My sister recently sent me a subscription to Blue Apron and a box arrived right to my door. I was intrigued. The company sends you all the fresh ingredients to prepare three delicious meals for your family during the week, along with the recipe (including photos) to help you prepare it. It was Mardi Gras this week so the meals all seamed to have a creole/cajun theme. I decided to start with the Farro Jambalaya. Full of fragrant vegetables, this hearty meal was a hit with my family. I have included the recipe here so I can make it again. Yummy!
Category Archives: vegan
Simple Salad
This is my go to salad. It compliments any meal and is so light and simple.
Favorite Vinaigrette Dressing
½ cup cider vinegar (or your favorite vinegar, I like lemon or grapefruit-infused vinegars)
1T. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. minced shallot
½ tsp. honey
6 T EVOO
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients but salt and pepper in a small jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake well. Season with salt and pepper.
Salad
Mixed greens (any mix of red and green romaine, red and green oak leaf, kale, frisee, and spinach)
Thinly sliced red onion (just a few)
Shredded carrots (handful)
Sliced tomatoes (homegrown are the most flavorful)
Fresh ground pepper to taste
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Holiday Brunch Citrus Salad
My friend Andrea shared this recipe with me years ago. I made it this holiday as part of Christmas brunch. It looks so festive and is tasty and refreshing too.
Holiday Brunch Grapefruit Salad
2 white grapefruit
2 pink grapefruit
6 navel oranges
½ cup fresh mint leaves
¼ cup sugar
dried cranberries or pomagranate seeds
Directions:
1. Peel and cut between membranes of citrus to remove sections. You can do this the night before.
2. Cut the mint leaves with kitchen scissors into thin strips.
3. Mix the mint in with the sugar and add pomegranate seeds or cranberries.
4. Sprinkle over the fruit and stir lightly.
Enjoy!
Psst! I sometimes cheat and buy the fresh citrus already peeled, cut and sweetened. Del Monte markets it in a glass jar that can be found in the refrigerator section of most grocery stores.
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Guilt-Free Cookies
simple, healthy and satisfying
Guilt-Free Cookies
Slice an apple into 1/8 inch discs ( I like Granny Smith)
Spread thinly with creamy peanut butter or almond butter
Drop 4-5 chocolate chips on each apple slice
Add 3-4 raisins on each
Sprinkle with shaved or shredded coconut
Optional (add finely chopped walnuts)
Enjoy this guilt-free little slice of heaven!
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Tasty Grilled Vegetables
Grilled Vegetables
You can use any combination of vegetables below to whip up a super easy, tasty, healthy, and colorful side dish for any meal.
2 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise into 1/4-1/2 inch slices
2 peppers (red and green), seeds removed and sliced lengthwise into 1-2 inch wide slices
1 large onion sliced into ¾ -1 inch rounds
1 large portabella mushroom sliced ½ inch thick
In a measuring cup, add approx. ¼ cup olive oil and 2-3 cloves of finely minced garlic. Mix and set aside.
Place sliced veggies in a shallow pan (8X8) and drizzle with oil mixture. Gently toss. (You can also brush vegetables with a pasty brush generously dipped in oil and garlic mixture if you’d like).
Place on a medium grill and cook until slightly charred and softened.
Remove from heat and place on platter and serve. Yummy!
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Skinny Fiesta Bean Salad
low-carb and delicious
Skinny Fiesta Bean Salad
Prep time: 10 minutes Fridge time: 1-2 hours
Yield: 10-12 servings Serving size: ½ cup
Ingredients
15 oz. can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
15 oz. can yellow sweet corn (optional), drained
½ cucumber, peeled and chopped
1 small pint red cherry tomatoes, sliced into halves
¼ cup green onions, finely sliced (white & green parts)
1 medium avocado, diced
¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
Dressing:
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
4 Tbsp lime juice
1 tsp. ground cumin
2-3 cloves minced garlic
pinch crushed red pepper flakes
½ tsp salt
Instructions Continue reading
Don't Forget the Secret Ingredient 
