Saturday, December 7, 2019

Coconut Apple Dal

Ingredients
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
1 oz. fresh ginger
1 red apple
1 bunch of swiss chard (or other leafy green)
3/4 c. red lentils
1/4 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. curry powder
5.5 oz. coconut milk
8 oz. cooked brown rice
1 lime
toasted coconut, for garnish

Directions
Dice the onion. Peel and mince the garlic and ginger. Using the large side of a box grater, grate the apple. Thinly slice the Swiss chard stems and leaves. Rinse and sort the red lentils.

Place a medium saucepan over medium heat with 1 tbsp. coconut oil. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and ginger, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onion softens, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cumin and curry powder. Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the grated apple, red lentils, coconut milk, and 2 cups of water to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, place a medium skillet over medium heat with 1 tbsp. coconut oil. Add the sliced chard and cook until wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Halve the lime and squeeze half of the juice into the dal, off the heat. Season with 1/2 tsp. salt. Divide the coconut apple dal between large shallow bowls and top with greens, toasted coconut, and lime wedges.

Serves 2.

Sage Walnut Pesto Penne

Ingredients
6 oz. broccolini
2 garlic cloves
1 lemon
1/2 oz. fresh sage
3/4 c. walnuts
2 oz. baby spinach
1/4 c. vegan parmesan
6 oz. penne (or other pasta)
1/4 c. dried cranberries

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Trim the bottom inch off the broccolini stems and add the stalks to a baking sheet. Toss with 2 tsp. olive oil and pinch of salt and pepper and roast until tender and browned in places, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Peel the garlic. Halve the lemon. Pick the sage leaves and discard the stems. In a food processor, combine the garlic, lemon juice, sage leaves, walnuts, spinach, just half the parmesan, 3 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. water, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper. Pulse pesto until well combined but not completely smooth.

Cook the penne and reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water before draining. Return the penne to the pot, off of the heat.

Add the sage walnut pesto and reserved pasta water to the penne in the pot. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until penne is well coated and pesto sauce has thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season pasta to taste with salt.

Toss the cranberries with the broccolini directly on the baking sheet. Divide the sage walnut pesto penne between shallow bowls and serve with crispy broccolini. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan.

Serves 2.

Potato Malai Kofta

Ingredients
1 russet potato
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
1 oz. fresh ginger
1 carrot
1/4 c. green peas
1 tsp. curry powder
5.5 oz. coconut milk
1 can diced tomatoes
1/4 c. chickpea flour
4 oz. baby spinach or other green
1/4 c. tomato chutney (pre-made)

Directions
Peel and chop the potato into bite-sized pieces. Add the chopped potato to a medium saucepan and cover with 1 inch salted water. Bring to a boil and cook until fork-tender, about 10 to 12 minutes. (Do not drain the potatoes yet!) 

Peel and chop the onion. Peel and slice the garlic. Peel and mince just 2 tsp. ginger. Peel and grate the carrot on the largest side of a box grater. Once the potatoes are fork-tender, add the shredded carrot and green peas to the saucepan with the potatoes and cook for 1 minute. Drain potato carrot mixture and place in a large bowl. 

Return the empty saucepan to medium heat with 2 tsp. olive oil. Add the chopped onion, sliced garlic, and minced ginger. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the curry powder, coconut milk, about a cup of tomatoes, and 1/2 tsp. salt, and bring to a simmer. Cook until malai sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the chickpea flour and 1/4 tsp. salt to the large bowl with the potato carrot mixture. Lightly mash the potatoes and vegetables until there are only a few lumps. Form the mixture into six 2-inch round patties. 

Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tbsp. olive oil. Once hot, add the potato kofka and cook until browned and crisp, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer the potato kofka to a plate. 

Return the skillet to medium heat with 1 tsp. olive oil. Once hot, add the baby spinach and sprinkle of salt and pepper. Cook until just wilted, about 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the malai sauce to a blender and blend on low until smooth. Divide the malai sauce between shallow bowls or plates and top with sauteed spinach and potato kofka. Serve with tomato chutney for dipping. 

Serves 2.

Fast & Easy Banh Mi Tacos

Ingredients
7 oz. sprouted tofu
2 oz. vegan kimchi
2 tbsp. Sriracha
1/4 c. vegan mayo
4 corn tortillas
4 oz. shredded red cabbage

Directions
Cut the tofu into cubes. Roughly chop the kimchi. In a small bowl, combine the Sriracha and vegan mayo. Wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towels and heat in the microwave for 1 minute. Layer the cubed tofu, kimchi, and red cabbage onto the tacos. Drizzle with Sriracha mayo.

Serves 2.

Superfood Bowl with Sweet Potatoes & Ginger Almond Sauce

Ingredients
1 sweet potato
1/2 c. red quinoa
1 lemon
1 oz. fresh ginger
3 tbsp. almond butter
1 tbsp. chile garlic sauce
1 grapefruit
4 oz. baby spinach or other green
1/4 c. walnuts
2 tbsp. hemp seeds, flax seeds, or pepitas
2 tbsp. blueberries

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the sweet potato into 1-inch thick wedges. Place wedges on a baking sheet and toss with 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast until crisp in places and lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Combine the quinoa, 1 cup of water, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cover. Cook until the grains burst and all of the water is absorbed, 12 to 15 minutes.

Halve the lemon. Peel and mince 1 tbsp. ginger. Add just half the lemon juice, minced ginger, almond butter, as much chile garlic sauce as you'd like, 3 tbsp. water, and a pinch of salt to a medium bowl. Whisk the ginger almond sauce to combine.

Supreme the grapefruit by trimming the ends and cutting away the peel and white pith. Working over a medium bowl, remove the segments with a knife and drop them into the bowl. Squeeze the remaining juice out of the membrane into the bowl. Add the spinach and toss with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Add the remaining lemon juice to the quinoa and toss. To serve, place the spinach salad in shallow bowls and top with quinoa, roasted sweet potato wedges, walnuts, hemp seeds, and dried blueberries. Drizzle with ginger almond sauce.

Serves 2.

Calories = 640

Quinoa Tabouli with Roasted Vegetables & Tzatziki Sauce

Ingredients
1 can chickpeas
2 tsp. sumac
4 radishes
4 oz. green beans or broccoli
4 oz. cherry tomatoes
1/4 oz. fresh parsley or other herb
1 scallion
1 cucumber
2 garlic cloves
1 lemon
6 oz. cooked quinoa
1/4 c. vegan mayo
2 tsp. dried dill

Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Drain, rinse, and pat the chickpeas dry with paper towels. Add to baking sheet and toss with sumac, 1 tbsp. olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast the chickpeas until crispy, about 18 to 20 minutes.

Quarter the radishes. Add the radishes and green beans to a new baking sheet and toss with 2 tsp. olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Roast until the vegetables are lightly browned, about 12 to 15 minutes. 

Quarter the cherry tomatoes. Roughly chop the parsley leaves. Thinly slice the scallion. Small dice just half the cucumber, and with the large side of a box grater, grate the remaining half. Peel and mince the garlic. Halve the lemon. 

In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, parsley, scallion, the diced cucumber, half the minced garlic, half the lemon juice, quinoa, 2 tsp. olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. 

In a medium bowl, combine the grated cucumber, remaining minced garlic, remaining lemon juice, vegan mayo, dill, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix the tzatziki sauce well. 

Divide the quinoa tabouli between bowls. Top with sumac roasted chickpeas and vegetables. Drizzle with tzatziki sauce. 

Serves 2

Autumn Bibimbap

Ingredients
1/2 c. sushi rice
2 rainbow carrots
6 oz. Brussels sprouts
1 tbsp. gochujang
1 cucumber
1 scallion
1 garlic clove
2 tbsp. vegan mayo
2 tbsp. sesame oil
6 oz. baby spinach
1 tbsp. sesame seeds
4 oz. vegan kimchi

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the sushi rice, 1 1/4 c. water and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until the grains are tender and all water is absorbed, about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove cover and allow rice to cool.

Peel and slice the carrots. Trim and quarter the Brussels sprouts. In a small bowl, mix the gochujang with 1 tbsp. water to make a glaze. Transfer the Brussels to a baking sheet and toss with the gochujang glaze, 1 tsp. vegetable oil, and a pinch of salt. Toss the sliced carrots with a little oil and add to the other side of the baking sheet. Roast the vegetables until tender, about 14 to 16 minutes.

Thinly slice the cucumber and scallion. Peel and mince the garlic and add to a small bowl with the vegan mayo, 2 tsp. of the sesame oil, a pinch of salt, and 2 tsp. of water. Mix the sesame aioli to combine.

Place a large nonstick skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat with just 1 tsp. of sesame oil. Add the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt, transfer to a plate, and sprinkle with 1 tsp. of sesame seeds.

Fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Return the skillet to medium-high heat and add the remaining sesame oil. Once hot, add the rice, press into an even layer, and cook until the bottom begins to crackle and brown, about 10 minutes.

To serve the bibimbap family style, pile the rainbow carrots, gochujang Brussels, sliced cucumber, sesame spinach and kimchi directly onto the crispy rice in the skillet. Drizzle with sesame aioli and sprinkle with scallion and remaining sesame seeds.

Serves 2.

1 serving = 500 calories

Roasted Red Pepper Shakshuka

Ingredients
1 lb. extra firm tofu
1 shallot
3 garlic cloves
4 oz. roasted red peppers, chopped
1/4 oz. fresh mint
1 tbsp. za'atar
2 tsp. cumin seeds
14.5 oz. crushed tomatoes
2 oz. soft herbed nut cheese (i.e. Treeline Scallion)
1/4 c. crispy shallots
multigrain flatbread

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Drain the tofu and pat dry with paper towels. Hand tear the tofu into bite-sized pieces. Peel and mince the shallot and garlic. Drain the red peppers. Pick the mint leaves from the stems.

Add the tofu to a baking sheet and toss with za'atar, 2 tsp. olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Place a large skillet over medium-high heat with 3 tbsp. olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the minced shallot, garlic, and cumin seeds. Cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the roasted red peppers, crushed tomatoes, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a pinch of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Place the flatbread directly on the oven rack and bake until hot, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the baked za'atar tofu to the sauce and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shakshuka from the heat and dollop with nut cheese. Sprinkle with mint leaves and crispy shallots. Serve family style with hand torn flatbread.

Serves 2.

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Radio Social's Hummus

Ingredients
1 c. dried chickpeas
2 tsp. baking soda
2 c. tahini - use Soom!
1 c. lemon juice
2 heads of garlic, chopped with the skins on
2 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cumin
1 1/2 c. ice water, a few tablespoons at a time

Instructions
Put chickpeas in a container with baking soda and cover with water. Soak for 24 hours.

While your chickpeas are soaking, make your "mother sauce" base. Start by making garlic-infused lemon juice by combining lemon juice with garlic cloves (with the skins on) and let sit for 10 minutes. Then, strain out the garlic. Use a food processor to blend the tahini paste, salt, and cumin with ice water, a few tablespoons at a time. You will be left with your tahini mother sauce, a puree that resembles a light hummus.

After the chickpeas have soaked for 24 hours, simmer them over gentle heat for 90 minutes to two hours, stirring often. You can leave the pot on the stove and "let them go until they're gone." The chickpeas will double in volume in the cooking process, so be sure to use more water than you think you need. You should be able to mash the peas between your fingers without resistance.

Strain the peas until most of the moisture is removed. Set aside some of the water. Puree 1.5 cups of tahini mother sauce and the chickpeas together. Add both elements to the food processor and puree. A good rule of thumb: when you think you're done pureeing, keep going for 3 to 5 more minutes. This incorporates air into the puree and further breaks down the chickpeas.

Plate your hummus into a dish and top with a garnish of your choice! Serve immediately for best results, with dipping breads or veggies. The hummus will keep in the fridge for several days.

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

The Double Eagle

Ingredients
juice of half a lemon (about 3/4 oz.)
a few basil leaves
2 oz. bourbon
1 oz. Aperol
3/4 oz. simple syrup or runny honey

Directions
Muddle lemon juice with basil in cocktail shaker, until fragrant. Add bourbon, Aperol, sweetener and shake with ice. Strain into coupe glass.