Tag Archives: eat vegetarian

Better Broccoli Casserole

 From Cookie and Katesteamed Broccoli

serves 6 well

Broccoli casserole made better with roasted broccoli, cheddar cheese, creamy quinoa and irresistible, garlicky whole grain bread crumbs. This healthy casserole tastes amazing!

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups vegetable broth or water
  • 1 cup quinoa (any color), rinsed under running water in a mesh sieve for a minute and drained
  • 16 ounces broccoli florets, either pre-packaged or sliced from 2 large bunches of broccoli
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 10 twists of freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, omit if sensitive to spice
  • 8 ounces (about 2½ cups) freshly grated cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup low-fat milk (cow’s milk tastes best but unsweetened plain almond milk works, too)
  • ½ tablespoon butter or 1½ teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, pressed or minced
  • 1 slice whole wheat bread (substitute gluten-free bread for a gluten-free casserole)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  2. To cook the quinoa: Bring the vegetable broth or water to boil in a heavy-bottomed, medium-sized pot. Add the quinoa, reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 17 to 20 minutes, or until all of the liquid is absorbed. Cover and set aside to steam for 10 minutes.
  3. To roast the broccoli: Slice any large broccoli florets in half to make bite-sized pieces. Transfer the broccoli to your prepared baking sheet and toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, until lightly coated on all sides. Sprinkle with salt and arrange in a single layer. Bake for about 20 minutes, until the broccoli is tender and starting to caramelize on the edges.
  4. To make the breadcrumbs: Tear your piece of bread into bite-sized pieces and toss them into a food processor or blender. Process until the bread has broken into small crumbs. In a small pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant, stirring often. Add the bread crumbs and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until slightly browned and crisp. Set aside to cool. (If you cooked your bread crumbs in a cast iron skillet, transfer them to a bowl to prevent them from burning.)
  5. Reduce the oven heat to 350 degrees. Add the salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to the pot of quinoa, and stir to combine. Set aside ¾ cup of the cheese for later, then add the cheese to the pot. Pour in the milk and stir until the cheese and milk are evenly incorporated in the quinoa.
  6. Pour the cheesy quinoa into a 9-inch square baking dish and top with the roasted broccoli. Stir until the broccoli is evenly mixed in with the quinoa. Sprinkle the surface of the casserole with the reserved ¾ cup cheese, then sprinkle the breadcrumbs on top.
  7. Bake, uncovered, for 25 minutes, until the top is golden. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

NOTE FROM DR. C: I added an 8ozs punnet of baby bella mushrooms that I sliced and roasted with the broccoli…YUM!

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER AND GRAVY

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER AND GRAVY   for 6roasted-cauliflower-and-gravy

Ingredients

  • 1 big head of cauliflower
  • 4 tbsp. butter, melted (divided)
  • 4 garlic cloves (skin-on)
  • 6 sage leaves
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Gravy

  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 1/2 Onion, finely chopped
  • 4 oz. cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2-4 c. vegetable stock

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degree F.
  2. Rub the cauliflower all over with melted butter. Season with salt and pepper. Place in cast iron skillet, surrounded by garlic, 4 sage leaves, 2 sprigs of thyme and 2 sprigs of rosemary. Bake for 1 – 1/2 hours until charred in parts and tender throughout, brushing with more melted butter
  3. Pierce the cauliflower with a paring knife skewer to check the tenderness.
  4. Make gravy. Chop remaining thyme and rosemary leaves. Melt remaining butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until beginning to soften, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms and season mixture with salt and pepper. Add herbs and cook until the mushrooms are tender and browned. Add 1-2 cloves of the roasted garlic (skins removed), breaking up the cloves with a whisk or wooden spoon. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in 2 cups of vegetable stock and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat slightly and simmer for 5 minutes, until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency. Add more vegetable stock if desired.

 

WILD RICE PILAF

Great as Stuffing!

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup wild rice, rinsed
  • 1 3/4 cups water
  • 1 vegetable bouillon cube
  • 2/3 cup long-grain brown rice, rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 large red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup finely diced celery
  • 2 medium tart apples, such as granny smith, peeled, cored and diced
  • 1/3 cup orange juice (from 1 large orange)
  • 2 scallions, green parts only, thinly sliced
  • pinch each: cinnamon and nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt and freshly ground pepper OR to taste
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Directions

  1. Combine the wild rice and the bouillon cube with 1 3/4 cups of water in a medium saucepan
  2. Bring to a gentle boil, then lower the heat to a simmer for 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the brown rice, return to a slow simmer, then cover and cook until the water is absorbed, about 35 minutes
  4. Heat the oil in a large skillet.
  5. Add the onion and celery and sauté until the onion is golden.
  6. Add apple and sauté 5 minutes longer.
  7. Stir in the cooked rice mixture along with the juice, scallions, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  8. Season with salt and pepper.
  9. Sauté over low heat, stirring frequently, another 5 minutes.
  10. Stir in the parsley and pecans

NOTES:

The rice is slightly under-cooked in this recipe, because it’s intended to be used as a stuffing, and cooks more inside the peppers or squash.

When serving this dish as a side, instead of using it as a stuffing, increase the cooking time to 45 minutes, adding the juice, scallions, apple, cinnamon and nutmeg in the last five minutes.

Sauteed mushrooms are a nice alternative to apples in this dish, especially when served as a side.

This can be used for peppers, buttercup squash, acorn squash or even a pumpkin… and it’s wonderful on its own.

Hasselback Apples

  “Oh seriously yummy.” ~Dr C.

Choose firm apples with sweet-tart flavor, such as Pink Lady or Honeycrisp; in our tests, Fuji and Granny Smith fell apart.

Ingredients

  • 2 large firm apples, peeled, cored, and halved vertically
  • Cooking spray
  • 4 tablespoons brown sugar, divided
  • 2½ tablespoons butter, melted and divided
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
  • 2 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1½ cups low-fat vanilla ice cream

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Starting at the outermost edges, cut most (but not all) of the way through each apple half at 1/8-inch intervals.
  • Place apple halves, cut sides down, in an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray.
  • Combine 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon butter, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon; brush mixture evenly over apple.
  • Cover pan with foil; bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Remove foil. Bake at 400° for5- 10 minutes or until apples are tender.
  • Remove pan from oven; cool 10 minutes.
  • Combine remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, remaining 1½ tablespoons butter, remaining ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, oats, flour, and salt.
  • Carefully fan open apple halves.
  • Spoon oat mixture evenly over apples.
  • Bake at 400° for 10 minutes.
  • Turn broiler to high (leave pan in oven); broil 2 minutes.
  • Serve with ice cream.

Sweet Potato Crust Spinach Feta Quiche

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1 teaspoon canola oil
    1 (5-ounce) bag baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
    1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 4 large eggs
    2 large egg whites
  • 1.5 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Directions

(A note from Dr. C: I think next time I plan to grate the potato as I was not a 100% happy with the crust…It still worked but I think it needs a tweak).

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°,
  2. Peel and slice sweet potatoes.. The mandoline speeds up the process significantly and gives you even slices.
  3. Coat a pie dish with cooking spray, then fill the bottom of the dish with a layer of sweet potato slices.
  4. Cut the sweet potato rounds in half and fill around the edges of the pie dish; round side facing up.
  5. Once the entire dish is filled, coat one more time with cooking spray. Bake for 20 minutes.
  6. Turn heat up to 375°.
  7. For the filling, heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
  8. Add spinach; sauté 3 minutes. Remove from heat; cool.
  9. Combine milk and next 5 ingredients in a bowl; stir with a whisk.
  10. Arrange spinach mixture in crust;
  11. pour egg mixture over spinach.
  12. Sprinkle with feta.
  13. Bake at 375° for 35 minutes.
  14. Let stand 5 minutes;
  15. cut into 4 wedges.

Vegetarian Bolognese Sauce

 

The new fave recipe in the Lanjopoulos household (here and Norway!)

vegetarian bolognese sauceServes 4 

Prep Time: 35-45 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup boiling-hot water
  • 1 ten ounce packet of dried porcini mushrooms
  • 2 medium carrots, shredded
  • 2 celery ribs, minced
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced/grated
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry red wine
  • 3/4 lb dried noodles of choice
  • 1 oz finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup) plus additional for serving (optional)
  • Optional…I add a cup of cooked lentils
  • Also optional   8ozs finely chopped baby bella mushrooms

Directions:

      1. Soak mushrooms in boiling-hot water 15 minutes.
      2. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Add chopped vegetables and garlic (including baby bellas if using), rosemary, salt, and pepper and sauté, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are golden brown and tender, about 12 minutes.
      3. Lift mushrooms out of soaking liquid, squeeze excess liquid back into bowl (reserve liquid), and rinse mushrooms well to remove any grit.  Filter the soaking water through a coffee filter to remove any residue. Set aside.  Finely chop mushrooms, then add to vegetables in skillet along with tomato paste. Cook over moderate heat, stirring, 1 minute. Add wine and boil until wine is reduced by about half, about 2 minutes. Stir in lentils if using.
      4. While sauce is cooking, cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water in a heatproof measuring cup, then drain pasta in a colander.

 

Quinoa and Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

quinoa stuffed portobello mushrooms

Ingredients

  • 4-6 Portobello mushrooms
  • Olive oil
  • Kosher salt
  • Black Pepper

Ingredients for the stuffing:

  • 1 large onion, finely diced
  • 2 cups chopped spinach (frozen and defrosted spinach works nicely)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  •  1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Drizzle olive oil over the mushrooms and sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Place in the oven and bake at 375 for 15 minutes.
  3. While mushrooms are cooking, prepare the stuffing.
  4. Sauté the diced onions in a bit of olive oil (or Pam) until translucent. Add the spinach, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Stir and cook for a couple of minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and add the cooked quinoa. Stir to combine everything equally.
  5. Once mushrooms have finished roasting, remove from oven. Distribute the spinach mixture among them. Return to oven and bake at 375 for an additional 20 minutes.
  6. Remove from oven and serve hot.

Tip: for a different presentation, cook the mushrooms fully, then dice and toss with the spinach/quinoa mixture for a delicious warm quinoa salad.

Enjoy!

Quinoa and Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes

With the bounty of tomatoes upon us…try this one outstuffed tomatoes

Quinoa and Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes

Baked tomatoes stuffed with a quinoa-spinach mixture and topped with a variety of cheeses.

15 min Prep Time            30 min Cook Time

Ingredients

  • 8 medium ripe tomatoes
  • salt, to taste
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 6 cups fresh spinach
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
  • salt, to taste
  • freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • Parmesan cheese  (Optional)
  • shredded mozzarella cheese   (Optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375.
  2. Slice off 1/2 inch of the stem end of the tomatoes and hollow out the inside.
  3. Slice just a small section off of the bottom of the tomatoes so that they will sit flat on a baking sheet.
  4. Sprinkle salt in the hollow portion of each tomato and place hollow side up on a baking sheet.
  5. Set aside.
  6. Place water and quinoa in a saucepan.
  7. Bring to a boil; lower to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
  8. Heat oil in a frying pan and add spinach.
  9. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until just wilted.
  10. Mix in the garlic and parsley, cook for a minute longer, and remove from stove.
  11. Add cooked quinoa to spinach; mix well.
  12. Taste for salt and pepper.
  13. Evenly divide the filling among the tomatoes.
  14. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  15. Remove foil, sprinkle tops with parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.
  16. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
  17. Serve.

Healthy Road Trip Snacks

healthy road trip snacks How to you fit in healthy road trip snacks when you vacation?

By Matt Frazier, ultra-marathonner and vegan advocate

Matt Frazier runs the popular fitness site No Meat Athlete.

In this excerpt he talks about healthy road trip snacks.

“So I learned an important rule for road trips: when you find a good grocery store, stock up. On foods that you can eat on the go, with no prep.” ~Matt Frazier

Very quickly, I learned what foods worked best in the car to keep me from resorting to junk:

  • Fresh fruit
  • Fresh vegetables
  • Hummus (I’d eat it fast because it wouldn’t last more than a day without a fridge)healthy road trip snacks fruit
  • Trail mix/granola
  • Smoothies made from just fruit (the pre-made kind — definitely not ideal, but a way to get a lot of good calories quickly)
  • Giant salads from the salad bar — I’d grab enough to last for two meals, dump a bunch of chickpeas on top, and if I was lucky enough to be at a Whole Foods, add some oil-free tahini garlic dressing.
  • Anything cracker-like but still healthy (could be baked corn chips, Wasa crispbreads, rice cakes, etc.)

What do you eat on the road? helahty road trip snacks salad

We want to hear from you. What are you favorite healthy road trip snacks?

Moroccan Chickpeas with Roasted Peppers, Parsley and Mint

Recipe courtesy of Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Simon’s Fine Foods

Moroccan Chickpeas with Roasted Peppers, Parsley and Mintchick peas

Serves lots!

Ingredients:

  • canola oil, for cooking
  • 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne
  • 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 small can tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp raisins
  • 1 Tbsp chopped dried apricots (we used more!)
  • 4 cups cooked chickpeas (keep the cooking liquid)
  • 1 roasted red pepper, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint leaves
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (we used more!)
  • juice of a lemon

Directions:

  1. In a large skillet, saute the onion in a skiff of canola oil over medium-high heat until soft.
  2. Add the cumin, coriander, turmeric, cardamom, nutmeg and cayenne and cook for a minute.
  3. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds. Add the tomato paste, raisins and apricots and a splash of cooking liquid (or tomato juice) and bring to a simmer – it should be saucy.
  4. Add the chickpeas to the pan and stir to coat. Cook for a bit to cook off any excess liquid if need be.
  5. Add the red pepper, mint and parsley and squeeze over the lemon.
  6. Toss to combine and serve warm or refrigerate until chilled – allowing the mixture to marinate for a few hours (or a day) will help the flavors improve.