Miso Spaghetti with Brussel Sprouts and Lemon

Yield: 3-4 servings

Sauce:

1/2 cup cashews, soaked 3-4 hours

1 tbsp white miso paste

1 clove garlic, chopped

1/2 tsp dijon mustard

1/2 cup water

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

Pasta:

1 tbsp olive oil

2 cups brussels sprouts, halved

1 tbsp lemon juice

8 oz spaghetti

salt and pepper

1/2 tsp chili flakes

1. In a high-speed blender, puree the cashews, miso paste, garlic, dijon mustard, water, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper until smooth.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Prepare the pasta according to the instructions on the package, cooking until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. 

3. While pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the brussels sprouts, cut side down, along with a pinch of salt. Let them sear until the cut side becomes golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Toss and continue cooking for an additional 7 to 10 minutes, or until tender.

4. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to the pan and toss once more.
5. Add cooked pasta and sauce to the pan, adding pasta water as needed to thin the sauce and make it creamy. 

6. Serve pasta hot with freshly ground black pepper and chili flakes.


http://thefirstmess.com/2016/03/30/vegan-creamy-miso-pasta-w-brussels-sprouts-recipe/

Moroccan Chickpea Stew

Yield: 4-6 servings

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 medium onion, diced

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp chili flakes

2 cloves of garlic, finely minced

4 dates, pitted and chopped

2 medium carrots, chopped

1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
1 small potato, peeled and chopped

1 can crushed tomatoes (preferably fire-roasted)

3 cups vegetable stock 

1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped

2 cups chickpeas

1 cup kale, chopped
2 tbsp parsley, chopped

zest of 1 lemon
salt and pepper

1. Heat the coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté until soft and translucent.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low, and add the cinnamon, cumin, coriander and chili flakes. Slowly sauté and stir until the onions are very soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add the chopped dates, carrots, sweet potato, and potato. Stir to coat the vegetables in the spices and oil.
5. Add the tomatoes and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sweet potatoes are just tender, about 15 minutes.

6. Add the yellow pepper, zucchini, and chickpeas. Simmer until the peppers and zucchini are tender and the sweet potatoes are quite soft, about 5 minutes.
7. Add the kale and cook for 1 minute, or until just wilted.
8. Garnish with parsley, lemon zest, and season with salt and pepper.


http://thefirstmess.com/2013/09/26/moroccan-style-vegan-vegetable-chickpea-stew-recipe/

Roasted Fennel and Quinoa Salad

Yield: 3-4 servings

3/4 cup quinoa

1 1/2 cups water

1 small bulb of fennel, trimmed, halved, core removed

4 radishes, halved, sliced thin

1/2 cucumber, diced small

2 tbsp dill, chopped

2 green onions, sliced thin

optional: handful of nuts/seeds

2 tsp dijon mustard

juice of 1 lemon

3 tbsp olive oil

salt and pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium pot, combine quinoa with water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until all of the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Slice the halves of fennel and toss them in a bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on prepared baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until soft and have golden, caramelized edges. (Or optional: grill the fennel: brush the fennel with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on a grill heated to high, cut side down. Grill until char marks are achieved on both sides and fennel feels a bit soft. Remove and cut into a rough small dice once cool.)

4. Place cooled quinoa into a large bowl. Add fennel, radishes, cucumber, dill, and green onion. Add dijon, lemon juice and remaining olive oil on top. Season with salt and pepper and mix until thoroughly combined.

http://thefirstmess.com/2011/07/18/grilled-fennel-and-quinoa-salad/

Dijon Balsamic Sauce

Yield: 2/3 cup

1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp maple syrup

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

Coconut Almond Quinoa Pancakes

Yield: 6 pancakes

1/2 tbsp + 2 tbsp coconut oil, divided, melted, plus extra for the pan
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup quinoa
7/8 cup water
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 cup almond or coconut milk of your choice
1 1/2 cups almond flour
1/2 cup whole spelt flour (or gluten-free all-purpose flour)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp coconut sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
optional: 2 bananas, sliced
optional: 2 tbsp cacao nibs or chocolate chips
optional: 1 cup blueberries

1. In a small pot, over medium heat, add 1/2 tablespoon of the coconut oil. Once warm, add the cinnamon and stir. Add the quinoa and stir around in the oil to lightly toast. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 15 minutes until quinoa is cooked, but kind of crunchy. Let cool quinoa completely.

2. In a small bowl, add the lemon juice to the milk. Set aside to curdle for at least 5 minutes. 

3. In a medium bowl, combine the almond flour, spelt flour, baking powder, baking soda, coconut sugar, and salt. Stir to combine.
4. Add the curdled milk mixture, egg, vanilla, and remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to the flour mixture. Gently fold it together with a spatula until just combined.
5. Add the cooled quinoa and fold it in until evenly mixed.

6. Heat a medium non-stick pan over medium heat. Brush with melted coconut oil. Drop 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter onto the pan and spread/flatten it out. If using, press banana slices onto the top of the cakes, and/or sprinkle with cacao nibs/chocolate chips/blueberries. Once bubbles start to form on top and the bottom is golden, flip them over. Continue to cook until bottom side is golden/dry.
7. Repeat with remaining batter, keeping cooked cakes warm.

8. Serve pancakes with maple syrup and yogurt dolloped on top.

http://thefirstmess.com/2013/03/20/vegan-coconut-almond-quinoa-breakfast-cakes-recipe/

Coconut Crusted Chicken Strips

Yield: 2 servings

2 chicken breasts
1/2 cup coconut flour
salt and pepper
1 egg
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 cup shredded coconut

1. Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cut the chicken breasts into strips, and then pound slightly to flatten to an even thickness.
3. Set up a 3-bowl breading system - one bowl for the coconut flour seasoned with salt and pepper, one for the egg mixed with coconut milk, and one for the shredded coconut.
4. Take each strip of chicken and dredge it in the coconut flour, then dip in the liquid mixture, and finally coat in the shredded coconut. Place on prepared baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, and then baking for 10 more minutes, or until cooked through.


https://paleoleap.com/coconut-crusted-chicken-strips/

Devilled Eggs with Dill

Yield: 8

8 eggs
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp dill, chopped
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper

1. Place eggs in a medium pot. Fill with cold water, enough to cover all the eggs. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and submerge in cold water to stop cooking.
2. When cool, peel eggs and cut in half length-wise.
3. Remove yolks and place in food processor. Add remaining ingredients and pulse to combine.
4. Spoon the yolk mixture back into each egg white half.
5. Garnish with dill or paprika.


https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/recipe-deviled-eggs-without-mayo/