Eggplant Parmesan Soup

 

 

erves 6

Ingredients

1 large or 2 small eggplants, cut in 1/2 lengthwise (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the baking sheet
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes with basil
3 cups water
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
Basil leaves, optional

Method

Preheat oven to 450°F. Place eggplants cut side down on a lightly oiled foil-lined broiler pan or baking sheet. Roast eggplant until it is very tender and lightly browned on top and bottom, about 45 minutes. Cool.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Scoop eggplant flesh from the skins; discard the skins. Chop flesh roughly and add to the pan along with tomatoes, water and salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons of Parmigiano Reggiano,  and basil, if desired.

Whole-Wheat Couscous with Nectarines and Pistachios

Serves 4

Whole-wheat couscous is super easy and quick to prepare. Tossed with cider vinaigrette, juicy nectarines (organic in season!), watercress and pistachios, this dish is full of flavor and texture.

Ingredients

1 cup whole-wheat couscous
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 organic nectarines, diced
1 bunch watercress, stems removed and leaves sliced (about 1 1/2 cups packed leaves)
1/2 cup pistachios, chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced shallot

Method

Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in couscous, cover and remove from heat. Let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil in a thin steady stream until dressing thickens. Add couscous, nectarines, watercress, pistachios and shallots to bowl and toss to combine. Serve warm or chilled.

Simple Black bean Soup

Serves 8

Cooking dried beans is low maintenance and a great value. Make sure to plan ahead and allow time for soaking the beans. Serve with hot sauce or salsa, if you like.

Ingredients

1 pound dried black beans (about 2 1/2 cups), rinsed
2 medium onions, chopped
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground chipotle pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/2 ripe avocado, chopped

Method

Soak the beans overnight or 6 to 8 hours prior to cooking. Drain and rinse.

In a large pot, bring 1/2 cup water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add onions, bell pepper and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Stir in cumin and chipotle and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add drained beans and 10 cups water. Bring soup to a boil, then lower to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, until beans are tender. Remove 4 cups soup and carefully purée in a blender. Return purée to pot and stir in cilantro, nutritional yeast and lime juice. Spoon into bowls for serving and garnish with avocado.

Mushroom and Mozzarella Patty Melt with Peas

Mushroom and Swiss Patty Melt with Peas

Serves 1

We used ground turkey breast meat here, but feel free to use thigh meat or a mix of the two. The darker thigh meat has a little more flavor, but also a little more fat. This method also works using a chicken, beef or veggie burger.

Ingredients

1/4 pound ground turkey, formed into a patty
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 small onion, sliced
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup frozen green peas
2 tablespoons shredded Mozzareella cheese

Method

Lightly season patty with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add patty and cook until golden brown on the first side, about 3 to 4 minutes. Flip patty, move to one side of skillet. Add onions, mushrooms, salt and pepper to cleared side of skillet and cook until softened and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add peas and cook for 1 minute more, checking to ensure patty is cooked through. Sprinkle patty with cheese and transfer to a plate. Spoon hot mushroom mixture on top and serve.

Quick & Easy Grass-Fed Beef & Veggies Rice Bowl

Serves 2

Substitute shrimp, chicken, tempeh and/or any sale-priced vegetables when making this quick dish with no added fat! Grass-fed beef is a healthier option because studies suggest that grass-fed beef is lower in fat than grain-fed beef. It's more compassionate toward the animals and the planet, too!

Ingredients

3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1/3 pound grass-fed beef flank, flap, tri-tip or top-butt sirloin steak
1/4 pound green beans, trimmed
1 yellow bell pepper, cored, seeded and sliced
1/2 small yellow onion, sliced
1/4 small head red cabbage, cored and roughly chopped
1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice

Method

Arrange rack about 6 inches from the heat source in your oven broiler; preheat. Meanwhile, combine vinegar, soy sauce and honey to make sauce. Brush beef all over with 1/2 tablespoon of sauce and broil—watching closely to avoid burning—until medium-rare, 6 to 7 minutes; set aside. Arrange vegetables on a large sheet tray, toss with 1 1/2 tablespoons of sauce and broil, stirring halfway through and watching closely, until softened and just browned, about 5 minutes total. Transfer rice and vegetables to two large bowls. Thinly slice beef and arrange over the top, drizzled with remaining sauce.

Halibut with Artichokes and Tomatoes

Ingredients

1 (5- to 6-ounce) boneless halibut fillet
1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil (omit if using artichokes packed in oil)
3 lemon slices
6 cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup oil- or water-packed artichoke hearts, drained
1 tablespoon chopped parsley or basil
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange halibut in the middle of a 12- x 12-inch piece of parchment paper or foil. Drizzle both sides with oil (if using). Top with lemon and arrange tomatoes, artichoke hearts and parsley over the top and around the sides. Season all over with salt and pepper.

Fold up parchment like a package, making sure the seam is at the top, to seal the ingredients inside; tuck under the ends. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until fish is just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer package to a plate and carefully open the parchment paper to release steam before serving.

Tofu and black Bean Tacos

 

erves 6

This simple mixture of tofu, spices, garlic and black beans makes a robust filling for tacos. Pack leftovers to assemble tacos for lunch.

Ingredients

1 (14-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, drained
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 green onions, finely chopped
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
12 corn tortillas, warmed
3 cups shredded green leaf lettuce
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Method

Put tofu, chili powder, oregano, cumin, coriander and salt into a bowl and mash together with a fork. Set aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and two-thirds of the green onions and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tofu mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the moisture has evaporated, 10 to 12 minutes. Add beans and remaining green onions, stir well and cook until beans are heated through, about 2 minutes more.

Spoon tofu mixture into tortillas, top with lettuce, tomatoes and cheese and serve.