Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts

Friday, August 01, 2014

Seasons Change, So Should Your Food

I love shopping at the farmers market for fresh fruits and vegetables.  It is the perfect place to buy seasonal fresh foods.  The seasons changing set a natural backdrop for what we should be eating.  With fall approaching…well kind of, it’s just my favorite season, I thought I would share how I try to eat seasonally and a few of my fall favorites.  Who is ready for some apple cider and scarfs?


Fall is one of my favorite seasons, the rich trending colors and the unexplainable feeling of warmth makes it my favorite season.  Although San Francisco doesn't have that much of a change from summer to fall, you can still find seasonal foods and cook with the fresh harvests of the season.

It is hard know what foods are in season if you go to a grocery store.  Pesticides, chemicals, and means of transportation allow you to find any fruit or vegetable available the throughout the year.  To truly know what is seasonal I go to the local farmers market.  It is great, you can see what the farmers are growing and harvesting.  CUESA.org is a great website to see what fruits, vegetables, and herbs are in season in the San Francisco area.  CUESA (Center of Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture) is a great organization that works to cultivate sustainable food systems through the operation of the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and its educational programs.
When I go to the farmers market, whether it is for the restaurant or for my personal consumption, I take pride in knowing where my food came from and how it was grown.  I like to ask the farmer questions about the food and how they grow it.  It’s nice getting to know them a little bit before you purchase.  I find it rewarding when I understand the relationship that the food has beyond just filling our stomachs.  When I know where my ingredients came from, I can embrace the passion that went into growing them and express that passion when cooking them.

Fall makes me want to cook warm delicious food nonstop.  When I think of fall I immediately think about apples, pumpkins, and warm spices; coincidentally they are in season too.  One of my favorite desert snacks for fall are Ginger Baked apples.  It is so good, seasonal, and the whole family loves them.  I found the recipe last fall at herbazest.com .  I’m pretty sure I made them at least once a week.  Fall cooking is one of my favorites, check out my Pinterest board for all my favorite recipes.  I promise they are so good; they won’t disappoint you!



What makes eating healthy even more enjoyable is participating in seasonal harvests.  You can appreciate your food and knowing where it came from.  Going to a farmers market isn’t like going to a grocery store, it is an experience like no other.  Check out your local farmers market and share what seasonal fruits and vegetables you find!
Happy almost fall,

Go Green and Staying Keen,

Julie
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Posted by at 8/01/2014 No comments: Edit
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Location: California, USA

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Eat like a vegetarian

When I comes to food, vegetarians know how to eat!  It is definitely not all about salads.  I have so many favorite dishes but I have three favorites.  Here are some of my favorite recipes that are tried and true in my household.  They prove that we really do eat like kings.

DISCLAMER:  I don’t like to spend that much time in the kitchen preparing my favorite recipes so, these are delicious, easy, and don’t take that long.  I tried so many new ingredients when I first became a vegetarian, I like to think I have cooking time down to a science. :)

I hope you are as excited as I am to share my favorite recipes with you!

One of my all-time favorite foods are burritos.  I have tried over and over again to find the perfect balance between sweet and savory.  My Black Bean and Guacamole Burritos are, in my opinion, perfect for any occasion.


Black Bean and Guacamole Burritos

Prep time: 15 mins          Cook time: 10 mins          Serves 2

Easy Guacamole Ingredients

  • 2 avocados
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon of red onion, minced
  • 1 small totato, diced
  • 1/2 lime
  • 1/2 lemon
  • salt, to taste.
  • pepper, to taste



Burrito Ingredients

  • 1 large flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
  • 1/2 can of black beans
  • 1 bag of chopped lettuce
  • 1 onion
  • 1 tomato
  • 1/4 cup of pepper jack cheese
  • 1/4 cup of monterey jack cheese


Instructions

  1. Remove the avocado from the skin and place into a bowl.
  2. Add garlic, red onion and tomato.  Mash the avocado with the garlic, red onion, and tomato until desired consistency. 
  3. Add lime and lemon and stir. Add salt and pepper until desired taste.
  4. Spread guacamole in the center of the flour tortilla. 
  5. Put the rice, beans, cheese, onion, tomato, and lettuce in the center of each tortilla and roll into a burrito pocket.
  6. Use an indoor grill, panini press, or stove top to heat the burrito until the tortilla is browned on each side.
  7. Serve with remaining guacamole or salsa.



*Photo and primary recipe courtesy of NaturallyElla

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I love sandwiches, and I’m not talking about a lettuce and tomato sandwich you probably assume I eat.   Some days you just crave a good, juicy, delicious sandwich.  I’m talking about something so savory your mouth waters profusely all day just at the thought of it.  My eggplant parmesan hero is my sandwich fix.  It is perfect on those days you just need to indulge a little bit.  I love using eggplant as a main ingredient; it is filling, delicious, and healthy for you!


Eggplant Parmesan Hero

Prep time: 15 mins          Cook time: 15 mins          Serves 4

Eggplant Parmesan Hero Ingredients

  • 1 medium eggplant (about 1 lbs)
  • 1 cup of marinara sauce
  • 1 cup seasoned croutons, crushed
  • 1/3 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
  • 4 hero or hoagie buns


Optional Ingredients

  • Oregano
  • Basil


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F).  Lightly coat a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Cut eggplant into ¼ inch thick slices.  (If preferred, peal eggplant)
  2. Put marinara sauce into a small bowl.  Place crushed croutons and half the cheese into another dish.
  3. Dip eggplant into marinara sauce, then into the crouton and cheese mixture.  Place coated eggplant on the prepared cooking sheet.
  4. Bake for 15 mins or until the breading is browned and the eggplant is tender.
  5. Heat the remaining marinara sauce.
  6. OPTIONAL- On another baking sheet toast buns for 2 mins until lightly toasted.
  7. Place eggplant on bun, top with warm marinara,  and remaining cheese


Optional- Sprinkle with oregano and/or basil.


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Since becoming a vegetarian, quinoa has become my best friend.  It works well in so many recipes and is high in protein, which is a major plus!  I love making Greek style quinoa and avocados for dinner when I don’t have that much time.  It is easy to make, quick, and yummy.

Greek Quinoa and Avocados

Prep time: 15 mins          Cook time: 15 mins          Serves 4

Greek Quinoa and Avocado Ingredients

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 cup water
2 Roma tomatoes, finely chopped
1/2 cup shredded fresh spinach
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
A few spinach leaves
2 ripe avocados, pitted, peeled, and sliced.
1/3 cup of crumbled feta cheese.

Photo and primary recipe courtesy of bhg.com


Recipes like these go to show that vegetarians know how to cook and eat well.  These three are just a few of my favorites I make at home.  I love trying new recipes and exploring different ingredients.  I hope you will try some and suggest more yummy dishes to make!

Vegetarians unite!!  :)

Go Green and Stay Keen,

Julie
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Posted by at 4/15/2014 No comments: Edit
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