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16 ounce bag frozen edamame (in shell)
3 garlic cloves, peeled, left whole
chili powder, to taste
cumin powder, to taste
kosher salt, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat oven to 400°

Fit a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Spread frozen edamame and garlic cloves on sheet.
Add olive oil and mix to coat well.
Sprinkle with chili powder, cumin, and kosher salt.
Toss to combine and spread in a single layer.
Roast for approximately 25 minutes, stirring once.
Adjust seasonings, if more flavor is desired.

Serves 4

Note: Best eaten the same day.

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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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Medium cauliflower, cut into florets
2 1/2 cups yams (sweet potatoes), large dice
3 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 onion, chopped
Fresh thyme leaves
3 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup non-dairy milk
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Line a baking sheet with sides with parchment paper.
Place cauliflower florets, yams, and garlic cloves in pan.
Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and black pepper.
Toss to mix.
Roast for 20 minutes, or until florets are golden.
Heat coconut oil in a sauté pan.
Add chopped onion and sauté until soft.
Chop thyme leaves, measuring 1 tablespoon.
Add to pan, stir.
Place vegetable stock, roasted cauliflower mixture, onion mixture into a slow cooker.
Cook on high for 1 hour, until cauliflower florets and yams are soft.
Using an immersible blender or pour into a blender when cool, puree until smooth.
Add 1/2 cup non-dairy milk and puree.
Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with olive oil and finely chopped thyme leaves.
Serve warm.

Serves 4

Note: Can use a Dutch oven or stock pot instead of slow cooker.

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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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15 oz can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and liquid reserved
seasoned to taste – salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, etc,
oil for spraying
1/4 cup liquid from chickpeas
3 – 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (depending on taste)
1/2 cup tahini
2 – 4 garlic cloves (depending on taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Drop or two of hot sauce (optional)
1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil
Parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions for roasting chickpeas.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Evenly spread the chickpeas and garlic cloves (skin on) on a parchment-lined baking sheet with sides.
Mist with oil, sprinkle on the seasonings and stir.
Mist, stir and spread evenly once more.
Roast for 5 minutes. Check for doneness. Do not roast for more than 8 minutes.
Remove skins from garlic cloves
Add chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, and garlic in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas.
Blend for 3-5 minutes until thoroughly mixed and smooth.
Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the center of the hummus.
Add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of olive oil in the well.
Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Note: Roasting the chickpeas first intensifies the flavor and texture of the hummus considerably.

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1/3 c pure honey
2 Tbsp coconut flour
1 Tbsp almond butter (or any all natural nut butter)
1 1/3 c coarsely chopped nuts
½ c chopped dried fruit
1 c unsweetened coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 300ºF

Line 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper, leaving ends hanging
over two sides.
In a large mixing bowl, combine honey, coconut flour, and nut butter. Stir until well mixed.
Add nuts and dried fruit to mixture. Stir well.
Add coconut flakes to mixture. Stir well.
Place mixture in baking dish. Press firmly so that ingredients hold together.
Bake 20 minutes.
Cool to room temperature. Then place in refrigerator.
Cut into bars. Wrap individually, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Notes:

Can use any combination of fruit and nuts: almonds, cashews, pistachios, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, golden raisins, papaya, cherries. Try to use unsalted, raw nuts and
as unsweetened dried fruit (most fruits do have added sugar).
Chop nuts and fruits, then measure. This should be a “rough chop”—not tiny pieces.
Maple syrup or agave are not great substitutions for the honey. The bars do not bind as well!
Bars will bind and stick together much better after refrigeration.

Yield: 8 bars

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15 ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In a salad bowl, mix the garbanzo beans, black beans, mint, parsley, onion and grape tomatoes.

Place the jalapeño pepper, garlic clove, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar into a blender. Blend until thoroughly combined.
Pour the dressing over the salad.
Toss to mix.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Serves 4