Roasted Garlic Sesame Broccoli

Whenever I go to the store I always buy a couple heads of broccoli. I never have any idea what I'm going to use it for, which is highly uncharacteristic of me but I like to have it on hand because it encourages me to eat 1/2-2 heads per week and it's nice to throw into soups or other dishes. Sometimes I'll just steam it up and drizzle with a sauce, or top with cashews and nutritional yeast. Yesterday, however, I wanted to make something a little more involved. Now, this broccoli is hardly "involved" but it sure tastes like it is. This is a really quick recipe for dressing up broccoli with roasted garlic and a flavorful sesame sauce.

Produce On Parade - Roasted Garlic Sesame Broccoli

Roast for a quick 20 minutes and you'll have the perfect for side dish or a snack! This is definitely one of my new favorite ways to have broccoli.

To learn more about broccoli and what it can do for you, check out this wealth of information on the little green guys at nutritionfacts.org. It's my go-to place for scientifically based research on nutrition! 

Produce On Parade - Roasted Garlic Sesame BroccoliRoasted Garlic Sesame Broccoli

Serves 2

  • 2 small heads of broccoli, florets only largely chopped 
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. sesame oil
  • 1 Tbsp. liquid amino acids (or soy sauce)
  • 1/2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • sprinkling of crushed red pepper flakes

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Chop the broccoli and transfer to a large bowl.

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Next, drizzle the sauce over the broccoli and mix well to coat. 

Produce On Parade - Roasted Garlic Sesame Broccoli Produce On Parade - Roasted Garlic Sesame Broccoli

Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes.  Halfway through, stir and rotate.

Serve hot as a side or snack. 

Produce On Parade - Roasted Garlic Sesame Broccoli

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German Word of The Day: Broccoli --> Brokkoli (It's pronounced pretty much the same, I just thought it was cool that it's with two "k" instead of the "c". 

Good Deed of The Day: This is totally disgusting! Help stop the cruel "entertainment" of tigers be electrocuted alive. These so-called "visual feasts" are followed by the tigers being butchered and fed to the attendees. Then the body parts are given as expensive gifts or sold on the black market. Sign the petition. 

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Healthy Tofu Curry

As a birthday present, I received two artisan tofu packages from a friend. One is tomato basil flavored and the other, curry. Yep, that's how cool being a foodie vegan is. You get unique tofu for your birthday. Obviously, I've been hoarding the stuff while trying to figure out what special dishes to make with them. I figured the curry tofu package was pretty self-explanatory. I was to make a curry with it. Which I did...it did not disappoint. 

Produce On Parade - Healthy Tofu Curry

This curry is full of tasty veggies including cauliflower and sweet potato that meld beautifully with aromatic spices and flavorful tofu. No need for special tofu though, this dish will be just as spectacular with plain tofu! 

Produce On Parade - Healthy Tofu CurryAny ideas for the tomato basil one??

Healthy Tofu Curry

Serves 6 

  • Aromatics:
  • 1 Tbsp. coconut oil (I used unrefined) 
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2-inch knob of ginger, peeled and minced
  • 1 Tbsp. ground coriander
  • 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp.  ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/8-1/4 tsp. chipotle chili powder
  • Sustenance: 
  • 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 small cauliflower, chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
  • 2 large carrots, diced
  • 12 oz. extra firm tofu, pressed and diced
  • 4 medium fresh tomatoes, diced
  • Conclusion:
  • 2 Tbsp. lime juice
  • fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
  • glass noodles, rice, or quinoa (to serve with curry)

Notes: I highly recommend prepping the ingredients before starting on this recipe. Measuring all the spices and chopping all the vegetables and tofu beforehand is a smart move for this curry. 

In a very large, heavy-bottomed soup pot heat the coconut oil over medium-low. Now, add in all the aromatic ingredients and saute until the onions become tender.

Add in all the remaining sustenance ingredients and stir well to combine. Cover, turn to medium-low and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until the sweet potatoes and cauliflower are tender.

Next, blend in the tomato paste and the vegetable broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

Add in all the remaining sustenance ingredients and stir well to combine. Cover, turn to medium-low and simmer for about 20-25 minutes until the sweet potatoes and cauliflower are tender. 

Produce On Parade - Healthy Tofu Curry Produce On Parade - Healthy Tofu Curry Produce On Parade - Healthy Tofu Curry Produce On Parade - Healthy Tofu CurryMeanwhile cook any noodles, rice, or quinoa you'd like to serve the curry over. Conversely, it can be eaten alone. 

Once the vegetables are tender, remove from heat and stir in the lime juice.

Produce On Parade - Healthy Tofu CurryGarnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Produce On Parade - Healthy Tofu Curry Produce On Parade - Healthy Tofu CurryOh yes, my friends, I am listing to Rixton – Me And My Broken Heart

German Word of The Day: Healthy --> gesund (pronounced: gehz-oond)

Good Deed of The Day: So sad! Help demand Justice for 5 Endangered Penguins Killed at Peru Rescue Center by signing this petition. 

 

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Mango Quinoa Salad

Cooking while on our vacation in the East Coast was, unfortunately, nonexistent...despite our best intentions. I told Todd that I would be just fine abstaining from Chipotle for the next 6-12 months, which is convenient since Alaska doesn't have any. So. Many. Sofritas. (That's their new vegan tofu burrito.) Yep, it's nice to be home and actually be able to form a meal once again. I was feeling pretty yucky-tummy due to the 10-day round of antibiotics coupled with two weeks of bagels, beer, burritos, pita chips, and hummus. So much hummus, you guys.

Anyway, this Mango Quinoa Salad is the absolute perfect combination of plant-protein, fresh herbs, crunchy nuts, and sweet fruit to refresh my palate and cleanse my body. I'm happily saying ta-ta to travel snacks, for a looong time. 

Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad

Clean eating at it's yummiest!

Mango Quinoa Salad

Serves 4-6

  • Quinoa:
  • 1 1/2 cups dry quinoa (I use red)
  • 3 cups water
  • Sustenance: 
  • 1-2 ripe mango(s), peeled and diced
  • 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 onion)
  • 1/4 cup cashews, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. fresh cilantro (leaves and stems), chopped
  • Dressing:
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. lime juice 
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp. vegan sugar 
  • pinch of black pepper

In a large saucepan, bring the quinoa and the water to a boil over high heat. Then, reduce to a simmer and cover. Allow to cook for about 15 minutes, until the water is gone. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Set aside until ready to use. 

Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad

Meanwhile, combine the sustenance ingredients in a large serving bowl. 

Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad

Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. 

Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad

When the quinoa is done, add it to the sustenance mixture and stir well to combine. 

Drizzle the dressing over the mixture and stir well to coat.

Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad

Allow to rest for about 10 minutes. Can be served warm or cold.  

Produce On Parade - Mango Quinoa Salad

Listening to Lorde – Buzzcut Season

German Word of The Day: To travel --> reisen (pronounced: rye-zen)

Good Deed of The Day: Oh SeaWorld, why won't you just go away already? Sign this petition to humanely release the Orca whale known as Tilikum to a sea pen for rehab.

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