Hearts of Palm Crabless Salad (WFPBNO)

This weather has been unbelievably hot! I've been making pasta salad, three bean salad, chickpea-of-the-sea salad, etc. to have something as a go to for meals. This keeps me from having to cook and makes meals readily available. A few days ago I made this Crabless Salad and it was delicious. I served it stuffed into a half of an avocado with tomato wedges on top of a bed of lettuce. It was really filling and tasty. It was also good on crackers for a snack. I think you'll enjoy this salad. Be sure to make your own mayo without oil to keep it WFPBNO. 

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup plain plant-based yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
• 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Other ingredients:

• 1 can hearts of palm, drained and pulled (or cut) into thin strips
• 1/4 cup diced sweet onion
• 1/4 cup shredded carrot
• 1/4 cup diced celery

Combine all the dressing ingredients, mixing well.

Add the remaining ingredients; toss well to combine. Chill for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to marry.

I served this in an avocado half, on top of a bed of salad greens with tomato wedges.  You could also make a sandwich or stuff a tomato with the salad.

Enjoy!!!

Chickpea Salad with Curry Peanut Dressing (WFPBNO)

I got the idea to try this from a couple of different recipes I saw online. I really like how this turned out and it's so easy to make. I've already made it twice and the leftovers are delicious. I added my baked ginger garlic tofu to this to bump up the protein content and to keep us full longer. You probably have most of these ingredients in your fridge and pantry. Go ahead and make this delicious salad during these scorching days of June. It's really nice to be able to open up the frig and have something quick and delicious ready to eat. 

For the Salad:

• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 2-3 cups shredded green cabbage (red would also be pretty)
• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (keep that aquafaba for something else)
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced

For the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter (I buy one that only has peanuts as an ingredient)
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 clover garlic, minced (I buy pre-minced garlic)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon yellow curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 3 tablespoons warm water, to thin the dressing
• a few grinds of black pepper

In a large bowl, add bell pepper, carrot, cabbage, chickpeas, cilantro, green onion and jalapeno.

In a small blender or small bowl, mix the dressing ingredients. Be sure to add the water and if needed add a little more so it's the consistency you like. The leftovers will be a little looser as the water in the cabbage will release.

Pour the dressing over the salad.

Mix well. 

I chose to add mine to a small, pretty bowl for serving. I kept the tofu separate and added some to each bowl as we served the salad. Garnish with cashews or peanuts, more cilantro and the tofu if using.

Enjoy!!!!

Peanut & Tofu Noodles (WFPBNO)

This quick and easy pasta dish comes together in about 30 minutes. Be sure to get all of your ingredients out and veggies prepped before beginning. The tofu takes the longest to cook so get that started before you begin anything else other than getting your pot of water going to cook the pasta. This peanut sauce is so good you could use it for many dishes including as a salad dressing. This should make about 6 servings.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces brown rice spaghetti noodles
• 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
• 1/2 cup cabbage, shredded
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 recipe of Baked Ginger Garlic Tofu

Peanut Sauce:

• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, mine is only peanuts and salt
• 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sriracha
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons garlic rice vinegar, or sub plain rice vinegar
• 1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic
• about 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/3 cup hot water, if the sauce is too thick after mixing add more water 1 tablespoon at a time

While the tofu is baking and the water is coming to a boil make the peanut sauce. Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.

Cook pasta according to package directions and drain. Mix pasta and veggies in a large bowl. Toss.

Add peanut sauce to the large bowl, toss well and then transfer to aa pretty serving bowl or tray.

You can garnish with sliced scallion, sesame seeds, sliced limes or leave plain.

Plate it up and add the tofu to each dish.

This is a very filling, tasty dish. Give it a try and then leave me a comment on your thoughts.

Potato Chowder (WFPBNO)

Today's rain had the house on the chilly side so I decided to whip up this potato chowder to warm me up. This came together really quick and you probably have everything in your pantry to make this yummy, filling chowder. I grew turmeric year before last and have a gallon zip lock  bag full in the freezer. I used the micro plane to zest it directly into the pot. If you don't have fresh, dried will work fine. Don't wait get started on this and you will have dinner ready in about 30 minutes.

• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic (I use the already minced stuff from the grocery, in a jar)
• 1 medium sweet onion, diced
• 1/2 cup celery, diced
• 1/2 cup carrots, sliced into bite-sized pieces
• 5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced (4 cups)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 2 cups almond milk, unsweet (your favorite plant-based unsweet milk)
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast

In a large Dutch oven, sauté the garlic, onion, carrots and celery in a little broth or water until the onions are translucent.

Add the potatoes, cumin, turmeric and pepper. Stir well; then add the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cook uncovered for 20 minutes.

While the soup is simmering combine the plant milk, flour and nutritional  yeast. Whisk well.

After 20 minutes your potatoes should be tender. 

Add the milk mixture to the pot. Stir well, the chowder will thicken.

Garnish with some red pepper flakes, just a few and/or fresh parsley.

Enjoy!!!

Creamy Tuscan White Bean Soup

This is a very filling, easy to make soup. You probably have the ingredients in your pantry and fridge to make this delicious bowl of comfort. I served it as is but you could add some croutons, a side salad or 1/2 a sandwich with a smaller bowl of soup. I love one-pot meals with leftovers that are easy to reheat. If you made a cashew cream instead of using coconut milk this would be WFPBNO, but the oil in the coconut milk kicks it out of that category. Makes 6 large servings.

• 1/4 cup water
• 1 large sweet onion, about 1 1/2 cups, diced
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced (about 3/4 cup)
• 2 large stalks celery, diced
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic (I buy already minced in jar)
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 (15-oz) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (or your fav white bean)
• 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups chopped baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 3/4 cup full-fat coconut milk (or sub cashew cream or puree a can of white beans)

Heat the water in a large Dutch oven. Add the onion, carrots, celery and black pepper. Cook about 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

Add tomato paste, garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme and basil and cook about 1 minute, stirring.

Add the broth, beans and tomatoes. Scape up any bits from the bottom of the pan and bring to a simmer. 

Reduce heat and cook about 15 minutes until the veggies are tender. If you want a really creamy soup use an immersion blender and blend about 1/2 of the soup. You want some veggie pieces in there though.

Add the spinach and cover pot for about 5 minutes until it is good and wilted.

Add the vinegar and coconut milk. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed, add more red pepper for heat, coconut milk for creaminess or spices.

Serve while nice and hot. You can garnish with croutons, a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or fresh herbs.

Enjoy!!!

Broccoli Crunch Salad (WFPBNO)

This is the second time I've whipped up this salad for lunch. It is so fresh, crunchy, full of color and flavor. If you aren't a fan of heat start with only 1 tablespoon of sriracha and taste the dressing before moving forward. We like the  heat so 2 tablespoons was perfect for us. As always, you can change up the vegetables you use, using what you like and have on hand. This recipe could be easily doubled and will stay fresh in the frig for 3-4 days. 

Salad:

• 3 1/2 cups chopped fresh broccoli florets
• 3/4 cup frozen, cooked shelled edamame
• 1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped (my onion was huge so I used about 1/4 of it)
• 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
• 1 scallion, slivered

In a large bowl add all of the prepared salad ingredients.

Toss well to combine the salad mixture.

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tablespoons sriracha
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• fresh ground black pepper to taste
• water

Add all of the dressing ingredients to a measuring cup and give it a good stir. Start adding water, 1 tablespoon at a time until it gets to the consistency you enjoy! I used 3 tablespoons.

Pour all of the dressing over the salad mix.

Toss to coat all the veggies with the dressing.

Serve for a light lunch or as a side dish.

Enjoy!!!

Cold Peanut Noodles (WFPBNO)

I made these last week to have something different. It was a very hot day and these noodles hit the spot. I served them fresh at room temperature. The pasta had been rinsed in cold water and the veggies were cold from the frig. But, the leftovers were amazing served straight out of the frig. This peanut sauce recipe is one I saw online and I left out the sesame oil. It is so much better then the store bought peanut sauces that are full of stuff we don't need! I hope you'll give these a try and leave me a comment. You obviously can substitute the pasta for whatever you have on hand or enjoy and change up the veggies some as well. Cooked shelled edamame would be delicious in this.

Peanut Sauce:

• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2-3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon each - garlic powder, ground ginger, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes

Whisk all the ingredients in a bowl until combined. Taste and add more soy sauce if needed. The consistency should be thin enough to drizzle. If it's too thick add a teaspoon of water at a time until it's the desired consistency. Set aside.

Noodle Ingredients:

• 8 ounces pasta
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1/2 English cucumber, diced
• 1- 1 1/2 cups tri-color coleslaw
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
• Garnish: chopped peanuts, black sesame seeds, extra cilantro, oven baked tofu

Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside to drain well. Once totally drained add to a large bowl. 

To the bowl of pasta add the carrot, cucumber, coleslaw, cilantro, green onions.

Toss everything well to combine and then drizzle with peanut sauce and toss again.

Serve in bowls with garnishes. If you are going to make the tofu start it while the pasta water is coming to a boil.

Enjoy!!!