Sides Archives - Page 6 of 11

Orzo Pilaf with Roasted Red Peppers and Peas

June 5, 2012 by epicureanvegan

This is from one of my favorite cookbooks, The Vegan Table. Orzo is actually a rice-shaped pasta and has a risotto-like texture. It’s perfect for soups or even for Asian dishes such as stir-fry. I loved the flavor of this dish and the fact that it’s super versatile. Next time, I’ll add mushrooms, herbs, and maybe even asparagus.

INGREDIENTS:
2 Tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
12-oz orzo
3 C vegetable broth (I like Better Than Bouillon brand)
1-1/2 C frozen peas, partially thawed
2 large jarred roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Heat the olive oil in a large, deep-sided skillet. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the orzo and stir for 2 more minutes.

Add the stock, peas, roasted red peppers, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring every so often for 12-15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender. The liquid will also be absorbed.

I served this with the Baked Truffle Polenta Fries and a green salad.

Orzo Pilaf with Roasted Red Peppers and Peas

This is from one of my favorite cookbooks, The Vegan Table. Orzo is actually a rice-shaped pasta and has a risotto-like texture. It's perfect for soups or even for Asian dishes such as stir-fry. I loved the flavor of this dish and the fact that it's super versatile. Next time, I'll add mushrooms, herbs, and maybe even asparagus.

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Ingredients

2 Tbs olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
12-oz orzo
3 C vegetable broth (I like Better Than Bouillon brand)
1-1/2 C frozen peas, partially thawed
2 large jarred roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large, deep-sided skillet. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the orzo and stir for 2 more minutes.
Add the stock, peas, roasted red peppers, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer, stirring every so often for 12-15 minutes, or until the orzo is tender. The liquid will also be absorbed. Enjoy!

Enjoy!

Baked Truffle Polenta Fries

June 5, 2012 by epicureanvegan

This is a first for me. I’ve never eaten polenta at home, but I’ve ordered it in restaurants. I decided to try making polenta fries, but the easy way . . .

Ancient Harvest

This is certainly an ideal way to make fries: crack open a polenta log, slice, season, and bake!

INGREDIENTS:
1 tube of polenta
1/8 C olive oil
2 Tbs truffle oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 450. Combine the two oils in a small dish. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush the foil with some of the oil mixture. Slice the polenta into 1/2″ slices.

Then cut each slice into thirds.

Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet and brush with the oil mixture; season with salt and pepper.

Bake for 30-40 minutes, turning once halfway through. Enjoy!

Baked Truffle Polenta Fries

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Ingredients

1 tube of polenta
⅛ C olive oil
2 Tbs truffle oil
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 450. Combine the two oils in a small dish. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush the foil with some of the oil mixture. Slice the polenta into ½" slices.
Then cut each slice into thirds.
Place the slices on the prepared baking sheet and brush with the oil mixture; season with salt and pepper.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, turning once halfway through. Enjoy!

Vegan Twice-Baked Potatoes

May 20, 2012 by epicureanvegan

I should clarify: Once nuked, once baked. This is another kid creation that The Seventh Grader took on. It was one of those nights I forced the family to fend for themselves and this is what the 13-year-old wanted. With very little instruction, he made dinner in about 20 minutes. He a genius. (He takes after me, you know). He may have gotten a little heavy handed with the Tofutti sour cream and (vegan) bacon bits, but who wouldn’t? I stole a bite and wow! He’s cooking next time!

INGREDIENTS: (He made one potato, so I’m giving you the gist–you can figure it out for more than one) 😉
1 russet potato
1/4 C vegan sour cream
1 Tbs vegan margarine
1/8 to 1/4 C vegan cheddar shreds
Dash or two of garlic salt
Dash (or several) of veggie bacon bits
Paprika
I think some chopped chives or green onions would be great, too.

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375. Cook the tater in the microwave. (Be sure to fork it several times first). Once it’s soft, cut it in half and scoop out the innards. Be careful not to puncture the skin.

Transfer to a bowl and add the other ingredients, except the paprika. Mix together thoroughly.

Fill each potato skin evenly with the filling.

Bake for 12-15 minutes. If you want to brown the top, place under the broiler for a minute or two. Enjoy!

Vegan Twice-Baked Potatoes

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 1

Ingredients

1 russet potato
¼ C vegan sour cream
1 Tbs vegan margarine
⅛ to ¼ C vegan cheddar shreds
Dash or two of garlic salt
Dash (or several) of veggie bacon bits
Paprika
I think some chopped chives or green onions would be great, too.

Directions

Preheat oven to 375. Cook the tater in the microwave. (Be sure to fork it several times first). Once it's soft, cut it in half and scoop out the innards. Be careful not to puncture the skin.
Transfer to a bowl and add the other ingredients, except the paprika. Mix together thoroughly.
Fill each potato skin evenly with the filling.
Bake for 12-15 minutes. If you want to brown the top, place under the broiler for a minute or two. Enjoy!

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini

March 10, 2012 by epicureanvegan

I found myself with several yams and sometimes, I don’t always know what to do with them. So why not scalloped potatoes? I threw in some zucchini and onions, and topped it with some Daiya and panko. Delicious!

INGREDIENTS:
2 large yams, peeled and sliced thin
1 small onion
1 med zucchini, sliced, then quartered
1 Tbs olive oil
2 tsp garlic, minced
2-1/2 Tbs arrowroot
1/4 C nutritional yeast
2 C almond milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 Tbs rosemary
1/4 C panko
Vegan cheddar shreds

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Boil the yams in a large soup pot for about 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the onions and cook 3-4 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook until softened. Add the seasonings.

Whisk together the milk, arrowroot, and nutritional yeast. Pour it into the skillet with the onions and zucchini. Stir continuously until the sauce begins to thicken.

Layer half of the yams into an 8″ baking dish. Pour half of the onion mixture on top and spread evenly around. Layer on the rest of the yams, then the mixture. Top with some cheese.

Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with the panko and bake another 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini

I found myself with several yams and sometimes, I don't always know what to do with them. So why not scalloped potatoes? I threw in some zucchini and onions, and topped it with some Daiya and panko. Delicious!

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Ingredients

2 large yams, peeled and sliced thin
1 small onion
1 med zucchini, sliced, then quartered
1 Tbs olive oil
2 tsp garlic, minced
2-1/2 Tbs arrowroot
¼ C nutritional yeast
2 C almond milk
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 Tbs rosemary
¼ C panko
Vegan cheddar shreds

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Boil the yams in a large soup pot for about 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the onions and cook 3-4 minutes. Add the zucchini and cook until softened. Add the seasonings.
Whisk together the milk, arrowroot, and nutritional yeast. Pour it into the skillet with the onions and zucchini. Stir continuously until the sauce begins to thicken.
Layer half of the yams into an 8" baking dish. Pour half of the onion mixture on top and spread evenly around. Layer on the rest of the yams, then the mixture. Top with some cheese.
Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with the panko and bake another 15-20 minutes. Enjoy!

Chickpea Salad

February 28, 2012 by epicureanvegan

I got this recipe from Luminous Vegans who called it “Chick-Peace Salad.” Great name—I didn’t want to steal it, so mine’s just plain old Chickpea Salad. Regardless of the name, it’s a delicious vegan version of tuna salad. LV added crumbled up nori to the mix to give it that tuna taste, but I didn’t have any. I still think it had amazing flavor without it. I did add some carrots and parsley. Just because. I also used Earth Balance’s vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free mayo that my good friend, Angela of The Veracious Vegan turned me on to. It’s fabulous!

I also served the salad on Food For Life’s brown rice tortillas.

I have to say, they’re ok. Heated up, they’re better, but you have to eat it fast before it gets crispy and falls apart. I’m wondering if steaming them would be better, or make it worse. The taste is chewy, but crunchy at the same time. Is that possible? Apparently so. Anyway, they’re not horrible, but they made eating this sandwich a bit tough because they tend to crack and split.

INGREDIENTS:
1 15-oz can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1-2 Tbs fresh dill, chopped
1 carrot, shredded
2 Tbs vegan mayonnaise
1 tsp Dijon
1-1/2 tsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
Veggies, crackers, tortillas, etc.

DIRECTIONS:
Mash the chickpeas. I used a pastry blender. You can also pulse them in the food processor.

Stir in all of the other ingredients and combine well. I layered the salad on some lettuce inside one of the tortillas and added some sliced cucumber and tomato.

This salad would also be great on crackers, or sliced veggies. Enjoy!

Stuffed Portobellos and Steamed Bok Choy

February 25, 2012 by epicureanvegan

Portobellos are such a versatile fungi.

They make great burgers, a main stir-fry ingredient, and of course, an ideal vessel for other veggies. I wanted to make something wheat and soy-free, which is tough as a vegan, but these really fit the bill. But what to have with them? Before, I would have served bread, but since I that’s out, I decided to steam some bok choy. By the way, you’ll be seeing more wheat and soy-free recipes (although I may use miso from time to time) on my blog, as I am working on eliminating these from my diet. Why? Well . . . you see, I have endometriosis, something I’ve had to deal with for the last seven years, and I’ve now opted to treat it with diet, herbs and acupuncture. Endo is an inflammatory disease, so processed flour aggravates it. It’s also said that estrogen feeds the disease, so there goes soy with its natural estrogen!

TMI? Sorry. I won’t go on about it, but I wanted to explain my reasoning for my decision and to also let other women know that it’s possible to live with endo and not rely on drugs and/or surgery (at least, that’s my plan). Otherwise, I want to make clear that I have nothing against soy. In fact, it’s worth pointing out that Dr. Neal Barnard has determined that soy consumption is not only safe, but highly encouraged. Oh, and I want to make clear, I’m steering clear of wheat, not necessarily gluten. There’s a difference between the two, so fortunately, whole grains aren’t out of the picture for me, just processed wheat.

So, on to the recipes!

INGREDIENTS:
4 portobello caps, washed and stems and gills removed
1 box Near East Long Grain & Wild Rice Mix
1 small red onion, diced
1 small zicchini, diced
1/2 C fresh parsley, chopped
2 tsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegan cheese shreds

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Prepare the rice mix according to the package instructions. This will need to cook for 30 minutes. When the rice has about 6 minutes of cooking time left, heat the olive oil and garlic. Add the red onion and cook for about 3 minutes. Then add the zucchini and cook another 3 minutes or so.

Stir in the cooked rice and parsley; season with salt and pepper.

Place the portobellos upside down in a large baking dish. Sprinkle some Daiya cheese on the bottom and fill each mushroom cap evenly with the rice mixture, piling it high.

Pour a little water into the bottom of the pan. This will help steam the mushroom caps. Bake for about 15 minutes, then top with a little Daiya cheese and bake another couple of minutes.

While these are baking, I got started on the bok choy.

I think this veggie is so underrated. Low in calories, this lightly sweet and crispy veggie is loaded with vitamins C and A as well as calcium. I cut up some mushrooms and together, steamed the veggies with some (soy-free) Earth Balance for about 7-9 minutes.

Enjoy!

Kale & Cabbage Salad with Lemony-Almond Butter Dressing

February 24, 2012 by epicureanvegan

Okay, this is probably my favorite dressing I’ve made so far. Love it! It has just a hint of lemon and with the ginger, goes fabulous with the almond butter. There’s some prep work involved here, but if can, make this the night before and you won’t be able to wait for lunch!

INGREDIENTS:
Salad:
2 large bunches of kale, stems removed and chopped
1/4 of a red/purple cabbage, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 carrot, shredded or finely chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 small red onion, diced
1/3 C sunflower seeds
Dressing:
1/4 C tahini
1/3 C + 1 Tbs almond butter
1″ piece gingerroot
2 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs miso (any variety)
1/4 C nutritional yeast
1/8 C water

DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients.

Combine all of the dressing ingredients in the blender—except the water—just start with a little and add more as you blend it to reach the consistency you want. You may need more than the 1/8 cup. It also depends on how lemony you want it—you can thin it out with more lemon juice if you’d like. Blend until smooth.

You can pour the dressing over the salad, just a little at time to coat the salad, or serve on the side and mix into individual servings. Yields about 1-1/2 cups. Enjoy!

Kale & Cabbage Salad with Lemony-Almond Butter Dressing

Okay, this is probably my favorite dressing I've made so far. Love it! It has just a hint of lemon and with the ginger, goes fabulous with the almond butter. There's some prep work involved here, but if can, make this the night before and you won't be able to wait for lunch!

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Ingredients

Salad:
2 large bunches of kale, stems removed and chopped
¼ of a red/purple cabbage, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 carrot, shredded or finely chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 small red onion, diced
⅓ C sunflower seeds
Dressing:
¼ C tahini
⅓ C + 1 Tbs almond butter
1" piece gingerroot
2 garlic cloves, minced
2-3 Tbs lemon juice
1 Tbs miso (any variety)
¼ C nutritional yeast
⅛ C water

Directions

In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients.
Combine all of the dressing ingredients in the blender---except the water---just start with a little and add more as you blend it to reach the consistency you want. You may need more than the ⅛ cup. It also depends on how lemony you want it---you can thin it out with more lemon juice if you'd like. Blend until smooth.
You can pour the dressing over the salad, just a little at time to coat the salad, or serve on the side and mix into individual servings. Yields about 1-1/2 cups. Enjoy!

Lemon Risotto with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

February 11, 2012 by epicureanvegan

Barb at That Was Vegan? posted this recipe, but used Israeli couscous and kale. YUM! I didn’t have any couscous and of course, I had eaten all the kale, but . . . I really wanted to make this dish. I added some mushrooms, too and it was delicious! You could also use wild rice or barley—just keep in mind they both take up to an hour to cook. Otherwise, this is quick and satisfying meal.

INGREDIENTS:
1 C arborio (risotto) rice
1-1/2 C water
1 vegetable bouillon cube
2 med sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1-2 C mushrooms, sliced
1 C spinach, chopped
Salt, pepper, and cumin, to taste
2-3 Tbs lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, or drizzle with olive oil. Add the potatoes. I sprinkled on some salt and pepper, too.

Bake 15-20 minutes until they start to brown—but be sure to turn once. While the potatoes bake, bring the water and bouillon cube to a boil, then add the rice. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 10-15 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms, spinach, salt, pepper, cumin, and lemon juice. Cover until the veggies soften and wilt.

Stir in the sweet potatoes and enjoy!

Lemon Risotto with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

Barb at That Was Vegan? posted this recipe, but used Israeli couscous and kale. YUM! I didn't have any couscous and of course, I had eaten all the kale, but . . . I really wanted to make this dish. I added some mushrooms, too and it was delicious! You could also use wild rice or barley---just keep in mind they both take up to an hour to cook. Otherwise, this is quick and satisfying meal.

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Ingredients

1 C arborio (risotto) rice
1-1/2 C water
1 vegetable bouillon cube
2 med sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1-2 C mushrooms, sliced
1 C spinach, chopped
Salt, pepper, and cumin, to taste
2-3 Tbs lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray, or drizzle with olive oil. Add the potatoes. I sprinkled on some salt and pepper, too.
Bake 15-20 minutes until they start to brown---but be sure to turn once. While the potatoes bake, bring the water and bouillon cube to a boil, then add the rice. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 10-15 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms, spinach, salt, pepper, cumin, and lemon juice. Cover until the veggies soften and wilt.
Stir in the sweet potatoes and enjoy!

Lemony Pan-Fried Chickpeas with Chard

February 4, 2012 by epicureanvegan

This recipe is from Color Me Vegan and considering I love chickpeas, (a.k.a garbanzo beans) and chard, this is a new favorite. I would, however, make a few changes next time. Even though chickpeas are a great source of fiber and protein, and have no saturated fat, they do sport 90 calories per half a cup. Given this, I would use just half a can and even double the chard. So what to do with the other half of beans? Make a small batch of hummus, perfect for a few sandwiches during the week. I could have eaten the entire pan of this, which would not have been wise, so reducing the amount of chickpeas and adding more chard, I think, is a smart way to go. Otherwise, share this dish with plenty of others! (The recipe below is sans my suggestions.)

INGREDIENTS:
1 Tbs olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained
1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped
1 small lemon
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
Black pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook until tender. Add the chickpeas and cook 10 minutes, or until the beans begin to brown.

Stir in the chard and cook until it begins to wilt and cook down, about 5-7 minutes. Zest the lemon over the pan, then cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice from one half over the mixture. (Watch out for seeds). Stir well to combine. Add salt, pepper, and more lemon, if desired. (If you go with my suggestions, you can use the leftover lemon—if there is any— in the hummus). Serve immediately, or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Lemony Pan-Fried Chickpeas with Chard

This recipe is from Color Me Vegan and considering I love chickpeas, (a.k.a garbanzo beans) and chard, this is a new favorite. I would, however, make a few changes next time. Even though chickpeas are a great source of fiber and protein, and have no saturated fat, they do sport 90 calories per half a cup. Given this, I would use just half a can and even double the chard. So what to do with the other half of beans? Make a small batch of hummus, perfect for a few sandwiches during the week. I could have eaten the entire pan of this, which would not have been wise, so reducing the amount of chickpeas and adding more chard, I think, is a smart way to go. Otherwise, share this dish with plenty of others! (The recipe below is sans my suggestions.)

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Ingredients

1 Tbs olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained
1 bunch Swiss chard, chopped
1 small lemon
½ tsp salt, or to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook until tender. Add the chickpeas and cook 10 minutes, or until the beans begin to brown.
Stir in the chard and cook until it begins to wilt and cook down, about 5-7 minutes. Zest the lemon over the pan, then cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice from one half over the mixture. (Watch out for seeds). Stir well to combine. Add salt, pepper, and more lemon, if desired. (If you go with my suggestions, you can use the leftover lemon---if there is any--- in the hummus). Serve immediately, or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing

February 1, 2012 by epicureanvegan

This is a great salad to take to work for lunch, a mid-day snack, or even for a picnic. I typically steam kale, but if I’m not careful, it’s easy to deplete it of nutrients if I steam it too much. Raw kale can be awfully bitter, but chopped and served with other veggies and this tahini dressing, it tastes amazing. The dressing recipe is for 2 large bunches of kale, making at least 4 good-sized salad servings. Like any salad, you can throw in your favorite ingredients and actually be excited about lunch! (and be sure to read about kale’s super powers)!

INGREDIENTS:
Dressing:
1/2 C tahini
1 Tbs miso
1 Tbs tamari
1/2 tsp lime juice
1 tps agave
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbs garlic, minced
3/4 C water
Variation: You can use almond butter instead of tahini, in which case, I’d leave out the agave since almond butter is sweeter. I also sometimes add in a Tbs of chia seeds.
The rest:
2 large bunches of kale, chopped
I dice up cucumber, mushrooms, red onion, and green onions. I also threw in some Craisins and slivered almonds.

DIRECTIONS:
Put all the dressing ingredients in a blender and combine until smooth.

Combine the chopped kale with your other salad ingredients and toss well to combine.

(This is just one bunch of kale)

Pour the dressing over the salad and massage into the kale with your hands. Enjoy!

Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing

This is a great salad to take to work for lunch, a mid-day snack, or even for a picnic. I typically steam kale, but if I'm not careful, it's easy to deplete it of nutrients if I steam it too much. Raw kale can be awfully bitter, but chopped and served with other veggies and this tahini dressing, it tastes amazing. The dressing recipe is for 2 large bunches of kale, making at least 4 good-sized salad servings. Like any salad, you can throw in your favorite ingredients and actually be excited about lunch!

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Ingredients

Dressing:
½ C tahini
1 Tbs miso
1 Tbs tamari
½ tsp lime juice
1 tps agave
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbs garlic, minced
¾ C water
Variation: You can use almond butter instead of tahini, in which case, I'd leave out the agave since almond butter is sweeter. I also sometimes add in a Tbs of chia seeds.
The rest:
2 large bunches of kale, chopped
I dice up cucumber, mushrooms, red onion, and green onions. I also threw in some Craisins and slivered almonds.

Directions

Put all the dressing ingredients in a blender and combine until smooth.
Combine the chopped kale with your other salad ingredients and toss well to combine.
Pour the dressing over the salad and massage into the kale with your hands. Enjoy!

« Previous Page
1
…
4
5
6
7
8
…
11
Next Page »

Orzo Pilaf with Roasted Red Peppers and Peas

Baked Truffle Polenta Fries

Vegan Twice-Baked Potatoes

Vegan Scalloped Yams and Zucchini

Chickpea Salad

Stuffed Portobellos and Steamed Bok Choy

Kale & Cabbage Salad with Lemony-Almond Butter Dressing

Lemon Risotto with Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

Lemony Pan-Fried Chickpeas with Chard

Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing

Categories

Archives

Popular Posts