Carrot Cake Oatmeal

carrot cake oatmeal recipe

Carrot Cake Oatmeal recipe
serves 4

This oatmeal recipe incorporates the flavors of carrot cake--sweet carrots, chewy raisins, warming spices and crunchy walnuts.  By simmering the carrots before adding the oats, I make sure that I don't get a raw or too vegetal taste from them in the final dish.  I like the carrots grated (like on a box grater) instead of the pre-shredded bags that you can buy because they are thinner and blend into the oatmeal better.  I've found that oatmeal is very personal, so feel free to add more or less liquid depending on your preference. Make one morning and have leftovers to reheat for the rest of the week.

3 cups water
4 medium carrots, grated (you should get 2 cups)
3 tablespoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Pinch of sea salt
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup raisins
2 cups unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1. Bring 3 cups water and carrots up to a simmer and let cook 10 minutes.  

2. Add cinnamon, ginger, sea salt, rolled oats, raisins, and almond milk.  Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the liquid is absorbed. Serve topped with chopped walnuts and more raisins or almond milk if you like.

Shakshuka with Feta

shakshuka with feta recipe

Shakshuka with Feta recipe
serves 4

Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern breakfast dish and I have yet to meet someone who doesn't like it.  I make this for me and my husband for weekend brunches, but you can also feed a crowd by making a double batch, transferring to a 9X13 baking pan, adding eggs and putting it under the broiler. Shakshuka is really defined by the eggs on top so you can't really skip them, but you can easily leave out the feta if you are dairy-free or use chopped kalamata olives instead if you like that salty, briny bite.  You can easily have this for dinner too--just include a piece of whole grain pita or sourdough to sop up that spicy sauce.

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon red chile flake
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 cup crumbled goat or sheep's milk feta
4 eggs
Parsley or cilantro to garnish
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch high-side skillet.  Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and a generous sprinkle of salt.  Cook for 5-7 minutes until veggies have softened.

2. Add paprika, cumin, turmeric, red chile flake, and crushed tomatoes. Simmer for 10 minutes to let flavors blend.

3. Stir feta into tomato sauce.  Make 4 divots into the sauce with the back of a spoon and crack an egg into each. Cover and cook on medium low for 8-10 minutes until egg whites are cooked. Yolks will be partially set by not super runny.  Garnish with parsley, cilantro, or extra feta.

Pan-fried Sweet Potato Cakes

pan fried sweet potato cakes with sriracha cashew sauce recipe

Pan-fried Sweet Potato Cakes with Sriracha Cashew Dipping Sauce recipe
serves 2 as an entree or 6 as an appetizer

After shredding up your sweet potatoes in the food processor, these cakes are a breeze to put together.  Although these look a little like latkes, the inspiration for these cakes was actually pakoras, deep-fried fritters made out of shredded vegetables and held together with chickpea flour (also called besan or garbanzo bean flour).  Chickpea flour is simply ground up chickpeas that can be used in savory recipes often in the place of white flour; just be sure to fully cook it, as raw bean flour tastes gross.  Raw cashews make a creamy dipping sauce while also adding extra protein and good fat so this can really be a balanced weeknight meal.  And sriracha is added because it make everything taste better.

for sweet potato cakes:
2 medium sweet potatoes
1/2 cup of cilantro, finely chopped
1 bunch of scallions, white and dark green parts finely chopped
1 cup chickpea flour (also called garbanzo bean flour)
generous sprinkle of salt and pepper
avocado oil to pan-fry

for dipping sauce:
1 cup of raw cashews, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes and drained
1/4 cup Sriracha hot sauce
1/2 cup cold water

1. Peel sweet potatoes shred using the food processor or a box grater.

2. Combine shredded sweet potatoes, cilantro, scallions, chickpea flour, and salt in a large bowl and mix thoroughly.  The mixture should hold together when you squeeze it in your hand.

3. Heat a little avocado oil in a large non-stick or cast iron skillet.  Make a test cake: take 2 tablespoons of the mixture and press together compactly.  Flatten into a freeform patty about 1/4” thick. Pan-fry the cake for 2 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked.  Remove from pan and taste for salt. Add more salt to the rest of the mixture if necessary.

4. Make the rest of the cakes and pan-fry them in batches.  Remove to a platter.

5. Make the dipping sauce: Drain cashews from their soaking water and add to the blender with Sriracha and cold water.  Blend until smooth, adding more water if necessary. Serve sweet potato cakes on a platter alongside a small bowl of the cream.

Everyday Mapo Tofu

vegan mapo tofu recipe

Everyday Vegan Mapo Tofu Recipe
serves 3-4

Spicy, Szechuan Mapo Tofu is probably my favorite way to eat tofu.  Soft, slippery pieces of tofu are dripping in fiery ginger and garlic spiked chili oil that's perfectly soaked up by white rice.  The one problem?  That delicious sauce is like 90% cheap, inflammatory oil, and you eat a LOT of it when you get Mapo Tofu.  I still spring for the authentic version when I'm in Chicago's Chinatown (my go-to is Lao Szechuan), but for home, I wanted to create a lighter and easier to make everyday version.  I also add some roasted eggplant and spinach to this dish (not traditional!) to make it more of a meal-in-a-pot, rather than needing to make a variety of dishes for a balanced meal.  Since this sauce is broth-based (aka water-based) instead of oil-based, it does have less depth and a different texture that the original but I find that it hits the spot when the Mapo Tofu craving hits.  See more ingredient notes below the recipe.  

for roasted eggplant:
1 small eggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
drizzle of avocado or grapeseed oil
sprinkle of salt

for Mapo Tofu:
3-4 tablespoons chili oil
1 bunch of scallions, ends trimmed and the rest thinly sliced
3 tablespoons minced ginger
6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1.5 cups mushroom broth (can sub vegetable broth or water)
2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons black bean garlic sauce (optional)
1/4 teaspoon ground szechuan peppercorns, separated
1 14-oz brick of soft tofu, cut into 3/4" cubes
2 tablespoons of arrowroot
2 handfuls baby spinach

1. Toss cubed eggplant with oil and salt and roast on a parchment-lined sheet tray at 400 for 25-30 minutes.  (I get this going first, then prep the rest of the ingredients--by the time the eggplant is done, the rest of the mapo tofu is too!)

2. Heat chili oil in a large pot.  Add scallions, ginger, and garlic and let sizzle for 1-2 minutes, stirring.  Add water, tamari, mirin, black bean garlic sauce, and 1/8 teaspoon of Szechuan peppercorns.  Bring up to a simmer.  Add tofu cubes and simmer until eggplant is done.  

3. Taste sauce (it will be very watery) for seasoning and add more tamari, mirin, or chili oil if desired.  Dissolve 1 tablespoons of arrowroot in 1 tablespoons of cold water in a small cup, and add this mixture to the boiling chili sauce.  Stir with a wooden spoon--you'll notice the sauce starts to thicken immediately and goes a little cloudy.  Keep stirring for 1 minute until its well mixed in.  Add roasted eggplant and spinach and stir to combine, being careful not to break up the tofu too much.  Serve with brown or white rice.

Ingredient Notes:

I was able to get all of these items at Whole Foods in the international aisle and the spice aisle, but an Asian grocery store would have them as well.  A lot of Asian pantry items can be high in sugar and additives, so choose the best options that work for you.

  • TOFU: use soft tofu if you can find it.  It soaks up the sauce and has a silky texture.  If you can't find it, get silken tofu or firm tofu depending on your preference for slippery or chewy tofu (just don't get extra firm).
  • CHILI OIL: get the Asian-style chili oil that's infused with ginger and garlic or make your own to use a higher quality oil.
  • TAMARI: I always have tamari on hand, but any kind of soy sauce will do.
  • MIRIN: A Japanese cooking wine that adds acidity and sweetness.  A more common Chinese cooking wine would be Shoaxing, but like the tamari, I always have mirin on hand.  I like Eden Organic since there is no added sugar.
  • BLACK BEAN GARLIC SAUCE: This ingredient is totally optional but it adds that fermenty, umami depth to the sauce.  I use Lee Kum Kee brand. You can try whole black garlic or black garlic puree for a more wholesome sub or just leave it out.
  • SZECHUAN PEPPERCORNS: You can get away with black pepper in this recipe, but for it to really be mapo tofu-esque, you'll want to use szechuan peppercorns.  They are more floral and tingly than black pepper (not hot spicy) and provide a "numbing" sensation that's crucial to this dish, traditionally.  I picked some up at a spice store, but I've also seen them with the pepper grinders at Whole Foods.

Smoky Beet Sliders

smoky beet sliders recipe veggie burger

Smoky Beet Sliders recipe
makes 12 sliders or 4 servings

This recipe has a number of steps but it's actually not too hard to put together, especially if you make use of your food processor--it can do everything from grating the beets to slicing the cucumbers to putting the actual burgers together.  Plus I think it's worth it since these are my favorite veggie burgers EVER (and I've heard from some of my clients that they feel the same way.) Although most of my recipes are totally plant-based, I think these burgers benefit from the addition of one egg.  It helps with the texture, but is not necessary.  If you don't eat eggs, be sure to cool your mixture completely to help it hold together and you can also try adding additional quinoa and oats if you find the mix too soft or wet.  

drizzle of avocado oil, plus more for cooking sliders
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup grated beet (from 1 peeled beet)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup rolled oats
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 egg (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

for serving:
pretzel slider buns or Ezekiel English muffins
feta spread (*see recipe below) or Just Garlic Mayo (vegan)
sliced Persian cucumbers

1. In a large skillet, heat oil and saute onion with a pinch of salt for 5-8 minutes or until it's softened.  Add garlic, grated beet, and smoked paprika and saute for 5 minutes more.  Remove from heat and let cook to room temperature. 

2. Pulse oats in food processor until you get a rough flour and remove to a bowl.  Add beet mixture, black beans, quinoa, egg and a generous pinch of salt to the food processor and pulse until mix and it can form a loose dough but still with some texture.  Remove to a bowl and combine with oat flour.  Cool this mixture in the freezer for 20-30 minutes or in the fridge for a few hours or overnight (This will greatly improve the texture of your sliders and help them hold together better).

3. Make a test slider: take a tablespoon of the mix and form a mini patty.  Heat your skillet with a drizzle of avocado oil and cook the patty, then taste for salt.  Add salt as necessary and form 12 sliders (I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup to make them even).  Cook in batches, about 3 minutes on each side.  Serve on buns with feta spread or vegan mayo and sliced cucumbers.

*Feta spread recipe
makes 2 cups

1 cup crumbled Greek feta
1/2 cup grassfed plain Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1. Stir ingredients together with a fork or whisk or blend in the food processor for a creamier spread. 

Spicy Tahini Hot Chocolate

spicy tahini hot chocolate vegan recipe

Spicy Tahini Hot Chocolate recipe
makes 2 small servings or 1 large serving

Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds that's popular in Middle Eastern cooking.  It's become a staple in my pantry for making creamy sauces because I love its smooth texture and high calcium content, but I often forget I have an open jar in the fridge and end up buying a new one.  So much tahini!  So I decided to use up some of my tahini by taking it into the dessert realm.  Hello Tahini Hot Chocolate.  Non-dairy milks often make very watery hot chocolate compared to fat-rich dairy milk so the addition of tahini here makes a richer and creamier beverage with a slightly nutty edge.  I love spice in my hot chocolate so I also added cinnamon, cayenne, and ground ginger, but feel free to leave out if you aren't feeling as spicy.

1 cup of unsweetened non-dairy milk (I used cashew)
1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon tahini, plus more for drizzling
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
pinch of cayenne
1/4 of a 3.5 ounce chocolate bar (70% cocoa) OR 2 tablespoons of dark chocolate chips

1. In a small pot, heat milk, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of tahini, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, ground ginger, and cayenne.  Whisk until smooth.  Once heated, break apart chocolate bar and whisk in or add chocolate chips.  Taste and add more maple, tahini, or chocolate if desired.

2. Pour into 2 small tea cups or 1 mug and drizzle with a tiny extra bit of tahini if desired.

Homemade Vegetable Broth

homemade broth recipe

Homemade Vegetable Broth recipe
makes 1 quart

All ingredients are flexible, so feel free to make substitutions based on what you have on hand as long as it's similar (ex: leeks for onions, sweet potato for potato, etc).  The veggies can all be roughly chopped into about 1-inch pieces.  The longer the broth simmers, the deeper it's flavor will be.  Alternatively, you can keep a gallon bag of veggie scraps like carrot peels and onion skins in the freezer; when the bag is full, just empty it into a pot and cover with the 6 cups of water.  

I don't add salt during the simmering process to keep the broth flexible to add to other recipes like soups and ramen, but if you are sipping it plain, definitely add a pinch of high quality sea salt to your mug of warm broth.  For long-term storage, pour into 1 cup containers to freeze or into an ice cube tray so you can add just as much to a recipe as you'd like.  

1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 russet potato, chopped
3 sprigs of parsley
6 cups of water (or enough to cover veggies in your pot)

optional add-ins:
1-inch piece of ginger or turmeric, chopped
1/2 cup of dried shiitake mushrooms
1-2 cups of leftover bones from a cooked chicken (if you are a meat eater)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (if adding bones)
1-2 cloves of garlic
3 black peppercorns

1. In a soup pot, add all chopped veggies and cover with water.  Bring to a simmer and let gently simmer for 45 minutes, covered or uncovered.  Don't let it boil to strongly or you'll evaporate too much water.   

Instant Pot instructions for Vegetarian version (no added bones):

1. Place all ingredients in Instant Pot and secure lid.  Turn on high pressure cooking mode and set for 10 minutes (on my model you press manual, then toggle to the number 10.  There is no start button or anything to press after setting the number 10).  The pressure will build up (you'll hear steam coming from the release valve) and once it reaches pressure the time will count down from 10. 

2. When you hear the beeping signaling that the time is up, you can press the cancel button (or let it stay on warming, the default) and let pressure come down manually for 10 minutes.  Then release the rest of the pressure manually with the valve, give the pot a shake to make sure there aren't any trapped bubbles, release the valve again, and remove lid. Strain off vegetables and serve broth or store for later.

Instant Pot instructions for version WITH added bones:

1. Place all ingredients in Instant Pot including bones and apple cider vinegar and secure lid.  Turn on high pressure cooking mode and set for 120 minutes (on my model you press manual, then toggle to the number 120.  There is no start button or anything to press after setting the number 120).  The pressure will build up (you'll hear steam coming from the release valve) and once it reaches pressure the time will count down from 120.  The lengthy cooking time is to help draw gelatin out of the bones.  If you aren't concerned with that, choose a cook time of 20-30 minutes instead. 

2. When you hear the beeping signaling that the time is up, you can press the cancel button (or let it stay on warming, the default) and let pressure come down manually for 10-20 minutes.  Then release the rest of the pressure manually with the valve, give the pot a shake to make sure there aren't any trapped bubbles, release the valve again, and remove lid. 

Instant Pot Dal Palak (Lentils with Spinach)

Instant Pot Dal Palak recipe

Instant Pot Dal Palak recipe
makes 5 cups (about 3-4 servings)

First off, this recipe is written for the Instant Pot (a combo electric pressure cooker and slow cooker that has a cult following), but you can make it in an ordinary pot on the stove, just know that your cook time will be longer. (Similarly this will work in a regular pressure cooker, just cook according to your pressure cooker's directions.) However, the Instant Pot is the perfect vessel for making beans, whole grains, soups, stews and other recipes that typically need a lot of time on the stove since it can significantly speed up the cook time and pressure cooking allows some nutrients to become more bioavailable.  You can try this method with any kind of lentil, but I like it here with mung dal (split and husked mung beans), my go-to staple for dal.

2 tablespoons of ghee or coconut oil
2 teaspoons of cumin seeds
1 large red onion, finely chopped (can use yellow or white onion)
3 roma tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/2 teaspoon red chile flake
1 cup mung dal, rinsed very well until water runs clear (could substitute red or yellow lentils)
2 1/2 cups of water
salt to taste (I used 1/2 teaspoon of my himalayan salt)
1 5-ounce bag of baby spinach
juice from 1 lemon

1. Heat the Instant Pot on Saute with ghee or coconut oil.  When it's hot, add cumin seeds and let sizzle for about 30 seconds, then add red onion and tomato.  Let these saute and turn golden, about 5 minutes (during this time I rinse my mung dal very well).

2. Add turmeric, chile flake, and rinsed mung dal and stir to combine well.  Add water and turn off Saute mode.  Secure the lid and turn on high pressure cooking mode and set for 10 minutes (on my model you press manual, then toggle to the number 10.  There is no start button or anything to press after setting the number 10).  The pressure will build up (you'll hear steam coming from the release valve) and once it reaches pressure the time will count down from 10. 

3. When you hear the beeping signaling that the time is up, you can press the cancel button (or let it stay on warming, the default) and let pressure come down manually for 10 minutes.  Then release the rest of the pressure manually with the valve, give the pot a shake to make sure there aren't any trapped bubbles, release the valve again, and remove lid.  Stir in salt and spinach (it will wilt very quickly) and lemon juice.  Taste to season for more lemon or salt if desired.  

Notes: This recipe took me 40 minutes from start to finish, including 30 minutes total once everything was in the Instant Pot (about 10 minutes to get up to pressure, 10 minutes cooking, then 10 minutes to come down from pressure.)  You could probably get away with less cooking time, but I like my dal extra mushy with no gritty texture.  

Collard Greens and Carrots

Low FODMAP vegetable recipe

Collard Greens with Carrots recipe
serves 4 as a side

I created this recipe as a low FODMAP side dish for those in my community that follow this diet.  Regardless of what type of diet you follow, you'll like this healthy green side dish to make one of those most nutritious veggies out there--collard greens--taste tender and balanced.  Plus it cooks up in only a few minutes.  FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides And Polyols and they are a collection of short chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols found in foods naturally.  They aren't unhealthy in and of themselves but some folks with digestive issues like IBS are particularly sensitive to them and doctors recommend steering clear of these foods during a flareup.  The bummer?  FODMAPS are in some of the best foods out there like onions, garlic, beets, avocado and honey.  So this recipe was created specifically with low FODMAP veggies and seasonings.

Watch the how-to video for this recipe on my YouTube channel.

1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
4 carrots, peeled and sliced into coins 1/4" thick
1 bunch of collard greens, stemmed and cut into bite-sized pieces (about 1-2 inches)
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons of maple syrup
1-2 teaspoons of tamari (soy sauce)

1. Heat a large saute pan and drizzle in olive oil.  When oil starts to shimmer, add carrots and saute for 1-2 minutes.  Then add chopped collard greens and stir.  Add 2 tablespoons of water (more if necessary) to create steam to help the greens wilt and cook evenly.  Saute for about 3 minutes, longer if you want them to be softer and less bitter.  

2. Drizzle maple syrup and tamari evenly over the veggies so you don't get a clump of flavor all in one spot) and stir to combine.  Taste and add more tamari or salt if desired.  This can store in the fridge for 3 days for a side dish you can add to any meal.

Green Curry Broccoli Soup

green curry broccoli soup recipe

Green Curry Broccoli Soup recipe
makes 4+ servings

Earlier this year, I did a collaboration dinner with my chef friends at Sunday Dinner Club, a sustainable, fine-dining pop-up that's been running in Chicago for over 10 years.  We put our heads together and came up with 5 courses of delicious plant-based food made with seasonal produce.  A hit at the dinner was our soup course that featured a to-die-for homemade curry paste from SDC's sous chef Becca.  We combined that with broccoli stems (save the florets for roasting!) coconut milk and white beans to create a creamy soup that's spicy, tart, and vegetal.  So here I've modified that recipe for home use to make it a complete meal (and a bit easier).  Feeling adventurous and want to make your own curry paste?  See Becca's recipe below or use jarred paste like I do below for quick weeknight meal.  Feel free to add one minced shallot and 2 teaspoons minced ginger at the beginning if you like more of those flavors or a handful of Thai basil at the end if you can find it.

2 teaspoons coconut oil
2-3 tablespoons of Thai green curry paste (I like Thai Kitchens brand)
1 teaspoon minced serrano chile (optional for extra heat)
2 15-ounce cans of coconut milk
1 cup of canned or cooked cannelini beans, rinsed and drained
3 cups water
broccoli stems from 2 bunches (about 6 big stems), chopped into 1/2" inch pieces
2 cups baby spinach
1 bunch cilantro, rough chopped
1-2 limes, juiced
salt to taste

1. Heat coconut oil in a large soup pot and add green curry paste and serrano chiles.  Stir and cook for 2 minutes to let flavor develop. 

2. Add coconut milk, beans and water and bring to a boil.  Add broccoli stems and let cook until tender, about 15 minutes.  

3. Remove from heat and add baby spinach and cilantro (save a small handful for garnish).  Add juice from 1 lime and a generous pinch of salt.  Blend until totally smooth in a high-powered blender.  Taste and season for more salt and lime juice.  Garnish with cilantro and serve.  

*Becca Waron's Green Curry Paste:

4-5 oz. of ginger/galangal, peeled and chopped
3 stalks of lemongrass, pounded and chopped
3/4  head of garlic, peeled and smahsed
2 bunches of cilantro, leaves and stems
1-2 kaffir lime leaves
1 shallot, minced
3 serrano peppers, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons of coriander seed, toasted and ground in a mortar and pestle
3 limes, juiced and zested

1. Place all ingredients in food processor with enough coconut oil to make a fine paste.  This makes 1 1/2 quarts of paste which can be stored in the fridge for a week or frozen.

3-Ingredient Butterfinger-y Clusters

healthier butterfinger recipe

Butterfinger-y Clusters
makes about 40 clusters

In an attempt to make a healthier homage to one of my favorite candy bars from childhood--Butterfingers!--I ended up with something that looks nothing like a Butterfinger, but tastes almost exactly like one.  Simmering maple butter until almost caramel-like helps create that crumbly, toffee-esque center that's reminiscent of this favorite treat.  After adding the peanut butter you may end up with a candy-bar center that's sliceable but...I did not.  I embraced the broken bars, tossed them with melted dark chocolate and turned them into clusters.  Purists will want to still seek out the real deal, but maple and dark chocolate-lovers like me will be satisfied with this simplified treat.

1 9-ounce jar of maple butter (or DIY if you can't find it)
3/4 cup natural peanut butter
2 3-ounce bars chocolate (I used 60% cocoa)

1. In a small pot heat maple butter until simmering for about 5 minutes.  Let it darken and bubble up but don't let it burn.  If you have a thermometer, look for it to hit 275.  If not, just keep an eye on it so it doesn't burn but still simmers and bubbles away.

2. Turn off heat and stir in peanut butter until well blender.  Spread mixture into a lined loaf pan or glass tupperware and let cool in the fridge.  Be careful--hot sugar (even maple) is super hot.

3. Cut peanut butter mixture into fun-size bars.  Watch as it crumbles.  Embrace it.  Melt chocolate bars in the microwave or a double-boiler and stir-in peanut butter crumbles.  Spoon clusters onto waxed paper-lined sheet trays and cool in the fridge until solid.  

 

Sesame Steamed Kabocha Squash and Kale

steamed kabocha squash and kale

Sesame Steamed Kabocha Squash and Kale
serves 2

Kabocha squash is a Japanese pumpkin that's dark green on the outside and a brilliant, sweet, creamy orange on the inside.  I love it because it's naturally decadent and doesn't need to be roasted to be delicious, plus it's full of beta carotene, iron, fiber and Vitamin C.  Substitute any kind of squash or pumpkin that's available if you need to.  For this recipe, I season the simply steamed squash and kale with tamari, mirin, and toasted sesame oil.  Mirin is a Japanese cooking wine--sub 2 teaspoons rice vinegar and 1 teaspoon maple syrup if you don't have it.  Add steamed quinoa, aduki beans, or roasted chicken to make this a full meal.

1 kabocha squash
2 handfuls of baby kale, about 2 cups
1 tablespoon tamari (can sub low-sodium or coconut aminos)
1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese cooking wine)
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
salt to taste

1. Peel and cut kabocha squash into 1-inch cubes: Cut squash in 1/2 vertically and scoop out seeds and pulp with a spoon.  Cut the halves in 1/2, so you have 4 large wedges.  Slice each wedge into 3 smaller vertical wedges and then cut the peel off each wedge.  Cut into approximately 1-inch pieces.

2. Bring a pot of water with 1 inch of water up to a boil.  Add a metal steamer basket and place the squash in the basket.  Put a lid on the pot and steam for 10 minutes.

3. After 10 minutes, test to see if squash is done by piercing a piece with a fork.  Steam longer if needed.  Otherwise, add the kale on top of the squash, put the lid on, and steam 2 more minutes.  Remove veggies to serving plates.

4. Dump out all the steaming water except 1/4 cup.  Add tamari, mirin, and sesame oil and simmer for 1 minute.  Spoon this sauce over squash and kale and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.  

Miso Vinaigrette

miso vinaigrette dressing recipe

Miso Vinaigrette
makes 1/2 cup dressing

You don't need to wait for your next sushi takeout order to reap the benefits of miso.  Miso is a fermented soy paste that's most commonly found in miso soup, but it's naturally probiotic and salty, tangy taste is perfect for dressings and marinades.  Here I make a super simple dressing combining mild rice vinegar with olive oil, miso and dijon.  The miso and dijon emulsify the oil and vinegar making a luscious, creamy dressing without any added dairy.  Try this on a dark leafy green salad or over steamed broccoli or roasted carrots.  Miso is salty and slightly sweet so I don't add extra salt to the vinaigrette.  Look for miso in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, often by the tofu or other fermented products like pickles.

2 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon white miso
1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard

1. In a small mason jar, combine all ingredients and shake to combine.  Use a fork to whisk miso into dressing if it clumps together.  Store in the fridge for up to a week and let come to room temperature before serving (olive oil will solidify in fridge).

Horta (Greek Greens)

horta recipe

Horta
Serves 4-6

This recipe is adapted from the one used in my Global Healing Kitchens: The Mediterranean class.  Dark leafy greens are a staple in Mediterranean cooking with freshly-picked wild varieties often favored.  Horta is a Greek dish often made with boiled dandelion greens (which we use in class) and simply seasoned with fresh lemon and extra virgin olive oil, along with salt and pepper. But this method works with any kind of green and is a great side dish to any meal.  It’s often served cold, but works as a hot dish as well.  Make this your go-to method for preparing things like beet greens and radish tops before you consider throwing them in the trash.

3 bunches assorted dark leafy greens, chopped into 1-inch pieces (ex: kale, beet greens, chard)
salt to taste
1 lemon
2-3 tablespoons of best extra virgin olive oil

1. Bring a large pot of salted water up to boil.  Add greens and cook for 2 minutes, longer for extra bitter greens and shorter for tender ones. 

2. Strain greens and discard liquid.  Press greens if you need to so there’s not too much water left on them.  Transfer greens to a serving bowl.  Add fresh lemon juice to taste along with a healthy drizzle of your best extra virgin olive oil.  Add salt and pepper to taste if necessary.

Note: The greens should last for 2-3 days in the fridge.
 

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

peanut butter protein bars recipe

Peanut Butter Protein Bars
makes 10 bars

I'm usually not a big fan of protein powders--they can be chalky, weird-tasting, and filled with not-so-great ingredients.  But if I do use one, I stick with a plant-based protein powder (made from pea protein, a mixture of legumes and grains, or hemp).  For this recipe, I used Sunwarrior Warrior Blend Plant-based Protein Natural (unflavored).  It's undetectable in the final recipe but boosts the protein already present from the peanut butter.  I designed these bars for my clients going through chemotherapy because their protein need increases and they often don't have the appetite for things that aren't carby or sweet, but these would be great as an afternoon or post-workout snack for anyone.

1 1/2 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup natural peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup natural plant protein powder
1/2 cup honey
1/2 of a 3.5 ounce dark chocolate bar, broken apart (70% cocoa)

1. In a food processor, buzz up oats until you get a coarse flour.  Add peanut butter, vanilla, protein powder, and honey and blend until you get an evenly mixed dough.  It will be thick.

2. Take an 8x8 pan and line with a piece of parchment paper.  Press dough into the pan evenly, until it's about 1/2 inch thick.  Put in the freezer to chill for a few minutes.

3. Meanwhile, melt chocolate pieces in a double boiler or the microwave.  When it's melted, remove pan from freezer and drizzle chocolate over the pan with a spoon.  Chill in the fridge for 4 hours and then slice bars.  Store bars in the fridge and serve cold, otherwise they won't hold together well.

Lebanese Lentil Soup

lebanese lentil soup recipe

Lebanese Lentil Soup
serves 4

This lightly spiced Middle Eastern soup can be made with pantry and fridge ingredients you may already have on hand.  Red lentils are a great source of protein and fiber.  They are the quickest cooking legume and therefore a total staple in my pantry (Bonus? They are cheap too!)  I based this soup on my favorite starter from Lebanese restaurants, which are often pureed and serve with a lemon wedge.  The lemon really brings the whole dish to life so don't skimp on it.

drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 1/2 cup red lentils, thoroughly rinsed
6 cups vegetable broth and/or water (I used 4 cups broth + 2 cups water)
salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup chopped parsley

1. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large soup pot.  Saute onion, celery, and carrots for 5-10 minutes until soft.  Add garlic, cumin, and turmeric and saute 1 minute more.  

2. Add rinsed lentils and broth/water.  Bring to a simmer and let cook for 30 minutes until lentils are fully cooked and falling apart.  Optionally pulse with an immersion blender to puree into a smoother texture.

3. Taste and season for salt.  Add lemon juice and garnish bowls with parsley.
 

Velvety Chocolate Almond Butter Coins

velvety chocolate coins

Velvety Chocolate Almond Butter Coins
makes 16

1/2 cup 70% dark chocolate chunks (could use chocolate chips or chopped chocolate)
1/2 cup almond butter
1/4 cup coconut butter

1. Prepare a mini muffin tin with 16 paper liners.

2. In a double boiler (or microwave) melt chocolate chunks.  Remove from heat and stir in almond butter and coconut butter until totally blended.  If they aren't blending easily, heat gently.

3. Take about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and pour into each of the muffin cups.  Chill until solid in the fridge or freezer and keep cold until serving.

Smoky Corn, Tomato and Chard Soup

smoky corn tomato and chard soup

Smoky Corn, Tomato, and Chard Soup
serves 4 (freezable too)

Soup tends to be a cold weather food so you don't often see it made with super summery ingredients.  (Unless we are talking about chilled soups in which case...gross.)  But soup can be a great way to cook up the abundance of produce that can accumulate in your fridge or garden in the summer.  This soup combines summery produce like corn, zucchini, and greens with pantry staples like canned tomatoes, beans, and spices.  If you want to improvise a similar soup based on what you have in your fridge now, check out my Building Flavor Guide, which will show you the correct order to add ingredients to your soup pot to ensure a great complex flavor!

1 yellow onion, chopped
4 celery stalks, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1 zucchini, chopped into 1/2" pieces
2 earns of corn, kernels removed
1 15-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 cups-ish water
1 bunch Swiss Chard, chopped (can use stems or not)
salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pot.  Add onions and celery with a pinch of salt and saute for 5 minutes, letting them soften.  Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds more.  Add smoked paprika, cumin, and coriander and stir.  Add zucchini and saute for 2 minutes more.

2. When vegetable mixture is fragrant and beginning to soften, add corn, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, black beans, and enough water to make it soup-ish, about 2 cups.  (Vegetables will continue to release water so it will get more liquidy, not less, as it cooks.)  Let cook for at least 10 minutes but as long as you want to help flavors meld and develop. 

3. After soup has simmered, turn off heat and fold into chopped Swiss Chard.  Taste and season for salt and pepper.  Serve on it's own or garnished with avocado, tortillas, tortillas chips or a sprouted grain roll.

Black Bean Pasta with Corn and Kale

black bean pasta recipe

Black Bean Pasta with Corn and Kale
serves 3-4

One of my new favorite packaged products on the shelves now is legume-based pasta.  From red lentil to chickpea to black beans (shown here), different bean flours are used instead of refined white flour to create versatile pastas that are high in protein (about 21g per serving) and high in fiber (about 50% of your RDA).  The higher-end brands (like my favorite Tolerant) will usually be purely bean flour and the more moderately priced ones (like Ancient Harvest Pow!, shown here) are a mix of bean and grain flours like quinoa and brown rice.  Use them like you would any other pasta, keeping in mind that they often taste a little sweeter and have less "bite" than traditional white pasta.  

1 8-ounce box of black bean pasta
drizzle of olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
pinch of red chile flake
3 ears of corn, kernels removed
1 bunch lacinato kale, shredded or chopped
salt and pepper to taste
garnish: pecorino romano, olive oil and/or lemon zest

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add pasta and cook according to package directions (the black bean pasta I used cooked in about 5 minutes).  Drain and rinse pasta lightly in water to remove excess starch and halt cooking.

2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet and add a drizzle of olive oil.  Saute garlic and red chile flake for 30 seconds until fragrant.  Add corn and saute 2 minutes.  Add kale and saute 2-3 minutes more, until kale is wilted.  If the mixture is very dry, add a splash or two of water to get it going.

3.  Gently stir in pasta and season the whole mixture with salt and pepper.  Garnish with grated pecorino romano (or lemon zest), and a drizzle of olive oil and serve.  

Summer Squash Spice Muffins

summer squash muffin

Anything you can do with zucchini, you can do with yellow summer squash, both of which are abundant (perhaps a little too abundant) in the summer.  Typically, I turn summer squashes to something savory like pasta, zoodles, or grated zucchini cakes, but here I turned a little grated squash into Paleo-style muffins.  Almond meal and coconut oil make them higher in fat and lower in carbs than typical muffins, keeping you fuller longer and helping you avoid a sugar high.  I tend to avoid making or creating baking recipes that require lots of precision or specialty ingredients (even if they do turn out perfectly) so I stuck with basic ingredients here, but feel free to experiment.  These will turn out ultra-moist and juicy as well as denser and less crumbly than a typical muffin.  

Summer Squash Spice Muffins
makes 6 muffins

dry ingredients:
1 cup, packed almond flour (this is finer than almond meal and will turn out better)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

wet ingredients:
1/2 cup grated summer squash (or zucchini), patted dry with a paper towel
2 eggs
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

mix-ins:
2 tablespoons raisins or dried currants

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Line a muffin tin with 6 muffin liners.

2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Whisk together with a fork.

3. Combine all wet ingredients in a different large mixing bowl.  Whisk together with a fork.  

4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, folding together with a rubber spatula until just mixed.  Add in raisins or any other mix-ins.  

5. Immediately, fill muffin cups 2/3 full (you will get a lot of spread on top if you fill them fuller--this recipe won't puff up as much as traditional muffins).  Bake for 18-20 minutes, until a toothpick can be inserted and removed with nothing sticking to it.  Let cool in tin for 5 minutes then cool on rack for another 15.