Buddha Bowl
1 1/4 cups brown rice
1 1/2 cups edamame (organic, if possible)
1 1/2 cups trimmed and chopped sugar snap peas (can substitute broccoli… whichever sounds better that day)
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos (my FAVE)
4 cups chopped red cabbage, spinach, kale, or romaine lettuce
2 ripe avocados, sliced
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 of a small bunch of green onions, sliced
Lime Wedges
Toasted sesame oil (to drizzle on avocado)
Sesame Seeds
Sea Salt

Bring 3 quarts of water to boil.
Add brown rice, stir, cover pot.
Cook on low heat for 25 minutes.
Add sugar snap peas and edamame.
Cook for 4-5 minutes.
Drain and return to pan.
Stir in soy sauce or coconut aminos.

Divide rice mixture between 4 bowls and place all of the veggies on top (check picture for placement).
Cover with Carrot Ginger Dressing, green onions, drizzle sesame oil on avocado, and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sea salt. Add lime wedges.

Carrot Ginger Dressing

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped (2/3 cup)
2 tablespoon peeled and chopped ginger
2 tablespoon lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Blend all of the ingredients until smooth.

Serves 4

Recipe created by Yelena Crawford
Living Healthy with Yelena

2 cups almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
2 cups medium shell macaroni
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Hungarian paprika

Preparation:

Spray 11″x7″ baking dish with nonstick oil.
Cook macaroni in salted boiling water for 6 minutes.
Drain macaroni and set aside.
Heat milk in large saucepan.
Add the cooked macaroni shells and cauliflower florets.
Season well with salt and pepper.
Cook for 3-5 minutes, until cauliflower and macaroni are tender and sauce is thickened.
Add butter, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses and mustard.
Stir and cook over low heat until cheese has melted.

Preheat broiler:

Pour macaroni mixture into prepared baking dish.
Top with Parmesan cheese and paprika (can add more cheddar cheese, if desired).
Place casserole in the upper third of over to brown (watch carefully).
Remove from oven.
Ready to dig in…

Serves 4 – 6
Note: To make this a vegan dish, use plant-based butter and non-dairy cheeses.

Nonstick cooking spray
1 large unpeeled eggplant
1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cups marinara sauce, store-bought or homemade
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400°

Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Cut off and discard both ends of the eggplant.
Slice eggplant into 1/2 inch thick rounds.
Arrange slices in a single layer on baking sheet.
Brush tops of slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until eggplant is soft and golden brown.
Remove from oven.
Top each slice with approximately 1 tablespoon marinara sauce and 1 tablespoon mozzarella cheese.
Sprinkle slices with the Parmesan cheese.
Bake for 5 – 10 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.

Note: Substitute the cheeses for non-dairy ones to make this vegan.
Inspired by a recipe from Joy Bauer, MS, RDN

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 yellow onion, chopped
1 large pepper, yellow, red, orange or green, chopped
1 1/2 Tablespoons chili powder
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, minced
15 ounce can, pinto beans, rinsed and drained
15 ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cups vegetable stock
Sea salt, to taste
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Cooked quinoa, rice, or pasta (optional)

In a Dutch oven, cook onions and peppers over medium heat, until softened 5 minutes, or until softened.
Add water, 1 to 2 Tablespoons at a time, as needed to prevent sticking.
Stir in chili powder through garlic.
Cook 1 minute.
Add beans through vegetable stock.
Bring just to boiling over medium-high heat.
Reduce heat.
Simmer, partially covered, 20 minutes or until mixture is slightly thickened.
Season with salt and black pepper, if desired.
Can be served as a soup.
Or served over cooked quinoa, rice or pasta for an extra-hearty meal.

Makes 7 cups
Inspired by a recipe from Forks Over Knives by Chef Del Sroufe

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 large butternut squash (approximately 3 lbs.)
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces*
Fresh sage or oregano leaves, about 6 sage leaves or oregano leaves from 2 stems (can substitute with 1 teaspoon dry herbs)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut neck off from squash.
Peel squash.
Resting squash on its base, may have to slice 1/2 inch off bottom, cut squash lengthwise in half, creating two steaks.
Heat oil in large heavy skillet (cast iron is great) over medium heat.
Cook squash steaks, turning every 3 minutes, until browned on both sides and fork-tender, approximately 15 minutes.
Add butter, herbs and garlic, tilting pan to pool the butter on one side.
Use large spoon to continually baste steaks with butter.
Baste until butter is no longer bubbling, approximately 1 minute.
Remove from heat.
Stir in lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.

Serves 2
*Note: can substitute with non-dairy butter

Inspired by a recipe from Bon Appetit

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Japanese Eggplants, cut in half lengthwise
1/4 cup good quality olive oil, divided
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3/4 – 1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup tortilla chips, finely crushed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Torn fresh basil leaves, garnish

Preheat oven to 400°

On a rimmed baking sheet fitted with parchment paper, place the halved eggplants cut side up.
Rub them with 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
Roast them for approximately 15 minutes, or until tender.
Remove eggplants from the oven.
Divide marinara sauce evenly over each eggplant half.
Sprinkle with feta cheese.
In a small bowl, mix together crushed tortilla chips, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Top eggplant halves with the crumb mixture.
Return to oven and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes, until brown and bubbly.
Garnish with basil leaves.

Serves 2-4

For Vegans, substitute the cheese for non-dairy cheese

Inspired by a recipe from Giada De Laurentiis

 

1 1/2 lb. ripe cherry tomatoes
1/2 head of garlic
2 sprigs rosemary
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 350°F

Toss tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, oil, and salt in a shallow 2-qt. baking dish to combine.
Turn garlic cut side down, then roast tomatoes, tossing 2 or 3 times, until golden brown and very tender, 40–50 minutes.
Let cool slightly.
Remove garlic cloves from baking dish, mash slightly, then return to dish.
Add vinegar and toss to coat.

Serves 6

Serving suggestions: use as pasta sauce, a topping for bruschetta, a grain bowl addition, a side to scrambled eggs, etc.

Inspired by epicurious.com

Photo credit: Chelsea Craig

1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt to taste
2 cups red or green cabbage, thinly sliced (approximately 1/2 small head)
2 carrots, shredded
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
juice of 1/2 lemon
16 ounce can black beans, drained
12 soft tortillas, warmed

Preheat oven to 400°F
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Remove ends from Brussels sprouts and cut in half.
Transfer Brussels sprouts to baking sheet.
Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Roast in oven for 15 – 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
Combine red cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.
Add apple cider vinegar, sprinkle with salt and toss to combine.
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, chili powder and lemon juice.
Stir until smooth.
Warm black beans in a small saucepan on stove, or in a microwavable bowl in the microwave until warm.
Mash beans slightly.
Spread on warmed tortillas.
Top with cabbage mixture and Brussels sprouts.
Drizzle with mayonnaise mixture.

Serves 6
Note: Can substitute thinly sliced lettuce for the cabbage. May use vegetarian black refried beans instead of the black beans.

8 ounces tempeh
15 ounce can black beans, drained
1/2 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning
3 tablespoons water
Corn tortillas
Topping choices: chopped lettuce, salsa, diced avocado, etc.

Taco Seasoning
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
3 teaspoons Kirkland no-salt seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Crumble tempeh in large bowl.
Mix 2 tablespoons of the taco seasonings with 3 tablespoons water.
Add to tempeh.
Stir to combine.
In a large pan over medium heat sauté onions and tempeh mixture for 8-10 minutes, or until onions have softened.
Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Add black beans and cook about 3 minutes, or until heated through.

Assemble tacos
Warm tortillas, if desired, and add tempeh mixture and toppings.

Makes 6-8 tacos

1 package, 8 ounces, firm tofu
1/4 cup chili sauce
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs, or favorite brand of breadcrumbs
oil (for frying)
choice of dipping sauce

Cut tofu into cubes or slabs; wrap in kitchen towel.
The tofu needs to be as dry as possible.
Coat tofu with chili sauce and then roll in Panko or your favorite breadcrumbs, gently patting the bread crumbs on.
Heat oil, approximately 1/4 inch, in medium frying pan, over medium high heat.
Fry until crisp and golden brown on all sides.
Drain on kitchen towel and serve with your choice of sauce, .

Serves 2-3
Note: Recipe inspired by a menu item at Little Pine restaurant