Tortilla Soup

Do you enjoy tortilla soup? It’s one of my all-time favorites! Tortilla soup is fresh and flavorful, earthy and a little spicy. Topped with a big handful…

The post Tortilla Soup appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

tortilla soup recipe

Do you enjoy tortilla soup? It’s one of my all-time favorites! Tortilla soup is fresh and flavorful, earthy and a little spicy. Topped with a big handful of crispy tortilla strips, it’s a light but satisfying meal for lunch or dinner. As a bonus, it tastes even better the next day.

Tex-Mex tortilla soups most often include shredded chicken, but it’s not unusual to find vegetarian tortilla soups in Mexico. I can’t call this recipe fully authentic, though. It’s a delicious variation on classic tortilla soup (Sopa Azteca) that you can make at home any time you get the craving.

In Mexico, you’ll find tons of regional variations and personal preferences for tortilla soup. For this recipe, I added black beans for some heft, as well as a red bell pepper because I love the flavor and texture it provides. I tried to keep the remaining ingredients in line with what you might find in Mexico, but to be honest, I have more personal experience with the Tex-Mex variations I’ve sampled over the years.

tortilla soup ingredients

This recipe is a fully reworked version of an old tortilla soup recipe on the blog. Perhaps you’ve made that one and enjoyed it, but I tried it again recently and just knew I could build in more flavor along the way. If you want a copy of the original, I’ve saved a PDF of the recipe right here.

This soup is closer to the spin on tortilla soup in my cookbook, Love Real Food, which features an irresistible sweet-and-spicy interplay between sweet potatoes and jalapeño. Give that one a try, too!

Continue to the recipe...

The post Tortilla Soup appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Asparagus Salad with Feta

This asparagus salad is bursting with flavor and totally versatile! It highlights this healthy veggie with lemon, radishes, feta, and a Dijon dressing. Want a salad that’s as tasty as it is versatile? Enter: asparagus salad! It’s got savory sauteed asparagus, cooked up in a hot pan for a few minutes then spritzed with lemon. Add that to a bed of greens and sprinkle with with peppery radishes and salty feta cheese. A Dijon mustard dressing tops it off, perfectly balanced with tangy and savory notes. Even better: you can serve as a side dish, or add cooked quinoa and make it a main dish salad. When Alex served it to me, I exclaimed “Yum!” halfway into the first bite…which was when we knew we had to share the recipe. What’s in this asparagus salad? This asparagus salad features spring’s most popular vegetable! Asparagus is usually available most of the year, but it’s best in March through June. If you can find this veggie at a local farmers market, make sure to pick some up! The best asparagus is fresh, tender local asparagus. To complement the robust flavor of asparagus, we wanted to surround it with fresh, zingy flavors like […]

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

This asparagus salad is bursting with flavor and totally versatile! It highlights this healthy veggie with lemon, radishes, feta, and a Dijon dressing.

Asparagus salad

Want a salad that’s as tasty as it is versatile? Enter: asparagus salad! It’s got savory sauteed asparagus, cooked up in a hot pan for a few minutes then spritzed with lemon. Add that to a bed of greens and sprinkle with with peppery radishes and salty feta cheese. A Dijon mustard dressing tops it off, perfectly balanced with tangy and savory notes. Even better: you can serve as a side dish, or add cooked quinoa and make it a main dish salad. When Alex served it to me, I exclaimed “Yum!” halfway into the first bite…which was when we knew we had to share the recipe.

Asparagus salad

What’s in this asparagus salad?

This asparagus salad features spring’s most popular vegetable! Asparagus is usually available most of the year, but it’s best in March through June. If you can find this veggie at a local farmers market, make sure to pick some up! The best asparagus is fresh, tender local asparagus.

To complement the robust flavor of asparagus, we wanted to surround it with fresh, zingy flavors like lemon and crunchy greens. Here’s what’s in this asparagus salad:

  • Asparagus: You’ll use our sauteed asparagus recipe, cooked in a hot pan and squeezed with lemon. It’s also great as a stand-alone side dish!
  • Radishes: Peppery radishes add a kick.
  • Red onion: Onion adds a savory note; you could also use green onion.
  • Feta cheese: Brings savory saltiness.
  • Lemon zest: Adds a nice freshness; you can use the lemon from the sauteed asparagus recipe. (Here’s how to zest a lemon.)
  • Dijon dressing: This healthy dressing just 5 minutes to make and covers the entire salad with a tangy brightness

Want a few more salad dressings? Try our How to Make Healthy Salad Dressing.

Asparagus salad

Ways to serve this asparagus salad

This salad is so versatile, you can serve it with just about anything! It’s up there in our list of our favorite salad recipes. Here are a few ways we’d recommend:

  1. As a main dish salad: Add cooked quinoa to make this asparagus salad a main dish salad for lunch or a light dinner.
  2. With salmon: It would be a great pairing for Lemon Dill Salmon or Easy Cedar Plank Salmon.
  3. Alongside pasta: Dishes that would work well: Creamy Cavatappi Pasta or Creamy Goat Cheese Pasta.
  4. With soup: Imagine it with this Vibrant Spring Soup for a springy luncheon or dinner party.
  5. With risotto: This would pair nicely with Easy Mushroom Risotto, adding a nice source of fiber.
Asparagus on baking sheet

Asparagus nutrition

Is asparagus healthy? You bet. There are lots of great things about eating this super vegetable; here are some highlights:

  • High in fiber: It’s a great source of fiber: 1 cup of cooked asparagus has 4 grams of fiber. (Source)
  • High in Vitamin K: It’s a great source of vitamin K, over 50% your daily requirement. Vitamin K is a nutrient involved in blood clotting and bone health (Source).
  • Relatively high in protein: It’s also high in protein for a green vegetable: 1 cup also has 4 grams protein. (Source) That’s a similar level to broccoli and potatoes.
Asparagus salad

Other ways to use asparagus?

Looking to add more asparagus to your life? Outside of this asparagus salad, here are some of our favorite ways to serve this veggie:

  • Easy Baked Asparagus An easy side dish that’s a hit with everyone! The green stalks are roasted until tender, spritzed with lemon & topped with Parmesan.
  • Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Or, bake it in the oven for about 10 minutes with garlic, olive oil, and lemon slices. Perfection!
  • Shaved Asparagus Salad Ever tried asparagus raw? It tastes mild and sweet! Eat it as shaved asparagus salad, which pairs the ribbons with a tangy lemon vinaigrette and Parmesan.
Dijon mustard dressing

This asparagus salad recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, omit the cheese and add chopped roasted salted almonds.

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Asparagus salad

Asparagus Salad with Feta


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

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Description

This asparagus salad is bursting with flavor and totally versatile! It highlights this healthy veggie with lemon, radishes, feta, and a Dijon dressing.


Ingredients


Instructions

  1. Thinly slice the red onion into slivers. Place them in a bowl of water while you prepare the salad, then drain before using (this mellows the strong flavor). Thinly slice the radishes.
  2. Make the Sauteed Asparagus. Remove to a bowl until serving.
  3. Make the Dijon Mustard Dressing.
  4. To serve, clean and dry the salad greens as necessary. Place the greens on serving plates, then top with sauteed asparagus, red onion, radishes, feta cheese crumbles, and lemon zest. Drizzle with dressing and serve.

  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Raw
  • Cuisine: Vegetarian

Keywords: Asparagus Salad

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

How to Make Quick Pickled Vegetables: Guide & Recipes

Do you ever eat a delicious meal out and try to figure out where all the flavor is coming from? Because we definitely do that!
We’ve discovered that sometimes there’s a crunchy pickled vegetable element that really brings the dish to the ne…

How to Make Quick Pickled Vegetables: Guide & Recipes

Do you ever eat a delicious meal out and try to figure out where all the flavor is coming from? Because we definitely do that!

We’ve discovered that sometimes there’s a crunchy pickled vegetable element that really brings the dish to the next level.

And since quick pickled vegetables are so easy to make at home, we decided it’s time to share our foolproof recipes with you!

How to Make Quick Pickled Vegetables: Guide & Recipes from Minimalist Baker →

Gingery Apple Cabbage Sauerkraut

Before you write off sauerkraut, don’t. It’s:

a fun way to eat more vegetables
quick + easy to make
colorful
customizable
good for your gut
perfect on bowls, salads, sandwiches, and more

Not convinced yet? Let us show you how easy it real…

Gingery Apple Cabbage Sauerkraut

Before you write off sauerkraut, don’t. It’s:

  • a fun way to eat more vegetables
  • quick + easy to make
  • colorful
  • customizable
  • good for your gut
  • perfect on bowls, salads, sandwiches, and more

Not convinced yet? Let us show you how easy it really is.

How to Make Sauerkraut

If you’ve ever been intimidated by the process of making sauerkraut, don’t be!

Gingery Apple Cabbage Sauerkraut from Minimalist Baker →

Easy Mexican Salad

This chopped Mexican salad is the best easy side dish for tacos and enchiladas! It’s topped with savory cilantro lime dressing and crunchy tortilla strips. Ever wonder what to serve with tacos and enchiladas? Us too. Alex and I serve Mexican-styl…

This chopped Mexican salad is the best easy side dish for tacos and enchiladas! It’s topped with savory cilantro lime dressing and crunchy tortilla strips. Ever wonder what to serve with tacos and enchiladas? Us too. Alex and I serve Mexican-style meals quite a bit. And we’d never found a side salad that we loved: until this one! This Mexican salad is a chopped salad with Latin-style flavors: colorful veggies, cilantro lime salad dressing, and tortilla strips. It all combines into a super-flavorful dish that can be served as a side, or dressed up to work as a healthy main dish salad. It’s got 3 dressings to choose from, based on your tastes (easiest, easy and vegan). What’s in this Mexican salad? With this Mexican salad, we tried to keep it seriously simple as an easy side dish. At the same time, you can dress it up to customize it to your tastes and the occasion! You can even serve it as a main dish salad with adders (see below). Here’s what’s in the base of this chopped Mexican salad: Greens: The best is crunchy romaine! If you’d like, add some mixed baby greens for a contrast. Cherry tomatoes Sliced […]

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

Vegan Poke Bowl

Here’s how to make a vegan poke bowl! You’ll be surprised at how much flavor comes from marinaded beet poke, colorful veggies and spicy mayo. Want to eat plant based but have your poke bowls too? These popular healthy bowl meals are all the rage lately. Poke is a Hawaiian specialty, typically made with raw ahi tuna that’s marinaded and then served with lots of veggies and tasty sauces. What if you don’t eat fish? We’ve got a whole food plant based (WFPB) version for you: vegan poke bowls! These tasty bowls are bursting with flavor, and they’ve got an unusual ingredient that amazingly gives the same texture and flavor as poke. Beets. Yep, you’re going to have to taste this to believe it…but it really works! Really, beet poke? Yes! Odd as it sounds, cooked beets stand in for the fish in this vegan poke bowl. Somehow the textures and the marinade really work! The beet poke comes out buttery and tender, savory with hints of soy, sesame and ginger. Just how to pull off this trick? Here are our secrets: Boiled beets have a similar texture and color to poke: smooth and buttery. Of course, beets have a […]

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

Here’s how to make a vegan poke bowl! You’ll be surprised at how much flavor comes from marinaded beet poke, colorful veggies and spicy mayo.

Vegan poke bowl

Want to eat plant based but have your poke bowls too? These popular healthy bowl meals are all the rage lately. Poke is a Hawaiian specialty, typically made with raw ahi tuna that’s marinaded and then served with lots of veggies and tasty sauces. What if you don’t eat fish? We’ve got a whole food plant based (WFPB) version for you: vegan poke bowls! These tasty bowls are bursting with flavor, and they’ve got an unusual ingredient that amazingly gives the same texture and flavor as poke. Beets. Yep, you’re going to have to taste this to believe it…but it really works!

Vegan poke bowl

Really, beet poke?

Yes! Odd as it sounds, cooked beets stand in for the fish in this vegan poke bowl. Somehow the textures and the marinade really work! The beet poke comes out buttery and tender, savory with hints of soy, sesame and ginger. Just how to pull off this trick? Here are our secrets:

  • Boiled beets have a similar texture and color to poke: smooth and buttery. Of course, beets have a darker pink color than the bright pink ahi tuna: but they’re close! Cut them in cubes to simulate the real thing.
  • Stir in the poke sauce and the beets instantly pick up the flavors of soy, toasted sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and green onion. It’s pretty incredible. You’ve got to taste this to believe it!
  • Add filling plant-based protein to your bowl. Since beets don’t have protein, you’ll need to make sure other components of your bowl keep it filling. With edamame and brown rice, this bowl has a good amount of filling protein and fiber.
  • Add richness with spicy mayo. Beets are missing one more thing that ahi tuna has: fat! The spicy mayo drizzle brings back some of the richness.
Vegan Poke Bowl

Why make a vegan poke bowl?

This vegan poke bowl is a tasty, healthy plant based dinner recipe that makes eating your vegetables taste incredible! The beet poke tastes so buttery and savory from the soy and sesame oil, you’ll feel like you’re eating the real thing. (Though if you’re a long-time vegan, perhaps you haven’t tried it!)

Alex and I eat a Mediterranean-style diet that includes some seafood. So, we love our Classic Poke Bowls when we want to splurge on a really good piece of fish. But most of the time we eat a mostly plant based diet, so we make both of these poke bowl recipes. Each one is its own experience: uniquely delicious in its own way! It’s also nice to have both recipes if you’re cooking for a crowd with mixed diets. Make the same toppings and then serve either the ahi poke or the vegan beet poke!

Spicy mayo: what if I don’t like heat?

Good question! Spicy mayo is what takes this vegan poke bowl over the top. The richness and tang that it adds is essential to the bowl experience. But what if you can’t handle spice? Here’s what to do:

  • Make lime mayo. Mix the 1/2 cup vegan mayo with 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1 teaspoon soy sauce, to get all the tang but none of the heat!

Where did the poke bowl originate?

Poke is a Hawaiian dish! The word is Hawaiian for “to slice” or “cut crosswise into pieces.” It refers to the raw fish that’s cut into cubes. Poke is a Hawaiian-American food, but much of its flavor is influenced by Japanese cuisine: soy sauce, green onions, and sesame oil. Serve poke with rice, veggies, and other sauces and it becomes a poke bowl.

Interestingly, poke bowls started to become very popular in North America around 2012. As you might imagine, this spawned a lot of creativity around exactly what goes into a poke bowl! This vegan poke bowl is not traditional because it’s a plant based knock off, of course. For our classic poke bowl, go to Poke Bowl Recipe.

Marinaded beet poke

Vegan poke bowl topping ideas!

There are so many ways to make a great vegan poke bowl! You can easily customize it around your own preferences. Since the poke here is made of beets, you’ll want to make sure you have lots of plant-based protein and fiber in this bowl to keep you full. In this bowl, we did add some light seasonings to each veggie to bring out the flavor. Here’s what you’ll find in this poke bowl, and then some other ideas:

Toppings in this poke bowl

  • Short grain rice Use white or brown! Traditionally it’s white sushi rice, we tend toward brown since it has more fiber and nutrients.
  • Edamame frozen and thawed, well salted
  • Radishes if you can find watermelon radishes, they’ve got beautiful color!
  • Avocado also adds richness and is filling
  • Carrots are beautiful for color
  • Green onion adds a crunch
  • Spicy mayo adds richness: it’s a must!
  • Sesame seeds

Other vegan poke bowl topping ideas

  • Marinaded tofu: To add even more protein, add this tasty marinaded tofu.
  • Cucumber seaweed salad: Take 1 large English cucumber and julienne it into long thin strips (3 cups; we used a handheld julienne peeler). Mix with 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil.
  • Sliced cucumber: Even easier, just thinly slice it!
  • Red cabbage: Shred it and add a little toasted sesame oil
  • Vegan ponzu sauce like this one
Vegan Poke Bowl

This recipe is…

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

Print
Vegan poke bowl

Vegan Poke Bowl


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

Description

Here’s how to make a vegan poke bowl! You’ll be surprised at how much flavor comes from marinaded beet poke, colorful veggies and spicy mayo.


Ingredients

For the beet poke

  • 6 medium beets (or pre-cooked beets, as a time saver*)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 small garlic clove, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon minced green onion
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the poke bowl

  • 1 cup short grain white rice or brown rice
  • 2 cups shelled edamame (thawed)
  • 3 green onions
  • 8 radishes
  • 1 avocado
  • 2 medium carrots
  • Spicy Mayo (1/2 cup mayo + 1 1/2 tablespoons Sriracha), for drizzling
  • For the garnish: sesame seeds, microgreens or sprouts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the beets*: Use How to Boil Beets (takes about 40 minutes total) or Instant Pot Beets (takes 25 minutes). Peel the beets according to the recipe, then slice them into 1/2-inch cubes.
  2. Make the rice: Make the rice on the stovetop or in an Instant Pot. When it’s done, give it a few shakes of rice vinegar and stir in salt to taste. (Or, make the rice in advance and reheat it on the stovetop with a splash of water.)
  3. Season the beets: When they’re cooked, place the beets in a bowl and stir together the soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, grated garlic, ginger, minced green onion, and kosher salt.
  4. Prepare the veggies: Thinly slice the green onions and radishes. Slice the avocado. Julienne the carrots (or peel strips with a veggie peeler). Sprinkle all the veggies with salt.
  5. Serve: Place the veggies and rice in a bowl. Top with the beet poke and garnish the poke with sesame seeds. Drizzle with Spicy Mayo and serve.

Notes

*Many grocery stores now carry pre-cooked beets that are packaged and ready to eat. Buy these for a time saver in this recipe!

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Vegan

Keywords: Vegan Poke Bowl

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

Lentil Salad with Feta

This fresh and zesty Mediterranean-style lentil salad is packed with big flavor and lots of protein! It’s perfect as a side dish recipe or lunch idea. Lentils may just be the perfect food. They’re cheap, good for you, and packed with plant based protein. On top of that, they’re shelf stable for up to 3 years! I mean, what other food can boast those credentials? Here’s a top-notch lentil recipe to add to your arsenal, and man is it tasty. This fresh and healthy lentil salad is Mediterranean-style, mixed with fresh veggies, feta cheese and pistachios. It’s a delicious way to add protein to a vegetarian meal as a side dish, or bring to work as a lunch throughout the week. Alex and I couldn’t stop eating it! What’s in this lentil salad? This lentil salad is bursting with fresh flavors: the brightness of the lemon dressing contrasts with the earthy lentils, and it’s punctuated with fresh mint and crunchy bell peppers. Alex and I made a big batch and ate off of it for days for lunches and main dish dinner salads! It’s also perfect as a showy side dish (we plan to bring it to Christmas dinner). But […]

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

This fresh and zesty Mediterranean-style lentil salad is packed with big flavor and lots of protein! It’s perfect as a side dish recipe or lunch idea.

Lentil salad

Lentils may just be the perfect food. They’re cheap, good for you, and packed with plant based protein. On top of that, they’re shelf stable for up to 3 years! I mean, what other food can boast those credentials? Here’s a top-notch lentil recipe to add to your arsenal, and man is it tasty. This fresh and healthy lentil salad is Mediterranean-style, mixed with fresh veggies, feta cheese and pistachios. It’s a delicious way to add protein to a vegetarian meal as a side dish, or bring to work as a lunch throughout the week. Alex and I couldn’t stop eating it!

Lentil salad with feta

What’s in this lentil salad?

This lentil salad is bursting with fresh flavors: the brightness of the lemon dressing contrasts with the earthy lentils, and it’s punctuated with fresh mint and crunchy bell peppers. Alex and I made a big batch and ate off of it for days for lunches and main dish dinner salads! It’s also perfect as a showy side dish (we plan to bring it to Christmas dinner). But it works for any season, so make it for winter meals or as a summery salad on the patio. Here’s what’s in this lentil salad:

  • Black or French lentils: This type of lentil is small and holds its shape when cooked, making it perfect for salads. If you can’t find black, use French lentils.
  • Zesty vinaigrette: The salad is covered in a dressing made from lemon, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and spices.
  • Bell pepper, shallot, arugula & radishes: The lentils are combined with colorful, crunchy fresh veggies. Radishes aren’t required but add a lovely pink color as the garnish.
  • Feta crumbles: Feta cheese adds a salty component that rounds out the salad.
  • Pistachios: For even more protein, bright green pistachios add a crunch.
What are black lentils

What makes French and black lentils special

Black and French lentils are worth seeking out for this lentil salad! The most common type of lentils are green, red, and brown lentils. You might have had these in a lentil soup or curry. Brown, red and green lentils fall apart easily when cooked, making them perfect for soups and curries. In this Indian Masoor Dal, the lentils take on a texture almost like a puree.

On the other hand, black lentils (beluga lentils) and French lentils (Puy or du Puy) hold their shape when cooked. This makes them perfect for using in salads because the texture holds together.

Where to find black lentils

Black and French lentils should be available at your local grocery store! It’s harder to find black lentils, so French is pretty interchangeable. We like using black lentils in this salad because the color is stunning and the flavor is a little milder than French lentils. But either will do! If you’re having a hard time finding them, you can buy them online here.

Lentil salad

Leftovers taste even better!

One great part about this lentil salad is that it saves well and leftovers taste even better! The dressing will marinate even more with the lentils and they’ll soak up the flavors more. This recipe a perfect contender to make for desk lunches throughout the week. Alex and I also used it for “throw-together” dinners because it was perfect for adding vegetarian protein to a plate!

Ways to serve this lentil salad

This lentil salad works for all sorts of occasions! It works a vegetable-heavy healthy side dish for a dinner party, or an easy lunch to take to work. Here are a few ways we’d suggest serving it:

Lentil salad

Can you omit the feta?

This lentil salad is vegetarian but not fully plant based because of the feta cheese! The feta brings in the perfect salty, savory element. We’d recommend using the feta, or try another cheese crumble like goat cheese. If you’re serving it for a crowd, you could leave the feta on the side so people can customize it to their liking.

For a 100% vegan lentil salad, we’d suggest a non-dairy cheese crumble if you have a good brand. Or leave out the cheese entirely and add a little more kosher salt to the salad.

This lentil salad recipe is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, omit the feta and add more salt to taste, or use a dairy-free cheese crumble.

Print
Lentil salad

Lentil Salad with Feta


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

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 as a side

Description

This fresh and zesty Mediterranean-style lentil salad is packed with big flavor and lots of protein! It’s perfect as a side dish recipe or lunch idea.


Ingredients

For the lentils

  • 1 pound black beluga lentils (or French lentils)
  • 1 quart vegetable broth+ 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For the lentil salad

  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice + zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 red pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint or chives (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + fresh ground pepper
  • 1 cup baby arugula, plus more to serve
  • 1 cup feta cheese crumbles, plus more for garnish
  • 1/2 cup pistachios, plus more for garnish
  • 3 radishes, for garnish

Instructions

  1. For the lentils: In a large saucepan or deep skillet, simmer the lentils with the broth, water, kosher salt, thyme, and garlic powder for about 15 to 20 minutes until tender (or 20 to 25 minutes for French lentils). Drain excess liquid.
  2. Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, onion powder, and oregano. Whisk in the olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time until it’s creamy and emulsified.
  3. Chop the veggies: Thinly slice the shallot. Thinly slice the red pepper, then cut the slices in half to make pieces about 2-inches long. If using the herbs, chop them.
  4. Mix together the salad: Place the lentils in the large bowl with the dressing. Add the shallot, pepper, herbs, baby arugula, feta cheese, and pistachios. Add the 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and fresh ground pepper and mix to combine.
  5. Serve: If desired, serve over arugula. Garnish with thinly sliced radish, with an additional sprinkle of feta and pistachios. Refrigerate any leftovers for up to 4 days (if you’re planning to make for lunches, omit the pistachios). It saves well and leftovers taste even better!

  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: Lentil Salad

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

Chilaquiles Rojos

Where have these red chilaquiles been all my life? Chilaquiles (pronounced chee-luh-key-lays) are a traditional Mexican breakfast made with tortilla chips simmered in sauce. Typically, they’re made…

The post Chilaquiles Rojos appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

best red chilaquiles recipe

Where have these red chilaquiles been all my life? Chilaquiles (pronounced chee-luh-key-lays) are a traditional Mexican breakfast made with tortilla chips simmered in sauce. Typically, they’re made with green salsa (in Spanish, salsa verde, which yields chilaquiles verdes) or red enchilada sauce (chilaquiles rojos).

I love how the chips soak up some of the sauce and become a little tender. Fresh toppings, including cilantro, radish or onion, crumbled cheese and oftentimes, fried eggs, make this chip-based dish more of a complete meal.

red chilaquiles ingredients

When it comes to chilaquiles, the sauce is everything. I’ve already perfected my chilaquiles verdes recipe with homemade salsa verde. I finally tried making chilaquiles with my favorite homemade enchilada sauce, and holy smokes, I’ve been missing out!

Chilaquiles are a fun weekend breakfast or brunch. They’re also a comforting and quick breakfast-f0r-dinner option, and a great way to use up a bag of leftover tortilla chips. Ready to learn how to make them?

Continue to the recipe...

The post Chilaquiles Rojos appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

You can never have enough all-purpose side dish recipes, like Balsamic Roasted Vegetables. These sweet and savory caramelized vegetables are versatile (use any vegetables), they hold up well to reheating (perfect for meal prep), and their flavor matches with a wide variety of main dishes. They even make a simple yet stunning Thanksgiving side dish! […]

The post Balsamic Roasted Vegetables appeared first on Budget Bytes.

You can never have enough all-purpose side dish recipes, like Balsamic Roasted Vegetables. These sweet and savory caramelized vegetables are versatile (use any vegetables), they hold up well to reheating (perfect for meal prep), and their flavor matches with a wide variety of main dishes. They even make a simple yet stunning Thanksgiving side dish!

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables – An All-Purpose Side Dish

A white oval platter full of Balsamic Roasted Vegetables with metal serving ware on the side.

What Vegetables Can I Use?

You can roast just about any vegetable in this sweet, savory, and tangy balsamic marinade. The key is to match your vegetables to the season. Summer vegetables tend to be softer, so they’ll take less time to roast. Fall and winter vegetables are harder and will take more time to roast. Choose vegetables of a similar type so they cook at a similar rate. Here are some vegetable options:

Soft Spring and Summer Vegetables: Asparagus, grape tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, eggplant, mushrooms, onions.

Hard Fall and Winter Vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, radishes, turnips, Brussels sprouts, onion, turnips, butternut squash, sweet potatoes.

What Should I Serve with Balsamic Roasted Vegetables?

My favorite pairing for balsamic roasted vegetables is any type of roasted meat (roast chicken, beef, or pork), but they also go beautifully with the smoky flavor of grilled meats. The savory-sweet flavor of the balsamic marinade also pairs quite well with BBQ sauce, so any type of BBQ meat would be a great match. I’ve also paired balsamic roasted vegetables with seasoned rice in the past for a simple vegetarian dish. Lastly, when using fall and winter vegetables, as I have today, this dish makes a simple and beautiful side for your Thanksgiving dinner.

Tips for Roasting Vegetables

Here are a few tips for getting great results when roasting any type of vegetable:

  • Chop harder vegetables into smaller pieces and softer vegetables into larger pieces to help them roast at a more similar rate.
  • Use plenty of oil. Without enough oil the vegetables will shrivel and dry instead of caramelize.
  • Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. If the vegetables are too crowded, steam will become trapped and the vegetables will stew in their own juices instead of caramelize.
  • Don’t forget to stir! Stirring the vegetables at least once, half-way through the roasting time will ensure even cooking.

Close up of Balsamic Roasted Vegetables on a white platter

 

Balsamic Roasted Vegetables

These sweet and savory caramelized Balsamic Roasted Vegetables are an easy and elegant all-purpose side dish that you'll want to make over and over!

Balsamic Marinade

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil ($0.48)
  • 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar ($0.41)
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.08)
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce ($0.24)
  • 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard ($0.09)
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil ($0.05)
  • freshly cracked black pepper ($0.03)

Vegetables

  • 8 oz. mushrooms (baby bellas or button mushrooms) ($1.69)
  • 1 red onion ($0.44)
  • 1/2 lb. carrots ($0.45)
  • 1/2 lb. parsnips ($1.06)
  • 1 bunch radishes ($0.99)
  • 1/4 bunch parsley (for garnish) ($0.20)
  1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, dried basil, and pepper. Set the marinade aside.

  2. Scrub or peel the carrots and parsnips, then slice them into 1-inch pieces. Wash the mushrooms and cut them in half. Peel the onion and slice it into 1-inch wide wedges. Wash the radishes, cut off their stems and roots, then slice each one in half.

  3. Spread the prepared vegetables out over a large baking sheet, making sure they're in a single layer and no piled on top one another. Pour the balsamic marinade over top, then toss the vegetables until they're all well coated.

  4. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven, give the vegetables a good stir, then return them to the oven and roast for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and have browned on the edges. Don't be alarmed if the marinade blackens on the baking sheet, that part will not be scooped up with the vegetables.

  5. While the vegetables are roasting, finely chop a handful of fresh parsley. Transfer the roasted vegetables to a bowl or serving platter and sprinkle the chopped parsley over top just before serving.

Scroll down for the step by step photos!

A serving spoon stuck in the side of a platter full of balsamic roasted vegetables, garnished with chopped parsley.

How to Make Balsamic Roasted Vegetables – Step by Step Photos

Balsamic Marinade in a small bowl

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. In a small bowl, combine 3 Tbsp olive oil, 3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1/2 tsp dried basil, and some freshly cracked pepper (maybe 10 cranks of a pepper mill). Set the marinade aside.

Whole vegetables for roasting on a cutting board

As mentioned above, you can use just about any vegetable for this recipe, but it’s best to match your vegetables to the season (see section above recipe for alternative vegetable ideas). Today I am using one red onion, 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, 2 parsnips (1/2 lb.), 1/2 lb. carrots, and one bunch of radishes. 

Balsamic marinade being poured onto prepared vegetables on the baking sheet

Clean and chop the vegetables so they are roughly similar sizes, making the harder vegetables slightly smaller and softer vegetables slightly bigger. Place the chopped vegetables on a large baking sheet, so they’re spread out in a single layer. Pour the balsamic marinade over top, then toss until the vegetables are all well coated.

balsamic roasted vegetables after 20 minutes

Transfer the vegetables to the preheated 400ºF oven and roast for 20 minutes. After 2o minutes, remove the baking sheet and ive the vegetables a good stir (pictured above). 

Balsamic roasted vegetables after 40 minutes

Return the vegetables to the oven and roast for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and browned on the outside. Don’t be alarmed if some of the marinade burns on the baking sheet. The vegetables themselves are not burned and the part stuck to the baking sheet will be left behind (a quick soak and it will all dissolve off, too). 

Balsamic roasted vegetables plated on a platter with chopped parsley on top

After roasting, transfer the balsamic roasted vegetables to a bowl or serving platter and top with chopped parsley. 

Balsamic roasted vegetables on a plate with roasted pork

Stay tuned tomorrow to see what I served with my Balsamic Roasted Vegetables!

The post Balsamic Roasted Vegetables appeared first on Budget Bytes.