Vegan Swiss Chard Enchiladas with Quinoa, Black Beans & Epazote

We have this gigantic Swiss
chard “bush,” seriously taking hold in the food garden. The leaves
kept beckoning me to wrap them up with something. So, here’s an idea for
gluten-free and cornmeal-free Swiss chard enchiladas that came out pretty
yummy! The fresh epazote adds a nice, earthy, Oaxacan nuance, but you can
substitute something like fresh thyme and still get a great fresh herbal
infusion. Epazote is really easy to grow but not so easy to find at the
market. Feel free to play around with non-vegan variations using queso
fresco, organic chicken, and-or ground meat. Enjoy!
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Tuscan Kale Soup with Sausage

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.
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Savory Oatmeal with Fennel, Asparagus & Peas

Ever heard of savory oatmeal? Being that Oats are a grain, do you ever think about why we would restrict them to only being eaten sweet? Savory oatmeal can be extremely versatile and give you a great vehicle for enjoying more vegetables, fiber,  and other awesome nutrients  in a quick, convenient way. This recipe is just one example. Enjoy savory oatmeal on it’s own or as a compliment to a larger meal with fish, chicken, turkey,  or other proteins. But keep in mind that on its own, oatmeal provides a decent amount of protein. So don’t be afraid to experiment, knowing you’re getting a good meal from a bowl of savory oatmeal with veggies. Enjoy!

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Corn, Black Bean, & Pepita Chiles Rellenos

Sometimes I crave the
distinctive qualities of a good old fashioned chile relleno…you know- the
one stuffed with cheese, battered, and fried. Well, I do indulge from time to
time, but just to make a point, you can create an entirely healthy, and just
as satisfying chile relleno experience, that might even resemble some
real Mexican authenticity. And, you’ll get a bonus of added clean
nutrition! Use a ceramic or safe clay baking dish with a lid if possible, for
a great even bake, and a magnificent smell from the oven during preparation.
If enjoyed with an open mind and a sense of adventure, this dish should stave
off the unhealthy chile relleno craving for quite some time.
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Stuffed Portobello Mushroom for Veggie Lovers

I like to work a little tofu
into my diet here and there. This tofu stuffed portobello mushroom usually
hits the spot. If you stick to natural, more traditional, and
unprocessed forms of soy you can alleviate most health concerns around soy.
The commercialization of soy has managed to turn soy into a
“Frankenfood” monster by using GMO soy and creating so many
products from refined soy. Therefore, my personal policy about soy is to
use a whole food approach and common sense, backed up by this
article from Dr. Mark Hyman, MD
. Keep your soy products organic,
natural, fermented, sprouted if possible, and in a more traditional
form.

This recipe uses two such traditional forms of soy: organic tofu
and organic miso paste. I love combining miso, mushrooms, any chance I get.
These flavors love being together! This makes a great, simple entree.
You can enjoy it right away or as a protein-rich salad topper for a
lunch or brunch. The stuffing is somewhat similar to a tofu scramble, with a
little more depth from the other ingredients.

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Spaghetti Squash-Quinoa Falafel Burgers

We have a bunch of volunteer
spaghetti squash growing out of our compost pile. It is relentlessly giving
us more spaghetti squash than we would normally eat. So, I am exploring its
various wonderful (and not so wonderful) uses. These patties are kind of a
cross between falafel and a veggie burger, with some global spice infusion.
They hold together well, so they can be enjoyed on a bun or just stand alone
as a vegan entree or side dish. Read More


Sprouted “Risotto” with Asparagus, Peas, Fennel, & Mint

This time of year, whenever I
start to see fresh English peas and asparagus at the market, and the
nasturtium flowers start to take over the garden, my cooking mind always
wanders to spring risotto with asparagus and peas. So, the other night I was
making a side dish of sprouted brown rice, and I noticed that the texture
would probably lend itself well to a risotto-style dish. Well that’s all I
needed to give this one a try…voila! A healthy, sprouted risotto that makes
a great vegan entree or side dish! Read More


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.

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Green Glaze Collard Green Wraps with Shrimp, Coconut-Curry Rice & Kimchi

I have been growing a particular
variety of collards in my garden called Green Glaze Collard Greens. I
acquired the seedling from a fantastic local edible gardener, Loretta Allison.
Unlike the collards we are used to, this plant produces tender leaves that
are a perfect round shape for making collard green wraps or rolling up any
number of ingredients. They have a delicate, well balanced, slightly sweet
flavor that complements their filling without overwhelming the dish. I have
also been on a fermented food kick lately, and I had some kimchi calling out
to me from the refrigerator. This got me thinking of Korean bbq and how good
it would be to use those collards to hug some Asian-ispired flavors and
textures. And this is what I ended up with… Read More