Category: Vegetables

Veggie Packed Pistachio Cream Soup

This soup is not only loaded with healthy vegetables, it is filling and satisfying. The addition of the pistachio nut “cream” and grass fed butter add good fats, vitamins and minerals. Swap out vegetables and spice it up to your liking. Topped with a drizzle of olive oil and rosemary and pistachio garnish makes this a delight to behold. This is also great to throw in a thermos for an on-the-go lunch. (For additional protein, throw in some pre cooked rotisserie chicken)

Core & Advanced Plan

Serves 4-6

1/2 cup raw pistachios (soaked in 1 cup boiling water)

3 tablespoons coconut oil or avocado oil

1 large leek, sliced

2 organic celery stalks, sliced

1 head fennel

3 cloves garlic, chopped

4 cups organic broccoli

6 asparagus spears, cut in chunks

1 cup organic arugula

3 cups bone broth or vegetable broth for vegetarian version

2 tablespoons grass fed butter

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

1-2 teaspoons sea salt (or to taste)

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary or garnish with fresh rosemary

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (you can leave this out but it gives it an amazingly distinct flavor addition)

Add the avocado oil to a dutch oven. Add the leek, celery, fennel and garlic and sautee until softened. Add the broccoli and asparagus and a splash of the bone broth and put a lid on to steam the added vegetables until soft.

Add the rest of the bone broth, butter and spices and cook until well combined.

Blend the soaked pistachios with 1 cup filtered water and add to the vegetables.

Either add in batches to a blender and blend until smooth and add back to a pot OR use an immersion blender to blend everything into a creamy soup. Top with pistachios, fresh rosemary, arugula, and a drizzle of olive oil if desired.

Kimberly RobertoLeave a comment

Mexican Green Beans

Green beans can be prepared many different ways. This preparation is particularly flavorful and satisfying.

Core & Advanced Plan

Serves 4

Shown here with Tomatillo Chicken

1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut

2 tablespoons avocado oil

2 organic roma tomatoes, seeded and diced

1/2 cup chopped white onion

1 clove garlic

2 cups free range chicken broth

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Dash cayenne pepper (optional)

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon grass fed butter

Instructions:

Heat avocado oil and sautee onions until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add spices and stir. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, and bay leaf. Boil to desired consistency. (I like my green beans soft so I cook them for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You may need to add more broth as it boils off.)

Remove bay leaf and serve.

Kimberly RobertoLeave a comment

Lions Mane Mushroom “Crab” Cakes

I love to frequent Farmers Markets and to meet local farmers. Any time I see a table of mushrooms, I run over to see if they have Lions Mane. It is the most beautiful, most delicious mushroom and it is so good for your brain and nervous system. I normally just sautee it with a lot of grass fed butter, fresh herbs, and garlic but Space Barn Mushroom Farm turned me on to this fabulous recipe. I was shocked at how much the mushrooms resembled crab. (I do not eat pork or shellfish for health reasons but love the taste of it so this was a great substitution).

This recipe was modified from and can be found on Space Barn Mushroom Farm’s website: https://thespacebarn.com/lions-mane-crab-cakes/

Mushrooms

  • 1 lb lions mane or other Hericium mushrooms
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons water

Cake mix

  • ¼ cup minced scallion
  • ¼ cup minced red bell pepper
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup high fat mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons chopped herbs like cilantro tarragon, or Italian parsley
  • 1 tablespoon worcesterchire or similar I use mushroom ketchup
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning optional, a mix of paprika, cayenne, and extra salt can be substituted
  • 1 large egg
  • Kosher salt to taste

Serving

  • Almond flour for dredging
  • Avocado oil for cooking the cakes
  • Fresh green salad
  • Dollop of spicy mayonnaise optional
  • Fresh cut chives optional
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

Wilt the mushrooms and remove the water

  • Pick the lions mane mushrooms into pieces to resemble crab meat. Put the mushrooms in a pan with the water and salt, cover and bring to a simmer, stir, cover, and cook for a few minutes until the mushrooms are wilted and have given up their juice.
  • Allow the mushrooms to cool, then squeeze out as much water as you possibly can. This step is important as mushrooms, unlike crab, contain lots of water.

Mix with the crab cake mix

  • Combine the mushrooms with the cake ingredients and mix well. Taste a bit of the mixture (you can cook it if raw egg weirds you out) adjust the seasoning for salt and anything else you’re looking for, then allow the crab cake mix to rest for at least 15 minutes to allow the breadcrumbs to hydrate, which will make forming the cakes easier. In a perfect world, you’ll let it sit overnight.

Cooking

  • To cook the cakes, form 4 oz patties of the mixture (it will be delicate, don’t worry—the egg will set as they cook). For the most refined look, form the cakes using a ring mold.
  • Heat a pan with a few tablespoons of oil.
  • Heat an oven to 350F. Meanwhile, gently dredge the cakes in flour on both sides, tap off the excess, and brown gently on medium heat. When one side of the cakes are golden brown, gently flip the cakes and transfer the pan to the oven and cook until hot throughout, about 10 minutes.

Serving

  • Remove the cakes to a plate with a fresh green salad, top with a dollop of spicy mayonnaise or aioli if using, sprinkle with chives and serve with lemon wedges on the side. The cakes are also excellent served on a bun like you would a burger.

Kimberly RobertoLeave a comment

Hearts of Palm “Lobster”

I morphed this recipe from several I found online as a substitute for lobster. First, I am not vegan or vegetarian and believe animal products pack a ton of quality nutrition so I incorporate meat into my diet frequently.

However, I do not eat pork or shellfish for many reasons including: they are both highly inflammatory, highly acidic and prone to parasites.

I love the taste of lobster, I just choose to stay away from it, so this concept intrigued me.

I do eat a ton of vegetables and enjoy preparing them many different ways. I use hearts of palm in salads and as a pasta substitute but this is a brand new way of enjoying them. I added a splash of fish sauce to help mimic the taste of lobster which is missing in the vegan recipes.

This makes a lovely appetizer, lunch or light dinner. Double, triple or quadruple the recipe to serve a crowd.

Advanced and Core Plan

Serves 1

1 can (14.5 oz) hearts of palm

2 tablespoons olive oil

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning

splash of fish sauce (I use Red Boat)

salt and pepper to taste

2 -3 tablespoons grass fed butter

Parsley, for garnish

Cut the hearts of palm int o 1 inch chunks. Add the olive oil, a clove of garlic, paprika, old bay seasoning, fish sauce, salt and pepper. Cook on medium (do not let the oil smoke) until heated through. Meanwhile, gently melt the butter and add more garlic if desired.

Serve warm, sprinkle with fresh parsley and dip in warm, melted butter.

Kimberly RobertoLeave a comment

Chickpea, Avocado & Feta Salad – Cooking Video

This is an easy, healthy, protein and healthy fat packed recipe. It can be used as a main dish or as a side.

Ingredients:

2 cups chickpeas (cooked, drained and rinsed) or canned

1/2 cucumber, diced

4 stalks green onion, chopped or 1/4 cup red onion, chopped

1/4 cup fresh parsley or 1 tablespoon dried parsley

1 lime, juiced

1/4 cup organic feta cheese, crumbled

1 avocado, diced

1 1/2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. If you are making it ahead, don’t add the avocado until ready to serve.

Kimberly RobertoLeave a comment

Raw Veggie Salad with Peanut Dressing

This is a great raw veggie recipe.  It reminds me of a spring roll without the roll but it is loaded with crunch and nutrition, plus it is delicious!

 

 

Peanut Dressing

 

  • 1/3 cup avocado oil
  • 3 tablespoons coconut aminos tamari
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 small sliver of fresh ginger
  • 2-4 teaspoons of erythritol, adjust to desired taste
  • 1/3 cup organic peanut butter (check ingredients for no sugar or oils)

Raw Veggie Salad

 

  • 1 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
  • 2 cups cabbage, shredded
  • 2 cups zucchini, shredded
  • 1 cup cucumber, sliced thin and halved
  • 1/2 cup organic red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1/2 cup carrot, shredded
  • 2 cups organic cooked chicken breast, chopped
  • 1/3 cup scallions
  • 1/2 cup organic peanuts or cashews, chopped

Mix all dressing ingredients in a high powered blender until mixed (keep in a mason jar so you can easily re-mix it if it separates) and set aside.

Arrange all raw veggies in a bowl or on a plate and drizzle with peanut dressing.  Top with chopped scallions and nuts.

 

Kimberly RobertoLeave a comment