Category: Vegetarian

Roasted Zucchini [[VIDEO]]

Zucchini is very versatile but can sometimes taste bland. This is a different way to prepare it, making it a little more elevated, a little more elegant and full of rich flavor. Roasting the zucchini gives it a nutty flavor and combined with the garlic and other ingredients give your mouth a treat.

Ingredients:

2 large organic zucchini, cut in half and then roughly chopped into triangles

6-8 cloves garlic

5 tbsp good quality extra virgin olive oil

1 cup cashew cream (see below) or heavy cream

Juice of 1 lemon

½ tsp salt

Ground black pepper

3 tbsp nutritional yeast (I use Braggs)

Instructions:

Pre-heat oven to 320 degrees F

Chop the zucchini and peel the garlic. Assemble zucchini triangles so the fleshy side is face down.

Add them, to an oven-proof dish (with a lid). Add olive oil, cream of choice, lemon juice, salt, pepper, lemon juice and nutritional yeast and mix well.

Slow cook for 35-40 minutes, then remove the lid and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until you see slight browning.

Remove from oven.

Cashew Cream:

Soak 1 cup cashews overnight in filtered water. Put in blender and blend until smooth. Add a bit of filtered water to get to the desired consistency.

VIDEO:

Kimberly RobertoLeave a comment

Italian Zucchini Scarpaccia

This is a delicious way to use zucchini. It is crunchy and flavorful and makes for a great accompaniment to any meal, especially an Italian meal. It comes together quickly, easily, and can cook while you prepare the rest of your meal. This traditional recipe is upgraded health-wise by using organic ingredients and using almond flour instead of white flour.

Eat it while it is still warm and crispy. The crunch is what makes this dish and since I am using almond flour instead of regular flour, it requires re-heating to re-crisp. It is also a great base for eggs the next morning.

Serves 6-8

Core Plan (The corn meal makes this dish fall into the core plan category but the dish just isn’t the same without it)

  • 1 tablespoon good quality extra virgin olive oil 
  • 2 medium organic/non-gmo zucchini, sliced into rounds
  • 1/2 large sweet onion, sliced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup almond flour 
  • 1/3 cup organic/non-gmo corn meal or masa 
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt (I use Real Salt)
  • 1 cup filtered water
  • 1 tablespoon good quality extra virgin olive oil 
  • 2 tablespoons grated organic parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast
  • Optional garnish: fresh basil and red pepper flakes

Instructions:

  • In a large non-toxic skillet, heat tablespoon of the olive oil on low-med heat. Add in the zucchini and onion and sautee until browned – about 10 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  • Line a 9×13″ metal baking dish (other types of pans will not crisp as well) with parchment paper and brush with more olive oil.
  • In a large bowl, mix almond flour, corn meal, garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste. Add in the water and another tablespoon of olive oil and mix into a batter. Add the zucchini and onion mixture and combine.
  • Transfer the mixture to the baking sheet and spread out to a very thin layer, making sure the zucchini is level and spread evenly. Sprinkle with the grated cheese and a little extra corn meal, drizzle with a small amount of olive oil and bake for 45-50 minutes (or until golden and crispy).
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool 15 minutes prior to slicing.

Kimberly RobertoLeave a comment

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

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

Warm Fall “Salad”

I’m calling this a salad because it is dressed with a vinaigrette but it is a delicious, warm dish with roasted squash and Brussels sprouts and delightful toppings.

Core Plan (You can make this advanced plan or keto by replacing quinoa with riced cauliflower and emitting the honey and pomegranate seeds.)

Serves 2-4

1 organic delicata squash seeded and sliced in 1/2 moons

1 bunch of Brussels sprouts cut in 1/2 or 1/4

Salt

Pepper

Nutmeg

Local honey

Red pepper flakes

Quinoa

Olive oil

Red wine vinegar

Dijon mustard

Pumpkin seeds

Pomegranate seeds

Roast the Brussels sprouts at 425 with avocado oil, salt, pepper, honey and red pepper flakes until brown and the edges are crispy.

Roast the squash at 425 until soft and browned (turn halfway through) with avocado oil, salt, pallet and sprinkle kale with nutmeg.

Cook quinoa. (I added in a few cooked lentils as well).

Make vinaigrette with olive oil, red wine vinegar and Dijon (measure to taste)

Mix quinoa, Brussels sprouts and squash. Add vinaigrette and mix.

Top with pumpkin seeds and pomegranate seeds.

Serve warm.

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