Vegan

Easy Grilled Asparagus (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

20 Minute Meals, Appetizer, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan

Grill Master Level: Unlocked

Summer means barbecue season is upon us! Asparagus is one of my favorite ingredients to grill. Not that pan-frying or baking is boring, but the fire from the barbecue brings out asparagus’ flavor and texture in a whole new way. Plus, with a squeeze of lemon, this asparagus recipe just screams summer.

Cook Time: 7-10 minutes
Serves: 2 servings

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch of asparagus
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • Pinch of salt (adjust to taste)
  • Pinch of pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice (adjust to taste)
  • Trader Joe’s “Everything but the Bagel Seasoning” (optional)

Recipe:

  1. Fire up grill to a low heat.
  2. Toss asparagus in olive oil.
  3. Using tongs, carefully place asparagus horizontally across the grill ridges to avoid the asparagus falling through the cracks.
  4. Cover the grill and let cook for 7-10 minutes or until lightly charred.
  5. Remove asparagus from the heat and toss in salt and pepper. Add a squeeze of lemon and dash of “Everything but the Bagel Seasoning” over top. Enjoy!

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Dad’s Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Dairy-Free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Snack, Soy-Free, Vegan

Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside…

This Father’s Day, I’m making my dad’s favorite: oatmeal raisin cookies. When I was younger, I stayed as far away from oatmeal raisin cookies as I could. For me, it was chocolate chip or nothing! Now, I love oatmeal raisin cookies, and they’ve become a special staple for my family. They bring back memories of home, family, and laughter. I hope these do the same for you!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Serves: 6-8 cookies

Ingredients

Dry:

  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp. salt
  • 2 tbs. rolled oats
  • 2 tbs. raisins, packed (more to taste)

Wet:

  • 2 tbs. maple syrup
  • 1 tbs. coconut oil, softened
  • 1 tbs. almond butter
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Recipe

Preparation:

  1. Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together oat flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix together wet ingredients.
  4. Mix dry mixture into wet ingredients until a wet dough forms. Fold in rolled oats and raisins.

Baking:

  1. Roll dough into small balls, about 1 inch across. Using a fork, press balls into circular discs on the baking sheet, about 1 1/2 to 2 inches across. The cookies will expand slightly in the oven.
  2. Bake for 12 minutes, or until slightly crispy on top. Let cool for 10 minutes to allow the cookies to firm up before enjoying.

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Creamy Red Pepper Pasta Sauce (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Dairy-Free, Entree, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan

A red pepper and a tomato walk into a bar…

…and get baked (in the oven). When I’m craving pasta, I usually reach for a classic red sauce or pesto, but this recipe is a new favorite. The star ingredient? Roasted red pepper. It takes pasta sauce to a whole new level. And it’s CREAMY. The tahini adds a creamy taste and texture, without any of the dairy. I’ve literally been having this pasta every night, and I have no regrets.

Plus, this sauce is so easy to make. If you’re running around and don’t have time to stand over a stove and stir, this is the recipe for you. Toss the veggies in the oven, and get back to what you were doing. Then, blitz it all together in a blender and you’re done!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 1 cup sauce (3-4 pasta servings)

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium red bell pepper
  • 3 gloves garlic
  • 1/4 medium yellow onion
  • 10-12 cherry tomatoes
  • 2 tsp. tahini
  • 1 tbs. fresh basil, packed
  • 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1-2 tsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 + 1/8 tsp. pepper

Recipe:

Preparation

  1. Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit.
  2. Slice the bell pepper in half, lengthwise. Remove the core and seeds. Separate the onion into its layers.
  3. Add bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, and garlic to a baking pan. Toss with 1-2 tsp. of olive oil.

Cooking

  1. Bake the pepper, onion, tomatoes, and garlic for 30 minutes, or until the pepper and tomatoes are brown and blistering. Let cool for 5 minutes.
  2. Add roasted ingredients to a blender with tahini, basil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Blend into a creamy mixture.
  3. Enjoy over your favorite pasta!

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Southwest Bean Salad (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

20 Minute Meals, Appetizer, Dairy-Free, Entree, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan

Texas in a bowl.

I started work this week and am in need of quick, easy recipes. I whipped up this salad during my lunch break, and it is here to stay! I love the light creaminess of the cilantro lime dressing, which pairs perfectly with the bright freshness of the corn and tomatoes. Plus, the beans and chickpeas add great protein to get me through a long work day!

This salad also keeps well in the fridge, so you can make it ahead of time. It’s perfect for a quick meal or your last-minute summer barbecue with friends. Delicious!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Serves: 2 bowls

Ingredients:

Salad

  • 1 cup canned kidney beans, unsalted
  • 1/2 cup frozen corn, defrosted (or fresh if in season!)
  • 1/2 cup cooked or canned chickpeas
  • 5-10 cherry tomatoes, sliced (depending on size)
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 ripe avocado, chopped

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, packed
  • 1 tbs. tahini
  • 2 tsp. lime juice (adjust to taste)
  • 1-2 tbs. water (adjust for desired thickness)
  • 1/4-1/2 tsp. salt (adjust to taste)

Recipe:

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together kidney beans, corn, chickpeas, tomatoes, and onion.
  2. In a food processor or small blender, blend cilantro, tahini, lime juice, 1-2 tbs. water (add in increments until dressing reaches desired thickness), and 1/4 tsp. salt.
  3. Toss salad with dressing, plus a few more pinches of salt (adjust to taste). Mix the avocado in last to avoid getting mushy. Enjoy!

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Blueberry Crumble (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Breakfast, Dairy-Free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan

Ooey, gooey goodness.

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is. You have got to make this blueberry crumble. The blueberry-lemon tang is perfect for summer, and the toasty crumble can warm up any fall day. It’s sweet, nutty, juicy, and an absolute crowd pleaser. I made up this recipe for my family’s Memorial Day brunch. Turns out, they loved it. Everyone was surprised that it was actually healthy. I didn’t measure the ingredients, so I had to make it again this weekend before posting on the blog. But I’m not complaining! Made with whole and natural ingredients, this crumble delivers on both taste and health!

Prep Time: 20-25 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
Serves: 6-8 squares

Ingredients:

Base

  • ¾ cups rolled oats
  • ¼ cup roasted almonds
  • 1 ½ tbs. almond butter
  • 1 ½ tbs. melted coconut oil
  • 2 tbs. maple syrup
  • ½ tsp. baking powder
  • ¼ tsp. baking soda
  • 1/8 tsp. salt

Filling

  • 1 ¼ cups frozen blueberries
  • ½ tsp. lemon zest
  • 2 tbs. cup lemon juice
  • 1 2/3 tbs. coconut sugar
  • 1 tsp. arrowroot starch

Crumble

  • 1/3 cup of the reserved base
  • ¼ cup rolled oats
  • 1 tbs. roasted almonds
  • 2 tsp. maple syrup
  • ¼ tsp. vanilla extract

Recipe

Base Preparation:

  1. Preheat oven to 375° Fahrenheit, and line a 1.5 quart baking pan with parchment paper (or lightly grease with coconut oil).
  2. In a food processor, blend rolled oats until they form a fine flour. Add almonds, baking powder, soda, and salt, and pulse again until a fine flour forms.
  3. Add almond butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup until a crumbly dough forms. When pressed between your fingers, it should not fall apart.
  4. Reserve 1/3 cup of the dough (not packed) for making the crumble later.
  5. Press the remaining dough into the bottom of the pan, about 1-2 cm thick.
  6. Bake for 5-6 minutes until the base is set up.

Filling Preparation:

  1. Add frozen blueberries to a small pot over low heat. Let defrost and soften for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, coconut sugar, and arrowroot starch to the pot. Stir occasionally for about 5 minutes.
  3. Turn down the heat to a medium-high simmer and let the filling reduce and thicken, about 5 minutes. Optionally, you can use a spoon to crush some of the blueberries.
  4. Let cool and start on the crumble!

Crumble Preparation:

  1. Add the reserved base dough, rolled oats, almonds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the food processor. Pulse until the mixture forms a coarse sand.
  2. Use your fingers to press 1/2 to 3/4 of the mixture into small chunks, about 1 cm across. This will add some texture to the crumble.

Baking:

  1. Spread the blueberry filling evenly over the base.
  2. Distribute the crumble chunks and remaining “coarse sand” mixture over the blueberry filling. I like to let some of the blueberry still peek through.
  3. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crumble is lightly toasted or browned on top.
  4. Let cool completely before enjoying!

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Microwave Chocolate Mug Cake (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

20 Minute Meals, Dairy-Free, Dessert, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan

For those late night chocolate cravings…

The late night munchies. We’ve all been there. But when my sweet tooth hits—more like when my chocolate tooth hits—I don’t want to make a whole batch of cookies or brownies, let alone wait for them bake. I want a single serving, and I want it fast! Ever since microwave mug cakes took off on social media, I’ve been playing around with my recipe and trying new flavors almost every week. I’ve finally nailed it. A basic chocolate mug cake is delicious by itself, but when I add a gooey chocolate-y center, it takes it to a whole new level. In particular, I’m talking about using my favorite chocolate cups from Edie’s Sweets!

My friend, Edith, co-founded Edie’s Sweets to put a spin on the classic chocolate peanut butter cup. I’m using my favorite flavor: Dark Chocolate Black Sesame Cup. The black sesame adds a fun twist to the typical chocolate cake, and I’m all for it. Plus, all Edie’s Sweets are vegan, organic, and fair-trade!

So, next time the munchies hit, grab a mug and dig into this baby. It takes less than five minutes to make and absolutely hits the spot.

Prep Time: 2-3 minutes
Cook Time: 1 minute
Serves: 1 mug cake

Ingredients:

  • 1 Edie’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Black Sesame Cup (or 1 tbs. of your favorite chocolate)
  • 2 tbs. oat flour (I ground rolled oats in a food processer until it forms a fine flour)
  • 2 tsp. cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. almond butter
  • 2 tbs. unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tsp. coconut sugar (add another teaspoon if you have a sweeter tooth! Most of the sweetness in this cake will come from the chocolate cup)
  • ¼ tsp. vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp. baking powder
  • 1/8 tsp. salt

Recipe

  1. In a mug, stir together oat flour, cocoa powder, almond butter, almond milk, coconut sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Press Edie’s Sweets chocolate cup into the center of the mixture, pushing down until it is covered by the batter. The chocolate cup will add most of the sweetness to the cake, so if you’re substituting the chocolate cup with different chocolate, make sure it’s sweet enough or add extra coconut sugar.
  3. Microwave for 50 seconds. Let cool for 2-5 minutes before enjoying!

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Easy Pesto Pasta (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

20 Minute Meals, Dairy-Free, Entree, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan

When life gives you basil, make pesto.

Okay, folks. Here is my favorite traditional pesto recipe. It’s quick and easy, but by toasting the pine nuts and garlic we’re elevating this pesto to a whole other culinary level. It is delicious. You can toss this pesto over your favorite pasta (see below for my go-to’s) and save any leftovers for another day!

That said, I know taking out the food processor can dissuade a lot of people. I hear you. When I do not have the energy to pull out my food processor, I opt for my Nutribullet instead. Saves time and cleanup! Just make sure your blender’s blades are low enough to the bottom of the container to sufficiently blend the ingredients.

Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 2 bowls

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup fresh basil, packed
  • 2 tbs. olive oil (add more for a thinner consistency)
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1-2 cups pasta (I recommend Whole Foods Cauliflower Gnocchi or Banza Chickpea Rotini)
  • 4-6 cherry tomatoes (optional garnish)
  • 2-5 chopped almonds (optional garnish)

Recipe:

  1. Toast pine nuts and garlic over low heat for 3 minutes or until lightly browned. No need to oil the pan, but make sure you keep an eye on the nuts and garlic. They brown quickly!
  2. Begin cooking your pasta of choice. If you’re using cauliflower gnocchi, I highly recommend pan frying the gnocchi until lightly browned. The texture and flavor is great!
  3. Add basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to a food processer (or blender!) and blend until a creamy consistency forms.
  4. Stir in desired amount of pesto into the cooked pasta. Optionally top with tomatoes and chopped nuts, and enjoy!

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Jalapeño Margarita (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Beverage, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan

Summer just got hotter…

I first had a chili margarita in Hawaii, and it was the best margarita I had ever had. My cousin and I recreated it at home, and it is GOOD. The jalapeño is optional, but it is absolutely worth it. If the tequila wasn’t enough, the chili adds an extra feel-good kick going down. You have to try it.

Spicy margs just hit different.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1 drink

Ingredients:

  • 1 shot tequila
  • 1 shot orange liquor
  • 1-2 shots fresh-squeezed lime juice (to taste)
  • 1-3 slices of jalapeño pepper
  • 3-5 ice cubes
  • 1 tbs. salt

Recipe

Assembly:

  1. Add tequila, orange liquor, lime juice, and ice to a shaker and shake! À la James Bond, we like it “shaken, not stirred.”
  2. To create the salty edge on your glass, wet the lip of your glass with lime juice and twist over a plate of salt.
  3. Drop in a few slices of jalapeño (start with one and increase to taste!). I promise it’s worth it.

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Tahini Lemon Salad (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

20 Minute Meals, Appetizer, Dairy-Free, Entree, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Vegan

You’ll never buy a store-bought salad again…

This is hands-down my favorite salad I’ve ever made. A few months ago, I started experimenting with tahini, and it is a GAME. CHANGER. It adds such a great creamy, nutty flavor to the dressing and pairs perfectly with the bright tanginess of lemon. Plus, all the protein and veggies make this salad satisfying, which I can’t say the same about all the salads I’ve had…

I’m including my favorite ingredients below, but I tend to switch it up every week. Some of my go-to’s are cooked beets (adds a nice pop!) and shelled edamame (extra protein). I also love to top this salad with falafel or chicken.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 2 bowls

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium bunch of mixed greens or kale (or the amount of greens you like to add to your salad!)
  • 1/3 cup cooked chickpeas (or canned)
  • 1/2 ripe medium avocado
  • 1 cup frozen broccoli (if using fresh broccoli, flash boil it to soften the stalks)
  • 2 tbs. chopped almonds
  • 1-2 tbs. lemon juice (adjust to taste)
  • 1-1 1/2 tbs. tahini (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp. salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tsp. black pepper (adjust to taste)

Recipe

Preparation:

  1. (If using kale) Chop kale into small pieces and massage in a large bowl with 1 tbs. lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. salt. This will make the leaves tender. The leaves will wilt, so make sure you have enough to build your salad.
  2. Cut avocado into 1/2 inch cubes.

Cooking:

  1. Add broccoli to a well-oiled pan over medium heat. Toss broccoli as it begins to brown, adding in 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper (or to taste). Sauté until broccoli is browned or lightly charred.

Assembly:

  1. Place greens, chickpeas, broccoli, almonds, lemon juice, and remaining salt and pepper (or to taste) to a large bowl. Drizzle over tahini and toss until well combined.
  2. Mix in the avocados last (or arrange on top) to prevent them from getting mushy.

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3-Ingredient Seared Tofu (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

20 Minute Meals, Dairy-Free, Entree, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegan

Packing all the umami punch in just 10 minutes!

I’ve made this tofu three times in the last two weeks alone. It’s that easy and that quick and that delicious. I hear Food Network chefs talk about “umami” flavor all the time, and this tofu steak really brings it home. Tamari by itself is great, but the nuttiness of the tahini elevates it to a whole new level. The tamari-tahini sauce crusts up perfectly in the pan, and the smell only makes it better…

Besides packing the flavor, this crusted tofu takes 10 MINUTES. After an exhausting day, when I have neither the time nor the discipline to cook a gourmet meal, I reach for this recipe. My tip? Use extra firm tofu and press as much water out of it as you can. It makes a huge difference in how the tofu crisps up!

Recipe

Prep Time: 1-2 minute
Cook Time: 4-8 minutes
Serves: 4 tofu steaks

Ingredients

  • 1 block of extra firm tofu, pressed
  • 3 tablespoons tamari (I use a 50% less sodium version)
  • 4 tables tahini

Preparation:

  1. Mix the tamari and tofu in a small bowl until it forms a thick, creamy, caramel-colored mixture.
  2. Slice the tofu block horizontally through the side edges. Then slice diagonally across the top to create 4 triangle pieces.
  3. Apply a generous layer of the sauce to one side of each tofu steak.

Cooking:

  1. Over medium-low heat, place the tofu steaks sauce-side down on a lightly oiled, non-stick pan. Apply a layer of sauce to the face-up side of the tofu. Cook for 2-4 minutes or until the bottom crisps into a brown crust.
  2. Flip the tofu steaks and cook for another 2-4 minutes or until the bottom crisps into a brown crust. Serve and enjoy!

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