Vegan Colcannon

This week we are doing a Gluten Free and Vegan Menu, in an effort to get back on the health wagon. After I started working full time it got harder and harder to stay on track with eating healthy and I am starting to feel the consequences. I convinced hubby to go on this "diet" this week because he wants to lose some weight and I just want that good feeling back from when I was eating healthy before.

Let me tell you, it is not easy going from eating fast food and take out all the time, to planning a weekly menu that is Vegan and GF! Unless you want to eat nothing but soup and salad! My menu this week took me 5 hours to plan because I wanted to find recipes for hubby that would please his palate and hopefully keep him on board with the new "diet". Him being a picky eater, this was no easy task!

Here is one of the recipes that I found, but adjusted to be more interesting. I threw some endives in because I found them at the store and had never had them, in fact I was going through self-checkout and I had to ask the attendant what they were because I had never seen them. Hubby's response "you're buying them and you don't even know what they are???". Ha, I like to try new things. I found they don't have much taste but they lend an interesting texture.

This is not an authentic Irish dish but pretty close. Very filling and delicious! Not 100% healthy but it is vegan and gluten free MEAL. Traditionally served as a side dish.

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Prep time: 10 Min. Cook time: 30 Min. Serves: 5

Ingredients

2 Tbsp EVOO

1 ,Onion chopped

1/2 head cabbage

2 Endives, sliced in 1/4 inch thick rings(optional)

6 Red Potatoes, skin on and boiled

1/4 cup earth balance

1/4 cup non-dairy milk

Celtic Sea Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper to Taste

Instructions

Start potatoes boiling in large sauce pan over medium heat.

Chop onions and slice endives.

In a separate pan heat EVOO over medium-low heat until hot.

Add onions and endives and heat until they start to caramelize, adding salt at this stage will help them to sweat and caramelize quicker.

Spread cabbage evenly on top of onion mixture and season to taste with pepper, cover with lid and continue to cook over low heat just until wilted.

Meanwhile, add earth balance and milk to a bowl, season with sea salt and pepper to taste, then add drained potatoes and mash until smooth.

Remove lid and stir cabbage and onion mixture, re-cover and continue to cook until cabbage is crisp tender and brightened.

Remove cabbage mixture from heat and spoon onto a plate, then spoon the potato mixture on top of the cabbage, serve.

Nectarines with Honey Mustard Dressing

I know it sounds strange but it is soooo yummy. and quite refreshing on a hot day! This can also be tossed with some fresh salad greens for an even more substantial side dish.

1 Firm nectarine, cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp unfiltered honey
1/8 tsp minced garlic
Sea Salt and Fresh ground pepper to taste

The nectarine needs to be fairly firm, or it'll turn to mush when you try to cut it up. Don't worry about it being to sour, the dressing makes it sweeter. Place nectarine pieces into a bowl.

In a small cup or bowl mix that last 4 ingredients until well corporated. drizzle on fruit and enjoy!

This recipe serves one person, increase ingredients as needed.

Curried Grilled Zucchini

A side that I created tonight for dinner. I used to use bottled dressing to marinate it then grill, but it isn’t healthy so wanted a flavorful alternative. This is what I came up with and it is YUMMY! Can easily be doubled or tripled.

Prep time: 1 Min. Cook time: 10 Min. Serves: 2

Ingredients

1 zucchini cut into 8 wedges

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp good quality organic curry powder

sea salt to taste

1/2 tsp turbinado sugar

Instructions

cut zucchini into 8 wedges.

In a small bowl mix remaining 4 ingredients until well blended. Sugar will not disolve if using turbinado sugar. place zucchini on grill over medium heat, brush on oil mixture. cook until desired doneness(about 10 mins for me) adding more oil mixture every couple of mins.

I had this with NY strip steak, and some sliced strawberries.

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My Spanish Rice

I recently moved and can longer have my favorite spanish rice from a restaurant where I used to live, so I’ve been on a quest to find a rice similar. After many failed attemps I think I finally have it!

Prep time: 5 Min. Cook time: 60 Min. Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 cups brown long grain rice

1 onion diced fine

4 cups chicken broth(or vegetable broth for vegan)

3 tbsp. tomato paste

1 tsp. oregano

Instructions

Heat oil in large sauce pan on medium heat. Meanwhile rince rice in cold water until water runs clear(this helps keep it from sticking together). pour rice into pan and mix to coat well with oil. Cook over medium heat until rice turns golden brown. Add chopped onion and mix well, cook additional 2 mins. In seperate bowl mix the broth and the paste well, then add to rice. Cover and bring to boil, then turn down and simmer until rice is cooked through. Serve hot!

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Nectarine spinach and greens salad with garlic and herb dressing

My kids LOVED this. I'm not sure what prompted me to try nectarines with greens, but I'm sure glad I did. They ate it up, and there wasn't a single bit left. The flavors compliment each other amazingly. Yummy and refreshing all in one, what more could you ask for?

This salad is a perfect compliment to this black beans and rice recipe. Everything is fresh, and homemade making for an extremely healthy meal!

Firm nectarines create a lovely crunch in this salad. Dont worry about how sweet they are, they will taste much sweeter with homemade salad dressing.

Prep time: 10 Min. Cook time: 30 Min. Serves: 8

Ingredients

2 firm nectarines, chopped into bite sized pieces

1 bag prewashed baby spinach and greens(or other mixed green salad)

1/4 c. olive oil

3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. mustard seed

1 tbsp. onion powder

1 tbsp. garlic powder(or fresh garlic if you prefer)

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. basil

2 tbsp. dry parsley flakes

1/8 tsp. sea salt

Instructions

place olive oil, mustard seed, onion and garlic powders, oregano, basil, sea salt and parsley into a food processor(or use immersion blender) and process until mustard seeds are pulverized. remove from processor and place into a small tupperware bowl, drizzle in apple cider vinegar and shake well. cover and refrigerate. Until ready to serve.

Place salad into a large bowl, then top with the chopped nectarines. chill for 30 mins. drizzle salad with desired amount of homemade dressing and toss to coat, just before serving.

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Crunchy Nutty Brown Rice

Crunchy Nutty Rice

Serves: 10

I thought some might want a new twist on plain ol rice. This sounds really yummy. I think it would be awesome with almonds or chopped peanuts!

INGREDIENTS
1-1/2 cups water
1 cup chicken stock or broth(more water, or vegetable stock to make it vegan)
1-1/3 cups uncooked long-grain brown rice
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped pecans(or other nuts)
1/4 teaspoon ground sage
1 cup finely chopped celery
5 oz. sliced water chestnuts
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Black pepper to taste
Sea Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS
1. Bring water and stock to a boil in medium-size saucepan.
2. Add rice and stir. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.
3. Remove pan from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Reserve.
4. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet.
5. Sauté onion and celery over moderate heat 3 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients including reserved cooked rice. Fluff with fork before serving.

Skillet Black Beans and Rice

This has wonderful bright flavors, and is sooooo filling.Also a great way to get healthy whole-grains and fiber into your diet. It could be a vegetarian main dish or even a side dish. It is simple to prepare. If you like more spice, add a little cayenne.

Prep time: 5 Min. Cook time: 45 Min. Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 garlic clove, minced

1 (15 ounce) can organic black beans, undrained

1 (14 1/2 ounce) can organic diced tomato, undrained (I like Mexican or Italian style)

1 (4 ounce) can green chilies

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon cilantro(dry) or 1/4 Cup fresh

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons Cumin

1 tablespoon chili powder

3 cups brown rice cooked

1 cup water

Instructions

In large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high.
Add onion and cook about 3 minutes until tender.
Stir in remaining ingredients EXCEPT rice.
Bring to a boil then stir in water and rice.
Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Serve with sliced avacado and a banana as sides if making this a main dish.

Herbal (Dill) "Pancakes"

These make a good alternative to flatbread, much cheaper and healthier than anything store bought too!

Prep time: 10 Min. Cook time: 20 Min. Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 cup whole grain flour(I use oat flour)

1 whole egg

1/2 cup water

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 salt and pepper, as per taste

2 tablespoons dill, as per taste

Instructions

Combine the flour, egg, seasoning water in a bowl using either use a whisk or a handheld blender.

Once mixed, add the dill paste and oil; beat for further 2 minutes until batter is that of Pancake consistency.

Heat a pancake griddle (medium heat); spray with a vegetable spray.

Drop a small amount of batter as for pancakes.

If required, a touch of butter can be used to add to the flavour.

Flip; cook for a minute.