Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust

On our very first date ever, Todd brought over a cheese and bacon quiche and a bottle of wine. I still tell him that was the moment that he tricked me into thinking he cooks! You see, he later much later professed that his uncle (who is possibly more devious than Todd) helped him make said quiche. It was supposed to impress me...and it did.  A quiche! Oooo la la. I don't even know if I had ever made a quiche at that point! I've never been real big on eggs, so that's probably a just explanation. Well, our very first date was on November 23 only four short years ago and so we decided it would be kind of fun to make a quiche to celebrate. However, being vegan that really didn't seem very appropriate. However, would you be surprised to know that one doesn't have to use eggs to make a quiche?! That's right! Eggs don't make the rules and they certainly aren't needed to make a great quiche. You're not the boss of me, eggs! I'll make a quiche if I want to!

Quiche always seems a little intimidating, doesn't it? Well, you'll feel silly for thinking that after you bust out this awesome quiche like a pro

quiche1

Sauteed vegetables nestled in a smooth tofu filling and baked in a herbed, flaxseed-studded wheat crust. This quiche is creamy, healthy and a bit fancy pants. Oh yes! It's also shockingly fast and incredibly easy.

Surprise baby shower!? Impromptu ladies night?! No problem! You've got it handled with this awesome and downright snobby dish. They'll think you slaved over it for hours. 

Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust

Inspired by Veggieful

Serves 6

  • --Crust--
  • 2 cups whole-wheat white flour
  • 2 Tbsp. whole flax seeds 
  • 2 tsp. Italian herbs
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • --Veggies--
  • 1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced small
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 oz. small button mushrooms, chopped
  • 4 sun dried tomatoes (dry packed), thinly sliced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced small
  • 1 large handful of fresh spinach
  • 2 tsp. dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
  • --Tofu--
  • 1 14 oz. block of extra firm tofu, drained
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 cup plain unsweetened soymilk
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 F and coat a tart pan with a nonstick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, add the dry ingredients for the crust and whisk to combine. Then, drizzle in the water and oil while stirring (don't use the whisk for this bit). Stir until just combined.

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustForm a ball with the dough and place on a solid surface. Knead about 6-8 times, then roll out with a rolling pin to a circle larger than your tart pan.

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustPress the dough into the tart pan, ensuring that the edges make it all the way up to the top edge of the pan. Poke with a fork several times and allow to bake at 350 F for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. Leave the oven on. 

Heat the olive oil for the vegetables in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Add in the onion and garlic and saute for about 5 minutes. Then add in the mushrooms and saute for 3 minutes. Now, add in the remaining ingredients for the vegetables and saute for another 5 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted then remove from heat. 

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustIn a food processor, add in all the tofu ingredients and processor for about 3 minutes, or until silky smooth. Then, add the tofu mixture into the vegetable mixture and stir well to combine. 

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustAdd the tofu/vegetable mixture into the pre-cooked crust and smooth over with a spatula.

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustBake at 350 F for about 30-40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the quiche is set. Place on a cooling rack and allow to sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving. 

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed CrustProduce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust

Cut into slices and serve warm, room temperature or chilled. Whatever pleases you most! 

Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust Produce On Parade - Vegetable Quiche + Herbed Crust

Listening to Haim – The Wire

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Peppermint Mocha Cookie Dough Bites

I've seen a bunch of these little no-bake-cookie-dough-ball-bites rolling around the internet for quite some time now. Yet, I've never really had the itch to make them. I don't really know why. They're easy, delicious, pretty healthy and fun to make! I guess it's because I knew I'd gobble up all those little guys at once, so why even try. In terms of sweets...my willpower leaves a lot to be desired.... Well, I'm happy to say that yesterday I put on my big girl underpants and I made some of these little mofos. They were super easy and very tasty. And I exhibited excellent willpower in only eating one ball...and maybe several gobs of dough off the spatula. Okay, so it might have ended up to be about the equivalent of 3-4 balls. That's not too bad. Right?

Produce On Parade - Peppermint Mocha Cookie Dough BitesJust look how cute they are! Peppermint Mocha Kahlua is amazing, by the way. I've been using it in my coffee lately but it was begging to be used in a recipe! And no, I am not a Kahlua spokesperson. Maybe I should be though...Anyways, these little cookie dough bites are sweet and nutty and mimic the texture of raw cookie dough perfectly. The cacao nibs lend a rich, dark chocolate crunch!

Peppermint Mocha Cookie Dough Bites

Inspired by Lauren Conrad

Makes 12 bites

  • 2/3 cup raw cashews
  • 1/3 cup dry oats
  • pinch of kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 Tbsp. maple syrup 
  • 2 tsp. Peppermint Mocha Kahlua
  • 1 drop of peppermint extract (optional)
  • 1/4 cup cacao nibs
  • finishing salt, for topping (optional)

In a food processor, add the oats and processor until they are the texture of flour. Add in the cashews, and pulse until the nuts are pulverized and mixed in well.

Produce On Parade - Peppermint Mocha Cookie Dough BitesNow, add in the remaining ingredients except for the cacao nibs and pulse until very well combined. 

Produce On Parade - Peppermint Mocha Cookie Dough BitesStir in the cacao nibs by hand.

Produce On Parade - Peppermint Mocha Cookie Dough Bites

Spray your hands with a nonstick cooking spray and roll the bites into little balls. Top with a sprinkle of finishing salt, if you wish! 

Produce On Parade - Peppermint Mocha Cookie Dough Bites

Cover the leftovers and keep in the fridge.

Produce On Parade - Peppermint Mocha Cookie Dough BitesListening to The City and Horses – Pretty Pretty

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Miso Kale & Black Bean Burritos

So, there was a kale and black bean burrito that I really liked to make a lot...before I was vegan. It had feta. Sad face. I've been missing this burrito and was really craving it the other day. So I set out to make it...with no mo' feta tho'. Who needs feta? I replicated that same bright and briny feta-y kick with miso instead! This burrito is so fantastic. Warm, garlicky mashed black beans and seasoned miso kale compliment each other perfectly. Avocado lends a rich and creamy bite while red onions offer a little crunch. 

burritos

If you haven't tried a kale and black bean burrito yet, it's time to get your butt in gear and see what you've been missing! 

Miso Kale & Black Bean Burritos 

Inspired by Cookie + Kate

Serves 4

  • 1 large bunch of kale, de-stemmed and chopped
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. miso paste (I like red)
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
  • sprinkle of ground black pepper
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 2 15 oz. cans of  black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1-2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 large burrito-sized flour tortillas
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, minced

In a large bowl, mix together the chopped kale and cilantro. 

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil through and including lime juice making sure the miso paste gets well incorporated. Now, drizzle the sauce over the kale mixture and toss to evenly coat . 

fudge (1 of 12)

In a medium bowl, add the black beans. Mash them with a fork, or use the best kitchen tools you have, your hands (washed first, please)! Then, stir in the garlic and water. Microwave for about 1-2 minutes, or until warm.

burrito1Dice up the avocado and red onion and set aside.

Coat a large frying pan with a  nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium-low. Add one tortilla and press it into the pan. Then, add a scoop of beans and smooth it out somewhat into a rectangle in the middle of the burrito. Allow to heat for about 1 minute ensuring  the tortilla doesn't burn. 

Remove from heat when the tortilla is just barely crispy and very slightly golden brown. You don't want it too crispy or it will crack when rolled.

Place the tortilla on a table or large plate. Add a heap of the kale mixture and top with the avocado and onion.

fudge (5 of 12)Now, carefully roll the burrito. Fold in the left and right sides first, then tuck the side closest to you over the mixture, to the other side. Roll the burrito away from you to complete the roll. 

burrito2Repeat with remaining ingredients. 

fudge (11 of 12)Feel free to serve with sour cream or even guacamole! 

fudge (9 of 12)In truth I was listening to mostly more classical Christmas music (don't hate me!) but now it's Jaymay – Blue Skies

 

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