Category: Recipes

  • Japanese Style Guacamole

    Japanese Style Guacamole

    Japanese Style Guacamole

    Total Time 10 minutes

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 ripe avocados
    • 2 scallions thinly sliced
    • 3 – 4 tablespoons rice vinegar or lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon white miso
    • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

    Method
     

    1. Cut avocados in half, discard pit and scoop flesh into a mixing bowl.
    2. Add scallions, rice vinegar, miso, and sesame oil. Mash until desired consistency.
    3. Taste with the dipper of your choice, such as veggie sticks or tortilla chips. If additional seasoning is required, add additional miso paste or salt to taste.
  • Portobello & Goat Cheese Sandwich

    Portobello & Goat Cheese Sandwich

    Portobello & Goat Cheese Sandwich

    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 large portobello mushrooms stems discarded
    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons tamari
    • ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
    • 1 ciabatta loaf
    • 4 ounces herbed goat cheese
    • 1 ounce baby arugula
    • 1 large beefsteak tomato sliced (8 slices)

    Method
     

    1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, tamari, and black pepper. Brush portobello mushrooms generously with the marinade and place in a baking dish.Cover tightly and let the marinade absorb. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    2. When the oven is hot, bake for 15-20 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender and juicy. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
    3. Slice the ciabatta loaf in half lengthwise. Spread goat cheese evenly on both cut sides. Layer the bottom half with tomato slices, portobello mushrooms, and arugula. Top with the remaining bread.
    4. Cut into four sandwiches and serve immediately.
  • Roasted Carrot Salad

    Roasted Carrot Salad

    Roasted Carrot Salad

    Total Time 40 minutes
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup quinoa
    • 1 ½ cups water or vegetable broth
    • 1 ¼ pound carrots peeled and cut into 2-inch sticks (¼-inch thick)
    • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
    • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • 3 ounces baby arugula
    • 2 avocados chopped
    • 1 cup crumbled feta
    • 6 ounces toasted seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin
    Dressing
    • 6 tablespoons avocado oil
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
    • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

    Method
     

    1. In a small saucepan, combine quinoa and water or stock. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 10 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Spread quinoa on a sheet pan to cool completely.
    2. In a mixing bowl, toss carrots with avocado oil, maple syrup, paprika, and salt. Spread evenly on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes, until tender and lightly caramelized. Let cool completely.
    3. Whisk together avocado oil, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard until fully emulsified.
    4. In a large bowl, gently toss quinoa, roasted carrots, arugula, and avocado. Divide among shallow bowls or plates. Drizzle with dressing and finish with seeds and feta.
  • Swiss Chard and Barley with Gruyere

    Swiss Chard and Barley with Gruyere

    Swiss Chard and Barley with Gruyere

    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients
      

    • ⅔ cup pearled barley
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ medium yellow or white onion diced
    • 8 ounces cremini or button mushrooms quartered
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
    • 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
    • 1 cup vegetable broth or water
    • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
    • ¾ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 bunch chard stemmed and chopped into 2" pieces
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 8 ounces gruyere cheese grated
    • ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese sprinkle on after it comes out of the oven

    Method
     

    1. Cook barley in a medium pot of lightly salted water for 35 minutes or until tender. Drain.
    2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent. Add mushrooms and cook until browned, about 4-6 minutes. 
    3. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds then add tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Add chard and cook until wilted. 
    4. Stir in cooked barley and butter. Top with gruyere cheese and cover. Continue cooking on low until cheese has melted.
    5. Garnish with grated parmesan and serve.
  • Shrimp Alfredo for Two

    Shrimp Alfredo for Two

    Shrimp Alfredo for Two

    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings: 2

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
    • 2 large garlic cloves minced
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 shallot minced
    • ¼ – ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • ½ cup dry white wine
    • 1 15-ounce jar Alfredo sauce
    • Grated Parmesan
    • Fresh basil leaves

    Method
     

    1. Combine shrimp, garlic powder, paprika, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside to marinate.
    2. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
    3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté shallots with red pepper flakes until translucent. Add shrimp and cook 1-2 minutes per side or until opaque. Deglaze with white wine.
    4. Add Alfredo sauce and cooked pasta. Heat through and serve with shredded parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
  • Beer Cheese Dip

    Beer Cheese Dip

    Beer Cheese Dip

    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings: 3.5 cups

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 cup lager beer
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon white pepper
    • 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese

    Method
     

    1. Heat butter and pepper flakes over medium heat until butter is melted and bubbling. Add flour and whisk, cooking for 3 minutes.
    2. Slowly add the beer while constantly whisking. When smooth, add milk and whisk smooth and well mixed. 
    3. Add Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and white pepper. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
    4. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted. Serve while warm with fresh soft pretzels.
  • Strawberry Banana Smoothie

    Strawberry Banana Smoothie

    Strawberry Banana Smoothie

    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings: 1

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ripe banana peeled
    • ¼ cup unsweetened cashew butter
    • ½ cup oat milk
    • ½ – ¾ cup fresh or frozen strawberries
    • Plant-based protein powder optional

    Method
     

    1. In a blender, add banana, cashew butter, oat milk, strawberries, and protein powder, if using.
    2. Blend at high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Pour smoothie into a glass and enjoy.
  • Detox Salad

    Detox Salad

    Detox Salad

    Total Time 35 minutes
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients
      

    • ¾ pound green cabbage
    • ½ pound broccoli florets
    • ½ bunch lacinato kale
    • ¼ pound carrots
    • ½ cup roasted almonds
    • ⅓ cup sunflower seeds roasted
    Maple-Tahini Dressing
    • ⅓ cup tahini
    • 5 tablespoons water
    • 4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • 3 tablespoons maple syrup (or to taste)
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ¾ teaspoon sea salt

    Method
     

    1. Thinly slice cabbage and broccoli. Remove kale from stems and roughly chop. Peel and grate carrots. Add vegetables to a mixing bowl.
    2. In a separate bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
    3. Pour 1/3 of the dressing over the salad and toss to combine, adding more dressing as needed.
    4. Roughly chop the roasted almonds. Top salad with almonds and sunflower seeds.
  • Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

    Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

    Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

    This take on a creamy, crustless cheesecake satisfies your chocolate cravings without derailing your health goals. Cottage cheese has been having a moment lately, and for great reason. Its mild flavour lends itself to so many culinary preparations, and the protein found in cottage cheese has been shown to help build muscle.

    Cottage Cheese Cheesecake

    Servings: 6

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ¼ cups cottage cheese
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅓ cup natural cocoa powder
    • 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
    • 3 large organic eggs
    • Mixed red berries, such as raspberries, strawberries, or pomegranate arils for garnish
    • Melted dark chocolate for garnish (optional)

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 350 F°. Line 6 inch round cake pan or springform pan with parchment paper. It’s easiest to cut a large square of parchment paper, scrunch it up tightly, smooth out again, place over cake pan, and press down; smooth into corners as best you can. No need to trim any overhanging paper from pan; this will assist in removing the cake from the pan once cooked and cooled. Set prepared cake pan aside.
    2. To bowl of food processor, add cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and eggs. Blend until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl, as needed, with rubber spatula. Pour mixture into prepared pan.
    3. Bake cheesecake in preheated oven until sides of cheesecake are set, top of cake is puffed, and centre has a slight wobble, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven to a wire rack and allow cheesecake to set in the pan for 20 minutes. The top of the cheesecake will deflate a little. Remove from pan with the aid of any overhanging parchment paper and place on serving plate, leaving parchment paper on cheesecake. Refrigerate cheesecake at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
    4. When ready to serve, garnish with red berries and a drizzle of chocolate, if desired. Slice and serve.

    by Lawren Moneta

    Recipe Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Red Velvet Fudge

    Red Velvet Fudge

    Red Velvet Fudge

    This little indulgence is the perfect high-protein treat to share with someone special. Packed with protein and fibre, gluten free, and naturally coloured, this sweet treat may become your favourite all year long. This fudge also freezes wonderfully for times when the urge for a little something sweet hits.

    Red Velvet Fudge

    Servings: 25 squares

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 medium red beets trimmed
    • ½ cup almond butter or cashew butter
    • ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or alternative milk of your choice
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • 1 ⅓ cups chocolate vegan protein powder
    • ⅔ cups finely ground oat flour
    • ¼ teaspoon finely ground Himalayan pink salt or fine sea salt
    • 2 ½ ounces dark chocolate chips melted

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 400 F°.
    2. With fork, pierce each beet several times. Wrap each in parchment paper, making sure to fold over the edges to seal each beet. Place parchment-wrapped beets on rimmed baking tray or in small baking dish. Roast beets in preheated oven until easily pierced with a fork, about 50 to 60 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle, about 30 minutes. Carefully unwrap and, with spoon, scrape off and discard beet skins (they should come off very easily). Roughly chop skinned beets and place in food processor or blender; purée, scraping down sides of container with rubber spatula as needed, until very smooth.
    3. Transfer beet purée to bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment or a mixing bowl, if using an electric hand mixer. Add almond butter, almond milk, vanilla extract, protein powder, oat flour, and salt. Mix on low speed until everything is very well combined. Mixture should resemble thick cookie dough. Line 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Firmly press mixture in one layer into prepared baking pan. Refrigerate fudge for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
    4. Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place a wire cooling rack on top of parchment paper.
    5. Lift fudge out of pan with help of parchment paper and cut into 1 1/2 inch squares. Place squares of fudge on wire rack before drizzling with melted chocolate. Place baking tray with fudge in refrigerator for 10 minutes. Transfer red velvet fudge to a serving plate and enjoy.
    6. Any extra fudge may be stored in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 2 months. Let thaw slightly before enjoying.

    by Lawren Moneta

    Recipe Courtesy of Alive Magazine