Category Archives: Quick Meals

Oil-Free Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (AND Plant-Based RD info for you!)

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Ever since we watched the movie Planeat, I’ve been on a quest for a good oil-free hummus! I’ve been making these Kale Sandwiches from that movie about every other day, they’re so good! (Terrible picture, sorry! I was too busy eating the hummus to take a good pic!)

Kale Sandwich with Oil-Free Hummus

If you haven’t already read, we are trying to eliminate all added oils from our diet in an effort to “kick it up a notch” in the health department. I’ve been working with a fabulous plant-based registered dietician, her name is Elisa Rodriguez, RD, LDN and she’s available for online consultations through her website EatUrVeggies.com. So if you’re looking to get your health on track I HIGHLY recommend her!

I used up about 6 cups of chickpeas trying to create a tasty oil-free hummus recipe, this one was a hit!

Oil-Free Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

* 2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight and cooked in pressure cooker (You could use about 3 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed)

* Juice of 3 lemons, zest of 1 (Hey, I like lemon!)

* 2 roasted red peppers – I used roasted red peppers from a jar (COSTCO) and they were HUGE so maybe use a few more if they are small

* 2 pinches of sumac – great touch but if you don’t have any don’t worry

* 1/2 – 1 tsp salt, to taste

* 1/3-1/2 cup bean cooking liquid (Save from pressure cooking beans) OR use canned bean liquid OR water

* Handful of parsley, to taste

Blend in food processor until smooth and enjoy on sandwiches, pita chips, veggies and whatever else you like!

Yummy!

Taco Soup with Quinoa

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I was craving taco soup when I found this recipe with quinoa added… score! Why didn’t I think of that?!? Leave it to Nava Atlas to think of something like that, she has awesome recipes! This recipe is from her site VegKitchen.com. My toddler ate two bowls of this!

Taco Soup with Quinoa

TODDLER APPROVED!!

I omitted the oil and I used no-salt added, tetra-packed tomatoes since we are working towards lowering our salt tolerance and eliminating our added oil consumption.

Taco Soup

  • 1/2 cup raw bulgur or quinoa (I doubled this)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 4 cups cooked or canned pinto beans (from 1 1/2 cups raw beans or two 16-ounce cans, drained and rinsed) – I USED CANNED BEANS, TRYING TO USE THEM UP! 
  • One 28-ounce can salt-free crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup chopped mild green chilies, fresh or canned, optional
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, optional
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons chili powder, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Garnishes:

  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups grated cheddar-style nondairy cheese (I like Follow Your Heart Nacho)
  • Thinly shredded romaine or green leaf lettuce (I used cilantro)
  • Finely diced firm, ripe tomatoes (about 1 cup)
  • Large triangular stone-ground tortilla chips

Bring 1 cup of  water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the grain and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.

Saute the onion in a little bit of water over medium heat until translucent. Add the garlic and bell pepper and continue to sauté, stirring frequently, until all are golden. Add more water if the mixture is sticking. 

Add the remaining ingredients, except the garnishes, plus the cooked grain and 3 cups water. Bring to a rapid simmer, then lower the heat. Cover and simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, then remove from the heat.

Top with some grated cheese (I used Follow Your Heart Nacho), shredded lettuce (I used cilantro), and diced tomatoes. Serve with tortilla chips. 

I like Pomi brand tomatoes

Saute onions, green peppers and garlic

Make your quinoa

Add all ingredients together (except for toppings)

Bring to strong simmer, cover and cook for 10-15 minutes. (P.S. I LOVE my new dutch oven!!!

Serve with chips, vegan cheeze and cilantro!

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Sweet Potato Coconut Nog Pancakes

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Pancakes are great for little kids for many reasons – they’re portable in a hurry (without syrup, of course), they’re great for practicing fork skills, they reheat well and they’re easy to make!

Sweet Potato Coconut Nog Pancakes

This recipe (original was Pumpkin Pancakes) is from a fellow blogger Cooking with Two Vegan Boys, she understands what it’s like to feed little kids!! I’m going to try her Starbucks Pumpkin Scones next!

This is a little more sweetness than I usually serve for breakfast but it was a really nice treat! My toddler loved them plain.

Sweet Potato Coconut Nog Pancakes

1 c soymilk

1 cup So Delicious Coconut Nog

1c sweet potato

2T margarine, melted – I used the new Earth Balance Coconut Spread

2t molasses

2T ground flax

3T sugar – I used turbinado

2c flour – I used whole wheat flour

2t baking powder

1t baking soda

1/4t salt

1t allspice

1t cinnamon

1/2t ginger powder

1/4t nutmeg

1 In a mixing bowl combine the dy ingredients, add the wet ingredients, gently stir to combine.

2. Lightly grease a skillet or griddle, pour 1/3c of batter (or more for larger pancakes) onto the griddle. *NOTE: These pancakes were thick and cake-like! I suggest flipping them a few times, pressing down lightly to smooth them down each time.

3. Cook until golden on both sides.  Serve with warm maple syrup.

Mix dry ingredients

Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients

Gently stir to combine

They're thick so flip them a few times, lightly pat them flat each time

Yummy!

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Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing

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I’ve been making this for years, tastes just like the real thing! This makes an excellent dip for veggies, salad dressing and anything else you top with ranch! My hubby likes it on his pizza. I recently served this with No-Buffalo Nuggets… Delish!!

No-Buffalo Nuggets with Vegan Ranch Dressing

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup vegan mayonnaise

* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

* 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

* 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped – I usually used dried parsley, turns out great!

* 1/2 cup unsweetened soymilk (I star with 1/4 cup and add to make it thinner, depends on what I’m using it for – dip vs. dressing)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk all ingredients together (or just put all ingredients into a container and shake until mixed) and chill before serving. Add a little more soy milk if you need to thin dressing.

Put all ingredients into a container, close and shake!

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Healthy Breakfast Tacos

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The original recipe is featured in the film The Engine 2 Kitchen Rescue with Rip Esselstyn . I added extra veggies to ours, it turned out great! We’ve been trying to cut down (and eventually cut out) all added oils in our diet, this recipe was perfect! My toddler also loved this!

Healthy Breakfast Tacos

We really enjoyed this movie! (You can buy it here) My hubby requested I make these breakfast tacos, he loves anything with hash brown potatoes!

Ingredients:

1 large onion, diced

2-4 cloves garlic, minced

1 can fat-free refried beans

1 12oz package organic tofu, drained and pressed

1 package sliced mushrooms (I used baby portobellos)

2 bunches of spinach

1 16oz package frozen hash brown potatoes (fat-free, no salt added) – I used Cascadia Farms Organic Potatoes

1 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp cumin

1 1/2 Tbsp nutritional yeast

Black pepper, to taste

Salsa, to top

Avocado, to top tacos

Tortillas of your choice (I used Ezekiel Sprouted Tortillas)

Sliced limes, to top

Directions:

1. Drain, press, and mash tofu. Saute the onion and garlic in a skillet on medium heat until translucent.

2. Add tofu, turmeric, cumin, and nutritional yeast. Mix together and cook for 4-5 minutes. Add mushrooms and saute until soft.

3. Add spinach, cover pan with lid so spinach can wilt. Once wilted and bright green, add black pepper to taste.

3. Heat potatoes in a separate skillet, on medium heat. Stir continuously to prevent potatoes from sticking to pan. Add a bit of water to help.

4. Heat refried beans in another pan.

5. Warm tortillas and assemble tacos.

6. Garnish with salsa, avocado and lime wedges.

Saute onion and garlic

Add crumbled tofu and spices

Add mushrooms and saute

Add spinach and cover until wilted and bright green

Season with black pepper

Cook hash browns in a separate pan

Assemble tacos and enjoy!

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Spicy Lemon Chard

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This is one of my favorite lunch recipes, this flavor mixture is addicting! I usually eat a whole bunch of chard for lunch using this recipe, sometimes with a side of whole wheat bread or rice. It’s quick and easy to make too, great for busy people! This is a unique spice blend that most people either love or hate… I LOVE IT and I hope you do too!

Spicy Lemon Chard

  • 1 -2 bunches of chard (leaves AND stems) ,washed and chopped – I use red, green or rainbow… ALL GOOD! I use 1 bunch but you may want to use 2 the first time, or half the spices (to make sure you like it first!)
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil – you can use water or veggie broth if you’re trying to cut out oil. I use broth and it works perfectly
  • 1-3 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions:

  1. Heat the oil (water or broth) in a large skillet and saute the garlic gently until golden. Add the chard, paprika, cumin, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
  2. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

I usually choose red chard but any will do

Use the stalks too for added fiber and crunch!

Wash and dry chard and tear leaves from stems - chop

Easy ingredients!

Saute garlic first... I use jarred garlic when I'm in a hurry

Add in stems for a minute or two, then add in chopped leaves

Add spices/lemon and saute for a few minutes

Serve cold'ish