Sides Archives - Page 10 of 11

“Bacon” Wrapped Roasted Asparagus

May 28, 2010 by epicureanvegan

I usually don’t mind putting a little work into a dish, especially when I know it’s worth it. These take about 15 minutes or so to prepare, but you won’t be sorry. There are a few different ways to secure the “bacon” to the asparagus: I broke toothpicks in half and secured each end of the bacon strip to the asparagus stalk. You can also wrap the bacon just around the middle and secure it once. Lastly, you can also use bamboo skewers through the middle to secure. Either way, they’ll make the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

INGREDIENTS:
1 pkg Smart Deli Bacon
1 bunch asparagus, ends trimmed
Olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400. Slice each bacon slice in two, lengthwise. Wrap around each asparagus slice and secure with toothpicks. Place on a foil-lined, lightly oiled baking sheet.

Brush with olive oil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!

Easy, Creamy Pasta Salad

May 26, 2010 by epicureanvegan

Like the title says, this pasta salad is easy and creamy, but also packed full of flavors. With summer quickly approaching, there are so many options for fresh veggies that would be perfect to add like cherry tomatoes and avocados.

INGREDIENTS:
14-oz pasta (I used whole wheat penne)
3 large green onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, diced (use any variety–I used orange, but a red one would be great for color and presentation)
2 stalks celery, sliced
1/2 C fresh parsley, chopped
1 Tbs fresh chives, chopped
1/4 tsp dill
1/2 C vegan cheddar, diced or shredded (The Daiya wedges would be IDEAL to chop up into tiny dice–like the Havarti style)
2/3 C Tofutti sour cream
1/3 C Veganaise
1 Tbs spicy brown mustard
1/4 tsp ground white pepper
Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and rinse with cold water. Meanwhile, combine green onion, bell pepper, celery, parsley, and chives in a small bowl. In a large bowl (large enough to hold everything and serve in) combine sour cream, Veganaise, mustard, dill, white pepper, vegan cheese, salt, and pepper. Pour in drained pasta and veggies and stir to combine–it’s that easy! Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

More Hummus Varieties

April 24, 2010 by epicureanvegan

I love that hummus is so versatile and easy to make. It’s also cheaper to make your own than buying prepackaged hummus. Here are two other varieties that a friend introduced me to and please note, the picture shows just half what the recipe yields.

INGREDIENTS:
4 garlic cloves
1 teaspoon salt
two 1-pound 3-ounce cans chick-peas, drained and rinsed
2/3 cup well stirred tahini
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, or to taste
1/2 C olive oil, or to taste
For Parsley and Garlic Hummus
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup parsley
1-2 garlic cloves, depending on taste
For Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
2-3 peppers from a can of roasted red pepper
1/4 cup of olive oil
Other variety would be adding black or kalamata olives…yum!

DIRECTIONS:
On a cutting board mince and mash the garlic to a paste with the salt. In a food processor purée the chick-peas with the garlic paste, the tahini, the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, scraping down the sides, until the hummus is smooth and add salt to taste. Add water, if necessary, to thin the hummus to the desired consistency and transfer the hummus to a bowl.

The hummus should be a little thick in consistency, place half in a bowl and save for later for the roasted red pepper.

In the food processor, cleaned, purée the remaining 1/4 cup oil with the parsley and garlic until the oil is bright green and the parsley is minced transfer the parsley oil to a small jar. The hummus and the parsley oil may be made 3 days in advance and kept covered and chilled. If the consistency still seems too thick, add more warm water if needed.

Add the other half of the hummus in the food processor. Add two to three roasted red peppers and olive oil. If needed added more water.

Serve with crackers, veggies, on sandwiches as a spread and a million other ways.

Recipe source: Kitchen Challengers

Risotto with Oyster Mushrooms, Leeks and Peas

March 24, 2010 by epicureanvegan

This risotto from The Kind Diet, definitely takes some time to prepare, but is well worth it. I don’t recommend making this for a side dish unless the main meal is fast, easy with little hands-on time. Otherwise, this makes a great main dish served with garlic bread or toast.

INGREDIENTS:
3 Tbs olive oil
3/4 – 1 C oyster mushrooms, or 1 C button mushrooms, sliced
2 pinches of fine sea salt
1/2 C thinly sliced leeks (about 1 large leek)
1/2 C fresh or thawed frozen peas
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4-1 C onion, chopped
1 C arborio rice
1/2 C white wine or mirin (I used 3/4 white wine and 1/4 mirin)

DIRECTIONS:
Bring 5 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm. Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbs of the oil in a skillet. Add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt and stir until the mushrooms soften. Add the leeks and a pinch of salt and saute for 1 minute, or until the leeks soften. Add some water to the pan, 1 Tbs at a time, if the vegetables become dryer or start to stick to the pan.

If you are using fresh peas, blanch then for 1 minute in a small pot of boiling water, and then add them to the sauteed vegetables. If using thawed frozen peas, just mix them straight into the sauteed vegetables. Remove from the heat and set aside. (I transferred them to a bowl).

Heat the remaining 2 Tbs of oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and when the onion begins to sizzle, add a dash of salt. Saute until the onions soften, about 1-2 mins. Stir in the rice and toast the grains until they are opaque, about 2-3 mins. Stir in the wine and cook until it is evaporated. Reduce the heat to medium-low and begin adding the warm water by ladlefuls, stirring it into the risotto, and adding more liquid only when the previous addition has been absorbed.

After the rice has cooked for 20 mins, season to taste with salt. The total cooking time should be 25-30 mins. The risotto will be creamy, but the rice should retain some firmness. Add the sauteed vegetable mixture to the risotto and stir together until hot. Serve warm and enjoy!

Recipe source: The Kind Diet

Quinoa Pilaf with Cranberries and Almonds

March 11, 2010 by epicureanvegan

This is one of my favorite side dishes.
Quinoa is not a grain, but actually a seed, but certainly looks, cooks and tastes like a grain. It’s even called a “supergrain” because of it’s many benefits and easy digestibility. Quinoa is packed full of protein, magnesium, and fiber. Research has also found that eating this fabulous seed…can help prevent breast cancer, diabetes and insulin resistance. So dig in!

INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small red onion, chopped
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oil in a medium pot over medium high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until just softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add quinoa and toast, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in broth and salt and bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cranberries, cover again and continue to cook until liquid is completely absorbed and quinoa is tender, 8 to 10 minutes more. Toss with almonds. Enjoy!

Recipe source: Whole Foods

Chive-Flecked Spud Muffins

February 15, 2010 by epicureanvegan

Hmmm..these dinner muffins from 1000 Vegan Recipes cookbook, are so good! They definitely taste best warm with some Earth Balance margarine on them. Easy to prepare, they make the perfect accompaniment to any meal.

INGREDIENTS:
1-3/4 C all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 C leftover mashed potatoes (If you don’t have mashed potatoes on hand, cook a couple in the microwave and when they cool down, cut in half and scoop out of the skins into a bowl. Mash with soy milk and olive oil or margarine).
1/2 C soy milk
1/4 C canola or grapeseed oil (I just used olive oil)
2 Tbs plus 1 tsp minced fresh chives

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400. Lightly oil a 12-cup muffin tin or line with paper liners
In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, soy milk, oil and chives, stirring until blended. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened. (It resembled mashed potatoes, actually).

Spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake for 22-25 mins until golden brown. Serve warm.

Recipe source: 1000 Vegan Recipes

Crispy Kale Leaves

February 15, 2010 by epicureanvegan

“They’re weird, but I can’t stop eating them.” This is what my husband said. It’s so true–they’re like paper thin potato chips! They kinda just melt in your mouth but certainly have a crunch–and so good! And did you know…kale is considered an aphrodisiac? Just so you know! 😉 This recipe comes from Vegetarian Times.

INGREDIENTS:
1 lb kale, rinsed and patted dry
2 Tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp kosher salt

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray (I used foil). Tear kale into 3″ pieces, removing tough stems. Transfer leaves to a bowl. Toss kale leaves with the oil, until well coated.

Spread on a baking sheet and bake 15 mins. (I did 10). Turn kale with tongs and bake another 10-15 mins (I did 7 more mins) or until edges are browned and leaves are crispy. Sprinkle with salt. Serve warm or cold. Enjoy!

Hot Rice with Cold Lemon, Basil and Tomato

February 1, 2010 by epicureanvegan

This is a fast and easy side dish from The kind Diet that is very flavorful. For variety, I sometimes omit the basil and add grated ginger root instead. This also makes a light, refreshing lunch or snack. I really like the Arborio rice (risotto rice)–it’s a great change from regular white rice.

INGREDIENTS:
1 C Arborio rice
2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbs fresh lemon juice
3 pinches of fine sea salt
2 pinches ground black pepper
1/2 C (or as much as you want) tomato, diced
2 Tbs chopped fresh basil

DIRECTIONS:
Place the unrinsed rice in a saucepan with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 10-15 minutes or until mostly tender but still a little firm in the center of the grain. Drain off any excess water and transfer rice to a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil, lemon juice (grated ginger if using), salt and pepper. Mix well and addd the tomatoes and sprinkle basil (if using) on top. Toss to combine and serve. Makes about 4 servings. Enjoy!

Recipe source: The Kind Diet

Red Wine Vinaigrette and Salad with a Kick

January 26, 2010 by epicureanvegan

So long to boring salads! Between the mustard greens and the Dijon and shallots in the dressing, this salad is anything but tame.

INGREDIENTS:
Vinaigrette:
4 Tbs red wine vinegar
2 Tbs shallots, chopped fine
3 tsp Dijon mustard
4 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Salad:
2 large leaves mustard greens, chopped into 1″ pieces
2 large leaves of kale, chopped into 1″ pieces
2 big handfuls of spinach, chopped into bite sized pieces
8 mushrooms, sliced
2 small tomatoes, diced
1/2 cucumber, diced (not tiny diced–bite sized)
1 big handful sunflower seeds
2 big handfuls craisins
croutons

DIRECTIONS:
Dressing
Whisk together all ingredients, serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate. Makes about a 1 cup
Salad
Combine and toss–I’ll bet you know how to make a salad!
Enjoy!

Herb-Roasted Potatoes

January 21, 2010 by epicureanvegan

These are great for a side dish or if you’re like me, just to have a plateful! Feel free to vary up the spices to your liking; this is a basic recipe for roasting potatoes. The options for seasonings are pretty endless.

INGREDIENTS:
10 small russet potatoes, scrubbed (not peeled) and cut into large wedges
1/3 C olive oil
1 1/2 Tbs garlic salt
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried marjoram
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbs lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400. In a large bowl, combine oil and potatoes, toss to coat. In a small bowl, combine garlic salt, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, pepper and lemon juice. If you want a spicy kick, add 1/4 tsp cayenne red pepper. Combine well, pour over potatoes and coat thoroughly. Line a large baking sheet with foil and evenly spread potatoes on pan. Bake for 30 mins. Enjoy!