Pasta - Easy Combo Ideas

avocado, corn, and love all that parsley!...

Start with gluten free pasta of choice.  Then add in your favorites to come up with a tasty combination.  It's easy to put together combos that can be served as a cold salad OR a baked main dish.

Sauce - come up with a combo.  Here are some ideas.

• Dressing - Italian, Ranch 
• 3–4 tbsp olive oil     
• vegan mayo
• sweet relish! - Publix deli style
• mustard
• pesto
• vinegar , lemon, or lime juice

Veggies

• cherry tomatoes
• bell pepper
• broccoli
• onions (red is good) & garlic
• squash and zucchini
• celery
• carrots
• mushrooms
• corn
• cucumber
• avocado - to eat right away

Greens

• Fresh Herbs - basil, parsley, cilantro, dill
• kale
• spinach
• lettuce

Misc

• fruit - pineapple, citrus, berries
• black beans

Xtra Flavor & do-dads

• lemon zest to taste
• red chili flakes
• Italian Seasoning
• McCormick Salad Supreme
• Seeds - sesame, celery seed, hemp seed

Not Vegan

• Parmesan or other cheese
• bacon
• chicken
• shrimp

avocado, looks like a bit of bacon as well...

corn, avocado, red onions...

SWEET AND SPICY LO MEIN WITH TOASTED SESAME MUSHROOMS AND BROCCOLI
By @leeksnbeets on Instagram

Pesto Pasta Salad
by @janetsmunchmeals on Instagram 

Roast Vegetables with Red Onion & Dukkah

Recipe Inspiration Source:  @thrivingonplants on Instagram

 

Roast Veggies

• 2 small red onions, peeled 
• 1 wedge pumpkin
• 2 medium red potatoes
• 1 small bunch Dutch carrots
• 1 zucchini
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme 
• 1 tsp dried oregano 
• 1 tsp smoked paprika 
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper 

Almond Pistachio Dukkah

🌿  Dukkah is a fragrant, roasted spice and nut blend. Traditionally served with olive oil and fresh bread, it is also an aromatic coating for fish, chicken or lamb before grilling.

• ¼ cup almonds 
• ¼ cup pistachios, shelled 
• 2 tbsp raw white sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp black sesame seeds
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp sea salt 
• ¼ tsp cracked black pepper 

Method: 

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside. 

2. Cut up all of your veg into even sized chunks and place into a large mixing bowl. 

3. Add in the olive oil, thyme, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper. Toss well to coat.

4. Pour the vegetables onto your baking tray and spread into one even layer. Bake or airfry for 45 minutes or until golden brown and tender (once the potatoes have softened).

5. In the meantime, add the almonds, pistachios and sesame seeds onto a dry frypan. Toast until sesame seeds become golden. Remove from pan and add into a blender along with the remaining ingredients. 

Pulse and blitz until you reach a broken down yet coarse texture. 

6. Once the veggies have cooked, remove from the oven and transfer into a bowl. Sprinkle with a generous amount of the dukkah on top to serve. Serve with your favourite plant-based protein and side salad for a satisfying and delicious meal. Enjoy immediately while warm! 

Condiment - Avocado Dill Salad Dressing

Recipe Inspiration Source:  Instagram - Janet's Munch Meals, shared on Vegan Veganfood

🥑 Blend

• ½ an avocado
• ¼ cup vegan mayo
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh dill
• 1 tbsp agave
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard

This photo from @byanjushka on Instagram shows an avocado dip being used with sweet potato fries.  The dressing above would likely work.  If need be less lemon could be used so it would be thicker.

Here's another recipe for avocado dip from The Savory Vegan - 

• 1 avocado
• 1/2 lime juiced
• 2 tbsp almond milk or other plain, non-dairy milk
• salt and pepper to taste
• red pepper flakes to taste

Carrot Dogs

Recipe Inspiration Source:  Shane and Simple ,  Brand New Vegan

Start with about 6 (or more) fairly straight carrots, and cut off the tops.  Cut off the bottoms to make them ‘bun length’.  And by all means, if you have a favorite, healthy, hot dog bun…use it.

🌿 Prepare the Marinade

From Shane and Simple -

• 1 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos or low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 cup water or low-sodium veggie broth
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp rice vinegar (use extra apple cider vinegar if don’t have this)
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp paprika or smoked paprika
• 1 tsp. liquid smoke
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• ½ tsp dried ginger
• ½ tsp black pepper  

From Brand New Vegan -

• 1/4 cup Soy Sauce low sodium
• 1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar Braggs
• 1/4 cup Vegetable Broth low sodium
• 2 Tbs Maple Syrup
• 1 Tbs Liquid Smoke
• 1 tsp Yellow Mustard
• 1 tsp Fresh Garlic minced
• 1 tsp Pickled Jalapeno Juice
• 1/2 tsp Onion Powder

🌿 Option 1 - Cook Carrots In Instant Pot

Preheat grill (if cooking right away).

 Place carrots in your Instant Pot, pour the marinade over the carrots and cook for 2 minutes.

Once the carrot dogs have finished cooking in the Instant Pot, use the quick release, remove them from the Instant Pot.  If not grilling right away, you can leave them in the IP pot to continue to marinate.  Marinating for at least an hour more is great.

 Throw them onto the grill. 

🌿 Option 2 - Cook Carrots On the Stove

This method requires marinating ahead of time!

 Boil carrots for 8-10 minutes or until just tender enough to pierce with a fork. YOU DON’T WANT THEM MUSHY!

Drain and rinse carrots under cold water to stop them from cooking.

Put the carrots in a gallon Ziploc bag or airtight container and pour the marinade over the carrots. Be sure they all get covered. Let them marinate in the fridge for at least 2-3 hours, but overnight is best.  Remember to turn the bag over occasionally to keep things mixed up.

🌿 Grill

Cook the carrot dogs for 2-3 minutes per side or until you get those really cool grill marks. Use leftover marinade to baste carrot dogs as they cook.

 Remove your dogs and serve on your favorite hot dog bun or roll fixed any way you like.

 If you don’t plan on eating your carrot dogs right away remove them from the Instant Pot and store in the fridge with the marinade until you are ready.

🌿 Don’t Want To Grill?

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Add carrots dogs and ½ cup of marinade to skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until most, if not all, of the marinade has evaporated.

Serve immediately. 

🥕 Save leftover marinade to make more carrot dogs!

🥕 Need gluten free buns?  This article from Food Network offers suggestions based on their taste test.