Try these butternut squash noodles with hempseed pesto for a fantastically simple, vegan, nutrient dense meal. Butternut squash noodles are probably better purchased already made, only because of the odd shape and hard shell of the squash. It could turn into a burdensome project if you try to do it by hand. However, you could absolutely make your own sweet potato, carrot, or zucchini noodles and still have a delicious meal with the pesto. This dish can be done completely raw or cooked as instructed in this recipe. Add some other veggies and-or avocado for more nutrition and variety.
Sicilian Eggplant Wraps with Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette
These Sicilian Eggplant Wraps are a perfect example of how the slightest ingredient hacks can make a big impact on the quality of nutrition you consume per calorie. Eggplants have some surprising health benefits and are rich in essential nutrients like manganese, folate, potassium, vitamin K, vitamin C, and fiber. And they are particularly rich in essential fatty acids. In this recipe we are simply replacing wraps or flatbread made from flour with grilled eggplant slices, making this a simple healthy solution for any busy schedule.
Read MoreChickpea & Hempseed Salad Sandwich on Portobello
If you are keeping away from grains, gluten, and other forms of refined carbohydrates, you should definitely give this Chickpea & Hempseed Salad Sandwich a try. The marinated, roasted, and cooled Portobello mushrooms are used as a base, like an open-faced sandwich. And of course, you can always enjoy these ingredients together on a traditional sandwich as well.
Read MoreVegan Zucchini Lasagna Rolls with Herbed Almond Ricotta
Who loves that nuanced taste of ricotta cheese blended with herbs, tomatoes, and garlic? Who doesn’t actually? This recipe for vegan zucchini lasagna rolls delivers on the nuance while providing a more refreshing, more nutrient dense, clean version, that highlights the awesome natural flavors found in some of our favorite herbs and vegetables. These rolls are better suited for a lunch, brunch, or appetizer, but you could also have them for dinner along with some cooked grains, cannellini beans, and-or a green salad. Don’t let the small size fool you. The almond ricotta in these makes them quite rich and energy dense, and one can fill up on just a few. Get ready for a fantastic blend of fresh flavors!
Bumper Crop and Kitchen Sinks
Did you get an awesome bumper crop of tomatoes this year? Did you go crazy at the Farmers Market and buy too many different, fabulous seasonal foods? Don’t worry! This recipe is like the best “kitchen sink” concoction you will ever sink your teeth into. Who knew that plums, tomatoes and cucumbers would love hanging out in a salad together? Read More
Baked Ratatouille with Fresh Basil
Baked ratatouille is super easy, delicious, and this recipe comes just in time for your summer vegetable harvest. It makes a great whole-food plant-based meal served with wild rice, pasta or polenta. It can also be used as a vegetable side dish. One recipe makes enough to enjoy a dinner and a couple easy lunches on the go. I used a handmade ceramic oven dish, which fills the air with a really nice aroma when baking, but a simple Pyrex will also do the trick.
Read MoreGreen Garlic Almond Cheese
Nothing says Spring like fresh green garlic at the farmer’s market. I grabbed a bunch the other day, and before I could put it into my bag this idea to make fresh raw almond cheese with green garlic popped into my head. This is a fresh, quick cheese that slightly resembles the consistency of a ricotta, and offers a nice, nutritious, dairy-free creaminess. The green garlic made it heavenly. You can use it on a sandwich with vine tomatoes, as an hors d’oeuvre filling or topping- as pictured, or try it in layers of lasagna. Enjoy!
Portobello Fajitas with Chipotle & Lime
Try these Chipotle-Lime Portobello Fajitas the next time you need a quick lunch or dinner that is totally plant-based and super delicious. This is one of my favorite quick plant-based meals, and when you add some avocado, cilantro, salsa, or even shredded cabbage, you can truly add to the fullness and nutritional complexity of the meal. These can be enjoyed on traditional tortillas or collard green wraps!
Read MorePea & Avocado dip with Pepitas & Cilantro
Fresh peas are in season! And I’m going to show you a way to enjoy them while making your healthy snacking easier with this pea & avocado dip recipe. Sometimes it can be a challenge finding a healthful dip that is not loaded with empty calories from refined oils, sugars, fillers, or commercial dairy products. This dip is a great solution to this challenge, and it seriously only takes about 10 minutes to make. Due to the lemon juice in the ingredients, it keeps for several days and has a lot of versatility in how it can be used. And, if enjoyed with fresh vegetables, this dip proves to be a very nutrient-dense snack—my favorite kind!
Read MoreCauliflower Bhaji with Spinach
Have you ever heard of cauliflower bhaji? Sometimes weekdays can be tricky for preparing fresh whole food dinners. This probably isn’t news to most readers. But then, sometimes, those rushed days, when all you have are some bits and pieces of vegetables and random bags of beans and grains, end up producing the most memorable dinners. This cauliflower bhaji with spinach is a perfect example. It is extremely simple to make and it tastes great!