Monday, July 30, 2012

Vegan Taco Bar

Cleansing and nourishing meals don't have to be boring and anti-social. Invite your friends over for a nutritiously delicious taco party. Who doesn't love tacos? These vegan, gluten free tacos are fresh, colorful, and natural. Choose your favorite taco bar toppings from the list below, prepare and present them in colorful bowls, and warm up corn tortillas in the oven. Despite how long this collection of recipes may seem, this meal is easy to prepare, and can be done in advance. Toppings can be prepared in larger quantities to compliment meals throughout the week. Also, most grocery stores sell fresh, all natural guacamole or pico de gallo if you're really pressed for time. This nutrient packed taco party will leave nobody feeling deprived. 


TACO BAR TOPPINGS:
Corn Tortillas
Sautéed Mushrooms and Kale
Sautéed Bell Peppers
Mexican Brown Rice
Black Beans
Pico de Gallo
Guacamole (Regular or Pomegranate Mango)
Cilantro Sprigs

Sautéed Mushrooms and Kale
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch kale, trimmed, stems removed and chopped
1 tablespoon Salt-Free Taco Seasoning Mix
Salt to taste

Directions:
Heat a medium skillet with extra-virgin olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add garlic. Once the garlic starts to heat up and sizzle, add the mushrooms. Cook on medium heat until they begin to soften, approximately 3 minutes. Add the chopped kale, a pinch of salt and a tablespoon of taco seasoning mix. Be sure to coat the kale with the oil in the pan. Cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until the kale has become soft.

Sautéed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
2-3 bell peppers, any color (I like to pick a color that I don't already have in my meal to add more color)
1 yellow onion
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive iil

Directions:
In large skillet, heat oil. Add peppers and onions. Sauté for 15 to 20 minutes, or until browned, stirring occasionally.

Salt-Free Taco Seasoning Mix
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon cumin
2 teaspoons black pepper

Pico de Gallo
Ingredients:
2 cups ripe tomatoes seeded and diced (about 4 medium tomatoes)
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/4 cup diced white onion
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
2 jalapenos (stems and seeds removed) diced
1 lime, juiced
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
A pinch of salt

Directions:
1. Dice and mix all ingredients.
2. Stir, let sit for thirty minutes, and enjoy!

Mexican Brown Rice
Ingredients:
1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cups brown rice, uncooked
3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups finely chopped white or yellow onions
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) low sodium diced tomatoes
1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, finely chopped

Preparation:
1. Heat oil in a medium nonstick saucepan over medium heat and saute the rice just until golden (about 5 minutes).
2. Add 1/2 cup of broth. Add the onions and garlic and saute for a couple of minutes.
3. Stir in tomatoes (including juice), the rest of the broth, and bell pepper. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes or until the broth is absorbed.

Pomegranate Mango Guacamole
Ingredients:
4 ripe avocados
1 cup finely chopped onion
1-2 fresh jalapenos, finely chopped (depending on how much spice you like)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (add more if you wish)
1 cup pomegranate seeds (plus some more to add on top of the guacamole)
1 cup diced peeled mango (plus some more to add on top of the guacamole)
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste

Directions:
Halve, pit, and peel avocados. Mash in a bowl. Stir in onion, chiles, lime juice, and salt. Gently stir in pomegranate seeds, mango, and cilantro. Season with salt and additional lime juice if you wish.

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Berry Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

I don't usually crave salad, but when my cousin Lucille posted her strawberry salad on facebook, I couldn't resist recreating her refreshing and summery lunch. I tweaked her original recipe based on what I had in my pantry, and experimented with making my own vinaigrette. This Berry Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette was perfect to enjoy while watching Wimbledon. Wimbledon and strawberries. They go hand-in-hand. Thanks Lucille for inspiring this post!


Berry Salad
Ingredients:
3-4 cups mixed greens
1/2 cup strawberries, quartered
1/4 cup blackberries
1-2 tablespoons toasted pecans
1-2 tablespoons dried cranberries
1-2 tablespoons feta cheese

Directions:
I really hope you don't need directions. Start with the mixed greens, and sprinkle everything on top. Drizzle with vinaigrette.

Champagne Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
1/4 cup champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
Whisk together the garlic, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil.