Riced Cauliflower with Porcini Mushrooms, Fennel & Peas

Leave a comment

I know you are probably thinking
that I post too many things with mushrooms, and you are right! But when I
glanced at my bag of dried porcini mushrooms the other day, I couldn’t help
thinking how great they would be as a rich, flavorful foundation for riced
cauliflower! This recipe for riced cauliflower with porcini mushrooms, fennel
& peas makes a nice springtime side dish or vegan entree. Porcini
mushrooms have a natural, rich, gamey flavor and the higher quality ones give
off a roux when cooked, that naturally adds some thickness to the dish.
Read More

Tuscan Kale Soup with Sausage

4 Comments

Many of my recent clients are
following a Paleo-leaning or AIP (Autoimmune Paleo) diet, part of which
requires obtaining high nutrient density per calorie. So, I have been delving
into meals that fit that profile. I am finding that this style of cooking
does not have to be complicated at all. I love it when something really
simple comes out delicious and nutritionally complex. Enter this quick, rainy
day soup. Not only is it Paleo, but it’s clean, weight management friendly,
and can be converted to vegan very easily. If you want to go vegan and are
not concerned about avoiding certain plant based foods, you can replace the
sausage with cannellini beans, but since the sausage brings some flavor to
the soup, you may need to ramp up the herbs and garlic to compensate.
Read More

Vegan-Paleo Squash Blossom Fritters

2 Comments

“Vegan-Paleo Squash Blossom
Fritters” is about as complete a description as I could get for these
very interesting, chewy-yet-crisp treats that were basically an experiment.
But I guess that is how it’s supposed to work on here, right? I started
thinking I was going to make a gluten-free, vegan squash blossom pancake, but
the texture of these, coming from the tapioca flour, is definitely more
“fritter”- like. These seem best right out of the oven, but I’ll
bet they would be great cold or reheated also. The problem is, I gobbled them
up so fast I didn’t have any to save for later, so now I have to wait until I
get some more fresh squash blossoms on my hands. Technically, these only
fulfill the ingredient guidelines of being “Paleo.” In order to be
truly paleo from a macronutrient standpoint, they wouldn’t be so heavy on
carbs. But, they are gluten, grain, dairy free and totally vegan as well. So
enjoy these as a healthier indulgence and as a great way to enjoy the
season’s squash, zucchini and other blossoms from the garden or the Farmers
Market. I’ll bet the chewy texture of these is unique from many things you
have tried before. Read More

Cashew Cream of Turmeric Cauliflower Soup

2 Comments

Sometimes, when I see whole
turmeric root at the market, I like to grab a handful to see what I can
create with it, and this Cashew Cream of Turmeric Cauliflower Soup is my
latest turmeric root adventure! Be sure to use a Vitamix or other high powered
blender to get the most awesome taste explosion and creamy texture ever!
You’ll want to keep this recipe handy for cold nights in front of the
fireplace. Read More

Spiced Sweet Potato & Pear Soup

Leave a comment

Here’s a perfect, Autumn comfort soup without any unhealthy ingredients- this Sweet Potato & Pear Soup does the trick with sweet potatoes, fresh seasonal pears, and some unique spices and fats from sesame tahini. And, it’s super easy to make, requiring only one pot and a Vitamix or high-speed blender. Enjoy this on your next chilly autumn evening, with some toasted rustic bread.

Read More

Sicilian Eggplant Wraps with Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette

Leave a comment

> 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 More

Whole Roasted Butternut Squash with Tomatillo-Pepita Sauce & Pomegranate

Leave a comment

My friend in Grand Junction
Colorado gave me a few of her butternut squash when I was on a recent trip to
her state. In addition to that, we had our own harvest of butternut squash
here in Los Angeles. So, what to do with all that squash? Well, there is the
typical soup, ravioli filling, and I even enchiladas. Or you can just do
whole roasted butternut squash in a couple easy steps. This recipe could
change the way you look at your butternut squash. So, move that butternut
squash from being a table centerpiece to being your main course for dinner,
or at least a side dish. It can also make a great Thanksgiving vegan entree,
that in my opinion is way better, and less processed than Tofurkey or other
vegan turkey substitutes. Because it isn’t meant to be anything like turkey.
It just celebrates the squash, and makes it the star of the day. You can use
this idea with any whole squash: delicata, pumpkin, you name it.Enjoy trying
this out and let me know how you liked it in the comments. Read More

Beet, Avocado & Tomato Salad with Blood Orange & Fennel Pollen

Leave a comment

I recently stumbled across a jar
of wild crafted fennel pollen at Cookbook, a funky
little grocery market near my house. They carry stuff like locally grown
produce, kombu, and to my delight, fennel pollen! Fennel pollen is kind of
magical because it can be sprinkled on a variety of things- salad, popcorn,
grilled fish, vine ripened tomato slices, fresh fruit– and it gives whatever
it’s sprinkled on a really awesome, unique taste. And Fennel pollen has
therapeutic qualities too! For this recipe I tied it into a salad with a
citrus dressing, just pulling from some seasonal stuff I had picked up at the
Farmers Market. Read More