Grilled Tofu Kabobs

A friend of mine had a BBQ recently that was chock full of meat options; churrasco, sausage and chicharrón. I was in charge of the sides since I don't eat meat. I made a summer pasta salad and replaced mayo with plain Greek yogurt and we grilled Tofu Kabobs & asparagus. The asparagus was lightly seasoned with sea salt, pepper, olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice. We put the asparagus on the grill for about 15 minutes, perfect!

For the tofu kabobs I cut up red onions, green, red & yellow bell peppers, mushrooms and zucchini. I used extra firm tofu, cut into 1 inch cubes. You have to squeeze as much liquid out of the tofu as you can. Put veggies and tofu onto long wooden skewers. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle sea salt, ground pepper and garlic powder. Smother in your fave BBQ sauce. I used a smoky one from Trader Joes. Throw those babies on the grill for about 10-15 minutes on each side (flip a couple times) and enjoy!

Traditional Ceviche

This ceviche is so simple to make and is super healthy! I served with baked sweet potato and toasted corn chips (store bought, local). So, here we go!

Ingredients
1 1/2 tomato, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 red onion, sliced
1 1/2 hass avocado, cubed
1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
1/2 small shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 lb Corvina fish, sliced
1 cooked octopus tentacle, sliced (avail at Whole Foods)
4 large limes, juiced
3 large lemons, juiced
(the juice from both limes & lemons should be about a cup and a half)
sea salt (my dad brought me some from his recent trip to Spain, from the Canary Islands, delish!)
pepper & garlic salt
1 large sweet potato

Directions
1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Brush your best olive oil onto clean sweet potato, skin on. Sprinkle on some sea salt. Once oven is heated, bake for about an hour.
2. After dicing and chopping all your ingredients, combine into a large bowl. Add avocado, lemon/lime juice and seasonings last. The seasoning should be to your taste.
3. Leave marinating overnight so the seafood "cooks" in the lime juice.
4. Serve with the sweet potato sliced and add toasted corn chips.

Super simple and this yields enough for about 6-8 servings. You could also use a different white fish, like grouper or flounder. The corvina was delicious. Stay away from tilapia! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did and the lucky people who got to taste it!

Happy cooking!

-Kat

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Yams

These roasted sweet potatoes and yams are so simple to make. A friend of mine told me to add a little bit of maple syrup to the sweet potatoes, which I tried and loved! I drizzled maple syrup onto the sliced sweet potatoes and yams along with sea salt, crushed red pepper flakes and garlic powder. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. This is the perfect side dish, just add a protein and another veggie side and you are good to go!

Happy Cooking!

-Kat

Broiled Lobster tails with Roasted Zucchini and Asparagus

                                                                                               

                                                                                                                      
My Dad surprised me with these beauties the other day as they were on sale. I decided to go the simple route and broil them. They came already cut down the middle of the shell. You should pull the meat away from the shell before cooking, if not the meat will stick to the shell. I sliced some butter for each tail, seasoned with paprika, freshly dried parsley and a pinch of sea salt. I drizzled some white wine in the pan to add a little flavor and popped them in the oven for 10-12 minutes on broil. They came out perfect! I also made roasted Zucchini and Asparagus.

                                                                                                                             
In a large bowl, mix cut zucchini and asparagus with a drizzle of olive oil, shaved parmesan, sea salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, oregano and garlic powder. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. So yummy!

                                                                                                                                                       
Happy Cooking!
-Kat                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

easy buffalo cauliflower wings

I've been wanting to try this out since I became vegetarian over 5 years ago and never got around to actually making it. I don't know why I waited so long because it is sooo good. I used to love eating wings before so this is a great alternative. You can make your own buffalo sauce or buy your fave from the store. Or you can use BBQ sauce or hot sauce instead.

Ingredients
1 head of organic cauliflower (or you can buy a bag of cauliflower florets)
1 tbsp flour
1/4 cup buffalo sauce (add more or less to your taste)
1 tbsp olive oil
sea salt
ground pepper

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut up head of cauliflower into florets. In a large bowl combine all ingredients and mix well. Make sure the cauliflower is fully coated.
3. Spread evenly on baking sheet and bake for about 25-30 minutes. For crispier cauliflower, broil for a couple minutes at the end.
4. Add some celery and/or carrot sticks with blue cheese dressing and you got yourself an appetizer!

 

Happy cooking!

-Kat

Coconut Curry red lentil and vegetable stew

This stew is so flavorful and hearty, again, no need for meat! I paired it with roasted asparagus topped with parmesan and chopped red onions and yellow rice. I haven't posted in a while so here is something I cooked a couple nights ago.

Ingredients
1 can of light coconut milk
1/2 can crushed tomatoes, no salt added
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup red lentils, uncooked
4 peeled potatoes, diced
4 peeled carrots, diced
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
green onion, chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp red thai curry paste
1 tbsp curry powder (or more to your taste)
garlic powder
sea salt
fresh ground pepper
1/2 tbsp turmeric

Directions
1. In a large pot on medium heat, drizzle evoo and saute the onion, minced garlic, celery. When slightly browned, add potatoes and carrots. Cook for about 5 minutes.
2. Add coconut milk, water and crushed tomatoes. Stir. Add lentils, red curry paste and spices. Stir.
3. Cook on med/low heat for 30 minutes or until vegetables and lentils are cooked through. Stew should be chunky.

Pair with any rice or by itself. You can adjust the amount of curry to your liking and if you want extra spice, add some cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper.

Enjoy!
-Kat

stuffed green peppers

 

I saw a stuffed pepper recipe on instagram that had ground turkey and decided to make a veggie version. 

Ingredients

1 green pepper, cut in half and seeded

1/4 cup cooked brown rice (I used Trader Joe's quick cooking rice)

1/4 cup diced tomatoes

1/4 cup chopped onion

handful of spinach

1/4 cup chopped white mushrooms (any will do)

1 morning star black bean burger, chopped up

shredded cheese

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees F. Place halved peppers on parchment paper

2. Spray a pan with cooking spray,  medium heat. Saute all veggies except for spinach. Add black bean burger and add spinach last. (Spinach cooks quickly).
3. Season with your choice of seasoning. I used black pepper, sea salt, garlic powder and oregano. Add cooked rice and saute until all veggies are thoroughly cooked.
4. Stuff the peppers with the sauteed veggies & rice. Pack tightly with spoon.
5. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top (I used mexican cheese blend)
6. Bake at 400 degrees F for about 25 minutes.

You could also top with marinara sauce but it tastes amazing by itself. This was quick and easy to prepare.

 Happy cooking!

Kat