Miso Lentils with Caramelized Cauliflower (vegan)

Recipe from BOSH
Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen
Makes 4 generous servings

My husband and I loved this dish.  Though the ingredient list is long, most of the ingredients are spices.  The method is pretty basic. Be sure to have everything measured and prepped before beginning, as it comes together quickly. The dish tasted quite good as leftovers, so you can make this on your food prep day. Be sure to serve with some sort of grain and/or flat bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.  

Ingredients for the Cauliflower
1 medium cauliflower, cut into small florets
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 Tablespoon brown rice miso paste
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon maple syrup
1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Ingredients for the Lentils
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
2 medium onions, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 inch piece of fresh ginger (I used 1 Tablespoon minced ginger from a jar.)
1 red chili (I used ½ jalapeno, minced)
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons plant-based butter
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
6 curry leaves
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 oz. can of chopped tomatoes
2 (15 oz.) cans lentils (I used 2 cups cooked homemade French lentils. Be sure to rinse and drain the lentils whether you’re using canned or homemade.)
2 Tablespoon miso paste
1 small lime, juiced (I would begin with 1 Tablespoon juice, taste and then go from there.)
1 Tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

Ingredients for Serving

½ cup plant-based yogurt
1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice, or to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste

the Roasted Cauliflower florets
Toasted seeds (I used Smokey Granola.)
Plant-based Naan bread or Roti or brown rice or other grain

Preheat the oven to 425F. Cut the cauliflower into bite-sized florets.  Add the olive oil, miso paste, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, paprika and maple syrup to a large bowl. Whisk together well.  Add the cauliflower and toss until thoroughly coated. Transfer to a baking tray and roast for 30 minutes, mixing half way until tender and caramelized.

Heat the oil and butter in the pan over medium heat.  Add the mustard seeds and coriander seeds and fry for 30 seconds or until they start to pop. Add the cumin seeds, curry leaves, bay leaf and fry for 1 minute until fragrant.  Add the onions and the chili to the pan and fry for 6-7 minutes until soft and golden. Add the turmeric and paprika and fry for 30 seconds. Add the rinsed and drained lentils and stir for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, miso paste and maple syrup, stir to combine and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Pour in the coconut milk, stir to combine and simmer for 3-4 minutes.  Add the lime juice and cilantro.  Stir, taste and adjust seasoning. 

 
Add the coconut yogurt, lime juice, salt and pepper, to taste, to a small bowl and stir to combine. Add a little water to loosen if needs be. Drizzle over the yoghurt, sprinkle over the toasted nuts/seeds, garnish with cilantro leaves, top with the cauliflower florets and serve immediately with the bread of your choice or grain.

Curried Broccoli Chickpea Salad (Vegan)

Recipe from Ambitious Kitchen

Husband-Tested in Alice's Kitchen

Makes 4 generous servings

What a treat this was!  This salad was absolutely delicious and good enough for company.  It's easy to make and tastes great after it has a while for the flavors to meld, and that means it's perfect for food prep day.  As you can see in the photo, I served the salad over some greens.  I actually forgot to put in the chickpeas, so I served it along side some Trader Joe's Giant Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce.  In my defense, we had spent the afternoon working on taxes and so my brain was a bit frazzled.  Ha!

For the salad:

1 head of broccoli, very finely chopped*

1 cup shredded carrots (about 3 small carrots or 2 large)

1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup toasted* sliced almonds (can also use chopped roasted almonds)

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 bunch green onions, chopped OR 1/2 red/purple onion, minced

¾ cup chopped fresh cilantro

For the dressing:

1/4 cup tahini

1/2 large lemon, juiced

3-5 tablespoons warm water, to thin dressing (I used 4 Tablespoons.)

1 clove garlic, finely minced

2 teaspoons pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon yellow curry powder

½ Tablespoon freshly grated ginger

½ teaspoon ground turmeric

½ teaspoon salt

Freshly ground black pepper

In a large bowl, add finely chopped broccoli, chickpeas, carrot, cranberries, green onion, and cilantro. Set aside.

Make the dressing by whisking together the following ingredients in a small bowl: tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, maple syrup, curry powder, ginger, turmeric, salt and pepper. Immediately drizzle over salad and toss to combine. Sprinkle almonds on top and toss a few more times.

Serve immediately with fresh squeeze of lemon or place in the fridge for later. Salad will keep well up to 5 days.

Recipe Notes:

*I blanched the broccoli putting it in boiling salted water for 2 minutes and then plunging it in ice water.  I drained the broccoli and patted it dry (so the dressing would stick) and then proceeded with the recipe.  I find blanching broccoli takes any bitterness away.  It also brightens the green which is quite appealing to me.

*If you are making this for a party with several other dishes, it will most likely serve 6 rather than 4 people.

*To toast almonds: Add sliced almonds to a pan and place over medium heat. Use a spatula to stir the almonds; stirring every 30 seconds or so until they are nice and golden brown, about 5 minutes total time. If pan begins to smoke, make sure to reduce the heat to prevent burning.

Nutrition Information: (1 of 4 servings)

Calories 434; Calories from Fat 159; Fat 17.7g; ; Carbohydrates 56.4g; Fiber 14.9g; Sugar 15.6g; Protein 15.8g

Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry Soup

Roasted Cauliflower & Potato Curry Soup and 

Seeded Whole-Grain Quick Bread served with fresh grapes make a meal fit for a king.

Recipe from EatingWell Magazine

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Makes Eight 1½ cup servings

As you make this rich and silky soup, your neighbors might come running over to see what smells so wonderful.  Even though there is chopping and roasting involved before the soup comes together, it will be totally worth the effort because it not only tastes really good, but it makes a large pot of deliciousness to last you a few days.  In fact, I thought it tasted even better the next day (as most soups do.) My husband loved this soup because it has a sweetness about it coming from the sweet potatoes and the roasted cauliflower.  Good enough for company on a cold winter’s night, serve it up with some homemade bread, some fresh grapes or a crisp green salad. 

2 teaspoons ground coriander

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

1½ teaspoons ground turmeric

1¼ teaspoons kosher or sea salt

¾ teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 small head cauliflower, cut into small florets (about 6 cups)

2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1 large onion, chopped

1 cup diced carrot

3 large cloves garlic, minced

1 ½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger

1 fresh red chili pepper (serrano or jalapeño, minced, plus more for garnish, if desired)

1 (14 oz.) can no-salt-added tomato sauce

4 cups low sodium (or homemade) vegetable broth

3 cups diced peeled russet potatoes (½ inch dice) (I used unpeeled small red potatoes.)

3 cups diced peeled sweet potatoes (½ inch dice)

2 teaspoons fresh lime zest

2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 (14 oz.) can coconut milk

Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish, if desired

Preheat the oven to 450F.  Combine the coriander, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, salt, pepper and cayenne in a small bowl.  Toss the cauliflower with 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 1 Tablespoon of the spice mixture to coat.  Spread it in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.  Roast the cauliflower until the edges are browned, 15-20 minutes.  Set aside.  Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and the carrot and cook, stirring often, until starting to brown, 3-4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring often, until the onion is soft, 3-4 minutes.  Add the garlic, ginger, chile, and the remaining spice mixture.  Cook and stir for 1 minute.  Add the tomato sauce, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer for 1 minutes.  Add the broth, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lime zest and lime juice.  Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 35-40 minutes.  Stir in the coconut milk and the roasted cauliflower.  Return to a simmer until everything is heated through.  Serve garnished with cilantro and chiles, if desired.

Nutritional Information: (per 1½ cup serving) 272 calories; 15 g fat (10 g sat. fat); 33 g carbohydrates; 8 grams sugars (0 added sugars); 5 g protein; 7 g fiber; 509 mg sodium; 911 mg potassium

Ginger-Carrot Dressing

Recipe from Smitten Kitchen

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Makes about 1¼ cups dressing

This dressing recipe is a keeper.  This was a big hit with the hubster.  I loved it too.  This recipe yields enough for 2-3 salads.  I first drizzled it over a simple salad with just Bibb lettuce, avocado, and red onion. But then the next day, I made a more elaborate salad (pictured) topped with roasted salmon.  Soooo good!

1 large carrot, peeled and roughly chopped

1 small shallot, peeled and roughly chopped

2 Tablespoons roughly chopped fresh ginger

2 Tablespoons white miso

2 Tablespoons brown rice vinegar or unseasoned rice vinegar

2 Tablespoons toasted sesame seed oil

¼ cup neutral oil (I used canola.)

2 Tablespoons water

Add the carrots, shallots and ginger to a high powered blender.  Process until finely chopped.  Scrape down the sides of the blender, then add the miso, vinegar, and sesame oil.  While the machine is running, slowly drizzle in the oil and the water.  Process until very smooth.  Store in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions:

Drizzle this dressing over a salad made with some or all of the following:  Bibb lettuce, Romaine lettuce, or other greens, thinly sliced red onion, avocado chunks, carrot strips, chives, red peppers, diced cucumber, blanched snow peas or sweet peas or broccoli florets, toasted pumpkin or sesame seeds.  If you are not vegan or vegetarian, you can also top the salad off with some roasted salmon or shrimp.