Category: Vegetables

Salads · Vegetables

Simply Dressed Cucumber & Mint Salad

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Fresh garden cucumbers, sweet red onion and fresh mint come together for a refreshing cucumber salad for summer. This salad reminded me of a wonderful salad while traveling in the Mediterranean a few years ago. It would be wonderful with a variety of dishes.

Simply Dressed Cucumber & Mint Salad

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 lb. cucumbers, any variety or varieties you like
  • kosher salt
  • 1 bunch (about 6) scallions, ends trimmed, sliced thinly on the bias, whites and green parts
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 small handful mint leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar (or other), plus more to taste
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • freshly cracked black pepper
  • flaky sea salt, for finishing, optional
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Peel the cucumbers: for visual appeal, peel the skin in alternating stripes. Trim the ends of the cucumbers, halve lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds. Slice the cucumbers into a variety of shapes, or simply slice thinly on the bias to create half moons. Place the cucumbers in a colander and toss with 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Let sit for 30 minutes. After the 30 minutes, blot dry in a tea towel.  
  2. Meanwhile, place the scallions in a bowl and cover with ice water. Let stand 20 minutes. Drain and dry well in a tea towel.
  3. Combine the cucumbers, scallions, red onion, mint, crushed red pepper flakes, vinegar, and a few generous twists of black pepper in a bowl. Toss gently. Taste. Add flaky sea salt to taste. Add pepper, pepper flakes, and vinegar to taste. Once everything tastes, as Joshua McFadden says, “exciting and balanced”, add 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Toss again. Serve immediately. 

Recipe from Alexandracooks

Salads · Vegetables · Vegetarian

Pesto Zucchini and Corn Pasta Salad

cathysmahaLeave a comment

This pasta (or quinoa) salad with vegetables and pesto is delicious! I decided to use orzo pasta instead of quinoa and also used summer squash and zucchini. It’s an easy salad to put together and pairs well with BBQ or as a main dish. I enjoyed leftovers the next day with a sliced grilled chicken breast on top. While this would be good any time of the year, but it’s especially good on a hot summer’s day.

Pesto Zucchini and Corn Pasta Salad

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed (I used 1 cup orzo)
  • 1 3/4 cups water or broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 4 cups zucchini (~2 medium sized zucchini), diced (I used yellow squash and zucchini)
  • 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 (15 ounce) can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained (or 1 1/2 cups cooked beans, from 1/2 cup dry)
  • 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto (homemade or store bought)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Bring the water and quinoa (or pasta) to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the quinoa is tender and has absorbed the water, about 15 minutes, remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes, covered.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the oil over medium-high heat, add the garlic, zucchini and corn and cook until tender, about 12 minutes, before removing from heat and seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Mix everything and enjoy!

Recipe from ClosetCooking

Fish · Vegetables

Shrimp and Avocado Bowls with Mango Salsa & Lime-Chili Sauce

cathysmahaLeave a comment

This bowl has so many delicious flavors. I’ve seen it posted all over the internet. I used quinoa as the base and love the extra mango and avocado on the side. The mango salsa, by itself, is very good and could be used in a variety of recipes. This is a light, refreshing meal for summer!

Shrimp and Avocado Bowls with Mango Salsa & Lime-Chili Sauce

INGREDIENTS:
  • For the Bowls:
    • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
    • 1–2 ripe avocados, sliced
    • 1 large ripe mango, diced
    • 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa
    • Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
    • Lime wedges (for serving)
  • For the Lime-Chili Sauce:
    • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
    • 1 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • Zest and juice of 1 lime
    • 1 tsp honey or agave
    • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the Mango Salsa:
    • 1 diced mango
    • 1/4 cup diced red onion
    • 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • 1–2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
    • Salt to taste
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Prepare the mango salsa by combining diced mango, red onion, jalapeno (if using), lime juice, cilantro, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix well and set aside in the fridge.
  2. Make the lime-chili sauce by whisking together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, chili powder, lime zest and juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.
  3. Pat the shrimp dry and season with chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and slightly charred.
  4. Assemble the bowls by adding a base of cooked rice or quinoa to each bowl. Arrange grilled shrimp, sliced avocado, and mango salsa on top.
  5. Drizzle lime-chili sauce generously over the bowls. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side. Enjoy immediately!

Recipe by Mediterranean Recipes for Beginners

Greek · Salads · Vegetables

Mediterranean Crispy Rice Salad

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Mediterranean Crispy Rice Salad did not disappoint. I cooked the rice earlier in the day and roasted before making the salad. You could use leftover rice to season and roast as well. I did not have fresh mint on hand but it was good with just fresh parsley. The salad is fresh, filling, and crunchy. I could make this all summer long!

Mediterranean Crispy Rice Salad

INGREDIENTS:
  • 8 oz. rice
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 T. Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 1/3 cup cauliflower, riced in food processor (I used 1 small bag of frozen cauliflower rice, cooked)
  • 5 Perisian cucumbers, thinly sliced (I used 1 large English cucumber)
  • handful of chopped fresh parsley
  • handful of chopped fresh mint (I omitted since I didn’t have any on hand)
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup grape or cherry tomatoes sliced in half
  • 2 oz. crumbled feta cheese
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • juice of 1 large lemon
  • 3-5 T. olive oil
  • salt & pepper
  • 1 tsp. chili flakes
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Prepare the rice. Cook one cup rice with 2 cups water until done. Cool.
  2. In a bowl, mix the rice with 2 T. Italian seasoning and 2 T. avocado oil, until evenly covered
  3. Grab a baking sheet, line with parchment, lay out the rice in one even layer, so it’s not overlapping. Pop into the oven at 425F for 25 minutes. At 25 minute, give it a mix and break up the rice and pop it back in for another 5-10 minutes. Time can vary by oven. Remove, then let cool completely.
  4. While the rice is cooling, make the salad. Rice the cauliflower (or cook frozen as stated in ingredients) . Thinly slice the cucumbers and add to a bowl along with the chopped parsley and mint, onion and tomatoes.
  5. Top the salad with 2 oz. crumbled feta cheese, the zest of 1 lemon.
  6. Dress the salad with the olive oil and juice of 1 lemon, a generous pinch of salt, fresh cracked pepper and chili flakes.
  7. Top the rice with the crispy rice, toss, then give it a taste. Best to eat this right away!
  8. NOTE from Fork-Lore: I had leftovers but kept the crispy rice separate from the dressed salad. The crispy rice will keep in the frig for a week and can be reheated, if necessary.

Recipe from ShredHappens

Vegetables

Easy Boursin Vegetable Bake

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Roasted vegetables are a favorite of mine and this recipe called for roasting vegetables with Boursin. What isn’t delicious with Boursin cheese? The recipe is so easy and the result is delicious. I especially like the pop of flavor with the roasted tomatoes. This recipe could easily be changed with other vegetables. I will be making this recipe over and over again.

Easy Boursin Vegetable Bake

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 small head cauliflower, cut into very small florets
  • 1 small onion, sliced thin
  • 7 oz cherry tomatoes
  • 1 large zucchini, cut into thick half moons
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp each salt, garlic powder, onion powder + Italian herb blend
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 5 oz Boursin cheese
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven to 425℉.
  2. In the 9×13 inch baking dish, add in the cauliflower florets, onion, tomatoes, zucchini, garlic, olive oil, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herb blend, pepper and mix together until all is coated. Spread out evenly. Next, add in the Boursin in the middle and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown on top and cauliflower is fork tender. Mix it all together and serve immediately.

Recipe from HungryHappens

Soups and Stews · Vegan · Vegetables · Vegetarian

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup is high in protein and fiber. It is simple to make and good for a meal on a cold winter’s day. Not everyone loves a vegan recipe like this but it good for a change. I used 1/2 of the recommended curry powder and found it to be just right for my taste. For those that are photo critics, I know the photo looks like butterscotch pudding or…something worse. I never, ever said I was a great food photographer. I’m just logging recipes for myself and my family!

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 15 ounce cans light coconut milk
  • 3 garlic cloves – minced
  • 1 medium yellow onion – chopped
  • 1 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes – peeled and diced
  • 1 red bell pepper – seeded and diced
  • 2 tablespoons curry powder (I used 1 tablespoon)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Put all ingredients in slow cooker. Cook 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
  2. Carefully transfer soup to a high powered blender or food processor (you may have to do this in 2 batches depending on the size of your machine). Process until smooth and serve. Serves 4.
  3. Serve as a soup or serve over quinoa, brown rice, etc. for a meal.

Recipe from VeggieChick

Appetizers · Vegan · Vegetables

Pickled Red Onions

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Pickled red onions are delicious by themselves or try them on salads, tacos, potato salad, egg salad, fish and chips, a sandwich and more. This is such an easy recipe and does not use refined sugar.

Pickled Red Onions

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 red onions, thinly sliced
  • 80 ml (1/3 cup) apple cider vinegar
  • 170 ml (.70 cup) hot water
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. black peppercorns
  • 1 garlic clove, sliced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • small sprig of fresh thyme (I used a pinch of dried thyme)
  • 1/2 tbsp. honey (or maple syrup)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Thinly slice the red onions and place them in a clean glass jar or container.
  2. Add in the black peppercorns, sliced garlic, bay leaves, thyme and salt.
  3. Combine vinegar, hot water, and honey and pour over the onions, ensuring they are fully submerged.
  4. Let it cool to room temperature. (Optional to add honey now but I wanted it to dissolve in the hot water)
  5. Seal the jar or container and place in the fridge. They will be ready to enjoy after 2 hours.
  6. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days.

Recipe from Instagram thyme_4_cooking

Casseroles · Poultry · Vegetables

Tuscan Chicken and Spaghetti Squash

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Tuscan Chicken and Spaghetti Squash was an easy dish to put together and used things I had on hand. I thought the flavor was very good but a little too rich for me. Next time, I would either use half and half or substitute half of the cream with chicken broth. My spaghetti squash have produced well and I’m always looking for new dishes to try!

Tuscan Chicken and Spaghetti Squash

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 medium spaghetti squash
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken (cut into bite size pieces)
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 shallot (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained, julienne cut)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 3 ounces baby spinach
  • fresh parsley (optional, garnish)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Carefully pierce the spaghetti squash into the center with a knife several times. Place on a microwave-safe plate and cook on high for 8-12 minutes or until tender. Let cool while you prepare the chicken.
  2. Season the chicken with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
  3. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until it’s no longer pink in the center, about 7 minutes.
  4. Remove the chicken from the pan, place on a plate and tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.
  5. Add the remaining butter to the pan along with the garlic and shallot. Cook 1-2 minutes or until they just start to soften.
  6. Mix in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook an additional minute.2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes
  7. Pour in the heavy cream and cook until hot and bubbly, about 1-2 minutes.
  8. Turn off the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and spinach. Add the chicken and any accumulated juices back to the pan.
  9. Once the squash is cool, cut it in half length-wise, remove the seeds and scrap out the strands with a fork.
  10. Stir the squash into the cream sauce until evenly coated.
  11. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Recipe from DeliciousLittleBites

Salads · Vegan · Vegetables · Vegetarian

Marinated Vegetable Salad

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Marinated Vegetable Salad to the rescue when I needed to use fresh vegetables from the frig. I substituted celery for cucumber and liked the crunchiness it added. It’s a flavorful salad but I sprinkled with crumbled feta (second photo) and enjoyed the addition.

Marinated Vegetable Salad

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, ~10oz
  • 2 cups chopped carrots, ~4 medium carrots
  • 1 cucumber, seeded then chopped (I used celery)
  • 1 bell pepper, any color, seeded then chopped
  • For the Vinaigrette:
    • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
    • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
    • 2 Tablespoons minced shallots (I used green onions)
    • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
    • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
    • 2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
    • salt and pepper
  • Optional Topping: I sprinkled the salad with crumbled feta cheese
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Add ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid or bowl then shake or whisk to combine. Taste then add more salt, pepper, and/or oil if necessary (this dressing is very tart so add more oil if it’s too tart for your tastes.)
  2. Add vegetables to a very large bowl then dress with 3/4 of the vinaigrette. Toss then refrigerate for 4 hours or up to overnight. Toss with remaining vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper to taste just before serving.

Recipe from IowaGirlEats

Italian Dishes · Vegetables

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Spaghetti Squash abounds in my garden and I needed new recipes and this one is a winner. Daughter, Sarah, told me about this recipe and it was a must try. The recipe is sooo good and flavorful. For mushroom haters, you could easily leave those out. The garlic herb cheese really adds a new dimension to the recipe.

Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 spaghetti squash
  • 1 lb. Italian sausage
  • 8 oz. sliced raw mushrooms
  • 38 oz. jar Rao Marinara sauce (or sauce of choice)
  • 1 cup fresh spinach (or more to your liking)
  • 5.2 oz. Garlic herb cheese (or garlic herb goat cheese)
  • 8 oz. shredded mozzarella
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat oven 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the spaghetti squash in half and remove seeds. Roast the spaghetti squash flesh side down on a baking sheet with parchment paper for 45-60 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool. Once the squash is done baking, use a fork to remove the spaghetti-like threads.
  2. Brown Italian Sausage. When the sausage is almost cooked through, add mushrooms. Once sausage and mushrooms are cooked through, drain and remove to a paper towel on a plate to absorb the extra fat.
  3. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Grease a 9×14″ pan. Cover the bottom of the pan with a layer of marinara sauce. Top with half of the spaghetti squash, half of the sausage/mushroom mixture, then a layer of fresh spinach leaves. Dallop with garlic herb cheese. Repeat a layer of spaghetti squash, marinara sauce, sausage/mushroom and top with more marinara sauce. Top all with a layer of Mozzarella cheese.
  5. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes.
  6. Note: I used about 3/4 of the Marina sauce in the recipe and used the reserved sauce when reheating leftovers.

Recipe from Sarah’s good friend, Megan