Knead to Cook

Food & fitness obsessed girl.

Quinoa Wheat Berry Very Veggie Salad with a Dijon Vinaigrette.

by Filed Under: Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Salads, Side dish, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Vinaigrette 2 Comments

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I haven’t eaten meat in about 6.5-7 months.  I enjoy salads for dinner because they are relatively light but packed with vitamins/protein.  I whipped up a big batch of this salad that works for me for lunch or dinner and as a side for my carnivore family.  This recipe, like most of mine, is very flexible and can be made to suit your taste or what’s in your refrigerator.  I added the veggies I had but would vary that week to week.  Also using roasted veggies would also be wonderful.  This salad is perfect served at room temperature or straight out of the refrigerator.  Perfect for your holiday buffet.

 

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— Knead to Cook

Perfectly roasted spaghetti squash.

by Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Gluten Free, Italian-inspired, Pasta, Side dish, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 3 Comments

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I’ll be honest, I’ve always stayed away from the spaghetti squash for some reason, not sure why but it scared me.  My self psycho-analysis is I had this fear because anything that replaces pasta could never compete with the real deal.  But since my new found love of everything healthy, avoiding as many processed foods as possible- one night I bought one and roasted some tomatoes and figured I would suppress my Italian pasta girl and try this with my sauce.  Funny, when I served dinner I asked my husband if he wanted to try it too with sauce and he obliged.  He did half pasta and half squash.  He actually loved it.  YES!  These little victories make me happy.  Another foodie fear conquered.

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— Knead to Cook

Chocolate Avocado Smoothie. Vegan. (Tastes like pudding!)

by Filed Under: Breakfast, Desserts, Smoothies, Snacks, Valentine's Day, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian, Vitamix, Wheat Free 11 Comments

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I know you’re thinking I must be crazy, right?!  I was hesitant when I ran across this recipe in one of my mags that I had.  I thought why not try it, my youngest daughter is so underweight that the calories (all good) would be a great start to the day.  Protein, good fats… it’s all good.  Both of my girls loved it!  I snuck a taste and it tasted like pudding – even had that consistency to be honest.  I put them on table, started making my breakfast and the next thing I heard was slurping sounds coming from their straws. Enough said!

Ingredients:

Makes 2 – 2 cup servings

1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
2 cups of vanilla unsweetened cashew or almond milk (I prefer Silk)
2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder
2 tablespoons of maple syrup
1 tablespoons of vegan chocolate chips
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
14 ice cubes

Directions:

Into your blender or Vitamix, add all of the ingredients.  Blend until creamy.  This will have a thick, pudding like appearance.  Pour slowly into  your glasses.  Top with a few chocolate chips.  Enjoy!

Eeek!  Chocolate for breakfast and it is oh so good!

*Adapted from Eating Well.

— Knead to Cook

Pineapple Jalapeño Salsa.

by Filed Under: Condiments, Dips, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Fruit, Gluten Free, Mexican, No bake/cooking required!, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian 4 Comments

This recipe is so versatile.  It can be served with tortilla chip at your next soiree or atop fish or chicken for a healthy option.  You can control the spice level with the amount of jalapeño you use or if you remove the inner seeds which contain all the heat.

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Ingredients:
1 bell pepper (I used red), diced
1/2 pineapple, chopped into bite sized pieces
1 cup of cilantro leaves, washed and roughly chopped
1 jalapeño, finely chopped.  If you want  more heat – leave the seed in, if not, remove before chopping
Drizzle of good olive oil

Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients and place into a bowl.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to let the flavors enhance and combine to make their magic.

— Knead to Cook

Cranberry Orange Relish.

by Filed Under: Holiday, Side dish, Thanksgiving, Vegan, Vegetarian 2 Comments

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Thanksgiving is next week and this is one of my favorite recipes.  So easy, yet so flavorful.  I love cranberries and oranges together.  Perfect as a side or on your leftover turkey sandwiches.  My youngest daughter loves to make this dish – so it’s totally kid-friendly.  Great way to get everyone to pitch in and help with dinner prep.  Also, this can be made up to 4 days in advance and stored in the fridge.

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— Knead to Cook

Bob’s Roasted Chestnut Recipe.

by Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian 11 Comments

My father, Bob, is a chestnut aficionado.  He loves this time of year when they’re sold at the farmer’s market so he can partake.  This week I found some and finally, with the completion of our kitchen, he was able to roast these up.  I don’t care for chestnuts but for those of you who do… enjoy this super easy and flavorful recipe.

Ingredients:

1 lb of chestnuts, with a cut in the top (about 1 inch long)
Pinch of salt
Water

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  Set aside a baking sheet.  In a saucepan, add your chestnuts, salt and just enough water to cover.  Bring to a simmer and then remove from the heat.  Drain and place the chestnuts on your baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes.  Remove and let cool.  Peel and enjoy!

— Knead to Cook

Sweet & Spicy Cinnamon Roasted Almonds. Vegan. Gluten Free.

by Filed Under: Nuts, Snacks, Vegan, Vegan proteins, Vegetarian 12 Comments

Sweet & Spicy Cinnamon Roasted Almonds.

Sweet & Spicy Cinnamon Roasted Almonds.

 

We are bracing today for Hurricane Sandy to hit Pennsylvania.  I wanted to whip up a bunch of snacks that didn’t require refrigeration just in case we lost power.  Easily accessible and something everyone would eat.  These are easy to whip up and you control the heat so you can make them more to your liking.  I hope you enjoy these.  Also, they will be perfect for the upcoming holidays.  The smell of cinnamon is perfection!
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— Knead to Cook

Quinoa & Veggie Stuffed Acorn Squash.

by Filed Under: Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, Vegan, Vegetarian 4 Comments

Tuesdays are my farmer’s market day.  I couldn’t resist these sweet little white acorn squash today.  I snatched those up with several other veggies and concocted this sweet recipe.  Perfect prepare-ahead-of-time recipe makes this a perfect weeknight favorite.

Ingredients:

1 cup of cooked quinoa
3 acorn squash (green or white)
1 cucumber, diced
1 carrot (I used a rainbow purple carrot), diced
1/4 cup of cilantro leaves, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup of a better quality balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons of olive oil (better quality)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:

Combine all of the ingredients and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Squash:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Line your roasting pan with foil or a Silpat baking sheet. Set aside.

Slice the squash in half and remove the seeds and clean out the loose flesh.  Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Place skin side down and roast for 30 minutes or until fork tender.  Remove and let cool on the counter.  Stuff with the filling and serve.  Drizzle with additional balsamic if necessary.  Adjust spices.  Serve at room temperature.  Enjoy!

— Knead to Cook

Candy Corn Marshmallow People. Vegan/GF Option.

by Filed Under: Candy, Desserts, Halloween, Holiday, Holiday Baking Ideas, Party Foods, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wheat Free 182 Comments

 

I made these last year and they were a total hit.  I shared the on my blog and on Facebook and they have shown up as a guest on many other blogs.  I needed to make more and take a better photo of these cuties.  I made these super-sized.  These are the jumbo marshmallows but this recipe works well with the regular size as well.  I’ll provide the information on the original vegetarian recipe and give vegan/gf options.
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— Knead to Cook

Bill’s homemade cereal.

by Filed Under: Beverages, Brunch, Evolution Power Yoga 40 Days, No bake/cooking required!, Nuts, Vegan, Vegetarian 4 Comments

My husband, Bill, has been making this cereal for about 10 years.  Within that timeframe, he has pursued a very focused healthy lifestyle.  Working out 6 days a week, lifting, running and eating very clean.  He slimmed down, losing about 15 lbs and dropped his cholesterol.  Now I could never insinuate or claim that this cereal will lower your cholesterol because I cannot substantiate the claim with medical studies or trials but in our house… we have all lowered our levels and have seen the benefits.  Now, with all of the fiber you need to be well aware… this is also quite good for your colon health.

Ingredients:

3 cups of wheat bran
2 cups of rolled oats
1 cup of oat bran
3/4 cup of wheat germ
3/4 cup of flax seed meal
1/2 cup of sliced or slivered almonds
1/2 cup of chopped pecans or almonds
1 cup of dried tart cherries (or raisins)
1/2 cup of apricots, chopped
1 cup of dried blueberries
1 scoop of protein powder or Arbonne essentials Vanilla Protein Shake Mix (3 packages of 1.48 ozs)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and then store in a gallon ziploc baggie or tupperware container.  You can keep in your pantry or in your refrigerator (although not necessary).  Serve with milk or atop of your yogurt.

— Knead to Cook