Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Salted Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Smoothie. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Gluten Free, Smoothies, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free

I’ve been a long time fan of the high protein smoothie. Once I started working outside the home – packing up a smoothie in my Yeti was the perfect solution. I hate taking breaks so I can walk around drinking this and be filled for hours on end.

I’ll provide options below for optional substitutions as well. This smoothie is creamy and very filling. I typically eat a lot in the a.m and afternoon and have a smoothie for dinner if I don’t work. I go to bed so earlier that this is easier for me to digest.

Okay let’s get this ball rollin’…

Ingredients:

1.25 cups of unsweetened nut or oat based milk
1 scoop of Vega Sport Vanilla or Chocolate
1 tbl of raw cacao powder (you can omit this if you use chocolate protein powder)
1 tbl of nut butter (I use my own recipe)
1 tbl of chia seeds
Optional:
1 frozen banana
1/2 avocado
1/2 zucchini
1 pinch of salt
Ice cubes (3-4)

Method:

Put all of the ingredients into a high-powered blender. Blend it all until creamy. You can drink straight away or store in a travel mug for the next day.

— Knead to Cook

Tahini Medjool Date Cookies. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Cookies, Desserts, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Snacks, Vegan, Wheat Free

I was seeking & searching for a unique cookie. Bill was sick last weekend with bronchitis. We had a winter storm. I was tired of being stuck in the house so my go-to was reading alternating with baking. I found this recipe on Feasting with Fruit. I tweaked a bit and they were truly heavenly. Everyone loved them. A little bit savory with a hint of sweetness from the Medjool dates. The perfect combination.

This recipe made a lot of cookies, which was great for the week! I used a tiny scoop so it made about 36 cookies or so.

Ingredients:
2 cups of rolled oats
1/2 cup of oat flour
1/2 cup of almond meal
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp of salt
1 cup of tahini
1/2 cup of maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract or 1 tsp of almond extract
12 Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped
Sesame seeds for rolling, optional

Method:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line your baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper.
Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
Then in a separate bowl, mix your tahini through extract of choice.
Add the wet ingredients to dry and blend. Then proceed to add the dates.
Scoop out the cookie dough and roll into your sesame seeds and then place on to your baking sheet.
Bake for 11-12 minutes or until golden around the edges. Remove and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
I put under my cloche for one week or until devoured.

Hope you enjoy this recipe!

— Knead to Cook

Easy Sheet Pan Fried Rice and Tofu. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free

I saw this Katie Lee recipe somewhere online and knew immediately that I had to try it. Of course, I opted to tweak by my taste preference and the result was unbelievably tasty. I cannot believe how easy this recipe was and she once again, blew it out of the water! I made it in one bowl and baked it a bit longer because we love crispy rice… heaven. Turns out the leftovers were equally tasty. This one will be on repeat for sure!

Ingredients:
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons liquid aminos
2 tablespoons of hot chili or hot olive oil (I have a spicy olive oil I used)
2 tsp of toasted sesame oil
1 tbl of chili paste
5-6 cloves garlic, minced 
One 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated 
2 cups cooked or leftover rice 
2 extra firm blocks of tofu (I used Wildwood), drained and cut in cubes
1 small bag of frozen veggies (I used a veggie/lentil blend from Whole Foods)

Method:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Line your sheet pan with a sheet of parchment.
Into a bowl, add all of your ingredients and stir well.
Spread your mixture into one even layer on your pan.
Bake for 12 minutes covered with foil.
Then remove foil and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the rice is toasted up and crispy.

Enjoy!

— Knead to Cook

Overnight oat chia protein pudding. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free

Hey there kids! I hope your 2020 has been starting off nicely. I’ve been on an organizing tirade and have managed to clean out so much of my house. Once that was done, I went back to work with a very heavy schedule. So this week I’ve been meaning to shoot and schedule to share this recipe. It’s been my go-to for about 4 months now. I’ve tinkered with different amounts but this version is perfection. Adjusting the milk is key if you prefer it looser or thicker. See notes below.

Ingredients:
2 tbl of rolled oats – I use organic and gluten free
2 tbl of black chia seeds
2 tbl of Vega Sport vanilla protein
1 – 1.25 cup(s) or more of your favorite plant-based milk, unsweetened

Method:

This recipe is incredibly easy but you must follow the correct order or the chia will adhere to the bottom of your jar and will be like cement! I add the ingredients as I have listed. Once the milk is in there I place the lid on and shake really well. Allow to sit on the counter for a few minutes. Occasionally give the jar(s) a shake to mix up the chia – it sinks before it becomes gelatinous. Once you see it thickening up – around 4-5 minutes, give one more good shake and put in the fridge. I make 4 at a time and leave in the fridge all week. I eat one a day for breakfast. I top with fresh berries, pomegranate seeds and my homemade nut butter. Whatever you wish.

*The milk amount is quite subjective. I’ve made it really thick or looser… it just depends on your preference. Start with a cup and move up from there if you prefer.

Again, I make 4 at a time and once all the jars are empty I start over. These are the jars I use. This is the protein powder I love.

Super easy recipe. I make this in batches and it works out perfectly.

— Knead to Cook

Hearty Mung bean and lentil stew. Vegan. Gluten free.

by Filed Under: Beans, Gluten Free, Holiday, Indian-inspired., Soups, Stews, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free

Happy 2020! We’re kicking off the new year with a hearty, comforting stew that is perfect for meal prepping. Packed with fiber and protein -super satiating.

I apologize for the less than perfect images but I wasn’t expecting to love this stew as much as my entire family did and the weather has been less than desirable, cloudy and rainy, for a proper shoot. Regardless, ugly food that tastes great… I’m in for it.

Ingredients:

1 cups of mung beans
1 cup of green lentils
6 cups of veggie broth
2-3 cups of water (as needed)
6 cloves of garlic, minced
1 small yellow onion – chopped
1 can of full fat coconut milk
4 tbl of tomato paste
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper
2 cups of frozen spinach

Method:

Into a larger Dutch oven, over medium heat, add your broth, mung beans and lentils. Cook uncovered for 40 minutes total. Every 10-12 minutes check and add water as needed. I added about 3 cups additionally. I wanted the soup to be more stew-like so closer to the end of cooking, I added less water.

While that’s cooking, add a drizzle of olive oil to a sauté pan and heat oven medium flame. Once hot add your onion and cook 4-6 minutes. Once golden, add your garlic and cook 2 additional minutes. Once done, turn off and add to your soup mixture once its done cooking (40 minutes).

After the 40 minutes, add your onions/garlic, coconut milk, paste and give that a good stir. Once the paste is blended well – add your frozen spinach and stir. I allowed that to cook for about 10 minutes. Taste and add salt/pepper. Serve immediately and leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freezing is also an option.

We served over brown rice with crusty bread accompaniment. It is the perfect hearty meal. It’s been on repeat as lunch and dinner for days here… cannot get enough.


Enjoy!


— Knead to Cook

Crispy & Spicy Tofu. Super Easy.

by Filed Under: Gluten Free, Pasta, Tofu, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free

First, allow me to apologize for the less than perfect images. The day I was shooting the recipe it was very rainy and overcast.

I made this recipe on Thanksgiving night. I’m admittedly not a fan of all the heavy Thanksgiving foods and was craving a big bowl of veggies and some tofu. I didn’t want to marinade it and wanted something I could whip up in just a few minutes. I shared on my Insta stories and everyone went wild. DM’s galore asking for the recipe so here we go!

Ingredients:

1/4 cup or so of vegan cornstarch powder
1/3 cup of chili paste
1/4 cup of liquid aminos
A few splashes of hot sauce
1 tbl of smoked paprika
1 package of extra or super firm tofu
Neutral oil for sautéing

The tofu pictured above has long been my favorite. Seriously no pressing required and it tastes like heaven!

Method:

Remove the tofu from the package and pat dry. Slice into small cubes. Place cubes in a bowl and add your cornstarch. I do this by eye. You want to coat each cube with a thin layer or the cornstarch. Set aside.

In a large bowl add your hot chili sauce, hot sauce and liquid aminos. Whisk to combine. Set that aside.

Place a skillet or fry pan add a tiny bit of olive or avocado oil. Once hot, add your coated tofu cubes to the pan and allow to brown up on each side. Stir often. I normally cook over medium flame.

Once browned up nicely, pour the sauce over the tofu carefully – avoid splashing yourself.

Continue to cook until the sauce is 90% absorbed/reduced.

Remove and serve or refrigerate for up to 4 days. I love this cold in my salads or reheated in my air fryer for a few minutes.

Enjoy!

— Knead to Cook

Dill pickle soup. Vegan. GF.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Gluten Free, Holiday, Soups, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vitamix, Wheat Free

When I saw my favorite Instagrammer, Erin Ireland, make this soup I knew I had to give it a whirl. It was so good I wanted to share with you all.

I know it may sound super weird… dill pickle soup!?! However it’s a potato base, very thick and creamy with a dill twang. Seriously, it’s everything. I made this soup on Sunday while Sydney was home on fall break. My girls are dill pickle fanatics! She, and her lovely boyfriend, really loved it as my taste testers. Everyone else followed suit. It was a warm and comforting dish all week for dinner. Perfect fall dinner idea.

Ingredients:

1 tbl of vegan butter or olive oil in a large stock pot (use a large pot, I had to change it out mid way through as I needed more space)
1 medium sized onion, diced
4 dill pickles, chopped
4 large white potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup of pickle juice
4 cups of vegetable broth (reserve 1/2 cup to blend with your sour cream)
1 container of Tofutti or vegan sour cream
Fresh dill for garnish
Salt and pepper

Method:

In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add your butter or olive oil. Once hot, add your onions and cook for 4-6 minutes until translucent. Then add your remaining ingredients through broth (reserve 1/2 cup to blend in a separate bowl with the sour cream) and bring to a boil. Lower temp, cover and allow to cook for 30 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. In a separate bowl mix sour cream with broth. Whisk to combine – then add to the soup. Stir. Using a stick immersion blender or an actual blender in batches, blend until creamy. Return to the pot. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and top with a sprig of fresh dill. Enjoy!

This soup will easily keep in the fridge for 5 days making it a great meal prep idea. Reheats beautifully as well as freezes nicely. I hope you enjoy and if you’re on Instagram check Erin out… she is simply incredible.

— Knead to Cook

Roasted tomato coconut soup. Vegan.

by Filed Under: Gluten Free, Soups, Vegan, Vitamix, Wheat Free

End of season soups are my favorites to make. You can buy so many second-hand veggies, like tomatoes, for relatively little money, and make a great lunch or dinner option for the entire week. I love seconds of tomatoes, they may be bumped and bruised but it doesn’t matter so don’t be afraid!

This recipe is incredibly easy to make and is a wonderful meal-prep dish for your week. Let’s get started…

Ingredients:

5-6 lbs of tomatoes, I used heirlooms and regular beefsteak type of tomatoes, washed and quartered
1 head of garlic, top cut off for roasting (see below)
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and quartered
1 bell pepper, (orange or red) washed and sliced
Olive oil for drizzling
Salt
Pepper
Fresh basil (one good handful)
2 stems of fresh fresh thyme leaves – stem removed
1 can of full-fat coconut milk or cream

Method:
First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Slice the top of your garlic off to expose the cloves
Cut a slice of foil and place your garlic head in the center.
Drizzle the opening (top) with a 1 tbl of olive oil.
Wrap your garlic bulb loosely. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. Remove the foil. To extract the garlic cloves – simply squeeze the bulb from the bottom and the squeeze the cloves out. They will be a soft texture.

Change the oven temp to 350 degrees. Place your tomatoes, onions and bell pepper on your baking sheet. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the tomatoes (2-3 tbl). Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for about 1 hour or until softened and aromatic. Remove and allow to cool a bit so you can handle safely. Then add your tomatoes/juice and onions and peppers to your stock pot or Dutch oven. Add your basil, coconut cream (entire can) and fresh basil.

Bring your ingredients to a simmer over low/medium heat. Then using your blender or hand immersion blender, blend until creamy. If using a blender, work in small batches for safety. Then add your soup back to the pot. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve and enjoy! You can easily freeze this soup or refrigerate for 5 days.

— Knead to Cook

Plant based meal prepping.

by Filed Under: Air Fried, Breakfast, Brownies, Brunch, Chili, Desserts, Gluten Free, Lentils, Nuts, Pantry, Potatoes, Pressure Cooker, Salads, Snacks, Soups, Tofu, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Wheat Free

Since I’ve been working outside of our home for the past 15 months with a very demanding & crazy schedule – meal prepping has been a saving grace for me.

Meal prepping can be super easy & small or quite elaborate… its simply up to you. We keep ours very basic, but it allows us to throw lunches or dinners together in a snap – especially when you’re starving & can devour everything not nailed down while preparing dinner. Does this sound familiar? Yes, we’ve all done it.

So in this post I’m going to cover quick & easy ideas that will keep you afloat all week long without breaking the budget for time or money. Let’s get started…

The name of the game in our house lately is to use up all of our veggies from our garden that we’ve harvested. This week we’ve been inundated with plenty of tomatoes and green peppers. Being torn between salsa or homemade marinara… Bill voted for sauce. So I roasted all of my tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic to make a marinara that we could use for dinner one night. Click here for one of my roasted tomato sauce recipes. You can easily go this route as well with a tomato soup. Honestly roasting these veggies and blending them down… it’s such a versatile sauce to use for dipping, atop of a vegan meatball hoagie or over zucchini noodles.

I rarely use salt or oil when roasting. Maybe a slight spritz of olive or avocado oil and tons of fresh herbs from the garden are all you need. In the winter, tap into your spice cabinet and experiment.

While roasting that goodness, I will always roast up in my second oven or use your second rack in you oven, potatoes. ALL the potatoes every single week! I always do yams/sweet potatoes and Japanese sweet potatoes (always organic and unpeeled). If you roast other veggies with it, try to keep the baking sheet separated because veggies will cook at varying times. But feel free to roast as many veggies as you can! Here’s one of my favorite recipes. Cold, cooked potatoes are a wonderful prebiotic fiber source. I normally eat them in my salads cold but feel free to warm before serving if you wish. Also fabulous topped with your favorite nut butter as a snack.

So your oven is working away so let’s turn our attention to your stovetop. I’ve gone back to making my grains, mainly rice on the stove top as I cannot get the perfect texture in my instant pot for my long grain brown rice. So I will normally do one or two grains for the week. Quinoa and brown rice. We also use a ton for the dogs so double or triple the recipe if need be. Both serve as a wonderful base to curries, as a side dish, on a salad… whatever! Use the cooking instructions on the package.

Next up super simple overnight oats with chia. Ohhhhhh these are my favorite. They take NO TIME to prep and will stay perfectly in the fridge all week long. I use these jars and love the size/wide mouth opening.

It’s imperative that you buy organic rolled oats. Sadly the glyphosate aka Roundup contamination is a huge issue with grains.

My super simple recipe can be found here for this easy, healthy and delicious breakfast. Add your favorite nut butter, fresh or dried fruit in the morning.

Now for snacking… I always make a treat for the week. It’s healthy and I normally go for something portable like muffins, cookies, baked oatmeal squares etc. I have a ton of super easy recipes that can be found here. This week I was testing out a oat scone recipe I hope to be sharing in the future. Bill and my dad couldn’t get enough!

These were a lemon pistachio version.

Snack ideas are limitless. Here are some of my favorites… bites, muffin, or brownie.

Next up… savory proteins.

So if you’re looking for some meat-free protein options great for reheating or eating cold (like me) in a big bowl of greens – I’ve got some recipes for you. I always prep tofu. Bill and I go through a ton! Here is my favorite recipe which I’ve been cooking in my air fryer. More recipes you can prep ahead can be found here, here and here. My tofu scramble makes a great meal any time!

If you aren’t a tofu fan… here are some other great prep-ahead ideas. This tempeh recipe is one of my favorites. This salad recipe is great on sandwich bread or atop your favorite greens.

This bbq tempeh is so easy!

Soups or stews are another super easy, one pot meal that will serve you well all week. This one pot lentil stew is so good. I just made these lentil sloppy joe’s again and they are perfect on a bun or I add a big scoop to my salad. Or this double protein vegan chili made in your instant pot for the win!

And then finally, once a month I make my own nut butter combo deal. I’ve found it very hard to find organic nut butters that aren’t super spendy so I make my own. One batch lasts us at least a month and the recipe is super flexible.

This is a blend of cashews, almonds and walnuts.

Taking the time to food prep one or two dishes at a minimum helps to make your meals easier all week long. I hope this post helps you gain some helpful tips on meal prepping. Again, it can be a small or grand as you desire. Happy weekend friends!

— Knead to Cook

Super easy pickled red onions and jalapeños.

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Brunch, Condiments, Gluten Free, Salads, Vegan, Wheat Free

Hi friends and happy weekend – well almost! This week’s recipe is a super simple but one that will become a must have for sure. Pickled onions and jalapeños are perfect on your veggie burger, bagels with tofu, grain bowl or big ole salad. It add a punch of tangy flavor and crunch that is unmistakeable. Plus that lovely pink color is perfect! This recipe takes about 4 minutes to make and you can easily double or triple as needed. You can also do carrot chips, garlic cloves, radishes or whatever veg you want with this recipe. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 large red onion, sliced very thin
3 jalapeños, seeded or not – sliced thin
1/2 cup of water
1/3 cup of vinegar, white
1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon of maple syrup
2 teaspoons of salt
Optional: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes

Method:

Into a saucepan, add your water through salt. Bring to a boil and whisk to combine. Then promptly remove from the heat. Into a large glass Ball or Weck jar – add your onions and jalapeño slices. Carefully, pour the hot brine over the onions to coat. With a spoon push the onions down firmly into the jar (being very careful) and seal. Place the fridge for at least 10-12 hours before eating.

— Knead to Cook