Crispy Tofu with Chili Garlic Green Beans

When I returned to work after my maternity leave, I joined a locally based team that I often refer as my boss babes. Our entire leadership team was female and I loved every second of it. We used to eat lunch together most days, and one of the fan favorites was P.F. Changs. My cubemate, Megan, always ordered Vegetable Fried Rice and Spicy Green Beans, one day I tried some of it and from that moment forward I was also addicted. So I set out to make the green beans on my own.

Serves: 4
Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:
Tofu:
1 block of extra firm tofu, pressed and drained (this takes 30 min so be sure to prep this before starting to cook)
1 tsp of toasted sesame oil
2 Tbs canola oil
1/2 cup corn starch
2-3 Tbs of canola oil

Green Beans:
1 lb of trimmed fresh green beans
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 Tbs finely chopped fresh ginger
1 Tbs of chili garlic paste
3 green onions, finely chopped
2 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs toasted sesame oil
1 Tbs seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp brown sugar
1 Tbs crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup water

Directions:
1. Cube tofu and add to a mixing bowl, add in 2 Tbs of canola oil and sesame oil. Use a rubber spatula to gently stir the tofu so it’s coated in the oil. Next add the corn starch and toss the tofu to coat. You want the corn starch/oil to look gooey
2. Next heat the remaining canola oil in a large fry pan over medium high heat heat, add the tofu and arrange so it’s in one layer. Let it fry in the oil for about 5 minutes, then flip it every few minutes so all sides develop a golden brown crust (be sure to continue to check on these, and if they turn golden before everything else is down, just remove from the oil)
3. Meanwhile, add another 2 Tbs of canola oil to a heavy bottom fry pan or wok on medium high heat, add the green beans (this will splatter and likely set off your fire alarm, so have your fan going, windows open, and take caution lol)
4. While the green beans sear, mix together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes and water.
5. Continue sautéing the green beans for about 4 minutes, next add the chili garlic paste, garlic, ginger, and green onions cook about another minute or two, until fragrant.
6. Next add the sauce, stir to coat the green beans and let the sauce cook down by about half then add the tofu. Stir to coat and serve by itself or with your favorite rice

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Seared Cajun Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Kale Salad

After an amazing holiday season and basically eating fancy cheese for every meal, my family and many of my friends are focused on eating more whole foods. Eating more vegetables doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. This salad will take you all of 10 minutes to prepare.

Serves: 4
Time: 10 Minutes

Ingredients:
8 cups of Kale (you can used any kind of Kale, my fav is dino kale)
1/2 Tbs of salted butter or ghee
1 lb of defrosted, peeled, and deveined shrimp
1 Tbs of old bay seasoning
1/2 tsp of cajun seasoning
2 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1/2 cup crushed roasted peanuts

Dressing:
1/4 cup Annies Vegan Green Goddess dressing
1/4 cup Garlic Expressions dressing

Directions:
1. Heat the butter in a skillet over medium high heat
2. Meanwhile add the shrimp and seasonings to bowl and stir to combine
3. Add the shrimp to the skillet and arrange so they are in one layer, let these sear about 3 minutes, then add the garlic, flip the shrimp and let cook for another 1-2 minutes then turn off the heat and all the lemon juice
4. Mix up the dressing by adding both dressings and whisking together
5. Plate your kale, sprinkle with peanuts, add the shrimp and top with dressing

Ancho Chile Rubbed Salmon with a Horseradish Maple Sauce

Back before I started limiting my meat consumption, I used this dry rub on pork chops and it always was the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. When I became a pescatarian I decided to try this same seasoning on a hardy fish, enter salmon! This is the perfect Monday night dinner. When you’re tired from your first day back after the weekend, the kids are cranky, and you just need to put something on the table. Season, bake, eat. Trust me it’s delicious and way better than a microwave meal!

Serves: 2 (you will have leftover sauce and seasoning so feel free to add a few more filets if you need to!)
Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:
2 Salmon Filets

Dry rub:⁣
2 Tbs chili powder (ancho if you have it) ⁣
1 tsp paprika⁣
1 tsp oregano⁣
1 tsp pepper⁣
1/2 tsp cayenne⁣
1 tsp cumin ⁣
1 tsp salt⁣
⁣
Sauce:⁣
1/2 cup high quality maple syrup ⁣
1 Tbs Dijon mustard (I like kind with whole seeds, but any kind will do) ⁣
1 Tbs prepared horseradish ⁣
1/2 Tbs chili powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper ⁣
⁣
Directions⁣:
1. Preheat oven to 425
2. Mix together dry rub (I like to store this in my own spice jar to use in the future). Place the salmon skin side down on a foil lined baking sheet
3. Next mix the sauce together and brush over salmon. Bake for about 6-8 minutes

Serve with your favorite veggie

Vegan Pasta Bolognese

Meatless gluten free dairy free (if you want it to be!) ⁣
⁣
Prep: 5 min ⁣
Cook: 55 min ⁣
Total: 1 hour ⁣
Serves: 4-6⁣
⁣
Ingredients:⁣
1 cup green lentils ⁣
1 spaghetti squash ⁣
Drizzle of olive oil ⁣
2 cups water ⁣
1 clove garlic, smashed⁣
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes⁣
1 tsp paprika ⁣
1 tsp onion powder ⁣
1 bay leaf ⁣
1 jar @carfagnasmarket original pasta sauce ⁣
⁣
Directions: ⁣
1. Preheat the oven to 375 meanwhile Sift through lentils to discard small ones and any rocks in the batch, then soak in cold water for about 20 min ⁣
2. Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise, scoop out seeds, drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place face side down on baking sheet and bake for 45-60 min depending on size and texture you prefer ⁣
3. After the lentils are done soaking, rinse them thoroughly in a colander, then add lentils, 2 cups water, garlic red pepper, paprika, onion powder, and bay leaf to a sauce pan, bring to a boil and immediately turn down to a simmer, cook for about 15 minutes and test every 2 min after that to check for fineness, you want the lentil to be slightly chewy not mushy⁣
4. Drain lentils, then in the same sauce pan, add @carfagnasmarket original pasta sauce, return lentils to sauce pan. Heat on medium/low heat and stir til warm⁣
5. Remove spaghetti squash from oven and use a fork to shred it. To plate, take some spaghetti squash, top with pasta sauce/lentil mixture, and add cheese and parsley if you’d like ⁣
🙌🏼⁣

Thai Spring Rolls ⁣

Last year, our dear friends Collin and Amata, flew home from Portland and hosted a group of friends at their parents house. The theme was make your own spring rolls, and let me tell you, it was probably the best dinner party we’ve been to. I’ve always made spring rolls, but never in party fashion. I absolutely recommend it.

Serves: 2-4 ⁣
Time: 30 min (minus pressing tofu for 30) ⁣
⁣
Ingredients:⁣
1 block firm tofu pressed ⁣
2 Tbs hoisin sauce ⁣
2 Tbs soy sauce ⁣
2 Tbs sweet Thai chili sauce ⁣
Juice of 1/2 lime ⁣
1 tsp fish sauce ⁣
1 Tbs sriracha ⁣
1 red pepper, thinly sliced ⁣
1/4 red onion thinly sliced ⁣
1 cucumber thinly sliced length wise ⁣
1 jalapeño thinly sliced ⁣
1 bunch of cilantro ⁣
1 serving size of rice noodles (I use vermicelli) ⁣
Packet of rice paper wrappers ⁣
⁣
Directions:⁣
1. Slice tofu into thin svtrips then Mix together, hoisin, soy sauce, sweet Thai chili sauce, lime juice, fish sauce and sriracha. In a shallow bowl add tofu and pour marinade. Let set for about 15 min (no longer than 45 min) ⁣
2. Prepare rice noodles based on packaging directions ⁣
3. Meanwhile, begin slicing all your veggies, you want julienned strips (see pic) ⁣
4. Once tofu is ready, either fry in 2 Tbs of canola oil for about 10-15 min (til almost charred) or add to air fryer on 390 degrees for 15 min ⁣
5. Now time to assemble, dip the rice paper wrapper in warm water, then start adding everything you’d like into the middle, leaving about an inch or so on all sides, then roll it up like a burrito. Voila! ⁣
⁣
Give it a go! So delish and healthy too. ⁣

Sweet Potato Gnocchi sauced with Sage Browned Butter topped with Spiced Pecans and Shaved Parmesan⁣

If the descriptive title has you drooling, just wait til you taste it.

Time: 1 hour 15m ⁣
Serves: 6 ⁣
⁣
Ingredients: ⁣
Gnocchi: ⁣
2 medium sweet potatoes⁣
1/2 cup ricotta cheese ⁣
1 egg⁣
Salt/pepper ⁣
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper⁣
3-4 cups of all purpose flour – you want mixture to be slightly sticky ⁣
⁣
Sauce: ⁣
3 Tbs butter ⁣
1 shallot, thinly sliced ⁣
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper ⁣
1/2 cup chopped sage ⁣
1 cup white wine ⁣
⁣
Spiced pecans ⁣
2 cups pecans ⁣
1/2 cup powdered sugar ⁣
1 tsp cayenne pepper ⁣
3/4 tsp salt ⁣
4 tsp water ⁣
⁣
Directions:⁣
1. Bake sweet potatoes whole by poking them with a fork and baking at 425 for about 45-50 minutes ⁣
2. Next mix the sugar, pepper, salt, and water in a separate bowl, add pecans and stir to coat. Pour onto parchment lined baking and sheet and Bake at 375 for 15 minutes, let cool and break apart ⁣
3. In the meantime, melt butter over medium heat and add shallots. Once butter begins to brown add cayenne and sage. Sauté for about a minute and add wine (be careful it’ll splatter), and turn to low to continue to simmer⁣
4. Bring a pot of water to a boil, and next mix the gnocchi ingredients together in a separate bowl, adding flour 1 cup at a time til mixture is sticky but rollable ⁣
5. Next divide gnocchi dough into about 5 smaller balls, then one ball at a time roll it into a snake on a floured service, then cut into small rectangles, drop in the boiling water and once they rise to the top transfer to sauce. Continue this process in batches til all the gnocchi are in the sauce ⁣
⁣
Serve with shaved Parmesan and top with crushed spiced Pecans. To make this a 30 minute meal, simply roast potatoes and make pecans early in the week. 💕⁣

Vegetarian Meatballs

Enjoy these delicious meatless meatballs. It’s the perfect addition to any pasta.

Serves: 4 ⁣
Time: 30 min ⁣
⁣
Ingredients:⁣
1/2 sweet onion, diced ⁣
3 cloves garlic minced ⁣
1 package white mushrooms minced ⁣
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped ⁣
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese⁣
1 egg ⁣
1/2 cup breadcrumbs ⁣
1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed ⁣
2 Tsp dried oregano ⁣
Salt and pepper ⁣
A pinch of cayenne ⁣
1 Tbs olive oil ⁣
⁣
Dusting:⁣
1/2 tsp cayenne ⁣
2 Tbs Parmesan ⁣
2 Tbs breadcrumbs ⁣
⁣
Directions: ⁣
1. Preheat the oven to 375 and grease a baking sheet with olive oil ⁣
2. In a skillet sauté onion and mushrooms until pan is dry and onions are translucent, next add garlic and continue cooking til fragrant, about a minute and let cool ⁣
3. Mix the remainder of the ingredients with cooked onions, mushrooms, and garlic in a food processor, pulse until crumbly but not completely smooth, you def want texture to the mixture⁣
4. Next mix dusting ingredients and roll out 1 inch balls, roll in dusting mixture, and place on baking sheet. Repeat until mixture is gone. Bake for 10 minutes flip over and bake an additional 10 minutes ⁣
⁣
Serve with your favorite spaghetti and sauce (we like spaghetti squash and @carfagnasmarket original pasta sauce on ours) 🥰

Maegan’s Baked Ziti

30 minutes or less and #vegan ⁣
⁣
Time: 30 min⁣
Serves: 6⁣
⁣
Ingredients:⁣
1 package @eatbanza pasta ⁣
1 package firm tofu, pressed⁣
1 clove garlic, minced ⁣
1 Tbs olive oil ⁣
3 Tbs nutritional yeast ⁣
1 tsp oregano ⁣
Juice of 1/2 lemon⁣
Salt and pepper⁣
A pinch of brown sugar or honey if not vegan⁣
Jar of @carfagnasmarket original pasta sauce ⁣
1/4 Parmesan cheese (if vegan use follow your heart parm) and a little more⁣
⁣
Directions:⁣
1. Preheat oven to 375 and while it’s preheating cook pasta al dente by directions on box ⁣
2. At the same time add tofu, garlic, olive oil, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt/pepper, sugar/honey, and oregano to a food processor and blend until smooth (this is your vegan ricotta!) ⁣
3. Once the pasta has been drained and rinsed, add about 1 cup of ricotta mixture, 1/4 cup cheese, and 1.5 cups of pasta sauce to a mixing bowl, and combine, next add pasta and toss to coat ⁣
4. Next it’s time for layering. Add 1/2 the pasta mixture to 9×13 greased pan, dollop half the leftover ricotta, then cover with remaining pasta. Cover that with leftover pasta sauce, dollop the top of ricotta and dust with cheese. ⁣
5. Bake for 25 minutes, uncovered. Then serve! ⁣

Mushroom, Caramelized Onion, and Roasted Garlic Whole Wheat Pizza ⁣

So good you’ll eat a whole pizza in one sitting
⁣
Serves: 12 ⁣
Time: 1h15 if you make the dough, 30 min if you buy dough ⁣
⁣
Ingredients: ⁣
Pizza dough ⁣
1 cup water, heated to 110 degrees ⁣
1 Tbs olive oil ⁣
1 Tbs sugar ⁣
1 packet red star active dry yeast ⁣
2 cups whole wheat flour ⁣
3/4 cup all purpose flour⁣
1/4 cup grated parmesan⁣
1 Tsp salt ⁣
⁣
Toppings: ⁣
1 head of roasted garlic or about 12 cloves⁣
1 onion, diced ⁣
1 pint shiitake mushrooms, sliced ⁣
1 pint baby Bella mushrooms, sliced ⁣
1 pint cremini mushrooms, quartered ⁣
1 container of buffalo Mozzarella ⁣
1 cup low fat mozz ⁣
3 cups arugula ⁣
1/2 lemon, juiced ⁣
1 Tbs olive oil ⁣
Salt and pepper ⁣

⁣Directions:
1. Decide if you want to make or buy the dough ( you can just ask for whole wheat pizza dough at a deli counter), the recipe is easy, so ultimately up to you and your time. ⁣
2. Add the heated water to the sugar and oil, sprinkle packet of active dry yeast and let sit for about 10 minutes, in a separate bowl mix flours, cheese, and salt. ⁣
3. Add the dry mixture to wet mixture and mix on medium low speed with dough hook for 5 minutes, dough should be smooth at the end, add a little oil to bottom of bowl, cover with a dish towel, set in a warm place, and let rise for 60 minutes ⁣
4. Start here if you bought your dough! Or while your dough is rising, heat 1 Tbs of butter on medium heat and add onion, stirring occasionally for about 30 min til caramelized (add a little bit of water when the pan gets too dry) ⁣
5. In a separate pan cook the mushrooms on medium high heat, until the pan is dry ⁣
6. Once the dough has risen, punch down, cut in half and roll out dough each half to be as thin as possible ⁣
7. Preheat oven to 500 degrees ⁣
8. Once dough is rolled pre bake for about 3 minutes (it’ll puff up!) ⁣
9. Now time to assemble, smash garlic and spread over base, next add both the fresh and shredded mozz, top with mushrooms and onions, season with salt and pepper bake for 12 minutes on a sheet pan ⁣
10. While pizza is baking mix arugula with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper ⁣
11. Slice pizza and top with arugula⁣
⁣
Yum!!

Mushroom Dumplings with Sweet Sesame Chili Dipping Sauce ⁣

Crunchy Chewy Nutritious ⁣
Recipe by @halfbakedharvest ⁣
⁣
Makes about 30 dumplings ⁣
Time: 1 hour ⁣
⁣
Ingredients:⁣
1 Tbs toasted sesame oil ⁣
2 shallots ⁣
1 clove garlic, minced ⁣
1 Tbs minced ginger ⁣
4 cups shiitake mushrooms finely chopped ⁣
Pinch of black pepper ⁣
2 Tbs soy sauce ⁣
2 cups bok Choy finely chopped ⁣
45 Wonton wrappers ⁣
1/3 cup sesame seeds⁣
⁣
Dipping sauce:⁣
1/4 cup toasted sesame oil ⁣
2 Tbs soy sauce (tamari) ⁣
2 Tbs sriracha sauce ⁣
2 Tbs honey ⁣
1 Tbs minced ginger ⁣
1 Tsp crushed red pepper flakes ⁣
⁣
Directions:
1. Heat sesame oil on medium high heat and add shallots, stirring til carmelized, about 2 min, next add mushrooms, garlic, pepper, and ginger, stir til mushrooms cook down about 5 min⁣
2. Next add soy sauce and bok choy, turn heat down to medium low and cook another 2-3 minutes til mushrooms are carmelized ⁣
3. Now time to make the dumplings, have a bowl of water nearby, use your finger to wet the edges of the wonton wrappers, next spoon 1/2 a Tbs or so of mushroom mixture in the middle, the start folding. It’s easiest to pinch each corner to the center then fold up the slack. They don’t have to be pretty, but just make sure the pinch at the top is sealed. Rub a little water on bottom and dip into sesame seeds – from here either freeze or cook ⁣
4. To cook, heat a tbs or 2 of sesame oil on medium heat, add dumplings and cook for about 3 min, no stirring, turn heat down to medium low, add 1/4 cup water (be careful! It’ll bubble) and cover immediately and steam for 6 minutes ⁣
5. To make the dipping sauce, combine and stir all ingredients til combined ⁣
⁣
This is so so good and completely #vegan