Mostly Not Potato Salad

                                          

This is a complete meal.  This salad has vegetables that are rich in complex carbohydrates and vitamins/minerals, olive oil as your healthy fat source and tofu, the only source of vegetable protein that is a complete protein (contains all 9 of the essential amino acids).  It is delicious and stores nicely. 

Complements:  "Super Natural Every Day", by Heidi Swanson

4 small pink, red or purple skinned organic potatoes, unpeeled, quartered
Big handful of organic green beans, trimmed and sliced into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
Extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 - 1 teaspoon cane sugar, agave nectar or honey
Fine-grain sea salt
1/4 cup finely chopped dill
1 small leek, white and tender green parts trimmed and chopped
6 stalks celery, trimmed and diced
1 cucumber, unpeeled, and cut into small cubes
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
6 ounces organic, extra-firm tofu, baked (or sauteed) and cut into small cubes

Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.  Salt generously, add the potatoes, and cook until tender but not falling apart, about 10 minutes.  (I boiled my potatoes, let them cool and then cut them into bite size pieces) Thirty seconds before the potatoes are done cooking, add the green beans to the pot.  Drain the potatoes and beans and set aside.  In the meantime, make the dressing by whisking together the mustard, vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, the sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl.  Alternatively, combine the ingredients in a mason jar and shake until blended.  Taste and adjust if needed.  In a large skillet, saute the dill in a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add a couple pinches of salt, stir in the leek, and saute until golden and slightly crispy, 4 to 5 minutes.  In a large bowl, gently toss the potatoes and green beans, celery, cucumber, tofu, chives and the leek and add the dressing.  Taste and add a sprinkling of salt, if needed.  Served chilled or at room temperature.  Enjoy!

Loaded Quinoa Veggie Burgers

                                        

I think I could eat these every day!  You can make these up ahead of time and store the uncooked mixture in your refrigerator (for up to a week).  Then they are available to fry up whenever you need a meal or a snack.  You can eat them however you please, but I like them just like they are.

Adapted from :  Whole Living
I like to double the recipe

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1 carrot, shredded
4 scallions, sliced
2 cloves of garlic, minced
15 ounces can organic black beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs (I think you could substitute corn flour for the bread crumbs)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1-2 teaspoons ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
safflower oil for frying (1-2 tablespoons)

In a small pot, bring 3/4 cup water to a boil.  Add quinoa, cover and reduce heat to low.  Cook until liquid is absorbed, 12-14 minutes.  In a food processor, pulse quinoa, carrots, scallions, garlic, beans, breadcrumbs, egg, cumin, salt and pepper; pulse until combined but still slightly chunky.  Form the mixture into four even thin patties.  In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat; cook burgers until browned, about 5-6 minutes on each side.  Enjoy!

Garden Veggie Antipasto

                                             
I am always looking for new ways to serve a wide variety of vegetables at the dinner table.  This salad is marinated in a tangy vinegar-herb dressing.  I have to be careful not to eat the whole bowl before it gets to the table.  It is also great to snack on throughout the day!  Instead of the herbs listed in the recipe, I used Bragg Organic Sprinkle (pictured above).

Complements:  Diet for a New World

1 small organic cauliflower, cut into florets (I was out of cauliflower and used green beans)
1/2 bunch organic broccoli, trimmed and cut into florets
3 medium organic carrots, cut into sticks

1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano 
1 teaspoon dried basil     
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Put 1 inch of water in a large saucepan with a steamer basket, cover with the lid, and bring to a boil.  Put the cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots in the steamer basket, cover and steam until the broccoli is bright green in color, about 3 minutes.  Remove the steamed vegetables from the steamer basket; they should still have a crunch.  Put the vegetables in a salad bowl.  Put the vinegar, olive oil, basil, oregano, thyme, garlic, salt and pepper in a jar.  Cover with the lid and shake until the ingredients are well mixed.  Pour the vinaigrette over the steamed vegetables.  Toss until well coated.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.  Serve chilled or at room temperature.  Enjoy!

Double Chocolate Cookies

                                       

Are you looking for a hearty snack that includes chocolate? 

Complements:  The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook

1/3 cup softened virgin coconut oil
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup walnuts (or pecans), ground (optional)
2-4 tablespoons whole cane sugar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1 cup organic brown rice flour
1/2 cup arrowroot powder
1/3 cup organic cocoa powder (vegan if necessary)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/2 cup organic chocolate chips (vegan if necessary)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place coconut oil, maple syrup, ground walnuts, sugar, sea salt, vanilla and almond extract into a medium bowl and blend on high with an electric mixer for about 2 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix together the brown rice flour, arrowroot powder, cocoa powder, baking powder and xanthan gum.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and gently mix together with a fork or wooden spoon until well combined.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Grease a cookie sheet with coconut oil.  Form dough into balls then gently flatten between the palms of your hands.  Place on the cookie sheet.  Bake for about 12 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.  Cookies will harden as they cool.  Enjoy!

Spelt Muffins

                                   

These are our new favorite muffin around our house.  In the picture above I modified the recipe a bit.  I think I even added some millet.  However, the recipe is the best when made with the ingredients listed below!

1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup coconut butter
1 cup pumpkin, pureed
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup whole grain spelt flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Combine the honey, coconut butter, pumpkin and eggs.  Mix until combined.  Set aside.  In a separate bowl combine the spelt flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin spice, salt and chocolate chips.  Gently mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.  Place dough in muffin cups and bake at 350 degree for 15 minutes (or until they are baked through).  Enjoy!!