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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Zoodles and Savory Sauce (GF Raw Vegan)

I know it's cold but sometimes you just don't want to cook! Especially if you just did your meal prep for the week. So eat raw!

Serves: 2-3


4 zucchini, spiralized

Savory sauce:
1-2 medium zucchini
2 handfuls whole cilantro
Handful strawberries w/ tops
Handful soaked sundried tomatoes
Handful sliced bella mushrooms
1/2 avocado (would use more)
1 orange bell pepper
1 big celery stalk
2 green onions
1/2 inch ginger

Juice of a lemon

Add all the sauce ingredients to your high-powered blender and using the tamper add just enough water to blend. Water will be released by the zoodles and will thin the sauce. Ignore that it looks like swamp goo!



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Friday, January 9, 2015

Savory Rice Bowl (GF Vegan)

Yes, this recipe requires that you start two days in advance, but it's well worth the wait for some of the best tasting tofu ever. Plus most of the prep time is inactive. So let's get to it!

Serves: 3 | Prep time: 15-20 minutes | Cook time: 30 min

Main ingredients:
3 cups cooked rice
3 sweet potatoes, cubed
1/2 lb brussels sprouts, halved
1 block extra firm tofu, cubed

Marinade:
1/4 cup low-sodium tamari
4 tbs apple cider vinegar
2 tbs pure maple syrup
1 tbs filtered water
3 drops liquid smoke
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp red chili paste
1/4 tsp black pepper

Special sauce:
1/3 cup nut or seed butter (tahini, peanut, etc)
3-4 tbs filtered water
1 tsp red chili paste

Cut a slit in the packet of tofu and let the water drain out. Place in the freezer overnight. In the morning, remove the tofu and let it thaw during the day. Then squeeze out any remaining liquid and cut into 1x1" cubes. It might crumble a bit because it was frozen but that's fine.
In a ziplock bag, mix the ingredients for the marinade. Add the tofu cubes and zip after removing the air. Turn over a few times to coat with the marinade and put in the fridge overnight.

Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with a Silpat mat and add the tofu with any remaining marinade. Spread out and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring once.
Meanwhile, wash and peel your sweet potatoes. You can leave it on but to me the texture was unpleasant in the bowl. Cut into small cubes. Chop the ends off your brussels sprouts and any wilted leaves should fall away. Cut in half and place in a steamer with the sweet potatoes. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring once. If necessary, depending on your steamer, they may need another 5 minutes.

In a small bowl, mix the ingredients for the special sauce. Set aside. In a large bowl add the rice, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, and tofu. Toss gently and serve into bowls. Drizzle the special sauce on top. Enjoy! :)

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Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Savory Veggie Lasagne (GF Vegan, low fat, soy-free option)

make this lasagne twice a year - once for my dad's birthday and once around New Years. This recipe is sure to wow family and friends with its combination of savory flavor and creamy texture. No one can tell the ricotta is plant-based and everyone asks for seconds. Dig in!

Serves: 4-6 | Time: 1h 20m

Staples:
7.5oz/230g no-boil lasagne noodles*
2-3 jars of tomato basil sauce
1/2 cup fresh basil, ribboned
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Extras:
5 handfuls of baby spinach, shredded
2 roasted sweet peppers, diced
1 medium sweet onion, diced
1 large zucchini, ribboned
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 large carrots, ribboned

Ricotta filling:
1 cup cauli-alfredo sauce
1 package of firm tofu
3 tbs nutritional yeast
1/2 lemon fruit juice
3 tbs fresh basil leaves
1.5 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper 

Parmesan topping:
1/3 cup roasted salted cashews
3 tbs nutritional yeast flakes
1/4 tsp himalayan pink salt

* Tinkyada, De Boles, and Orgran have great gluten-free lasagne. They can be purchased through Amazon, iHerb, or at select stores. Even though they don't say no-boil, Orgran are instant (as stated on the back). You can use wheat pasta if you prefer.

* Soy-free option: If you have an allergy, or just want an even lower fat lasagne, you can use the Alfredo sauce recipe to make a mashed cauliflower paste. All you have to do is leave out most of the liquid - so use a food processor instead of a blender - and add the basil.*

Start by chopping all your basil. Next we'll make the ricotta. Drain a package of firm tofu (don't press) and place in a bowl. Add all the spices and lemon juice. Mash well with a fork. Add in the basil and stir. Set aside to marinade.

Turn your oven to 400F and deseed the peppers. Wash and place on a small baking sheet. Roast for 40 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare your desired vegetables. I left the spinach, carrots, and zucchini raw. The onions and mushrooms I sautéed.

In a 13x9 inch casserole dish, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce. Cover with lasagne noodles. Smear on a thin layer of ricotta. Top with zucchini strips, sliced carrots, sautéed onions, mushrooms, roasted pepper, and shredded spinach. Scantily cover with a small amount of tomato sauce. Repeat twice for a total of three noodle layers.

The top level will covered in leftover veggies, sauce, and the parmesan. I don't like burnt edges so I always make sure there is enough sauce on the sides.

Bake for 45 minutes at 400F. I covered the lasagne with aluminum foil for the first 30 minutes.

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