Category Archives: vegetarian

Lentil-Crusted Salmon with Spinach-Yogurt Dal and Apricot Chutney

Posted in fish, main meal, vegetarian by


I love Indian food.  The spices in this dish are a fragrant combination of cumin, cardamom, cayenne pepper and mustard seeds.  This  recipe is courtesy of Blue Apron.

Ingredients

  • 2 Salmon Fillets
  • ½ Cup Harvest Gold Lentils
  • ⅓ Cup Dried Apricots
  • 2 Ounces Spinach
  • 1 Bunch Cilantro
  • ½ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 2 Tablespoons Ghee* (or clarified butter)
  • 2 Tablespoons Tamarind Concentrate
  • 1 1-Inch Piece Ginger
  • ¼ Cup Lentil Flour (or regular flour works too)
  • 1 Tablespoon Apricot Chutney Spice Blend**

Preparation

1. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Pick the cilantro leaves off the stems; discard the stems. Peel and mince the ginger. Small dice the apricots.

2. Start the dal:

In a large pot, heat half the ghee on medium-high until melted. Add half the ginger and half the spice blend. Cook, stirring frequently, 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add thelentils and 1½ cups of water; season with salt and pepper. Heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer 8 to 10 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and slightly broken down.

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Fruity Pizza

Posted in dessert, low-carb, side dish, Snacks, sweet treat, vegan, vegetarian, weight loss ideas by

Fruity PizzaCan’t wait until summer to have this pizza!  Packed with vitamins and minerals, this Fruity Pizza is the bomb.

The Watermelon “crust” is full of nutritious benefits. It is a high lycopene food. Lycopene is especially important in cardiovascular health and an increasing number of scientists are finding that it is beneficial in bone health too.  It also has amino acids known to promote strong kidneys and other organs.

The Kiwi  topping is one of the healthiest foods.  It has the equivalnet vitamin C of an orange  and its available year round.  The California crop is from November thru May and then we get them from New Zealand.  Their crop hits the market June thru October.  Kiwis are a great source of dietary fiber and also provides great antioxident protection.

Blueberries are full of nutritious benefits as well.  Chock full of vitamins and minerals like vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, potasium and magnesium, these colorful fruits make a great pizza topping that is good for you and your body.

Dried  shredded coconut not only adds fiber, it adds iron which helps with healthy circulation and tissue maintenance.

Enjoy!

Ingredients

watermelon (large slice) cut into eight pie slices
kiwi, peeled and sliced
strawberries, cut in fourths
nectarines, sliced
green grapes, cut in half
whole blueberries
shredded cocunut

Carmelized Onion and Apple Tarts

Posted in appetizer, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals, vegetarian by


Carmelized onion and apple tartLooking for an easy and elegant appetizer to serve guests at your next soiree?  This recipe is just the thing: simple, pretty and delicious, with caramelized onions, apples and grated Gruyère cheese atop store-bought puff pastry. I think the fresh thyme and chives make all the difference.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbs. vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 lb. yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more, to taste
  • 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  • 1 lb. tart apples, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 2 – 2  1/2 oz. aged Gruyère cheese, coarsely grated
  • 2 Tbs. minced fresh chives
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper, plus more, to taste
  • 1 package (1 lb.) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
  • 1 egg, beaten with 2 Tbs. water

Directions:

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Tilapia Meunière with Moroccan-Spiced Lentils & Rainbow Chard

Posted in main meal, vegetarian by

Tilapia and Moroccan-spiced Lentils And Rainbow chard

Tilapia Meunière with Moroccan-Spiced Lentils & Rainbow Chard*

Ingredients:

2-3 Tilapia Fillets
½ Cup Black Beluga Lentils
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Bunch Rainbow Chard
1 Red Onion
1 Lemon
2-3 sprigs of  Parsley (for garnish)
4 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Capers
2 Teaspoons Ras El Hanout (moroccan spice blend of cardomom, nutmeg, anise, mace, cinnamon, ginger, various peppers, and turmeric)
⅓ Cup Panko Breadcrumbs

Directions:

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Vegetarian Jambalaya

Posted in cut calories, low-carb, main meal, soup, vegan, vegetarian by

vegetarian jambalayaMy 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!

Vegetarian Jambalaya

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Simple Salad

Posted in AP's Favorites, dressing, italian, low-carb, salad, vegan, vegetarian, weight loss ideas by

simple saladThis 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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Stir-Fried Tofu with garlic, ginger and green onions

Posted in asian, low-carb, main meal, Moni's Favorite, tofu, vegetarian by

stir fried tofu
I only recently discovered tofu and the many health benefits it offers. Tofu is a high-protein alternative to red meat. Due to its protein content, eating tofu can help you feel full while consuming fewer calories.  A 1/2-cup serving of regular tofu provides about 10 grams of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database.
Tofu is also a low-carb food.  A 1/2-cup portion of regular tofu contains about 2 grams of carbohydrates.  When trying to lose weight, trading in red meat and chicken for tofu is a great alternative.  It takes on the flavors of whatever it is cooked with.  Here is a yummy asian-inspired recipe.

Easy Stir- Fry Tofu with Garlic, Ginger and Scallions

 

Ingredients

12-14 oz. tofu (extra firm organic)
2 T. peanut oil (use more or less, depending on your pan)
2 tsp. minced garlic (finely)
2 tsp. ginger root, finely grated ( I use cubed ginger already grated and found at Trader Joe’s in the freezer section).
1 cup scallions (sliced into 2 inch pieces, This is about 1 bunch green onions. Keep white parts separate from green parts.
3 T. chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
1 1/2 T. soy sauce (I use low sodium)
1 -2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

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Roasted Red Potato Skewers with Garlic and Mustard

Posted in AP's Favorites, Dani's Favorite, Holiday Meals, side dish, vegetarian by

   These savory potatoes are gobbled up fast at my house.  The delicious aroma brings everyone in the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready. I often double this recipe when guests are coming. They can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead so that all you have to do it pop them in the oven, under the broiler for 10-15 minutes and they are ready to serve.

Red Potato Skewers with Garlic and Mustard

1 ½ lbs. baby red skin new potatoes, scrubbed and halved (quartered if a little larger)
3 T olive oil
3 T Dijon Mustard
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ T fresh rosemary, finely chopped
½ tsp. coarse kosher salt
½ tsp. coarsely ground pepper
6 wooden skewers, soaked for 30 minutes in water

 Directions

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Bean and Kale Minstra

Posted in Dani's Favorite, Holiday Meals, soup, vegetarian by

Bean and Kale Minstra
This yummy soup brings back fond memories of spending Christmas with my sister, Tomi and her family in Washington DC.  We had an unseasonably warm Christmas one year.  All the kids and parents went to the park and played flag football and then came home to a warm bowl of Tomi’s minstra.  Recently, my daughter, Dani texted me while studying abroad in New Zealand, to request “Auntie Tomi’s delicious bean soup”.  This recipe is a favorite that’s easy enough for a college student to prepare and nutritious too.

Bean and Kale Minestra

Serves 6 to 8

½ pound kale (about 4 cups, chopped—we used lacinato)
4 large garlic cloves, minced
olive oil to coat the bottom of your soup pot
6 cups cooked (2 cups dry) cannellini (white kidney beans—we used navy beans)
4 to 5 cups bean water, vegetable or chicken stock or water
2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
6 fresh sage leaves (½ tsp if dry)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
freshly ground pepper
½ cup finely ground cornmeal
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or to taste)
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

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Holiday Brunch Citrus Salad

Posted in brunch, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals, side dish, vegan, vegetarian by

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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