Do you love grilled cheese? If yes, than you will surely love this French onion style grilled cheese. The key to making this sandwich is browning the bread just enough so its perfectly golden brown and crispy all around. This makes for the perfect afternoon lunch for the kids or adults!
In a skillet over medium heat, add oil, 2 tablespoons butter and sauté onions with thyme for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and stir to combine.
Once done, remove thyme sprig, add sherry and cook for an additional minute. Season with pepper and remove from the heat. Transfer onions to a bowl with cheese and stir until melted and well combined. Wipe the skillet down to reuse.
Preheat skillet over medium heat. Butter two slices of bread and set down in pan and top each with onion mixture. Butter remaining slices of bread and set on top. Cook for 2 minutes or until brown. Flip and cook an additional 2 minutes.
Slice and serve Immediately.
Chef’s tip: Use this mixture in mashed potatoes for extra flavor!
Some days you just need a burger. So why not bite into this plant-based burger that is made with sweet potato, quinoa and black beans! It packs tons of flavor and is a great alternative to store-bought meat alternatives. Whether you make these fresh or have them frozen, they are highly satisfying and always filling. Let’s get cooking!
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place sweet potatoes on. Poke each with a fork 4-5 times and roast for 60-75 minutes. Remove from oven and once cool to handle, remove skin and mash.
Keep oven temp at 400 degrees F. Prepare baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a small pot over medium heat, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Add quinoa and reduce heat to low, simmering for 11 minutes. Remove from heat and cover, steaming for 10 minutes. Set aside.
In a stand mixer or large bowl, combine mashed sweet potato, cooked quinoa, black beans, red onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, seasoning, and oats. Mix with paddle attachment or large spoon until fully incorporated.
On preparer baking sheet, scoop and form mixture into patties. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Remove from refrigerator once oven is heated.
Bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Easy golden raisin turmeric rice is a flavorful side dish made with turmeric, giving its vibrant golden color. This rice is cooked in a mixture of broth and coconut milk that soaks into the rice, giving the best flavor with hints of sweet raisins throughout each bite. It will make any meal tastier and is incredibly easy to make!
Rinse rice in a colander until the water runs clear. Drain well.
In a skillet on medium heat, add oil and once hot add spices. Cook for 20 seconds, until fragrant, and mix in drained rice and raisins. Cook for an additional minute and pour in soy sauce, vegetable stock, and coconut milk.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low, simmer for 18 minutes, covered. Remove from heat and fluff rice with fork, covering for an additional 5 minutes (off heat) until ready to serve.
Serve warm in a large bowl or on a platter.
Chef’s tip: Rinsing the rice will remove excess starch and is key to making perfect rice!
These tasty plant-based scallops are made with king trumpet mushrooms which I marinated in a mixture of white miso paste, water and white wine. I paired these “scallops” with a truffle pea-watercress purée and crispy coconut chip bacon bits.
2-3 king oyster mushrooms, gently cleaned with a damp cloth
1 cup warm water
1 Tbsp. white miso paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 tsp. tamari
2 Tbsp. plant-based butter
Microgreens, for garnish
Black Truffle Infused Olive Oil, for garnish
Directions
Crispy Vegan Bacon Bits
Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a small, whisk together bacon bits ingredients and toss in coconut chips to coat. Place on baking sheet.
Bake for 7 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure to keep an eye on this so it doesn’t burn. Remove from oven and cool. Chop into tiny pieces and set aside.
Truffle Pea Puree
In a pot on medium-high heat, add about 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Add peas and steam for 3-5 minutes or until cooked. Remove from heat and drain.
Using a handheld immersion stick or food processor, add all ingredients together and blend until completely smooth. Set aside.
Scallops
Slice mushroom stems crosswise into 1-in. thick pieces. Score the tops and bottoms of each “scallop”.
In a large bowl, whisk together warm water, miso paste, tamari and white wine. Marinate for at least 2 hours covered in the refrigerator.
Preheat oven to 275 degrees F
Drain mushrooms, discarding the soaking liquid and pat dry.
In a skillet on medium-high heat, melt butter. Add mushrooms and pan searfor 3 to 5 minutes, flip over, and pan fry for another 1 to 2 minutes or until the edges get a nice, golden brown color. Remove mushrooms from heat.
Plate mushroom scallops on top of truffle pea pureé. Sprinkle sides with coconut chip bacon bits, and microgreens. Drizzle with black truffle olive oil to finish dish.
Serve warm.
Chef’s tip: To finish, drizzle plate with truffle oil or use shaved truffles.
Couscous is one of the easiest, fastest and most versatile side dishes you can make! This pasta dish has a delicious pop of flavor from the cumin, red onion and garlic that is toasted until fragrant. This is one of those must have recipes that should be tried any day of the week, especially taco Tuesday!
In a skillet on medium heat, melt butter and sauté onions until lightly browned, about 5 minutes.
In the meantime, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Sprinkle in garlic and cumin to the onions and sauté for an additional minute.
Combine couscous with onions and brown for 1-2 minutes. Pour in boiling water. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 8-10 minutes, covered. Remove from heat and stir in black beans, parsley, salt and pepper.
Packed with tons of flavor, Birria tacos are one of the best Mexican dishes around. This plant-based version is made with oyster mushrooms and a homemade sauce that is super quick and easy to make!
In a pot on medium heat, add oil and saute onions and mushrooms for 8-10 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Remove bay leaves.
In a skillet on medium-high heat, add shredded mushrooms, garlic powder, salt and sauté for roughly 15 minutes, just until the edges begin to crisp up. Add 1 1/4 cups of the above sauce and cook another 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
Heat non stick skillet on medium heat. Dip tortillas into broth and place on pan. Add cheese, mushrooms. Fry your tacos for 2-3 minutes and fold in half.
Serve with side of guacamole, salsa, and non-dairy sour cream.
Chef’s tip: Remove some of the liquid and veggies into a jar and blend into a thick sauce.
Looking to try something new and absolutely delicious!? This soccer, which is made from chickpea flour, is slightly earthy in flavor, smooth, moist interior and a crispy outer edge. Whether you are dunking the slices in homemade sauce or eating it as a flatbread, the options are endless.
1 Tbsp. + 1 1/2 tsp. avocado oil, for greasing pan
Extra
2 cups arugula
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
Oil & Rice Wine Dressing
1 Tbsp. avocado oil
1 1/2 tsp. Mirin rice cooking wine
Pinch Himalayan pink salt
Pinch ground black pepper
Directions
Pour dressing ingredients into a mason jar with lid and shake vigoursly. Set aside until ready to use.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, water, salt and allow to sit for 30 minutes until batter thickens.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Preheat 10-inch cast iron skillet in oven for 6 minutes with oil. Remove pan and pour batter in. Bake for 12 minutes on middle rack.
Turn oven to broil. Move skillet up one rack placement (about 7-in. from the heating elements) and broil for 5 minutes with oven cracked open or until top and sides begins to brown and blister.
Remove from oven and use a spatula to help slide socca carefully on to a piece of parchment paper or cutting board. Cut into slices.
Serve topped with arugula, onion, cherry tomatoes, and oil & vinegar dressing.
Chef’s tip: Make sure to watch your socca closely under the broiler otherwise it can burn quickly. You can also let your Socca batter sit covered on the counter top at room temperature for up to 24 hours, with 12 hours being a sweet spot! This longer process gives the final product a fragrant tartness that pairs well with the nuttiness flavor from the chickpeas.
This classic Waldorf salad has been a crowd pleaser for many years and has always been a personal favorite growing up. My version uses baked tofu, which gives an almost “chicken” like texture in as little as 30 minutes. Whether you eat this salad on a sandwich or a bed of greens, you will surely enjoy this recipe!
Yield: 5 cups
Ingredients
2 blocks (28 oz.) extra firm tofu, pressed & pat dry
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In bowl, break tofu into medium chunks, coat with oil and toss together with pinch of salt and pepper to taste. place tofu onto baking sheet and bake for 28 minutes. Remove and cool.
In meantime, stir together remaining ingredients in a bowl and set aside until tofu is completely cooled. Stir in tofu chunks until evenly coated and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Serve cold.
Chef’ tip: Make this dish the night before to let flavors meld together.
A very quick and easy dish to curb any cheesy pasta desires. Comfy and filling, it comes together in a flash and is a perfect last-minute meal! This is one of my favorite go-to meals to make, with a touch of fresh parsley before serving to boost the flavor!
In a sauce pot, melt butter on medium heat and sauté onions for 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook an additional minute.
Sprinkle flour evenly and stir cooking for a minute. Pour in oat milk and broth slowly, stirring as you do. Combine cheeses, Worcestershire sauce, seasonings, and mix until smooth and cheese has melted.
Sometimes in life you need a good shortcut, especially when it comes to a recipe. That’s why these crab cakes are made with heart of palm and not crab meat! Whether you are vegan or don’t eat fish, these crabless cakes are just for you.
Begin by draining hearts of palm and shredding them. Slice into medium size pieces and oat dry with a paper towel.
In mixing bowl, combine shredded hearts of palm, mayo, green bell pepper, red pepper, scallions, dill, parsley, prepared egg replacer, salt, pepper and half breadcrumbs. Mix well and refrigerate for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Form into 4 patties and gently press into bread crumbs to coat.
In frying pan on medium heat, add oil and once hot, place cakes in pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove from pan onto a cooling rack with paper towel under to catch any oil drips.
Serve warm with remoulade sauce and garnished with micro greens and lemon wedge.
Chef’s tip: Freeze tightly wrapped for up to 1 month.
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