Cabbage Soup

This soup is flavorful, healthy, and low calorie! It is also incredibly easy to make and exactly what I crave any time I'm feeling under the weather. It is also a great way to make use of any vegetables that are on the verge of expiring. 

• 3 quarts water
• 2 Tbsp vegetable bouillon
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 head of cabbage, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 2-3 carrots, chopped
• optional: bell peppers

Combine all ingredients in an Instant Pot then cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, allowing pressure to release naturally. 

Honey Balsamic Brussels sprouts

• 1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
• 2 Tbsp oil
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegarette
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Cut Brussels sprouts in half. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl then add in Brussels sprouts and mix until well coated. 

Transfer to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. 

Instant Pot Seitan Roast

• 3/4 cup pinto beans (cooked from 60 grams dry pinto beans)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp vegetable bouillon
• 1/4 tsp liquid smoke
• 1 cup water
• 240 grams vital wheat gluten
• 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 tsp garlic power
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried sage
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/2 tsp pepper

In a blender, combine beans, garlic, soy sauce, oil, vegetable bouillon, liquid smoke, and water. Blend until smooth.

In a large bowl, combine vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, and spices.

Pour wet ingredients over dry ingredients and mix until combined then knead dough for a few minutes. Form dough into a log shape then wrap tightly in parchment paper then top with aluminum foil. 

Place the metal rack that is included with the instant pot into the bottom of the pot then add water until it just reaches the bottom of the rack. Place the wrapped roast on top of the rack then seal the instant pot. Make sure the venting knob is set to seal then set instant pot to pressure cook on high for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally. 

Lasagna Soup

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups vegetable broth (6 cups water + 2 Tbsp veggie bouillon)
• 8 oz lasagna noodles, broken into 2" pieces (or 8 oz shell or farfalle noodles)
• 1 cup TVP 
• 2-3 cups fresh spinach, chopped

In an Instant Pot, saute onion in oil until translucent. Add garlic, tomato paste, and spices. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth, lasagna noodles, and TVP. Secure lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes then quick release pressure. Open lid and stir in spinach.

Mushroom Stroganoff

• 3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 16 oz mushrooms (baby Bellas or white or a mix of both), sliced
• 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 tsp Worcestershire 
• 3/8th cup flour
• 3 cup vegetable broth
• 1 cup almond milk
• 16 oz rotini pasta, cooked according to package instructions

In a large pan over medium heat, sauce onions in a tablespoon of the olive oil until onions are translucent. Add mushrooms and continue cooking until juices have evaporated and mushrooms are done (about 15 minutes). Add remaining olive oil, garlic, thyme, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire and stir until incorporated. Add flour and stir until fully combined, then add broth and milk. Increase heat to medium-high, cover, and let simmer for 10-15 minutes. Remove lid and allow to continue to cook for a few minutes to thicken.

Add cooked and drained pasta then serve! 

Make-Ahead Asian Noodle Bowls

Well worth the 20 minute prep-time as this recipe results in FOUR delicious and healthy lunches/dinners that are ready-to-eat. Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.

• 4 oz thin spaghetti noodles OR 1 small sweet potato, peeled & spiralized
• 1 large zucchini, spiralized
• 2 large carrots, grated with a box grater
• 1 large bell pepper (or 4 mini), sliced
• 2-3 green onions, sliced
• 2 cups garbanzo beans (cooked from 135g dry, drained and rinsed)
• optional: avocado (add before serving)

Sauce

• 64 grams (1/4 cup) almond butter
• 3 Tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp lime juice
• 1/2 tsp ginger powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• optional: 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

IF USING SPAGHETTI: Bring a pot of water to boil and cook spaghetti noodles for 7 minutes. Drain then rinse with cold water.

IF USING SWEET POTATO: Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add sweet potato noodles and enough water to prevent sticking. Toss frequently, adding more water when sticking occurs. Cook for 5-7 minutes then remove from heat and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. 

Line up 4 food containers with lids. Into each, neatly place a quarter of the spaghetti, sweet potato noodles, zucchini noodles, grated carrot, sliced bell pepper, chopped green onion, and 1/2 cup of garbanzo beans. 

In a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together sauce ingredients. Divide into 4 small jars with lids. 

Store everything in the fridge! To enjoy, pour sauce into the container of veggies/noodles and stir until evenly coated. 

Mushroom Swiss Quiche

• 9" pie shell, prepared
• 4 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 eggs
• 3/4 c. milk 
• 2 oz shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/2 tsp salt

Prepare pie shell as directed. Saute mushrooms until about half way done then add chopped onions and continue to cook until onions are translucent. Add minced garlic then continue cooking for a few more minutes. Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, milk, cheese, and salt. Add sautéed mushrooms and onions then stir once more. Pour egg mixture into pie shell then bake at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes. 

Whole Roasted Cauliflower

Great in gyros! Serve on a wrap or pita with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, kalamata olives, and tzatziki!

• 1 head cauliflower (leaves and stem removed)
• 96 g. tahini
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp turmeric
• 2 tsp paprika
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt

Whisk together tahini, oil, and spices. Place cauliflower in a baking dish (preferrably a dutch oven with lid). Pour mixture over cauliflower, covering completely (to do this, you'll need to scoop mixture out from under the cauliflower and re-drizzle it over the cauliflower multiple times until you get a good covering). Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes, covering about half way through. 

Coconut Cream Pie

• 1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought and prepared according to directions)
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 3 cups half and half
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 c. whipped topping

Prepare crust.

In a large frying pan, toast coconut flakes over medium heat, stirring constantly, until golden brown.

In a medium saucepan, add half and half, eggs, sugar, flour, salt, and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and continue cooking and whisking for a few more minutes until thick. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4ths of the toasted coconut flakes.

Pour mixture into the pie shell. Cover and refrigerate 4+ hours. 

Top with whipped topping then sprinkle on remaining coconut flakes. 

TVP taco "meat"

• 1 cup TVP
• 1 cup water
• 2 Tbsp taco seasoning
• 1 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and let sit for 5 minutes. Turn on heat then cook until hot.

Vegan Chili with TVP

• 500 grams dried beans of your choice + water
• 28 oz diced tomatoes
• 6 cups water
• 3 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp cumin 
• 1 Tbsp dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp granulated garlic
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 vegetable bouillon cubes, crushed
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/4 c. banana pepper rings
• 1 1/2 c. TVP 

Cook beans in water in an instant pot on high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally. Drain, rinse, and return beans to the instant pot. Add all remaining ingredients then replace lid and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes. 

Carrot Dogs

• 8 large carrots, peeled and cut to bun length
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 vegetable bouillon cube
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tsp liquid smoke
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Set a pot of water on the stove to boil. Once boiling, add peeled carrots and cook for 12-15 minutes until fork tender (be careful not to overcook). 

Meanwhile, in a small bowl or coffee mug, add 1/4 cup water and vegetable bouillon cube. Microwave for 1 minute (long enough to completely dissolve the bouillon cube). Stir in remaining ingredients and set aside. 

Once carrots are done boiling, immediately rinse them under cold water to stop them from cooking. Transfer carrots to a zip-lock bag then pour in marinade. Close the bag, squeezing out as much air as possible, and transfer to the fridge, with the bag laying flat. Marinade for a minimum of 6 hours and as many as 24 hours.

To heat, cook carrot dogs on a grill or pan until heated through. Serve on a hotdog bun with your favorite toppings. 

Baked Cauliflower Wings

• 120 g. garbanzo bean flour
• 3/4 c. almond milk
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets

sauces (double if you want the entire batch to be the same)

• BBQ wings: 1 tbsp margarine + 1/2 cup BBQ sauce 
• hot wings: 1 tbsp margarine + 1/2 cup wing sauce

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, milk, and spices. Using a rubber spatula, fold in cauliflower florets until evenly coated.

Using two medium-sized mixing bowls, melt one tablespoon of margarine in each bowl. Stir in BBQ sauce in one bowl and wing sauce in the other bowl.

Transfer cauliflower to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each piece. Bake at 450 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove cauliflower from oven and transfer half the cauliflower into each bowl. Carefully coat the cauliflower in the sauce then transfer back to the pan, again with some space between each piece. Bake sauce-coated cauliflower for an additional 15 minutes. 

Serve with dips of your choice. 

Hummus

• 1 quart garbanzo beans (cooked from 270 grams dry), drained and rinsed
• 64 grams tahini, well stirred
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.