vegetarian – Page 3

Black Bean Quesadillas

What you need:

1 TBLS Olive oil
1/2 white onion chopped
2 Ears of corn cooked and cut off cob or 1 can of corn drained
1 can of black beans drained and rinsed
1 TBLS honey (optional)
1/2 cup of fresh salsa (if you need a salsa recipe I have previously posted a great one)
Red pepper flakes to taste
Chili pepper to taste
Sea salt to taste
1 package of 8′ tortillas (I used blue corn tortillas)
1 Package of pepper jack cheese
Butter (to grease pan)

What you do:
In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat and add chopped onion
Cook onions a few minutes until softened then add corn and black beans
Stir well then add honey, if desired, pepper flakes, chili powder and fresh salsa
Cook until the mixture is heated through then set aside

In a different large skillet melt the butter to grease the pan then lay one tortilla down
Sprinkle with cheese( you can do as little or as much as you like)
Add black bean mixture
Cover with another tortilla
Flip quesadilla over and cook other side
Top with additional fresh salsa

Enjoy!!

You could also wrap the filling and cheese in the tortilla and bake in the oven if a burrito is preferred.

Zucchini and Goat Cheese on Ciabatta

What you need:
1 TBLS butter
2 green zucchini chopped
1/2 yellow onion chopped
Goat Cheese (I used tomato basil)
4 ciabatta rolls
1 TBLS olive oil
1 Clove garlic
2 TSP red pepper flakes
1 TSP vinegar (I used red wine)
1 TSP white sugar
6-7 leaves of fresh basil
1 can of diced tomatoes
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

What you do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
In a medium sauce pan heat olive oil over medium
Add garlic, red pepper flakes, basil, sugar, vinegar and salt
Cook for a few minutes then add diced tomatoes
Simmer on low for 15-20 minutes

Melt butter in a skillet
Add zucchini and onion
Cook for about 10 minutes until golden brown
Season with salt and pepper

Spoon zucchini mixture and tomato sauce into a ciabatta roll
Add goat cheese
Wrap in aluminum foil (each sandwich individually)
Bake for 10-15 minutes

Enjoy!!

(I paired my sandwiched with a fresh watercress salad with balsamic vinegar)

Beet and Apple Panini

What you’ll need:
Freshly baked bread (I used rosemary and olive oil bread I bought at Sprouts Market)

1 can of chickpeas
1/4 cup Veganaise
1/2 lemon (juice)
1 TSP sea salt
1 TSP coriander
1 red beet
1 granny apple
Sprouts ( I prefer broccoli sprouts)
Rosemary (optional)
Spray olive oil (you can drizzle the olive oil but I find it easier to use the spray for this recipe)

What to do:
In a food processor (I use a ninja) blend together chickpeas, lemon juice, veganaise, coriander and sea salt

Cut beets into thin slices
Cut apple into thin slices

Spread chickpea mixture on to the bread
Add beets, apples and sprouts
Spray both sided of the bread with olive oil
Sprinkle rosemary and sea salt on each side
Place in panini maker (I use my George Forman Grill)
Cook until bread is golden brown

Enjoy!!

Vegan Pasta Shells

What you’ll need:
1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
1 box of whole wheat jumbo pasta shells
2 cloves of garlic
1 TSP red pepper flakes (optional)
1 TSP black pepper
1 TSP sea salt
1 TBLS extra virgin olive oil
1 package of fresh basil
1/2 TBLS of parsley
1 package of extra firm tofu
2 handfuls of spinach
1 white onion
1/2 lemon (juice)
1 cup button mushrooms (optional)

What to do:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Use a tofu press to remove extra water or wrap tofu in paper towels and place a heavy item on top of tofu until most of the moisture is gone

Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook pasta shells according to the directions, add a sprinkle of salt to the water

Heat a large skillet on medium heat and cook onion and garlic in the olive oil until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes

Add basil and spinach, cook for a few minutes

Add tofu by crumbling it in the pan, combine thoroughly

Add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and lemon

Cook until everything is heated, about 10 minutes

In a glass casserole dish place a thin layer of pasta sauce and 1/2 of the mushrooms

Spoon the tofu mixture into the shells

Place shells evenly over pasta sauce in the casserole dish

Pour the remainder of the pasta sauce on top of the shells and add the rest of the mushrooms and parsley

Bake, covered with foil, for 30 minutes

Enjoy!!