Category: Vegetarian Recipes

Mexican Style Veggie Pizza featuring Better Bean Co. Beans

Mexican Style Veggie Pizza Featuring Better Bean

Pizza is hands down one of my favorite foods to eat. I always try to make my homemade pizza full of wholesome ingredients and piled high with veggies. This way I can calm my craving with the satisfaction of knowing I am getting an abundance of nutrients.

I was especially excited when Better Bean Co. asked me to create a special recipe using their beans. I knew pizza would be the perfect pairing for their beans. Better Bean Co. makes a variety of beans that are small batch, packed in BPA free containers, low in sodium and best of all, family owned. I opted for the Cuban style beans to spread over my pizza. I really like the flavors of Better Bean Co. beans because they add a touch of seasoning while letting the other flavors in the dish shine. Better Bean Co.’s beans can be added to tacos, nachos, soups or whatever your heart desires. Check out their website for more great recipes and to locate a store near you.

Better Bean Co.

This meatless Mexican style veggie pizza gets topped with fresh ingredients like avocado, tomato, onion and cilantro. I used a shredded Chihuahua cheese–the kind you find in quesadillas, but mozzarella works just as well. Forget the takeout and make this uber healthy vegetable based pizza tonight!

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Mexican Style Pizza Featuring Better Bean Co.

Mexican Style Pizza Featuring Better Bean Co.

Ingredients

  • 1 pizza crust of your choice
  • 1/2 cup ranchero salsa
  • 14 oz. Better Bean Co. Cuban black beans
  • 1 cup shredded chihuahua cheese
  • 1/2 cup avocado, diced
  • 1/2 cup Roma tomato, diced
  • 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
  • 1 handful of cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread ranchero salsa on pizza crust.
  2. Top with Better Bean Co. Cuban black beans. Spread with a spoon. Sprinkle cheese. Place in oven. Bake 12-14 minutes, until pizza crust is crispy and cheese is bubbly.
  3. Top with avocado, tomato, red onion, jalapeño and cilantro. Slice and enjoy!
http://freshandfit.org/mexican-style-veggie-pizza-featuring-better-bean-co-beans/

Mexican Style Veggie Pizza Featuring Better Bean 2

This recipe was sponsored by Better Bean Co. I was compensated in beans in exchange for this post

Simple Grilling Sides

BBQ 2

Although the meat is generally the star of the show when it comes to grilling, I believe the side dishes play a very important supporting role. If you aren’t a big meat eater, like me, you look forward to sides that are satisfying. Today I am going to share 4 simple side dishes to accompany your entrees this Fourth of July and all summer long. These dishes require minimal prep work and look gorgeous on any tablescape.

First up, a chilled watermelon, feta and mint salad. This one is so simple it doesn’t require an actual recipe. Simple cube your watermelon, top with half a cup of feta cheese and a few chopped mint leaves. Beautiful and refreshing.

Watermelon Feta and Mint Salad 1

Grilled vegetables and fruit take on a sweet and savory flavor when grilled. No need for a lot of extra seasoning and fluff. Use grilled pineapple to top burgers, fish or chicken for a fresh burst of fruity flavor that compliments meat so well. Or take your hot grilled pineapple and serve them à la mode with a scoop of ice cream.

Grilled Pineapple

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Grilled Pineapple, Carrots and Baby Bell Peppers

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch carrots, if using large carrots, slice thin and uniform for fast grilling
  • 1 pineapple, sliced into 1/2 inch slices, center removed
  • 4 cups baby bell peppers
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • sea salt and pepper to taste
  • *PRO TIP: Remove the center of the pineapple rind by pressing a metal shot class around the rind.

Instructions

  1. Skewer baby bell peppers onto a wood or metal skewer.
  2. Drizzle olive oil over bell peppers and rub onto carrots.
  3. Season with salt and pepper
  4. Place carrots on grill preheated to 400 degrees. Allow to cook ten minutes. Add bell pepper skewers and pineapple slices directly on grill. At this point you can rotate the carrots. Cook bell pepper and pineapple 5 minutes.
  5. Flip bell peppers and continue to cook 5 minutes.
  6. Serve hot.
http://freshandfit.org/simple-grilling-sides/

Grilled Vegetables
 

 

Eggplant Caprese Stacks with Balsamic Glaze

 

Eggplant Caprese Stacks

Trader Joe’s grocery store has become a favorite destination for me to do my grocery shopping. Not only are the prices hard to beat, but I love their selection of prepared frozen items from their signature line. I rarely make eggplant, so when I came across these breaded eggplant cutlets at Trader Joe’s I had to buy them. They crisp up super quick in the oven and take all the work out of having to batter and coat your own eggplant cutlets. I knew they would be amazing in a caprese recipe. Traditionally, caprese type salads are made with mozzarella, tomato and basil–so the crispiness of the eggplant kicks it up a notch and makes it more of a hearty, satisfying dish. These eggplant caprese stacks with balsamic glaze would make a terrific side dish to just about any entree or a delicious vegetarian entree option.

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Eggplant Caprese Stacks wit Balsamic Glaze

Yield: 4 stacks

Eggplant Caprese Stacks wit Balsamic Glaze

Ingredients

  • For Glaze:
  • 1/2 c balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • For Eggplant Stacks:
  • 8 eggplant cutlets (trader joes brand)
  • 2 large tomatoes, sliced to 1/4 inch thick slices
  • 1 large mozzarella ball, sliced into 1/4 inch thick slices
  • 8 basil leaves
  • Sea salt and black pepper

Instructions

  1. To Make Glaze:
  2. Combine ingredients over med/low heat in a small saucepan. Stir until sugar dissolves.
  3. Bring to a low boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until thickened.
  4. Pour into a container and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
  5. For Stacks:
  6. Cook eggplant cutlets in oven until crispy and lightly browned. Allow to cool slightly.
  7. Layer slices of eggplant, tomato, mozzarella and basil. Repeat and then create another stack. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
http://freshandfit.org/eggplant-caprese-stacks-with-balsamic-glaze/

Eggplant Caprese Stacks 1

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce JPG

Easter is a holiday that evokes thoughts of colorful and bright food with fresh flavors. In today’s recipe, I created a simple and wholesome side dish of roasted vegetables with a creamy and tangy herb dressing. I wanted to make something different from he traditional potato salad. Cabbage, carrots, and potatoes are hearty and have the most wonderful flavor when roasted with a light char. This recipe for roasted vegetables with herb butter sauce will look gorgeous on your Easter table.

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Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce

Roasted Vegetables with Herb Butter Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cabbage
  • 1 bunch of carrots (5-6 medium carrots), sliced lengthwise
  • 1 lb baby red potatoes, quartered
  • FOR SAUCE
  • 1/3 c olive oil
  • 1/3 c grass-fed butter, melter
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • 2 tbsp chives, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, garlic, butter, dill and chives. Reserve 1/3 cup of sauce for after roasting.
  2. Slice cabbage to about 1 inch thickness. Place in a large bowl.
  3. Prepare carrots and potatoes. Add to bowl with cabbage.
  4. Pour sauce over vegetables. Use hands to mix and coat vegetables.
  5. Place vegetables on baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake 30 minutes. Turn broiler to 550 and broil 5 minutes or until vegetables are lightly charred. pour reserved sauce over vegetables right before serving.
http://freshandfit.org/roasted-vegetables-with-herb-butter-sauce/