Category: Vegetarian

Veggie Skewers

Veggie skewers II

Veggie Skewers

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: Easy
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When hungry people are chomping at the bit at a BBQ appetizers can buy you time and these ones are so easy and tasty that your guests may even forget about the main course.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping List:

  • 8 ounces Paneer
  • 1/2 of a Large Red Onion -thick sliced
  • 1 large Red Pepper – cut into chunks
  • 12 – 18 Grape tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 teaspoons Cumin
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 6 Bamboo/Metal skewers

Putting it all together:

  1. Cut the Paneer into small cubes and place in a large bowl.
  2. Add all the remaining ingredients and mix well.
  3. Soak the bamboo skewers for 30 minutes so they won’t burn.
  4. Starting with the Paneer thread the ingredients on the skewers, alternating, until all skewers have been used.
  5. Grill at 350° for about 10 minutes.

There you have it another “Simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time……..

                             Bon Appetit

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Cheddar Veggie Soup

Cheddar Veffie soup II

Cheddar Veggie Soup

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Chicken soup when you have a cold is just…. well….. gold. However when you don’t have chicken you do the next best thing and use what you have which in this case is veggies and cheddar cheese.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 4 cups Chicken stock
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 4 Tbsp Butter
  • 4 Tbsp Flour
  • 1 cup diced Potatoes
  • 1 cup Broccoli florets
  • 1 small Yellow Onion – chopped
  • 4 Celery ribs – chopped
  • 1 cup Carrots – chopped
  • 3 Garlic cloves – chopped
  • 1 Tbsp dried Oregano
  • 4 fresh Basil leaves
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • shredded Cheddar cheese for garnish

Putting it all together:

  1. Heat the oil and butter is a large pot or Dutch.
  2. Add the onions and garlic and cook for 3 – 4 minutes.
  3. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well.
  4. Add in the chicken stock and remaining ingredients except the basil and cheese.
  5. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer until the veggies have softened.
  6. Add the basil
  7. Use an immersion blender or blend in batches until smooth.
  8. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with the cheese.

There you have it another “Simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time…….

                          Bon Appetit

 

Peanut Butter Hummus

Peanut Butter Hummus

Peanut Butter Hummus

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Had a bunch of cut up and bagged veggies to use for snacks but I didn’t have anything for a dip because we had just finished store bought Hummus and I don’t really like Ranch dressing so I decided to make my own.

Now traditional Hummus is Chickpeas and Tahini as a base and then other ingredients added to your liking. I found I was out of Tahini but I remembered a conversation with a friend who makes hers with Peanut Butter so I decided to give it a go…. and it works.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping List:

  • 1 19 ounce can Chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 2 Tbsp Peanut Butter
  • 2 Garlic cloves peeled and chopped
  • 3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 Tbsp Lemon juice
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Putting it all together:

  1. Place all ingredients except the Olive Oil in a food processor and process until smooth.
  2. With the machine running add the olive oil.
  3. If the mixture is to thick add some warm water until you get the consistency you like.

There you have it another “Simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time…….

                          Bon Appetit

Southwest Black Bean Burger

spicy black bean burger

Southwest Black Bean Burger

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: Easy
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I am in no way a Vegetarian and don’t do vegetarian dishes all that often…. maybe one or two a year, however this is a recipe I have wanted to try for some time.

Now the last time I had a Black Bean Burger it was in a local restaurant and it was just awful…… it took me hours to get the taste of Cumin out of my mouth. I mean there was so much of it in the burger that  I could not taste anything else and it was horrid.

So now here is my interpretation of a black bean burger.

Cook’s note: The Ancho chili powder makes this one a little bit spicy so feel free to adjust the amount.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 1 medium Green Pepper rough chopped
  • 1 Sweet Onion rough chopped
  • 1 cup Breadcrumbs
  • 2 15 ounce cans of Black Beans – rinsed and set aside in separate bowls
  • 1 1/2 Teaspoons Seasoned Salt
  • 1 1/2 Teaspoons Black Pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon Coriander
  • 2 Teaspoons Granulated Garlic
  • 2 Tablespoons Smoked Paprika
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Ancho Chili Powder

Putting it all together:

  1. Place all ingredients except one bowl of black beans in a food processor.
  2. Pulse the ingredients until a paste has formed.
  3. Place the paste in a large mixing bowl and add the remaining beans and the breadcrumbs. Mix well.
  4. Cover and place in the fridge for 40 minutes.
  5. Remove from fridge and form into 5 ounce patties.
  6. Pan fry or grill for 8 mins. per side.
  7. Enjoy

There you have it another “Simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time……..

                                  Bon Appetit

Fresno Chilies

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Fresno Chilies

  • Servings: 2 cups
  • Difficulty: Easy
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When it comes to Chilies there are more than you can imagine or do anything with especially the hot ones and while the debate rages over the hottest in the world, which is the Carolina Reaper at 2.5 million on the Scoville scale, I prefer the lesser hot ones because I like to actually taste my food rather than  sweat like a pig in a marathon.

Now don’t misunderstand me I admire those who can gobble up really really hot peppers without batting an eye I just don’t happen to be one of them which is why I like Fresno’s….. they are only a little bit hotter than Jalapenos but, to me at least, they are a lot tastier and I was extremely happy to find them at a local garden center and even happier when they ripened.

With this particular bunch I decided a quick pickle was in store and since I don’t do it that often a quick Internet shift search showed that indeed it is a QUICK pickle.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 7 fresh Fresno chilies – sliced into rings
  • 1/2 cup Rice vinegar
  • 1 cup White vinegar
  • 1 cup Water
  • 6 Garlic cloves – Peeled
  • 4 – 5 Fennel fronds
  • 2 tablespoons Mustard seed
  • 2 tablespoons Sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons Peppercorns
  • 2 teaspoons Sugar

Putting it all together:

  1. Place the pepper rings, garlic and fennel fronds in a large container with a tight fitting lid.
  2. Put all the remaining ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
  3. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes.
  5. Pour the pickling liquid into the jar, seal and refrigerate.

There you have it another “Simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time…….

                            Bon Apettite 

Mashed Potato Cakes

 

Mashed Potato Cakes ii

Mashed Potato Cakes

  • Servings: 5
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Way back when I was first learning to cook I tossed a lot of leftovers because I didn’t know what to do with them but thankfully over the years I have evolved as a cook and now I come up with different and interesting ways of using leftovers.

This recipe is a very simple way of using leftover Mashed Potatoes and it can be used with so many different dishes including….. Breakfast. I mean really, what’s better than Toast, Eggs and a crispy Mashed Potato Cake to start your day?

Cooks note: When I make mashed potatoes I make them with pepper, granulated garlic, parsley, butter and milk (the cooking water already has salt in it) that way I don’t need to worry about seasoning the potato cakes when I make them. 

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 4 cups Mashed Potatoes
  • 1 bunch Scallions – chopped
  • 2 cups shredded Italian style cheese
  • All Purpose Flour for dredging
  • Vegetable oil for frying 

Putting it all together:

  1. In a non reactive bowl combine the first three ingredients.
  2. Form into patties.
  3. Dredge in the all purpose flour making sure to shake off the excess.
  4. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a large fry pan.
  5. Fry the patties in batches until golden brown and remove to a paper towel to drain.
  6. You can serve as is or top with sour cream and chopped scallions.

There you have it another “Simple bust tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time……..

                           Bon Appetit 

Coconut Cashew Rice

Coconut Cashew rice

Coconut Cashew Rice

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Rice is my usual go to for those occasions when I don’t want potatoes but need a tasty side dish to compliment the main ingredient in the meal.

Now if you simply Google “rice recipes” you will come up with approximately 60 million results so naturally a little thought is required to narrow down the results and not send you racing to the loony bin.

With this particular rice dish the Coconut and Cashew gives the dish a very unique flavour and anything else you add is gravy.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 2 cups Basmati rice
  • 1 1/2  cups Coconut milk
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock
  • 3 tablespoon Canola Oil
  • 3/4 cup Cashew pieces
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons Salt
  • 1 medium Spanish Onion – chopped
  • 1 medium Red Pepper – sliced
  • 1 medium Green Pepper – sliced
  • 3 Garlic cloves – chopped

Putting it all together:

  1. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven and saute the onion for 2 minutes.
  2. Add in the rice and stir until well coated.
  3. Stir in the Coconut milk, Chicken stock salt and garlic.
  4. Bring to a boil then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
  5. In the last five minutes add the peppers and cashews to the rice, re-cover and let sit off the heat.
  6. Fluff with a fork and serve.

There you have it another “Simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time……..

                             Bon Appetit

Mexican Chopped Salad

Chopped Mexican Salad

Mexican Chopped Salad

  • Servings: 4 - 6
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Staying with the Healthy Eating aspect of my new fitness regime I’m sharing a modified Mexican Chopped Salad that I borrowed from Rachael Ray.

Now this one is modified because there are ingredients she has in hers (Jicama) that I don’t have and I’m using a couple of things she doesn’t (Turnip and Radishes). Also her particular recipe calls for a vinaigrette while mine has no dressing at all.

Thank you Chef for a great salad idea.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 1 1/2 heads Romaine lettuce – rough chopped
  • 1 head Kale – rough chopped
  • 1 medium Turnip – cut into matchsticks
  • 6 – 8 Radishes – quartered
  • 3 Roma tomatoes – diced
  • 1 medium Green Pepper – diced
  • 1/2 large Red Onion – diced
  • 1 handful Cilantro – chopped
  • 1 8 ounce tin Corn kernels
  • 1 9 ounce can Black Beans – drained and rinsed
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1 Lime
  • Feta cheese for topping

Putting it all together:

  1. In a large bowl toss all ingredients except the Feta and Lime juice.
  2. Squeeze the lime juice over the salad and top with the Feta cheese.
  3. Enjoy.

There you have it another “simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time………

                           Bon Appetit

 

Kale & Romaine Salad

Kale & Romaine salad

Kale & Romaine Salad

  • Servings: 6 - 8
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Since I have started going to the gym I’ve also started looking at healthy alternatives for meal time and when I consider this I come up with Salad. Now most times salad can be rather boring and pedestrian because of the lack of tasty ingredients however this time around I made sure to use ingredients that I like but are still healthy for you.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 4 cups rough chopped Kale
  • 4 cups rough chopped Romaine
  • 1 Large Green Pepper cut into strips
  • 6 Radishes – sliced
  • 8 Cherry Tomatoes – halved
  • 1 – 1 1/2 cups shredded Carrot
  • 3/4 cup dried Cranberries
  • Pea greens
  • Low calorie Salad dressing of your choice 

Putting it all together:

  1. In a large bowl combine the Romaine and Kale.
  2. Arrange the remaining ingredients finishing with the Pea Greens on top
  3. Enjoy

There you have it another “simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time……..

                            Bon Appetit

Curried Vegetable Couscous with Ham

Curried Vegetable Couscous with Ham

Curried Vegetable Couscous with Ham

  • Servings: 4 - 6
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Healthy eating does not have to consist of boring and tasteless food items it can be as tasty as you want it to be…. all you need is a little imagination and the right seasonings.

I decided on this recipe mainly because I had some Couscous in the cupboard that I needed to use and the Curry because Couscous on it’s own is tasteless and bland. As for the ham???   I like ham however you can use anything else you wish or leave it out for a healthy vegetarian dish.

Here’s how we do this one.

Shopping list:

  • 1 1/2 cups Couscous
  • 1 1/2 cups Sodium reduced Chicken Stock
  • 2 cups diced Ham
  • 2 cups frozen mixed Vegetables
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Butter
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons Curry powder
  • 2 tablespoons Turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
  • Fresh Ground Pepper to taste

Putting it all together:

  1. In a medium stock pot combine the chicken stock, curry, turmeric and butter and bring to a boil.
  2. Mix in the couscous, cover and let stand off the heat for 10 minutes.
  3. While the couscous is standing heat the vegetables in a separate pot of water.
  4. Combine the couscous, vegetables, salt and pepper mixing well. Adjust the seasonings.
  5. Plate and top with the diced ham.
  6. Enjoy.

Cooks note: You can heat the diced ham or leave it cold.

There you have it another “simple but tasty recipe for the grilling season and beyond.”

Until next time…….

                           Bon Appetit