Tag: vegetarian

Thai Crunch Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette

Thai Crunch Bulgar Salad

I always enjoy grains added to my salads, this is especially true in the colder months. Adding exotic and chewy grains create a heartier salad with a more satisfying texture. Today’s recipe is inspired by the fresh flavors of Thai cooking. Raw veggies like cucumber and purple cabbage meld deliciously with the nutty aroma of sesame oil and spicy tang of ginger.
Topped with peanuts and fresh cilantro, this Thai crunch salad is perfect for lunch or as a side dish for dinner. I enjoy this salad cold, but you could eat it hot and have it as a sort of Thai take on fried rice. You can even add a little grilled chicken, beef or salmon to make it a complete entree. Keep this dish in your recipes to start the new year, which is fast approaching, on a super healthy note.

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Thai Crunch Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

Thai Crunch Salad with Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 2 c bulgar, uncooked
  • 1 c purple cabbage, finely chopped
  • 1/2 c green onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 c shredded carrots
  • 2/3 c bean sprouts
  • 1 c cucumber, sliced and quartered
  • 1 handful cilantro, chopped
  • 1/3 c chopped peanuts, divided
  • 1/4 tsp chili flakes (optional)
  • Sea salt to taste
  • FOR DRESSING
  • 1/3 c sesame oil
  • 1/3 c rice wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger

Instructions

  1. Cook bulgar according to package. Refrigerate 2 hours. Fluff with a fork.
  2. Stir in chopped vegetables, half of peanuts and chili flakes.
  3. Mix together dressing ingredients. Pour over bulgar and stir well. Season with salt to taste.
  4. Top with cilantro and remaining chopped peanuts. Refrigerate until serving.
http://freshandfit.org/thai-crunch-salad-with-sesame-ginger-vinaigrette/

Herbed Fusilli Pasta with Mushrooms, Sun-Dried Tomato and Green Beans

Herbed Fusilli Pasta Fresh and Fit

As you can tell by scrolling through my blog, the majority of my recipes are plant-based. I try to eat a mostly plant-based with a sprinkling of animal protein throughout the week. I consider myself a part time vegetarian. If I do purchase meat, I make sure it was held to high standards and practices. My hat goes off to strict vegans and vegetarians. It is a very disciplined and aware way of life. I try to do the best I can giving the knowledge I continue to gain about the meat industry and animal welfare. I don’t try to push my beliefs on anyone, I simply believe in doing your best and maintaining your ethics the best you can. Now onto today’s recipe…
Give your pasta a nutritional boost with fresh veggies in this herbed fusilli pasta recipe. Hearty mushrooms take the place of meat for a filling plant-based dish perfect for chilly fall days.

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Herbed Fusilli Pasta with Mushrooms, Sun-Dried Tomato and Green Beans

Yield: 8 servings

Herbed Fusilli Pasta with Mushrooms, Sun-Dried Tomato and Green Beans

Ingredients

  • 1 16oz package of fusilli pasta
  • 1 8oz package of sliced baby portobello mushrooms
  • 1/2 c sun-dried tomatoes, packed in olive oil, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp oil from sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 cups green beans, sliced in half
  • 1/2 c grated parmesan cheese, organic preferred
  • 1 c heavy cream, organic preferred
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 4 tbsp basil, chopped
  • 1 tsp chili flakes

Instructions

  1. Begin by boiling water for pasta. In the meantime, sauté mushrooms in 2 tbsp of olive oil from sun-dried tomatoes in a separate pan. About 10 minutes.
  2. Add in green beans, 2 tablespoons of basil, oregano, chili flakes and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
  4. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta.
  5. Return pasta to pot and pour in vegetable mixture. Stir to coat.
  6. Serve with grated parmesan cheese and basil.
http://freshandfit.org/herbed-fusilli-pasta-with-mushrooms-sun-dried-tomato-and-green-beans/

Rich and Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Vegetarian Chili Fresh and Fit

Chili is a mainstay in my house during the cooler months because it can be made in large batches and reheated throughout the week. Today’s recipe is a vegetarian chili that sticks to the ribs and comforts after a long day of work or being outside on a crisp fall day. This chili gets its heartiness from meaty eggplant and mushrooms with a rich, creamy tomato broth. It is a perfect meatless Monday recipe.

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Rich and Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Rich and Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients

  • 1 can Pinto beans
  • 3 cans Fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 Onion, finely chopped
  • 2 Carrots, diced
  • 1 Zucchini, diced
  • 1 small eggplant, diced
  • 1 c sliced mushrooms
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 c half n' half
  • 1 4oz can of hatched green chiles
  • 1 tbsp Garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Onion powder
  • 2 tbsp Cumin
  • 2 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1 tbsp Paprika
  • 1 handful Cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. In a large Dutch oven, sauté carrot and onion in four tbsp olive oil. Cover and cook 7 minutes.
  2. Add zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant and garlic, sauté 5 minutes longer.
  3. Add beans, tomatoes, chiles and seasonings. Bring to a simmer and cook 25 minutes.
  4. Stir in half and half.
  5. Serve with cilantro.
http://freshandfit.org/rich-and-hearty-vegetarian-chili/

Crispy Plantains Over Black Beans, Mango and Red Onion

Crispy Plantains ff

I have shared quite a few plantain recipes here on Fresh and Fit. From veggie burgers to tacos, plantains are a very versatile fruit that can be combined with sweet, savory or salty flavors. Todays recipe is a straight forward side dish that is comforting and hearty enough for fall, but with the tropical flavors of mango, lime and of course, plantains. The crispy outside with a soft inside make this recipe perfect for meatless mondays and hearty enough to stand on its own as a vegan entree. It would also pair nicely with steak, chicken and fish entrees.

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Crispy Plantains Over Black Beans, Mango and Red Onion

Crispy Plantains Over Black Beans, Mango and Red Onion

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe plantain, sliced into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 mango, diced
  • 1/4 c red onion, minced
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • 1 handful cilantro, chopped
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp cumin powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • Sea salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Toss plantain slices in cumin and chili powder.
  2. Heat olive oil in a medium skillet. Place plantain slices in skillet and cook 4-5 minutes each side. Season with sea salt.
  3. On a serving plate, spread out black beans, top with plantain slices, diced mango, chopped cilantro and squeezed lime.
http://freshandfit.org/crispy-plantains-over-black-beans-mango-and-red-onion/