Meatless Archives - Page 35 of 68

Halloumi “Grilled Cheese” Salad, Savory Meyer Lemon Whipped Cream

A “Grilled Cheese” Salad

Halloumi Cheese, Foraged Garden Herb Salad
Violas, Nasturtium Flowers, Nasturtium Whorls, Meyer Lemon Wheels
Tempeh Croutons, Roasted Sunflower Seeds
Savory Meyer Lemon Whipped Cream

This primavera-is-right-around-the-corner-salad was inspired by a stroll through my garden. All of a sudden it seems that the herbs and flowers are perking up. Meyer lemons are in full swing. Additionally, my friends over at Food Network are featuring “Grilled Cheese” this week. I wanted my contribution to be a low-carb version of grilled cheese – queue up Halloumi – a semi-hard, brined goat/sheep milk cheese originally from the island of Cyprus, with a high melting point that makes it perfect for grilling.

The salad is meant to be nibbled, shared, perhaps as an appetizer. Take a bite of cheese with a bit of herb, or flower petal, crouton, or greens with a delicate swipe through the savory Meyer lemon whipped cream. It’s quite delightful. Halloumi is often garnished with mint, so be sure to try that flavor combination.

Years ago, I made a Meyer lemon cream dressing adapted from Chef Suzanne Goin. Here, I turn that dressing into a thicker sauce to serve on the side as a dip rather than as vinaigrette-style.

Grilled Halloumi Cheese Salad, Savory Meyer Lemon Whipped Cream Recipe

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A Unique Pasta Made of Black Beans – Gluten-Free, Lower-Carb

Black Bean Spaghetti
with
Butternut Squash, Mushrooms, Kale, Cabbage
Parmesan and Chives
in a
Savory Garlic Sauce

This spaghetti is made from 92% black beans and 8% water and has 25 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber in every serving. I discovered it at my local Whole Foods Market in 2013 and have been a fan ever since.

The flavor is definitely reminiscent of beans, and the tooth is chewy in a pleasant way. It turns out that this gluten-free pasta substitute is actually good. Really good. I love the creamy black color, al dente texture, mild sweet bean-y flavor, and earthy aroma. Generally, dried pastas have 5 to 7 grams of protein and 2 to 3 grams of fiber per serving, so, not only is this black bean spaghetti quite tasty, it is more nutritious as well. Where beans replace flour, it is naturally lower in carbohydrates, with 17 grams of carbs per serving.

I pair this black pasta with bright colorful vegetables – butternut squash, mushrooms, kale, and cabbage – and a super savory garlic sauce. Finished with freshly grated parmesan and a sprinkling of chives – this dish has broad appeal – even if one is not looking for a gluten-free and low-carb pasta substitute.

Black Bean Spaghetti Recipe

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Edamame Spaghetti with Kale Cilantro Pesto

Edamame Spaghetti with Kale Cilantro Pesto
Carrot Ribbons, Toasted Coconut, Fried Ginger

Compare this Edamame Spaghetti to common pasta and you will be amazed. Generally, dried pastas have 5 to 7 grams of protein and 2 to 3 grams of fiber per serving. This spaghetti – made exclusively of organic edamame (green soybeans) and water – has 24 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber per serving.

The nutritional facts are hard to believe, until one realizes that this spaghetti really isn’t pasta at all, but soybeans masquerading as noodles. And as it turns out, beans make a super substitute for wheat flour to make those noodles. Edamame spaghetti’s taste and aromas are mild and pleasantly vegetal in nature, and the tooth is delightfully chewy. Love the natural green color, too.

I dress the noodles with kale cilantro pesto – the kale and almonds in the pesto adding their fair share of nutrients. Inspired by edamame and its Asian roots – I add toasted coconut for a little crunch and its toasty exotic flavor and a few shards of one of my favorite garnishes – fried ginger – which brings an unexpected zing to the dish. Raw carrot ribbons add color, texture, and more nutrients. This is definitely a feel-good pasta dish – one that is organic, naturally lower in carbs, and gluten-free to boot. Win.Win.Win.

Edamame Spaghetti with Kale Cilantro Pesto Recipe

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Savory Korean Breakfast Pancake {Breakfast Bindaetteok}

Savory Korean Breakfast Pancake
Breakfast Bindaetteok

Mung Bean Pancake (Gluten-Free, Low-Carb)
Nappa Cabbage Kimchi, Scallion
Topped with a Sunny-Side-Up Egg
Gochujang Sauce

It’s those savory caramelized bits of kimchi that make this pancake so irresistible. Dried-peeled-split mung beans are soaked overnight in water, then pureed in a blender to produce a pale yellow batter that yields a tasty low-carb, gluten-free pancake with an interesting slightly chewy texture.

The pancake is topped with a sunny-side-up egg. Gochujang sauce made from fermented red chilis, is spicy and slightly sweet and makes the perfect condiment for this breakfast which is a twist on the popular Korean appetizer called bindaetteok.

Savory Korean Breakfast Pancake Recipe

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Pretty Little Cast Iron Skillet Pizzas

Pretty Little Cast Iron Skillet Pizzas

Ricotta & Mozzarella
with
Roasted Butternut Squash, Agave Syrup, Fried Sage, Violas
and
Arugula, Toasted Hazelnuts, Hazelnut Oil, Borage

I just couldn’t put them away, not just yet. Those mini cast iron skillets in which I served Shrimp & Grits last week were still hanging out on the counter…ready for the next irresistible presentation.

Inspired by my borage plant which is thriving in January and my violas which are still hanging on (condolences to my Chicago peeps), I set out to make some really pretty little pizzas.

Pretty Little Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipes

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