Tag: vegan

Falafel Collard Greens Wrap with Tzatziki Sauce

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These tasty fried fritters are perfect to serve as an appetizer or as a protein in a sandwich or wrap. It is typically served inside pita bread with hummus. I opted for a collard greens wrap with homemade tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, and cabbage. Roasted eggplant would be a nice addition.

Falafel:

2 C dried chickpeas

1  bunch of parsley

1 chopped onion

1/4th C finely chopped cilantro

4-6 cloves of garlic

1 tsp cumin

3 tbs lemon juice

  1. Soak the chickpeas overnight then drain. Do not use canned chickpeas!
  2. Mix soaked chickpeas, parsley, onion, cilantro, garlic, cumin, and lemon juice together in a food processor. Blend until thoroughly mixed, but not completely smooth.
  3. Mold the chickpea mixture into balls with two spoons and fry in avocado oil (used for high temperature cooking). Alternatively, you can use an ice cream scoop to form the balls. Fry until golden brown.
  4. Heat collard greens in oven or microwave until soft. Place falafel, chopped cabbage, tomatoes, and a dollop of tzatziki (recipe below) in the center of the greens. Roll like a burrito. Voila!

Tzatziki sauce:

2 C greek whole milk yogurt

1 finely grated cucumber

2 cloves of minced garlic

2-3 tbs of fresh dill

1 tbs olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Grate cucumber and mix ingredients together. Let chill for 1-2 hours.

 

Winter Veggies

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Roasted Root Vegetables with Thyme and Apples

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Ingredients:

3 medium sweet potatoes

2 gala apples

5-6 carrots

2 large beets

2 tablespoons olive oil

Thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Chop vegetables and apples into thin slices.
  2. Dress with the olive oil and spices.
  3. Roast at 450°F for about 40-45 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and starting to brown. Stir occasionally.

Balsamic Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranates  

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Ingredients:

1 pound Brussels sprouts

1/2 cup pomegranates

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Directions:

  1. Trim and clean Brussels sprouts. Cut each one in half.
  2. Toss the Brussels sprouts with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  3. Roast at 400°F for 25-30 minutes until crispy.
  4. In a sauce pan, combine brown sugar, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. Simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
  5. Combine roasted Brussels sprouts and pomegranates. Then drizzle the sauce over the roasted Brussels sprouts.

Guilt-Free Banana Bread (v +gf)

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Ingredients

3 tablespoons stevia (alternatively use 1/2 cup maple syrup or agave)

2 ½ cups gluten-free flour

2 teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

5 ripe medium bananas

1 egg

1/3 cup almond milk

½ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice

optional

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)

* To make this recipe vegan, substitute 3 tablespoons of water + 1 tablespoon flaxseed for the egg.

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix the dry ingredients together. In another bowl, mash the bananas, and then add the egg, almond milk, and OJ. Mix well.

Combine the two mixtures together then fold in walnuts and raisins. Pour the batter into a well-greased baking pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees F until a toothpick comes out clean.

Take out and place on a wire rack to cool. Wait until the bread has cooled completely before cutting.

Chestnut, Chickpea, and Veggie Coconut Soup

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This vegan/vegetarian friendly soup is simple and requires only two main ingredients—coconut milk and curry powder. The chestnuts and chickpeas are optional. I added them to give the soup some protein and texture. Alternatively you can add tofu. I used cauliflower, broccoli, and mushrooms but feel free to replace these with your favorite veggies. Eggplant and sweet potato are a nice touch. Top with cilantro or basil.

Ingredients:

1 c chickpeas (cooked)

½ c chestnuts

½ head cauliflower

½ head broccoli

2 c coconut milk

1 onion

1 t ginger

2 cloves garlic

1-2 T curry powder (depending on your spice preference)

½ t nutmeg

½ t cinnamon

1 T olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Top with chili flakes, cilantro, or basil

Directions:

  1. Roast the cauliflower, broccoli, chickpeas and chestnuts with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a pinch of curry powder. Cook at 375 degrees for ~20 minutes. Remove from the oven when they begin to brown.
  2. Sauté the onion, ginger, garlic, curry powder, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a large pot over medium heat. Stir frequently so the onions do not burn. Once the onions are golden add the roasted vegetables and nuts.
  3. Once the vegetables are coated with the spices add the coconut milk. If the soup is too thick, add a ½ cup water or vegetable broth.
  4. Simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  5. Serve with chili flakes, cilantro, and/or basil.

Breaded Curry Cauliflower

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Ingredients:

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 2/3rds cup coconut cream (canned from TJs)
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup almond meal
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Cut the cauliflower into large pieces.
  2. Mix together the coconut cream, egg, almond meal, curry powder, coconut oil, salt, and pepper.
  3. Coat each piece of cauliflower with the mixture.
  4. Cover a baking sheet with coconut oil and cook the cauliflower at 350 degrees for 25- 30 minutes.
  5. Serve with ketchup or dijon mustard. Enjoy!

Breakfast Cups

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Ingredients:

1 ½ cup oats

3/4th cup almond meal

3/4th cup dates

½ cup coconut oil

1/4th cup maple syrup or honey

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Yogurt (I recommend Noosa or Coconut Bliss)

Fresh fruit (Strawberries or blueberries)

Directions:

  1. Blend the oats and almond meal in a Vitamix or other high-powered blender until they are powder.
  2. Add the dates, coconut oil, sweetener, cinnamon, vanilla, and almond extract. Blend until smooth. Add more coconut oil if the dough is too dry. The dough should be thick and easy to mold.
  3. Grease muffin tins with coconut oil or butter.
  4. Place roughly 1 tablespoon or large spoonful of the mixture in each tin.
  5. Mold the mixture into the sides of the tin with your hands.
  6. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes.
  7. Cool for 10 minutes then place the cups on a cooling rack.
  8. Place a dollop of yogurt inside and fresh fruit on top. Enjoy!

Vegan Chocolate Coconut Banana Bread

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This is an altered recipe from Popsugar. I honestly decided to make this recipe because I ran out of eggs and was craving chocolate and bananas. I was impressed with how well this bread turned out. You cannot tell it does not have eggs or dairy. I guarantee it will satisfy your chocolate cravings!

Ingredients:

3 medium overripe bananas (mashed)
1/3 coconut oil
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup almond milk
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (this is slightly less than what the recipe calls for)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 1/4 cup coconut shreds

I used almond milk and coconut oil. I also added 1/4 cup coconut shreds. If you are not a coconut fan then use regular oil and leave out the coconut shreds.

Directions:

  1. Mix bananas, oil, sugar, vanilla, and almond milk together.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and coconut shreds.
  3. Mix the dry and wet ingredients together. Sprinkle coconut shreds on top.
  4. Bake at 350ºF for 45-55 minutes. The bread should rise and be slightly cracked.
  5. Cool for 10-15 minutes.

Raw Peanut Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

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Raw Peanut Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

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A great snack or healthy dessert. Very simple and no baking required.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup oats

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4th cup shredded coconut (can be left out if you do not like coconut)

1/4th cup flaxseed

1/4th cup peanut butter

3 tablespoon maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg and cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/4th cup raisins

Directions:

  1. Blend oats and walnuts.
  2. Then blend in the coconut, flaxseed, peanut butter, maple syrup, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla.
  3. Blend in the raisins last.
  4. Roll into balls and refrigerate for 2 hours.

 

Vegetable Paella

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Vegetable Paella

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Ingredients:

1/2 cup water

1/4th teaspoon saffron threads

1/8th turmeric

2 bell peppers

1 onion

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh garlic

2-3 carrots

3/4th cup artichoke hearts (canned 6.5 oz)

1 1/2 cup arborio rice

3 cups chicken or vegetable stock

2 1/2 cups chard (or other leafy green)

1 cup tomatoes

1 can chickpeas or kidney beans

1 cup frozen peas

Lemon

Directions:

  1. Bring water to boil and add saffron.
  2. Simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  3. Sauté veggies.
  4. Add rice then vegetable broth.
  5. Cool rice for 10 minutes then add chard and tomatoes.
  6. When rice is fully cooked add the beans and peas.
  7. Cook until the water is absorbed.
  8. Squeeze lemon juice on top.

Thai Coconut Red Curry

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Thai Coconut Red Curry

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Instructions:

1 cup jasmine rice

1 onion

1 bell pepper

1 teaspoon fresh garlic

1 teaspoon fresh ginger

2-3 tablespoons red curry paste

1 can coconut milk light

1/4th cup coconut cream

1/4th cup chicken broth (or 1/4th cup coconut milk)

3 carrots

1 pound tofu or chicken

1 cup frozen peas

3 green onions

1-2 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari sauce

Handful of leafy greens (optional—I used baby broccoli)

Cilantro for garnishing

Pinch of chili flakes

Directions:

  1. Wash and cook rice with 1 ½ cup water.
  2. Sauté onion, bell pepper, garlic, ginger, and curry paste.
  3. Once onions are soft add the coconut milk, coconut cream, and chicken broth.
  4. Add carrots, tofu, leafy greens, frozen peas, green onions, and soy sauce.
  5. Sprinkle cilantro and chili flakes on top.