Pearl Barley Stir Fry

 

 

 Ingredients

1 cup pearl barley
1 1/2 to 2 cups vegetable stock
1 yellow onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs dry white wine (optional)
1 head of broccoli, chopped
Any other veggies you want to add (I put in some spinach and cabbage)
S&P

How to Make Pearl Barley Stir Fry

This one takes a little bit longer to make because of the barley, but is a really hearty and delicious dish!

 In a large, shallow pan, saute the onion and garlic, lightly salted, for about 3 minutes.  Then, add the barley and saute for about 3-5 more.  Feel free to add a bit more oil if it looks too dry.   When the barley is fragrant, add the white wine, stirring constantly.  

Add the stock and bring to a boil.  Simmer covered on low for about 45 minutes until the barley is soft, but still has some bite.  Then, add the broccoli on top and cover for about 3 minutes.  Broccoli should be bright green and tender.  Add S&P as needed and enjoy!

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

 Ingredients

1 lb fresh Brussels Sprouts.
1/4 cup good EVOO
1 handful of cashew nuts
S & P

 How to Make Roasted Brussels Sprouts

This was a huge hit at a family event recently, and trust me, they are not easily impressed!  If you think you don't like Brussels sprouts, give this recipe a try and see if it doesn't change your mind.  If you want, you are welcome to omit the cashews.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Trim and half/quarter the sprouts, depending on the size.  Liberally cover with oil, salt, and pepper.  Be sure to toss them around to coat evenly. 

Bake on a cookie sheet for about 12 minutes, or until the sprouts are soft in the middle with crispy edges.

If your cashews are raw, you can add them to the sprouts about 2 minutes before they are done.  The ones I used were already roasted, so I just tossed them with my cooked sprouts.

Enjoy!!

Taco Night!

Ingredients

Taco "Meat":
1/2 tbs vegetable oil
1 cup Boca Crumbles
about 1/4 packet of taco seasoning
1 small jalapeno, diced (optional)
1/2 yellow onion, diced
2 tbs of water

Fixings:
1 tbs torn cilantro leaves
4-6 sliced grape tomatoes
1/2 cup cabbage/lettuce
1-2 green onions
sour cream (optional)
salsa
cheese (optional)
black olives, diced
Taco shells or tortillas, warmed

Avocado Sauce:
1 ripe avocado
1/4 cup milk
juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup sour cream

 

How to make Taco Night!

Josh LOVES taco night, and this is a great meal that can be made together.  I usually have him make the "meat" part, and I cut up whatever veggies we are going to use. 

For this recipe, you can really make it your own.  Feel free to use soyrizo instead of crumbles or omit the dairy products for some awesome vegan tacos.  This makes about 7 small tacos, which is just enough to satisfy us both (or 3-4 regular people).

For the crumbles, heat the oil over medium-high heat.  Add the broken up crumbles, onion, and jalapeno.  Saute for about 2 minutes and then add the water and seasoning.  Feel free to add more water if needed.  Cook for about 5 minutes or until heated through.

Assemble the tacos with whatever fixings you are using.  We tend to put the meat on the bottom and spread the sour cream down the sides.

If using the avocado spread, just puree all of the ingredients for this together and put into a squirt bottle.  This will keep for a few days in the fridge.

Enjoy!!

Green and Red Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

1 cup wild rice mix
2 cups vegetable stock or water
2-3 tbs apple cider vinegar
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 lb green beans, trimmed, cut, and steamed
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup cabbage, sliced
Salt and Pepper

 

How to make Green and Red Rice Pilaf

This is a yummy dinner or a hearty side dish that can be served both hot and cold.  The wild rice in the mix tends to turn the other rices a light purple/red color.

In a medium pan, bring rice and stock/water to boil, then reduce to a simmer.  Put the lid on, and cook for about 30 minutes or until tender.  (If using fresh green beans, you can steam them on top of the rice when the rice is about 10 minutes away from being cooked).

When rice is cooked, fluff with a fork and add the beans, cabbage, onions, tomatoes, S&P, and vinegar.  If serving cold, put in refrigerator.

Baked Tofu Hot Wings

 

 

Ingredients

1 brick of extra firm tofu, sliced
1/4 to 1/3 cup Frank's Red hot (or other hot wing sauce)
1/2 tbs olive oil
Fresh cracked pepper
2 pinches of salt
1 pinch of dried cilantro
1 pinch granulated garlic

How to make Baked Tofu Hot Wings

My friend and I were craving some of these amazing vegan hot wings from a local hot spot, but were unable to make it out there, so I decided to try and make some myself.

To prepare the tofu:
Wrap in a tea towel or several paper towels, and place something heavy on top.  (I used a half full gallon of water, but you can use a large can of tomatoes or anything else that might weigh it down).  Let it sit for about 30-45 minutes.

Cut into long slices.  Pat each slice dry with a paper towel.  Toss with olive oil and hot sauce.  Lay flat in rows on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with pepper, salt, cilantro, and garlic.

Bake on the middle-lower rack on the low broil setting for about 30 minutes.  When top side is crispy, flip over and bake for about 10 minutes more, or until both sides are crispy.

Toss again with hot wing sauce and serve with ranch or other favorite dipping sauce.

Enjoy!

Quick Mexican Style Soup

 

Ingredients

1 tbs oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, diced
1 pinch cumin
1 pinch dried Mexican oregano
1/2 cup dry orzo
6 cups vegetable stock
1 carrot, chopped
3-4 stalks of celery with leave, chopped
1/4 bunch cilantro, roughly chopped
1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
2 green onions, chopped
S&P

 

How to make Quick Mexican Style Soup

This is a very quick soup that is easy and hearty!

In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add garlic, shallot, cumin, carrots, and celery.  Saute for about 5 minutes until very fragrant. 

Add stock and bring to a boil.  Add the oregano, cayenne, 1/2 of the cilantro, and the orzo.  Reduce to a simmer and cook for about 8 minutes until orzo and vegetables are al dente.

Top with the rest of the cilantro and green onions and garnish with lime zest, sharp cheese, sour cream, and/or avocado.

Quinoa Stir Fry

 

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa
2 cups vegetable stock
1 tbs peanuts, chopped
1 1/2 tsp diced fresh ginger
1  cube of fresh ginger, whole
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
juice of 1/2 lemon or lime
cilantro
2 green onions
1-2 tbs soy sauce
1 tbs garlic chili sauce
3 cups mixed vegetables

How to make Quinoa Stir Fry

Like most of my recipes, this is something that you can use just about any vegetable you have in the fridge.  Usually, I like to add some carrots, celery, broccoli, and then some frozen Asian style stir fry vegetables.  Feel free to use whatever you have around.

In a medium sauce pan, combine washed quinoa with 1 1/2 cups of stock, a few leaves of cilantro, and the large piece of ginger.  Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.  Cover and cook for 15 minutes and then let sit for 5 more off of the heat.

In the mean time, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.  Add garlic, shallot, ginger, and fresh vegetable.  Saute for about 4 minutes.  Add remaining vegetable stock slowly.  Add lemon/lime juice and soy sauce.  Add in the frozen vegetables, if using.  Cover, and simmer over medium low heat until warmed through and vegetables are tender.

Stir in the cilantro, green onions, and garlic chili sauce.  Serve over fluffed quinoa.  Enjoy!

Spaghetti Sauce

Ingredients

28 oz can of diced tomatoes
3-4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 tbs olive oil
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried Italian herb mix
1 pinch granulated onion/onion flakes
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
6-8 whole peppercorns
1 pinch red pepper flakes
S&P
Splash of balsamic vinegar (optional)

1 tsp reduced fat cream cheese (optional)

10 oz whole wheat pasta, cooked in salted water
Parmesan Cheese (optional)

 

How to make Spaghetti Sauce

This is a recipe that only gets better the longer you cook it, so be prepared to wait a bit for the deliciousness that will ensue.

If you like, add some vegetable towards the end!

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.  Add garlic, salt and pepper.  Heat until fragrant (about 4 minutes).  Add in tomatoes and juice, herbs, and seasonings.  Be careful with the salt here.  You do not want to over salt this because it will reduce.

Bring to a slow boil and then reduce to a simmer.  Cover and cook for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  For the last 30 minutes, I leave it uncovered to reduce a bit more.  If using the cream cheese and/or balsamic, add it in at the very end.

Break up any large pieces of tomato with a fork, and serve tossed with pasta and topped with Parmesan cheese.  Enjoy!

Italian Vegan Vegetable Soup

 

Ingredients

1 tbs olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 14 oz can Italian style diced tomatoes
1 head broccoli
1/4 bunch kale
1/4 cup barley
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 tsp dried, crushed rosemary
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp dried basil
S & P

How to make Italian Vegan Vegetable Soup

This was created while I was craving pizza, but was on a very strict vegan, liver healthy diet (i.e. no bread or cheese and only liver healthy veggies).

In a dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat.  Add garlic and onion and sweat for about 5 minutes. 

Add carrots and celery and some salt and pepper.  Saute for about 3 minutes.  Add tomatoes and about 4 cups of water.  Bring to a boil, add barley and herbs, and then reduce to a simmer.

After about 15-20 minutes, add the broccoli and kale.  Heat until cooked through.

Season with salt and pepper and serve!

It's super easy, but really delicious!

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

 

Ingredients

1 lb Brussels sprouts
Olive Oil
Coarse sea salt
Fresh cracked pepper
Garlic powder
1 pinch cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
Balsamic Vinegar (optional)

How to make Crispy Brussels Sprouts

These little bites are so yummy, you'll forget you're eating a vegetable at all.  I make them in big batches because they will go fast!  This recipe will make enough for a side dish for 3-4 people.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Wash and remove the outer layer of leaves on the sprouts.  (Tip: you can blanch these and throw them into a salad, if you want).  Cut the Brussels sprouts into quarters.

On a large baking sheet, drizzle oil over the brussels and toss with seasonings.  Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes.  (I like to turn the boiler on low for the last 5 minutes to get the outer leaves nice and crispy).

Serve with balsamic vinegar or as is!  Enjoy!

Vegetable Broth with Ginger

 

Ingredients

Vegetables from "Roasted Root Vegetables Recipe"
4 stalks of celery
1 roma tomato, quartered
3 thin slices of ginger (optional)
1 tsp powdered ginger
8-10 cups of water
salt and pepper

How to make Vegetable Broth with Ginger

This recipe was developed from my roasted root vegetable recipe during a liver cleanse that I was on.  The broth is rich and hearty, and will fill you up with with healthy nutrients.

In a large pot, place all of the roughly chopped vegetables and cover with water.  You want about an inch of water above the veggies.

Add any salt and pepper and herbs that you might be using (bay leaf, thyme, etc.).

Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.  Cover and cook for about 2 hours or until very flavorful.

Strain mixture through a fine mesh strainer and either discard solids or puree them with some of the broth and some seasonings.  (I tried this, and I found the broth to be remarkably bland and off putting, even after adding quite a bit of seasoning: soy sauce, peanuts, cabbage, green, cilantro).

Either drink the broth as a clarified soup, or save it for vegetable stock purposes.

Tip: You can freeze the broth in an ice cube tray and then put into a plastic bag for convenient sized use later.

Quinoa with Garlicky Vegetables

 

Ingredients

For the Quinoa:
1 cup uncooked quinoa
1.5 cups vegetable stock
1 pinch red pepper

For the Vegetables:
1 tbs oil
3 cloves garlic
1 shallot
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1 bunch kale, chopped
1/2 cup red cabbage, shredded
1 celery stalk, diced
1 green onion, sliced
a handful of cashews, lightly crushed

How to make Quinoa with Garlicky Vegetables

This is a very healthy dish that will make you feel full and satisfied without feeling heavy.  The crunch of the nuts, cabbage, and celery offer a nice contrast to the soft kale and quinoa.  As always, feel free to add more vegetables!

The recipe as shown also includes many ingredients that help cleanse the liver, which, let's face it, we can all use this time of year.

To prepare the quinoa (the only grain that's a complete protein), begin by rinsing the quinoa in warm water using a fine sieve.  Then, in a medium pot, bring the vegetable stock, quinoa, and red pepper to a gentle boil.  Cover, and reduce to a simmer.  Simmer for about 15 minutes, remove from heat, and let sit for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Quinoa is a very forgiving grain, so if you find that you do not have enough liquid, you can add more without ruining it.

For the vegetables:
In a large skillet/saute pan, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add the minced garlic and shallot and cook for one minute.  Then, add the kale, coating it all in the oil.  Saute for about 2 minutes and then slowly pour in some of the stock. 

Let the kale wilt in the steam.  When the kale is just about done, add the cabbage and the celery.  If needed, add more stock.  Cook for about 4-5 minutes.  (I like my vegetables crunchy, so if you like them soft, feel free to cook longer).

Top the quinoa with the mixture and garnish with the nuts and green onion.  Enjoy!