Tomato & Leek Marinara
2 to 4 leeks, washed and sliced (see notes below) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 28-ounce package diced (or crushed) tomatoes a good handful of fresh sage leaves, roughly torn or chopped pure salt and pepper to taste pinch of crushed red pepper (optional) pasta of choice Boil water for pasta. Heat oil in a large skillet. Add the leeks and saute over medium heat just until they start to brown, 10 – 12 minutes. Do not let the leeks burn, or they will become bitter. Add the tomatoes, sage, salt (1/2 tsp, give or take), pepper, and crushed red pepper if using. Simmer until the sauce...
Read MoreTomato Eggplant & Basil Sauce
2 small (or 1 medium) eggplant (about 3/4 pound) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (divided) 2 garlic cloves, lightly smashed 3 medium, ripe tomatoes (about 1 & 1/4 lbs) cored and diced small 1/2 tsp pure salt freshly ground black pepper to taste 10 large, fresh basil leaves cut into thin strips 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional) 12 oz ziti or penne ______________________________________________________________________________________ Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel the eggplant and cut into 1/2 inch cubes. Place on a baking sheet (I like to line w/ parchment paper). Drizzle 2 TBSP of the...
Read MorePasta w/ Summer Tomatoes and Olivada
First make the Olivada: 1 small garlic clove, chopped into a few pieces 3 large basil leaves, torn into a few pieces 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves 1/2 cup black olives, drained & pitted 2 tsps lemon juice 1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil Place the garlic, basil and thyme in the work bowl of a small food processor. Process, scraping down sides as needed until the ingredients are finely chopped. Add the olives and lemon juice and pulse, scraping down the sides as needed, to form a coarse paste. Add the oil and pulse until it’s just incorporated. To prepare the meal: 4 medium tomatoes (about...
Read MoreTempeh Sausage Crumbles
2 packages soy tempeh (total of 16 oz) 2 TBSP fennel seeds 2 tsps dried basil 2 tsps dried oregano 1 tsp red pepper flakes 1 tsp dried sage (or 3/4 tsp ground sage) 4 garlic cloves, minced or crushed 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 TBSPs extra virgin olive oil 3 TBSPs lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon) In a large saute pan, crumble the tempeh (using your hands) and add enough water to almost cover it (about 3/4 cup). Over medium heat, cover pan & steam the tempeh until the water is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Drain any remaining water (if necessary), or cook it off with the pan uncovered. Add the rest...
Read More10-Minute Marinara Sauce
2 TBSP butter or ghee 4 garlic cloves, minced or crushed 28 oz package crushed or strained tomatoes 1 cup water 1/2 tsp pure salt freshly ground black pepper to taste fresh basil or parsley, chopped (as much as you’d like) 1 – 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil Warm butter or ghee over medium heat and saute garlic for 1 – 2 mins. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper. Add the water to the empty tomato container, swish it around (to collect the remaining remnants of tomato), and add it to the pot. Simmer for approx 10 mins. Stir in chopped basil, drizzle in the olive oil and serve....
Read MoreEasy Vegetarian “Meatballs”
8 oz tempeh (one package) 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil 2 TBSP tamari/soy sauce Whisk together oil & soy sauce in a medium bowl. Slice tempeh into small rectangles & toss with marinade. Let sit for 1 hour (or less if you’re in a rush). Pre-heat oven to 350. Place tempeh on a cookie sheet (I like to line w/ parchment paper) and bake 10 – 15 mins. ______________________________________________________________________________________ SIDE NOTES: ~ This is the same exact recipe as “Easy Marinated/Baked Tempeh”. I hate to be redundant, but thought I’d list it again,...
Read MoreGarlic Cream Sauce
1 TBSP ghee (or butter) 3 cloves of garlic, minced 2/3 cup unsweetened coconut milk (regular, not “light”) 1/4 tsp pure salt 1 TBSP lemon juice In a small pot, saute garlic in ghee over medium-low heat until lightly golden (about 2 or 3 mins). Add coconut milk, salt, & lemon juice. Simmer for about 5 mins. Done! ______________________________________________________________________________________ SIDE NOTES: ~ Adapted from The Spunky Coconut Cookbook – A very easy, delicious cream sauce. ~ Pictured above, I tossed this tasty sauce with brown rice pasta, artichoke...
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 MoreGarlic Scape Pesto Pizza
For the PESTO: 12 garlic scapes, chopped (about 1/2 cup) 1 cup fresh basil (tightly packed) 1/2 cup walnuts 1/3 cup parmesan 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 tsp pure salt Add everything to a food processor & blend. If you have the option, process the first 4 ingredients, then add olive oil and salt while machine is running. To assemble the PIZZA: Spread the pesto on (a pre-cooked) pizza crust. Add some sliced, fresh mozzarella, grape tomatoes, and freshly ground black pepper. Bake at 375 for about 10 mins. You can of course use any pesto recipe for this, so if you can’t get...
Read MoreQuick Tomato Sauce
1 28 oz package diced tomatoes 2 medium garlic cloves 1 tsp water 2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil 3 TBSP coarsely chopped fresh basil (or more) 1/4 tsp sugar (optional) 1/2 tsp plus 1 TBSP pure salt 1 additional TBSP extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid (pasta water) 1 lb whole grain pasta Bring water to a boil in large pot, add 1 TBSP salt along with the pasta and cook until al dente. Meanwhile, crush garlic into a small bowl & stir in 1 tsp water. Heat 2 TBSP oil in a 10 inch saute pan over medium heat and saute garlic/water mixture until fragrant but not brown, approx...
Read MoreSesame Asparagus & Noodles
2 TBSP sesame seeds, toasted 1 pound spaghetti or linguine For the Sauce: 2 TBSP toasted sesame oil 1/4 cup tamari/soy sauce 2 TBSP broth (veggie or chicken) 2 TBSP mirin a pinch of cayenne 1 TBSP natural sugar (optional) For the Asparagus: 1 TBSP coconut oil 2 garlic cloves minced 1/4 tsp ground ginger powder 1 bunch asparagus, cut into 2-inch lengths 1/4 cup water 1 tsp tamari/soy sauce 2 scallions or chives thinly sliced (optional) Toast sesame seeds & pour them into a small bowl to cool. Combine sesame oil, soy sauce, water, mirin, cayenne & stevia in small bowl & set...
Read MoreGreens Beans & Shells
butter, ghee, or extra virgin olive oil garlic (6 – 8 cloves), chopped crushed red pepper (optional) 11 oz spinach (more or less) 2 cans cannellini beans 32 oz vegetable broth pure salt & pepper 1 pound medium whole grain shells Cook pasta. Saute garlic in olive oil until lightly browned. Shake in some crushed red pepper if using. Add spinach & saute until wilted (just a few mins). Add beans & vegetable broth & stir until heated through. Toss in cooked pasta & serve. ______________________________________________________________________________________ SIDE...
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