vegetarian

Lentil & Butternut Squash Soup

Lentil & Butternut Squash Soup

Lentils are a staple in my house. As a vegetarian, lentils provide me with a good source of protein and fiber that my body needs. This is soup season, and I’m loving it. Warm and nourishing, soups can be a side or the main event. This recipe calls for butternut squash, which is loaded with nutrients, as well as, fresh spinach that added at the end. Feel free to leave it a little chunky or blend it until it’s to the consistency you wish.

Chickpea Tikka Masala

Chickpea Tikka Masala

Can I just say, “Oh my gosh?” It was probably over 10 years ago that I first tried Indian food. Let’s just say I wasn’t well versed in ethic cultures or their food. Since that moment in time, I’ve been hooked. As a matter of fact, I would say that Indian is one of my favorite go to foods. Lately, i’ve had a desire to prepare Indian cuisine, and I’ve search and tried quite a few recipes.

Recently, I had guests and decided to serve a few Indian dishes. Of the three I served, this one stole the show. Frankly, I think it’s the heavy cream combined with the spices that give this dish an A+ . Everyone agreed this is a keeper. I found there to be a lot of sauce, which I like. But if you prefer less sauce, just add more chickpeas.

Quinoa and Black Bean Bowl

Quinoa and Black Bean Bowl

I needed something quick to make on a busy day. Knowing I had limited food in the refrigerator, I had this looming thought….I should have stopped at the grocery store before now. Then I remembered my pressure cooker/InstaPot. I began to formulate a plan in the back of my mind. I knew I had lentils, quinoa, chick peas, and black beans. Surely there was something I could create with those staples. A search on the internet, bombarded me with many recipes to choose from. In my normal style, I looked at two or three to compare and contrast, and came up with some version of my own. Within 30 minutes, dinner was done and my belly was satisfied. The best part of this recipe, is it didn’t require many fresh ingredients. So if it’s been a bit since the groceries have been replenished, this may be one of those recipes you can pull out in that emergency….just like I had to.

Jackfruit Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce

Jackfruit Tacos with Chimichurri Sauce

Jackfruit is one of the newest trends among vegetarians and vegans. Even some meat eaters are excited about jackfruit. What is jackfruit? it’s a relative to the fig family and grows in Asia, Africa, and Brazil. It contains no cholesterol, very low in sodium and calories in general. Even though the fruit itself is not loaded with protein, but eat the seeds as they have more protein than the actual fruit. In this recipe, the stems and seeds are removed, but enjoy them separately…with BBQ sauce! Here is the nutritional count:

Ratatouille

Ratatouille

The bounty of late summer yields a rainbow of color in this French classic.  The farmer’s market today had an abundance of yellow squash and bell peppers. I wanted to use zucchini as well, so I purchased them from the organic section of my local co-op.  Zucchini and bell peppers are on the dirty dozen list, to be sure to choose organic when not purchasing from the local stands.  

Curried Potato, Mushroom, and Broccoli Stir-fry

Curried Potato, Mushroom, and Broccoli Stir-fry

oday at the farmer’s market, there was a stand with fresh broccoli. There is no better way to capture the nutrients in broccoli as when it is first cut. Broccoli is one of those finicky vegetables that rapidly releases nutrients soon after it has been cut. The loss can be slowed by keeping it on ice, but most grocery stores have fresh broccoli sitting

Vegetable Paella

Vegetable Paella

If you’ve had the pleasure of visiting a brewery, winery, or wedding recently, likely you have seen someone making paella.  Paella, a dish native to Spain, and is considered, by many, their national dish.  There are many variations a paella including seafood, vegetables, beans, and a variety of meats.  Today at my local farmer’s market, I purchased

Quinoa Patties with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Quinoa Patties with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

If you are looking for a hearty vegetarian patty that is gluten free, look no further. It's crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. It's sure to please even the pickiest of eaters!

Full of rich flavor, this recipe will become one of your new favorites.  Double the recipe and freeze a portion for another time. It will help make work night meal time easier and healthier.