Baked Ziti with Lentils & Tofu Béchamel

Thank you to Vegan Richa for this ridiculously easy and delicious pan of comfort! Plus, it's just 385 calories per serving.

Ingredients

12 oz. ziti (or similar pasta of choice)

1 24-oz. jar of your favorite pasta sauce

1/4 c. red lentils 

1/4 c. walnuts, coarsely chopped

2 c. water

To "doctor" your jarred sauce: 

1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar or red wine

1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning, like basil, oregano, thyme

2 cloves garlic, minced

Tofu béchamel: 

7 oz. of silken tofu

1 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. miso or nutritional yeast (for an umami punch)

3/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 c. water

2 tsp. flour

Directions

In 9x13-inch pan, add the uncooked pasta and distribute evenly. Add the pasta sauce with "doctored" add-ins, lentils, walnuts, and water. Mix well. Taste; if the pasta sauce does not have enough salt, add some salt and mix really well and even it out with a spatula. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes.

For the tofu béchamel, blend all the ingredients until smooth, taste and adjust salt and flavor and set aside.

Remove the pan from the oven and carefully remove the foil. Now pour the tofu béchamel over the pasta and put it back into the oven and broil it for 5 to 8 minutes, until browning. Add a drizzle of olive oil, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil to serve.

NOTE: The first time I made this, I prepped the pasta-sauce mixture and tofu béchamel early in the day and refrigerated separately until about an hour before dinner. This worked beautifully.

Serves 4-6.

Creamy Corn & Chorizo Enchiladas

Ingredients

1 onion

3 garlic cloves

2 vegan sausages (Field Roast Chorizo is great here!)

1 ear of corn

1 lime

14.5 oz. diced tomatoes

1 dried ancho chile

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. chipotle morita powder

¼ c. vegan sour cream

4 corn tortillas

¼ oz. fresh cilantro

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

Salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Peel and dice the onion. Peel and slice the garlic. Remove sausages from packaging and slice into bite-size pieces. Cut corn kernels off the cob. Halve and juice the lime.

Heat 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add just half the diced onion, just half the sliced garlic, and a pinch of salt, and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add just 1 cup tomatoes, dried ancho chile, cumin, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ cup water. Bring smoky ancho sauce to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes.

Heat 1 tbsp. of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned and crispy in places, 3 to 5 minutes. Add remaining diced onion and remaining sliced garlic and cook until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add corn kernels, chipotle morita powder, and sour cream, and stir well to combine.

Transfer the smoky ancho sauce to a blender. Add lime juice and blend on low until smooth. Taste, and add salt as necessary. Add ¼ cup smoky ancho sauce to an 8 x 8 baking dish.

Top each of the corn tortillas with creamy corn and chorizo filling. Roll each tortilla and place seam side down in the baking dish. Top enchiladas with remaining smoky ancho sauce and cover baking dish with foil. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

Roughly chop the cilantro leaves and stems. Divide the creamy corn and chorizo enchiladas between plates. Top with chopped cilantro.

Serves 2.

Everything Mix

Ingredients

2 tbsp. poppy seeds

1 tbsp. white sesame seeds

1 tbsp. black sesame seeds

2 tbsp. dried garlic flakes

2 tbsp. dried onion flakes

2 tsp. kosher salt

Directions

Add to half-pint mason jar and shake. 

Sesame Orange Udon

Ingredients
10 oz. asparagus
1 oz. fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic
1 orange
4 oz. curly kale
1 Thai chile
1 tbsp. sesame seeds
4 oz. organic udon noodles
¼ cup cashews
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tbsp. sesame oil
3 tbsp. tamari
2 tbsp. rice vinegar
2 tsp. vegetable oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Place a large pot of salted water on to boil for the udon noodles. Trim about 1 inch from the bottom of the asparagus and slice the stalks into 2 inch pieces. Peel and mince the ginger. Peel and thinly slice the garlic. Zest the oranges, then cut half into wedges. Destem the kale, and roughly chop the leaves. Thinly slice the Thai chile into the rounds.

Place a large nonstick skillet or wok over medium heat and add the sesame seeds. Toast, tossing frequently, until the seeds are lightly browned and fragrant, about 1 to 3 minutes. Transfer the toasted sesame seeds to a medium bowl and add just 2 tbsp. orange juice, brown sugar, sesame oil, tamari, rice vinegar.

Return the large skillet to medium high heat with 2 tsp vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced garlic, as many sliced chiles as you’d like, and minced ginger, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the udon noodles to the boiling water and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the sliced asparagus and cashews to the skillet with the aromatics, and cook until bright green and crisp-tender, about 2 to 4 minutes. Season asparagus with salt, and toss to coat. Turn off the heat.

Drain the udon noodles and immediately add to the now empty skillet along with the chopped kale and the sesame orange sauce. Increase heat to medium-high and cook the sesame orange udon until the sauce thickens slightly and the sugar dissolves. Add the orange zest, taste and adjust seasoning with salt if necessary.

Divide the sesame orange udon with asparagus and gingered cashews between large shallow bowls and serve with orange wedges.

Serves 2.

Caponata

Ingredients
1 small eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 large onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
¼ cup chopped green olives
2 teaspoons capers
1 large tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon sugar

Directions
Preheat oven to 400°. Toss eggplant with 2 tbsp. oil on a baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Roast, turning occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 25–30 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tbsp. oil in a large skillet over medium-high, add onion, celery, olives, and capers, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 12–15 minutes; season with
salt and pepper.

Stir in tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, and ½ cup water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add roasted eggplant and stir to coat.

Makes about 6 cups

Halloumi Tofu Bowls with Tahini Amba Dressing

Ingredients

1 cucumber (or 4-5 minis)

1 c. grape tomatoes

1/2 red onion

1 lemon

1 tbsp. mango chutney

2 tbsp. tahini

1 lb. extra firm tofu

1 tbsp. za’atar seasoning

1 tbsp. nutritional yeast

10 oz. shredded red cabbage

4 tbsp. olive oil

Salt

Directions

Peel the cucumber and halve lengthwise. Remove the seeds with a spoon, and slice. Cut the tomato into wedges. Peel and thinly slice the red onion. Halve and juice the lemon. Add the red cabbage, sliced cucumber, tomato wedges, as much sliced red onion as you’d like, just half the lemon juice, 2 tbsp. olive oil, and a pinch of salt to a large bowl. Toss the cucumber tomato salad to combine.

Add the mango chutney, tahini, 1 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 tbsp. olive oil, 3 tbsp. warm water, and a pinch of salt to a medium bowl. Whisk tahini amba dressing until smooth.

Pat the tofu dry with a clean kitchen towel and cut into 1/2-inch planks. Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tofu and cook until crispy, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the za’atar seasoning, nutritional yeast, and ¼ tsp salt. Cook the halloumi tofu until fragrant, another 1 to 2 minutes.

Divide the cucumber tomato salad and top with halloumi tofu. Top with any remaining lemon juice. Serve with tahini amba dressing.

Serves 4. 

1 serving = 375 calories

Chipotle Sweet Potato Soup with Chorizo

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs.)

2 medium cooking onions (about 1 1/2 c.)

1/2 c. roasted red peppers, chopped

6 c. vegetable broth

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. cumin

1-2 tsp. chipotle chili pepper powder

2 vegan chorizo sausages

1/2 orange or 1 clementine, juiced

1 tsp. agave

avocado oil

salt and pepper

cilantro, pepitas, or lime crema (see recipe for vegan sour cream made with lime!)

Directions

Dice sweet potatoes, toss with oil, chipotle powder, salt and pepper, and bake at 425 degrees for 12-18 minutes. 

Sauté onions and garlic in oil. Once browned, add roasted red pepper. Add broth and sweet potatoes, bring to a boil, simmer 10 minutes. 

Crumble chorizo and brown in saute pan. Toast pepitas. 

Puree soup in Vitamix, squeeze in orange juice and add agave.

Pour into bowls and ladle chorizo into the center. Garnish with cilantro, pepitas, and lime crema.

Elote Bowls

Ingredients

¾ cup black quinoa

1 can chickpeas

1 lime

2 ears of corn

2 radishes

¼ oz. fresh cilantro

1 jalapeño

2 tbsp. plain vegan yogurt

2 tbsp. vegan mayo

¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

2 tbsp. pumpkin seeds

2 tsp. vegan parmesan

4 tsp. olive oil

Salt and pepper

Directions

Add the black quinoa, 1¼ cups water, and a pinch of salt to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until water is absorbed and grains are tender, 17 to 20 minutes.

Drain and rinse the chickpeas and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel. Zest and juice the lime. Remove corn husks and cut kernels off the cob. Thinly slice radishes. Roughly chop cilantro. Trim, deseed, and mince the jalapeño.

Add just half the lime zest, just half the lime juice, yogurt, vegan mayo, just half the cayenne pepper, and a pinch of salt to a small bowl. Stir the elote sauce to combine.

Heat 2 tsp. olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add chickpeas and cook until lightly browned and crisp, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer crispy chickpeas to a bowl. Return skillet to high heat with 2 tsp. olive oil. Add corn and cook until charred in spots, 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with salt.

Add the remaining lime zest, remaining lime juice, minced jalapeño, and a pinch of salt to the crispy chickpeas and stir to combine. Divide cooked black quinoa between large bowls. Top with lime chickpeas and charred corn. Drizzle with elote sauce. Add sliced radishes, chopped cilantro, pumpkin seeds, and parmesan. Sprinkle the elote bowls with any remaining cayenne pepper.

Serves 2.

Crispy Plantain Tacos

Ingredients
2 garlic cloves
6 oz. tomatillos
1 poblano pepper
1 lime
¼ oz. parsley
1 apricot or peach
1 red Fresno chile
1 plantain
1 red onion
6 oz. curly kale
6 whole wheat tortillas
2 tbsp. vegan sour cream
1 tbsp. + 1 tsp. vegetable oil
Salt and pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 300°F for the tortillas. Peel the garlic. Remove husks from the tomatillos, and rinse and halve the fruit. Destem, deseed, and chop the poblano pepper. Halve and juice the lime. Roughly chop parsley leaves and stems. Remove pit from the apricot or peach and dice. Trim, deseed, and thinly slice the red Fresno chile. Peel plantain and cut into ½ inch thick slices. Peel, halve, and thinly slice red onion. Destem curly kale and roughly chop the leaves.

Add the peeled garlic, halved tomatillos, chopped poblano pepper, just half the lime juice, chopped parsley, and ½ tsp. salt to a blender. Blend the fiery green sauce until smooth. Taste, and add salt as necessary.

Add the remaining lime juice, diced apricot or peach, thinly sliced red Fresno chile, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a medium bowl. Stir the apricot salsa. Taste, and add salt and pepper as necessary.

Heat 1 tbsp. vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced plantain and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer the crispy plantain to a large plate.

Wrap the whole wheat tortillas in foil and place in the oven until warmed through, 4 to 5 minutes. Return skillet to high heat with 1 tsp. vegetable oil. Add sliced red onion and a pinch of salt and cook until lightly charred, 3 to 5 minutes. Lower heat to medium-high and add chopped curly kale and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until kale is bright green, 3 to 5 minutes.

Divide the warm whole wheat tortillas between plates. Add charred red onion and kale, crispy plantain, and apricot salsa. Top the crispy plantain tacos with fiery green sauce and a dollop of sour cream.

Serves 2

Takeout Noodles with Asparagus & Sesame Ginger Sauce

Ingredients

8 oz. asparagus

1 oz. fresh ginger

4 radishes

2 tbsp. sesame oil

3 tsp. tamari

1 tbsp. rice vinegar

1 tbsp. peanut butter

2 tbsp. chile garlic sauce

10 oz. fresh ramen noodles

¼ c. crispy shallots

¼ c. peanuts

1 tsp. vegetable oil

Salt

Directions

Bring a medium saucepan with 2 quarts water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a boil. Trim 1 inch off the bottom of the asparagus and slice the asparagus into 1-inch pieces. Peel and mince 2 teaspoons of ginger. Grate the radishes on the largest side of a box grater.

Add the minced ginger, sesame oil, tamari, rice vinegar, peanut butter, and as much of the chile garlic sauce as you’d like to a medium bowl. Whisk the sesame ginger sauce until combined.

Once the water in the medium saucepan is boiling, add the fresh ramen noodles and cook until just al dente, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process.

Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced asparagus and cook until bright green and tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cooked ramen noodles, sesame ginger sauce, and a pinch of salt and toss until well coated and hot, another 2 to 3 minutes.

Divide the takeout-style noodles and asparagus between bowls. Top with grated radishes, crispy shallots, and peanuts.

Serves 2.