Tag: Easy

Blueberry Smoothie Bowl

I made this refreshing smoothie bowl over the weekend for a little change from my usual oatmeal and banana breakfast. Smoothies don’t have to be eaten with a straw. Try this thick smoothie and eat it with a spoon! It was delicious and nice to have a little diversity.

Ingredients

  • 1 large banana
  • 1 cup fresh slightly frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk
  • Toppings: Walnuts, kiwi, fresh coconut slices, blueberries, bananas

Directions

Whip together the banana, blueberries and plant milk. The mixture will turn thick and creamy. Pour into your favorite bowl. Top with the walnuts, kiwi, coconut, blueberries and banana slices (or fruit, nuts or seeds of your choice). Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Split Pea and Red Potato Soup with Garlic Crema

Slow Cooker Split Pea and Red Potato Soup with Garlic Crema

With the high winds, rain and chilly weather, Wednesday definitely seemed like a soup day. It was also a work day so I didn’t have time to fuss for hours over the stove. During my morning shower I went through my refrigerator and cupboards in my head taking an inventory of what I had and what I could possibly make. I remembered the red potatoes and carrots that were getting a little soft and the dried split peas I bought bulk at Lucky’s Market over the weekend. I think I have an onion. No – I know for sure I have an onion way in the back of the crisper! Decision made – split pea soup – and I’ll throw it all in the slow cooker and hope it turns out.

So this recipe is kind of like the way so many things go in my life – “make it up as I go along.” But truthfully, once you get into the swing of plant based cooking it’s pretty easy to throw this, that, and the other thing together and make something fantastic. Inventing new meals anymore is kind of my registered trademark.

Well I put all the ingredients in the slow cooker at 12 noon (during my lunch break) and by 3:00 the pleasant aroma started permeating throughout the house. By 5:30 the most magnificant pot of cream of split pea and red potato soup was ready for consumption. The added bonus was eating it during the drama of a full fledge lightening and thunder-boomer storm!

Ingredients

  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 cups dried split peas
  • 1 carrot cut in pieces
  • 1 large unpeeled red skinned potato cut in pieces
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2 large garlic toes minced
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

For the garlic crema garnish (optional)

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tsp. corn starch
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
Vegetable broth, dried split peas, carrots, red skin potato, onion, garlic, bay leaves, black pepper, oregano, cayenne pepper, almond milk (not pictured)

Directions

  1. Rinse the dried peas. This is important to rinse off any dirt PLUS, because split peas are hollow, without rinsing they will not cook properly. Rinse ever so quickly to prevent loss of nutrients.
  2. Add the first 10 ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
  3. Remove bay leaves. Puree mixture in a high speed blender.
  4. Transfer to a pot, add 1 cup almond milk and simmer for a few minutes
  5. In a small saucepan add 1/2 almond milk, cornstarch and onion powder. Stir constantly over medium heat until the mixture thickens.
  6. Serve soup piping hot and garnish with the garlic crema.
Rinse ever so briefly to remove dirt
If you prefer a chunky style soup then omit the pureeing step (or just pulse 2 – 3 times)
The garlic crema adds a nice touch to the soup
Instead of croutons or bread, I served mine with pecan cranberry flax crisps. I will post this recipe soon.

Zucchini -Chickpea Veggie Burger with Tahini Ranch Sauce

Zuccini- Chickpea Veggie Burger with Tahini Ranch Dressing.

I have tried making veggie burgers a variety of ways but honestly this recipe could win awards. I cannot completely claim rights to it. I found it in Eating Well magazine. I made a change though. I baked them in the oven as opposed to pan frying as the recipe suggests. I did this to eliminate the need for olive oil making the recipe healthier.

These zucchini chickpea burgers have the perfect blend of ingredients and seasonings which make them super delicious. The burgers are firm, no crumbling up or falling apart yet so juicy and moist. They are also super filling. I honestly could have these every day of the week if it weren’t for hubby saying otherwise.

I eat my burgers on a whole wheat bun for greater nutrition and fiber and add plenty of arugula and other salad greens, tomatoes, sliced zucchini and thin slices of vidalia (sweet) onions. This burger is delicious on its own, but if you prefer a sauce, the tahini ranch dressing works really good. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.

This recipe yields 2 generous size burgers or 4 smaller ones.

Ingredients

Zucchini – Chickpea Veggie Burger-

  • 1 15 oz can drained chickpeas
  • 2 tbsps tahini
  • 2 tsps miso paste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp chopped chives
  • 1/2 cup shredded zucchini (squeeze out juice)
  • 1/3 cup oats
  • 2 tbsps water
  • Arugala and other salad greens, tomato slices, sliced zucchini, vidalia onions
  • Whole wheat bun

Directions

Puree first 7 ingredients then add zucchini and oats. Form into patties. Place in a baking dish lined with a silicone mat. Bake in oven set at 350 degrees until browned (approximately 30 minutes) flipping halfway.

Ingredients

Tahini Ranch Dressing

  • 2 tbsp tahini
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp white miso paste
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions

Stir the ingredients together. Slowly add some water until mixture is smooth.

To make my burgers nice and uniform I use an inexpensive plastic burger press that I puchased at Bed, Bath and Beyond. Don’t want to purchase a burger press? No problem. Just use a mason jar lid. It works perfectly every time!