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Eggplant, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds, dried in paper toweling
Olive oil
Salt
Filling choices:
Sun-dried tomatoes, julienned
Sliced mushrooms, sauteed
Sliced olives
Jalapeno peppers, slice and sauteed
Basil leaves

Preheat oven to 400°

Fit a baking sheet with parchment paper and brush with olive oil.
Place eggplant rounds on baking sheet, brush with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Roast for approximately 8 minutes on each side, or until golden.
Remove eggplant rounds from pan and place on a platter.
Add your choice of fillings and fold like a mini taco.

Serves 4

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1 pound firm tofu
2 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise into quarters
1 Vidalia onion, sliced in 1/2 inch rounds
Italian salad dressing, or vinaigrette dressing
Greens; bok choy, spinach, or kale, or a combination

Sesame-Miso Marinade
3 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
3/4 cup water, apple or pineapple juice
1/4 cup white miso

Cut tofu lengthwise into 4 rectangular “steaks”.
Combine in a food processor; garlic, ginger, sesame oil, tamari, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, red chili flakes, water and miso.
Process until smooth.
Place marinade in a shallow dish.
Add tofu, turning to coat well.
Marinate at least 2 hours, or overnight, in the refrigerator.

Heat grill
Brush vegetables with dressing.
Place in a grill basket or directly on the grill.
Grill until slightly charred.
Set aside.
Remove tofu from marinade.
Place tofu in a grill pan.
Sear for 2 minutes on each side.
Place tofu and vegetables in a warm oven while preparing the greens.

Wilted Greens
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 medium head bok choy, washed and sliced diagonally, or 6 cups spinach or kale, washed, drained and torn into pieces
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon tamari, soy sauce or General Tsao Stir Fry Sauce
6 to 8 scallions, sliced diagonally

Heat olive and sesame oils over moderate heat in a large saute pan.
Add greens and ginger.
Sauté, stirring frequently for 4 minutes, or until almost tender.
Add tamari and scallions, stir.
Add grilled vegetables and tofu.
Gently combine.

Serves 4

Note: Any vegetables suitable for grilling can be used.

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1 small zucchini, julienned
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 cup cilantro, divided, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup bean sprouts, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons almond butter
Zest of one lemon
Juice of one lemon
2 garlic cloves
1 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, optional
1/8 teaspoon hot sauce, or more to taste
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Water

Place prepared zucchini and carrot in a large mixing bowl.
Add 1/2 cup bean sprouts and 1/2 cup cilantro. Toss
In a blender, combine 1/2 cup cilantro, almond butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic cloves, ginger, hot sauce, salt and black pepper.
Blend until smooth.
Add water slowly if a thinner dressing is desired.
Pour dressing over zucchini-carrot mixture and toss to coat evenly.
Garnish with more bean sprouts and cilantro.

Serves 1 generously

Note: Julienned zucchini and carrot can be stir-fried in a lightly oiled, sauté pan for a minute or two. This salad holds endless possibilities. Snow peas, edamame are just a few of the add-ins that can be used.

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1 cup black beans, cooked or canned
1/4 cup flaxseed
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons, diced yellow onion
2 tablespoons, chopped sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
pinch of sea salt, optional
Condiments – your choice

In a large bowl, mash black beans
Add flaxseed, garlic, onion, sun-dried tomatoes, black pepper, chili powder, cumin and salt, if using
Form into patties.
Spray a grill or skillet with coconut or olive oil
Cook for 5 minutes on each side

Makes 3 burgers

Note: “Meat” can also be formed into “meatballs”. Can be used in tacos. The possibilities are endless.

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4 ounces soba noodles (Japanese buckwheat noodles)
1 cup frozen, shelled edamame (green soybeans)
1 cup bean sprouts, washed and drained
1 cucumber, halved lengthwise, peeled, sliced with seeds removed
12 ounce package firm tofu, drained and sliced thickly
2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Sesame seeds for garnish

Cook soba noodles as stated on package.
Add edamame to the noodles for the last three minutes of cooking
Rinse with warm water
Drain well
Set aside
Dry tofu with kitchen towel
Mix a teaspoon of sesame oil with a teaspoon of soy sauce in a small bowl
Brush mixture over tofu steaks
Grill, using an indoor grill or outdoor grill for two to three minutes per side
Place noodle mixture in a large bowl
Add the bean sprouts, cucumber slices, and chopped green onions
Mix remaining soy sauce, sesame oil and lime juice in a medium bowl.
Pour over salad and toss
Garnish with cilantro leaves and sesame seeds, if desired
Serve with grilled tofu steaks arranged on top

Note: For a spicy alternative, mix into the dressing 1 1/2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce or sriracha sauce

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1 medium zucchini
Handful of baby arugula, baby spinach, or greens of your choice
zest of 1/2 lime
1/2 cup slivered almonds or cashews

Avocado Pesto
1 avocado, peeled and diced
6-10 basil leaves
1/2 lime, juiced
2 scallions, diced
3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons tahini
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Pasta
Prepare the zucchini noodles with either a spiralizer, a peeler for long, linguine-shaped noodles, or a mandoline with the julienne blade.
Cut the pasta strands to the desired length.
Combine zucchini noodles in a bowl with washed arugula, lime zest and almonds or cashews, set aside.

Pesto
In a food processor chop garlic and scallions until fine.
Add avocado, basil, lime juice, tahini and oil.
Blend until smooth.
Season with salt and pepper – to taste.

In a large salad bowl, combine the pasta mixture with the pesto, toss together.

Serves 1 generously

Note: Can sauté zucchini noodles in a small frying pan with one teaspoon olive oil over medium heat for approximately two minutes before combining with the other ingredients.

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1/2 package extra firm tofu, drained
8 ounce package mini sweet peppers, seeded and halved
medium sweet onion, cut in circles
2 cups water
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon Kirkland 21 spice blend, or brand of your choice
1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Salsa, to taste
Fresh mixed greens
Cook spray
Sandwich rolls or flatbread

Grease and Preheat indoor grill pan, Panini press or outdoor grill.

Slice tofu into thin 1/8 inch slices, approximately 8.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine water and mustard together.
Add tofu slices and marinate approximately 5 minutes.
In another bowl combine bread crumbs, spice blend, black pepper, cayenne pepper and salt.
Dip the tofu slices, one at a time, into the bread crumb mixture.
Place on wax paper.
Grill mini sweet peppers and onion circles. Set aside.
Grill tofu slices.
Spread bottom of sandwich roll or flatbread with salsa.
Top with one onion slice and some grilled pepper halves.
Add two slices of grilled tofu.
Finish it off with some mixed greens.
Place top half of sandwich roll on greens or, if using flatbread, roll it up.

Yield 4 sandwiches

Note: Leftover grilled onions and peppers can be refrigerated.

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2 cups (8 ounces) pasta – ziti or any similar variety
24 ounce jar marinara sauce
6.5 ounce jar pesto, or homemade
1 pound silken tofu

Cook pasta according to directions on package.
Blend silken tofu in a blender or food processor until smooth.
In a saucepan combine silken tofu, pesto and marinara sauce.
Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
Pour sauce over pasta and serve.

Serves 4

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2 small zucchini, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 medium eggplant, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 yellow onion, sliced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon olive oil
olive oil cooking spray
14 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced in half
1 1/4 teaspoons sherry wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Cooked pasta, optional

Preheat oven to 450°

In a large bowl, toss zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper and onion with thyme, rosemary, 1/4 teaspoon salt, black pepper, 2 tablespoons water and oil. Fit a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and coat it with cooking spray.
Spread vegetables in a single layer in the pan; roast, stirring once, for 25 minutes.
In the same bowl, combine chickpeas, tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Add to pan with the vegetables; roast 10-12 minutes more.
Toss roasted vegetables with the vinegar.
Sprinkle with basil

Serves 4

Note: Can be served over cooked pasta for a more heartier meal.

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3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound eggplant, peeled or unpeeled, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced, equals approximately 1 tablespoon
1 cup cooked or canned white beans
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, leaves only
1 cup breadcrumbs
2 cups marinara (pasta sauce)
Pinch of red chile flakes (optional)

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Use 1 tablespoon olive oil to grease a large rimmed baking sheet fitted with parchment paper. Put 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add eggplant and 1/4 cup water. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until eggplant pieces shrivel a bit and are tender and beginning to color, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer eggplant to the bowl of a food processor.
Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet along with the onion and garlic and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently until onions are soft and translucent.
Drain the cooked beans. If using canned beans, drain and rinse them. Add the beans and parsley to the eggplant and pulse until well combined and chopped, but not pureed.
Place the eggplant mixture in a large bowl. Add the onion and garlic and toss. Then add the breadcrumbs and red chile flakes, if using and mix well. Taste and adjust seasonings. Roll mixture into approximately 12 balls, about 2 inches in diameter. Transfer meatballs to the baking sheet. Bake undisturbed, until they are firm and well-browned, 25 to 30 minutes.
Warm the pasta sauce. Serve the meatballs, hot or at room temperature along with the pasta sauce.
Serve over pasta, rice, quinoa or steamed greens.

Serves 4-6

Note: Meatballs can also be added to and warmed up in the pasta sauce.