De Ma Cuisine

vegetables Archive

Monday

9

March 2015

3

COMMENTS

Almond Butter Stir Fry

Written by , Posted in Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, Nuts, One Dish Dinners, Pasta, Quick and Easy, Quinoa, Rice, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

AlmondButterStirFry-9

Stir Fry is one of those dishes that’s packed with flavor, nutrients, and is ready in a flash. Perfect for those tired nights when you don’t know what to make for dinner.

AlmondButterStirFry-1

There’s just something about the colorful veggies. Purple cauliflower, bright orange carrots, green broccoli… they’re such happy and friendly colors. You could totally switch up the veggies depending on what you’ve got on hand and what’s in season. Sugar snap peas, bell peppers, onions, and green beans would all be fabulous.

AlmondButterStirFry-2

I like to add nut butters to bump up the protein in a dish, especially if I’m opting to keep it vegetarian (which I did for this dish, but you could definitely add meat, or keep it vegetarian and add some pan fried tofu). Also, I just like the taste. Today I used almond butter. It’s not quite as in your face as peanut butter is, yet it still brings the same nutty yumminess.

AlmondButterStirFry-3

The sauce is whisked together before the veggies go in to the wok. Since they are cooked over fairly high heat, stirred almost constantly, and cook quickly, I don’t want to take chances with anyone burning while I whisk up the sauce.

AlmondButterStirFry-4

They cook so fast that the veggies still retain their bright, beautiful colors.

AlmondButterStirFry-5

Sauce is added and will just cook for a minute or two.

AlmondButterStirFry-6

I like to toss the noodles (or rice or quinoa) with the veggies and sauce. That way I can make sure that they all get nice and coated.

AlmondButterStirFry-7

And then it’s ready to be topped with almonds and some lemon juice. You could absolutely add chopped green onions, sesame seeds, and cilantro too.

AlmondButterStirFry-8

I like using rice noodles with Stir Fry. Some don’t even require any cooking – they just warm up in a bowl of hot water. They stand up great to re-heating the next day too. Rice or quinoa – also great. Or how about fried rice? Yum! Or, how about rice noodles with a fried egg on top?! Now we’re talking… Of course it was great just the way I made it – topped with almonds and a good squeeze of lemon.

Happy Eating!

Almond Butter Stir Fry

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 4

Almond Butter Stir Fry

Ingredients

  • 1/4 C almond butter
  • 1 t honey
  • 3 T to 1/4 C water
  • 2 T lemon juice
  • 1/2 to 1 T liquid aminos (or GF soy sauce)
  • 1/8 t ground ginger
  • 1/8 t ground coriander
  • pinch cayenne
  • 2 T olive oil
  • 1-2 C broccoli, bite sized pieces
  • 1-2 C cauliflower, bite sized pieces
  • 1 C carrots (or celery), sliced on a bias
  • (sugar snap peas, bell peppers, onions, green beans would also be great)
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1-2 C greens (or cabbage), chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • lemon slices, for serving
  • almonds, chopped, for serving
  • rice noodles, rice, or quinoa, for serving
  • fresh herbs (chives, cilantro) (optional), chopped, for serving

Instructions

  1. (Optional: Cook rice or quinoa, if serving one of those with the dish. Cook a protein, if desired.)
  2. Whisk together almond butter through cayenne. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. (If using rice noodles, follow instructions on package and cook/warm now.) Heat a wok or large skillet over medium or medium-high heat. Add oil. When oil is hot, add broccoli through pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring almost constantly. Add greens and garlic, cook for 1-2 minutes more. Stir in the sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes more. (Optional) Toss with rice/quinoa/rice noodles if desired and cook for 1 minute more.
  4. Serve topped with a squeeze of lemon and almonds, and fresh herbs, if desired.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/almond-butter-stir-fry/

Friday

6

March 2015

2

COMMENTS

Kohlrabi Stew

Written by , Posted in Beans, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Legumes, Lunch, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Potatoes, Soups, Vegetables, Vegetarian

KohlrabiStew-5

This is a humble meal. I like to think of it as peasant food. It begs for bread that’s hot from the oven, torn rather than sliced, topped with a good amount of butter. Peasant food, or comfort food. Or just good food. Doesn’t really matter what label you put on it.

KohlrabiStew-1

It contains simple ingredients like kohlrabi, mizuna, and garbanzo beans. You could play with the recipe if you need to, depending on what you’ve got in your fridge. Sweet potatoes in place of the carrots, cabbage in place of the mizuna, or cannellini beans in place of the garbanzo beans. You could use Greek yogurt instead of the ricotta, or leave the dairy out all together, to make it a vegan dish.

Whatever suits you.

But, for me, I’m gonna lock this one down and keep it just the way it is.

KohlrabiStew-2

The garbanzo beans add texture, protein, and a creamy beanie goodness.

KohlrabiStew-3

I have a drawer-full of lemons in the fridge. They brighten like nothing else (except maybe limes).

KohlrabiStew-4

For a soup, or a stew, whatever you want this to be, the flavors develop quickly, and there’s not a lot of cooking required. It’ll be in your bowl in about 43 minutes.

KohlrabiStew-7

If you can help it, don’t skip the ricotta or a drizzle of really good quality olive oil. They really made the dish, for me. Plus, that parsley, yep, do it!

KohlrabiStew-6

I really don’t know if peasants would have eaten this. But, I picture a cozy family dinner, roasted meat, stew made from things they’ve grown on their land, with their own hands. There’d be a fire in the fireplace and the biscuits would be passed around the table, to be eaten with a dollop of fresh butter and homemade jam. Maybe that’s what we will do tonight. Or, maybe we will eat it while watching something fun on Netflix, since we don’t have a fireplace or any meat that’s meant to be roasted. I do, however, have my garden boxes all planted. Maybe in a few months I will be making stew from things that I’ve grown.

Happy Eating!

Kohlrabi Stew

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes

Total Time: 43 minutes

Yield: 4

Kohlrabi Stew

Ingredients

  • 2 T olive oil
  • 1 C kohlrabi, peeled and chopped
  • 2 C broccoli, chopped
  • 1 1/2 C carrots (or sweet potatoes), chopped
  • 1 C cauliflower, chopped
  • 1/2 C potato (or rutabaga), chopped
  • to taste salt
  • 1 t mustard
  • 1 T balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 t dried (or 1 t fresh) thyme
  • pinch cayenne
  • 1 t paprika
  • 1 C garbanzo (or cannellini) beans
  • 4 C water or veggie stock
  • 1 bunch mizuna (or chard, cabbage, kale... any greens will do), long part of stems removed, chopped
  • 1-2 T lemon juice
  • 1/4 C parsley (1 T reserved for topping), chopped
  • ricotta, for topping
  • olive oil, for topping
  • lemon wedges, for topping

Instructions

  1. Heat soup pot, add oil. Add kohlrabi through salt. Cook covered (letting them sweat) over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add mustard through water/stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Add mizuna, lemon juice, and 3 T parsley. Cook for 3 minutes more.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve topped with ricotta, parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, and a squeeze of lemon.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/kohlrabi-stew/

Wednesday

4

March 2015

1

COMMENTS

Roasted Carrots with Honey and Almonds

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Lunch, Nuts, One Dish Dinners, Quick and Easy, Roasting, Salads, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

RoastedCarrotsWithHoneyAndAlmonds-4

If these carrots had a story, I’d imagine that it would go something like this, “My grandmother used to tell us about life in the old country. Her father was a carrot farmer. They had good years, but there were the lean years too.

RoastedCarrotsWithHoneyAndAlmonds-1

Her mother made the best ricotta. It was a favorite in their town. During those harder times they would trade their carrots and that ricotta for the almonds grown on the farm right next to theirs.

RoastedCarrotsWithHoneyAndAlmonds-2

At the end of the summer, they would shake the trees and there was always so much dust in the air. But, it was worth it. When they tasted those almonds, combined with the sweet carrots, grown by her father’s hand, topped with the cool, silky ricotta, it felt like everything would be alright. There was a promise of better times in those simple ingredients.

RoastedCarrotsWithHoneyAndAlmonds-3

As she tossed the carrots with some olive oil, salt and pepper, a far away look would come over her.

RoastedCarrotsWithHoneyAndAlmonds-5

As she took her first bite, I knew that the taste was taking her back to a different time. Memories long forgotten were brought back with the sweet roasted flavor. It tasted like home.”

RoastedCarrotsWithHoneyAndAlmonds-6

 Yes, I think that’s the kind of story these carrots would tell.

Happy Eating!

Roasted Carrots with Honey and Almonds

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 17 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Yield: 2-4 as a side dish, 2 as a light main dish

Roasted Carrots with Honey and Almonds

Ingredients

  • 3 carrots, sliced into rounds (1/4" thick)
  • 1 T olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 T honey
  • 1/4 C (heaping) almonds, diced
  • 1/4 C ricotta cheese
  • lemon slices, for serving

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 425F.
  2. Toss the carrots with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes.
  3. Toss partially roasted carrots with garlic, honey, and almonds. Spread out on the baking sheet and return to the oven and roast for 5-7 minutes more.
  4. Serve topped with a scoop of ricotta and a squeeze of lemon.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/roasted-carrots-with-honey-and-almonds/

Monday

2

March 2015

0

COMMENTS

Mac and Cheese with Veggies and Beans

Written by , Posted in Beans, Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Legumes, Main Dishes, Pasta, Vegetables, Vegetarian

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-9

Some nights I need something super simple for dinner. Mac and cheese is one of those meals that really hits the spot. It’s comforting, easy to make, and can be packed with veggies and protein.

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-1

Today I had a ton of broccoli on hand. I made “pasta” out of the stems yesterday, but the florets needed to be used up.

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-7

They’re tossed in the skillet, with some olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and cayenne for a hint of spice.

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-4

While the broccoli cooks, the sauce comes together (and the pasta boils away). My mission was gluten-free, so I used some ground up flax seeds soaked in milk, and blended chickpeas to thicken. The sauce wasn’t as smooth as I’ve ever had, but it tasted really good.

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-2

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-3

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-5

Added to the nicely thickened sauce is tons of grated gouda. This cheese is seriously good. I could have eaten that whole block on my own, if I had had crackers on hand. I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t.

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-6

I had bow tie pasta on hand. I’m a use what’s in the house kinda cook. But, if I was making this a second time, I might consider using fusilli or penne pasta (there are some delicious rice pastas out there).

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-10

Everything gets combined then sprinkled with a touch more paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Just for fun. I like to let it stand for 5-10 minutes so everything can get good and set before serving. But, if you can’t wait, I understand.

MacAndCheeseWithVeggiesAndBeans-8

This dish would work no matter what veggies are in season. In spring you could use asparagus or snap peas. In the summer you could try summer squash or bell peppers. When fall and winter come back around again, butternut squash, cauliflower, or kohlrabi would be nice. No matter what the veggies are, it’s great on its own. But, I also think that it would be great topped with a fried egg (isn’t everything?!) or with some cooked and chopped meat mixed in (ham, bacon, chicken, turkey, beef… pretty much anything would be tasty).

Happy Eating!

Mac and Cheese with Veggies and Beans

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 60 minutes

Mac and Cheese with Veggies and Beans

Ingredients

  • 1 T flax seeds, ground
  • 2 C milk (divided 3 T, then 1 3/4 C plus 1 T)
  • 1/2 C chickpeas (blended) or hummus
  • 1 t dijon mustard
  • 4 oz. pasta (any kind - rice pasta is great)
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 4 C broccoli (or cauliflower, carrots, kohlrabi, asparagus, snap peas, summer squash, bell peppers, or butternut squash)
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • pinch cayenne
  • 1/2 t paprika
  • 1/4 C reserved pasta water
  • 2 C gouda, grated
  • 1/2 C parmesan cheese, grated
  • paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper for sprinkling
  • lemon slices for serving

Instructions

  1. Mix ground flax seeds with milk. Let it stand for 15 minutes (it will get kinda gelatinous).
  2. Heat remaining milk and milk-flax mixture in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, until slightly thickened. Add chickpeas/hummus and dijon, stir to combine, and cook for about 5 minutes more.
  3. Cook pasta.
  4. Heat skillet, add olive oil, broccoli salt, pepper, cayenne, and paprika. Cook over medium or medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.
  5. Add pasta water to sauce. Remove from heat. Whisk in cheeses. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Stir in pasta and broccoli. Top with a sprinkle of paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
  6. Let stand for about 5-10 minutes. Serve with a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

Prep and cooking time includes active and inactive components.

http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/mac-and-cheese-with-veggies-and-beans/

Wednesday

25

February 2015

0

COMMENTS

Broccoli and Cauliflower Stem “Pasta”

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, Nuts, Pasta, Roasting, Vegetables, Vegetarian

BroccoliStemPasta-1

You ever have one of those nights when you’re all ready to make dinner and then you realize that you’re missing one of the key ingredients? I know I have. Just today I realized that I don’t have enough beans to make the Enchilada Casserole and the Mac and Cheese with Pinto Beans that I have planned for tonight’s dinner and tomorrow’s lunch. So, I’ll improvise. The mac and cheese will likely end up with garbonzo beans. It may even end up as a better dish.

This happens to me with pasta sometimes. For all of the planning and organizing that I do, I still miss things. Or, something changes and I need an easy dish. Pasta’s a great one for that. But, when I’m out? Well, now that doesn’t matter so much. I have a solution.

BroccoliStemPasta-5

Veggie scraps and stems don’t usually go to waste in our home, because I use them to make stock and then they’re composted. But, what if they could be used for eating?! I mean, there’s a ton of goodness that is being wasted, even if it is going towards the garden.

BroccoliStemPasta-6

I sliced off the tough outer peel. Then, with a vegetable peeler (a mandolin would work here too), I sliced, or peeled them super thin.

BroccoliStemPasta-9

Then they steamed for about 10 minutes. And, much to my delight, had the consistency and texture of fresh homemade cooked pasta.

Winner!

BroccoliStemPasta-3

The stems cooked up while some brussels sprouts roasted. I know that some don’t think they like brussels. I didn’t until a few years ago either. I suspect because I’d never had them roasted. For me, pretty much any veggie roasted will be a hit.

BroccoliStemPasta-4

I tossed them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Super simple.

BroccoliStemPasta-7

I thought that, rather than getting a baking sheet dirty, I might as well use an oven proof skillet and roast them in there. They turned out just perfect!

BroccoliStemPasta-8

And then it all came together. A bit of butter, some olive oil, dijon mustard, and some seasonings were added to the pan. They didn’t have long to cook.

BroccoliStemPasta-10

I took it off the heat, added those cooked “pasta” stems, and a good squeeze of lemon.

BroccoliStemPasta-11

A handful of fresh parsley from the garden completed things.

BroccoliStemPasta-12

BroccoliStemPasta-2

It would be great topped with a fried egg, alongside a freshly baked baguette, or, as I ate it, just on it’s own, topped with parmesan and crunchy almonds.

I ate my portion and then picked out the rest of the brussels sprouts and ate them. Sometimes I have a hard time sharing.

Happy Eating!

Broccoli and Cauliflower Stem “Pasta”

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 21 minutes

Total Time: 46 minutes

Yield: 2

Broccoli and Cauliflower Stem “Pasta”

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb. brussels sprouts, quartered
  • 1 t olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 2 1/2 - 3 C broccoli and cauliflower stems, thinly sliced or shaved (a veggie peeler works great)
  • 3 T unsalted butter
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 t fresh rosemary (or 1/2 t dried), chopped
  • 1/4 t dried thyme (or 1/2 t fresh)
  • pinch cayenne
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • pinch ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 t dijon mustard
  • 1-2 T fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 T lemon juice
  • 1-2 T parmesan, shaved
  • 2-4 T almonds, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat the oven to 425F. Toss brussels sprouts with 1 t olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place in an oven proof skillet cut side down. Roast for 10 minutes, flip carefully to the other cut side, and roast for 7-10 minutes more.
  2. Bring 1" water to a boil in a pot with a steamer basket and lid. Place shaved stems in the steamer basket and cover. Steam for 5-10 minutes, or until tender.
  3. Remove skillet with brussels sprouts from the oven. Place on the stove top (being careful of the handle which will be very hot). Add butter through dijon, and cook over medium-low heat for about a minute, stirring often. Remove from heat. Add parsley, lemon juice, and steamed stems. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. Serve topped with parmesan and almonds.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/broccoli-and-cauliflower-stem-pasta/