Another passion and hobby of mine is cooking! I've been plant based for nearly 5 years and during this time it's opened my mind to exploring and experimenting with many different foods, spices and herbs.
Cooking and baking for me is very therapeutic and soothing. I love turning a traditional 'meat' dish into a more vibrant, healthy and nutritious meal while making sure it's bursting with flavour and colour, because, as I say to many of my clients, if your plate looks like the rainbow, your skin is going to thank you.
See below my favourite all year round dishes that can be whipped up in 15 minutes. I also made roasted caramelised maple carrots as a side dish which you'll find the recipe to below.
Zucchini 'Pasta' With Creamy Avocado Basil Pesto
Prep: 10 mins Cook: 5 mins Total: 15 mins Servings: 2 large portions
Ingredients
1 avocado ripe
1 clove garlic
½ cup fresh basil leaves
Handful of pine nuts
2 TBSP lemon juice 30 ml
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil 30 ml
Water as needed
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 zucchinis spiralized
Instructions
Sauce: In a food processor, blend avocado, garlic, basil leaves, pine nuts and lemon juice until smooth, then mix in extra virgin olive oil. Add water, 1 TBSP at a time, until the sauce reaches a fluid yet thick consistency. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Zucchini 'Pasta': Saute 'pasta' with a splash of olive oil over medium/high heat until slightly soft and bright green, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain excess water.
Serve: Toss 'pasta' with sauce and then plate up. Top with fresh basil, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes (you may not need all of the sauce).
Healthy, nutritious, quick and easy!
Roasted Caramelised Maple Carrots
Roasting brings out the inherent sweetness in carrots, but by adding a little maple syrup you have a caramelized vegetable! I will warn you, you will actually want to be eating seconds of this delightful side dish.
Ingredients
3 large carrots, sliced how you desire
5 TBSP pure maple syrup
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
2 teaspoons snipped fresh chives (optional)
Instructions
Step 1Preheat oven to 400 degrees F or 200 C
Step 2 Stir carrots, maple syrup, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Spread evenly on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast, stirring once, until tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with chives, if desired.
LET ME KNOW IF YOU GIVE ANY OR BOTH OF THESE RECIPES A GO. I'D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR FEEDBACK IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!
Comments