health vegetarian recipes

High-Vibe Condiment Classics

before yesterday My New Roots 

Summer is fast-approaching (at last!) and I dont know about you, but to me this means grilling, eating outside, and enjoying all of the classic, warm-weather treats. But wait! Did you know that there are all kinds of funky ingredients hiding in the most innocuous places, like your ketchup, mustard and relish?! We shouldnt have to forgo these truly classic condiments just because were walking on the whole foods path. No way! So I decided to do a high-vibe makeover all of the condiments that youd find at a barbecue, picnic, or baseball game: ketchup, mustard, honey mustard, Dijon, relish, mayo and secret sauce, without any refined ingredients, colours, or preservatives. They are entirely vegan (except for the honey mustard), and taste absolutely incredible.  Making your own condiments from scratch is empowering, and you too will see that by whisking up your very own mustard, or blending your very own ketchup that you are incredibly capable in the kitchen! Its a serious delight to realize that youre not only qualified to make things you thought you needed to buy, but that youre also doing yourself a giant favour in cutting questionable ingredients out of your life. When I was a kid, I loved hotdogs with mustard and relish (not ketchup, that was for burgers). The vinegary tang of the yellow mustard with the sweetness of pickle relish perfectly offset the salty squishiness of a microwaved wiener. This was a typical Saturday lunch, with doughnuts for dessert, all washed down with a giant glass of milk. I wanted to recreate that nostalgia, minus pretty much everything else. The flavours bring me back to simple times and simple food. But simple food is not always so simple. Have you read the ingredients on a squeeze bottle of relish lately? Its a complicated collection of chemicals that I certainly wouldnt want in my body. High-fructose corn syrup, natural flavour, and food colouring are just a few of the ingredients that plague most tasty toppings. Food additives are everywhere, especially in shelf-stable products. If youre not going to refrigerate something or preserve it properly, it has to have things in it to prevent it from spoiling. It also has to look appealing and taste good, even after months (or years!) on a grocery store shelf. That is why it is so important to read labels and be discerning about what you choose to buy. This is not to say that these additives are inherently harmful, but they are far from natural, and Im a believer in eating as close to the earth as possible! Luckily my condiments are not only based on whole foods, but they taste amazing and are actually good for you.    Here is a small list of the food additives to watch out for and avoid, if possible. Remember to check the packages of your other summer favourites, like chips, salad dressings, sparkling beverages, soda and juice, ice cream, popsicles, and frozen yogurt.  High Fructose Corn Syrup Sometimes labeled HFCS, this highly-refined artificial sweetener has become the number one source of calories in North America. It is found in almost all processed foods, since it is cheap to make, shelf-stable, super sweet, and highly addictive. Excessive consumption has been linked to obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Watch out for it in condiments, salad dressing, bread, candy, soda, yogurt, breakfast cereals, even canned vegetables and fruit.  Natural Flavours This is a sneaky term meant to throw you off. When you see these words on an ingredient list, they refer to a naturally-derived flavouring agent that has to be extracted from plant or animal sources, designed to enhance the taste of food. Conversely, artificial flavours are synthetically created, with their original sources being manmade chemicals. Natural flavours however, are still made in laboratories by food chemists who can add any numbers of chemicals, including preservatives, solvents and other substances, which are defined as incidental additives, to what they are creating. Food manufacturers are not required to disclose whether these additives come from natural or synthetic sources, and as long as the original flavouring comes from plant or animal material, they can be classified as natural. The point is, natural flavours dont appear to be any healthier than artificial flavours, and they can still contain ingredients that may cause reactions in sensitive individuals, especially children. To avoid them, cut back on packaged products and stick to the real-deal whole foods!  Food Dyes /­­ Colours To make food look bright, fresh, and especially appealing to children, food manufacturers add dyes to obvious things like candy, sports drinks and baked goods, but also not-so-obvious things like condiments (!), pickles, cereals, salad dressing, yogurt, and chocolate milk. Some of these dyes are approved for use in certain countries, while others have banned them, making it challenging for consumers to navigate. The safety of food dyes is controversial, especially in regards to children. Studies have linked them to hyperactivity in sensitive kids, and they may cause allergic reactions in some people. Because most food dyes are found in unhealthy processed foods, its easy to avoid them if youre sticking to a more natural diet.  Hydrogenated /­­ Partially Hydrogenated Oils You know when the World Health Organization plans on eliminating these fats from the global food supply, they must be pretty problematic. Created by forcing hydrogen gas into vegetable fats under extremely high pressure to turn liquid into solid, hydrogenation creates trans fats, which increases the amount of LDL cholesterol, lowers HDL cholesterol, therefore significantly increasing the risk of coronary heart disease. Whats more is that these fats are pro-inflammatory. Although their use has been banned in several countries, trans fats still lurk in many processed foods.  As long as there is less than .5% per serving, it isnt required in to be listed in the ingredients or nutritional information. The best way to avoid them is by cutting out processed foods, especially margarine, coffee creamer, chips and crackers, frozen pizza, fast foods, baked goods, and microwave popcorn.   Health Claims – these are put on the front of the box to lure you in, and can include buzz words like natural, whole grain, low-fat, no added sugar, organic, light, low calorie, gluten-free, and enriched. Terms like these should be a red flag for you, so read the entire label, including the ingredient list, the serving size, the amount and types of sweetener and fat used. Think critically and be selective – if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  The bottom line?! Stick to whole, or minimally-processed foods and ingredients as often as possible. Its better for you, and your family to make your own from scratch whenever possible. Not to mention, its fun to brag to everyone that youre a condiment master, a yogurt wizard, or a salad dressing whisperer.  I had so much FUN with these recipes! It was a blast to brainstorm which condiments I would attempt to health-ify, experiment with, and eventually master to make them all easy-to-make and delicious. My condiments wont last years in the fridge, but all of them passed the two-week mark with flying colours (all of them natural, of course). As long as youre using clean utensils to scoop out your servings, you shouldnt have a problem keeping these toppings around for a few weeks – ya know, if you can ration them for that long!  Yellow Mustard This was in fact my first attempt at making yellow mustard and it proved to be ridiculously easy! I think Id built it up in my head to be some complicated project, but wow was I mistaken. Just a few simple ingredients, and a little stovetop whisking will get you the brightest, tangiest, most beautiful ballpark mustard of your dreams! I must warn you, from one condiment-master to another, that the bubbling mixture gets darn hot and tends to splatter when its cooking. To avoid scalding yourself, use the pot lid as s shield (insert laughing emoji here).      Print recipe     Yellow Mustard Makes 1 1/­­4 cups /­­ 300ml Ingredients:  1 cup /­­ 250ml cold water 3/­­4 cup dry mustard powder 3/­­4 tsp. fine sea salt 1/­­2 tsp. ground turmeric 1/­­2 tsp. garlic powder 1/­­8 tsp. ground paprika 1/­­2 cup /­­ 125ml apple cider vinegar Directions: 1. In a small saucepan, whisk together water, dry mustard, salt, turmeric, garlic, and paprika until smooth. Cook the mixture over medium-low to low heat, stirring often, until it bubbles down to a thick paste, 30 to 45 minutes. 2. Whisk the apple cider vinegar into the mustard mixture and continue to cook until its thickened to the desired consistency – this can take between 5 and 15 minutes depending on how thick you like it.  3. Let the mustard cool to room temperature. Transfer the mustard to an airtight glass jar or container, and refrigerate for up to 3 months.  Honey Mustard Depending on how sweet you like your honey mustard, its just the above yellow mustard recipe with as much honey stirred in as you like! I added two tablespoons and it was perfect for me, but if you want even more, got for it. I recommend avoiding very runny honey, since this will loosen the mustard. Instead, opt for something on the thicker side to maintain the consistency. If youre vegan, brown rice or date syrup would be the best choices, since they are more viscous than maple syrup, for example. I love this on sandwiches with lots of fresh veggies and sprouts!     Print recipe     Honey Mustard Makes 1 1/­­4 cups /­­ 300ml Ingredients: 1 1/­­4 cups /­­ 300ml yellow mustard (recipe above) 2 Tbsp. raw honey Directions: 1. Combine the mustard and the honey. Taste and add more honey if desired. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months.  Grainy Dijon Mustard This style of Dijon is a whole-seed one, which is my favourite because of the great texture and colour variations. Its spicy and complex, and will only get better with time. Keep in mind that this recipe is in two stages, the first one requiring you to soak your mustard seeds the night before you plan on blending.      Print recipe     Grainy Dijon Mustard Makes 1 cup /­­ 250ml  Ingredients: 1/­­4 cup /­­ 40g yellow mustard seeds 1/­­4 cup /­­ 40g black mustard seeds 1/­­2 Tbsp. ground mustard 1/­­3 cup /­­ 75ml white wine vinegar 1/­­3 cup /­­ 75ml apple cider vinegar 2 tsp. maple syrup 1/­­2 tsp. sea salt Directions: 1. Combine all ingredients and refrigerate overnight (for 12-24 hours) to allow the mustard seeds to soften and absorb the flavours. 2. Place mixture in blender and mix on high for a minute or two, until the seeds have broken and the mustard thickens. 3. Transfer contents to a clean jar and enjoy! Dijon will keep for about one month in the refrigerator. Sweet Pickle Relish This was the most anticipated condiment to try and make myself, since its one of my favourites, but also one of the worst offenders for additives. I successfully recreated that gorgeous tang, and succulent texture of commercial relish that I loved so much as a kid. The taste of this one is off the charts! My recipe uses coconut sugar instead of refined sugar and syrups, so the colour is a little darker and browner than the conventional types, but I dont think youll notice – and you certainly wont miss the food colouring!     Print recipe     Sweet Pickle Relish Makes 2 cups /­­ 500ml Ingredients: 2 cups /­­ 340g finely diced cucumber 1/­­2 cup /­­ 85g finely diced yellow onion 1 tsp. salt, divided  1/­­2 cup /­­ 125ml apple cider vinegar  1/­­4 cup /­­ 40g coconut sugar 1/­­4 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. yellow mustard seeds 1 tsp. dried dill 1/­­4 tsp. turmeric 1/­­4 red bell pepper, finely diced 1 tsp. arrowroot, dissolved in 2 tsp. water Directions: 1. Toss the cucumber and onion with 3/­­4 teaspoon of salt in a sieve set over a bowl, and let drain for about 3 hours. Next, press the ingredients against side of sieve to release as much liquid as possible, then discard liquid from bowl.  2. Bring the vinegar, coconut sugar, and remaining 1/­­4 teaspoon of salt to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved, then simmer until reduced to about a 1/­­2 cup /­­ 125ml (just eyeball it), about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic, mustard, dill, and turmeric, stir until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. 3. Add the drained cucumber and onion mixture, plus diced red bell pepper, and simmer, stirring for about 2 minutes. Make the arrowroot slurry, then whisk it into the relish. Simmer, stirring, 2-3 minutes until noticeably thickened. Turn off the heat and transfer relish to a glass jar or storage container and leave uncovered until it cools to room temperature, then put in the fridge. The relish will keep for up to a month in the fridge.  Tomato Ketchup This ketchup was an old blog post that I revisited and revised. I used to make this recipe in the oven, but my new method eliminates the need to crank up the heat when its probably the last thing you want to do. Instead, the whole thing is made on the stove, then blitzed up in the blender. Its deeply spiced and complex, so much more interesting than store-bought ketchup. The first time I made the new version, I used a good portion of it for a soup base, then added more to a dip – both were delicious, so if you have leftovers, put it to use in an unexpected place. Its tasty with everything!      Print recipe     Tomato Ketchup Makes 2 cups /­­ 500ml Ingredients: 1 Tbsp. coconut oil (expeller-pressed, flavour neutral)  3 star whole anise (make sure they are whole to remove easily!) 3 bay leaves 1 tsp. ground coriander pinch of chili flakes  1 large onion, chopped  3/­­4 tsp. sea salt  1/­­4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 3 cloves garlic, minced 2.2 lbs. /­­ 1 kg tomatoes  2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1 Tbsp. maple syrup  Directions: 1. Melt the coconut oil in a medium stockpot, then add the star anise, bay leaves, coriander, and chili flakes. Cook until fragrant about 2 minutes, then add the onions, salt and pepper, and cook until slightly browned, about 10 mins. Next add the add garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes, then add balsamic vinegar, scraping any stuck bits off the bottom of the pot. Add tomatoes and their juices, then bring to a simmer.  2. Cook on low heat for about 60 mins or until reduced and starting to caramelize on the bottom of the pot.  3. Turn off heat and remove bay and anise, add maple syrup. Let cool slightly and transfer to a blender, blend until smooth. Taste, and adjust seasoning to suit your taste.  4. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight glass container and store in the fridge. Keeps for about one month.   Aquafaba Mayonnaise This was the most exciting discovery to make: vegan mayo using aquafaba! Aqua faba translates to bean water and its the cooking liquid from chickpeas. Although any can of chickpeas will have this, I make my own, since there are no additives or chemicals that have leached from the can itself. If you cook your own chickpeas from dried, you have aquafaba. Although I wouldnt normally consume large amounts of aquafaba, in this case its used in such a small amount that I think its fine. Plus, did I mention it makes vegan mayo?! The results are so unbelievably shocking and delightful that Im a convert, even though I eat eggs! I highly suggest using the most neutral-tasting olive oil you can find for this recipe. Since it makes up the majority of the flavour of the mayonnaise, a strong-tasting olive oil will overpower the delicate nature of this condiment. I used the one from Pineapple Collaborative, which works perfectly. I also tried avocado oil, grapeseed, and sunflower, but didnt like the results as much as mild olive oil. Its up to you! You can really use whatever you have on hand, just keep in mind that it will really dictate the taste of the final result.      Print recipe     Aquafaba Mayonnaise Makes about 1 cup /­­ 250ml Ingredients: 3 Tbsp. aquafaba 1/­­4 tsp. Dijon mustard 1/­­4 tsp. fine salt 1 1/­­2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar 3/­­4 cup /­­ 175ml mild olive oil (or other light-tasting oil) Directions: 1. Place the aquafaba in the bottom of a wide-mouth jar. Add the mustard, salt, lemon juice, vinegar, and the olive oil. Allow a minute for the oil to separate into a distinct layer. 2. Insert an immersion blender all the way to the bottom of the jar. (Note: this will not work with an upright blender) Start the blending process on medium speed and do not lift the blender until the mixture has thickened and turned white at the bottom of the jar. Only then, slowly move the blender up, waiting for the oil to incorporate as you go, until you get the texture of mayonnaise. Use immediately; refrigerate leftovers in a tightly sealed jar for up to 1 month. The mayonnaise will thicken slightly once cooled in the fridge. Smoky Secret Sauce This is the creamy, tangy, and perfectly seasoned sauce that most famously adorns the Big Mac burger from McDonalds. Whats best about my version is that it has zero secrets...nothing weird to hide here! I had the most fun with this recipe, since it required a number of the condiments that Id already made as ingredients. I did deviate a tad from the original and added smoked paprika, since I love the added dimension of smoke flavour to anything thats going on grilled food, but Ive also found this to be a stellar salad dressing, especially for chop-style salads that have chunky, less delicate ingredients. I hope you find some fun things to slather it on this summer. Its lip-smakingly tasty!      Print recipe     Smoky Secret Sauce Makes 1 cup /­­ 250ml Ingredients: 3/­­4 cup /­­ 175ml aquafaba mayonnaise (recipe above) 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (recipe above) 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish (recipe above) 1 tsp. maple syrup 1/­­2 teaspoon white wine vinegar 1/­­2 teaspoon paprika 1/­­4 tsp. smoked paprika (not traditional, but delicious!) 1/­­4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/­­4 teaspoon onion powder Directions: 1. Fold all ingredients together in a small bowl or jar. Enjoy immediately, and store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.    As a bonus, Ive included this stellar recipe for carrot hot dogs – since youll need a high-vibe wiener to put your condiments on! Hahaaa! I realize that carrot hot dogs are pretty 2018, but Id never tried them before and it was a very amusing undertaking. I looked at a number of recipes online and my version is a mash-up of the ones that sounded the most delicious. My method is also much easier and faster than other versions Ive seen, since its just a braise on the stove and a quick grill (no marinating, steaming, roasting, etc).  The important thing to keep in mind for this recipe, is that the amount of time you braise the carrots for,Im  will be dictated by the girth of the carrots. Mine were more sausage-sized (approx 1.5 or 3.5-3.75 cm) than a typical hot dog wiener, and a 20-minute simmer was the perfect amount. If your carrots are smaller, Id go down to 15 minutes. Insert a sharp knife to check on the doneness after 10 minutes or so, and take them out when they are tender, but way before they get mushy. Remember that youre also going to be grilling them for 10 minutes so they will cook even more, and you dont want them too soft. The final result should be tender all the way through, but shouldnt fall apart in your mouth.     Print recipe     Carrot Hot Dogs Serves 8 Ingredients: 8 large hot dog-sized carrots 8 hot dog buns 1/­­4 cup /­­ 60ml tamari 1/­­4 cup /­­ 60ml apple cider vinegar  1 cup /­­ 250ml vegetable broth or 1 tsp. vegetable bullion powder + 1 cup water 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup 2 Tbsp. coconut oil (preferably expeller-pressed, flavour neutral) 1 Tbsp. liquid smoke 2 tsp. yellow mustard 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. paprika 1/­­2 tsp. onion powder 1/­­2 tsp. ground black pepperWash and peel carrots. Round the edges of the carrot to look more like wieners, if desired.  Direcitons: 1. Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a large stockpot with a lid. Add the peeled carrots and bring to a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer, and cook with the lid on for about 20 minutes (less if your carrots are on the thin side, see headnote). Remove from heat and turn on the grill.  2. Grill the carrots over medium-high, turning every couple of minutes, basting them with the remaining braising liquid if desired. Cook until slightly charred and fragrant, 10 minutes total. Grill or toast the buns. Place a carrot on each bun and enjoy with all of the condiments! I wish you all an incredible summer ahead! I recognize that this season is going to look very different from years past, but as long as were all healthy and the sun is shining, weve got it pretty good. Stay safe out there, and keep fuelling your body with the whole foods it needs to thrive and feel alive!  All love and happy condiment-making, Sarah B The post High-Vibe Condiment Classics appeared first on My New Roots.

suji ka pizza recipe on tawa | rava pizza | semolina pizza | sooji pizza

May 22 2020 hebbar's kitchen 

suji ka pizza recipe | rava pizza | semolina pizza | sooji pizza with step by step photo and video recipe. pizza recipes are very popular these days across india, especially with younger audience. however there are numerous concerns about the health aspects as it is mainly made with plain flour which in turn may indigestion issues. to solve these issues, there is an healthy alternative made with semolina or sooji dough known as rava pizza recipe. The post suji ka pizza recipe on tawa | rava pizza | semolina pizza | sooji pizza appeared first on Hebbar's Kitchen.

Healthy After School Snacks

May 21 2020 Manjula's kitchen 

I wanted to share some quick and easy snacks I used to prepare for my two sons, Rakesh and Mukesh, and their friends. When the boys were young, I made sure to have tasty and healthy snacks readily available. They would often bring their friends, who loved coming to our house after school.  Our house was the place to be fed well with homecooked fresh food!  I would keep their snacks quick and easy to prepare. They also love helping me prepare snacks. Some of their favorite snacks included celery sticks and sliced cucumbers and cream cheese, carrots and peanut butter, potatoes with cheese, crisp toast with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top, and graham crackers with cream cheese topped with fresh fruit. celery sticks and sliced cucumbers and cream cheese, carrots and peanut butter, potatoes with cheese crisp toast with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top, and graham crackers with cream cheese topped with fresh fruit The boys loved when I added Indian touches to their snacks.  One of their favorites was fresh hot puris.  All their friends loved watching me fry puris and were amazed to see how they would puff up. Puri (Puffed Flatbread) They also enjoyed crispy aloo pakoras. They would devour these!  I could not keep up with how fast they ate them! Crispy Aloo Pakoras Here are some ideas you can find on my website for quick, easy and delicious snacks.  Now that we are spending a lot more time at home, try engaging with your kids and let them prepare their own snacks, such as:  Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate chip cookies Chocolate Brownies These are the few my grandkids really enjoy! The post Healthy After School Snacks appeared first on Manjula's Kitchen.

Plant-Based Swaps to Recreate Classic Comfort Food Dishes

May 18 2020 Meatless Monday 

Animal products -- whether beef, pork, chicken, dairy or seafood -- are often thought to be necessary for a balanced diet, and, as a result, these ingredients have typically played a prominent role in home cooking.  But meat is not required for good health or good food, and the characteristics that make our favorite meals special -- the texture, the flavor, the spice -- can all be easily replicated with plant-based ingredients. Swapping out meat for plant-based protein enables you to find the essence of a dish and really consider why that BLT is so refreshing and tasty or how that peanut satay finds the right balance of spicy, nutty, and sweet. Because its usually not the animal protein that makes a dish unique or exquisite, but rather the harmony of ingredients and specific techniques that make for the best eating. Below is a list of classic comfort meals that have had their meaty ingredients swapped out for plant-based alternatives. Try a few this Monday, and gain a new appreciation for your favorite foods. Cauliflower Buffalo Wings Capture the spicy kick of Buffalo wings without the bones (and the chicken). This super simple recipe for cauliflower Buffalo wings is a definite crowd pleaser. No need to wait for gameday, whip up a batch this Monday.   Chickpea Meatloaf Meatloaf is the iconic comfort food, a centerpiece of many family meals. But you can easily recreate the tang and texture of meatloaf sans the meat. This recipe for vegan meatloaf from Nora Cooks uses a base of chickpeas to mimic the density and richness of traditional meatloaf. Photo & Recipe: Nora Cooks Grilled Portobello Mushroom Burgers with Garlic Mayo You wont be missing ground beef after tasting this grilled portobello burger . The mushrooms are marinated in a homemade barbecue spice mix and grilled until tender. When served, they are loaded up with sweet grilled red onions and savory garlic and chive mayonnaise. Lentil Bolognese Everyone loves one-pot cooking. Swap out ground beef for lentils in this hearty recipe for lentil Bolognese from Tasty. Serve over pasta or zucchini noodles. Photo & Recipe: Tasty     Mushroom Stroganoff Impress an Eastern European mother-in-law or stubborn eater with this cozy and comforting (and completely plant-based) version of beef stroganoff. Mimic the flavor, texture, and creaminess of beef stroganoff by using succulent baby portobello mushrooms, soy sauce, and your favorite brand of plant-based sour cream. Try this mouth-watering recipe for mushroom stroganoff from Vegan Huggs . Photo & Recipe: Vegan Huggs Quinoa Chili Fries Sometimes youve just got to cave to what you crave, but this recipe for quinoa chili fries doesnt have to be a guilty pleasure. By baking your own French fries and making your own chunky vegetarian quinoa chili, youll still feel light as air even after eating second helping.   Seitan Peanut Satay The perfect balance between nutty, spicy, and sweet: enter the seitan satay with spicy peanut sauce. Swap out traditional chicken breast for oven-roasted seitan; you wont be able to tell the difference. Follow this yummy recipe from seitan peanut satay from Sunnyside Hanne . Photo & Recipe: Sunnyside Hanne   Tempeh BLT Crisp, clean, and classic, who doesnt love a BLT? Marinating the tempeh overnight in a mixture of apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, liquid smoke, maple syrup, and spices gives it the flavor of bacon, while baking it in a hot oven recreates its crisp-yet-chewy texture. Check out this recipe for a tempeh BLT from The Curious Chickpea and get ready for next weekends brunch. Photo & Recipe: The Curious Chickpea Vegetable Paella Paella is known for its copious amounts of seafood, chicken, and chunks of chorizo, but you can replicate the delicate flavors of Spanish paella with roasted red peppers, artichokes, kalamata olives, and a variety of spices. Try this tasty vegetable paella from Cookie and Kate . Photo & Recipe: Cookie and Kate   Veggie Meatballs You wont miss regular meatballs after youve tried these better-for-you veggie meatballs . Featuring hearty lentils, mushrooms and walnuts, this recipe is sure to hit the spot next time a meatball craving hits. Serve with your favorite pesto or marinara sauce with some sautéed broccoli rabe, pasta, or polenta with spiraled greens.     Click here  for more Meatless Monday recipes. When posting pictures of recipes to your social media network, tag @MeatlessMonday use #MeatlessMonday to show the plant-based community your creation.   The post Plant-Based Swaps to Recreate Classic Comfort Food Dishes appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Vegan Snickers Snack Bar Recipe

May 12 2020 Vegan Richa 

This vegan snickers recipe is THE BOMB – rich and decadent with a creamy layer of homemade date caramel and crunchy peanuts! These healthy snack bars taste just like the real thing! Theyre also super easy and fun to make. No added refined sugar or oil. Gluten-free option included. Jump to Recipe I got some homemade Vegan Snickers over here! Is anyone interested? I thought so! Now, these are completely made from scratch – vegan date caramel and all. But don’t you worry, making your own candy snack bars is actually pretty dang easy. Not only is this peanut snickers Bars recipe easy, but making your own vegan candy bars is also a guarantee that there are no preservatives, artificial colors, or any questionable ingredients in your and your kids’ sweet treats. The shortbread peanut cookie layer instead of nougat has a few ingredients and is customizable, topped with date caramel and chocolate. And who wouldnt want a homemade Snickers Bar that is actually good for you?Continue reading: Vegan Snickers Snack Bar RecipeThe post Vegan Snickers Snack Bar Recipe appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Happy Mothers Day

May 10 2020 Manjula's kitchen 

My mother and I... Like many of you, during this time at home, I have been trying to get through some organization and general Spring cleaning. It’s really amazing just how much we accumulate through the years. It got me thinking...do we really “need” all these items, or is it just more “stuff”? I wondered if maybe it was time to simplify our lives. I went through closets and closets full of items, opening up suitcase after suitcase filled with a variety of long-forgotten memories. I stumbled upon a suitcase full of old saris and I just couldn’t bear to discard any one of them. It’s because each and every sari has a special story behind it. I am hoping that one of these days I can sit down with my granddaughters and tell them all the stories behind the saris. Who knows maybe they will want to keep some of the saris and wear them? I just hope they do and when they grow up they will remember why the sari was so special to Dadi (grandmother). I know that I still use one of my mothers shawls to this day, despite the fact that it has some tears and is not in the best condition. It doesn’t matter to me because for me, it is somewhat of a security blanket and something to hold onto as a comforting memory of my mother. Of course, going through my belongings comes with memories of my childhood, especially memories of my mother. My mother was one of a kind and just filled with wisdom. Her perspective towards life was very positive. She managed this outlook even though her health was not good. When she was resting, I would sit close to her. She would hold my hand and talk. I could feel her warmth as she softly spoke to me. She was gentle, caring, and giving. Oftentimes, I was left puzzled at some of our conversations because they were deep conversations that were hard for me to understand at my young age. However, now when I think back to those conversations, I understand that she was trying to pass on her values in addition to what things I should let go and give importance to. While she had many health issues, one thing that stood out is that she never complained about feeling unwell. I was the oldest child and often felt I should help her take care of my younger siblings, especially given her health problems. Maybe this was all in my head because, despite her health issues, she was the most positive person and always had a smile on her face. One would never guess she was enduring health issues. My mother was the type of person to always help someone out. She would see someone feeling unwell and immediately bring them home and take care of them. She did this no matter who the person was. I remember feeling confused as to why she bothered helping people she didn’t even know. When I asked her this question, she would simply calmly ask me to bring that person a glass of water. I knew to not question her further. This was simply my mom’s character. She was full of life, always laughing and giggling. She felt it was extremely important to be involved with her childrens lives in every way. My friends loved to hang out with her and felt so comfortable around her. In the back of their minds, I knew they all wanted their moms to be like her. I must have been nine or ten when I decided I would help my mother in cooking and learn the proper way to cook. Her hands had magic. She made simple food but her food always looked and smelled delicious. Even at that time she enjoyed serving food with style and flair. I still remember so many family and friends eagerly await her dinner invitations. When I asked my mother why her food tasted so good, her answer was simple. She smiled and said her first advice was to serve food with a smile. Next, she said always use fresh ingredients and only use spices are to enhance the flavors of the food, and not cover it up. She also emphasized that cooking with love and care were also important ingredients in a dish because they added to the flavors of the dish. Back then, I didn’t understand her answer. How could cooking with love and care be important in a dish? But now I know exactly what she meant. Even today, sometimes when I am tired, I just want to cook something quickly and get out of the kitchen. But then my mother’s words would ring in my ears. She would always say you should never cook if you are tired, irritated, or simply not in the mood. She used to say it would affect the taste of the food. I did not understand what she meant and used to think her food tasted good because she just had great cooking skills and techniques. However, with age and having fed my family for 50 plus years, I realize there was wisdom in my mother’s words. Now when I feed my friends, family, and loved ones, I can see that my mother’s advice was spot on! So, during this time, why not make your family feel loved and cook special dishes for them? I know that I have enjoyed doing so! Stay safe and healthy! The post Happy Mother’s Day appeared first on Manjula's Kitchen.

Vegan Thai Asparagus Stir-Fry

May 4 2020 VegKitchen 

Tender asparagus is a welcome sign of spring, and Thai seasonings--including lemongrass, if you can find some--provide a wonderful way to enjoy them. Celebrate spring by making this recipe for Thai-seasoned asparagus. This healthy stir-fry is vegan, so it’s a snack or appetizer that everyone can enjoy! The post Vegan Thai Asparagus Stir-Fry appeared first on VegKitchen.

My Journey with Alex

May 3 2020 Manjula's kitchen 

Many of you have asked me about the man behind-the-scenes of Manjula’s Kitchen…Well as many of you know, that person is my husband Sikander aka Alex. Alex is responsible for me being in the spotlight of Manjula’s Kitchen, while he prefers to stay in the background. The simple truth is my YouTube channel exists only because of his hard work and dedication. He introduced me to this new concept for me at the time, YouTube. Alex takes the lead on all of the hard work these videos take, from the editing to ensuring the recipes meet his quality control (i.e. taste testing!) Every recipe has to meet Alex’s high standards for being posted. Alex feels so proud when reading the comments on my posts and always tells me that he is my biggest fan. With a huge smile on his face, he will tell me your fans don’t know that the biggest fan of yours is standing right next to you! Alex and I have spent over 50 memorable years together and of course with that comes ups and downs. Sometimes it feels like Alex and I still don’t know everything about each other, and I think that is a good thing! We still love to learn new things about each other. Every day is unique with different challenges. During another lifetime, we ran a business together. For 20 years, we worked in an office together, sitting side by side. It was nice that we got to spend so much quality time together. Now as we enter our golden years, we still enjoy working together, even though we are partially retired. We both work from home and can still enjoy sitting side by side! I cherish the fact that we are never alone. Our marriage was an arranged marriage. In todays times, I recognize that it sounds really outdated. However, ours was an arranged marriage with a happy ending. Alex was my fathers choice. At their first meeting, my father was extremely impressed with him. They first met Alex for about an hour, but it felt like they knew him for a lifetime. My father described him to me with great detail. I was amazed my father could pick up so much on someone he just met! What stuck with me is my father finished by emphasizing that Alex would love and respect me and that because we shared the same values I would be proud of the person I was when with him. My father invited Alex and his family for afternoon tea so that I could meet him myself. I was so curious to see what my father had seen in Alex. I knew that Alex had already decided to marry me and told his father that he was already in love with me. Alex had been working abroad in the U.S. and at this time and was in India visiting his family and to get married. We had just one month before he had to go back to the U.S. for his work. It happened so quickly. We got married within the week. It was at that point it hit me. I would have to move to the U.S. too. My mother was not happy with this situation and was upset at my father. Of course, she didn’t want her daughter to move so far away. I was very confused, but I knew my father he will not take such a big step unless he was sure it was absolutely the right decision. We got married and moved to the U.S. and settled into a brand new way of life. It took some time to get used to a new country, a new language, and most importantly new food. But it was a life we enjoyed discovering together. When my parents visited us in the U.S. the first time, my mother and Alex spent a lot of time together. The immediately formed a great bond, becoming best friends. My parents noticed just how much Alex cared for me and how happy we were together. They would say Alex would light up when I was near him. Alex really enjoys pampering me. The gestures were small, but with great care. Alex happily makes me the best cups of hot tea and always with a smile. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I made tea for myself. He always makes sure I take care of myself, leaving my daily vitamins/­­medicines and water on the kitchen table to make sure I don’t forget. Then there are those times he can sense I need a break and I will see a fresh hot grilled cheese sandwich waiting for me. Everyone (especially our grandkids!) in our family has decided that Alex makes the “world’s best” tea and grilled cheese sandwiches. Of course, we have our share of disagreements and arguments, as every couple does. Alex is not one to say sorry very easily so most of the time I’ll give in and say sorry. The next day I will see a beautiful bouquet of colorful flowers waiting for me and all is well again. I suppose that is how a good marriage works – you know when to give in. I can say with confidence that my father chose correctly for me and I married a man who truly takes care of me. We’ve made a good life for ourselves, with our two sons and their lovely families. More on them later… Stay safe & healthy everyone! The post My Journey with Alex appeared first on Manjula's Kitchen.

Plant-Based Instagram Influencers You NEED to Follow

April 27 2020 Meatless Monday 

Food and Instagram go together like strawberries and chocolate. To satisfy our appetite for mouthwatering meals, a number of amateur and professional cooks are creating and sharing amazing plant-based recipes that you recreate from the comfort of your own kitchen. This Monday, check out our list of favorite plant-based Instagram influencers to follow; theyve got tips for everything from cashew cheese to no-bake coconut cake to basil risotto. Remember, many of these influencers also have websites and YouTube channels as well, so say hello to your new virtual cooking companions! @alphafoodie Samira Kazan, the creator of the @alphafoodie Instagram and alphafoodie.com , is dedicated to showcasing beautifully vibrant ingredients and finished dishes. Her videos are a beautiful blend of technique and presentation. Check out her creative recipes for plant-based Cheddar cheese and gluten-free banana bread. @deliciouslyella A queen of plant-based meal preparation, Ella Mills is an icon when it comes to making simple and delicious food without using animal products. Breakfast bowls, smoothies, sweets, savory grains, and delectable veggies, Ella can do it all, and you can too; check out her Instagram page and blog deliciouslyella.com for step-by-step instructions on how you can recreate her edible masterpieces. @minimalistbaker The mantra of the Minimalist Baker is clear: simple recipes that make you feel good, 10 ingredients, 1 bowl, or 30 minutes or less -- all eaters welcome. With creative ideas for plant-based cakes, brownies, soups, breads, and so much more, youll be using the Minimalist Bakers Instagram as both a source of cooking insights and artful inspiration. @frommybowl Caitlin Shoemaker, the creator of @frommybowl , develops easy-to-follow, vegan recipes that actually taste good. Her food is health-forward, and many of her recipes incorporate a variety of nutritionally-dense ingredients. But most importantly, Shoemakers food looks, well, fun; shes got recipes for no-bake toasted coconut cheesecake, vegan strawberry shortcake, and a gorgeous feel-good red lentil soup. And while her Instagram page doesnt include many videos, you can always check out Shoemakers YouTube channel and website to see her in action. @hotforfood If you want a virtual cooking buddy, look no further than Lauren Toyota, the foodie philosopher behind the Instagram @hotforfood . Charisma and a whimsical approach to food, makes Toyota an excellent source for plant-based cooking. Shes got tons of videos on her Instagram and website , which makes her more of a culinary coach than Instagram influencer. @pinchofyum With over one million followers, @pinchofyum is doing a lot of things right. They have recipes for all of your comfort food favorites -- gnocchi, macaroni and cheese, banana-oat pancakes -- many of which use only vegetarian-friendly ingredients. Scroll through their feed or look at some of their instructive cooking videos and website recipes . @vanillaandbean To satisfy your need for elegant images of food, look no further than @vanillaandbean . This Instagram feed is full of rustic plates, counter tops, and casserole dishes teeming with beautiful meals and ingredients, many of which are plant-based. For full recipes, check out vanillaandbean.com , and let your appetite run wild. @veggie_­inspired Jenn Sebestyen, creator of @veggie_­inspired and author the Meatless Monday Family Cookbook, is a master at coaxing delicious flavors out of plant-based ingredients. Her recipes are easy to follow and appeal to all varieties of eating lifestyles, also available on her website . @woon.heng Woon Heng is a wonderfully inventive home cook (and Meatless Monday contributor) who focuses on cooking up plant-based meals with an Asian flare. Her dishes are unique and easy on the eyes; one look at her Instagram feed will have you stocking up on soy sauce, sesame oil, fresh chile, and udon noodles. Click here  for more Meatless Monday recipes. When posting pictures of recipes to your social media network, tag @MeatlessMonday use #MeatlessMonday to show the plant-based community your creation. The post Plant-Based Instagram Influencers You NEED to Follow appeared first on Meatless Monday.

The Spring Supper Salad

April 23 2020 My New Roots 

Greetings, friends! For fun I am resurrecting one of the blog posts I wrote back in 2010 – a warm butter bean salad bowl, garlic-roasted carrots and wild rice. Why I am re-publishing a decade-old recipe? Well, for one I thought that there are a bunch of new followers around here who have never even seen this delight (hello, by the way)! Second, most of you who have been here since the beginning may have forgotten about it. Third, its the ideal pantry staple recipe. And lastly, because its very, very delicious. Creamy butter beans, golden garlic-y carrots coins, chewy wild rice, crisp and bright pickled onions, silky kale, and refreshing dill, all coming together with a lick-your-lips mustardy dressing that is divine on just about everything – this salad and beyond. I’ve also re-named it the Spring Supper Salad because it’s the perfect seasonal transition meal (yea baby, it’s definitely a meal) incorporating both winter and spring produce and flavours, as we make our way into the light of the upswing! Hooray! This recipe brings back so many memories for me. It was around this time that I had been working in restaurants in Copenhagen for about 3 years. I loved my job, and could hardly believe that someone actually paid me to spend all day in a hot, cramped kitchen, cooking a dozen new dishes every day without a menu or recipes – definitely still in the honeymoon phase. I felt confident in the food I was making, applying my deep understanding of nutrition to recipe development, and I used every day to push myself creatively, keenly aware of how fast I was learning and growing. I was certainly in the vortex, and it was a very exciting time of my life.  I started my shift around 8 am, and the majority of my dishes needed to be ready at 12 noon when we opened the doors for lunch. This is a relatively short window of time to pump out 200 servings of anything, but after some years, I developed short cuts that would deliver a lot of flavour in a hurry. One of these short cuts, was garlic oil – the first thing I would make after tying my apron strings, that would act as a marinade, a roasting medium, and a base for soups, stews, dressings and sauces for the entire day. In fact, I dont think that there were many dishes coming off of my station that didnt have garlic in them back then (such an easy way to make things taste good!). This oil sat on my bench and it got tossed into all the things, and all the people kept coming back for more.  One thing I loved using the garlic oil on, was winter veggies. I could toss them in said liquid gold, crank up the oven, and in half an hour, Id have a blistered, glistening pile of roasted rainbow roots to serve, only needing a squeeze of lemon juice and a smattering of fresh herbs to make it presentable. Who wouldnt want to dive into that?! Plus, it was cheap. Like most restaurants, we were always looking at the bottom line and how we could make even the most humble foods taste exquisite. Garlic oil was the ticket.  At the restaurant, my signature move was combining veggies, grains, and beans in exciting ways (which was very novel at the time!) so this dish emerged from a commercial ovens worth of garlic-roasted carrots needing a home. With some tender and creamy butter beans coming off the stove, and some day-old, steamed wild rice calling out to me from the fridge, this combination came together very organically, taking the varied textures, colours, and flavours into consideration.  The secret to this dish is the consistency of the garlic in the oil. Different from mincing garlic and adding it to oil, here you must must must grate it or blend it up together so it becomes almost paste-like. This way, the garlic goes everywhere the oil does, and evenly caramelizes into the most divine, delectable gold, thats mellow and sweet and roast-y. You will not hate it. Stop! Fiber time. Fiber is probably the least sexy and alluring of all the nutrients we hear about. Its all about Protein! Fat! And if you hear about carbohydrates, its probably something ignorant and unfair (I really hate jerks picking on macronutrients, back off!). Fiber seems pretty boring and something only your grandmother cares about, so why do you need to?   One reason that plant-rich diets are so health-sustaining, is not only due to their high fiber content, but their potential for fiber diversity. In the past, fiber has been broken down into two main categories: soluble and insoluble. Whats new and exciting in this field of research, is that we can see that fiber can be broken down into several more categories (viscous, non-viscous, non-starch polysaccharides, resistant starches etc.) each one bringing forth the potential for diversified food sources for our gut bacteria. In short, the greater the diversity of plants we eat, the greater the diversity of our microbiome.  Why does this matter? Because our gut is the foundation for our overall health. If weve got a wide range of troops on the front lines of our immune system, the better our chances are for not just surviving, but thriving. The fiber we eat also feeds our good bacteria, and specific types of fiber feed specific types of bacteria. Enjoy eating the widest variety of plants you can, to ensure that youre supporting the widest variety of good guys in your digestive system. They will repay you in spades Im tellin ya!  The foods with the highest amounts of fiber are beans and lentils, vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts and seeds (remember that there is no fiber in animal-based foods). Different proportions of soluble, insoluble fiber, as well as viscous /­­ non-viscous fiber, and fermentable fiber can be found in all of these food groups, it is highly recommended that you eat from each of them. And instead of focusing on grams (the minimum daily recommended intake is a measly 25g, not that were talking about that…), we need to focus on diversity. Enjoy as many plant-based foods as you can, and experience the terrain of your body slowly begin to change. Everything comes back to the gut, and not just what you are eating, but what your gut-bacteria are eating too. With this dish, youll be feeding those good guys with fiber from six different plants! Talk about a solid mix. Beans, whole grains, 3 different veggies, plus herbs, add up to serious fiber diversity. Good, good, good fiberations! The fun thing about revisiting this recipe, was seeing if there was anything I would change this time around. I have learned so much and grown incredibly as a cook in the past ten years, so I was surprised that I didnt have many tweaks to make. The only two things I felt this salad needed was a dark leafy green and a pickle – classic Sarah B moves at this point! Since we still dont have any spring greens happening yet, I decided kale was the winner, and obviously it needed to be massaged! I turned the red onions in the original recipe into a quick pickle, as this is another indispensable kitchen technique that Ive learned since posting the first time around. This salad-meal has everything you need and crave from a single bowl: its super flavourful and filling, with all of the textures in the mix to satisfy your noshing desires. The elements can all be made separately, even on separate days, if it seems like too many things to cook at once for a single dish. If you go the rollover route, boil the beans and rice a day or so before (and make extra while youre at it, because meal prep is for winners), and pickle the onions up to a week ahead. The kale can be prepped /­­ massaged a day or so in advance, but the carrots should be roasted right before serving.  If you dont have butter beans, any white bean would work (navy, cannellini, Great Northern, or baby lima beans are some varieties) and if you want to switch up the grain, any kind of rice would work – even millet or quinoa would be delicious! Instead of carrots, use any root veg you have kicking around your crisper: beets, sweet potato, turnip, or winter squash would taste great in the garlic oil. And if dill isnt the herb of your dreams, try substituting it with flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, basil, or tarragon.      Print recipe     Butter Bean, Wild Rice, and Garlic-Roasted Carrot Salad Serves 6-8 Ingredients: 1/­­2 cup wild rice 1 cup dried butter beans 4-5 medium carrots 4 cloves garlic 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 bunch fresh dill sea salt freshly ground black pepper a handful of quick-pickled red onion (recipe follows) 1 batch massaged kale (recipe follows) Dressing: 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. maple syrup 2 Tbsp. raw apple cider vinegar 3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil pinch of sea salt Directions: 1. Soak beans for 8 hours or overnight. Drain, rinse well and cover with fresh water. Add a teaspoon of sea salt. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until beans are soft - about 45 minutes. 2. While the beans are cooking, rinse the wild rice well, drain, and put in a pot. Cover rice with 1.5 cups fresh water, add a couple pinches of sea salt, bring to a boil, and reduce to simmer. Cook until rice is chewy-tender - about 45 minutes. You will know the rice is done when the grains open up to reveal their purple-gray inner portion. 3. Preheat the oven to 400F. While the rice is cooking, wash the carrots and slice them on the diagonal into coins, place on a baking sheet. Grate the garlic with a microplane and combine it with the oil. Pour over carrots and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt. Place in the oven and roast, turning them a few times over the course of 15-20 minutes. The carrots should be cooked but not mushy - al dente! 4. Make the dressing by combining all ingredients together, shake well. 5. Now all the elements come together: Drain and rinse beans in cool water to stop the cooking process. Pour dressing over warm beans and toss. Let sit for 5 minutes or so. Drain the rice if any water remains, cool slightly. Mix with beans. Toss in the carrots, scraping the pan to add garlic oil to the remainder of the ingredients. Throw in the massaged kale, as many pickled onions as you fancy, and an explosion of dill. Cracked black pepper too, if it’s calling to you. 6. Serve immediately and enjoy. Quick-Pickled Red Onion Ingredients: 3/­­4 cup /­­ 175ml raw apple cider vinegar 1/­­2 cup /­­ 125ml water 2 tsp. fine sea salt 3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced Directions: 1. Combine the vinegar, water, salt, and maple syrup in a large jar. Stir to dissolve the salt and syrup. Add the onions to the jar and put them in the fridge. Enjoy after at least 30 minutes, keeps for up to two weeks.  Massaged Kale Ingredients: 3 cups /­­ 90g shredded curly or dino kale Juice of 1/­­2 lemon 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil 2 pinches of fine sea salt, plus more as needed Directions: 1. In a large bowl, combine the shredded kale, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Using your hands, rub and squeeze the kale together as if you are giving it a massage, until the kale leaves are dark green and tender, about 2 minutes. Enjoy immediately in the salad, or store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.  I really hope you enjoy this delicious and satisfying meal soon. These days are asking so much of us, and I continue to come back to the kitchen for grounding, clarity, and connection. There are no answers, just presence. And in that presence I find myself over a cutting board, being grateful for just what is front of me, slicing a carrot, then another, saying thank you for simple things. Love to you all. Stay well and safe out there. xo, Sarah B The post The Spring Supper Salad appeared first on My New Roots.

Protect the Planet by Going Meatless this Monday

April 20 2020 Meatless Monday 

Our daily food choices have a direct impact on the health of the planet. And while its true that all foods need resources to produce, research shows that meat and dairy have the greatest impacts on the environment. This isnt too hard to picture; raising animals to feed billions of people requires huge inputs of land, feed, water, and energy to be processed, stored, and transported. While the environmental impacts of food production can seem daunting, thankfully there are easy and delicious ways to reduce our individual and collective foodprints through eating a more plant-based diet and reducing food waste . But you dont need to go vegan to make a difference; starting small, like going Meatless Monday, is meaningful and can also lead to eating more plant-based foods throughout the week. Meatless Monday Tips for Plant-based Eating Add more fruits and vegetables to your meals Make meals from the Meatless Monday recipe gallery Stock your pantry with plant-based staples for quick and easy meals Enjoy a wide variety of plant-based proteins Load up your spice cabinet for flavorful meatless meals Reduce food waste with inexpensive foods that wont go bad Get the whole family involved with The Kids Cook Monday meatless recipes Just how much of a difference does it make replacing animal products with plant-based foods? To help quantify the power of plant-based eating, weve collaborated with our academic partners at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future to gather the facts and figures behind plant-based foods and the environment. According to calculations from Johns Hopkins, if sixty percent of Americans ate plant-based just one day, it would save the equivalent of 104,000 Olympic swimming pools of water and the land area of the California Redwood Forests. Hungry for more reasons to go Meatless Monday? Check out the facts below to see the impact that livestock production as on the environment, and how you can help minimize those effects by reducing meat and adding more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains into your diet. Water Animal agriculture is responsible for about 70 percent of the worlds freshwater use. By 2050, water demand for livestock production is expected to leave half the worlds population living in water-stressed environments. Research shows that eating a more plant-based diet can decrease agricultural water use by 50 percent. Deforestation The meat industry is the most significant driver of deforestation, clearing approximately 50 million square miles of forest for agricultural purposes each year. Combining pasture and land used for feed crops, 80 percent of the worlds farmlands are used for livestock production. Soil Health Animal agriculture damages soil quality and compromises the health of the ecosystem. Industrial livestock production, through its intensive land management practices, reduces soil fertility and leaves previously fertile regions barren and more prone to natural disaster such as wildfires, flooding, and dust storms. Wide-scale shifts toward more plant-based diets would carry tremendous benefits for soil health and biodiversity. Biodiversity Livestock production has led to over 60% decline in species populations since 1970. Animal agriculture disrupts delicate eco-systems, making it one of the greatest human contributors to species decline. Global Emissions Meat and dairy production remain the most significant contributors of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and of these sources, livestock production is the largest, accounting for an estimated 14.5 percent of global GHG emissions from human activities, according to the United Nations. Interested in learning more about the connection between the food system and the health of the environment? Click here for more facts and figures from our academic partners at Johns Hopkins University. The post Protect the Planet by Going Meatless this Monday appeared first on Meatless Monday.

10 Recipes for When You’re Craving a Snack, Munchy, or Quick Bite

April 13 2020 Meatless Monday 

Sometimes our snack cravings cannot be satisfied with prepackaged crackers or chips or granola bars. In these situations, our mouths demand something more: something fresh or familiar or homemade. Thats why weve compiled a list of our favorite easy-to-make snacks and quick bites. These plant-based recipes offer new versions of classic dishes, many of which are better for your body and overall health. Let baked apple donuts, cauliflower Buffalo bites, and polenta fries provide a temporary escape from the packaged, the frozen, and the processed. This Monday, try experimenting with the snacks and bites below. Apple Donuts Everyone appreciates a freshly baked donut. Whip these up in 30 minutes or less. For the Apple Donuts recipe, click here .     Baked Zucchini Fries No deep-fryer required for these better-for-you veggie fries. This recipe can be made completely plant-based by swapping out the egg, cheese and yogurt with plant-based equivalents. For the Baked Zucchini Fries recipe, click here . Banana Sticky Rice Pull out one of these packets of banana-stuffed coconut sticky rice for a fragrant and fun plant-based snack. The texture of these banana sticky rice pouches are simply divine. For the Banana Sticky Rice recipe, click here . Cauliflower Buffalo Wing Bites We often find ourselves digging through our shelves or refrigerator looking for just a bite. Well, look no further than these super-simple hot-and-spicy cauliflower Buffalo wing bites. For the Cauliflower Buffalo Wing Bites recipe, click here . Cinnamon Ginger Apple Chips Easy as slice, boil, bake. Sprinkle the chips with your favorite seasonings (we recommend ginger, cinnamon, and curry powder) and pop in the oven until crisp. For the Cinnamon Ginger Apple Chips, click here .   Mediterranean Nachos A healthy spin on the everyones favorite junk food, these Mediterranean nachos are loaded with vegetables and fresh herbs. Swap out the fried tortilla chips for some baked whole-wheat pita wedges. For the Mediterranean Nachos recipe, click here . Polenta Basil Fries Create a luxurious alternative to French fries with these simple yet elegant polenta fries. Buy premade polenta (or easily make your own with cornmeal), cut into fry-like sticks, toss with olive oil, fresh basil, salt, and pepper, and bake. All you need is your favorite marinara sauce, and youre ready to start dipping. For the Baked Polenta Basil Fries recipe, click here . Quinoa Chili Fries Chili fries are delicious, but they have a saucy reputation. Clean them up by swapping out meaty chili for a lighter, yet equally flavorful, blend of quinoa, poblano peppers, and beans. For the Quinoa Chili Fries recipe, click here .   Spicy Jalape?o Cashew Cheese Dip This one requires a little bit of foresight: soak cashews the night before and then pop all the ingredients -- cashews, garlic, lemon juice, jalape?os -- into a food processor and blend till creamy. Transfer to a microwave dish, give a quick zap, and voila. Quicker prep tip: soak the cashews in a bowl of very hot water for 20 minutes and use high speed blender. Spicy Jalape?o Cashew Cheese Dip recipe, click here . Three-Ingredient Scallion Pancakes Flour, water, scallions, thats all you need to make these take-out grade scallion pancakes. Blend together a dipping sauce by combining soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, a dash of honey or agave, and some red pepper flakes. For the Three-Ingredient Scallion Pancakes recipe, click here .     Click here for more Meatless Monday recipes. When posting pictures of recipes to your social media network, tag @MeatlessMonday use #MeatlessMonday to show the plant-based community your creation. The post 10 Recipes for When You’re Craving a Snack, Munchy, or Quick Bite appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Sweet & Salty Nut Butter Oat Clusters

April 8 2020 Golubka Kitchen 

Hi! Hope you are doing well. Coming to you with a little pantry treat idea that we’ve been making non stop. We didn’t stock up on too many treats for this stay at home period, just to avoid the temptation of snacking on sweets all day long (which would definitely happen). I’ve already regretted that decision many times though, because sometimes a sweet treat is absolutely needed. Cue me digging through the pantry and trying to put together various forgotten ingredients to scrap something together. I made nut butter the other day, using random bits of different nuts I happened to have on hand from recipe testing. It was so easy and turned out delicious (you can watch me make it here), and I’ve been using the butter to make these very quick oat clusters. I think that everyone loves a sweet and salty pairing, which comes from the combination of maple syrup, miso, and sea salt in this recipe. The whole thing has a sort of salted caramel feel, but made with much healthier ingredients. This recipe can be used as a base, and you can modify it endlessly from there. Include other nuts or seeds, cacao nibs, or chocolate chips in the mix. Add your favorite spices and powders, or dip the clusters in chocolate (which I can’t wait to try). Hope you’ll give them a try! Sweet & Salty Nut Butter Oat Clusters   Print inspired by Rudy Jude Serves: 10-12 small clusters Ingredients 2 tablespoons coconut oil ¼ cup nut butter like almond, cashew, peanut butter or a blend 3 tablespoons maple syrup 1 tablespoon white miso pinch of sea salt ¼ teaspoon cinnamon (optional) ¾ cup rolled oats Instructions Melt the coconut oil and nut butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Turn off the heat and mix in the maple syrup, miso, salt, and cinnamon until smooth. Taste for salt and sweetness and adjust if needed. Add the rolled oats and mix to coat. Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to scoop even-sized oat clusters onto a parchment-covered baking sheet or plate. Put in the freezer for 30 minutes, until the clusters are fully set. Keep in an air-tight container in the refrigerator or freezer. 3.5.3226 The post Sweet & Salty Nut Butter Oat Clusters appeared first on Golubka Kitchen.

Recipe | Easy Baked Arancini

April 6 2020 Oh My Veggies 

Last Thursday I shared my Lemony Asparagus Risotto recipe with you and I promised that there was a part two coming soon. Well, guess what? It’s time for Lemony Asparagus Risotto Part 2: The Reckoning. (That sounds more ominous and vaguely threatening than delicious, huh?) Every risotto recipe I’ve ever made yielded a lot of risotto. A lot. Since it’s just my husband and me in our household, that means there’s always leftovers. But leftover risotto is kind of an abomination. It’s never as creamy as the first day you make it and it’s just kind of off and disappointing and even a little bit depressing. So here’s what you need to do when you have leftover risotto: you need to make baked arancini. Traditionally, arancini is fried in a skillet or deep-fryer. But risotto is a little on the heavy side, so adding even more fat from frying isn’t the best idea. Arancini is often stuffed with cheese too, but I’ve omitted this as well. That doesn’t mean this baked arancini is healthy, but it’s a little more virtuous than its deep-fried, cheese-stuffed counterpart. Done correctly, baked arancini has the same crunchy exterior and creamy interior as the fried […]

Lemon & Poppy Seed Vegan Baked Oatmeal – Healthy

May 17 2020 Vegan Richa 

For a Healthy Baked Oatmeal Recipe that tastes like a lemon and poppy seed muffin, look no further than this gluten-free and vegan Lemon Poppy Seed Oatmeal. Jump to Recipe This Healthy Vegan Baked Oatmeal is a comforting and cozy start to the day – and guess what? It tastes like a Lemon and Poppy Seed Muffin. The type of muffin that reminds us of road trips, picnics, bake sales, and all kinds of light-hearted springtime fun, or is that just me? I used to be all about that bowl of steaming porridge oats in the morning….. lol nope that was not me, I never liked oats! Until I discovered the beauty of baked oatmeal. Since I started making baked oatmeal, Ive fallen in love with the cakey texture and I LOVE  how you can make a big casserole dish in advance and portion it out for a healthy vegan breakfast all week long. Plus you get to play around with so many fun and seasonal flavor options.  Have you tried my PB&J Baked Oatmeal, my Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal or Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal. Bookmark them, oatmeal lovers, and thank me later. Anyways, this is a one-casserole recipe and it is super simple to make – even on a weekday, though I like to prepare it on Sundays to take the edge off Monday mornings! It takes just minutes to put together. Then bake, slice, and serve warm or cold! Continue reading: Lemon & Poppy Seed Vegan Baked Oatmeal – HealthyThe post Lemon & Poppy Seed Vegan Baked Oatmeal – Healthy appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Shawarma Tofu

May 11 2020 Meatless Monday 

You may be familiar with Shawarma, a traditional mix of spit-roasted meats served in a pita, so youll love this meatless spin on a classic Levantine dish. To your health, or L’Chaim! Recipe by Adi Shapira, from Cooking Meatless Monday Israel (in Hebrew). Want more meatless recipes like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly selection of plant-based recipes delivered right to your inbox! Serves 4 - 2 and half cups of hard tofu, cut into thin strips with a carrot peeler - 4 tablespoons olive oil - 2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced half rings - 1 carrot, peeled and cut into thin strips with a carrot peeler   - Spices: - 1 teaspoon turmeric - 1 tablespoon cumin - 1 tablespoon shawarma spice - 1 tablespoon sweet paprika - Optional: - Chili pepper - Salt - 1 teaspoon garlic powder   - Serving suggestion: chopped parsley, tahini salad   Preparation: Place in a bowl: the strips of tofu, a tablespoon of olive oil, and all the spices. Stir. Heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan. Add the onion and fry for about 7 minutes, until golden. Add the carrots and fry while occasionally stirring another 2 minutes. Add the seasoned tofu and stir well. Stir until the tofu is golden at the edges. Transfer to a serving dish or place in a pita bread pocket, finish with chopped parsley and tahini salad. Serve! The post Shawarma Tofu appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Cauliflower Spinach and Chickpeas with Mustard Seed Curry Leaf Sauce

May 7 2020 Vegan Richa 

This easy cauliflower chickpea and spinach sauté features a fragrant Mustard seed & Curry Leaf Sauce – an easy vegan meal that is ready in under 45 minutes. Packed with healthy cauliflower, creamy chickpeas, and superfood spinach in every bite.  Grain-free and gluten-free! Jump to Recipe Coming at you with a dish that is as simple as it is delicious! Could I possibly interest you in some cauliflower, chickpeas and spinach? And South Indian flavors! In my book, these ingredients are just about the greatest things ever. Toss them in a pan with a delicious mustard seed and curry leaf sauce and serve with quinoa, rice, or have it as-is and youve got yourself a simple dish that is sure to please. Toasted mustard seeds, Urad dal lentils, crisp curry leaves, and Sambhar masala add a fabulous complex flavor. An unexpected, sensational combination of simple ingredients that makes for a well-rounded recipe that is a must-try! You got your iron, you got your protein, you got your vitamins. Check, check, check.Continue reading: Cauliflower Spinach and Chickpeas with Mustard Seed Curry Leaf SauceThe post Cauliflower Spinach and Chickpeas with Mustard Seed Curry Leaf Sauce appeared first on Vegan Richa.

10 Tips, Hacks, and Tricks for Tasty Plant-Based Cooking

May 4 2020 Meatless Monday 

Culinary secrets exist, and they can elevate your cooking from good to give-me-seconds. Dinner may never be the same after you start adding a tablespoon of smooth peanut butter to your chili, a splash of soy sauce to your tomato sauce, or a touch of vinegar to soups and stews. When it comes to improving the taste, texture, and flavor profile of your meatless dishes or recreating plant-based versions of animal-based ingredients, its all about knowing the right techniques. Maybe your tofu Buffalo wings didnt come out crispy because you forgot to press the tofu, or your kale not as tender because you didnt massage the leaves. Sure, these suggestions may seem minor, but they can dramatically affect the outcome of a recipe. As we are all doing more home cooking, take a look at the list below and see how you can incorporate these cooking hacks into your next Meatless Monday meal. Add a Spoonful of Peanut Butter to Chili It might sound crazy, but the secret to many award-winning chili recipes is a heaping amount of smooth, creamy peanut butter. The subtle hint of sweet paired with the peanuts inherent nuttiness is enough to balance out the spice and acid of vegetarian chili.   Press Tofu for Crispy Wings Removing the moisture from tofu allows it to get nice and crispy, an important step if youre baking, pan frying, or cooking up Jamaican jerk tofu tacos . To properly press tofu, line a plate with paper towels or clean kitchen towel and place the block of tofu on top. Place another layer of paper towel on the tofu block and apply something heavy -- book, cutting board, pan -- on top. Let it press for at least 20 minutes, replace the paper towels and let it rest for another 10 minutes for extra an extra chewy meaty texture. Massage Kale for Tender Salads Kale needs some TLC to become, well, tender. To break down the tough fibers, rip the leaves off the rib (or stem), add to a bowl, coat with some olive oil, and knead them (as if you would bread dough) for around four minutes. Add them to a Mediterranean salad for a quick weeknight meal. Blend Cauliflower for an All-Purpose Cream Sauce Add richness, depth, and creaminess to any dish with this magic, all-purpose cauliflower sauce . To make this simple sauce, boil cauliflower spears until tender. While boiling, sauté sliced garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Drain the cauliflower and scrape all of the garlic-infused oil into a blender and blend until smooth. Photo Source: FoodieWithFamily Refrigerate Coconut Milk for Easy Whipped Cream Simple, easy, and decadent, refrigerating a can of coconut milk overnight results in a thick and creamy whipped topping for desserts, waffles, or coffee. Add some vanilla extract and powdered sugar for some extra flavor and sweetness.         Freeze Bananas for Nice Cream The best kept secret that every plant-based eater knows about, frozen banana soft serve will change the way you think about dessert. Simply peel a few bananas, throw them in the freezer, and blend them up with some frozen fruit the next day. Maybe add a splash of lemon juice, nut butter, or a sprinkle of maple syrup if so inclined. Photo Source: Detoxinista   Use Avocado in Place of Butter With a one-to-one ratio, you can use avocado to replace butter in most baked goods and desserts. And while avocado wont impart a noticeable flavor, you can also avoid butter by using a non-dairy butter substitute (also a one-to-one ratio).         Make Your Own Plant Parmesan Cheese Parmesan elevates anything from pastas and risottos to soup and roasted vegetables. Recreate the sharp umami flavor of Parmesan with a combination of nutritional yeast, walnuts (or cashews), salt, and garlic powder. Give the mixture a couple of pulses in the food processor and youre good to go. Photo Source: MinimalistBaker Customize a Creamy Tofu Herb Dip Tofu comes in all different types and textures. Blend soft silken tofu together with salt and fresh herbs -- basil, parsley, chive, cilantro, rosemary -- for a quick and easy dip for crudité. Add some avocado or a splash of citrus to round out the flavor. Photo Source: CrowdedKitchen   Finish Cooking Pasta in Sauce for a Creamier Consistency   Contrary to the instructions on the box, pasta should actually be slightly underdone when you drain it. After draining, immediately toss the pasta into the simmering sauce for another two minutes. This helps the pasta absorb the sauce, but it also releases the starch within the pasta, giving the sauce a creamier consistency.       Click here  for more Meatless Monday recipes. When posting pictures of recipes to your social media network, tag @MeatlessMonday use #MeatlessMonday to show the plant-based community your creation. The post 10 Tips, Hacks, and Tricks for Tasty Plant-Based Cooking appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Pizza Potatoes

April 27 2020 VegKitchen 

Marinara sauce, melted vegan cheese, and simple steamed vegetables on a baked potato add up to an irresistible pizza-flavored vegetable dish. Potatoes make for a healthy “crust” that’s low in fat and naturally gluten-free. The kids will love this! The post Pizza Potatoes appeared first on VegKitchen.

Vegan Spanish Cauliflower Rice – Easy One Pot Recipe ( Low Carb)

April 26 2020 Vegan Richa 

 This easy One Pot Vegan Spanish Cauliflower Rice is full of sweet and smoky flavors and super easy to make! A great, healthy low carb alternative to white rice packed with nutrients. Gluten-Free, Paleo, Low Carb, Whole30, and Plant-Based. Jump to Recipe Looking for a quick and easy vegan side dish that is chock full of healthy veggies and brings back memories of carefree vacations in Spain. This easy One Pot Spanish Cauliflower rice is the perfect low-carb complement to any Spanish or Mexican main dish – but really any south-of-the-border meal. This meal is also relatively low-calorie. One cup of cooked cauliflower rice has only about 25 calories, and one cup of cooked brown rice has about 218. So there’s that. A great way to keep things lean without compromising on flavor.Continue reading: Vegan Spanish Cauliflower Rice – Easy One Pot Recipe ( Low Carb)The post Vegan Spanish Cauliflower Rice – Easy One Pot Recipe ( Low Carb) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Feed a Family with These 13 Big-Batch Plant-Based Recipes

April 20 2020 Meatless Monday 

Cooking is a joy, but making every meal from scratch can get tedious, not to mention time consuming. And thats where big-batch cooking comes in. Weve created a list of plant-based recipes that are well suited for families (and leftovers). To do this, we looked through our Meatless Monday recipe database to find dishes that dont require a lot of preparation, are easy to scale up, and are hearty, nutritious, and filling. Although not all the recipes listed below are main dishes, they can still be prepared in large quantities and can be used to accompany other meals as side dishes or mid-day snacks. From Moroccan split pea soup and roasted chimichurri vegetables to Thai pumpkin curry and green tea pesto pasta the options for bulk cooking are only limited by your imagination -- and maybe the size of your stock pot. This Monday, do yourself a favor and cook a batch thats big enough for leftovers.  Black Bean Sesame Veggie Hash This recipe is an opportunity to get creative. Add whatever vegetables you have on hand and cook them up in your biggest skillet with some soy sauce, scallions, garlic, and chile oil. For the Black Bean Sesame Veggie Hash recipe, click here .   Chimichurri Roasted Vegetables Pungent and flavorful, these roasted vegetables can be prepared in bulk. The aromatic parsley-based chimichurri sauce is easy to scale up as well. For the Chimichurri Roasted Vegetables recipe, click here .         Freekeh Pilaf Swapping out rice for freekeh -- an ancient grain made from roasted green durum wheat -- makes for a healthier and more textured version of this classic dish. As with any pilaf, the flavor is only as good as the broth you use to cook it in, so make sure to use a nice, flavorful vegetable stock when cooking. For the Freekeh Pilaf recipe, click here . Ginger Orzo Brussels Sprouts Salad Chunks of butternut squash and Brussels sprouts makes this fragrant and flavorful ginger orzo more of a main meal than a side dish. The recipe serves eight, so expect leftovers, which is a plus because the flavors become more pronounced after they spend a night in the refrigerator. For the Ginger Orzo Brussels Sprouts Salad, click here . Green Tea Pesto Pasta An exceptionally unique recipe, this green tea pesto pasta is perfect to make in big batches. You can also make extra sauce and keep it in a plastic container for when pasta cravings hit. Add any variety of vegetables -- cherry tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli -- to add some oomph to the meal. For the Green Tea Pesto Pasta recipe, click here . Lemon Ginger Peas Frozen peas are humble ingredients, but they can be wonderfully delicious. This dish is simple to prepare and can be made in large batches, depending on how many bags of frozen peas youre willing to store in your freezer. Experiment with different seasoning combinations to keep your taste buds guessing. For the Lemon Ginger Peas recipe, click here . Meatless Brown Rice Jambalaya This meat-free jambalaya is packed with smoke, heat, and creole flavor. The recipe feeds six and doesnt require much in terms of prep -- just sauté the aromatics, pour in the stock, beans and rice, bring to a boil, and simmer away until the rice is fluffy and tender. For the Meatless Brown Rice Jambalaya recipe, click here .     Moroccan Split Pea Soup No matter the season, a hearty cauldron of split pea soup can feed an army. Besides being incredibly affordable, split peas are easy to prepare and packed with protein and fiber. Moroccan-inspired seasonings add a refreshing punch of flavor to each spoonful. For the Moroccan Split Pea Soup recipe, click here . Quick and Easy Hummus Making your own hummus is so much more affordable than buying it prepackaged at the store. Double or triple this recipe (depending on the size of your food processor), and have delicious, creamy hummus available all week. For the Quick and Easy Hummus recipe, click here . Roasted Parsnip and Spinach Shepherds Pie Hello leftovers. Making a platter of this shepherds pie will feed a large family. Prep the platter the day before cooking and store in the refrigerator if you want an easy weeknight meal. For the Roasted Parsnip and Spinach Shepherds Pie recipe, click here . Thai Tofu Pumpkin Curry This recipe can easily be doubled if you want an extra few servings the following day. Although it calls for pumpkin, feel free to incorporate eggplant, extra tofu, or a bag of frozen spinach to add more heft to the dish. For the Thai Tofu Pumpkin Curry recipe, click here . Vegetarian Gumbo Gumbo gets its color and flavor from its roux -- a paste-like mixture of flour and fat. This recipe is rich, decadent, packed with vegetables, and easy to scale up. For the Vegetarian Gumbo recipe, click here . Zucchini Scallion Cakes As simple as making pancakes, you can whip up a few dozen of these lemony zucchini cakes in no time. For the Zucchini Scallion Cakes recipe, click here . Click here  for more Meatless Monday recipes. When posting pictures of recipes to your social media network, tag @MeatlessMonday use #MeatlessMonday to show the plant-based community your creation. The post Feed a Family with These 13 Big-Batch Plant-Based Recipes appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Rava Uttapam (Instant Sooji Uttapam)

April 13 2020 Manjula's kitchen 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Print Rava Uttapam (Instant Sooji Uttapam) I have been wanting to do a video it should be easy and more versatile, ingredients maybe you have in your pantry. Utttapam a South Indian popular dish. Traditionally Uttapam is made with rice and lentil batter, which can be a long process, soaking, grinding then fermenting the batter. Rava Uttappam, on the other hand is instant and easy to make, with a variety of vegetables of your choice. It tastes delicious also can be served for breakfast, as a snack or for dinner. Rava Uttapam will be enjoyed by all ages. Uttapam is like a thick Dosa or Spicy pancake topped with vegetables. If you are serving this as a traditional Uttapam serve this with sambar and coconut chutney. But Rava Uttapam can be served with any chutney or condiment. Many times, I prefer this as a light dinner and enjoy with sprinkling samber powder, giving a traditional touch. The other reason I wanted to do this recipe as I said before I wanted to do the recipe more versatile you can use this batter for making Idli, because Rava Idli can be used for making so many recipes. I have many related recipes on my website like Masala Idli, Idli Manchurian. This recipe will serve 4. Course Breakfast, Snack Cuisine Indian Keyword Appetizers, Bhartia Khana, Bread Uttapam, Coconut Chutney, Halwa, Healthy, Homemade, Idli, Jain Food, Mandir Food, No Garlic, No Onion, Quick And Easy, Rava Dosa, Samber, Savory Pancake, Sheera, Snack, South Indian Cuisine, Swami Narayan, Vegetarian, Video Recipe Prep Time 20 minutes Cook Time 10 minutes Servings 4 people Ingredients1 cup sooji coarse, semolina 1/­­2 cup yogurt curd, dahai 1/­­2 cup cabbage finely chopped 1 cup bell pepper finely chopped (capsicum, shimala mirch) 1 cup tomatoes finely chopped, remove the seeds 1 Tbsp cilantro finely chopped 1 Tbsp green chili finely chopped 2 tsp ginger shredded, adrak 1 tsp salt 1 tsp ENO fruit salt For Seasoning1 Tbsp oil 1/­­4 tsp cumin seeds jeera 1/­­4 tsp mustard seeds rai Also need2 Tbsp oil to cooking InstructionsIn a bowl mix sooji, salt, green chili, ginger, cilantro, cabbage, yogurt, and add water as needed batter should be little thicker than dosa batter. In a small bowl heat the oil over medium heat, oil should be moderately hot, add cumin seeds and mustard seeds as seeds crack add to the batter, mix it well. Let the batter set aside for at least 15 minutes. Add Eno Fruit Salt to the batter just before you are ready to make Uttapam and mix well. The mixture will begin light and foaming. Heat the skillet over medium heat and lightly grease the skillet. Pour about 2 large spoons of batter and spread consistency should be of thick then dosa. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of bell pepper and tomatoes press it lightly into the batter. Pour about 1 teaspoon of oil around uttapam and cover it and let it cook for about 2 minutes and turn them over, uttapam should be golden brown from bottom making crisper, and top should be cooked well but not brown. Uttapam should be cooked over low medium heat. Uttapam is ready to serve. I like to sprinkle lightly samber powder to add extra flavor. NotesServing suggestions - You can serve the Rava Uttapam with sambar, coconut chutney or your choice of condiment. Additional Notes - Adding tomatoes and bell pepper gives a traditional look to Uttapam. - I add green chilies and cilantro in the batter to keep the colors better. - You can choose your choice of vegetables like shredded carrots, finely chopped green beans, corn, finely chopped spinach (these are the veggies I have tried). - Do not cook on high heat, uttapam will not cook through. - If I am making Uttapam to serve as a starter I make the uttapam in small sizes, otherwise make it in about 7-inch diameter. What size you want to make it is your choice. The post Rava Uttapam (Instant Sooji Uttapam) appeared first on Manjula's Kitchen.

Peanut Stew with Kidney Beans & Coconut Milk – Vegan

April 12 2020 Vegan Richa 

This deliciously creamy and rich Vegan Peanut Stew makes for a warm and comforting weeknight meal thats super easy to make using just One Pot. Gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, oil-free option and plant-based!  Today we are gonna stir some peanut butter into a kidney bean stew and trust me, you will love it! Enter – Vegan Peanut Stew! I know peanut butter and kidney beans might sound like a strange combination but you have to trust me when I say its amazing. If this is the first time you ever make a peanut-based stew or curry, you’re in for a delicious treat. This unique peanut, tomato, and coconut milk-based stew is so incredibly flavorful, super comforting, and is truly a hug in a bowl. The nutty peanut flavor lends itself beautifully to the creamy sweet kidney beans and served over some rice, this hearty vegan stew surely makes for a nutritious meal perfect for weeknights.Continue reading: Peanut Stew with Kidney Beans & Coconut Milk – VeganThe post Peanut Stew with Kidney Beans & Coconut Milk – Vegan appeared first on Vegan Richa.

mug cake recipe in pressure cooker | eggless chocolate mug cake

April 6 2020 hebbar's kitchen 

mug cake recipe in cooker | chocolate mug cake in pressure cooker with step by step photo and video recipe. cake recipes have become one of the popular choices for many indians. particularly with the younger generations who prefer to have something quick, yummy and also in small portions. one such ideal and healthy cake recipe is chocolate mug cake recipe in pressure cooker. The post mug cake recipe in pressure cooker | eggless chocolate mug cake appeared first on Hebbar's Kitchen.

Vegan Coconut Caramel Energy Balls (Coconut Caramel Bites)

April 5 2020 Vegan Richa 

These easy Vegan Coconut Caramel Energy Balls are a healthy 3 ingredient snack that you can whip up in minutes in your food processor. Samoa  Cookie Bites in 5 mins! Naturally sweetened, paleo, and the perfect healthy treat both kids and adults will love. Jump to Recipe These vegan coconut caramel balls (aka bliss balls) are a nice healthy sweet treat to have around the house for whenever you feel like a little pick-me-up. They are so easy to make and can last a while in the fridge. To make these healthy date caramel coconut balls, all you need is a food processor and 4 ingredients, one of them being salt, so it’s really more like 3 ingredients. No baking required! They are wonderfully soft and creamy and taste a bit like salted caramel candy /­­ samoa cookies! thanks to the combination of toasted coconut and fiber-rich dates. A healthy snack I feel good about reaching for any time. These babies are wholesome and decadent at the same time!Continue reading: Vegan Coconut Caramel Energy Balls (Coconut Caramel Bites)The post Vegan Coconut Caramel Energy Balls (Coconut Caramel Bites) appeared first on Vegan Richa.