This lightening quick, nutritious, delicious, and colorful meal is satisfying on every level. Plus, if you care about such things, the entire enormous bowl is only 300 calories.
Simply heat together 2 handfuls fresh baby greens and an 8 ounce package shirataki noodles. Drain, place in a large bowl, and toss with 1/2 to 1 teaspoon soy sauce, just shy of 2 tablespoons hot chilli oil, fried chilies in oil, or hot chili crisp–available on the International Isle at the grocery store–and an optional dash crushed Sichuan peppercorns to tastw. Heap into a bowl and garnish with a smidge of the hot chili oil or crisp and a few roasted and lightly salted peanuts.
A delicious deck dinner with our dear friend and Aint B to our dogs, Bonnie Mattiko, signals the cusp of summer:
Sichuan Slaw over Stoneground Cheez Grits
I sometimes like a slaw-salad mix that is part shredded cabbage/carrot and part mixed baby greens. The dressing was mayo, artisanal habenero pickle juice (though any sweet or dill juice would be tasty), and hot chili crisp to taste. I purchase the crisp in the Asian foods aisle at Kroger. It is piquant, but not too spicy.
If anyone cares about such things, I found a no- cal mayo that allows me all the delicious dressing I want. Called Walton Farms, I purchase it at Harris Teeter and, while I don’t care for it on its own, I really like it jazzed up with assertive flavors such as this.
I am obsessed with the flavors of a dish called Tofu Braised in Hot Chili Oil at a local restaurant called Judy’s Sichuan. But, I could do without the deep frying of the tofu and the additional oil, as mesmerizing as it is. I have attempted a stir-fried veggie version or two in the past that were unspectacular fails.
But, recently, fellow foodie and friend, Juan Gelpi, introduced me to Sichuan peppercorns. Eureka! The missing flavor. So I started brainstorming and alighted on a non-traditional roasted prep which I love because it is hands-free cleaner, and neater.
I hope you love my tofu-less and non-braised version of Tofu Braised in Hot Chili Oil.
Sichuan Vegetables in Hot Chili Oil with Garlic, Ginger, Scallions, & Peanuts (vegan & plant-based )
Yield: 6 to 8
2 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil 2 teaspoons sesame oil 6 to 8 cups cauliflower, broccoli, or a combination of florets 1 red bell pepper or 1/2 red and 1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch chunks 1 teaspoon sea salt 2 teaspoons ground Sichuan peppercorns (I purchase at Asian grocery) 2 tablespoons Chinese hot chili oil or fried chili crisp (I purchase at Kroger on International aisle) 2 to 3 inches fresh garlic, peeled and thinly sliced on diagonal 4 large cloves garlic, thinly sliced on diagonal 2 scallions, thinly sliced on diagonal 1/2 cup lightly roasted and salted peanuts
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Pour oils into large roasting pan. Add vegetables, toss in oil, sprinkle with salt and Sichuan peppercorns. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring after 10. Remove pan from oven. Increase heat to 450 degrees. Stir remaining ingredients into vegetables, scraping up caramelized bits. Return to oven for 10 minutes, stirring after 5. Crack oven door, turn off heat, and allow to cool to warm. Serve immediately.
Hot Chili Oil is my new obsession. I made this curry as light–and tasty–as possible so I can spoon more of the peanuts in hot chili oil on top.
The dish is a sweet-spicy-salty celebration, both creamy and crunchy.
16 ounces bagged cauliflower hash (Kroger) or riced cauliflower 1-20 ounce can pineapple tidbits in juice (not syrup; do not drain) 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into small chunks 1 green bell pepper, seeded and cut into small chunks 1/4 cup sliced green onions 1-15.5 ounce can lite coconut milk (or regular for more flavor and fat) 2 tablespoons vegan fish sauce or more to taste (sold as vegetarian in Asian markets) 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon Thai red chili paste (e.g. Taste of Thai brand) Sea salt to taste Garnish: lightly roasted and salted peanuts heated with a generous amount of Hot Chili Oil to taste + fresh cilantro Accompaniment: cucumber and onion salad (slice and combine vegetables with rice wine vinegar, sugar/granulated stevia blend/agave and sea salt to taste; I recommend red onion if available)
In a Dutch oven or large soup pot, combine all ingredients except garnishrs and accompaniment. Heat over medium-high until simmering. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or so, stirring frequently, until vegetables are cooked through. Serve garnished with cilantro and peanuts in hot chili oil accompanied by cucumber and onion salad alongside.
Yield: 1 main dish serving, but may also be served as a rich side dish (easily multiplies)
Similar to a loaded baked potato, only with far more juicy flavor, this loaded baked onion is liable to become a staple in your household.
I have never been a breakfast eater–Just give me a chai tea with non-dairy milk and I am good to go–so while I walked each of our dogs for their mile, from 10 until 11, I was contemplating what I might enjoy for an early-ish lunch.
I haven’t been to the grocery store in a bit, so I was also mentally scanning the pantry and fridge as I walked. I wanted something that tasted decadent but was actually quite wholesome. For some reason, I lighted upon a baked onion. My luscious version turned out to be only 300 calories and ready in a snap because I actually cooked it in the microwave and then finished it under the broiler.
It is as addicting as homemade caramelized onion dip, but without the fairly empty calories of potato chips. Win-win!
1 medium yellow onion, peeled, and one quarter inch cut horizontally off top and bottom
Vegetable oil spray
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 small clove garlic minced (about 1/2 teaspoon)
2 tablespoons shredded vegan cheese (I used mozzarella)
1 tablespoon vegan butter (I use a light version that is only 35 calories per tablespoon)
1 tablespoon vegan sour cream
Garnishes: A few pieces sliced green onion, minced parsley, three or so smoked almonds, and a pinch smoked paprika
Spray a gratin dish with vegetable spray, place onion inside, lightly spritz onion with soray, and sprinkle with a hint of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook uncovered in microwave on high setting for 10 minutes. Remove and gently cut an x into top of onion with a serrated or sharp knife, about half way or 3/4 of the way down, being careful not to burn yourself. Preheat broiler. Spoon minced garlic down inside onion and top with shredded cheese. Spritz again with vegetable oil spray and broil two or three minutes or just until top is bubbly and brown. Remove from broiler and top with butter, sour cream, parsley, green onion slices, smoked almonds, and smoked paprika. Serve immediately.
Pantry and fridge staples and about 20 minutes are all you need to put together this creamy, fragrant, addicting, and super healthy dish that is sure to become a “staple.”
2 tablespoons vegan half-and-half (e.g. Silk or Ripple brand)
Optional garnish: lightly roasted and salted cashews
Optional accompaniment: cooked basmati rice
In a large cast iron skillet, bring salted water to a simmer. Add onion, garlic, ginger, and spices, and saute, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender. Add tomatoes and chilies, and heat through. Add spinach and cook, stirring, until spinach is wilted. Add chickpeas and half-and-half, and simmer for 10 minutes or so until flavors are melded. Serve alone or with basmati rice.
I created this addicting dish out of what I had in the refrigerator, but feel free to substitute leeks for onions, kale or chard for spinach, bell peppers or mushrooms for carrots, and so forth.
I use an indoor grill pan, but you can just “griddle” sausages and celery over medium to medium-high heat in a skillet sprayed with non-stick spray for a couple of minutes until they develop color on both sides.
1 medium onion, cut into slivers and caramelized (I saute until most of moisture has been absorbed in 1 cup water with 2 tablespoons liquid aminos, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons monk fruit or brown sugar, 1 teaspoon dark molasses, and 1 teaspoon sea salt) 1 to 2 large cloves garlic, mincef 6 cups loosely packed baby spinach 4 vegan Andouille sausages, halved, grilled on both sides, and sliced 3/4-inch thick 3/4 cup roasted baby tri-color carrots (mushrooms or bell pepper would be fine substitute) 2 stalks celery, halved lengthwise, sprinkled with sea salt, grilled on both sides, and sliced on the diagonal about 3/4-inch thick 1 cup vegetable stock 1/2 cup white wine (I use de-alcoholized Chardonnay) 1 cup vegan half-and-half (I like Silk or Ripple brand) 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
In a large skillet, add to caramelized onions All remaining ingredients and simmer over medium to medium high until a thick sauce develops and luxuriously coats all the other ingredients.
Serve over rice or over my easy, no filler, rice cakes.
Dinner on Friday night was delicious, nutritious, beautiful, and almost more than I could eat…but only 25O calories.
We had considered Chinese takeout, but I didn’t want to get back out after walking the dogs. So with Asian cuisine on my mind, I did a mental scan if what was in the fridge and created this satisfying and beautiful bowl.
Be sure to enjoy it with chopsticks; it is so much more fun that way.
1/2 cup shredded cabbage and carrot slaw mix (12.5 calories)
4 green onions, sliced
1 cup frozen, shelled edamane, thawed (110 calories)
1-8 ounce package Shirataki noodles, rinsed and drained (20 calories)
2 tablespoons vegan Fish Sauce (sold as vegetarian in Asian markets–20 calories)
1 to 2 teaspoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons Blooming Platter Mayo (20 calories)
2 tablespoons Asian Sweet Chili Sauce (60 calories)
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro + 1 spring for garnish
Barely cover the bottom of a large skillet with water. Saute cabbage and green onion, just until slightly tender, but still bright in color. Add edamame and do the same. Add all remaining ingredients in order and heat through, stirring until hot and well-combined. Serve immediately in a bowl garnished with a sprig of cilantro.
Honestly, this filling is a rave and impossibly healthy. Not only is it made with no oil, but no calorie-dense ingredients like nuts. It is made from what virtually everything I make is made from nowadays: riced vegetables, but you would NEVER know it. Rich, thick, and beautifully spiced, this filling can be used in tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and quesadillas or spooned over nachos.
1/2 large yellow onion, diced
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups riced vegetables (I used a hash made of cauliflower, broccoli, and carrot, but any single or combination of these vegetables would work great)
Add water to a large skillet just to cover the bottom. Heat over medium to medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Add riced vegetables and enough water to not quite cover. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender and moisture is mostly evaporated. Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, cilantro, bouillon cube, Adobo Sauce, and sea salt to taste. Stir in cauliflower cheese sauce and heat through. Serve immediately.
Serving note: I love it spooned over a brown rice cake and topped with a dab of vegan sour cream, a spoonful of pico de gallo, and two or three halved cherry tomatoes. A sprig of cilantro would be just right, but I didn’t have any for the photo shoot.