Cherry Vanilla Sorbet!

February 28, 2015 marcelliegrows 1 Comment

This recipe contains 2 ingredients only. Doesn’t get any more simple or pure than that!

I found a bag of ripe frozen organic cherries at whole foods and I had to have them! What more delicious way to enjoy them that in a rich, natural, cherry vanilla sorbet? What better more satisfying combination than cherries and vanilla? Super easy, so sweet, and so delicious!

Simply place in high speed blender (like vitamix) and purée:
-10oz Frozen cherries
-1tsp vanilla extract

Serve immediately! I have not tried this with a food processor, but if you don’t have a strong enough blender this might work as well. Yum! So refreshing after a hot bath or sweaty workout! No added sugar, no added preservatives, nothing but wholesome goodness 🙂

Appetizers, Snacks

Twice Baked Spinach Stuffed Potatoes

February 27, 2015 marcelliegrows Leave a comment

Vegan, gluten-free, extra creamy!! These don’t need cheese, they have their own creamy “cheese” sauce!

I had some yukon gold potatoes that needed eating, and this turned out wonderfully!

Inspired by a recipe on PCRM, here, a wealth of vegan recipes!

Clean potatoes well, cutting out any “eyes” or deformities, about 1/2 bag. Bake 350 for 45min-1hr, until somewhat soft. Remove and let cool enough to handle.

Cut potatoes lengthwise and scoop out flesh, careful to leave enough behind to keep skins intact as little round “boats”.

Puree in a blender until thick and creamy:
1/2 cup chick peas, 2 tbs cashews, 2tbs water, about 1/2 of potato flesh, nutmeg, crushed red pepper, parsley, black pepper

Sauté 2 cloves garlic, 2 green onions, with other half of potato flesh and spinach (about 8oz frozen) until spinach is warm and water is evaporated.
Then add sauce and stir well.
Scoop this filling into potato halves, drizzling extra sauce over the tops if you like, and place on cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes until well heated and skins are slightly crispy! Enjoy!

These were so rich and creamy, I may try omitting/reducing the cashews next time I make this recipe!

Appetizers, Salads, Sandwiches/Wraps, Snacks

Creamy Edamame Pockets

February 26, 2015 marcelliegrows Leave a comment

These are a lot like the fresh spring rolls I’ve made before, but I experimented with making an edamame purée and using cooked veggies in addition to some fresh ones. The result is a warm version of the still amazingly good for you spring rolls, and is truly comforting and satisfying!

Prepare 12 oz shelled edamame, put in your blender or food processor.

Saute in 1 tsp sesame oil:
3 clove garlic
1/8tsp minced fresh ginger
1 tsp jalapeño chopped fine
organic mushrooms sliced, 4oz
1/4 yellow onion well chopped

Sauté until mushrooms are well cooked,
then add 1-2 cups fresh spinach while turning off heat and covering to just wilt. Let sit 5 minutes.

Then remove spinach and set aside. Next remove mushrooms from the pan. For me the easiest way to do this is to kind of stab at them, so that the larger mushroom pieces come out but the smaller onions and minced stuff stays in the pan. Then scrape remaining contents of fry pan into blender, along with edamame, making sure to get all the oil and liquids that remain. Blend on high until puree forms.

Moisten one spring roll wrapper at a time to make pliable, and set handful of baby kale in the middle.
Spread the puree over the center of the wrap followed by
Sauteed mushrooms and spinach
Raw carrot slivers
Red bell pepper slivers
Fresh parsley and cilantro

For the spicy dipping sauce, whisk together:
Liquid aminos 1 tsp
Vinegar 1 tsp
Juice of 1 lemon
1tsp agave
1 tsp tahini
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Enjoy!

Dessert

Orange Almond Coconut Chocolate Bar!! (Vegan!)

February 25, 2015 marcelliegrows 2 Comments

Woah dude, why buy another chocolate bar ever again. This is soooo yummy!!! Wowww, I LOVE the combo of almonds and chocolate, coconut and chocolate, and orange and chocolate. SO I chose the perfectly logical conclusion and put ALL 3 in my chocolate. YES. It was the right decision, for sure!

Do you crave dark chocolate bars? I’ve been know to stock up on Ghirardelli, Theo, or Endangered Species chocolate bars, but I’m trying to go vegan! Plus who wants to leave home for chocolate when you can make your own!! This recipe makes dark, really satisfying chocolate! It tastes to me like about 60-70% dark (in terms of store bought). You could add more dates to make it sweeter if you prefer, I would imagine. To me, this was PERFECT.

Basic easy recipe is:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2-3 medjool dates pureed

Puree all ingredients, pour into rectangular container lined with foil or parchment paper. Sprinkle shredded coconut, fresh orange zest, and slivered almonds into the chocolate and pop into the fridge for a few hours to fully solidify, then cut or break into pieces and store in the fridge to keep firm. ENJOY FREQUENTLY 😀 This is so so so easy that I will be making often 🙂 Better stock up on ingredients.

Also pictured are some pure chocolate one, sans add-ins. Also delicious, but of course better with the added ingredients in my book 🙂

Salads

Yellow and Green Goddess Salad

February 24, 2015 marcelliegrows Leave a comment

Simple, spicy, fresh, and satisfying! Doesn’t taste as light as it is! The jalapeños and avocado make it taste rich and filling, and the lime compliments the jalapeños so nicely. Perfect meal when you want something light but satisfying, and it has so much crispy crunchiness for the texture enthusiasts like me:)

2 zucchinis spiralized thin
handful spinach or mixed greens (I love Organic Girl super greens)
1/5 large jalapeño, diced
Juice of 2 limes, 1 lemon
1/2 yellow bell pepper chopped
1/4 avocado, sliced
optional crispy chick pea toppers
(Recipe here.)

Toss all ingredients and eat. That’s it!

Breakfast, Snacks

Strawberry Banana Protein Smoothie

February 23, 2015 marcelliegrows Leave a comment

Simple and delicious, I pretty much make a fruit and protein smoothie every day for myself and my guy. It is an easy way to get out the door and know you’ll have fuel for your busy morning! This one is a classic standby, strawberries and banana are never wrong together, a happy pair 🙂 I added a hint of orange for some added zest, you could use any kind of tangerine or orange!

Simply Blend:
2 scoops Soylent (or vanilla protein powder of choice)
4 cutie tangerines
Frozen strawberries, 8oz
Fresh bananas 2

Optional add ins:
Vanilla extract
Fresh mint garnish
Shredded coconut garnish
Cinnamon

Serves 2
Enjoy!

Stir Fry

Happy Rainbow Tofu Stir Fry!

February 22, 2015 marcelliegrows Leave a comment

I’m obsessed with naturally vibrant foods, and since childhood I have loooved rainbows. Anyone remember Rainbow Bright cereal? I got a kite in that cereal box that my siblings and I flew around the park for endless days! We named stuffed animals Rainbow, colored them on everything (sidewalk chalk!!), and even looked for clothing in rainbow colors 🙂 So yeah, rainbows make me happy, and so rainbow vegetables are heaven 😉

You need:
Garlic, 2 cloves
Liquid aminos, generous dash
Dijon mustard, 1 tsp
White wine (extra happy) a dash
Water, about 3 tbs to simmer
1 tsp almond butter
Crushed red pepper, dash
Turmeric, dash
Oregano, dash
Fresh basil, about 5 large leaves
1 container extra firm tofu (8oz)
1/4 slices purple cabbage
1/2 red bell pepper
1 stalk chopped broccoli
1 sweet potato chopped
1/2 container mushrooms, sliced

Cooked brown rice to serve on
Sweet chili sauce/sriracha to garnish
(Because spicy is better, always!!)

Slice tofu into 2×1 inch cubes and press in towel while prepping veggies.

Using coconut oil over medium/high heat, sauté sweet potatoes, garlic, basil, and tofu until tofu browns slighty, then remove tofu from pan, and set aside.

Next add broccoli to pan along with all liquids, condiments, and seasonings and begin to simmer. Then add cabbage/mushrooms/bell peppers and sauté until veggies reach almost desired tender/crisp texture. I do this by feel, not time. The. Add tofu back to hot pan with veggies and turn of heat. Toss all together and serve over brown rice with desired chili sauces and enjoy with chop sticks! (If you want) 🙂

There will be a million pics on this one, sorry but they are all too beautiful! 😉

Dessert, Snacks

Vegan Chocolate Pudding (And Chocolate Pudding Parfait!)

February 21, 2015 marcelliegrows Leave a comment

Nutritious delicious! I don’t know about you but I crave chocolate pudding. I may have been know to eat like 3 of those jello pudding cups at a time. I remember being all about the chocolate pudding at Mr Gatti’s salad bar (anyone remember that place?) as a little one. It is just one of those comfort foods that I adore. So I needed a creamy vegan healthy version to satisfy my craving. Here it is! Totally natural whole foods within 🙂

Simply blend:
2 small Bananas
1 large avocado
2 dates
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup almond milk
1tsp vanilla
1tsp cinnamon

Blend in high. Place in 2 small serving dishes/bowls.
Refrigerate for a few hours.
Garnish with raw cacao nibs.
Serves 2, enjoy!

For an extra treat, make this a breakfast/dessert/snack parfait, topping the pudding with fresh blueberries and homemade granola! OH YES. Do this.

Granola recipe here.

Salads

Citrus Quinoa Cabbage Salad!

February 20, 2015 marcelliegrows 1 Comment

This is a delicious, colorful vegan feast! The purple cabbage with pop of orange from the citrus and carrots, and of course plenty of greens! The creamy sauce offset by all the tangy citrus is soooo good! Don’t forget that jalapeño for a spicy kick that makes ALL foods better 🙂 Plus, you get your protein from the whole grains, your healthy fats from the avocado and the creamy sauce, and a whole lotta colorful veggies packing in vitamins and nutrients!! So simple to make, keeps in the fridge and makes a great lunch time salad! You can even serve it over some raw spinach for some extra greens for a workday lunch.

You need:
2.5 cups cooked quinoa/buckwheat, cooled

Sauce:
1 lime, juiced
1tbsp tahini
1tsp almond butter
1tsp peanut butter
1tsp vinegar
1tsp liquid aminos
1/4 lemon
1cutie juice
(optional add ins to your taste: garlic, sesame oil, diced ginger)

Blend or whisk your sauce together, and toss into your cooled grain medley.

Then fold in:
1/2 red cabbage sliced very fine
3 cuties cubed
1 cup carrots sliced
1/2 jalapeño diced
1/4 bell pepper diced
2 green onions sliced
1+ cup cilantro
1/2 cup basil

1/2 avocado for garnish
2TBS sunflower seeds for garnish

YUMMY TUMMY

Snacks

Savory Seed Crackers

February 19, 2015 marcelliegrows Leave a comment

I love crunchy foods. Texture is everything and I loooove crackers/chips/granola, etc. Crispy crunchy wins! I can’t believe I’ve never made my own healthy crackers before! If only I had know how easy it is!! Really the only crackers healthy enough that I’ve found are Mary’s Crackers, and I love them for their crunchy seedy quality. But honestly, these are better, fresh out of the oven!! Next time I’ll double the batch to make more:)

You need:
1/2 cup flax meal
1/4 cup almond meal
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/8 cup hemp seeds
1/8 cup sunflower seeds
1/8 cup sesame seeds
1/8 cup nutritional yeast
Oregano 1tsp
Crushed red pepper 1tsp
Garlic salt 1tsp
Dash salt
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 cup water

Mix everything together well, using your hands to make the dough stick together. Press onto a lined/sprayed cookie sheet, making sure to score with a fork for easy breaking up into square-ish pieces 🙂

Bake at 350 for 30min.
Cool 15 min in open oven.
Cool another 15 in open window.
Store sealed once cooled, and crunch away!! Top these with anything your heart desires, or eat alone! Would be great topped with some avocado chick pea salad on top!

	mistimaan on Vegan Pot Pie!
	Samiya Osayed on Crispy Tofu Nuggets
	marcelliegrows on Healthy Vegan Jjajangmyun
	Nicole on Healthy Vegan Jjajangmyun
	Priya@MasalaVegan on Pumpkin Cheesecake Pudding

A Delicious Life

Monthly Archives: February 2015