It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t like ceviche, but if you are trying to eat less animals, finding a good ceviche can be a challenge. Enter- Spicy Cauliflower Ceviche with Coconut Milk & Peanuts! This recipe is honestly to die for, and you can add all sorts or additions or exchanges to make it your own.
Once you have the cauliflower method down you are off and runnin’. I served it with some Rhythm Superfoods Beet Chips, both on the side and crumbled on top for an interesting and sweet crunch. You can also serve with tortilla or plantain chips for dipping. It’s plant-based (aka vegan), paleo, dairy-free and dee-lish!
Spicy Cauliflower Ceviche with Coconut Milk & Peanuts
3/4 lb cauliflower, cored and cut into baseball size chunks (about 1/2 medium head) 2 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped 3/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt Zest of 1 lime (more…)
Kelp noodles are one of my favorite ingredients these days and this Zucchini Pasta & Kelp Noodles with Sunflower Cilantro Pesto dish is a happy new addition to my growing repertoire of both kelp and zucchini noodle recipes..
I LOVE to eat and I don’t count calories. Yet there is no denying that too many of them can be unkind. Enter kelp noodles! Now the words “kelp noodles” do not conjure up visions of an unctuous and mouthwatering morsel….however they have no flavor and are basically a vehicle for amazing sauces.
The only trick however is that while they do not need to be cooked, they do need to be soaked in warm filtered water and baking soda for at least 20 minutes to let them soften. This is not something that you will find instructed on the packaging…it seems to be underground intel that I am happy to have, and happy to share! So whether you are ambitious to make the recipe below or you just want to throw some store-bought pesto or peanut sauce on these puppies you will not be disappointed, I promise!
Sprouts are fun and easy to grow and are delicious, alkaline and packed full of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. These fun little projects are also a great source of vitamins E, C, B and A as well as potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium and protein. Sprouting unlocks the nutrients & protein inside the plant cells more readily and makes the protein found beans as well as nuts & seeds more bioavailable and more digestible. Sprouting as well as soaking, or fermenting foods also significantly reduces enzyme inhibitors, greatly increasing the digestibility and absorption of all nutrients in food, including amino acids.
Step #1 Select Your Bean & Quantity: Use organic beans such as adzuki, lentils, mung beans or chickpeas. The beans beans will at least double in size during sprouting, so only prepare as many sprouts as you can eat in about 4 weeks. The fastest to sprout are mung beans and lentils, especially if you live in a humid climate. My favorite beans are adzuki beans (shown here) for their nutty texture, high protein and iron and anti-oxidant content. Most dry beans are good for sprouting but you want to avoid black beans as they can be toxic. Note that “split” beans or peas will not sprout.
Step #2- Soak Your Beans: Place your beans in a wide-mouthed glass jar and fill with filtered water until the beans are covered by about 4 inches of water (use this rule for any amount for beans). Allow them to soak in the water overnight, or for about 8 to 12 hours and then rinse and drain them very well as they can go off if they are too moist. I do this several times inside the jar. Cover with a piece screen from the hardware store (shown here) or a piece of cheesecloth. Leave the jar in a semi-lit place while the beans sprout (I like my kitchen near the window). (more…)
I went to Italy a few years ago with a group from Slow Food Miami to the Terra Madre global food gathering…to say it was breathtaking, fantastic and delicious would be a huge understatement. If you are interested in food, sustainability and a global community that impact change through food- I highly recommend it!
I also recommend trying this Herbed Farinata with Roasted Garlic & Tomatoes- my adaptation to an incredible dish that I discovered while on this trip. Farinata is a Tuscan street food made with garbanzo or chickpea flour and topped with pizza-like toppings. You make a thin crepe type batter and pour into a hot pan and then add your favorite toppings. It makes a quick, protein-rich meal that is delish and super fast. You can keep it simple or add any toppings you want, and of course it is gluten-free and vegan if you choose.
Austin LOVES tacos…well and who doesn’t quite frankly? I think we love them because they can be filled with just about anything- which is part of the fun. Get creative to celebrate National Taco Day or just follow the this delicious and plant-based and paleo friendly recipe below for Eggplant Banh Mi Tacos and you cannot go wrong. This recipe was developed in collaboration with our incredibly talented chef Heather Valdes for a summer cooking class. The initial recipe was made with shiitake mushrooms, yum! This one was adjusted to use up some of the bountiful eggplant happening in Austin & Miami right now. Whatever your filling choice, this is a great template for all sorts of interesting options.
Eggplant Bánh Mì Tacos with Pickled Veggies & Spicy Aioli
Quick Pickled Veggies~ 1 medium carrot, julienne or grated (or butternut squash to be uber seasonal) 1-1/2 cups cucumber, thinly sliced into thin half moons 1/2 cup unseasoned rice vinegar 1/3 cup filtered water 2 Tablespoons maple syrup 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt
Eggplant Filling~ 3 Tablespoons coconut oil 1-1/2 pounds eggplant, cut into ¼ inch x 3 inch strips 3 Tablespoon reduced sodium tamari 2 Tablespoons filtered water 1 Tablespoon maple syrup 1 Tablespoon Siracha (or to taste) 2 teaspoons rice vinegar 3 large cloves garlic, minced 1” piece of ginger, minced Freshly ground black pepper
Tacos & Optional Garnish~ 8 small corn tortillas, warmed through either in the oven or on a stove top Lettuce Wraps instead of tortillas Generous handful of fresh cilantro and/or mint- tough stems removed Scallions, thinly sliced on bias Thinly sliced radish Chopped Peanuts
Quick Pickled Veggies: Add all ingredients to a large glass jar, secure the lid, and shake for 10 to 15 seconds to mix. You’ll want to allow the vegetables to soak for at least 30 minutes (at room temp) up to 24 hours- the longer the better. If you plan to do hours in advance, place the jar in the fridge until ready to assemble.
Eggplant Filling: Whisk together the maple syrup, tamari, chili garlic paste, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger and black pepper in a small mixing bowl and set aside.
Heat a large sauté pan over high heat, add the coconut oil and the eggplant and reduce the heat to medium and cover. Cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring as needed to prevent burning.
Add the tamari mixture to the pan and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce is absorbed, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat.
To Assemble~
Fill each corn tortilla with a small spoonful of the eggplant and then the pickled vegetables. Drizzle with the aioli (recipe follows) and top with the fresh, cilantro, mint, scallions and peanuts if using. Serve immediately.
Tip & Notes~
This recipe would also be delicious with a variety of mushrooms or other veggies such as squash, peppers, cauliflower or broccoli.
Siracha Aioli
1/2 cup mayo of your choice (we like brands with very little ingredients- Just Mayo is a good one) 2 Tablespoon sriracha Juice of one lime 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika Salt to taste
Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Allow to sit overnight for flavor to develop if you have time.
Everyone is looking for exciting vegetable side dishes. These tasty little parcels are super fun, fast and a neat crowd pleaser. Many different veggies will work and you can even place a piece of fish inside the parchment for a full and flavorful meal.
Mixed Mushroom Parcels with Sherry & Herbs
INGREDIENTS:
6 cups mixed sliced mushrooms, such as shiitakes, oysters or chanterelles or portabellas, cleaned and de-stemmed 1 small head of fennel, tops and core removed and sliced very thin (I use a mandolin) 6 large cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley 6 large stems of tarragon or dill, stems removed and chopped 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/3 cup dry sherry, marsala or madeira 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar Salt and pepper to taste 6 slices of butter, about 1/8 inch thick (optional)
Step #1 Select Your Bean & Quantity:
Eggplant Filling~
