Pappardelle with rosemary and mushroom ragu

Mushrooms and rosemary make a great marriage in a pasta sauce. Paired with some fresh pappardelle, and this is one great autumn dish. Modified slightly by me for a nondairy perfect adaptation.

Pappardelle with rosemary and mushroom ragu (from Herbie Likes Spaghetti blog) (check out the beautiful photos there)

1/2 pound pappardelle

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 cups sliced shiitake mushrooms

1 1/2 cups chopped cremoni mushrooms

2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups of your favorite tomato sauce

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

grated soy parmesan

In a nonstick pan, heat up the olive oil and throw in the garlic. Once it begins to soften, add the mushrooms and rosemary; cook on medium-high heat. Toss and cook until nicely carmelized and most of the liquid they exude has evaporated. Add the tomato sauce and the chopped parsley to the mushroom mixture and stir to combine. Let it simmer on low heat while the pasta cooks.

Cook the pasta until it is slightly al dente; then move the noodles to the mushroom cooking pan. Add a touch of pasta water, and toss everything together until the pasta has absorbed the sauce. Serve with soy parmesan. Makes two servings.

 

 

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Roasted zucchini spaghetti pie

Kudos again go to An Edible Mosaic blog for this delicious and healthy Italian pie. We enjoyed this for dinner; the sauce is easy to make, and everything comes together nicely. I made my nondairy substitutions – I used tofu instead of ricotta cheese, and soy parmesan instead of the real thing. Delicioso! Head over to the blog to check out the beautiful photos taken of this dish, too.

Roasted zucchini spaghetti pie

2 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

1 tablespoon olive oil

salt and pepper

1/4 pound whole grain (or regular) spaghetti noodles

2 cups tofu

2 eggs

1 egg white

1/4 cup soy parmesan cheese, divided

1 1/2 cups thick marinara sauce (recipe below)

cooking spray

Thick Marinara sauce: (yields ~ 1 1/2 cups)

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 small carrot, peeled and shredded

1 15-ounce can diced tomato, with liquid

1 1/2 ounce tomato paste

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

pinch ground black pepper

9″ pie plate

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Coat the sliced zucchini with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper; arrange the zucchini in  a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for ~ 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. When it’s done roasting, the zucchini will be golden in spots.

For the marinara sauce, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a small pot with a lid. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes, until the onion starts to soften; add the carrot and garlic, and saute another 5 – 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, herbs, salt, and pepper. Taste to adjust seasonings. Simmer with lid on for 20 – 30 minutes.

Cook the pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Cool the pasta to room temperature, then add 1 egg, 2 tablespoons soy parmesan, and pinch of pepper; stir to combine.

To the tofu, mix in 1 egg, 1 egg white, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly coat the pie pan with cooking spray; spread the pasta on the bottom of the pie plate, then spread 1/2 of the tofu mixture on top of the pasta. Arrange the zucchini on top of the tofu, then spread the rest of the tofu mixture on top of the zucchini. Spread the marinara sauce on top of the tofu. Bake the pie for 20 – 30 minutes, until it’s set. Sprinkle the remaining soy parmesan on top and allow to cool slightly before cutting.

 

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Quinoa corn patties

Attention, vegetarians. Try these. Easy to make, big on flavor. Very satisfying. I found this recipe on An Edible Mosaic blog. The original recipe called for a creamy onion dip on the side, but we enjoyed this just the way they were.

Quinoa corn patties

1/4 cup uncooked quinoa

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup cooked corn kernels

2 large eggs, beaten

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley or chives

4 – 6 tablespoons breadcrumbs (I used panko)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

canola oil, for shallow frying

Soak the quinoa in cold water for 15 minutes; strain through a fine mesh sieve, then thoroughly rinse under cold running water. Heat the olive oil in a medium lidded saucepan over medium heat; add the onion and saute until softened and starting to turn golden, about 5 – 7 minutes. Add the garlic and saute 1 minute more.

Add the rinsed quinoa, 1/2 cup warm water, salt, and pepper. Turn the heat up to high and bring up to a boil; once boiling, give it a stir, cover the saucepan, and turn heat down to a gentle simmer. Cook 14 minutes, then turn heat off and let sit with the lid on for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. Cool slightly, then transfer to a medium bowl and stir in the corn, eggs, and parsley. Stir in 4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs, then add 1 or 2 tablespoons more as needed so they hold their shape.

Form the mixture into 4 patties. Add canola oil to lightly coat the bottom of a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the patties and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.

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Wheatberry salad with zucchini and soy mozzarella

This was a really healthy and really fine-tasting (make that addicting) salad. I subbed soy mozzarella for the real stuff.

Wheatberry salad with zucchini and soy mozzarella (adapted from Eats Well With Others – always a winner recipe there!)

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

2 pounds zucchini/summer squash, halved lengthwise

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and black pepper

2 cups cooked wheatberries

3 roasted red/and or yellow bell peppers, cut into strips

6 radishes, sliced thinly

1 heat butter lettuce, chopped

6 garlic scapes diced (or 2 cloves garlic, minced)

1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 cup cubed soy mozzarella

Turn on broiler. Brush zucchini with 1 tablespoon oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and broil, turning as needed, until lightly charred on both sides and beginning to soften, 5 minutes or longer. Remove and cool, then cut zucchini into chunks or slices.

Toss together the zucchini, wheatberries, roasted red peppers, radishes, lettuce, and dill in a large salad bowl. Add the vinegar and remaining oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss again. Taste and adjust seasoning. Toss with mozzarella. Makes about 4 servings.

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Roasted vegetable and faro salad

Inspired by this recipe, I realized that I was out of pearl barley, which was the grain called for. I subbed faro for it instead, and the results were excellent.

Roasted vegetable and faro salad (made nondairy by me – I used grated soy mozzarella instead of goat feta cheese)

1 1/2 pounds eggplant, diced

4 cups grape tomatoes, halved

1 orange or yellow bell pepper, chopped

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 onion, chopped

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste

1 1/4 cups faro

3 1/2 cups water

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic

1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup grated soy mozzarella, or soy feta

arugula or baby spinach leaves, a few handfuls

Put rack in middle of oven and preheat to 425 degrees F.

Toss eggplant, tomatoes, and bell pepper with 2 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast veggies until eggplant is golden brown and tender and tomatoes are shriveled, stirring halfway through, about 25 minutes.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 3 – 4 quart heavy pot over moderately high heat. Add the onion and cook til softened. Add the cumin, coriander, cayenne, and 1/2 teaspoon salt, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add faro and cook, stirring until well coated with oil for 1 minute more. Add water and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until all of the liquid is absorbed and faro is tender, 30 – 40 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for about 5 minutes. Transfer barley to baking pan with roasted vegetables and spread to cool, about 20 minutes.

Whisk together lemon juice, garlic, honey, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and oil. Pour over the faro and veggies, along with the basil and cheese. Mix together, and transfer to a serving bowl or platter. (Arrange some arugula or spinach leaves on the platter before piling on the faro mixture). Makes 6 servings.

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Summer vegetable torta

Pretty to look at, fun to make, goes down easy. Keep room for seconds.

Summer vegetable torta (modified to be nondairy by me, from Dream About Food blog)

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 medium onion, chopped

8 ounces mushrooms, sliced

3 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4″ thick

2 red peppers, sliced into 1/4″ strips

8 ounces soy cream cheese, softened

6 large eggs

1/4 cup soy cream

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups shredded nondairy cheese (I used cheddar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and brush bottom and sides of a 9″ springform pan with oil. Line bottom with parchment and brush parchment with oil. Wrap outside of pan with aluminum foil.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, mushrooms, zucchini, and fresh peppers. Saute until vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in eggs until combines (it’s okay if it’s a little lumpy). Beat in cream. Stir in garlic, basil, salt and pepper. Using a slotted spoon to drain off liquid, add sauteed veggies to egg mixture. Add shredded cheese. Stir with a rubber spatula to combine.

Spread mixture in a prepared pan and set pan on baking sheet. Bake for 1 1/2 – 1 3/4 hours or until top is puffy and golden brown and the center no longer jiggles when shaken. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes in pan, then run a sharp knife around edges of torta to loosen. Gently remove pan sides. Serve warm, room temperature, or cold. Makes 8 servings.

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Spring soup with fava beans, fennel, and leek

One last warm soup for spring. The green veggies really impart a fresh taste and a light soup for the season.

Spring soup with fava beans, fennel, and leek (from Cafe Liz)

1 onion, chopped

canola oil, for saute-ing

1 fennel, cut into thin slices (3 cups)

1 small leek, cut into thin slices (3 cups)

2 cups peeled fava beans

4 – 6 garlic cloves

2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh basil leaves

Pour a little oil into a pot and saute the onion. Add the fennel and leek, and saute until the veggies soften. Add the fava beans and the rest of the ingredients, and top off with about a quart of water. Boil until the beans soften, about 10 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

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Cabbage and chickpea soup with fresh basil

For a chilly damp spring day like we had last week, I still yearned for some warm soup, even though spring is almost over. This soup was perfect.

Cabbage and chickpea soup with fresh basil (from Fat-Free Vegan)

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced or pressed
• 6 cups hot water (plus bouillon cubes, below) or vegetable broth (and no bouillon cubes)
• 3 cubes no-salt added bouillon cubes (or enough to flavor 6 cups of water)*
• 1/2 head cabbage, chopped
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 16-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (or 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas)
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• generous grating black pepper
• 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted (optional)

1. Heat a large, non-stick pot. Add the onions and cook, stirring, for about 3 minutes. Add the carrots and garlic and cook for another two minutes. Add all remaining ingredients EXCEPT the basil and pine nuts. Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 25 minutes.
2. Stir in fresh basil and serve in individual soup bowls, topped with 1 teaspoon of pine nuts, if desired.

Makes 4 – 6 servings.

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Spinach, artichoke, and soy ravioli pasta salad

Here’s a delicious pasta salad that was easy to adapt to nondairy. I went to my local health food store, where they sell frozen soy ravioli, but this would also taste good with gnocchi, which is usually made nondairy also. Instead of feta cheese, which was called for, I grated some soy mozzarella. The flavors blend nicely in this dish – it’s not over-powering zing; just nicely seasoned and spiced.

Spinach, artichoke, and soy ravioli pasta salad (inspired by this recipe)

20 ounces soy ravioli (I used frozen), or gnocchi

2 tablespoons oil

salt

8 ounces fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped

2 tablespoons jarred roasted red pepper, minced

1 14-ounce can baby artichoke hearts, quartered

1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

zest of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, minced

black pepper, to taste

1/4 cup oil-packed sun dried tomatoes, julienned

1/4 cup soy mozzarella, grated

Boil a large pot of water. Add oil and salt to water. Add ravioli and boil 4 – 5 minutes or until tender but still firm. Drain pasta and spread out on a rimmed cookie sheet to cool.

In a large bowl, add chopped spinach, red pepper, artichoke hearts, and olives. Toss.

On a cutting board, sprinkle minced garlic with coarse salt. Mash garlic with the flat of your knife, scraping back and forth until garlic becomes a paste. Scrape up the garlic paste with your knife and add it to a small jar. Add red wine vinegar, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, and black pepper. Shake or whisk to combine.

Pour dressing over spinach. Toss well. Add cooled pasta, tomatoes, and cheese. Toss again and refrigerate until ready to serve. Makes 12 cups.

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Pasta with pesto, asparagus, and artichokes

I saw this first in Chow.com, and adapted it to be nondairy. Also used this whole grain pasta, which I love, and used canned artichokes, which is probably a travesty compared to the beautiful photos of the artichoke preparation on the Chow.com site. But I made this after work, was tired and hungry, and I thought it came out delicious anyway.

Pasta with pesto, asparagus, and artichokes

For the pesto:

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more as needed

1 medium clove garlic, minced

1 cup packed fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup packed fresh Italian parsley leaves

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup grated soy parmesan

For the pasta:

8 asparagus spears, tough ends removed

3 tablespoons olive oil

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

1 12-ounce can artichoke hearts, packed in water, drained and halved

10 ounce dried pasta, long strands

soy parmesan, for serving

For the pesto:

Place the pine nuts in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment and process until finely ground, about 20 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl using a rubber spatula. Add the salt and pepper, garlic, basil, and parsley; process until pureed, about 15 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

With the processor running, slowly add the oil in a thin stream until incorporated. Add the parmesan and pulse a few times to incorporate. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, as needed.

For the pasta:

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the asparagus and blanch til crisp-tender, about 30 seconds. Using tongs, remove the asparagus to an ice water bath to cool. Keep the pot of water at a boil for the pasta. Transfer the asparagus from the ice bath to a cutting board. Using a vegetable peeler, shave each spear lengthwise into thin strips, then cut the strips in half crosswise. Place in a bowl and set aside.

Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water, then drain the pasta.

Return the pot to medium-high heat, and add the pesto, 3/4 cup of the reserved pasta water, and the asparagus strips. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Add the pasta, toss to combine, and bring to a simmer. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

I served this in an attractive plain white bowl, and garnished the top with the artichoke halves, sprinkled with soy parmesan.

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