De Ma Cuisine

Vegetarian Archive

Friday

1

November 2019

0

COMMENTS

Avocado Toast

Written by , Posted in Bread, Breakfast, Brunch, Dairy-Free, Fruit, Herbs, Lunch, Quick and Easy, Sandwiches, Snacks, Toasting, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

I was kinda slow to get on the avocado toast bandwagon. It was so trendy that it got annoying. But, now, I love it. Ugh. It’s probably not trendy anymore. Kinda like skinny jeans. I was late there too. Now I wear them and have no idea if they’re still in style.

You know the part in You’ve Got Mail where they’re stuck in the elevator and Parker Posey says “Arghh! Where are my Tic Tacs?!?!” I feel like her when I say “ugh”.

I usually top avocado toast with a fried egg. But, it didn’t sound good today. I’m trying to get better at listening to myself. Not just eating things because I want them or because they’re there. I’m also trying to be better at having grace for the times when I do. It’s ok. All things in moderation, including moderation… I think Julia Child said that. Gosh I like her!

I had a bruised avocado and a tomato with a bad spot. Perfect. They go well together. I try to keep lots of seeds on hand. They are perfect for topping things like oatmeal, salads, and to put in granola. They also go well on avocado toast.

Today I went for chia, sunflower, sesame, and flax. Plus I added some hemp hearts that have been in the freezer since the last house, but are somehow just fine.

I mixed everything together with a bit of olive oil, some omega 3 oil (Brando and I have started taking it daily), salt, pepper, and Italian hot salt. I had micro greens from a sample at work that went under the avocado mixture. Maldon salt that went over top. Perfect. Done.

Happy Eating!

Avocado Toast

Serves 2

You don’t really need a recipe. Use this as a loose guideline.

Ingredients

  • 2 slices bread, toasted
  • 1-2 avocados, mashed (I can eat a whole one myself)
  • 1 plum tomato (or whatever you have on hand), diced (seeded if it’s super juicy)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives
  • 1 tablespoon roasted and salted sunflower seeds
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon hemp hearts
  • 1 tablespoon flax seeds
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • pinch salt
  • pinch Italian Hot Salt (or cayenne)
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Omega 3 oil (optional)
  • a handful of microgreens
  • Maldon salt, for topping

Directions

  1. Toast bread.
  2. Mix together the avocado through omega 3 oil.
  3. Top the toasted bread with sprouts and the avocado mixture. Top with a pinch of Maldon salt.

Wednesday

2

October 2019

0

COMMENTS

Roasted Grain Bowls

Written by , Posted in Breakfast, Brunch, Condiments, Dinner, Eggs, Grains, Herbs, Leftovers, Lunch, Main Dishes, Quinoa, Rice, Roasting, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

I’m sitting here shoveling this food into my face hole and I keep wondering what that B.O. smell is… Oh. It’s the unused scallions. Why even do they smell like that?! It’s kinda gross.

Not quite as yucky as dog toots, rotten stuff, or humidity. But, off-putting none-the-less.

Speaking of humidity, it’s kinda warm and rainy and humid today. Buuuuuut, tomorrow it’s gonna be in the 50s, Friday night it could freeze, and that, plus the blanket of leaves on our lawn, is making it feel like fall. Which makes me want to eat all the soup and bake all the things.

Today I baked an apple cake and some sandwich bread. I also roasted cauliflower for my lunch, even though what I really wanted were the Red and Green Enchiladas that I made a few weeks ago. But, I don’t have any tortillas and I didn’t want to go to the store or make them. I had the oven on and a bit of time before while the bread rose. I figured I should do something with the very old cauliflower that I’d forgotten about in the crisper. I tossed it with olive oil and salt and let it roast for a while.

I had frozen the leftover farro from the Kale and Farro salad that I made at the beginning of September. It was thawed and in the fridge, ready to be used. I added it to the baking sheet when the cauliflower was browned and delicious. Plus the stinky scallions, a smidge more salt, some Italian Hot Salt, and a grind of black pepper. It just needed to get warm and a bit crispy.

I’m sorry I said “stinky scallions”. That doesn’t make things sound delicious.

I wanted one more element, so I fried an egg in butter and popped it on top. Over-medium, so the yolk could run through the farro. Everything got topped with some local Sriracha and a bit of Maldon salt.

You could skip the egg and top it with a plomp of Fabanaise, to make it vegan. You could use brown rice, barley, or bulgur wheat instead of farro (maybe quinoa?? not sure how it would do – it could end up as tiny crispy bits… nope, that still sounds delicious). Just adjust your baking time accordingly. If you have broccoli, that would be perfect, carrots might be great, you could even use those green beans that are still growing in your garden. Treat this recipe as a starting point. Remember, you’re the boss of your meal. Make it how you want.

Happy Eating!

Roasted Grain Bowls

Serves 2

Ingredients

  • 1 small head cauliflower, core removed, chopped into medium-sized pieces
  • 1 1/2 T olive oil
  • 1/2 t salt, divided
  • 2 C cooked farro (can sub: brown rice, barley, or bulgur wheat)
  • 1/2 T chopped scallions
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • Italian Hot Salt (or a pinch of cayenne)
  • 1/2 T unsalted butter or olive oil (optional)
  • 2 eggs (optional)
  • Sriracha, for serving
  • Maldon salt, for serving

Directions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Roast, turning once, until cauliflower is tender and browned, about 30 minutes (time may vary depending on your oven).
  3. Add the farro, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, the scallions, black pepper, and Italian Hot Salt or cayenne. Toss with the cauliflower. Bake until the farro is hot and a bit crispy, about 5 minutes.
  4. Fry the eggs in hot butter to desired doneness.
  5. Divide the farro and cauliflower mixture between two plates and top each with a fried egg, some Sriracha, and some Maldon salt.

Tuesday

23

July 2019

0

COMMENTS

Summer Daze – Scrambled Egg Tacos

Written by , Posted in Breakfast, Brunch, Cheese, Condiments, Dinner, Eggs, Gluten Free, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, Quick and Easy, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Summer is a season I just want to get through. It’s hot and muggy and buggy and I don’t like any of that. I’m trying to enjoy it as much as a person like me can. But, if I’m honest, I’m really just waiting for fall.

There are some perks to summer. My garden is thriving… Ok, my kale is thriving and the potatoes went crazy. Everything else is still mini. I dunno why. I’ll take the kale though. I have plans for a kale pesto on some savory pancakes. The garden provides a place for simple summer meals. At this time of year I feel like I need less food and more drinks. Makes sense. The produce that’s available right now is more water-laden than its winter friends. Think zucchini compared to butternut squash. Both delicious, but who’s craving winter squash right now?!

Last week I made Tired Spaghetti. It was a simple and easy meal for a tired workday. It had burst grape tomatoes, garlic, chickpeas, pasta water, cream, Italian Hot Salt, Kosher salt, and pepper. I cooked the pasta while the tomatoes did their thing in some olive oil. Then I added some pasta water to the tomatoes and other saucy ingredients. I drained the pasta when it still had a bit of a bite, and let it finish cooking in the sauce. It was exactly what we needed that night.

Today, I’m sitting at the kitchen table to work. On days like this, lunch needs to be quick and filling enough that I don’t need a snack break twenty minutes after I eat. Our fridge is stuffed with food… but it’s mostly condiments. I don’t know if we really need a whole shelf of jars of mayo, pickled veggies, and different varieties of Asian sauces. But, somehow we can’t bear to part with any of them. So we shrug our shoulders and use them up bit by bit.

I have some mayos by Sir Kensington’s that I really love. I eat the Sriracha and Chipotle mayos most days. Usually I stand at the counter and shove fistfuls of corn chips dipped in both mayos into my face. If we don’t have dinner planned and started as soon as we get home from work, this is what I eat. And I usually eat so much that I’m not hungry when dinner is ready. It’s a problem.

This morning I planned our menu for the next two weeks. But, I forgot to plan something for today’s lunch. I almost gave in and just ate corn chips and mayo. It would have tasted so good. But, I saw the eggs and corn tortillas and figured that with a little bit of effort I could make something a little bit more substantial.

It was really good. I’ve got the basic recipe below. But, it’s more of a use what and however much you want kinda thing. So, do that.

Happy Eating!

Scrambled Egg Tacos – Serves 1

Ingredients

  • pat of butter
  • 2 eggs
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 corn tortillas
  • pinch of grated cheese for each taco
  • Sriracha mayo
  • Chipotle mayo
  • 1 French breakfast radish, very thinly sliced
  • chopped chives or scallions
  • Maldon salt

Directions

  • Heat the tortillas.
  • Heat a skillet and add the butter. Whisk the eggs with a bit of salt (you can add a splash of water/milk/cream to them too). Add them to the hot pan and cook until they’re softly scrambled. Don’t overcook them!
  • Top each tortilla with a scoop of eggs, some cheese, either or both types of mayo, some radish slices, the chives, and a few Maldon salt flakes.

Wednesday

3

July 2019

0

COMMENTS

Shaved Kohlrabi Salad and Thai Sausage – A Cooking Show with Rachel O – Ep. 2

Written by , Posted in A Cooking Show with Rachel O, Condiments, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, Poultry, Quick and Easy, Salads, Sausage, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Do you ever have one of those days where it feels like all the things are piled on your shoulders? Where the budget doesn’t balance, there are spiders in the kitchen, and you need a haircut, but remember that budget? It means you’re gonna DIY that summer do. But then you look outside and take a breath (you don’t actually go out because bugs, plus it’s hot). You scratch the dog’s chin and have a moment of clarity. It frees you to be here, typing away, not worrying about whether the sourdough bread will rise, or if the tomatoes will ever sprout (why even haven’t they?!), or why the wasps like your yard so much. Those things will be dealt with, in time. But, they don’t all need attention right now.

This is what I’m learning these days.

If I’m too far ahead, I’m not in the now. I’m missing out on the good, while I try to muddle through the mediocre and sometimes bad stuff. But, sometimes, out of the bad comes something sweet. Not always. But, often.

When I’m feeling overwhelmed I get caught up in my worry and spin into an endless cycle of too many quesadillas (ok, there can never really be too many) and not enough solid and nutritious meals. I get stuck in remembering the work it takes to put a meal on the table, especially if I’ve just finished an 8 hour day dealing with tourists. Sometimes I just need someone to make food for my face hole so I can eat it while watching Heartland or Schitt’s Creek. But, if I can take a step back once in a while, and this summer is affording me the time to be able to do so, I can remember how much I love to cook. How much joy I find in the monotony of slicing veggies the mandoline. How good cooked food smells. How a well paired beverage completes a meal.

This Shaved Kohlrabi Salad and Thai Sausage is just perfect for this. It’s quick enough to not be a burden. But, there’s a bit of prep required. Barely any, but enough to make you take a second to quiet your brain and just slice for a minute. Then enjoy the shock as you submerge your hands in the ice water to swish the veggies around. It’s hot out. The cold feels good.

This is one of those meals that can be adapted and made a thousand different ways. I was in the mood for Mazzeo’s Spicy Thai Sausage and it paired perfectly with the crispy veggies and their citrusy dressing. Switch things up if you have something different growing in your garden or if you have a favorite kind of sausage. Grill the sausage if you want to get outside. When tomatoes are in season, serve them still warm from the sun, drizzled with dressing. In the colder months, roast some veggies (like carrots, beets, and broccoli) and toss them with the same dressing. You could add a pilaf or quinoa salad on the side. You could serve warm fruit crisp for dessert.

This dish is a reminder to be present, to live simply, and to breathe deeply as you savor the aroma of a good meal.

Happy Eating!

Shaved Kohlrabi Salad and Thai Sausage – Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 T canola oil
  • 1 pound Mazzeo’s Spicy Thai Sausage
  • 1 carrot, peeled and very thinly sliced
  • 2 Armenian cucumbers, very thinly sliced
  • 3 kohlrabi, peeled and very thinly sliced
  • ice water
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 T dijon mustard
  • 2 T extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 t maple syrup
  • 1/4 C chopped chives
  • Maldon salt, for serving

Directions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the oil. When the oil is hot add the sausage, cut side down. Cook, turning once or twice, until it’s a bit browned and is cooked through and reaches a safe temperature, about 4-5 minutes on each side.
  • Submerge the cut veggies in ice water and let stand for about 15 minutes.
  • Whisk together the lemon juice, dijon mustard, olive oil, and maple syrup until it has emulsified, then stir in the chives. Toss the veggies with the dressing, using your clean hands.
  • Serve the salad topped with Maldon salt, alongside the sausage.

This episode has been sponsored by Mazzeo’s Meat Market.

Wednesday

26

October 2016

0

COMMENTS

Eating on the Road – Nutella Raspberry Shake

Written by , Posted in Breakfast, Brunch, Dairy-Free, Drinks, Fruit, Gluten Free, Kid-Friendly, Lunch, Quick and Easy, Thoughts, Travel, Usana, Vegan, Vegetarian

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Life on the road has been great. It’s been filled with adventure and relaxation, smooth highways and bumpy gravel roads, time with people and time alone. It’s been a joy to be on this journey. We’ve loved it all. Part of what’s been fun is getting away from the norms of our everyday life.

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Our normal routine includes a weekly menu, planned so that the grocery shopping is done efficiently and practically, so that there is something planned for all meals. We don’t eat out a lot. Eating out doesn’t agree with our budget or our healthy lifestyle choices. However, life on the road includes a lot more eating out than normal. It’s not the norm-norm, but for a while it’s a bit more so. I thought about menu planning before the trip. I could have figured out exactly what we’d eat and where. But, we wanted to have lots of freedom as we travel. Plus, we had such a short amount of time to plan that it got left off of the to-do list. So we’re doing the best we can with what we have. And it’s been great!

pizzartWhen we’re staying with people and are invited to share a meal, we gladly accept. When we’re asked out to a meal, it’s a fun treat. We’ve had delicious pizza in Boston, fabulous barbecue in Texas, and Philly Cheesesteaks in West Philadelphia.

rudysrtSince about half of our time has been spent in the car, we generally munch on a mix of healthy, homemade foods and of course snacks (with a smattering of DQ and Steak’n Shake stops).

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Before we left I prepped as much as I could. I made granola bars, sourdough bread, and scones. We bought crackers, cheese, and fruit, jerky, chips, and chocolate covered gummy bears (ok, not all that we brought was healthy). We even had a small pantry that included items like canned beans and tomatoes, tuna, olive oil, and a few of my favorite kitchen tools (we totally brought some cast irons). We borrowed a camping stove from some friends so we have options, which means freedom. Nevermind that we have yet to use it – I’m determined that we will before the end of the trip so that it’s worth it to have lugged it all this way. 😉

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Our stays with both sets of parents have been more extended stays (thanks a million moms and dads!). So we’ve had time to unpack and relax. Tim loves English muffins with ham and eggs, so he made those one morning. We’ve also baked quite a bit, using some great recipes from our friend John Park, and made one of my favorite comfort foods, Texas Stuffnutellashake1rtOne thing that we’ve enjoyed while on the road are protein shakes. They’re great for sipping while reading a good book as we listen to the wind rustle the leaves on the fall trees. They’re also a great breakfast to grab when we’re in a rush to get on the road (because let’s be honest, we almost always leave way later than we’d planned). While it’s just fine to use water and a powdered shake mix, I love to add a little more and make a meal that will really keep me full until lunchtime. My favorite shake includes banana and peanut butter. Tim’s includes Nutella. His is the recipe I’ve shared below. I’ll share mine another time.

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We’re exercising moderation, trying to make wise decisions, and showing ourselves grace. All of which has added up to a wonderful trip. Lots of great times together that we will cherish for a long long time.

Nutella Raspberry Shake

Ingredients

  • 1/4 C Nutella (or your favorite vegan hazelnut spread)
  • 1/2 C raspberries (frozen or fresh)
  • 5-6 oz milk (any type)
  • 5-6 oz water
  • 2 scoops protein powder (whey, plant, or soy)
  • splash maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a container and blend with a hand blender or regular blender.