Yogurt Cucumber Dip
1 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, pressed or minced 1/2 cup finely chopped (or shredded) cucumber 1/8 tsp pure salt freshly ground black pepper 1 TBSP fresh parsley, chopped or torn Mix everything together. _____________________________________________________________________________ SIDE NOTES: ~ Was inspired to concoct this after a friend shared her version with us on a recent camping trip (Thx Lynn!). It’s great as a dip for any type of raw veggie – especially fresh, juicy, cherry tomatoes! ~ For a thicker version, if you’d like,...
Read MorePeanut Sauce
Smooth Peanut Sauce – quick, easy & yummy! 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (almond or cashew butter work too) 4 TBSP soy sauce 2 TBSP brown rice vinegar 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (or more) 1/2 cup water Whisk all ingredients together. Done! I Love a no-cook sauce 🙂 SIDE NOTES: ~ Our favorite way to eat this sauce is over noodles with a vegetable. Peas or broccoli work well. If using frozen peas, no need to thaw. Just add them to the pot w/ the noodles for the last minute or 2 of cook time. If using broccoli, chop up a few cloves of garlic & saute in oil for a...
Read MoreSesame Mustard Tahini Dressing
1/2 cup water 1/2 cup tahini 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar 1 small clove garlic, minced (or pressed) 1 & 1/2 TBSP honey (or approx 9 drops of liquid stevia) 3 TBSP tamari/soy sauce 2 tsp high-quality, dijon mustard 3 tsp toasted sesame oil 1/4 tsp pure salt (more or less) Whisk all ingredients together. Store any extras in the fridge. ______________________________________________________________________________________ SIDE NOTES: ~ Adapted from “Vive le Vegan” – Our favorite salad dressing! ~ Salads are not much to speak of in & of themselves unless you’ve...
Read MoreSpicy White Beans w/ Parsley Pesto
For the beans: 2 (15-ounce) cans cannellini beans 3 TBSP extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup minced onions 1 & 1/2 tsps minced garlic 4 tsps lemon juice 1/4 tsp pure salt 1/4 tsp ground black pepper Pinch cayenne 1/3 cup very finely grated Parmesan, or crumbled goat cheese (optional) bread, cracker, or chip of choice for scooping Rinse beans & drain. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the beans, lemon juice, salt, black pepper & cayenne, and cook, stirring, until softened and warmed through,...
Read MoreAlmond Milk
1 & 1/2 cups raw almonds, soaked 8 – 12 hours 6 cups cold water 4 & 1/2 medjool dates (more or less) 3/4 tsp pure vanilla extract Put everything in vitamix, turn on, immediately turn dial to 10, flip to high speed & blend for 2 minutes. Done! ______________________________________________________________________________________ SIDE NOTES: ~ I use (& highly recommend) raw, unpasteurized almonds from www.livingnutz.com. ~ Soaking – Soak your almonds in room temperature water in a covered glass jar or bowl, on the counter. The water will become brown &...
Read MoreEasy BBQ Sauce
1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil 1 TBSP dried onion flakes (can purchase this in the spice aisle) 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp dry mustard powder 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried oregano 1 (6 or 7 ounce) jar natural tomato paste 1 & 1/4 cups water 2 TBSP apple cider vinegar (or lime juice) 1/4 tsp liquid smoke honey or sugar (1 tsp or to taste) (or 1/8 tsp stevia powder) Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add dried onions & saute for a minute or 2. Add all remaining ingredients & stir well to combine. Bring to low boil, reduce heat, &...
Read MoreMango Salsa
(dairy free, gluten free, sugar free, egg free) 2 ripe mangoes, peeled & diced 1 medium tomato, cored, seeded & diced 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 3 TBSP lemon juice 2 TBSP minced red onion 1 small jalapeno pepper, with seeds, minced 1 & 1/4 tsps extra virgin olive oil (or coconut oil, melted) pinch of salt In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. ~ From “Fresh Food Fast”. Ridiculously good! (Use less jalapeno if you don’t like too much heat.)...
Read MoreCannellini Bean Yam Hummus
1 can cannellini beans 3/4 cup cooked yam (or sweet potato) 3 TBSP lime or lemon juice 1 small to medium clove garlic, chopped 2 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp chipotle powder or 1 tsp chipotle hot sauce (more or less to taste) 1/2 tsp pure salt freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts (plus extra for garnish) (optional) 2 TBSP fresh cilantro, chopped (optional) Use a fork to stick a few holes in the potato and place it whole (& unpeeled) on a baking sheet lined w/ parchment paper. Bake @ 400 for 45 – 60 mins (depending on size) until very soft when...
Read MoreLemon Walnut Hummus
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 3 TBSP lemon juice 2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped 1 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp coriander 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp sea salt or kosher salt In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the walnuts for 2 to 3 mins, shaking the pan occasionally to ensure even browning. Transfer the nuts to a small bowl to cool. In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, oil, lemon juice, garlic, spices & salt until smooth. Rub the walnuts in your hands a bit to try & remove/discard some of the papery skin...
Read MoreWinter Vegetable Pate
water 1 medium onion, diced 1 sweet potato, peeled & cut into 1-inch cubes (anywhere from 1.5 to 2 cups) 1 heaping cup of butternut squash cut into 1 inch cubes 2 TBSP soy sauce, divided 2 heaping TBSPs sesame tahini butter, coconut oil, or olive oil, drizzled over the top to taste Heat a large saute pan over medium heat. Add about 1 TBSP water & water-saute the onion until translucent, about 5 mins (add a little extra water if you need to). Add sweet potato, squash, 1 TBSP soy sauce & about 1/2 cup water & bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, & simmer over low heat...
Read MoreDate-Nut Sandwich Spread
8 oz organic cream cheese 3/4 cup pitted dates (or less) 1/2 cup walnuts Place dates in a food processor & process until coarsely chopped. Add cream cheese & walnuts & process again until combined. Spread on your favorite bread. Save extra spread in a sealed container in the fridge. ______________________________________________________________________________________ SIDE NOTES: ~ Adapted from “1000 Vegetarian Recipes.” ~ This spread is on the sweet side, so use less dates if you like it milder. For those avoiding certain foods, this recipe falls into the...
Read MoreChunky Bean Spread Sandwich
Add to food processor: 1/2 medium red bell pepper 1/2 medium zucchini 1/3 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives 1 or 2 scallions (green part only). Pulse just a few times to keep a chunky texture. Add the following ingredients & pulse again: 2 cans pinto or adzuki beans rinsed & drained 1 TBSP lemon juice 1/2 tsp (rounded) chili powder 1/2 tsp (rounded) ground cumin. ~ Keep it as chunky or make it as smooth as you want. Spread on your favorite bread, add sprouts, mayo or mustard, tomato if you feel like it, etc… Adapted from “Vegetarian Express” For those avoiding...
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