Category: vegetables

Roasted Vegetables

This post is sponsored by Kroger. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, you know I roast vegetables just about every single week. They are my FAVORITE and I love having them in the fridge at all times to eat for easy lunches, dinners, and…

This post is sponsored by Kroger. If you follow me on Instagram and watch my stories, you know I roast vegetables just about every single week. They are my FAVORITE and I love having them in the fridge at all times to eat for easy lunches, dinners, and to jazz up meals. Every time I…

The post Roasted Vegetables appeared first on Two Peas & Their Pod.

Breakfast Vegetable Scramble

Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right…with a plant based / vegan option. Want to eat more breakfast vegetables? You’re not alone. Eating more veggies to start the day is starting to trend. Because let’s face it: the American breakfast is largely based on carbs and sugar. Pancakes, waffles, muffins…all sugary. So health-minded people have been asking: why not re-imagine breakfast? Let’s infuse veggies into the first meal of the day, too. How to eat vegetables for breakfast? Try this Breakfast Vegetable Scramble! You can make it two ways: with eggs or tofu, depending on your diet. It’s full of savory flavor…and loaded with nutrients, too. Ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble This scramble is unlike most breakfast recipes…it’s loaded with vegetables! There are lots of vegetables you can eat for breakfast: here are the ones we chose. But you can feel free to customize this recipe as you choose! (See below.) The main ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble are: Bell pepper: 1 medium red bell pepper provides a whopping 169% of your daily vitamin C! (Source) That means eating 1 serving of this scramble […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right…with a plant based / vegan option.

Breakfast vegetables

Want to eat more breakfast vegetables? You’re not alone. Eating more veggies to start the day is starting to trend. Because let’s face it: the American breakfast is largely based on carbs and sugar. Pancakes, waffles, muffins…all sugary. So health-minded people have been asking: why not re-imagine breakfast? Let’s infuse veggies into the first meal of the day, too. How to eat vegetables for breakfast? Try this Breakfast Vegetable Scramble! You can make it two ways: with eggs or tofu, depending on your diet. It’s full of savory flavor…and loaded with nutrients, too.

Ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble

This scramble is unlike most breakfast recipes…it’s loaded with vegetables! There are lots of vegetables you can eat for breakfast: here are the ones we chose. But you can feel free to customize this recipe as you choose! (See below.) The main ingredients in this breakfast vegetables scramble are:

  • Bell pepper: 1 medium red bell pepper provides a whopping 169% of your daily vitamin C! (Source) That means eating 1 serving of this scramble you’ll stock up on 85% of your vitamin C for the day.
  • Baby kale and spinach: Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet; it’s packed with nutrients like Vitamin K, anti-oxidants and more (read more here).
  • Avocado: You can serve avocado on the side in this breakfast. Avocados are rich in fiber with 25% of your daily value, full of heart healthy good fats, and loaded with vitamin and nutrients (source).
  • Eggs: They’re not breakfast vegetables, but eggs are also a healthy food. One egg has 75 calories, 7 grams of protein, and lots of nutrients. Recent research has found that eggs can increase the good cholesterol the body needs.
  • Tofu: For a plant-based option, you can use tofu instead! See below for nutrition info.
Breakfast vegetables

What other breakfast vegetables can you add?

This breakfast vegetables scramble is very customizable based on the vegetables that you have on hand! You can use so many more vegetables for breakfast. Here are some vegetables that we’d recommend:

  • Broccoli*
  • Carrots*
  • Mushrooms
  • Zucchini
  • Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • Swiss chard, chopped
  • Cabbage, shredded
  • Brussels sprouts, shredded (here’s how to shred them)

For the broccoli and carrots, make sure to cut them small. You may find you need to cook a few minutes longer than the timing specified below since they are hard vegetables. Looking for more ideas? See these Best Vegetables to Eat Today.

Tofu scramble with breakfast vegetables
This tofu scramble is a healthy vegan breakfast idea full of vegetables

Vegan variation: make a tofu scramble!

Don’t want to eat eggs with your breakfast vegetables? Use tofu instead! This Tofu Scramble is so full of savory flavor, it tastes remarkably similar to eggs! Alex and I don’t eat 100% plant-based, but we adore tofu scrambles when we want a vegan option.

Is tofu healthy? Per the Harvard TH Chan School of Nutrition, soy is a nutrient-dense source of protein that can safely be consumed several times a week. It’s likely to provide health benefits, especially when you eat it as an alternative to red meat and processed meat. 

Vegetables for breakfast

Ways to eat breakfast vegetables

Want other breakfast vegetables ideas? Here are some more ways to load vegetables onto your plate in the morning:

  1. Make toast and load it with veggies. Try Avocado Toast. Or spread toast with hummus or goat cheese and add sauteed vegetables.
  2. Add a side of sauteed greens. Try Sauteed Spinach, Sauteed Chard or Sauteed Kale.
  3. Make a vegetable frittata. Try these Veggie Mini Frittatas.
  4. Eat breakfast tacos. These 5 Minute Tacos have delicious egg “taco meat”: load them with raw and sauteed veggies.
  5. Try savory oatmeal. Make oatmeal and top it with a poached egg and sauteed veggies.
  6. Sip vegetable smoothies. Try a green smoothie like Broccoli Smoothie, Spinach Smoothie, Kale Smoothie or Celery Smoothie.
  7. Make an omelette loaded with greens. Try this Parmesan Omelette and use any greens you like: spinach, kale or chard.

Sides to serve with this vegetable scramble

Want to serve an impressive breakfast or brunch? Here are a few great sides for this breakfast vegetable scramble:

  • Hash Browns: These Hash Browns in the Oven are perfect for sliding into the oven while you make a saute. Or make traditional Homemade Hash Browns in another skillet.
  • Sweet Potato Hash Browns: Try Sweet Potato Hash Browns are baked in the oven, making them simple to prep.
  • Breakfast Potatoes: These Pan Fried Potatoes are full of big flavor and take just 15 minutes.
Breakfast vegetables

This breakfast vegetables scramble recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, and dairy-free.

Print
Breakfast vegetables

Breakfast Vegetable Scramble

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 8 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Want to eat more veggies? Make this breakfast vegetables scramble! It’s got lots of colorful veggies to start the day right (and a vegan option).

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 1 red bell pepper (or 1/2 red and 1/2 orange)
  • 4 cups baby kale or spinach
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chives or other fresh herbs
  • 4 eggs or this Tofu Scramble
  • ¼ cup shredded Colby cheese or crumbled goat cheese (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • Avocado slices, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep the vegetables: Thinly slice the red onion. Large dice the bell pepper.
  2. Prep the eggs or tofu: In a medium bowl, crack the eggs and whisk them together until well-beaten. Stir in the shredded cheese, fresh herbs, kosher salt, and plenty of fresh ground pepper. Or, complete Step 1 of the Tofu Scramble.
  3. Cook the vegetables: Heat the olive oil over medium high heat. When hot, add the onion and peppers. Cook 3 to 4 minutes until tender and just starting to brown, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low. Add a pinch of salt and the baby greens. Cook for 30 seconds until wilted. Remove and set aside.
  4. Cook the eggs or tofu: Keep heat on low. Pour in the eggs. Cook for 20 to 30 seconds. When the eggs just start to set, use a flat spatula to scrape sections of eggs, gently stirring constantly until cooked but still soft, about 1 minute. Or, complete Step 2 of the Tofu Scramble.
  5. Add the vegetables and serve: Add the veggies back to the pan with the eggs or tofu. Stir for a few seconds until combined and warmed. Serve immediately.
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Breakfast

Keywords: Breakfast vegetables

More breakfast recipes

Here are a few more of our favorite ways to eat healthy breakfast ideas:

  • Homemade Acai Bowl or Acai Smoothie This colorful smoothie bowl is full of nutrient-dense tropical fruits and almond butter.
  • Healthy Banana Bread Muffins These muffins are made of 100% oats: no flour! They’re a great way to eat oatmeal on the go.
  • Everyday Baked Oatmeal You’ll be blown away by the flavor of this baked oatmeal! It’s so easy to make and endlessly versatile: a true go-to recipe. Vegan variation, too!

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Butternut Squash Bread

Butternut Squash Bread is full of autumnal flavors that only get more complex with time. This moist and delicious quick bread may just become your new favorite fall treat. If you happened to catch my post last week for Apple Cinnamon Muffins, you may remember me coming up empty handed in my search for canned […]

The post Butternut Squash Bread appeared first on My Baking Addiction.

Butternut Squash Bread is full of autumnal flavors that only get more complex with time. This moist and delicious quick bread may just become your new favorite fall treat.

Sliced loaf of butternut squash bread topped with figs and berries on a cutting board with a teapot and cup of chai in the background

If you happened to catch my post last week for Apple Cinnamon Muffins, you may remember me coming up empty handed in my search for canned pumpkin puree. Well, many of you came to my rescue and a couple of you even emailed offering to ship me cans. Thanks for having your girl’s back!

However, several of you emailed me to say that Aldi shelves were pretty stocked with pumpkin puree. I’m not a regular Aldi shopper, but my friend Erin is and she just so happened upon a pumpkin jackpot at Aldi this past weekend and graciously dropped 6 cans onto my front porch.

If you can’t find it in your area, Aldi just might be the place to go to score a few cans. In the meantime, I think you should whip up this Butternut Squash Bread. It’s light, sweet and perfect for fall!

(more…)

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Butternut Squash Puree

Did you know that it’s easy to make your own Butternut Squash Puree at home? This puree is simple and delicious, and as delicious on its own as it is mixed into other recipes!  Well, it’s still hot here in Ohio, so it doesn’t exactly feel like fall yet. But I am choosing to ignore […]

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Did you know that it’s easy to make your own Butternut Squash Puree at home? This puree is simple and delicious, and as delicious on its own as it is mixed into other recipes! 

Butternut squash puree in a white bowl with whole spices and a spoon in the background

Well, it’s still hot here in Ohio, so it doesn’t exactly feel like fall yet.

But I am choosing to ignore that and continue living my best fall life until it’s cool enough for boots and sweaters.

First step? Decorating my front porch. I may not be getting a ton of visitors right now, but that doesn’t mean that anyone walking through the neighborhood can’t enjoy some fall decor!

Second step? All the fall baked goods. I started with Apple Pie Bread and Apple Cinnamon Muffins, and now I’m on to butternut squash.

(more…)

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Fun Lunch Ideas for Kids

Healthy and fun lunch ideas that are perfect for school or home. Even the pickiest of young eaters will love these nutritious and delicious lunches! This post is sponsored by Kroger. Whether children are in school or learning at home, the lunchtime dil…

Healthy and fun lunch ideas that are perfect for school or home. Even the pickiest of young eaters will love these nutritious and delicious lunches! This post is sponsored by Kroger. Whether children are in school or learning at home, the lunchtime dilemma is the same. What should we make our kids for lunch and…

The post Fun Lunch Ideas for Kids appeared first on Two Peas & Their Pod.

Easy Rice Bowl

This easy rice bowl comes together in a flash! This fast dinner stars black beans and veggies with zingy cilantro lime ranch sauce. Every time we ask readers what they want, we get a similar answer. Fast and easy dinner recipes! Essentially, you don’t care how basic it is. You just want easy, healthy ideas to get food on the table. So here’s one to file under dinnertime basics: this Easy Rice Bowl! This 30 minute dinner features these easy black beans, a trick to make a bland can of beans taste amazing in 5 minutes. Pair it with rice and colorful veggies. The kicker? A zingy cilantro lime ranch that you’ll want to bathe in. These were so tasty and easy, we knew we had to share (we simply inhaled them). How to make rice: our favorite methods The longest lead time on a rice bowl is cooking the rice. So get that started first! You can use any variety of rice you’d like. We like cooking rice on the stovetop, but a pressure cooker also makes quick work of it. You can also make the rice in advance and reheat it before serving (instructions below). Here are our […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

This easy rice bowl comes together in a flash! This fast dinner stars black beans and veggies with zingy cilantro lime ranch sauce.

Rice bowl

Every time we ask readers what they want, we get a similar answer. Fast and easy dinner recipes! Essentially, you don’t care how basic it is. You just want easy, healthy ideas to get food on the table. So here’s one to file under dinnertime basics: this Easy Rice Bowl! This 30 minute dinner features these easy black beans, a trick to make a bland can of beans taste amazing in 5 minutes. Pair it with rice and colorful veggies. The kicker? A zingy cilantro lime ranch that you’ll want to bathe in. These were so tasty and easy, we knew we had to share (we simply inhaled them).

How to make rice: our favorite methods

The longest lead time on a rice bowl is cooking the rice. So get that started first! You can use any variety of rice you’d like. We like cooking rice on the stovetop, but a pressure cooker also makes quick work of it. You can also make the rice in advance and reheat it before serving (instructions below). Here are our favorite methods for cooking rice:

Easy rice bowl

The star: 5-minute easy black beans!

The best part of this rice bowl, similar to a burrito bowl, is the easy black beans! This is the way to bring big flavor with only a few minutes of cooking. Once you’ve got your rice started, whip up those black beans. Here’s what you need to infuse huge flavor into these beans in no time:

  • Canned black beans: You don’t even have to rinse them! The residual can liquid makes a creamy sauce.
  • Fresh garlic: Minced fresh garlic brings big savory flavor.
  • Cumin: A hint of cumin adds the final flavoring.

Pop them in a pan for just 3 minutes, and you’ll be surprised at the amount of flavor you’ll get. You can use these beans as a component in lots of different meals outside of this rice bowl.

Black beans

How to make a rice bowl

Once you’ve got your rice and your beans: it’s time to make a rice bowl! The vegetable and sauce ideas we’ve provided here are just ideas. This is a free-form concept so anything goes! Here are a few ideas for vegetables and components you can swap to make a rice bowl. This one is like to a burrito bowl, but you can use different flavors and sauces for a different vibe. The main guiding principle: maximize contrasts in color, flavor and texture!

  • Make the rice. See above.
  • Make the protein. You can of course use any type of protein you like: beans, tofu, tempeh, chicken, shrimp: you name it! This bowl would be great with Cilantro Lime Shrimp too.
  • Prepare the veggies. Use lots of colorful raw veggies. Some favorites are avocado and cherry tomatoes. We like to add corn for sweetness and red onion for a savory crunch. Other ideas: bell peppers, leafy greens like spinach or mixed greens, or roasted sweet potatoes,
  • Add the sauce. Top it all off with a healthy sauce to bring it together: ideas below!

5 different sauce variations (with vegan options!)

What makes a rice bowl? The sauce. This rice bowl is covered in a creamy, zingy cilantro lime ranch that takes it over the top! You’ll love this tasty sauce: but we’ve got lots of other options too. If you’re looking for a vegan variation, review the list below:

Cilantro lime sauce

White rice vs. brown rice

Which type of rice is best for a rice bowl? Is it better to eat brown rice? Here’s a little breakdown of the benefits of making either variety for this rice bowl:

  • White rice is quick to cook and takes about 20 minutes total. It’s great when you’re in a time crunch!
  • Brown rice has more vitamins, minerals, and fiber than white rice. 1 cup cooked white rice has 0.6 grams fiber, but 1 cup cooked brown rice has 3.2 grams of fiber, 13% of your daily need. (Source) It’s also less processed so has more nutrients. It does take longer to cook, but use our quick method above to cook it in 35 minutes.

Shortcut: make the rice in advance and reheat it!

Make this rice bowl even quicker by making the rice in advance. Refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. You may have noticed that when you refrigerate rice, it gets very dry. Here’s a trick for how to reheat rice so that it’s perfectly moist:

  • Place the cold rice in a saucepan on the stovetop.
  • Add a small splash of water.
  • Heat the rice until it’s warmed through: the water will steam and absorb into the rice.
Rice bowl
Components in a rice bowl: rice, protein, veggies and sauce

Black beans nutrition

You can make this rice bowl with a variety of different protein options. But here’s a plug for using black beans! Here’s why black beans are such a plant-based powerhouse (source):

  • Excellent source of protein. 1 cup has 15 grams of protein, about 30% of your daily protein needs.
  • Excellent source of fiber. 1 cup also has 15 grams of fiber, about 50% of your daily intake.
  • Black beans have a lower glycemic index compared to many other high-carbohydrate foods, meaning they cause a smaller rise in blood sugar after a meal. In fact, some studies have even shown beans eaten with rice can reduce a rise in blood sugar vs when people eat rice alone.

This rice bowl recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

Print
Rice bowl

Easy Rice Bowl

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This easy rice bowl comes together in a flash! This fast dinner stars black beans and veggies with zingy cilantro lime ranch sauce.

Ingredients

For the black beans*

  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained but not rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • Scant 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the rice bowl

Instructions

  1. Cook the rice, according to How to Cook Rice.
  2. Cook the black beans: Mince the garlic. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not yet browned. Add the beans (drained but not rinsed), cumin, kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Cook 2 minutes until warmed through. Taste and add additional salt if desired.
  3. Make the Cilantro Lime Sauce (or Chipotle Sauce).
  4. Slice the tomatoes in half. Slice the avocado. Defrost the corn. Thinly slice the red onion.
  5. To serve, place rice in the bowl and top with black beans and vegetables. Drizzle with the sauce and top with torn cilantro.

Notes

*If you’re cooking for 1 or 2, make half this recipe and cook 1 cup dry rice.

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican inspired

Keywords: Rice Bowl, Rice Bowls

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Baked Zucchini

This baked zucchini is so easy to make, covered in a light coating of crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan! This veggie is at its best roasted in a hot oven. Oh hey, it’s the vegetable of the season: zucchini! There are so many creative ways to use this veggie, from casserole to chocolate cake. One of our new favorites though, is this baked zucchini! It’s the opposite of soggy or slimy: coat this tasty veggie lightly with breadcrumbs and a little Parmesan cheese. Even better, it’s not so labor intensive as zucchini fries (where you dip in flour and egg): so you get the best of both worlds! Pop it in the oven and it’s a tasty and easy side dish for summer meals. Here’s what to do! Want a quicker way to cook zucchini? Try Perfect Sauteed Zucchini. How to season baked zucchini Here’s the thing about this green vegetable. Zucchini contains over 90% water. Wow! Not only does it give off a lot of water when it cooks, it needs quite a bit of seasoning. Ever bitten into a zucchini and it tastes watery and bland? This is exactly what we don’t want. Here are the seasonings that will […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

This baked zucchini is so easy to make, covered in a light coating of crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan! This veggie is at its best roasted in a hot oven.

Baked zucchini

Oh hey, it’s the vegetable of the season: zucchini! There are so many creative ways to use this veggie, from casserole to chocolate cake. One of our new favorites though, is this baked zucchini! It’s the opposite of soggy or slimy: coat this tasty veggie lightly with breadcrumbs and a little Parmesan cheese. Even better, it’s not so labor intensive as zucchini fries (where you dip in flour and egg): so you get the best of both worlds! Pop it in the oven and it’s a tasty and easy side dish for summer meals. Here’s what to do!

Want a quicker way to cook zucchini? Try Perfect Sauteed Zucchini.

How to season baked zucchini

Here’s the thing about this green vegetable. Zucchini contains over 90% water. Wow! Not only does it give off a lot of water when it cooks, it needs quite a bit of seasoning. Ever bitten into a zucchini and it tastes watery and bland? This is exactly what we don’t want. Here are the seasonings that will cover your zucchini in the best savory Mediterranean flavors:

  • Dried oregano
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian style bread crumbs
  • Grated Parmesan cheese

There are a few things to note about these breadcrumbs (you can also skip them if desired). Here’s what to know!

Baked Zucchini

Use Italian Panko or breadcrumbs, or this substitute

This recipe uses Italian style Panko or breadcrumbs, not plain. What’s the difference? Italian breadcrumbs are made with seasonings and salt. This gives them quite a bit of extra flavor when you use them. Italian breadcrumbs and panko are easy to find at most grocery stores. If you can’t find it, here’s a substitute:

  • Use 1/2 regular panko or make homemade breadcrumbs.
  • Mix in 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Because you’re already adding Italian-style seasonings to the zucchini, you won’t lose much without the seasonings in the breadcrumbs.

Don’t want to use breadcrumbs in your baked zucchini? No problem.

Not into breadcrumbs? Or do you eat a gluten-free diet? You can absolutely make baked zucchini without them. Here’s what to do:

  • Omit the breadcrumbs.
  • Toss the zucchini with grated Parmesan cheese after baking!

As a note: there are lots of gluten-free breadcrumbs or Panko on the market these days, so you can use those to make this recipe gluten-free as well.

How to make baked zucchini

Grated vs shredded Parmesan cheese

For some reason, even after all this time of cooking for a living I have a hard time remembering the difference between shredded and grated Parmesan cheese. Here’s what you need for this recipe:

  • Grated Parmesan cheese: This is the powdery cheese that looks like snow! You can use either the shaker can or the or the containers. This is what you’ll need in this recipe, because it integrates into the texture of the bread crumbs.
  • Shredded Parmesan cheese: Shredded Parmesan cheese looks like little sticks of Parmesan. It’s great for garnishing salads and soups. You could use it here in a pinch, but it has a different look. See Roasted Zucchini and Squash.

How to make roasted / baked zucchini: a few tips!

Here are a few tips for making this baked zucchini, aka roasted zucchini! Alex and I tried making zucchini fries and realized that they were a bit time intensive. You have to dip the zucchini in flour and egg before the breadcrumbs, and it ends up all gummy and messy. (If you have a great zucchini fries method, let us know!) So for this baked zucchini, we were inspired to make it like fries but without the fuss. You’ll get a light coating of bread crumbs for a little crunch, but they’re not fully coated like fries. Here’s what to know:

  • Mix some breadcrumbs with oil-coated zucchini first. Not all of them will stick to the zucchini: that’s ok! The same is true when you place them on the baking sheet. So…
  • Move any breadcrumbs that fall onto the baking sheet to the top of the zucchini. Just quickly move any piles of breadcrumbs to the top of the zucchini. It doesn’t have to be perfect.
  • Finish by sprinkling with more dry breadcrumbs & Parm. This gets another fresh coating of crumbs on top.
  • Bake until just tender (keep an eye on it). The bake time will depend on exactly how thin the zucchini is: so keep an eye on it! You want it to be just tender: crisp and water, but not overly soggy. Take a taste if you need to assess doneness!
Roasted zucchini
Lots of breadcrumbs will end up on the baking sheet: that’s ok!

Main dishes that pair with baked zucchini

OK so you’ve got your crunchy, crispy baked zucchini: what to serve it with? It’s easiest to serve it with dishes that don’t use the oven. Here are a few great main dishes that pair well:

This baked zucchini recipe is…

Vegetarian. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread crumbs or panko, or omit the breadcrumbs.

Print
Baked Zucchini

Baked Zucchini (Perfectly Seasoned!)

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (6 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This baked zucchini is so easy to make, covered in a light coating of crunchy breadcrumbs and Parmesan! This veggie is at its best roasted in a hot oven.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds zucchini (3 medium small)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Italian style panko or bread crumbs, divided
  • 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Slice the zucchini into 1/4-inch thick rounds. In a large bowl, mix it with the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and kosher salt. (If using plain bread crumbs, mix in a generous 1/4 teaspoon salt.) To the bowl add 1/4 cup breadcrumbs and 3 tablespoons of the grated Parmesan cheese and toss.
  3. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the vegetables in a single layer on the baking sheets, then use your fingers to quickly place breadcrumbs that fall onto the sheet on the top of the zucchini rounds (it doesn’t have to be perfect). Top with the remaining 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs (divided across the two sheets) and 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese.
  4. Roast until just tender, 15 to 20 minutes. If your oven is uneven, switch the trays at the 7 to 8 minute mark. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Baked zucchini

More zucchini recipes

Summer is all about zucchini recipes! Here are some we recommend giving a try:

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Best Vegan Fajitas

These are the very best vegan fajitas: a plant based dinner that everyone loves! Roast the veggies on a sheet pan for quick and easy prep. There’s no such thing as too many easy dinner ideas. So let us present our new favorite: these incredible vegan fajitas! Everyone loves this meal, even meat eaters. It’s a great way to make a fun healthy dinner where no one notices there’s no meat! Roast up lots of veggies on a sheet pan with spices, and serve with refried beans and “guac-ish”. The recipe comes right from Talia Pollack’s Party in Your Plants cookbook: and it’s truly a plant party. Here’s what to do, and more about this delicious plant based book! Ingredients in vegan fajitas: sheet pan veggies What we love about this delicious vegetarian and vegan fajitas recipe is that it’s basically sheet pan fajitas! Throw a mix of veggies onto a sheet pan, mix with fajita spices, and bake! It’s so simple and it’s easy to customize. You can use any veggies you like, and even try it with our fajita seasoning (throw the veg in a bowl with olive oil and eye-ball it). This combo of fajita veggies is […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

These are the very best vegan fajitas: a plant based dinner that everyone loves! Roast the veggies on a sheet pan for quick and easy prep.

Vegan Fajitas

There’s no such thing as too many easy dinner ideas. So let us present our new favorite: these incredible vegan fajitas! Everyone loves this meal, even meat eaters. It’s a great way to make a fun healthy dinner where no one notices there’s no meat! Roast up lots of veggies on a sheet pan with spices, and serve with refried beans and “guac-ish”. The recipe comes right from Talia Pollack’s Party in Your Plants cookbook: and it’s truly a plant party. Here’s what to do, and more about this delicious plant based book!

Ingredients in vegan fajitas: sheet pan veggies

What we love about this delicious vegetarian and vegan fajitas recipe is that it’s basically sheet pan fajitas! Throw a mix of veggies onto a sheet pan, mix with fajita spices, and bake! It’s so simple and it’s easy to customize. You can use any veggies you like, and even try it with our fajita seasoning (throw the veg in a bowl with olive oil and eye-ball it). This combo of fajita veggies is fantastic though: it’s got just the right elements to make a tasty healthy dinner. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Onion: use white, yellow or red!
  • Bell peppers: any color! We like a mix of green, orange and red
  • Cauliflower
  • Portobello mushroom
  • Olive oil
  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Smoked paprika: if you can find it, this gives a nice subtle smokiness (you can use it in lots of recipes)
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
How to make vegan fajitas

Guac-ish: a fast guacamole!

One of our favorite parts of this vegan fajitas recipe is a concept Talia uses called “guac-ish.” She’s a witty writer and podcast personality, and guac-ish is a great example of the way she infuses fun into everything she touches. It’s simply a fast guacamole recipe that takes just 5 minutes: and I think this will be our new go to! Here’s how to make guac-ish, the fastest guacamole recipe you’ll make:

  • Pit 2 avocados (here’s how to do it safely). Scoop out the flesh into a bowl.
  • Mash them with a fork.
  • Add the juice of 1 lime and chopped cilantro to taste. Yes, that’s really all you need to do! It makes the perfect topping for vegan fajitas and tacos. Consider us sold!
Vegan refried beans

Round it out with refried beans (or other protein)

When you’re making vegan fajitas, you have to think about plant-based protein. How are you going to add protein sources to make it a filling meal? This recipe uses refried beans as the basis for the fajitas: and this worked for our family! It was just enough protein to keep us full. The recipe in the book also lists a tofu and tempeh recipe you can use in addition to the beans: so feel free to add that if you think your family will need it.

Here’s what you can use for the refried beans component:

  • Canned refried beans is best for quick weeknights! Simply warm them on the stove. Sometimes we also add a few pinches of cumin or chili powder to amp the spices: just add to taste!
  • Homemade refried beans are great if you have time to whip them up: and you might be able to fit it in while the veggies roast. Try our homemade refried beans or refried black beans.
Vegetarian fajitas

How to warm tortillas

You can make all the components for these vegan fajitas, but they won’t be next-level unless you warm your tortillas. Yes, there’s nothing worse than a stiff, cold tortilla with fajitas! You can warm tortillas in the oven or on the stovetop. Here’s how to warm tortillas:

  • On the stove: Char the tortillas by placing them on an open gas flame on medium for a few seconds per side, flipping with tongs, until they are slightly blackened and warm. This is our preferred method!
  • In the oven: Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. Wrap a few tortillas (in packets of no more than 5) in aluminum foil and place it in the oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can place the tortillas directly on the grate or on a baking sheet.

About the book: Party in Your Plants

If you’re looking for a plant based cookbook, Party in Your Plants is a fantastic resource for making eating your vegetables fun. Talia is a hilarious guide to vegan eating, and the book has 100 deliciously enticing vegan recipes (like these vegetable fajitas!). It’s got down to earth with chapter headings like, “What to Make When you Feel Anxious About Protein” and “When You Worked All Day But Still Need to Cook Yourself a Quick Dinner Because Life Sucks Sometimes.”

This book makes eating plant based irresistible and full of joy…which is the best way to motivate yourself to do it. Hats off, Talia, on an incredible book! (PS hear us in an interview on Talia’s podcast.)

Party in my plants

More vegan Mexican recipes

Love these vegan fajitas? Here are a few more vegetarian and vegan Mexican recipes to try that make for veggie-filled healthy dinner ideas:

  • Vegan Burrito The ultimate vegan burrito! A flavor-packed plant based lunch or dinner idea, it’s stuffed with Mexican rice, seasoned black beans and peppers, and avocado.
  • Vegan Enchiladas Over the top delicious! Stuffed with black beans and guacamole, they’re doused in a zesty homemade red enchilada sauce.
  • Crispy Avocado Tacos Destined to be your new favorite! With crunchy breading, the avocado fries have the vibe of a fish taco but are totally plant based.
  • Simple Guacamole The best simple guacamole with the perfect flavor! Creamy, savory and perfectly balanced, you’ll hear a chorus of “Wow’s” every time you serve it.

This vegan fajitas recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Vegan Fajitas

Best Vegan Fajitas (on a Sheet Pan!)

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

These are the very best vegan fajitas: a plant based dinner that everyone loves! Roast the veggies on a sheet pan for quick and easy prep.

Ingredients

For the sheet pan fajita veggies

  • 1 white onion
  • 2 bell peppers
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 1 portobello mushroom
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

For serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Thinly slice the onion. Slice the bell peppers. Chop the cauliflower into small florets. Chop the mushroom into bite-sized pieces. Add the veggies to a big bowl and toss them with the olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt.
  3. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Add the vegetables in a single layer. Roast 15 minutes, then remove the sheets, stir the veggies, and sprinkle on another 1/2 teaspoon salt spread between the trays (1/4 teaspoon on each). Stir again, then return to the oven and roast another 10 minutes until tender.
  4. Meanwhile, pit the avocados. Scoop out the flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork. Add the lime juice, salt, and cilantro.
  5. Heat the refried beans in a small sauce pan.
  6. If desired, char the tortillas by placing them on an open gas flame on medium for a few seconds per side, flipping with tongs, until they are slightly blackened and warm. (See How to Warm Tortillas.)
  7. To serve, place the refried beans and roasted veggies in tortillas, and top with guac-ish.
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Roasted
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: Vegan Fajitas

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, & Vegetarian Recipes

Stuffed Aubergines with Mozzarella & Tomato

A delicious summery dinner you can make as a vegetarian centrepiece for dinner parties or even a weeknight meal. These aubergines are stuffed with a tomato sauce filled with capers and shallot, fresh mozzarella cheese and breadcrumbs. These taste almost like a classic aubergine parmigiana but (a) a lot prettier and (b) a lot easier to make (no frying involved = much less hassle). I know aubergine skins can often become tough and chewy when baked but here, they are soft and melty! The inner aubergine flesh is scooped out and cooked into the tomato sauce which makes it silky smooth and means you don’t waste any part of it. I think these are the perfect thing to make for a Summer-y yet comforting meal and are a bit fancy looking too so are great for when guests come round. Serve them up as a starter (just 1/2 an aub per person) or a main (1 aub per person) with a side salad & some bread.

The post Stuffed Aubergines with Mozzarella & Tomato appeared first on Izy Hossack – Top With Cinnamon.

a plate of stuffed aubergine halves with tomato, mozzarella and basil

A delicious summery dinner you can make as a vegetarian centrepiece for dinner parties or even a weeknight meal. These aubergines are stuffed with a tomato sauce filled with capers and shallot, fresh mozzarella cheese and breadcrumbs.

stuffed aubergine half with mozzarella, tomato and basil

These taste almost like a classic aubergine parmigiana but (a) a lot prettier and (b) a lot easier to make (no frying involved = much less hassle). I know aubergine skins can often become tough and chewy when baked but here, they are soft and melty! The inner aubergine flesh is scooped out and cooked into the tomato sauce which makes it silky smooth and means you don’t waste any part of it.

I think these are the perfect thing to make for a Summer-y yet comforting meal and are a bit fancy looking too so are great for when guests come round. Serve them up as a starter (just 1/2 an aub per person) or a main (1 aub per person) with a side salad & some bread.

Stuffed Aubergines with Mozzarella & Tomato

Stuffed Aubergines with Mozzarella & Tomato

Yield: serves 2-4
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 medium aubergines
  • olive oil, for drizzling
  • salt
  • 1 shallot (or 1/2 small onion), finely diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 200g (7 ounces or ~4 medium) tomatoes, roughly diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp capers (optional)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 4 Ryvita dark rye breads
  • 25g (1/2 cup) Pecorino or Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked
  • black pepper
  • 125g ball fresh mozzarella, drained and diced
  • fresh basil/thyme leaves for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 180C fan (350F).
  2. Cut the aubergines in half down their lengths. Use a spoon to scoop out the centre flesh of the aubergine leaving a 1cm thick border. Save the flesh for later.
  3. Place the aubergine halves on a baking tray, cut side up, and drizzle with some olive oil. Use a pastry brush or your fingers to spread it around over the cut surface of the aubergine and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
  4. Bake for ~20 minutes until soft.
  5. Roughly chop up the aubergine flesh from earlier. Set aside for now.
  6. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the chopped aubergine flesh and a pinch of salt to the dry pan. Cook until the aubergine has shrunk and is starting to brown then add 1 tbsp olive oil and cook for a few minutes more to help the aubergine soften.
  7. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until translucent (~5 minutes). Next stir in the tomato and garlic. Finally stir in the balsamic vinegar, capers and tomato paste. Take it off the heat and set aside.
  8. Place the ryvita rye breads into a sandwich bag and bash them up until broken down to the size of small breadcrumbs. Mix with the pecorino, thyme leaves and a few grinds of black pepper in a bowl and set aside.


Assemble and bake:

  1. Take your baked aubergine halves from earlier. Place a spoonful of the tomato mixture into the base of each half and spread out into an even layer. Top with a layer of diced mozzarella and a layer of the ryvita mixture. Repeat this layering once more to use all the remaining tomato/mozzarella/breadcrumb mixture.
  2. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and bake for a further ~30 minutes until the cheese has melted and they're golden and bubbling.
  3. Sprinkle with some fresh thyme/basil if you like and serve hot.
© Izy Hossack
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Summer

The post Stuffed Aubergines with Mozzarella & Tomato appeared first on Izy Hossack - Top With Cinnamon.

Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette.

This grilled vegetable orzo will be your new summer BFF. It’s loaded with flavor. Everyone loves it. It should be dinner tonight! Okay, but seriously? This orzo has been on repeat for weeks now. IT IS SO GOOD. First, let’s talk about how versatile it is. You can basically throw whatever veggies you have and […]

The post Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

This grilled vegetable orzo will be your new summer BFF.

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

It’s loaded with flavor. Everyone loves it. It should be dinner tonight!

vegetables ready for the grill

Okay, but seriously? This orzo has been on repeat for weeks now. IT IS SO GOOD.

mushrooms with olive oil

First, let’s talk about how versatile it is. You can basically throw whatever veggies you have and love on the grill. There is no right or wrong here, as long as it’s vegetables you like. It’s a great way to do a clean-out-the-fridge meal and use up everything that’s about to spoil. 

orzo

The veggies that I always do for flavor purposes alone: mushrooms, bell peppers and broccoli.

Those are my faves!

However, as you can see in the photos, I add in many many more vegetables too. Cauliflower, zucchini and scallions here. I also like to throw in asparagus and/or green beans.

Everything ends up tasting incredible thanks to the charred, smoky flavor from the grill, but I also add a dash of balsamic vinegar to make the flavor pop.

grilled vegetables

When it comes to grilling, the way you grill the vegetables may vary. I love using this grilling basket and this grilling pan for almost all the vegetables. But if you have mushrooms that are thinly sliced, then I suggest grilling them in foil. They will get very crisp and this is where you can add that balsamic flavor. 

Of course, if you don’t have a grill, this works just as well with roasted vegetables too. Winning all around right here!

smashed feta vinaigrette

Now this vinaigrette. Oh my gosh. This might be my favorite dressing of the summer. I’m calling it now. My new signature!

You make a classic vinaigrette with red wine vinegar, some herbs, salt, pepper and garlic, them smash feta into that mixture while bring it together. Add your olive oil and boom! It’s perfect.

orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

This reminds me a lot of a blue cheese vinaigrette I’ve been perfecting for a long time. The recipe will be in my next book! There’s just something about these soft cheeses that marinate in the dressing. Fantastic. 

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

More great news:

You can make this ahead of time. Yes! The entire thing. Even this past weekend I made it almost a full 24 hours ahead of time and served it as a cold pasta salad. The flavors become more pronounced and everything marries together even more.

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

So yes, that means you can serve this warm or cold. It’s totally your choice.

What I’ve been doing? If I want to make it for dinner, then we tend to eat it warm. I grilled the vegetables while making the orzo then toss it all together and serve. If you want to make it for a gathering with family or friends, I suggest taking it at room temp (so making it right before you leave) or serving it cold. All the ways are delicious. 

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

If you do go the dinner route, you can serve this alone, serve it as the main dish with a greens salad or serve it as a side with some grilled chicken or salmon. Of course, you can also add chicken or beans or whatever else you’d like right into the salad. 

What I’m really saying is take this and make it your own. You’ll have wonderful leftovers. And double the dressing because you will freak over it! 

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette

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Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette

This grilled vegetable orzo is the perfect dish to serve warm or cold! Tossed with feta vinaigrette, the flavor is incredible!
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Author How Sweet Eats

Ingredients

  • 1 pound orzo pasta
  • 12 ounces shiitake mushrooms
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 2 bell peppers, chopped
  • 4 green onions
  • 1 medium zucchini squash, cut into rounds or spears
  • olive oil for drizzling
  • balsamic vinegar for drizzling
  • salt, pepper and garlic powder for sprinkling
  • crumbled feta for serving
  • fresh herbs, like dill and chives, for serving

smashed feta vinaigrette

  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped chives
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • salt and pepper
  • ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

  • Note: there is no wrong way to do the vegetables here! Cut them as you wish (at least large enough so they don’t fall through grates/grill pan), use the vegetables you wish - whatever you love most!
  • Preheat the grill to high. Make the dressing first and set it aside.
  • Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo according to the package directions - usually around 8 minutes for al dente. If the orzo is finished before everything else is, toss with a spoonful of olive oil so the pasta doesn’t stick together. Grill the vegetables while the water boils and orzo cooks.
  • I find that I need 2 grill baskets/trays here to do all the vegetables. You can of course put vegetables right on the grill too - especially things like large pieces of bell peppers, asparagus, zucchini rounds or spears, etc. Toss the vegetables with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. If desired, you can also toss with 1 to 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
  • If the mushrooms are sliced, I put them on a sheet of foil. (if they are whole, you can place them directly on the grill or grill plate.) Drizzle the mushrooms with olive oil and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar. You can add cracked black pepper and garlic powder too. Wait to salt until the mushrooms cook.
  • Place the vegetables on the grill. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes total, tossing and turning some of the vegetables every few minutes. The length of time will depend on how small you cut your vegetables, so keep an eye on them. I check every 5 minutes or so.
  • Once the vegetables are done, toss them in a large bowl with the orzo. Pout the feta vinaigrette on top and toss. You can add in extra feta, fresh dill or chives if you wish. Either serve immediately, or store in the fridge until you serve. You can make this 24 hours ahead of time. Leftovers are great!

smashed feta vinaigrette

  • In a bowl, whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt, pepper, herbs and feta. Use a spoon or whisk to smash some of the feta into the mixture. Whisk the olive oil into the dressing until combined. You can make this ahead of time and store it in the fridge. It will separate but whisking or shaking will bring it back together.

grilled vegetable orzo with smashed feta vinaigrette

Holy.flavor.

The post Grilled Vegetable Orzo with Smashed Feta Vinaigrette. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.