By |

 

1 1/2 pounds zucchini
3/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups brown rice, cooked
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease an 8 x 8 inch square baking dish.

Slice zucchini in 1/4 inch rounds. Steam or microwave zucchini until done, but still firm.
Mix rice with lemon juice, parsley, seasonings and oil.
In the prepared dish, layer rice mixture, cottage cheese and
zucchini.
Top with the grated cheddar cheese.
Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and top is browned. Remove from oven.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Serves 4-6

By |

1 head cauliflower, leaves and stem trimmed; cut into small flowerettes
4 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 475°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add olive oil and cauliflower. Toss to coat flowerettes.
Spread them out in one layer.
Cover pan with tin foil for the first ten minutes.
Roast for 25 to 35 minutes.
Flip flowerettes once after 20 minutes.

Serves 4

By |

4 red bell peppers, seeded and cut in half
2 heads cauliflower, trimmed and cut into 2-inch florets
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 tablespoons Spanish olives with chilies, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Cover bottoms of 2 large baking sheet pans with parchment paper.
Toss cauliflower florets and pepper halves with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl, then divide between two 4-sided sheet pans. Roast vegetables, turning them and switching position of pans halfway through, until just tender and browned in spots, about 20 minutes total.
While vegetables roast, whisk together lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a large serving bowl, then add 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a slow stream, whisking. Add the chopped Spanish olives, if desired, into the vinaigrette. Add warm cauliflower and peppers and toss to coat. Serve at room temperature.
Serves 12
Note: Peppers and cauliflower can be roasted and tossed with vinaigrette one day ahead and chilled.

By |

1 medium butternut squash
1 medium onion, cut into small wedges, about 1 inch wide
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon sage, dried
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, optional

Preheat oven to 400°.

Peel squash. (A sturdy vegetable peeler works best.)
Using a heavy knife, cut the squash in half lengthwise.
Scoop out and discard the seeds.
Cut squash into 1 inch cubes.
Place in a medium mixing bowl.
Add the onion, canola oil, salt, nutmeg, sage, and pepper.
Mix the vegetables and spices until well coated.
Place the squash mixture in a shallow roasting pan.
Roast until the vegetables are tender and golden brown, about
45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The squash should be firm, but not mushy.
Remove the pan from oven and add the cranberries and nuts, if using.
Toss lightly to blend.

Serves 4-6

Note: Oregano can be substituted for the sage.

By |

2 potatoes, peeled, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 teaspoon salt
8 ounces cavatappi or other short tubular pasta
8 ounces green beans, trimmed and halved
1/2 cup pesto
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

Place potatoes in a large pot of water to cover and bring to a boil.
Add 1 teaspoon salt and the pasta; return to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the green beans. Return to a boil. Cook until vegetables are tender and
the pasta is al dente, according to package instructions.
Drain; toss with the pesto and season with salt and pepper.
Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves 4

Note: Pesto can be purchased at your favorite supermarket, or make your favorite pesto recipe.

By |

1 cup uncooked whole wheat couscous
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1/2 kabocha squash, remove seeds and
cut into 1/2″ cubes (peel only
if not organic.) Butternut squash can also be used
15 ounce can organic black beans (low sodium, if available)
1/4 cup slivered or sliced almonds
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1 teaspoon cinnamon, or to taste
Salt, pepper to taste

In a medium saucepan, prepare couscous according to package, then set
aside.
In large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium heat. Add chopped garlic and saute until fragrant. Add chopped onion and saute until onions are soft and transparent, about 5 minutes.
Add squash cubes and saute for additional 3-4 minutes. Add vegetable
broth, reduce heat, and cover. Cook for 10 minutes or until squash
is fork tender, stirring halfway through. Be careful not to overcook
the squash or it will turn to mush.
Once squash is tender, add beans and cooked couscous to pan and mix
together.
Remove from heat. Add almonds, basil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, and
remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil. Mix thoroughly and serve hot.

Note: This is a fairly dry couscous. If you prefer a dish that is more moist, squeeze some fresh orange juice over it… Leftovers are really good this way!

By |

1 small spaghetti squash, leave whole
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 clove fresh garlic, diced small
1/2 medium red onion, diced small
1 medium zucchini, diced small
3 medium tomatoes, diced large
1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1/4 cup imported Parmesan cheese, freshly grated (or soy cheese), optional
6 leaves of fresh basil, slivered
Pinch of red pepper flakes

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Pierce squash with fork. Place squash in shallow baking dish
and bake for one hour.
Let cool, cut in half and scoop out seeds with a spoon. Then with the tines of a fork scrape the squash strands into a large bowl.

Sauce

In a large skillet, add olive oil, garlic, onions and cook for about 3 minutes on medium heat.
Add zucchini and cook about 4 minutes. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, fresh basil and gently simmer for 10 minutes. Add squash to the pan and mix together.
Drizzle with some more olive oil, if desired. Adjust seasonings and sprinkle with cheese (optional).

Serves 4

Note: Can microwave squash on high for 15 minutes.
Fresh herbs make all the difference.
Kosher or sea salt can be used. Celtic salt is available at Whole Foods Market.