“Chicken” Fried Tofu Steak

We are having a rainy weekend
here in Los Angeles. With rain comes that urge to cook and enjoy traditional
comfort food. Typically that would lead to chicken and dumplings, pot pie, or
something along those lines. All I had to make this happen was a block of
organic sprouted tofu, so I gave this a whirl. The secret to making tofu
taste great lies in two simple steps: 1) You need to press the tofu, and 2)
you need to marinate it. The marinade should always have an acidic base with
flavors that compliment whatever theme you are going for. You should never
use oil in your tofu marinade. Since tofu contains a lot of water, and is
packed in water, it will naturally repel anything that has oil mixed into it.
My experience has been that oil free marinades absorb into tofu the best,
resulting in a variety of uses. In this case, I used vegan chicken flavoring
to conjure up the experience of eating a chicken fried steak. It came out
delicious, tender on the inside, crispy on the outside. This is easy to make,
but you need to allow for about 90 minutes to press and marinate the
tofu.

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Tuscan Cold Zoodles with Tomato, Basil & Garlic

With gluten free this, avoid that, and whatever else we are adding to the “avoid list” lately, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of calling something what it actually isn’t. For example, a “cauliflower” is commonly being called a “steak,” and no one seems to mind at all. Are we finally losing it as a society? Well, I guess, keeping it all in perspective, it’s cool to get creative with naming some healthy substitutes. It’s just a word anyway, right? I just want whatever I am eating to satiate and hit the spot on whatever my mind and my appetite have conspired to enjoy together. Whenever that happens to be cold tomato basil noodles, this recipe does the trick. For the sake of avoiding the faux food naming pattern, we’re going to call these babies “zoodles”. Whatever you do call it, get ready for “yummy” sounding words and noises when you serve it. Oh, and it’s raw too!

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Immune Support Superfood Soup

I know I have been posting a lot
of soups lately! I love soups because they are a simple way to get complex,
nutrient density from whole foods into your life. October is a good time to
start giving your immune system a little TLC. And this immune support soup
recipe contains some of the best sources for key immune supporting nutrients.
And, it is free of any inflammatory foods that might bog your body down or
tamper with your digestion. Read More


Vegan Zucchini Lasagna Rolls with Herbed Almond Ricotta and Bruschetta Salsa

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! Read More


Chia Infused Zucchini Black Bean Burgers

Whenever I encourage my clients
to eat more plant based foods, the most popular response is, “but what
about the protein?” That’s where awesomely magical ingredients like chia
seeds come in handy. Nature’s miraculous formula of essential fatty acids,
protein, and fiber give chia seeds the unique ability to act like a binder
similar to an egg, helping to hold these burgers together, while also provide
a complete protein, in addition to the protein found in the beans and the
zucchini. When a plant provides a complete protein, it means it delivers all
the essential amino acids that your body can’t produce and therefore need to
be consumed in meals. So, whip up a batch of these babies and take them on
your next summer picnic! Read More


Spaghetti with Calabrese Broccoli, Green Garlic & Nasturtium Blossoms

We all know broccoli is good for
us. But one has to admit that the same “commercial” broccoli that
we are relentlessly exposed to can get a little tiring. That is why I always
get a little excited whenever I see less ubiquitous varieties of broccoli at
the market. The particular calabrese in this recipe was small and tender,
making it a great, quickly seared pasta stir fry. In retrospect, I wish I had
taken a photo of it at the market, but the finished dish gives you a good
sense of the anatomy of this broccoli. The green garlic adds a spring
time garlic kick, and the nasturtium adds a slight peppery essence, for an
uncomplicated, light springtime meal. By the way, if you are wondering where
to find nasturtiums, they grow like crazy everywhere, so just tap into your
“inner hunter-gatherer” and you should be okay. You might even have
some growing in your own yard! Read More


Vegan Hazelnut Pesto with Mango & Avocado Slices

Basil, basil, and more basil!
When a basil plant decides to take hold it really pumps it out. So, I
schedule a few minutes each day to go out and cut the flowering basil tops,
to keep the plant going all summer long. Which winds me up with a lot of
extra basil hanging around the kitchen. Here is a great
sweet-meets-savory idea for a lazy afternoon salad, with vegan hazelnut pesto
as the star of the show. You can also do a non vegan version of this by using
parmesan or another hard aged cheese in place of the nutritional yeast.
Enjoy! Read More


Riced Cauliflower with Porcini Mushrooms, Fennel & Peas

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.
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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


Green 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!
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