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Category: Vegan Options

Black Bean Garden Soup

Black Bean Garden Soup 1

One of the best things about fall being here is that it is finally soup weather again! I love me a good soup!

Blazing sunlight and 90-degree temps didn’t stop me from making it here and there this summer. A need to use the chicken stock gleaned from the carcass of a spent rotisserie chicken was the impetus for the first draft of this Black Bean Garden Soup back in August. My fridge’s contents were fairly sparse that night, so I needed to create a recipe out of what was on hand. Happily, I had the chicken stock, onions, a few jalapeños, some black beans I’d cooked up, the last dregs of a jar of minced garlic, and a can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes. I didn’t expect much from this cobbled-together soup, but man, did it turn out delicious!

Tomato, Zucchini, and Mozzarella Bake

Tomato, Zucchini, and Mozzarella Bake 1

Hello, all! Happy Monday! And happy October! I am so, so, so ready to start cooking with pumpkin and squash! But today, the million-dollar question today is: do you have any late-harvest zucchini lingering in your crisper? If so, HOORAY! This recipe is for you. And if you don’t have any zucchini lying around and just want to pop out to the store and grab some, believe me, you’ll be happy you did. This Tomato, Zucchini, and Mozzarella Bake is THERE-ARE-NO-WORDS good. Except maybe “amazing” times a million. Or times infinity. Times INFINITY infinity, even.

It’s really F’in good.

Peach, Radish, and Feta Kale Salad

 

Peach, Radish, and Feta Kale Salad 1

Happy fall, everyone! I was mourning summer until the official first day of fall last Thursday; then a flip switched in me. I am LOVING the cooler weather and coziness we are having here in Metro Detroit. It’s that perfect sweet spot where it’s in the low 70s during the day but cool enough at night that I get to break out my fleece sweatpants – YES!!! Fleece sweatpants, I missed you so!!! Who feels me on that one?

Strawberry-Peach Balsamic Spinach Salad with Pulled Roasted Chicken

 

Strawberry-Peach Balsamic Spinach Salad with Pulled Roasted Chicken 1

Hello, all! Happy Monday!

The Olympics is OVER! And I’m sad about it. I enjoy both the summer and winter games. I didn’t even religiously watch any of the coverage this year. I just liked having it on in the background; I found its presence comforting. I think it has to do with the fact that my parents always had Olympics coverage on in the house when I was growing up. It reminds me of childhood. 

Coconut Lemongrass Curry Stir-Fry

Coconut Lemongrass Curry Stir-Fry 1

Spring has sprung! The flowered trees finally blossomed here in Metro Detroit over the last week, and it’s magical! Seriously, I know that sounds cheesy, but I find flowering trees so beautiful and enchanting. Energy-shifting, on the cusp of powerful, wonderful change. Late spring, people – a powerful time! That full moon in Scorpio last week – it’s bringing some seriously powerful manifestations with it, I can just feel it!

OK, now that I’ve waxed all poetic and hippie-like, it’s time to get down to the practical nuts-and-bolts of why I am here: to relay a healthful veggie stir-fry recipe that will help to cleanse our bodies from all that rich winter comfort food we’ve been eating for months. 

Quinoa and Black Beans with Avocado Cream Sauce

Quinoa and Black Beans with Avocado Cream Sauce

Nature knows what’s up. She knows that healthy fat is where it’s at! And what better source is there of plant-based healthy fat than avocados? I’m OBSESSED with them! They are so richly delicious, with all that yummy healthy good monounsaturated fat and loads of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins K and C and potassium. They’re like nature’s butter, fresh off the tree instead of straight from the cow’s udder (and I’m sure the cows are more than happy to share that distinction with them if it means they will be hassled less!).

Acorn Squash and Spinach Risotto

Acorn Squash and Spinach RisottoI hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday break! When you get sick of all that leftover ham (delicious in its own right, but how many ham sandwiches in a row can a person eat, really?), make this creamy, decadent acorn squash and spinach risotto. It’s easy and delicious and probably takes less effort than forcing yourself out of your jammies to go get carryout would.

Super-Easy, Totally Un-Blah Fruit Salad #3: Cinnamon-Kissed Peaches, Cherries, Blueberries, and Sliced Almonds

Super-Easy, Totally Un-Blah Fruit Salad #3: Cinnamon-Kissed Peaches, Cherries, Blueberries, and Sliced Almonds

I couldn’t figure out what ingredients of this fruit salad to incorporate into the title because they are all so frickin’ delicious and integral to the flavor – so I just incorporated them all! Longest title ever – but very apropos, considering that this is one summer side that is not short on flavor.

White Bean Lemon Dill Dip

White Bean Lemon Dill Dip
In case you haven’t noticed yet, I love making dips! Specifically, I love making dips from beans; they’re just such a great base! They’re healthy and a great source of fiber and protein. And white beans, such as northern or cannellini or navy beans, are so mild that they are quite versatile in dip-making; you can pair them with so many different flavors.

Spicy Black Bean Soup

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This soup is spicy! And I love it. This spiciness is in part because of the curry powder I substituted for cumin, which I had originally planned to use but then discovered I was out of. And the whole jalapeño and cayenne pepper added to it don’t hurt, either!