Category Archives: Entree

Grilled Zucchini Boats

Grilled-Zucchini-Boats-Grilling

As excited as I am to move back to Providence in a month, there are a few things I’m going to miss. Things like Trader Joe’s and grilling. Did you know you can get zucchini any size at Trader Joe’s for just 79 cents? Between those, 3.99 watermelon and 19 cent bananas, the crew members must think I’m feeding a small colony of chimpanzees. It’s a good thing I buy the 2.99 Vahlrona chocolate to throw them off.

Because I went a little crazy on the zucchini and had the grill at my disposal I decided to make grilled zucchini boats. I’ve never made stuffed zucchini before so I didn’t know what to stuff them with; since we had beans and leftover vegetables on hand I went with that. I also topped mine with a cashew “cheese” sauce that was pretty much just cashews, water, and nutritional yeast. It’d be good with shredded cheese or even a pesto sauce, anything thick and hearty.

Vegetarian Grilled Zucchini Boats

Ingredients:

  • 1 zucchini
  • 1/3 cup grilled or cooked vegetables
  • 1/3 cup beans
  • 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Shredded cheese or cheese sauce for topping(optional)

Grilled-Zucchini-Boats-Zucchini

Method:

  1. Cut the zucchini lengthwise and scoop out the center.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the vegetables, beans, oil, salt, and pepper. Scoop the mixture into the center of the zucchini.
  3. Grill over high heat for 5 minutes until the bottom has begun to char and the filling is heated.
  4. If using shredded cheese, sprinkle on the top of the filling during the last minute of grilling and close the grill lid to melt it. Serve hot.

Grilled-Zucchini-Boats

Raw Lasagna

July 17th 086

The 2 times I’ve been to Wildflour this Summer, I’ve gotten the same menu item: The raw lasagna. The first time I ate it, I more or less devoured it without paying much attention. The second time I stopped to look how they made it; I was surprised it was just layers of zucchini and different pastes, presumably cashew-based, that all came together to make a rich and complex flavor.

Even once I decided to try and make this at home, I still put it off for a good week; it just seemed like something that would be hard to do. When I actually tried it couldn’t have been easier. It took just 30 minutes to make a big batch of lasagnas. I love Wildflour, but not having to pay $8 for a taste of their lasagna is music to my ears.

Raw Lasagna

Ingredients(Makes 4 servings):

  • 2 cups cashews, soaked for 3-4 hours and drained
  • ~1/3 cup water
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • Handful of basil leaves
  • Handful of spinach leaves
  • Salt + pepper to taste
  • 2 zucchini

July 17th 125

In a food processor, blend the water and the cashews into a soft, smooth paste. Divide the cashew spread into three portions, two 3/4 cup portions and one 1/2 cup portion.

Mix the 1/2 cup portion with the tomato paste, 1/2 a tablespoon of olive oil, and salt to taste.

Mix one of the 3/4 cup portions with the nutritional yeast and salt and pepper to taste.

In the food processor, blend the last portion of cashew spread with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of oil, basil, spinach, and more salt to taste until the leaves are completely chopped up and the spread is an even green color.

July 17th 092

Cut each zucchini once in half across and then into thin slices lengthwise.

You can layer it however you want; I’m partial to alternating the 3 spreads with each slice. The best bites are the one with a taste of each flavor in them.

July 17th 088

In some ways, this is the least Italian entrée you could make: It involves no cooking; the ingredients aren’t at all what you’d normally use; and it looks entirely different. But as soon as you cut in and take a bite the flavors are spot on, from the rich “cheese” to sweet tomato. Serve it at a dinner party and it’ll definitely catch a few eyes.

Grilled Eggplant Rollatini With Ricotta and Fava Bean Filling {Vegan}

July 14th 032

Last Wednesday was my father’s birthday so I took it upon myself to make dinner for my family. Of course, since I was the one cooking I subjected everyone to the hippy vegan rabbit food I usually eat. Thankfully my family is willing to try anything, especially if it’s Italian, so I tried a vegan/vegifull version of an Italian favorite: Stuffed Italian shells.

July 14th 060

Not only were these delicious and a hit, they were also a lot healthier than I even intended for them to be. The grilled eggplant, replacing breaded and fried eggplant, adds a smoky, charred flavor to the sauce. And the beans in the tofu filling give a good meaty texture contrast. It’s not something I’d throw together on a weeknight, but even so it couldn’t have been much easier to assemble and bake.

Grilled Eggplant Rollatini With Ricotta and Fava Bean Filling

Ingredients(Makes 4 servings):

  • 1 large eggplant, sliced lengthwise 3/4 centimeter thick
  • 3/4 cup tofu ricotta
  • 1 cup fava beans
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 3/4 cup vegan mozzarella shreds(I used Daiya)
  • Fresh basil for garnish
  • Oil for greasing

July 14th 001

Toss the eggplant slices in oil and grill over high heat until soft and pliable. Remove after grilling both sides and let cool slightly before handling.

July 14th 008

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Mix the fava beans and ricotta and scoop a couple tablespoons of the filling into the middle of each eggplant slice. Roll up the eggplant and put them end-side down into a baking pan packed together.

July 14th 010

Cover the eggplants in marinara sauce and then a layer of cheese.

July 14th 017

Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly—about 15 minutes.

July 14th 020

Finish with fresh herbs and serve hot.

July 14th 038

This is Italian comfort food at its finest. The melted cheese was like the frosting on the cake. We easily demolished the pan. You could of course use regular cheese and make this a delicious vegetarian dish, too. Whatever you use, just don’t skimp on it.

 

Pizza Omelet

July 12th 043

Do you remember that joyous moment when Bagel Bites promised you pizza in the morning, pizza in the evening, pizza at supper time? And do you remember that heart-wrenching moment when you realized a diet of only Bagel Bites probably wasn’t that good for you?

I do.

Let’s fast forward ~10 years to my current egg phase, when I could(and usually do) eat eggs with every meal. They’re cheap, tasty, and oh so good for you. Like tofu, they’re pretty tasteless, too, and take on the flavors you add to them. Flavors like pizza. I mean, who can say no to melted cheese?

July 12th 065

Pizza Omelet

Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs
  • 1/4 cup pizza sauce
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese(I used Daiya)
  • Torn basil for garnish(optional)
  • Oil for greasing

Lightly grease a 10’ frying pan and heat it over a burner set to medium. Meanwhile, crack and whisk together the 3 eggs until completely beaten.

When the pan has heated, pour in the eggs and cover with a lid.

July 12th 033

Once the egg has completely cooked, pour on the sauce and spread across the surface. Sprinkle on the cheese in an even layer, return the lid, and turn off the heat leaving the pan on the burner for a few minutes until the cheese has melted. Once ready, slide the omelet onto a plate and garnish with fresh basil.

July 12th 050

Maybe it’s the fact that I haven’t had a “real” pizza in ages, or maybe this is just damn good; either way, I’m obsessed. Anything herby with melted cheese is a winner in my book. It’s also a good way to sneak protein into a picky-eater’s diet, but don’t tell them that.

Greens & Beans

July 10th 098

For a food blogger, I’m not a very adventurous eater. I eat a lot of the same things over and over again. I eat a lot of omelets. I love making raw noodles in peanut sauce. And, when in doubt, I always go back to greens and beans.

It’s not as much of a recipe as a methodology: You take some greens and some beans, sauté flavor into them and boom! It’s a meal. And it doesn’t make you think too hard, which is always nice at the end of the day.

Greens & Beans

Ingredients(Makes 2 servings):

  • 1/2 an onion, diced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 can beans, drained(I like cannellini)
  • 2 cups fresh OR 1 cup frozen greens, thawed(spinach, kale, etc.)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Butter(optional)

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add in the garlic and onion and sauté for a few minutes until the onions translucent and garlic is crispy.

July 10th 069

Add in the greens and beans and mix them in with the garlic and onions. Add in the lemon, salt, and pepper and cook until heated through. Serve hot.

July 10th 096

Sometimes I’ll add an extra clove of garlic just because I can, you know, on the days when I don’t plan on having to speak to someone face to face. I love getting bites of crispy garlic through the dish.

July 10th 110

And then there’s butter. I don’t eat butter often, but a pat of Smör Icelandic butter(that’s the good butter Ina Garten’s always harping on about) really hits the spot, especially after it’s melted in.

The Best Grilled Tofu

July 10th 117

Tofu gets such a bad rap. And you know what? It kind of deserves it. Just eaten plain, tofu is bland and a little disgusting.

But like any girl wearing glasses and overalls in a cliché 90s movie, tofu can get dressed up and steal the show. It takes on any flavor added to it, and when cooked properly has a “meaty” texture.

July 10th 136

There’s no reason for tofu-eaters to be left behind during grilling season. With the right marinade tofu makes a tasty grilled entrée. And this is the best(and simplest!) marinade I’ve ever tried. All it takes is time and patience for the flavors to be absorbed. It works well baked, too, but in the Summer there’s no other way to go than grilled.

The Best Grilled Tofu

Ingredients:

  • 1 block firm tofu, sliced 3/4 inch thick
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil

July 10th 130

Combine all of the liquid ingredients and marinate the sliced tofu in the mixture for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.

Heat a grill to high and lay the strips of tofu out. Flip after 3-5 minutes once the bottom side has grill marks and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Serve hot or refrigerate and serve cold.

July 10th 133

You can reuse the marinating liquid again and again since there’s a very low risk of spreading bacteria with tofu. Either add more tofu to the marinade immediately or freeze it until using again.

I can’t get enough of this. I could easily eat a block of tofu in one sitting. That’s what makes it the best.

Protein-Packed Mock Thai

July 2nd 065

I didn’t learn to eat with chopsticks until 10th grade. I ate plenty of Asian food before then, but it was usually takeout eaten at home with forks and spoons. If I did use the chopsticks, it was to poke a dumpling from the side and cautiously try to dip it into duck sauce without it falling off.

July 2nd 080

But then, in 10th grade, a magical thing happened: A Panda Express opened up in the Comm. Ave cafeteria where I ate lunch. I could have Panda Express Every. Day. Let’s ignore how unhealthy that must have been for me—their orange chicken was sensational. It was great enough to motivate me to learn to use chopsticks. 

This is one skill I hold dear to my heart. While I don’t always post it, I love working with Asian ingredients to make flavorful, often unphotogenic meals. You can’t go wrong if you keep adding soy sauce, vinegar, and honey with a little spice. My favorite dish is Pad Thai, but like orange chicken, the original is probably not something you should eat every day. But now you can.

July 2nd 054

This recipe uses vegetables in place of the noodles to cut down on refined grains and carbs and boost the vegetable servings. Trust me when I say you won’t miss them. The sauce has an extra protein punch from peanut flour, which is higher in protein and lower in fat than peanut butter, which also works well in this recipe in a pinch. I use eggs which are my favorite protein to make this a filling meal but you can swap in cubed tofu to make this a vegan dish. The result is filling and just as delicious as the original. If you don’t know how to use chopsticks yet, let this be a reason to learn.

Protein-Packed Mock Thai

Ingredients(Makes 2 small portions or 1 large):

  • 1 zucchini, peeled into shreds
  • 1 carrot, peeled into shreds
  • 1/2 cup bean sprouts
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/4 cup partially defatted peanut flour*
  • 2 Tablespoons tamarind paste**
  • 1/2 Tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce(or wheat-free tamari)
  • 1/2 Tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
  • ~2 Tablespoons water to thin

*If unavailable, swap for 2 tablespoons peanut butter and omit the water.

**This is the signature flavor of Pad Thai. The best substitute is brown sugar, though the flavor won’t be as complex.

July 2nd 042

Heat a pan to medium and add in the zucchini and carrot noodles and bean sprouts. Sauté for a few minutes until cooked and softened.

Crack in the eggs and toss the vegetables with them. Continue sautéing until the eggs have completely cooked.

July 2nd 057

Turn off the heat, pour in the sauce, and toss it together with the noodles until completely mixed. Scoop into bowls for serving.

Garnish with salted peanuts and Thai basil leaves.

July 2nd 051

Dig in.

What’s your favorite dish to order at a Chinese/Japanese/Thai restaurant?

Grilled Mango and Avocado Black Bean Salad

June 23rd 098

I think I have a mango problem. A week ago, I had no idea if I liked them or not. I just happened to pick a few up because they were on sale and now I’ll eat one morning, noon, or night. I don’t even like many fruits! But mango—oh, mango.

June 23rd 109

Naturally, I had to find a way to eat mango whenever, wherever. That’s where this salad came in. I had to make it twice to figure out grilling was the key component. It tasted good raw but so much better grilled. The avocado dressing helps spread out the fruity flavor throughout the whole dish so that each bite is just as delicious as the last.

Grilled Mango and Avocado Black Bean Salad

Ingredients(Makes 2 servings):

  • 1 mango
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 Tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

June 23rd 089

Cut the mango and avocado into halves, removing their pits. Grill 1 of the avocado halves and all of the mango for 4-5 minutes until charred.

Puree the remaining avocado with the lemon juice, honey, chili powder, and salt.

Dice the grilled mango and avocado. In a large bowl, toss this with the black beans and avocado dressing. Serve at room temperature or chilled. 

June 23rd 101

This is a great Summer dish with some brown rice and vegetables. I think next time I’ll add toasted coconut on top for an extra kick of tropical flavor. Now if only I had a mango cupcake recipe to wash it all down with.

Raw Zucchini Noodles With Pumpkin Seed Pesto

June 21st 001

When I had the raw lasagna at Wildflour reminded me of a way to “cook” I forgot I knew. During the Winter I’d roast anything and everything and make heavy sauces for food to add flavor. I don’t like to cook as much in the Summer; I can’t remember the last time I even turned our oven on. It’s just too hot. And when the produce and herbs are so flavorful, they even taste better with less done to them.

Raw food is perfect for the Summer because the flavors are clean and powerful. While this could seem complex it takes less than 10 minutes to put together. The only tools necessary are a standard vegetable peeler and a food processor. It’s a little more complex than a salad, but completely worth it. 

Raw Zucchini Noodles With Pumpkin Seed Pesto

Ingredients for 2 servings

For the noodles:

  • 2 zucchini
  • Vegetable peeler

For the pesto:

  • 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1 1/2 handfuls basil
  • 0-2 cloves of garlic(depending on how much you love garlic)
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2-3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

June 21st 003

For the noodles, simply peel long strips of zucchini until reaching the center. Discard the seedy core.

For the sauce, combine the pumpkin seeds, basil, garlic, lemon juice, and salt in a food processor. Turn the processor on and slowly pour in the olive oil until the ingredients blend into a smooth paste.

Toss the pesto with the noodles. Serve cold or at room temperature with extra veggies.

June 21st 011

I wasn’t sure how the “noodles” would hold up, but they twisted and twirled just like any good pasta. The zucchini held on to the sauce well, too, and since it has such little flavor let the pesto shine. It’s not something I’d eat every day because I like my eggs and beans, too, but it’s fun for a change.

Grilled Eggs

June 8th 018

Stop the presses. Two of my favorite things have come together for something amazing this Summer, and I’m not talking about NKOTBSB.

I was thinking about these for a while—how I’d cook them, how’d they come out, would it actually work, etc. They took a lot longer to cook than I anticipated(about 30 minutes, definitely not the most efficient way to cook eggs), but flavorwise tasted delicious with the charred pepper. It’s definitely a novelty dish; serve “grilled eggs” at your next outdoor party and expect a great reaction.

Grilled Eggs

Ingredients:

  • 2 large bell peppers, top halves removed
  • 4 medium eggs
  • 1/2 Tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

June 8th 006

Brush the bottom of the peppers with olive oil.

June 8th 009

Crack 2 eggs into each pepper half.

June 8th 012

Heat a grill up to 400 degrees. Carefully place the peppers on the grill and close the lid.

June 8th 014

Cook the eggs for about 25-30 minutes until the white on top has completely cooked. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

June 8th 027

A little salt and pepper on the eggs brings out all the right flavors. The yolks are fully cooked and not runny, yet even though I don’t like hardboiled eggs these I didn’t mind. These would be perfect slathered in barbeque sauce.