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Spinach and leek bake

Spinach and leek bake

What you’ll need:

1 TBSP of extra virgin olive oil
2 Leeks chopped finely (white part only)
1/2 Yellow onion chopped
2 Packages of fresh spinach
1 Cup of shredded parmesan cheese
1 Cup of cooked brown rice (I use one vegetable bullion cube in my rice to add flavor)
3 eggs
Sea Salt
Black pepper
Red pepper flakes
Coriander

What you do:
Pre heat oven to 375
Prepare a glass baking dish with non stick cooking spray
In a skillet saute leeks and onions in the olive oil until soft
Season with sea salt, pepper, red pepper flakes to taste
In a medium pot steam the spinach until soft
Drain and chop the spinach
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl (save some of the parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top)
Pour mixture into the glass baking dish
Bake for 30 minutes at 375

Enjoy!!

Black Bean Quesadillas

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.

Caprese Panini

Caprese Panini

What you’ll need:

1 large vine ripened tomato cut into thin slices
1 round fresh mozerella cut into thin slices
10 basil leaves
Ciabatta rolls
Balsamic Vinegar
Olive oil

What you do:

Spray both sides of ciabatta roll with olive oil
Toast in panini press or George Foreman grill
Layer mozerella slice, basil leaves (2) and tomato
Add balsamic on top

Enjoy!!

Zucchini and Goat Cheese on Ciabatta

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)

No Bake Raspberry Cheesecake

No Bake Raspberry Cheesecake

Sometimes you need something that’s not so healthy!

What you need:
1/2 box of graham crackers
1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter melted
3 TBLS Sugar (divided)
2 8 oz packages of cream cheese
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 lemon (juiced) and zest (optional)
1 TSP vanilla
1 Pint raspberries

What you do:
Crush graham crackers (putting them in a plastic re-sealable bag and rolling them with a rolling pin is an easy way to do this)

Pour crushed graham crackers in a bowl and add 2 TBLS of sugar

Add butter

Press graham cracker mixture into a springform pan
Chill in freezer for at least 10-15 minutes

While crust is chilling place cream cheese(room temp) in a bowl and beat with electric mixer until smooth

Add condensed milk, beat until smooth and until completely combined

Add lemon juice, zest and vanilla and mix well

Remove Crust from freezer and add cream cheese mixture

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours

After cheesecake is firm place raspberries in a bowl and add 1 TBLS of sugar and mash

Add raspberry mixture to top of cheese cake

Enjoy!!

Squash and Tomato Bake

Squash and Tomato Bake

What you need:
1 Cup of breadcrumbs (italian or add italian seasoning)
3 TBLS butter (melted)
1/2 Half bunch Italian parsley
1/2 Cup parmesan cheese (shredded)
2 Garlic cloves (minced)
1 Package of cherry or grape tomatoes
1 Yellow squash
1 Yellow onion
1 TBLS olive oil
1 TSP coriander
1 TSP turmeric

What you’ll do:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Spray olive oil in a small glass baking dish
In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat
Add onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes
Add yellow squash and cook for another 5 minutes
Add turmeric and coriander
Add cherry tomatoes and heat thoroughly

Combine melted butter, parsley and breadcrumbs

Pour squash mixture into baking dish
Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of mixture
Add breadcrumb mixture

Bake for 30 minutes until breadcrumbs are golden brown

Enjoy!!

Beet and Apple Panini

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!!

Curried Cauliflower with Vegan Sausage on Wild Rice

Curried Cauliflower with Vegan Sausage on Wild Rice

What you’ll need:
1 head of cauliflower
1 Cup wild rice
2 Links of vegan sausage (I prefer italian flavored)
3 TBLS extra virgin olive oil
1 TBLS curry powder
1 TSP turmeric powder
1 TSP sea salt
1/2 lemon (juice)
1 cube vegetable bouillon(optional)

What you do:
Pre heat oven to 450 degrees
Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil
In a bowl mix together 2 TBLS olive oil, curry powder, turmeric powder, sea salt and lemon juice

Cut cauliflower into bite size pieces
Place cauliflower in curry mixture and lightly coat all pieces

Place cauliflower on cookie sheet and bake for 25 minutes

While cauliflower is baking cook wild rice according to directions (Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, add 1 cup wild rice, reduce heat and simmer with lid on for 15 minutes)

After rice is cooked add bouillon and let melt into rice, stir occasionally until thoroughly mixed in

Heat remaining 1 TBLS of olive oil in a skillet or frying pan on med-high heat

Cut vegan sausage into 1/4″ pieces
Cook until golden brown on each side in olive oil
(about 3 minutes per side)

Place rice on plate, add sausage and cauliflower
Squeeze any remaining lemon on top
Sprinkle with sea salt

Enjoy!!

Summer Pasta Salad

Summer Pasta Salad

What you need:
Pasta shells (or bowties) 2 cups
1/2 bunch of asparagus trimmed
1 yellow pepper chopped into small pieces
1/2 package of cherry or grape tomatoes
1/2 package of fresh dill or 1 TBLS of dried dill
10 fresh mint leaves (optional)
1/2 lemon (juice)
1 TSP sea salt
1 TSP black pepper

What you do:
Boil water and cook pasta according to directions on box
Drain pasta and rinse will cool water
Sautee the pepper and asparagus over medium heat with 1 TBLS olive oil until tender (try not to overcook)
In a large bowl combine pasta and veggies in 1 TBLS olive oil

Add cherry tomatoes, dill, salt, pepper, dill, mint and lemon
Toss everything well
Chill in fridge until cold

Enjoy!!