Tag Archives: vegetarian

Curried Buddha Bowl

Have you heard of a buddha bowl?

knife

I have, but I can’t remember from where.

curry

I think I remember reading about it. That someone ate a “buddha bowl.” A bowl full of goodness. A bowl full of foods that are just simply good for you. Foods that don’t necessarily go together, until the moment they come together in the bowl. Then they go together just perfectly.

quinoa

I’ve had the idea of a buddha bowl in my head for awhile. I didn’t know if or when I would make one. Until one night, I just needed a buddha bowl.

lemons

You should know, I’m a big believer in giving my body what it’s asking for. My body is asking for a good night sleep? I put off work that was supposed to be done to give it a rest. It’s asking for a big cone of ice cream? I satisfy the craving, happily. My body feels like just doing yoga instead of running too? I just do yoga. That’s how I work. I do what I feel in my body.

veggies

One particular night last week my body was asking for a buddha bowl. I was recovering from some sort of flu-illness. I was craving goodness in my body. I needed food that was light, pure, good for me. I made a buddha bowl.

finished

In my buddha bowl I put broccoli and cauliflower, roasted with curry powder. Quinoa. White fish. Garlic. Lemon. All of these flavors together in one big bowl. It was delicious. Fresh. Literally felt like the best breath of fresh air. It made me feel good. It was just what I needed.

Method:

This was enough for one. This can be easily doubled, tripled, etc. for more than one person.

1/4 c. quinoa
1 c. vegetable broth
A handful of chopped broccoli
A handful of chopped cauliflower
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1.5 tsp. curry powder
1 medium filet of white fish
1 clove of garlic
1/2 lemon

Preheat oven to 350*.

Thoroughly rinse the quinoa with water. Add the quinoa and 1/2 c. of vegetable broth to a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and then cover, turn down the heat, and let cook until all liquid is absorbed.

Meanwhile, add broccoli, cauliflower, 1 tablespoon of oil and curry powder to a bowl. Toss to coat and combine well. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until veggies are soft and lightly brown.

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for about 2 minutes, to flavor the oil. Once the oil is hot, add fish and let cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. This will depend on the thickness of your fish. Once the fish is close to being done, add a good squeeze of lemon juice.

Heat the additional 1/2 c. of vegetable broth on the stove or in the microwave.

To a bowl, add the quinoa then the veggies, fish, warmed broth and another squeeze of lemon.

Enjoy the goodness!

Spinach + Artichoke Dip

Two people sitting on a recliner made for one.

artichokesspinach

Drinking beer out of bottles.

artichokescooking

Eating dip with spinach and artichokes.

spinachcooking

Watching basketball.

millk

That’s how I enjoyed this dip. Even for a girl who doesn’t love sports, it was the best way to enjoy it.

millkpour2

The dip, the beer, the company. It was the perfect combination that made for the perfect evening.

finished

As far as the dip, it is the best.

finished1

I’ve tried many spinach and artichoke dips and this one is by far my favorite ever.

finished3

It’s creamy but not too creamy. The veggies stand out. It’s filled with spinach and artichokes. It packed with flavor.

finished2

The next time you’re looking for a good dip, I highly suggest making this.

bite

Thank you to White on Rice Couple for the recipe.

Mini Mushroom Pot Pies

Remember when I showed you my walk through Rittenhouse Square?

ramekins

Well, the same day I took that walk, I ate something so very delicious.

vegs

I ate at the Metropolitan Cafe, right next to Rittenhouse Square. I stopped in and ordered a mini mushroom pot pie and a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice. It was so good. I knew from my first bite that I wanted to make my own.

vegs1

After several attempts, I have this to share with you. This may be my new (for now) favorite meal.

pot

The flavor of the mushroom part is unbelievable. It sort of reminds me of Thanksgiving.

final2

And I’m loving puff pastry right now. The IMperfectionist in me is loving how messy but beautiful it looks. And it’s just the perfect puffy little topping for the mushrooms.

final

For any non-mushroom lovers out there, you still have to try this! Leave out the shrooms and swap in something else. How about zucchini or butternut squash! Or meat if that is what you please.

final1

This dish is healthy, fulfilling, creamy (with no butter or cream!) and flavorful. I hope that you get to enjoy this meal!

Method:

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 medium shallots
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3 large carrots
1/2 of a red pepper
16 oz. mushrooms
2 large handfuls of fresh spinach
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground thyme
1 tsp. dried thyme leaves
Salt and pepper
3 Tbsp. flour
1.5 c. vegetable broth
6 puff pastry squares, with a hole poked in top
1 egg white

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400*. Prepare six 7-ounce ramekins, or any dish that you choose to use.

Dice the shallots, carrots, red peppers and mushrooms all to about the same size.

Add olive oil to a pot over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about two minutes, to flavor the oil. Add the diced shallot and a pinch of salt. Stir, then cook until soft, about 4-5 minutes. Add diced carrots and red peppers, stir and cook an additional five minutes. Add the thyme, nutmeg, pepper and additional salt if desired. Add the spinach and stir everything together. Cover the pot and cook about 2 minutes, or until spinach is wilted.

Add the flour to the pot and gently stir to incorporate. Next add the broth, adding a little bit at a time and stirring well to be sure you’re getting all the chunks of flour out. Cover and let simmer for about 3 minutes.

Ladle the mushroom mixture into ramekins and top with puff pastry squares. Brush the puff pastry with egg white.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until pastry has puffed and is golden brown.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin + Cinnamon Muffins

I still have break brain. And I don’t know what to do.

muffin

I’ve only been back to class a few days since spring break, but I’m having trouble finding my groove.

cinnamon

These muffins gave me comfort during a week of discomfort. My mind has been all over the place, but at least I had these to enjoy. 🙂

spoon flour

The smell of these alone was enough to warm me up. The sweet cinnamon scent was incredible. It filled my apartment and made digging in immediately unavoidable.

liners

These muffins are soft, sweet and full of rich cinnamon flavor. The pumpkin flavor is subtle, but compliments the cinnamon perfectly.

cuttingmiddle

If you make these muffins, I hope that they bring you as much comfort as they brought  me.

muffins

Method:

Dry:
3/4 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt

Wet:
1 c. pureed pumpkin
1 c. milk (I used almond)
1 egg
1/4 c. butter, melted and cooled
1/4 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cinnamon Filling:
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. butter, melted and cooled

Topping:
1/4 c. chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 400*. Line and grease 12 muffin liners in a muffin pan.

Add dry ingredients to a bowl. Mix with a whisk until well combined.

In a separate bowl, add wet ingredients. Mix with a spoon. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until well combined.

In a third bowl, add cinnamon filling ingredients. Mix until a thick paste forms. Set aside.

Fill each muffin liner with a spoonful of batter. I used a mini ice cream scoop. Then, top with about a teaspoon of cinnamon filling. Add another spoonful of muffin batter on top of the cinnamon layer. Top with additional cinnamon and chopped pecans.

Bake muffins in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Green Salad with Roasted Beets and Fruit

This is refreshing.

IMG_2626

A clean, healthy meal.

A fresh start after a weekend of milkshakes, french fries, cupcakes and pizza.

IMG_2628

While that was very fun, I’m in need of this. This salad is fresh, bright, sweet, crunchy and fulfilling.

IMG_2594

Even though it’s light, the varying flavors and and textures make you feel satisfied.

IMG_2635

Eating this salad makes me feel like I’m getting both my mind and body back on track.

IMG_2636

This week, I’m going to need a lot of these salads.

Method:
for one salad

A large handful of mixed greens
1 beet
A handful of blueberries
3 large strawberries, sliced
A small handful of chopped pecans
Goat cheese

Preheat oven to 400*. Wash and dry the beet. Pierce with a fork and roast until soft, about an hour. Once roasted, let cool and peel off the skin. Slice the beet.
Place greens, blueberries, strawberries, beets, pecans and goat cheese in a bowl. Use as much goat cheese as you please.

*Note: I roast a lot of beets at once so that when I want some, they are ready and sliced.

Enjoy!