By |

 

4 – 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 medium baking potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 small Japanese eggplant, ends trimmed, peeled, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 small zucchini, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 onion, thinly sliced
4 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 head garlic

Preheat oven to 400°

Coat bottom of 9 inch x 13 inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon oil.
Arrange vegetables in slightly overlapping rows, in baking dish.
Season with salt and pepper.
Place garlic in center of dish.
Drizzle remaining oil over the vegetables.
Bake, swirling baking dish every 10 minutes to distribute oil, until vegetables are tender and garlic is soft, 40 – 50 minutes. This keeps the vegetables moist and tender.
Remove baking dish from oven.
Remove garlic and let stand until cool enough to handle.
Squeeze garlic pulp into a small bowl and mash with a fork.
Spread over vegetables.

Serves 4 – 6

By |

 

1 package ready-made pizza dough
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces (about 1 3/4 cups)
1 small sweet onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
1 8-ounce block non-dairy cheese, your choice; shredded
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425°

Position 1 rack in top third of oven and 1 rack in bottom third of oven.
Spray or brush olive oil on heavy large baking sheet or large pizza pan.
Press or stretch pizza dough to fit either pan.
Brush dough with 1 tablespoon oil.
Toss tomatoes, bell pepper, zucchini, and onion with remaining 3 tablespoons oil in large bowl. Arrange vegetables on large rimmed baking sheet fitted with parchment paper.
Place pizza crust on top rack in oven and vegetables on bottom rack.
Bake until pizza crust is golden brown and vegetables are softened and brown in spots, about 13 minutes.
Remove from oven.
Sprinkle crust with cheese and top with vegetables.
Top with basil and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 3 minutes.
Cut into slices.

Serves 2 – 4

Note: Inspired by a recipe on epicurious.com

By |

 

1 small sweet potato
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 portobello mushroom cap
1/2 small zucchini
1 small shallot, finely diced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 cup cooked quinoa
3/4 cup dried breadcrumbs
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
4 sandwich rolls, split, toasted
Guacamole, sliced tomatoes, and sprouts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°

Prick sweet potato all over with a fork, rub with 1 tablespoon oil, then season with salt and pepper.
Roast directly on oven rack until tender, 30-45 minutes. Cool.
Remove and discard skin , mash flesh with a fork. Set aside.
Remove stem from mushroom, discard.
Pulse cap in food processor until finely chopped.
Coarsely grate zucchini on large holes of a box grater.
Place in a kitchen towel, squeeze out excess liquid.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.
Cook shallot and red pepper flakes, stirring often, until shallot is soft, about 2 minutes.
Add mushroom and zucchini, cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to release their juice, approximately 2 – 4 minutes.
Transfer to a large bowl.
Mix in quinoa. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
Add breadcrumbs, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup reserved mashed sweet potato to quinoa mixture. Mix well.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
If mixture is too loose, add more mashed sweet potato to bind.
Divide mixture into 4 portions and form into patties, pressing firmly together with your hands.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
Cook 2 patties until golden brown, approximately 2 – 4 minutes per side.
Season with salt and pepper.
Repeat with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 2 patties.
Place patties on toasted sandwich rolls.
Add guacamole, sliced tomatoes and sprouts (optional)

Serves 4

By |

 

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.

By |

 

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.

By |

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.

By |

1 green pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 – 2 yellow and/or green squash, chopped
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, diced
1 cup cooked brown rice
15 ounce can organic refried beans
Vegetarian ground beef, optional
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 – 8 tortillas – whole wheat, gluten-free, rice, or corn

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Sauté the vegetables in olive oil on medium heat until soft. Mix in the brown rice, refried beans and “smart ground” until mixture is hot. Place some of the mixture in each of the tortillas. Roll them up and place them in a baking pan and cook them until brown, about 15 minutes. Top with your favorite toppings.

Yield approximately 6-8 burritos

Note: Leftover filling can be stored in the refrigerator. When ready to use, place mixture on a fresh tortilla, roll it up and microwave until hot.

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 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.