Category Archives: vegetarian

Zov’s Golden Lentil Soup

Posted in appetizer, soup, vegetarian by

Zov's Golden Lentil Soup

Our family loves this yummy and delicious soup on a cold rainy Sunday afternoon and often during the holidays with family and friends.  We first enjoyed it at Zov’s Bistro in Tustin, CA, a lovely Mediteranean restaurant in our area.  Zov, the chef and owner was gracious to share her delicious recipe with all of us.  It’s a family favorite!

 

Golden Lentil Soup

Yield: 12 servings

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
6 celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
3 carrots, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 onions, chopped
1 pound dried red lentils, see cook’s notes
1/4 cup raw long-grain rice
12 cups water ( I use 1/2 water and 1/2 low sodium vegetable stock)
1 tablespoon lemon pepper
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
2 teaspoons salt (I use just 1 tsp)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Garnish: fresh Italian parsley
Cook’s notes: Dried red lentils are sold at natural food stores, Middle Eastern markets and some supermarkets. When they cook, they turn yellow.

Procedure:

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Wild Mushroom and Thyme Frittata

Posted in breakfast, brunch, vegetarian by

Mushroom and Thyme Frittata
Wild Mushroom and Thyme Frittata

Ingedients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus a little for the dish)
  • 8 oz. Morel or Baby Bella mushrooms sliced
  • 1 ½ cup Havarti cheese shredded
  • ½ cup whipping cream
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ¼- ½ teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves (Use only half as much if using  dried thyme instead of fresh)
  • 7-8 large eggs
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

 

Preparation

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a large frying pan over high heat, melt the 2 tablespoons of butter and add mushrooms. Cook stirring often until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

Butter a 10 inch quiche pan and sprinkle cheese in the bottom.

In a small bowl, mix cream, mustard, thyme, salt and pepper.

Pour just half of the cream mixture over the cheese.

Top with mushrooms and eggs. Pour remaining cream mixture over the top.

Bake until eggs are set, about 35 minutes.

Serves eight.

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Heavenly Deviled Egg Salad

Posted in appetizer, brunch, low-carb, salad, vegetarian by

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I adapted this recipe from one I found in Celebrate Cookbook by Sheila Lukins. I love her deviled eggs and make them every year at Easter. This modified recipe allows you to enjoy this vegetarian delight for lunch or as a snack. Continue reading →

Best Vegetable Chili Ever

Posted in Dani's Favorite, low-carb, main meal, soup, vegetarian by

best vegetable chili ever

Vegetable Chili

Serves 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
2 zucchini, cut into ½ inch dice
2 onions, cut into ½ inch dice
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 large bell peppers, cored and cut into ¼ inch dice (I like to use one red and one yellow)
1 large can Italian plum tomatoes, w/ juice
1 ½ lbs. ripe tomatoes, cut into 1-inch dice
2 T chili powder
1 T ground cumin
1 T dried basil
1 T dried oregano
2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. fennel seeds
½ cup fresh Italian (flat leaf) parsley, chopped
1 can canned dark red kidney beans, drained
1 can canned chick-peas (garbanzos), drained
½ cup fresh dill, chopped
2 T fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese, grated (optional)
4 scallions (green onions), white bulb & 3  inches green, sliced diagonally (optional)

 Directions

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Chicken Tikka Masala

Posted in chicken, main meal, Moni's Favorite, tofu, vegetarian by

I love the robust flavors of indian cuisine but never have time to make the yummy sauces on my own.  I recently discovered wonderful authentic sauces made by Maya Kaimal like Tikka Masala and Vindaloo in the refrigerator section at Sprouts Market.  They are also available at Mothers and other health food stores. They are my new secret weapon to making delicious indian meals in 30 minutes or less.  Sometimes I swap out chicken for tofu to make a vegetarian meal instead. Experiment to see what you like best.

tikka-masala-chickenCHICKEN TIKKA MASALA

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes (sometimes I substitute extra firm tofu)
1 red pepper cut into 1 inch dice
1 container of Maya Kaimal Tikka Masala (approx 1 1/2-2 cups)
¼ cup cilantro leaves

Directions

In a medium-sized skillet heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add peppers and cook for just 2-3 minutes. Don’t let them get too limp. Remove from pan and place in small dish. Next add the cubed chicken to the skillet and brown lightly on all sides.
Add the cooked peppers to the chicken and then add the Tikka Masala sauce. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes over low heat or until chicken is cooked through. If sauce becomes too thick, add water to thin.
Garnish with cilantro and serve with basmati rice or Indian naan or other flatbread.

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Butternut Squash with Shallots and Sage

Posted in Moni's Favorite, side dish, vegetarian by

Butternut squash with shallots and sageBUTTERNUT SQUASH WITH SHALLOTS AND SAGE

2 tablespoons olive oil
3 shallots, halved lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices (3/4 cup)
1 (1 3/4-lb) butternut squash, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (4 cups)
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth or water
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh sage
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Artichoke Cheese and Rosemary Frittata

Posted in breakfast, brunch, low-carb, vegetarian by

artichoke rosemary and cheese fritatta

Artichoke Cheese and Rosemary Frittata

¼ cup chopped onions
1 jar (8oz) drained artichoke hearts, cut up
1 cup grated cheese (any kind you like, I like Sharp Cheddar & Monterey
Jack)
4 eggs
1/4 cup Bisquick
1 cup milk
½ tsp. fresh rosemary (or ¼ tsp. dried rosemary)
salt and pepper to taste
fresh shaved or grated Parmesean cheese (optional)

Directions: Continue reading →

Corn Salad with Feta and Toasted Pecans

Posted in mexican, salad, side dish, vegetarian by

corn salad with feta and pecans

Corn Salad with Feta and Pecans

 

Ingredients

1 cup pecans (or walnuts)
4 cups fresh corn kernels (from 4 ears), raw or cooked
2 jalapenos, seeded and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 cup crumbled Feta (2 ounces)

Directions

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Grandma’s Butter Horns

Posted in breads, Moni's Favorite, vegetarian by

Grandma's Butter HornsGrandma’s Butter Horns

4 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 block of cake yeast
1 cup milk
1 cup shortening
1/2 tsp. salt

Break yeast into cold milk and set aside.
Mix dry ingredients and shortening as if for pie crust.
Beat the eggs well and add to milk/yeast mixture.
Mix this with flour mixture.
Set overnight to raise (doesn’t need to be especially warm).
In the morning, divide dough into four equal parts and roll each out on a floured board or silicone pastry mat.
Spread thin layer of butter onto entire round and then slice into 8 pieces like a pie.
Roll each from wide end to small end and turn under placing on a cookie sheet.
Let them rise again, covered with alight towel.
Bake in 375-400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.
Serve warm.
Oh so yummy!

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Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Pops

Posted in appetizer, Dani's Favorite, italian, low-carb, Snacks, vegetarian by

Tomato Basil and Mozzarella PopsTomato Basil Appetizer

1 dry pint (basket) of cherry tomatoes
1 carton of fresh mozzarella cheese (small balls or you can cut up larger ones)
10-20 fresh basil leaves (depending on size)
good quality extra virgin olive oil
good quality balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
toothpicks

 Directions Continue reading →