 tsp. your favorite oil

Drain and rinse noodles. In a medium pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the noodles and stock powder and cook until noodles are dried.

While the noodles are working, make a neutral guacamole by smashing:

1 avocado
Juice 1/2 lemon
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
Salt & white pepper

To serve, combine and eat as-is or round out with roasted broccoli and/or ground chicken.

Makes a bunch of sauce – enough to freeze, enough guac for days, and 1-2 servings noodles

Roasted Carrot & Onion Salad

05 Saturday Jan 2019

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It was a roasted veggie kind of holiday around here. This one I initially served lukewarm with a rib roast and killer lactose-free potatoes au gratin, but I’m happy to report that it makes a killer hot hash the next day with eggs and chunks of beef. 🤤

Next time I may either not share with friends, or make more: this dish turned out really well.

gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, Whole30

Roasted Carrot & Onion Salad

2 lbs. carrots
1 – 2 fennel bulbs
2 large red onions
Neutral oil for roasting
4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. pepitas
2 tsp. sweet paprika
2 tsp. smoky chili powder
2 tsp. ground coriander
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Small hand full fresh mint, chopped
Salt & pepper

In a 200-ish C (around 425F) oven, bake your fennel & onion which you’ve sliced into thin wedges, arranged with plenty of space on a baking sheet, drizzled with oil and sprinkled with salt & pepper. Bake 25 minutes.

On a separate baking sheet, add the carrots which you’ve cut into 3-ish inch chunks, oiled & seasoned. Bake 25 minutes or until everything is well browned and almost burnt in spots.

Actually, if the onion is a bit crispy, it’s even better.

Toss the rest of the ingredients together in a large bowl to form a vinaigrette.

Add the veggies & toss again.

Serves a bunch

Orange Beet Salad

29 Saturday Dec 2018

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This dish made a nice light little punch of vegetable brightness for a holiday potluck.

Hence the fake picture.

I’ll insert the real and terrible pic I took after the recipe – suffice it to say, wine + taking pictures basically in the dark is not a great combo.

gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, Whole30

Orange Beet Salad

5 roasted and de-skinned beets
1 small head roasted cauliflower (toast until deeply browned)
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. hazelnuts
4 small oranges (not naval – something tastier)
1 shallot (about 3 T when minced)
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tsp. pomegranate molasses
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley
4 – 5 Tbsp. fresh tarragon
Salt & pepper

Add your cauliflower to a large bowl. Chop the beets and add. Peel, segment, de-seed and halve the oranges minus one half.

Squeeze that last half orange into a small bowl (about 2 Tbsp. juice). Add the lemon juice, olive oil, molasses, vinegar and spices. Chop and add the parsley. Mince and add the shallot. Add salt & pepper.

Pour over the salad and toss.

In a dry pan, toast the hazelnuts. Chop and toss on the top of the salad with the chopped tarragon.

Serves a party

Smothered Butternut Squash

15 Saturday Dec 2018

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The sauce on this recipe is addicting. So much so, I’ve managed to eat half a squash today and want more sauce.

What is it with me and raw garlic? I can’t get enough.

Gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan

Smothered Butternut Squash

1 smallish butternut squash
8-10 cloves garlic
1/2 – 2/3 c. olive oil
2 Tbsp. grainy mustard
4 tsp. sweet paprika
Generous salt
Generous pepper

First, preheat your oven to 200C and prep a baking tray with tinfoil.

Cut the stem ends off your squash, and halve down the middle lengthwise. Scoop the seeds and discard.

Now make your dressing by whizzing all the remaining ingredients.

Spoon a generous amount over each cut half of squash and arrange face up on the sheet.

Bake 25 – 35 minutes or until the thickest part is soft.

To serve, you can either scoop out of the skin in the kitchen, table side, or eat the skins. Whatever your fancy.

Serve with the rest of the sauce drizzled over top (or in my case, slathered).

Should serve 4 with a small squash

Pear + Radish Salad

08 Saturday Dec 2018

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It’s the season of potlucks – or one of them, at least, and as such I’ve been in my typical ‘vegan veggie things in a bowl with zero gluten – but nuts, so no suitable for almost but not quite everyone’ mode.

This salad as written makes a ton. Like 2 trays full, which is overkill for a 10-person potluck. Hopefully, more will turn up – or everyone comes hungry. I’ve got too many party leftovers at my house.

Gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan

Pear + Radish Salad

A crapton shredded kale (I used something like 6 – 8 cups because that was the size of my package – this dictated the size of my salad because I didn’t want leftovers)
2-3 cups chopped red cabbage
6 smallish pears, chopped
20 radishes (I used English Breakfast, but watermelon or another peppery variety would be even better)
2 hand fulls slivered almonds
1 hand full raw pepitas
2 hands full pine nuts
1 bunch snipped chives

For the dressing

Note: I doubled this recipe to get the amount of dressing I wanted

1/4 c. lemon juice
4 cloves garlic
1.5 Tbsp. date molasses
4-5 glugs or turns around the mixer olive oil
Hand full parsley
4 sprigs thyme
1/4 c. tahini
1/4 c. water
1 Tbsp. grainy mustard (if you’ve been reading awhile, you’ll know by this I always mean Maille Wholegrain because it’s my 😍)
1 green onion
Generous salt & pepper

Prep all salad ingredients and add to a vessel of some sort. Whiz the dressing together in your food processor and pour over the salad. Massage with your hands to combine and work into the kale.

Serves a party