Author: Lenora

Thai Drunken Noodle Soup

Thai Drunken Noodle Soup

Sauteed mushrooms, fragrant herbs, brown rice noodles and rice wine vinegar– this soup packs plenty of flavor and nutrition! The addition of tofu and bok choy adds even more texture and flavor, along with the benefit of protein and greens. If you love healthy, Asian-inspired food, this soup is rich, flavorful and very warming!

Maryland Roasted Redskin Potatoes

Maryland Roasted Redskin Potatoes

These are crispy and perfectly seasoned, with the special ingredient lending itself to the name of the recipe. Nothing fancy here, just good ole comfort food! Perfect as a side dish, in a salad, or with a veggie or bean burger.

Almond Butter Granola Cups

Almond Butter Granola Cups

These scrumptious little cups serve as either a portable breakfast, a filling snack or a healthy dessert. You can use either a store-bought granola or my Nutty Coconut Granola recipe. Crunchy, fiber-rich granola is combined with even more nuts and almond butter, filled with creamy almond butter and topped with a chocolate/almond butter glaze. Delicious, gluten-free and packed with protein and healthy fats– and no baking involved!

Almond Butter Granola Cups
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Almond Butter Granola Cups

Scrumptious little, no-bake cups that serve as either a portable breakfast, a filling snack or a healthy dessert. You can use either a store-bought granola or my Nutty Coconut Granola recipe.
Prep Time5 minutes
Freezing1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Keyword: Almond Butter Granola Cups, Healthy Snacks, Healthy Portable Breakfast, Healthy Gluten-Free Desserts
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups granola You can make my Nutty Coconut Granola or use store-bought.
  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds Omit, if using my Nutty Coconut Granola recipe.
  • 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 2 tbsp almond butter, pure
  • 1/4 cup almond butter, pure
  • Topping:
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tbsp almond butter
  • 1 tsp coconut oil

Instructions

  • Use a silicone regular-sized muffin tin, or spray a muffin tin with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, combine the granola, maple syrup, chopped almonds and almond butter. Mix well.
  • Scoop the mixture evenly among 12 muffin cups. Dampen your hands and press the mixture firmly into the muffin tin to make an indentation in each granola cup. Place in freezer for 30 minutes to firm up.
  • Remove granola cups from freezer, scoop and smooth almond butter evenly into the center of each granola cup. Place back in freezer for 30 minutes.
  • Remove granola cups from freezer. Combine chocolate chips, almond butter and coconut oil in a small bowl in microwave for 1-2 minute son med-high. Stir to combine. Pour over the top of each granola cup. If desired, garnish with slivered almonds. Place in refrigerator to firm up for at least 30 minutes.
  • Remove from muffin tin and enjoy! Store in refrigerator.

Notes

Variation:  You can use any type of nuts/seeds/nut butter you like.  For example, chopped peanuts and peanut butter, chopped cashews and cashew butter, or chopped seeds and a seed butter.  
Creamy Pasta with Mushrooms and Peas

Creamy Pasta with Mushrooms and Peas

Creamy pasta, mushrooms and peas come together with all the stroganoff flavors you love in this easy skillet dinner! Ready in just 30 minutes!

Mocha Truffle Cookies

Mocha Truffle Cookies

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate! Thick, chewy and loaded with chocolatey goodness, these morsels have a tender, truffle-like center and a somewhat crispy outside, with just a hint of coffee.

Indian Butter Chickpeas

Indian Butter Chickpeas

Just as good as the popular Indian classic, yet chickpeas take the stage instead of chicken, packing in an abundance of protein, fiber and texture! The aromatic sauce is seasoned with Indian spices and made creamy with coconut milk. Toss in some greens for even more flavor and nutrition. Served over brown rice, it’s a healthy, filling and delicious main dish meal!

Click here to read about the health benefits of chickpeas! 

Indian Butter Chickpeas

If you like Indian food, you'll love this plant-based version of Indian Butter Chicken-- it's healthy, delicious and so nutritious!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Keyword: Indian Butter Chickpeas,, Spicy Butter Chickpeas, Vegan Indian Butter Chicken
Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup plant butter (I like Country Crock Plant Butter)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt, sea or Kosher
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp ginger powder, or 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cayenne
  • 2 15 oz cans Fire-Roasted Tomatoes (diced)
  • 1 15 oz can coconut milk (can use light if preferred)
  • 2 15-oz cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • handful of spinach or other greens (optional)
  • Cooked brown rice, for serving
  • bunch cilantro leaves or dried cilantro, for garnish

Instructions

  • Melt plant butter in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Stir in onion and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook until golden and slightly browned, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes. If onions stick, add in a small splash of water.
  • Stir in garlic and spices. Cook and stir for about 1-2 minutes.
  • Add cans of tomatoes and juices and the coconut milk. Add in the remaining tsp of salt. Bring to a simmer and continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in chickpeas, bring the mixture back up to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for another 10 minutes.
  • Optional: Toss in a handful of greens and let wilt, stirring.
  • Serve spooned over brown rice and topped (optional) with cilantro.
Roasted Tomato Pasta with Lentils

Roasted Tomato Pasta with Lentils

This one-pot pasta dish is incredibly flavorful, thanks to roasting the tomatoes which adds a slightly smoky sweetness. The addition of capers and sundried tomatoes creates even more layers of flavor, and the lentils provide some bite and plenty of fiber and protein. Easy to make, healthy and delicious!

Breaking News – November

Breaking News – November

BREAKING NEWS- November 2019

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Breaking News- December

Boozy Chocolate Cake

Boozy Chocolate Cake

Not a speck of butter or eggs goes into this classic creation, yet it tastes buttery rich and incredibly moist. Serve it at your next party or event and watch everybody go back for seconds!

Dark Mystery Truffles

Dark Mystery Truffles

Creamy chocolate/coffee truffles drenched in a dark chocolate/coffee shell– there’s no mystery as to why these Dark Mystery Truffles are so incredible! Not only do they taste decadent, they’re made with whole ingredients that are loaded with antioxidants!

Saucy Onion Mushroom Squares

Saucy Onion Mushroom Squares

I don’t typically use products that are “processed” like puff pastry, but it just happens to be vegan, and makes a wonderful base for this delicious appetizer.  Make sure you use a rich, syrupy balsamic vinegar for the best flavor.  Serve this at your next gathering, along with my Zesty Salsa!  

Saucy Onion Mushroom Squares

A sweet and tangy onion/mushroom mixture tops crispy puff pastry for an easy and delectable appetizer.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Appetizer
Keyword: Vegan Onion and Mushroom Squares, Caramelized Onion/Mushroom Puffy Squares,
Servings: 20

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 8 oz pkg sliced white or bella mushrooms, diced
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar (see Note below)
  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on medium-low heat. Add onion and thyme, cover and cook about 10-15 minutes until the onions are golden, stirring occasionally. Add small splashes of water if onions start to brown too much or stick to the pan.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with silicone mat or parchment paper.
  • Add mushrooms to skillet and cook about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the salt, pepper and vinegar. Cook for one minute longer. Remove from heat and cool about 10 minutes.
  • While the mixture is cooling, unfold the pastry sheet and roll out as thinly as possible. Spread the onion/mushroom mixture evenly over the pastry.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry puffs and is golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley. Use a pizza cutter to slice the pastry into 20 squares. Serve warm. Enjoy!

Notes

Balsamic Vinegar- use the thickest, darkest, most syrupy balsamic you can find -- for richer flavor. 
Creamy Dreamy Mushroom Soup

Creamy Dreamy Mushroom Soup

This is another easy soup to prepare, but tastes like you spent hours slaving over it! So delectably rich and velvety– who would ever guess there’s not a speck of dairy in it?

Silken Chocolate Pie

Silken Chocolate Pie

Only six ingredients create a rich, dreamy pie that will melt in your mouth. The magic is created with silken tofu, along with nut butter, almond milk and semi-sweet chocolate. My tofu-phobic brother enjoyed a huge piece of this pie at Thanksgiving and had no idea of its secret ingredient!

Orzo with Roasted Veggies

Orzo with Roasted Veggies

This fabulous Mediterranean orzo dish boasts all the wonderful flavors of Greece.  Serve it as a side dish or add cubed super firm tofu and enjoy it as a main dish meal!  My Big Salad with a Greek-type dressing would go wonderfully with this dish.  

Mediterranean Orzo with Roasted Veggies
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Orzo with Roasted Veggies

This is a wonderful Mediterranean side dish or can be made into a main dish meal by adding cubed tofu for protein. Whenever I serve this to guests they always ask for seconds. The lemony sauce, roasted veggies and rice-like orzo pasta create a great flavor and texture combination!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keyword: Orzo with Roasted Veggies, Roasted Vegetables and Orzo
Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 1 small eggplant, peeled, 1" diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, 1" diced
  • 1/2 orange or yellow bell pepper, 1" diced
  • 1 small red onion, 1" diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp Sea or Kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, ground
  • 1/2 lb orzo pasta
  • VINAIGRETTE SAUCE:
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher or sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, ground
  • TO ASSEMBLE:
  • 2 green onions, minced
  • 1/8 cup pine nuts or slivered almond, toasted (See Note below)
  • 8 basil leaves, julienned
  • 1/2 pkg cubed extra firm tofu (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
  • In a large bowl, combine the vegetables and garlic with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
  • Roast for 40 minutes, stirring once.
  • Meanwhile, cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7-9 minutes until tender. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.
  • Add the roasted vegetables, making sure to scrape the seasonings and liquid from the roasting pan into the bowl.
  • Whisk together all the sauce ingredients and smooth and combined. Pour over pasta and veggies and stir to coat. Let cool to room temperature.
  • Add the scallions, nuts, basil and optional tofu cubes. Stir to coat and combine. Serve at room temperature. Enjoy!

Notes

Note:  To toast almonds, add to a medium saute pan and cook over medium-low heat for about 3-5 minutes until toasted and fragrant. 
Curried Almond Butter Noodles and Veggies

Curried Almond Butter Noodles and Veggies

A creamy, curry-spiced nut butter sauce joins stir-fried veggies and rice noodles for an easy one-pot meal. Healthy and delicious!

Chocolate Chunk Tahini Bars

Chocolate Chunk Tahini Bars

Who knew tahini could create such dessert yumminess? Slightly chewy with a nutty flavor,, these bars are gluten-free and come together quickly in one bowl. The drizzle of dark chocolate on top is the perfect sweet touch!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Coco Cookies

No-Bake Peanut Butter Coco Cookies

These No-Bake Peanut Butter Coco Cookies come together in one bowl and contain wholesome ingredients.  While they taste decadent, they are low in sugar, and have the added bonus of being gluten-free.  This is a great cookie to make when the oven is full of other baked treats, like my scrumptious Almond Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies!  

No-Bake Peanut Butter Coco Cookies
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

No-Bake Peanut Butter Coco Cookies

Peanut butter...coconut...chocolate-- what's not to like? These no-bake cookies come together fast and contain just five ingredients (seven ingredients with the glaze)-- they are low in sugar, gluten-free, vegan and yummy!
Prep Time5 minutes
14 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dessert
Keyword: No-Bake Peanutt Butter Coconut Cookies, Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies, Vegan Peanut Butter Coconut Cookies
Servings: 10

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
  • GLAZE
  • 4 oz dark or semi-sweet chocolate
  • 1 tsp coconut oil

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, add peanut butter, coconut oil and maple syrup. Microwave for about a minute, stir to combine until smooth.
  • Add vanilla and coconut. Batter will be wet. Scoop out by a tablespoon onto parchment lined tray and shape with spoon into 2" cookies. You should have about 10 cookies.
  • Melt chocolate and coconut oil in microwave for 1-2 minutes and stir to combine. Drizzle over cookies. Place in freezer for 15 minutes or longer.
  • Remove from freezer, peel cookies off of parchment paper. Let stand at room temperature for 5-10 minutes to warm up and soften a bit. Enjoy!

Notes

These should be stored in the fridge.