Broccoli Chickpea Soup May 12, 2013

Broccoli & Chickpea Soup topped with sun-dried tomatoes

Broccoli & Chickpea Soup
with olive tapenade & sun-dried tomatoes 

Ingredients
Makes ~8 servings 

Essentials
These ingredients make up the core of the soup
2 lbs broccoli crowns
1 lb cooked chickpeas
1 quart reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1 large yellow onion
6 cloves garlic
2 tbsp olive oli (to saute onion & garlic)

Additions
These are the additional ingredients I used and recommend but feel free to taylor them to your taste
1/2 fresh avocado
1/2 tsp dried rosemary
Spices to taste (I used 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper & a pinch of paprika)

Garnish with sun-dried tomatoes & olive tapenade 

Method

1) Chop & saute onion & garlic in olive oil at medium heat until slightly browned

2) Combine all remaining ingredients (except the garnish) into large cooking pot and blend until smooth using an immersion blender (aka hand blender). Once blended, heat soup in large pot on stove top on high until reaching desired temperature. Stir well.

3) Pour soup into serving bowls and top with sun-dried tomatoes & olive tapenade. Store remaining soup in sealed container in fridge for up to one week or freezer for longer storage (anything beyond a week). If you don’t think you’ll have the garnish ingredients the next them you serve the soup, add them to the soup before storing in fridge or freezer and allow them to mix in so their flavors aren’t missing from your next serving.

Cherry Cocoa Almond Smoothie April 20, 2013

Cherry Cocoa Almond Smoothie
with vanilla extract & creamy almond butter

Indulge & be fit! Cater to your cocoa craving with this lux fruity creation.

Ingredients

-3/4 cup frozen dark cherries (preferably without added sugar)
– 1 small frozen banana (peel & freeze the night before)
-1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (not “Dutch” processed-if possible as this makes for a milder flavor but strips out some antioxidants)
– 1 tsp almond butter
– 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (less for a thicker smoothie)
– 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method

Peel and freeze the banana at least 4 hours in advance. If you make smoothies often, keep some frozen ready to go.

Blend ingredients until smoothie and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Naturally dairy-free, gluten-free, & soy-free. For a nut-free version swap the almond butter for 1 tsp coconut oil and use coconut milk instead of almond milk. If you’re subbing in coconut milk, opt for the carton variety found in the refrigerated grocery store aisle rather than the higher-fat canned variety.

Blueberry Cornbread Muffins April 19, 2013

Blueberry Cornbread Muffins

Blueberry Cornbread Muffins
with a hint of lime

Ingredients

– 1 1/4 cup GF ground cornmeal
– Just under 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
– 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
– 1 1/2 tbsp honey
– Pinch of sea salt
– 1 egg
– 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or chilled coconut milk)
– handful of fresh or frozen (de-thawed) blueberries
– juice squeezed from one fresh lime
-olive or canola oil (just enough to lightly coat baking tray)

Method

1) Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine ingredients in large bowl, mixing well.

2) Lightly coat 8 muffin baking tray spaces with olive or canola oil. You can skip this step if you have a non-stick pan. If you don’t have a muffin baking tray, you can use a regular baking tray and pour the mixture into about 8 muffin foil tins.

3) Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes. Mine only took 15 minutes. Enjoy hot and place the rest in a sealed container to store in the fridge. The muffins are great chilled as well. The perfect spread to compliment: earth balance organic coconut spread + fresh lime juice + light shake of salt. Enjoy!

Note: If you are serving these to individuals with gluten allergies, make sure that you purchase ground corn flour that is clearly labeled as gluten-free. While corn is naturally free of gluten, some unlabeled varieties may be processed in a facility that also processes wheat products. For those without an allergy or intolerance, any cornmeal is fine but go for one with a GF seal if anyone eating the muffins has celiac to be certain there’s no cross-contamination risk. 

Pure Delicious Pecan Pie December 29, 2012

Pure Delicious Pecan Pie
with dates & fresh ginger 

Creamy, pure, & simple

I have moved this recipe to my new website! Find the recipe here. 

Savory Potato Apple Soup December 16, 2012

Savory Potato-Apple Soup topped with a twist of black pepper and chopped ambrosia apple pieces.

Savory Potato-Apple Soup
with lemon & garlic

Mellow yet tangy–potato & tart apple pair playfully in this cozy soup. Serve it hot topped with fresh chopped apple slices. I suggest using an apple with a sharper, tarter flavor such as an Ambrosia or Jazz apple. Granny Smith would work as well (just avoid a purely sweet apple such as a Red Delicious).

Ingredients
Makes 6 servings 

-~1 lb potatoes (red new potatoes or small russets will work fine)
-3 Tart apples (such as Ambrosia or Jazz)
-4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
-Juice of 2 fresh lemons
-10 garlic cloves (peeled & chopped)
-3 shallots (peeled & chopped)
-2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar (If you don’t have this, add 1 Tbsp brown spicy mustard instead)
-Pinch of cloves
– 2 Tbsp olive oil (use for roasting potatoes & sautéing garlic)
-1/2 cup water
– 2 Tbsp chopped green onion (optional)
-Pinch of rosemary (optional)
– Salt & pepper to taste (as topping–not mixed into soup)

Method

1) Preheat oven to 350°F. Rinse and chop potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Place chopped potatoes in a large baking tray with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Mix well so that all pieces are coated in the oil. Bake for 40 minutes or until tender at 350°F, stirring every 10 minutes.

2) While potatoes are cooking, peel and chop garlic & shallots. Place on saucepan on stove top and sauté in 1 Tbsp. olive oil, stirring frequently until ingredients have browned slightly. Add a few spoonfuls of your vegetable broth as needed to keep ingredients moist rather than adding more oil.

3) Rince and chop 3 ambrosia apples. Reserve 1/2 apple chopped for soup topping. Add the rest into a large pot on the stove top along with the 4 cups of vegetable broth and 1/2 cup water. Add in all remaining ingredients to your soup pot (other than ingredients reserved for topping), and bring to high heat. Add in your garlic & shallots.

4) Carefully remove roasted potatoes from oven and add to your soup pot. Reduce heat to low. Using an immersion blender, blend all ingredients until soup becomes smooth.

5) Serve hot with chopped apple pieces on top. Add a pinch of salt and pepper on top as desired. Store extra in the fridge to use within the next few days or in the freezer to de-thaw and enjoy weeks or even months later!

Enjoy! Note, I did NOT peel the apples or potatoes because I felt they enhanced the soup’s flavor and texture (and added fiber!). Apples and potatoes are part of the “Dirty Dozen” so these are good items to buy organic.

Spiced Sweet Potato Smoothie May 5, 2012

Warm flavors and aroma of sweet potato, nutmeg, and cinnamon combine with cool, sweet frozen banana and silky almond milk.

I have moved this recipe to my new website! You will find it at Purefitlosphy.com. Enjoy!

Quinoa Black Lentil Endive Boats April 16, 2012

Black Lentils, Red Quinoa, & Hummus make these "Endive Boats" High-Fiber, High-Protein Vessels

Black Lentil & Red Quinoa Endive Boats
with avocado and hummus

Protein champions quinoa, black lentils, egg, and hummus combine with high fiber avocado, endives (and again the lentils, quinoa, and hummus) for a powerfully delicious creation.  Enjoy 3-5 of these “Endive Boats” as the main entree for a meal or much on 1-2 boats as a healthy snack.

Suggested Meal Pairings:
♥ 4 Endive Boats +Small Mixed Greens Salad + 1/2 sliced orange or mango
♥ 4 Endive Boats + Carrot Cinnamon Smoothie
♥ 3 Endive Boats + Cup of Fit French Onion Soup
♥ 2 Endive Boats + Aguacate Relleño de Atún

Ingredients

-1/2 cup dried black lentils
-1/2 cup dried red (or tricolor) quinoa
-1 small avocado (cubed)
-1 onion (chopped)
-2 eggs
– 1/4 cup almond meal (almond flour)
1/4 cup spelt or buckwheat flour
-4 tbsp curry powder

-1 tsp turmeric & 1 tsp cumin (optional)
-2-3 large endive heads
-hummus (for topping)
– crumbled goat’s cheese or blue cheese (optional topping)
-1 tbsp olive or peanut oil

Method

1) Boil water (amount determined by your lentil bag’s instructions– usually about 4x water to the amount of dried lentils). Add enough water for both the lentils and the quinoa. So if you are using 1/2 cup of each, try using 4 cups water. When the water reaches a boil add the rinsed dried black lentils. After 15 minutes add the quinoa. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes.

2) Chop onion and sauté in a pan with 1 tbsp oil.When onions begin to brown slightly, add your two eggs and stir until eggs are cooked. Set this pan aside from the heat once eggs have cooked.

3) Combine all spices, avocado, and egg/onion mix once the quinoa and lentils have cooked to the pot with the cooked quinoa lentil mix. Note that if there is excess water remaining, drain the water before adding remaining ingredients. (Do not add the toppings or endive leaves yet).

4) Using a hand blender, slightly blend your ingredients together so that they are well mixed but a grain texture remains. If you do not have a blender, simply stir vigorously for 3-5 minutes until ingredients are well mixed.

5) Scoop out contents and add to your fresh endive leaves. Top with hummus, goat cheese (optional), and any additional herbs if desired. Enjoy!

Cloud 9 Icebox Chocolate Pie March 21, 2012

Cloud 9: Who knew tofu and chocolate would pair so well?

Cloud 9 Icebox Chocolate Pie
with creamy tofu & almond crumble crust

No one will guess your secret ingredient to lighten up this slice of chocolate indulgence–at least no one who hasn’t already used this secret ingredient in her own kitchen: tofu.

Ingredients
Pie Filling
–   1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Vegan chocolate chips if  going dairy-free. Carob is a different flavor but not healthier–just different.
–   1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
–   1 teaspoon real vanilla extract
–   1 package tofu (calcium-fortified, organic)
–   1/4 cup almond milk

Crust
–   1 & 1/3 cup almond meal
–   2 tbsp olive or canola oil
–   2 tbsp brown sugar
–   2-3 tbsp warm water (more if needed)

**Nut-Free Version: Use a whole-wheat or spelt frozen pie crust and soy or regular milk instead of almond milk in the filling to go nut-free (instead of dairy or gluten-free). The frozen or ready-made whole-wheat pie crusts can serve as a quick , healthy version if you are not serving to gluten-free guests.

Method
Almond Crumble Crust
1) Preheat oven to 350°F.
2) Mix almond meal, oil,and sugar in medium bowl or right in the pie pan. Add water 1 spoonful at a time, as needed, until mixture becomes slightly moist but not watery.
3) Smooth mixture to form thin crust, covering bottom and sides of pie pan.
4) Bake for about 15 minutes at 350°F and set aside to cool. To speed up cooling process you can place baked almond crust in the freezer or fridge while you make the filling.

Icebox Chocolate Pie Filling
1) Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe ceramic bowl for about 1 minute and 30 seconds at power 80% in the microwave or in a saucepan on your stove top, stirring frequently.
2) Combine ingredients, including melted chocolate, in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
3) Pour well-blended filling into pie crust and allow to sit and “form” in fridge for a least an hour before serving. Store in fridge.

Soy Side Note: While I do think that tofu is often way overused as a go-to vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free ingredient, I can’t deny that it serves this recipe beautifully. (For a vegan protein fix, try pairing complementary proteins instead of using soy daily. Yes, tofu is made out of soy.)

Green Bliss Smoothie March 16, 2012

Green Bliss Smoothie
with pineapple, banana, and spinach

Ingredients

-3/4 cup frozen pineapple chunks (unsweetened)
-1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach
– 1/2 ripe banana (fresh or frozen)
-3/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze (or coconut, or soy milk)

Method

Combine ingredients in your blender. The frozen pineapple and spinach are key for the texture. For a thicker smoothie use a frozen banana half (use fresh instead for a “less-spoon-required” version). Blend until smooth. Make sure the spinach is well blended so you do not end up with noticeable pieces in your drink.

Flavor Profile

The sweet flavors of the pineapple and banana make this a perfect green smoothie for green smoothie beginners. Pineapple dominates the flavors in this blend. If the thought of frozen spinach in your drink sounds daunting you will be pleasantly surprised by the mild flavor of the leaves which can rarely be detected past the sweet fruit flavors.

Nutrition Highlights

Sip this for breakfast and you will be one serving (1/2 cup) closer to meeting your choosemyplate.gov minimum 2.5 recommended daily cups of vegetables and 2 servings closer (1 cup) to meeting your minimum daily recommended 2 cups of fruit! The drink is packed with Vitamin C (over 70% of the DV), Fiber (24% DV), Folate (36% DV), and Vitamin A (beta-carotene form from spinach).

Use a calcium-fortified almond milk (or soy) to reach nearly 1/3 of the DV for calcium.

Warm Roasted Asparagus February 24, 2012

Roasted Asparagus with Plump Raisins, Red Wine Vinegar, Olive Oil, Teriyaki, Almond Slices, and a hint of Blue Cheese

Warm Roasted Asparagus
with plump raisins and red wine vinegar

I actually ate this (along with a cherry zucchini smoothie) for breakfast. It was too good to wait.

Ingredients
Serves 2 large portions or 3 small

-1 bunch (approx. 1 lb) fresh asparagus
-1-2 tbsp red wine vinegar & 1 tsp natural teriyaki marinade (OR 1-2 tbsp balsamic vinegar–no teriyaki)
-1-2 tbsp raisins
-1 tbsp olive oil

Optional but DELICIOUS extras

– 1 tsp crumbled blue cheese (OR goat’s cheese)
– 1 tbsp almond slices (OR sesame seeds)

Method

1) Preheat oven to 375°F. Rinse and dry asparagus spears (stalks) and snap off the very bottom, thick ends.

2) Spread spears across oven pan and mix well with 1 tbps olive oil. Drizzle on your red wine vinegar and teriyaki. Also sprinkle in your raisins.

3) Roast at 375°F for 12-15 minutes. Carefully remove from oven. Asparagus should be bright green and still crisp but not tough.

4) Sprinkle on your almond slices (or sesame seeds) and blue cheese if desired. If you do add the blue cheese really try to stick to 1 tbsp of fine crumbles. This cheese has a powerful, fun flavor but it tends to be high in fat so it is best to use it as an accent in small amounts.

5) Serve hot and enjoy!

Tomato Pesto Wheat Berry Soup February 6, 2012

 

Tomato Pesto Soup with Whole Wheat Berries

Tomato Pesto Wheat Berry Soup
with roasted tomatoes and fresh basil

Ingredients

-2 lbs fresh tomatoes
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-4 cups water
-4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
-1 bunch fresh basil leaves
-3/4 cup dry wheat berries
-1/4 cup of your favorite pesto
-1 tsp olive oil
-dash of salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper

Method

1) Rinse wheat berries thoroughly and boil until soft (about 40 minutes at a high simmer).

2) Preheat oven to 375°F and add tomatoes (sliced in halves), garlic (minced), and olive oil. Bake for about 15 minutes until tomatoes are soft.

3) Drain cooked wheat berries and set aside. Combine all other ingredients in a large pot including cooked tomatoes and garlic. Using an immersion blender, blend until most of soup is smooth but some tomato pieces remain.

4) Add in cooked wheat berries.  Serve hot. Top each bowl with a dash of cayenne pepper, salt, and ground black pepper.

Creative Kale Salad February 1, 2012

Kale Salad with Creamy Low-fat Homemade Dressing & Naan Croutons

Creative Kale Salad
with homemade Caesar-style dressing & Naan croutons

Ingredients
Serves 2

-1 bunch fresh kale leaves
-1 slice whole wheat naan bread (or any whole wheat bread you have around)

Dressing
-1/3 cup low-fat plain Greek or European style yogurt
-2 tsp Teriyaki marinade (or Worcestshire Sauce)
-1 tsp anchovy fillets
– 2 minced garlic cloves
-juice from 1/2 lemon
-dash of ground black pepper
-thin shavings of aged Parmesan cheese to taste (about 2 tbsp)
-dash of ground cloves (optional)
-1 tsp olive oil

Method

1) Thoroughly wash kale leaves and dry. Combine garlic, anchovies, cheese, and olive oil and grind together or combine all ingredients and blend. I used a hand blender to mix all ingredients well.

2) Take a piece of whole wheat bread (I used Naan) and toast until crisp, either using your toaster oven or by baking at 375°F for about 15 minutes (check frequently). You can add your favorite herbs or spices to the bread, along with a light coating of olive oils for a flavored crouton.

3) Toss homemade dressing with kale laves and top with your crunch homemade croutons.

Cherry Zucchini Smoothie January 27, 2012

Smoothie: Equal parts frozen cherry and fresh peeled zuchini with a small tang of lemon zest.

I have moved this recipe to my new website! You can find the recipe here: http://purefitlosophy.com/?p=25 

The Best Black Bean Soup January 10, 2012

Simple ingredients. Simply delicious.

The Best Black Bean Soup
with zesty salsa & avocado

They say black is slimming. When it comes to black beans these high-fiber, high-protein, low-calorie legumes can certainly do a body good. It won’t matter however, when you taste your first spoonful of this simple, natural combination of flavors you won’t need any further convincing.

Ingredients
Makes 8 Servings

-1/2 lb dried black beans
-4-5 green tea bags
-1 cup of your favorite salsa
-1 bunch fresh cilantro
-1 large yellow onion, chopped
-2 tbsp olive oil
-1/2 ripe avocado
– 2 tsp cumin powder
-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
-juice of 1 lime
-1/4 cup oat bran (optional)
Topping
–daiya deliciously dairy free mozzarella style shreds
-Baked blue corn chips
-1/2 ripe avocado (divide into slices)

Methods
1. Overnight: Rinse dried beans and soak overnight (or for at least 4 hours) in large saucepan.

The next day...After soak, drain most of the excess water. You will lose some water-soluble nutrients in the water but you will also lose some of the raffinose (type of sugar found in beans) that causes the discomfort known to give beans their nickname as “the musical fruit.” The majority of the nutrient quality will remain and your guests will thank you for this measure.

2. In a separate pot, bring 3 cups water to a boil. Once the boil is reached, turn off the burner and add 4-5 green tea bags. Cover pot with lid and allow to steep until very strong (for at least 15 minutes- but leaving the brew longer is even better).

3. In a large pot, combine brewed green tea (remove tea bags) and beans and add water until beans are totally covered. Bring beans to a boil and reduce to a simmer, cooking for approximately 1 hour until beans are soft.

4. Chop onion and add to large saucepan with 2 tbsp olive oil on medium high heat. Stir frequently until onions brown to a caramelized state (but do not become black and burnt).

5. When beans are soft, reduce heat to low and stir in cilantro leaves from one bunch, caramelized onions, 1 cup salsa, cumin, cayenne pepper, oat bran (optional), lime juice and 1/2 ripe avocado. Using an immersion (hand) blender, blend ingredients until smooth.

Serve hot. Delicious topped with baked corn chips, daiya dairy-free “cheese” shreds, and a few small avocado slices. Keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for months. Freezer tip: If freezing, use containers that will hold only a few portions each for easy future dining.

Nutrition Highlights: This 100% vegan dish is packed with nutrients and extremely filling despite its low-fat, low-calorie profile. Black beans are an excellent source of several vitamins and minerals including folate, iron, and magnesium. The green tea is high in antioxidants which help protect cells against damage (including both heart damage and wrinkles). This soup is an ideal dish for helping to lower cholesterol; The beans and oat bran are very high in soluble fiber- the type of fiber that can bind to cholesterol carrying molecules in the blood and help remove these molecules. The avocado, which adds a delicious creaminess to the soup body, is high in monounsaturated fat- the “heart-healthy” type of fat that helps to raise HDL levels and lower LDL levels.

Buckwheat Soba Noodles with Peanuts & Lime December 29, 2011

Buckwheat Soba Noodles with Crunchy Peanuts & Fresh Lime

Buckwheat Soba Noodles with Peanuts &  Lime
with red cabbage, broccoli, carrots, & mint

Don’t get stuck in a whole-wheat pasta rut. While whole-wheat is certainly a step up from refined pasta for Italian pasta dishes (whole-grains are higher in fiber  and nutrients), Buckwheat soba noodles are a delicious alternative to use as a base for the fresh flavors of Asian cuisine. Buckwheat–despite the misleading name–isn’t actually related to wheat. (In fact, it’s more closely related to Rhubarb!) Buckwheat soba noodles high in protein, antioxidants, and are naturally gluten-free, but check labels carefully to make sure that wheat was not also added to the noodles if you have a wheat allergy.

Ingredients
-Buckwheat soba noodles (about 2 oz per person)
-Fresh broccoli
-1 whole large onion
-4 cloves fresh garlic
-1/4-1/3 head of fresh red cabbage shredded
-2 large carrots shredded
-2 fresh limes
-2 tbsp Terkiaki sauce (reduced sodium if possible)
-4 tbsp your favorite Peanut Sauce
-3/4 cup blanched, shelled (unsalted) peanuts- to add to taste on top of individual portions
-3 tbsp canola oil
-Fresh mint leaves (optional)
-Sesame seeds (optional)
-4 oz Protein–lean meat, tofu, or seitan– fully cooked and sliced very thin

Methods
1) Place protein in a sealed container or bag with 1-2 tbsp marinade and leave in fridge for 20-30 minutes. Cook meat or vegetarian protein (tofu or seitan work well) as desired using some of the peanut sauce or terkiaki sauce as marinade. For tofu or seitan, you can easily add these to a stir-fry pan and cook with 1 tbsp oil. For chicken, you can bake thinly cut chicken breast slices for about 30 minutes at 350°F. For beef (lean and 100% grass-fed), use stir-fry cut strips and cook in stir-fry pan the same way you would cook your tofu.

2)  Begin boiling water in large pot for pasta, following the soba noodle’s instructions on the package (cooking instructions vary by brand and number of servings). Chop onion into fine pieces and add to large stir-fry pan with canola oil. Cook on high heat, stirring frequently. Mince garlic and add to pan, reducing heat to medium.

3) Chop, shred, and slice remaining vegetables and add these to pan stirring frequently. (Add broccoli last). After approximately 5 minutes add in terkiaki and peanut sauce.

4) Once water has boiled, add pasta and cook according to directions on box. Once cooked, strain pasta and combine in large bowl with cooked vegetables. Slice 1 lime and squeeze juice into bowl. Mix well. Slice remaining lime to add a slice as an accent to each plate so that guests can enjoy as desired.

5) Serve hot. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and sesame seeds and top with 1-2 tbsp peanuts. Pairs well with green tea.

Lush Cabbage-Carrot-Avocado Rolls December 21, 2011

Shredded Purple Cabbage, Sauteed Onion, Shredded Carrots, Mini Broccoli Pieces, & Sprouts combine with Avocado and Hummus for a fresh, nourishing meal. Wrapped in a large collard green leaf with green onion tie.

Cool Components: Prep well-rinsed leaf, sprouts, green onion slices, avocado, and hummus while the onions, garlic, broccoli, cabbage, & carrots simmer on your stove.

Lush Cabbage-Carrot-Avocado Rolls
wrapped in Collard Green Leaves

–a perfect lunch or snack–

Ingredients
Serves 2-4
-Large, fresh collard green leaves
-Purple cabbage (I used fresh sliced thin)
-Alfalfa Sprouts (optional- wash well)
-Green onion (chopped)
-1 large carrot (shredded)
-1 ripe avocado
-1/2 yellow onion (chopped)
-3 cloves garlic (minced)
-2 tbsp olive or canola oil
-Your favorite hummus (lemon or spinach & artichoke work well)
-1 small head of broccoli (break off small, thin pieces)

Wrap Filling: Sauteed onions, garlic cabbage, carrots, & broccoli.

Methods

1) Finely chop/slice onion, garlic, cabbage and green onion. Peel and shred carrot. In a medium sauce pan, add olive oil and set to medium-high heat. Add onion and stir frequently for about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add cabbage, garlic, and carrots. Break off small pieces of broccoli and add to pan.

2) Rinse and dry large collard green leaf and spread about 1/2 tsp hummus around center. Add sprouts, a few small avocado slices, and chopped green onion. Be sure to thoroughly rinse all ingredients before using and be mindful of any recent recalls in your area (sprouts have had several bad press spotlights in recent years. Skip these if you or a guest has a compromised immune system. For a healthy adult, fresh, well-rinse sprouts are an excellent source of nutrients including vitamin C.)

3) Add ~3 tbsp of your sauteed mix to the wrap, roll it up and serve fresh. Tie with a green onion string or slice in half. For a snack, enjoy with a large glass of water or unsweetened tea (iced or hot). For a meal, serve with a side of brown or wild rice and your favorite fruit-packed smoothie.

Thanks to Tin for the awesome idea to use collard greens for the wraps! I love them!

Wild Rice, Wheat Berry, Tempeh Stir-fry December 19, 2011

Whole Grains and Plant-based Proteins Make a Filling Meal

MEATLESS MONDAYS
Wild Rice, Wheat Berry, Tempeh Stir-Fry
with homemade ginger peanut sauce

Easy-to-make, tasty, and extremely filling, this high-protein dish makes a great meal or a substantial side. Active time is only about 15 minutes but plan ahead to cook the rice & wheat berries for an hour.

Ingredients
Makes 4 meal (amounts are approximate)

-3/4 cups dry wild rice
-1/2 cup dry wheat berries
-1 package tempeh (I used Trader Joe’s Organic 3 Grain Tempeh)
-4 tbsp natural peanut butter (no sugar added)
-2 tbsp Whole Foods Thai Ginger Marinade (or 1 tbsp grated ginger & 1 tbsp soy sauce)
-3 tbsp lemon juice
-3/4 cup of your favorite stir-fry veggies
-4 tbsp canola or olive oil
-1 tsp chia seeds (optional)
– 1/4 cup cashews (optional)

Methods

1) Boil 4 cups water, add wild rice and wheat berries, bring to a boil, and reduce to a simmer for 1 hour.

2) After rice and wheat berries have cooked for 45-50 minutes begin to prepare tempeh. Add 4 tbsp oil (olive or canola) to large sauce pan and bring to medium heat on stove top. Cut tempeh into thin bite-sized pieces and add to large stir-fry pan at medium heat. Stir frequently.

3) In a small bowl, mix peanut butter, lemon juice, and Thai Ginger Marinade (Whole Foods brand or homemade by combining 1 tbsp grated ginger with 1 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce). Add blended peanut sauce to your stir-fry pan with tempeh.

4) Remove cooked rice and wheat berries and drain excess water. Add all remaining ingredients (including rice and wheat berries) to sitr-fry pan. Mix well. Serve hot. May store in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

C-Blast Tangy Strawberry-Kiwi Smoothie November 10, 2011

Save jars to bring your smoothies to-go! Just twist on the lid and tote to class/the office for an energizing snack.

Make it a good morning (or afternoon pick-me-up) with this Vitamin-C rich Tangy Strawberry-Kiwi Smoothie.

A single kiwi provides more than 100% DV for Vitamin-C!

 

 

C-Blast Tangy Strawberry-Kiwi Smoothie
with fresh kiwi, chilled strawberries, & banana

Ingredients
Amounts vary (add to taste). 2 servings.

1 Whole Kiwi
Handful Frozen Strawberries
1/2 Ripe Banana
3 tbsp organic Greek or European plain yogurt
1/2 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

Methods

1. Rinse kiwi. Slice kiwi in half and scoop out contents into blender. Discard skin.

2. Combine all other ingredients to taste. More liquid for a thinner drink, more frozen ingredients & less liquid for a thicker smoothie.

For a dairy-free version substitute yogurt with Amande dairy-free almond yogurt, or organic soy yogurt.

3. Blend until smooth. Serve freshly blended or keep chilled and store covered for up to 12 hours.

4. Chill out & enjoy!

Mushroom-Parsley Soup November 4, 2011

A surprisingly refreshing mushroom soup. Accented by the flavors of fresh parsley, lemon, and cloves. I used 2 boxes Baby Bella and 1 box white mushrooms but any variety would work.

Mushroom-Parsley Soup
with black lentils and cloves

Yet another delicious soup to keep you warm this season! This recipe is an adaptation of this recipe from Jamie Oliver’s Member Recipes. Mushrooms, onions, and garlic are all wonderful immune-boosting foods. Parsley adds a refreshing complement to the flavors and a blast of immune-boosting vitamin C. Black lentils turn this soup from a tasty side dish to a filling meal, and are a remarkably good source of iron.

Ingredients
-3 10 oz boxes of mushrooms
-2 large onions
-1/2 cup dry black lentils
-1 cup chopped fresh parsley
-3 cloves garlic (crushed & chopped)
-1/2 tsp grated ginger (or thinly sliced)
-2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
-2 cups water
– 1/4 tsp cloves
-4 tbsp whole wheat flour or almond powder
-2 tsp lemon juice
-2 tbsp olive oil (or canola)
-2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
-Pinch of salt and pepper to taste

Note: You will cook the lentils in a separate saucepan so have two pans ready.

Methods
1. In your smaller pan, add 1/2 cup dry black lentils and 2 cups water. Heat to boiling and then reduce to a simmer and cook for at least 20 minutes. The lentils will cook while you prepare the rest of your soup. Add more water (or vegetable broth) if needed.

2. Chop onions and add to large saucepan (deep enough to hold at least 5 cups of volume) along with olive oil and heat to medium-high heat. Stir frequently. Immediately chop and crush garlic and add to pan. Wash mushrooms (removing dirt with a damp clothe or paper towel) and cut into small pieces. Add to saucepan and stir frequently.

3. While mushrooms, garlic, and onions cook for several minutes, prepare remaining ingredients. Wash and chop parsley, ginger, and thyme. Add remaining soup ingredients and stir well. Add your cooked black lentils as well.

4. Using an immersion (hand) blender, blend soup lightly until it reaches a smooth consistency but still has some texture from the mushrooms.

5. Serve hot and garnish with fresh parsley. Delicious when served with crisp garlic bread. Enjoy!

Cozy Pumpkin-Peanut Soup November 2, 2011

Pumpkin Peanut Soup: This super filling and delicious soup will warm you right up! Served with half a slice of whole wheat Tandoori Naan bread.

Cozy Pumpkin & Peanut Soup
with fire-roasted red peppers & scallion garnish

If you’ve been on the blog lately you’ve probably noticed I’ve been making a lot of soups lately. I must say that this recipe is probably my favorite of all I have made so far! This soup is incredibly satisfying: the combo of peanut butter and pumpkin puree (spiced up with some peppers) is such a pleasant surprise of a flavor.

I stuck very close to a recipe this time from Women’s Health Magazine. You can find the recipe here.

My Recipe Tweaks:

-Used olive oil instead of vegetable
-Chunky natural peanut butter (NO hydrogenated oils) instead of smooth reduced fat
-Cayenne Pepper instead of chili pepper flakes
-Non-fat European plan yogurt instead of sour cream (left this off when I reheated a bowl the next day)

Carrot Ginger Soup October 30, 2011

Red Lentils add Protein & Fiber to this Carrot Ginger Soup

I’ve moved this recipe to my new website: Purefitlosophy.com. Enjoy! -Andi

Zucchini & Fennel Soup October 29, 2011

Zucchini & Fennel Bulb offset Onion and pan-seared Tomato complemented by a spalsh of Lime

Zucchini & Fennel Soup
with fresh lime & pan-seared tomato

Fall and winter in New England are ripe for soup season. The first frosty weekend blew in to Boston this week (including our first snow sighting). Time to get cozy- and try some new soups!

Ingredients (adapted from this Bon Appétit recipe)

– 1 whole onion, chopped
– 1 whole fennel bulb, chopped
-1 whole zucchini, chopped
-2 tbsp olive oil
– 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
-1 whole tomato, chopped
-2 cups brewed green tea (no sugar)
– 1 fresh lime
– pinch of fresh  thyme (optional)
-dash of salt & pepper

Methods

1. Chop onion, fennel bulb, and zucchini and add to large saucepan with 1 tbsp olive oil set at medium heat.  To save time you can chop the three veggies in that order and add them to the pan as they are chopped. Stir frequently to evenly cook added ingredients.

2.While onion, fennel, bulb, and zucchini are cooking, chop tomato and add to a separate pan with 1 tbsp olive oil and a few fresh thyme leaves (optional).

3. Once fennel and onions become translucent, add in thyme and squeeze in the juice from one fresh lime. Stir and pour in 1 cup of low-sodium vegetable broth.

4. While ingredients are cooking, brew 2 cups of unsweetened green tea. (You can just fill a mug with boiling water and a green tea bag, allow the tea to steep for a 2-3 minutes, add to the pan and repeat.

5. Reduce heat to low and, using an immersion (hand) blender, blend ingredients together. If you don’t have an immersion blender you can transfer the mixture to a regular blender to blend then pour back into your large pot in stages. Add in your dash of salt and pepper to your blended soup.

6. Finally, pour into bowls and garnish with fresh fennel greens and the pan-seared tomato. Serve hot.

Time Saver Tip: Fresh, Fridge, Freeze. Fill your bowl (and others to be served) with hot soup to enjoy fresh. Immediately place a couple of extra servings in a microwave-safe container and put away in the fridge. The remaining soup can go in a freezer/microwave-safe container and stashed in the freezer for a later meal. Be sure to label and date!

Dairy-Free Spiced Butternut Squash Pie October 9, 2011

Butternut just keeps getting better & better.

Dairy-Free Spiced Butternut Squash Pie
With Ginger Snap & Crisp Wheat Crust

So I’ve  found a yet another use for the wonderful butternut squash I’ve been getting from the farmer’s market this season: PIE. I adore the smell and taste of spiced pumpkin pie and have made it for Thanksgiving every year but I haven’t ever tried it with other squash. I was determined to make my own butternut squash pie from scratch for the first time last week so that I could bring some with me to NYC as a gift. As an added culinary challenge,  this pie needed to be dairy-free. Most recipes use sweetened condensed milk so I wondered whether the flavor would suffer at all from this omission.  I found that some recipes suggested replacing the milk with vanilla soy milk or coconut milk. Coconut milk tends to be the creamiest of  milk alternatives so I opted for this replacement. Banking on the natural sweetness of the cooked squash, I cut the sugar added to only about 1/3 of what the recipes suggested. Using a combo of Light Coconut Milk (less fat than the original) along with a splash of almond milk, vamping up the cinnamon and throwing in a tbsp of flaxseed powder -I just couldn’t help “healthifying” the recipe. Having used much less added sugar & fat than recipes suggest, I was a bit nervous when I took the first bite.  I MISSED NOTHING.

Aromatic cinnamon & nutmeg mixed perfectly with the sweet squash complemented deliciously by the snappy ginger crust. This pie was a true slice of heaven. Try it for yourself!

Ingredients
Makes TWO pies. This pie is so good, you’re going to want the extra one.

2 whole butternut squashes (I used pretty large ones, they were about 3lbs each)
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp fresh or frozen ginger (Optional. Note: Powdered ginger will not taste the same. If us use it, don’t use more than 1/4 tsp)
1/4 tsp salt
5 cage-free eggs
1/2 cup reduced-fat coconut milk
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk (You can use all almond or all coconut if you prefer)
1 tsp vanilla extract (Optional. I didn’t have any and my pies did not miss it. If it’s not the real stuff, don’t bother)

Ginger Snap Crust Blended with Olive Oil & Whole Wheat Flour

The Crust
Makes 2 crusts

– 1 bag 365 brand (Whole Foods)  Ginger Snaps (or any without dairy- some brands are made with butter)
– 1/2 tsp cinnamon
-Dash of nutmeg
-3 tbsp olive or canola oil
-4 tbsp whole wheat flour

Methods

Preheat oven to 350 ° F. Wash squash and slice into halves and quarters and place on baking pan with a splash of water. Cover with tin foil and bake for about 1 hour until tender. While, the squash is baking, prepare the crust. Put the dry ingredients for the crust together in a food processor (or blender) and blend until the become a pretty uniform powder. Add the oil and blend. Smoothly pat the crust in place in your pie pans.

When squash has cooked, put the crust in the oven (same temp) to bake for 10 minutes. Remove the pans after 10 minutes and pop them in the freezer to cool.

Meanwhile, time to make the filling. Using a spoon or fork scrape out all of the flesh of the squash into your food processor or blender. Save the seeds in a container to roast them later for a great snack. You will probably need to blend in batches if you are making a large batch. It doesn’t matter how much of the other ingredients you put into each batch because you will mix them all together in a large bowl once blended. Just make sure that all of the ingredients get blended into the mix.

Take your fully-cooled pie crusts out of the freezer and pour in the filling. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Place pies in the oven and bake at 350°F for 50-55 minutes. Remove baked pies and allow to cool (preferably by a cool open window) for 2-3 hours. Serve and enjoy!

Fit French Onion Soup June 18, 2011

Healthy French Onion Soup

Not-Quite-Classic French Onion Soup

This post has moved to my new website: purefitlosophy.com

Food Truck Adventure: Clover Food Lab June 14, 2011

My Clover Visit:  So happy I finally made it!

Flipping through TV channels early last summer, I stumbled upon an episode of TLC’s Best Food Ever: Fab Food Carts. Intrigued by the intro, I decided to tune in. Fab Food Carts, part of TLC’s six-part Best Food Ever series which aired in May of 2010 took viewers on a “cross-country culinary tour”selecting the nation’s top 10 food destinations for each of the episode’s categories.

Hibiscus, Iced Tea, & Star Anise Lemonade from Clover Food Lab

From authentic Mexican Cuisine at El Charrito in Connecticut, to decadent dessert waffles at Waffles & Dinges in NYC, hearty seafood bisque from Sam’s Chowder Mobile in San Francisco, to creative artisan ice cream from Sweet Republic in Arizona, the show featured a variety of unique food-on-the-go.

My favorite food truck from the show features local, organic, vegetarian fare: Clover Food Lab. The fresh juices & teas, colorful sandwiches, and amazing-looking rosemary fries were extremely appealing and when I saw that the truck’s main stop is in Kendall/MIT square in Cambridge (just a few T stops away from Tufts) I was determined to try it!

Lunch: Chickpea Fritter Sandwich

One year later, with graduation rapidly approaching, a visit to Clover Food Lab was still on my bucket list. Thanks my friends for taking an afternoon visit to MIT (and Amit for driving us!) I finally made it to Clover. It was wonderful!

Even the guys who were with me, who were a bit skeptical of a vegetarian meal, were thrilled (and full) with our food. We also LOVED the fresh-brewed teas and star anise lemonade. Clover is impressively high-tech, with its online menu updated daily and its convenient wireless credit card machine through a company iPhone. The truck is also known for its eco-friendly nature. According to an article written about Clover in MIT News, the truck “runs on biodiesel fuel made from used vegetable oil.” Nice. I will definitely be back next time I am around MIT!

Clover’s Famous Rosemary Fries

Even meat-lovers were pleased with Clover’s vegetarian fare.

Easy Cauliflower Chickpea Curry January 19, 2011

Easy cauliflower chickpea curry

This spicy dish packs a powerful punch of flavor but is very easy and inexpensive to make. Make a large batch for some quick, tasty leftovers– the dish tasted even better after sitting in the fridge over night.

Try it at Home: Easy Cauliflower Chickpea Curry

Ingredients:

– 1 head of  fresh cauliflower (about 1 lb)
– 1 can of reduced fat coconut milk
– 1 can of chickpeas (rinsed)
– 1 can of diced tomatoes or 1 cup fresh diced tomatoes
– 2 tbsp curry powder
– 1 dash of ground black pepper
– 2-3 tbsp olive oil

Rinse cauliflower and cut into small florets. Heat large skillet at medium heat with 2-3 tbsp olive oil and add the cauliflower. After 2-3 minutes add drained, rinsed chickpeas and tomatoes and continue to stir skillet frequently. Continue to cook for about 4 minutes then add the coconut milk, curry powder, and black pepper. Stir well until fully blended then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and allow dish to simmer for about 15 minutes.

Penne with Cumin, Cabbage, & Carrots January 10, 2011

Penne with Cumin Cabbage & Carrots

We found this recipe in a recent copy of The Dallas Morning News. All of the peeling, slicing, and shredding involved took a bit more time and effort than my family had expected but the final meal was one that everyone liked and there were plenty of leftovers to use for easy meals in the next couple of days.

We used whole wheat penne and fresh veggies. The only change we made to the recipe was to use Italian Asiago shredded cheese instead of Taggelio or fontina cheese (which I could not find at the store).

Scroll down to the third recipe on The Dallas Morning News website here to try this dish at home.

Hearty Vegetarian Chili January 4, 2011

 

Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Cold winter days are not match for this warming dish. This chili is flavorful and very filling boosts your daily veggie and fiber intake. Everyone in my family loved the dish when my sister followed this recipe (from Epicurious.com) for dinner. We used 3 tablespoons of chili powder instead of the 6 in the recipe to make a mild chili instead of a spicy one.

Satisfying Soup December 28, 2010

Satisfying Soup: Hot vegetable soup with multigrain tortilla chips topped with low-fat cheddar

Featured: Health Valley Organic No Salt Added Vegetable Soup topped with multigrain tortilla chips and low-fat cheddar blend. Canned soup can be good to keep on hand for when you don’t have much time to go grocery shopping but many soups try to compensate for the lack-luster canned taste with enormous amounts of sodium. Look for low-sodium or no salt added versions and add your own toppings to amp up the flavor. I found this combo to be particularly delicious as a mid-afternoon snack and helped me stay on track with my goal to eat more vegetables. One cup of soup plus toppings delivered 70% of the DV for vitamin A, 20% of the DV for vitamin C, and lots of satisfying flavor for only 175 calories. I saved the rest of the soup for later (the can comes with two cups) but loved it so much that I couldn’t wait until the next day and ate the rest that evening.

100 Calorie Upgrade: Edamame November 14, 2010

Ready to Go: You can buy frozen edamame in the shell and microwave it for about 5 minutes. Add just a light sprinkle of salt and enjoy! 1/2 cup is only 120 calories.

Easy, Healthy Snack: Edamame

This post is a follow-up to Friday’s post about upgrading your 100 calorie snack. (If you haven’t read that post, read it here.) Like the hummus, carrot, and salsa combo featured before, edamame makes a tasty, satisfying snack, rich in vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber.

A serving (1/2 cup) provides 120 calories, 10g protein, 5g fiber, and 15% of the DV for iron. Edamame is also an excellent source of folate, manganese and vitamin K.

This is another great example of a healthy, unprocessed, “convenience food.” You can buy frozen edamame at every grocery store I’ve seen, including in the form of a “steam fresh” bag that you place directly in the microwave for 5 minutes. (Even without a microwavable bag you can put them in a microwavable bowl, cover and cook for the same amount of time). You can make a large batch at once and stick your leftovers in the fridge to quickly reheat (30 seconds) in the microwave later.

Don’t go crazy with the salt. Just a little bit goes a long way to enhance the flavor so that the taste hits you when you suck the soybeans out of the pods.

Pairs deliciously with fresh orange slices. Also makes a great side dish for meal, especially if you are making a vegetarian entree because soy is an excellent source of protein.