Meatless Monday! Whole Wheat Linguini with Peas, Scallions and a Spicy Peanut Basil Sauce!

020Meatless Monday whole wheat pasta with basil peanut sauce

It was just me for Meatless Monday! today.

I was hungry for pasta, which I rarely eat, and I wanted to keep it simple and fast.

I also didn’t want to shop for any ingredients. So, Meatless Monday! was a really low carbon footprint meal.

Let me also add that the peanut butter which I use is a no sugar added, natural brand made from roasted Valencia peanuts; that’s it!

I scavanged the pantry and the freezer for what was available.

I just happen to have a basil plant on my patio.

005Meatless Monday Veggies Peanut basil pasta

I am sure that there is a better peanut sauce recipe but I improvised with what I had.

009Meatless Monday Peanut sauce

Ingredients:

Whole wheat pasta

1 cup frozen peas

5 scallions

1/2 cup broccoli florets

Sauce:

1 Tbspn peanut butter

1 Tbsp Bragg’s Aminos

1/2 lime, juiced

1 Tbspn crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 cup fresh basil chopped

011Meatless Monday peanut basil pasta

Method:

Boil the pasta.

Chop the veggies.

Mix together the peanut butter, Bragg’s Aminos, lime juice and crushed red pepper.

Place veggies in the colander and pour linguini and water over veggies and allow to drain.

Mix the sauce and chopped basil into the pasta, mix and enjoy!

014Meatless Monday whole wheat pasta with peanut basil sauce

I like the idea of gently “scalding” veggies with the pasta water. It brings out the flavors of the veggies and warms everything nicely.

Meatless Monay Pasta

Just me, dining al fresco!

023Meatless Monday whole wheat pasta with basil, peanut sauce

A cool cucumber salad with red onion complimented this meal and tamed the heat a bit.
016meatless Monday cucumber salad

Roasted Eggplant and Lentil Spread with Roasted Garlic and Roasted Red Pepper!

091eggplant lentil spread

The secret to the delightful flavor of this dish is the roasting!

Roasted garlic, eggplant, rep pepper and sauteed leeks create a richness that makes this similar to a pate in texture and flavor.

002eggplant lentil spread

This recipe is also full of nutrition. Lentils are hardy and full of protein and fiber.

This is also light and when spread on whole wheat or flax crackers leaves you satisfied yet not full.

003eggplant lentil spread

It is also easy to make and can be whippped up on short notice.

Ingredients

1 medium eggplant
1 cup lentils
1 glove garlic
1 medium leek
1/2 cup olive oil
1 bunch cilantro
1 lime
1 roasted red pepper
Salt and pepper to taste

Method

In a 350 degree oven wrap in aluminum foil the eggplant cut in half with a drizzle of olive oil on the flesh.

In a clay roaster or aluminum foil wrap the garlic and place in oven to roast.

Both should take no more than 30-45 minutes.

In a pan add a drizzle of olive oil to sliced leeks and sautee until translucent.

Cook 1 cup of lentils in 2 cups of water until tender.

When everything is done and cooled for handling, place in the food processor.

Add the cilantro and puree.

Add enough olive oil to create the texture you desire.

For a creamier dip; just add more oil.

010eggplant lentil spread roasted red peppers

I then chopped the roasted red pepper, very fine, and folded it into the finished mixture.

I wanted little “pops” of sweet juicy flavor and the texture contrast.

I, also squeezed some lime into the finished dish and then gave it a good mixing.

Serve with your favorite crackers or breads or even crudites.

014eggplant lentil roasted red pepper

Quinoa Salad with Black Beans, Corn, Roasted Red Pepper, Tomatoes, Scallions, Cilantro and Lime!

030quinoa salad bowl

We love quinoa!

It is a great alternative to pasta in that it delivers the same creamy, chewy, texture but is high in protien. A complete protien, as a matter of fact.

Aside from it’s nutrtious profile it is delicious and versatile.

We love this salad!

It is a power packed meal that delivers flavor and energy for very little expense.

Get creative and use your favorite fresh ingredients to create your own quinoa delights!

022lime

I used lots of lime in this dish. It compliments the cilantro and brightens the tomatoes.

014Quinoa salad

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa and 2 cups water
5 scallions
2 medium tomatoes
1/2 roasted red pepper
1 cup black beans ( canned are fine )
1 cup corn
1/2 cup of finely chopped cilantro
2 Tbspn olive oil
1-2 limes

Method

Boil the quinoa. 10-15 minutes

Set aside and chop all the veggies

combine and add salt and pepper to taste.

Sqeeze lots of lime on the salad!

019quinoa salad

I mix the fresh veggies in when the quinoa is still a bit warm; it seems to bring all the flavors to their peak yet not cook them at all.

021quinoa salad lime

There is always room for more lime!

025quinoa salad

Garnish with avocado for an even richer flavor!

Meatless Monday! Broccolini Soup and Quinoa, Black Bean Salad

044meatless monday PD

Meatless Monday! Broccolini soup and quinoa salad were the perect combo.

Quinoa is a complete protein and black beans, tomato and basil create a filling nutritious but light meal.

Olive oil and lemon dress the salad with salt to taste.

Quinoa is fast and easy to prepare; 1 cup of quinoa to 2 cups of water, boil for about 15 minutes and you’re ready to go.

Just chop the rest of the ingredients and fold into warm quinoa. I used canned black beans so I rinsed them well to decrease the sodium content. I used about 1/2 can.

012broccoli soup

I made a quick “broth” for the soup by boiling the stems of the broccolini in water with garlic slices.

I boiled until tender then pureed in the food processor.

015broccoli soup

I then sauteed 1/2 onion and more garlic in olive oil and created a roux with 2 Tbspn of flour and 2 tbspn of butter.

021broccoli soup

Then 1 cup of half and half and 2 cups milk.

My girls wanted cheddar so I added about 3/4 of a cup.

029broccoli soup

I then combined everything in one pot to cook then added the tops of the broccolini to cook in the soup.

035quinoa salad

Warm and creamy with light and bright.

037meatless monday

These tomatoes were the best. The juicy brightness set off the quinoa just right.
041meatless monday

Sardines Part II

002sardines PD

Fresh tomato and basil with a little bit of olive oil “tamed” these sardines a bit.

It is a delicious way to eat sardines and I would add some toasted French bread to add texture and taste.

Sardines are simply too healthy, and too economical to not include in our daily diet.

If you have ideas, recipes and suggestions please send them!

004sardinesPD

Sardines! The New “It” Food. But how to make them Sexy!?

047sardines and avocado with brown mustard dressing on arugula PD

With more omega 3 than salmon, vitamin D and coenzyme Q, there is no denying the health benefits of sardines.

I am just trying to make them more appealing!

I can and do eat them out of the can, with mustard on toast, I’ve eaten them out of tubes and from tins of “paste”.

But I realize that most people won’t do this. And even I want to sit down and enjoy my healthy food with a little romance and the beauty of the presentation!

I threw together a brown mustard/olive oil dressing and mixed it with arugula and added 1/2 a sliced avocado to 1 can of water packed sardines and add a sqeeze of half a lemon.

The flavors worked well together to create not just a tasty but highly nutritious meal which is also quite low in calories. 360 total. Nutrient dense for sure!

Check out this article for Reasons to eat sardines

048sardines and avocado with brown mustard dressing on arugulaPD

Some have long been aware of the health benefits of eating sardines. In a 1984 issue of the Town & Country magazine, James Villas wrote an article entitled “The Unsung Sardine” in which he said that “ounce for ounce, sardines provide more calcium and phosphorus than milk, more protein than steak, more potassium than bananas, and more iron than cooked spinach.”

049sardines and avocado with browmn mustard dressing on arugula PD

Sardines are also a highly sustainable little fish which contains fewer toxins than it’s bigger fish friends.

sardines and avocado with brown mustard dressing on arugula PD

Leftovers! Black Beans and Rice with Chicken

025leftovers PD

What I had:

Leftover black beans, about 2/3 a can
2 scallions
the remains of a bunch of cilantro
1/2 breast of chicken

023leftovers PD

I made some white rice ( kids request ) and added some roasted garlic, also leftover from an eariler meal.

014leftovers

After the rice was cooked I threw in the chopped cilantro, garlic and black beans.

015leftovers PD

My daughter warmed the chicken then we plated everything and garnished with salsa, sour cream and scallions.

017leftovers PD

This couldn’t have been easier.

018leftovers PD

No waste! Perfect, because…

I am going grocery shopping tommorrow!

026leftovers PD

Meatless Monday! Goat Cheese Purses in Pesto with Asparagus and Roasted Red Peppers and Arugula Salad

017meatless monday goat cheese purses

Lots of pesto and olive oil!

I sliced french bread and brushed it with olive oil and broiled for a few minutes to get crunchy, crusty goodness!

I also toasted some pine nuts and served them on the side to garnish everything!

006asparagus with crushed garlic

008meatless monday arugula salad

Arugula dressed with fresh squeezed lemon and olive oil is simple, clean and delicious!
005meatless monday goat cheese purses

009meatless monday

015meatless monday asparagus with roasted red pepper and garlic

016meatless monday goat cheese purses

018meatless Monday

meatless Monday

A great bottle of red wine and Brownies a la mode definitely make this a Meatless Monday to remember!

No one feels deprived. Not even the most serious of meat eaters.

025meatless monday

Southwest Salad for a Sunny Afternoon!

010southwest salad PD

Something light and “springy” was on my mind today.

A chill in the air did not stop the sunny skies from inspiring a salad full of all my favorites; avocado, black beans, corn, red onion, scallions and cilantro!

Lime and olive oil dressed this salad and allowed all the flavors to come through and keep it light.

006southwest salad PD

You can get really creative with tomatoes, olives, peppers…I used what I had on hand.

I tend to go heavy on the cilantro!
008southwest salad PD

Meatless Monday! Spinach Fettuccine with Roasted Tomatoes and Garlic with Eggplant and Fresh Mozzarella

053eggplant and fettucine

Meatless Monday! Fried Eggplant and spinach fettuccine is easy and fresh!

Fresh mozzarella puts the finishing touch on thinly sliced eggplant lightly coated in Italian breadcrumbs.

Roasted garlic and roasted cherry tomatoes add rich flavor to spinach fettuccine.

With all this flavor, who misses the meat?

Top with shredded parmesan and enjoy!

022roasted tomatoes pd

Toss tomatoes in olive oil and roast on 400 degrees until they pop open! and smell delicious!

027eggplant pd

042eggplant and mozzerella

029beaujolais pd

Beautiful beaujolais makes dinner…beautiful!

034eggplant

Egg and water then bread crumbs go into frying pan with hot oil for a quick, light frying.

Mash up roasted garlic with a fork and mix in about 1/4 cup olive oil to create a “sauce”.

Add salt to taste.
038spinach fettucine ansd spinach PD

Just throw in fresh baby spinach to the last few minutes to boiling pasta to add flavor and nutrition.

045fettucine and eggplant PD

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