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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!

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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.

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3 tablespoons nondairy butter, divided
1/2 pound shallots, or yellow onions, thinly sliced
Coarse kosher salt
Black pepper
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
4 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 pounds brussels sprouts, trimmed
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 cup water

Melt 2 tablespoons nondairy butter in medium skillet over medium heat.
Add shallots/onions; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Saute until soft and golden, about 10 minutes. Add vinegar and sugar.
Stir until brown and glazed, about 3 minutes.
Halve brussels sprouts lengthwise. Heat oil in large skillet over
medium high heat. Add sprouts; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute
until brown around edges, 6 minutes. Add 1 cup water and 1 tablespoon
nondairy butter. Saute until most of the water evaporates and sprouts are
tender, but still bright green, 3 minutes. Add the onion mixture; season with
salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 6

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4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves, divided
1 pound small pasta shells
12 ounces frozen winter squash puree, thawed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
3 slices crusty baguette, cut into 1/4 inch cubes (1 1/2 cups)
butter for baking dish

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Butter a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium- low heat. Add the onions; season with salt and pepper.
Cover and cook until the onions are soft and release their liquid, about 15 minutes.
Uncover; increase heat to medium. Cook, stirring, until the onions are browned, 20-25 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the rosemary leaves. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, salted water for 2 minutes less than the package instructions suggest.
Drain, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot.
Stir squash and reserved pasta water into the onions; simmer for 2 minutes.
Toss the squash mixture and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese with the pasta. Transfer to prepared dish.
Combine the bread cubes with the remaining Parmesan cheese, rosemary, and oil; season with salt and pepper.
Top the pasta with the bread cubes; bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes.

Serves 6

Note: Can substitute fresh squash for frozen squash. Roast whole winter squash on a rimmed baking sheet, turning occasionally, until very tender when pierced with a knife, about 1 hour, depending on size of squash. When cooled enough to handle, halve the squash lengthwise and scrape the flesh into a food processor (discard the skin and seeds). Puree until smooth.

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1 bunch Swiss chard (about 1 pound)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
1 quart vegetable broth
3 cups water
2 – 15 ounce cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnishing, if desired
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Rinse chard well, trim off and discard discolored stem ends. Tear leaves from stems. Thinly slice rest of stems crosswise. Cut leaves into 1-inch pieces.
Pour oil into a 4-5 quart pan over medium heat. Add chard stems and garlic. Stir often until stems are limp, about 10 minutes. Add chard leaves, broth, and 3 cups water. Bring to a simmer; cook, stirring occasionally, until chard is tender to bite, 10 minutes longer.
Add beans and stir occasionally until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls; serve with more Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Serves 4-6

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3 cups vegetable broth
2 cups water
2 carrots, thinly sliced into matchsticks
2 tablespoons white miso
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bag fresh spinach, stems removed
1/2 package firm tofu, cut into cubes
Scallions (thinly sliced)
sea salt and fresh pepper, to taste

In a large saucepan, bring broth and water to a boil.
Add carrots, reduce temperature to low heat and cook for two minutes.
Dissolve miso into 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add to the soup.
Add the spinach and tofu cubes. Cook for 5 minutes, or until spinach wilts.
Add thinly sliced scallions.
Add sea salt and fresh pepper, if needed.

Serves 4

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1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups chopped yellow onions
1 garlic clove, minced
6 cups (or more) water
2 cups lentils, rinsed
2 cups diced carrots
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup diced celery
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, optional
Pinch of dried, crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper

1 cup chopped seeded plum tomatoes or 3 ounces of tomato paste
1/2 cup chopped watercress or parsley (optional)

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan or Dutch oven over
medium heat. Add onions and saute until golden, about
10 minutes. Add garlic and stir 2 minutes. Add water
through red pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to
medium, cover and simmer until lentils and vegetables
are tender, adding more water if soup is too thick, about
45 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Add tomatoes to the soup;
simmer 5 minutes.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle with watercress or parsley, if desired.

Serves 4

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Ingredients for Salad
Bunch of kale, coarsely chopped, large part of stems removed
Baby spinach, torn or chopped
Shredded carrots

Ingredients for Dressing
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1/4 cup walnut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
Pinch of red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese substitute
4 tablespoons walnuts or pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped

Mix lemon juice with chopped garlic and pepper flakes.
Add walnut oil and olive oil. Mix vigorously.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Stir in Parmesan cheese substitute and nuts.

Place salad in a bowl. Pour dressing over it and toss.

Serves 4

Note: Cheese substitute may be omitted. Just adjust seasonings to modify the acidity of the lemon juice. This salad has infinite possibilities.

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1 tube of vegan ground meat
1/2 can of black beans, rinsed and drained (15 ounce size)
1/2 cup of frozen corn
1/4 cup – 1/2 cup salsa
2 tablespoons olive oil

Mix the vegan ground meat through the salsa together thoroughly in a bowl. Mold into patties, as big or as small as you would like. Warm a skillet on medium heat with the olive oil to coat the pan. Add the patties. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, flipping midway through.
These are approximate measurements. You could always add more or less.

Serves 2 – 4

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1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
Pinch cayenne pepper
12 small flour tortillas
1 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Combine the oil, chili powder and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Brush each tortilla with the oil mixture and stack one on top of another to lightly oil the backside. Cut into wedges, and arrange in a single layer on baking sheets, fitted with parchment paper. Sprinkle with salt. Bake until crisp and golden brown, 8-10 minutes.

Serves 8

Note: Serve warm from the oven alongside your favorite salsa or dip.