July 18, 2011
One of my all time favorite foods happens to be a true soul food for me. It is cooked lentils. My grandmother always had these ready and on hand. They were a staple in her diet. In Lebanon, where she was from, they call them, Mujadara. It is a healthy meal that is inexpensive and easy to prepare. Here is my grandmother’s recipe, which I have adopted. I make this dish often for my family. Sometimes, I will serve the whole meal Lebanese themed. Add some hummus, tabuleah, falafel and Ezekiel pita bread and you have an entire Lebanese table. This recipe will make 4 servings. But, my family loves this dish so much, that I always have to make a double batch to ensure that everyone gets some! Healthy and delicious lentils
Lebanese Lentils – MujadaraIngredients:- 1 cup of brown lentils – soaked overnight (they will expand to about double)
- ½ cup of brown rice
- 2 yellow onions – peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- Ground Cinnamon to taste
- Ground Cumin to taste
- Garlic powder to taste
- Dehydrated mint leaves – crushed – 1 teaspoon (optional)*
- 3-4 cups of water
- 1-2 vegetable bouillon cubes
Method:- In a large pot, sauté the onions in the olive oil until they are translucent (about 5 minutes).
- Add the lentils and the rice to the onions and sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients and stir well.
- Bring to a boil and lower heat
- Let the lentils simmer for about an hour or until all the liquid is absorbed.
- The lentils should be soft and opened.
- The consistency should a little bit mushy but not watery.
*My grandmother always had dried mint leaves on hand. We used to grow it in the garden and since it grows like a weed, she would take the extra, dry it in the oven and then crush it. She would then give me a little baggie of the crushed mint leaves. I use it to season just about everything. It is a great addition to salads, soups, and lentils! This healthy recipe is a great side dish or can be served as a main dish with salad on the side. My grandmother always served it with a big salad, kalamata olives and pita bread. I was always happy when there were leftovers that I could bring home and eat later. Unfortunately, there were not always leftovers for me to take!
Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
July 16, 2011
Nothing speaks to my tummy more than summer salads. On a warm evening, a light refreshing dinner fits the bill. That is why this salad is so amazing. It will satisfy your appetite while incorporating only healthy, fresh ingredients. The ingredients included in this recipe comprise a complete meal. You will cover all of your nutritional needs: protein, healthy carbs and vegetables. Plus, the dressing and olives are heart healthy. No heavy bloated feeling will lurk after eating this salad. You ...
Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
July 16, 2011
If you love egg salad but, like me (due to allergies), can’t eat eggs, this is a substitute that really closely simulates the real thing. You can put this recipe together in about 5 minutes and it requires no cooking. The mashed tofu gives this salad its texture. It is a high protein food that is low calorie and does not contain the high amounts of cholesterol that is found in egg yolks. It is great for sandwiches or wraps and will hold up for about 3 days or so in the refrigerator (if it l... Continue reading...
Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
June 25, 2011
This recipe is incredible. As a vegan who is allergic to eggs and dairy, I was thrilled to discover this version of quiche. It retains the creamy texture of the real thing but does not leave me with all of the side effects that the original would leave behind. I fed this recipe to my family and they loved it. The next time I make it, I will have to make two! A quick double take and the pie plate went empty. Amazing! It is so tasty and creamy even the biggest skeptics will approve.
Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
June 22, 2011
This is a vegan recipe that is absolutely delicious. It is packed with nutrition. The flavor and texture of a cheesy sauce is what makes it so appealing. Yet, it is completely dairy free and contains no animal products. I make this for my family and even my very picky eaters love it. Serve it over the brown rice pasta of your choice and you have a meal that is filling and completely free of processed foods. Ingredients:- 1 yellow onion – chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic – chopped
- Olive oil
- 4 fresh rip...
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Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
June 22, 2011
One thing that you may miss eating vegan is cheese. I used to devour cheese regularly. I never put together that my bloating, headaches and stomach upset were due to cheese consumption until I tested for allergies and learned I was allergic to dairy products. This recipe will satisfy your hankering for the ultimate comfort food, mac and cheeze without the bloat and other nasty discomforts of dairy. You can serve six with this recipe (or less if you are a really hungry group)! This is a quick mea...
Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
June 22, 2011
These brownies have become a family favorite. They are as close to “raw” brownies as you will get. All of the ingredients are pure and unprocessed. The only difference is that this recipe calls for cooking the brownies in a 200 degree oven. If you prefer, you can dehydrate them in a dehydrator for 4-6 hours at 115 degrees (turning them over about half way through).  No need to miss brownies!Don’t expect an overly sweet brownie when you make these. They are rich in flavor and dense with ch...
Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
June 22, 2011
If you love alfredo, but don’t love the dairy and the massive amount of unhealthy calories it contains, this is the recipe for you. This simple recipe makes a creamy, delicious sauce – alfredo style without the guilt – and its healthy!
The secret ingredient here is cashews. That’s right, cashews! They give the sauce a creamy, rich texture and mild taste. You will feel like you are eating cheese but rest assured, this recipe is completely vegan – no dairy or animal products at all.
Yo... Continue reading...
Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
June 17, 2011
Seitan is seasoned wheat gluten. It is a protein-rich food that is highly nutritious. It can be prepared quickly and easily in a variety of ways. Seitan is not widely known in the West. But, it has been traditionally eaten in wheat growing countries such as Korea, China, Japan, the Middle East and Russia.
Seasoned wheat gluten is associated with religious groups such as Buddhists, Mormons, and Seventh Day Adventists who consume it often. The word Seitan comes from the Japanese and usually ref... Continue reading...
Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
May 29, 2011
This is a recipe adapted from one of the raw food’s biggest guru’s, David Wolfe. During a presentation at a program I attended, he demonstrated making this smoothie. A lucky few of us got to sample it and it was delicious. If you have ever had the privilege of seeing David speak, you know that his enthusiasm and passion explode the room. He will have you searching for natural springs and eating superfoods in no time! There should be more people filled with positive energy like David in th...
Posted by Meadow Summers. Posted In : Recipes
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