Baked Quinoa and Vegetable with Paneer Cheese

Luscious lightly fried cubes of paneer cheese proves to be an ideal accompaniment to nutty quinoa baked with mixed vegetables and tangy tomatoes. Included are some aromatic spices and hot chili pepper for a bit of warming heat. I usually keep my dairy consumption to a minimum, but there are times when the craving for paneer becomes too much to resist. And if I make a paneer dish, I always must invite my best friend Basil for dinner, as it is one of his favorites. It turned out to be a satisfying, filling and nourishing meal that I will be sure to make again.

Homemade Baked Chickpea Falafel

Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern street food that is popular in the West too. I've never found that restaurants in my city offering falafel satisfy my craving for these little bites, so what to do except make my own. Typically deep-fried and sometimes made with chickpeas that have been soaked for at least 12 hours but that aren't cooked before using, I always prefer cooking my chickpeas. I bake them rather than frying for a healthier alternative. They really are easy to make. All you need is a food processor, a baking sheet, and a bit of patience shaping them into little balls of goodness. They are not as crispy as the deep-fried version, but I really prefer the texture and goodness of baked falafel without all the grease and fuss. I also like to spice mine up for extra flavor.

Chia Muffins {Vegan}

Muffins are a great way to start the day, especially if you are in a rush and need to get out the door quickly. They can also be a healthy and satisfying between-meal snack. These muffins contain very little sugar in addition to coconut, the goodness of chia seeds — that also adds a pleasant texture — and tangy lemon. Even if you are not a baker, muffins are virtually foolproof, so long as you follow a few basic principles. Always measure the dry and wet ingredients separately, and take care not to overmix your batter as the muffins won't rise properly if overmixed — instead of light and airy muffins, you'll end up with disappointingly dense muffins.

Mor Kali (Savory Fried Rice Flour Buttermilk Porridge)

Mor Kali is a traditional South Indian dish that comes together in hardly any time at all. No chopping required. It's delicious served just as is when cut into squares and makes for a healthy and easy breakfast. It can also be served for lunch, as a snack or side dish. Somewhat gooey and tangy, the spices really kick up the flavor here. It rather reminded me of a set porridge or mashed potatoes, though this is really quite a unique dish. I've made it before, but this time I did more research and it came out better than the first time I made it. Traditionally, it is made with buttermilk, but I used full fat yogurt instead.

Chickpea Flour Scramble

If chickpea flour isn't already an essential ingredient in your pantry, you should start adding it. Made by grinding raw chickpeas, the protein and nutrient rich flour binds much better than most other gluten-free flours — even without eggs or oils — making it a versatile ingredient in vegan baking.

One of the most interesting examples of the versatility of chickpea flour is that, by combining it with water and a little baking powder, it can be used as a beaten egg itself. I have lost the taste for eggs themselves, but with chickpea flour I can make a simple and quick vegan "scrambled eggs" with all the taste and texture of the scrambled eggs that I used to enjoy all the time years ago.

Quick and Easy Rice Dosa

I adore Indian flatbreads and this easy dosa recipe goes so well with any spicy legume dish or even just some chutney for a light lunch. Unlike many dosa recipes, this one does not need much fermenting time and very little time in the skillet. The texture is light and fluffy, and they are just heavenly. They do keep well for a few days if kept in the refrigerator and all you have to do is gently reheat them.

Oat and Peanut Butter Energy Nibbles

I'm a peanut butter addict, and also a big fan of raw treats and little bites. These easy-to-make raw peanut butter and oat balls are a great source of protein and a good healthy snack besides. They are not too sweet, with only a small amount of maple syrup and coconut sugar added, along with some dried cherries and some extra dark chocolate. You may want to have more than just a few nibbles, but they are surprising filling if you only just have one little ball.

Baked Quinoa Brie Cakes with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

As much as I enjoy vegan meals, there are times when only cheese will do. Paneer, creamy goat cheese, brie, feta and extra old Cheddar are just a few of my favorites. Here brie is incorporated with some grain to make some baked savory cakes served with some basil pesto.

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Filling and Ganache - Vegan

Surely this is the most divine layered cake I have made yet. I made it for Christmas, but it has been sitting in my draft folder since. I don't eat eggs, so I adapt baked goods to suit my preferences. Moist, sweet, but not overly so, and it is vegan, though you would not know if I didn't tell you. The cake is not too difficult to make either, and the result, well try it and taste.

Best-Ever Cream of Tomato Soup

I don't ordinarily take to using the "best-ever" label lightly unless something is really exceptional, but I've made this cream of tomato soup now on a few occasions for family and friends and no one can get enough of it. My husband in particular grew up eating canned cream of tomato soup with toast for one of his favorite snacks or lunches, so he ought to know … if this isn't the "best-ever" cream of tomato soup, it sure must be close!

The depth of tomato flavor in this soup is incredible, and enhanced by a generous helping of sweet peppery fresh basil, a few dashes of dried herbs, a light seasoning of cumin and paprika or chili powder spices, and just one fresh jalapeño for the gentlest bit of kick. But what I really like about this cream of tomato soup is that the cream comes from coconut milk and a paste made from cashews and nutritional yeast, making the soup not only vegan but also a fair source of protein — not something that you could expect from a can of tomato soup!

Mung Beans with Fresh Mustard Greens

This simple and spicy mung bean dish is my second foray into cooking with mustard greens. I've quite fallen in love with the fresh peppery flavor of these greens since I recently discovered them in a local Asian supermarket. Rather as though fresh chard leaves were infused with a little hot mustard, they're a delicious snacking green on their own but add texture and a zesty warmth to cooked bean dishes as well. And they combine wonderfully with the medley of hot and aromatic Indian seasonings and spices in these creamy mung beans.

Spicy Thai Pumpkin Noodle Soup

I came to Thai cooking many years later after mastering Indian cooking, but now I enjoy the vivid and unique hot, sweet and sour fragrances and flavors of Thai soups and curries almost as much. I keep a jar of homemade vegetarian Thai red curry paste on hand in the refrigerator at all times to make putting soups like these together a snap.

Like most of my Thai soups, this soup features mushrooms — mushrooms are a favorite of mine and taste delicious swimming in a spicy coconut milk broth — but also rice noodles for texture and heartiness. Pumpkin purée added to the broth lends sweetness and a depth of flavor to make this soup the kind that your guests will go back for seconds.

Skillet Potato Salad with Fresh Basil and Cilantro

Potato salads are always popular no matter the time of year, but when the temperatures are soaring, as is the case currently in southwestern Ontario, salads are clearly in order. As this one is free of dairy, it makes for a good choice to take on a picnic or potluck if you are so inclined. The unique aspect of this salad is that the potatoes are slow cooked until crisp after some soaking time and then tossed with an aromatic blend of roasted coriander and cumin seeds. Blend up the roasted seeds, toss the cooked potatoes with the spices, some orange juice, fresh herbs and seasoning, and you are all set. It is an attractive salad too especially if a selection of colorful fingerling potatoes are used. No need to peel them either.

Raw Nut and Seed Chocolate Chunk Mint Energy Balls

Raw homemade nut and seed treats are perfect little bundles of protein, good fats, fiber and other mineral nutrients that can keep you going between meals or at any time of day. In fact, I can't say anything against them … they're easy to make, keep for a long time, and taste absolutely delicious.

Strawberry-Blueberry Breakfast Casserole

I admit to a special affection for breakfast recipes that can be prepared the night before to make the morning meal as simple a job as pouring a bowl of cold cereal. And I have an even greater affection for fresh strawberries and blueberries, which makes this easy strawberry-blueberry breakfast casserole an object of affections indeed!

Sweet local strawberries are in season now and they are certainly available in abundance. Now I don't eat eggs, but my husband does enjoy them, so this casserole was for him as it contains loads of eggs, milk, cream cheese and bread along with the berries making this breakfast casserole go a long way during the day, and it's a perfect solution for feeding a family or morning guests — they'll certainly be enticed by the smells as the casserole bakes in the morning. Leftovers can also easily be wrapped in aluminum foil, stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days, and reheated in the oven.

Blueberry Pineapple Smoothie

Adding nuts and dried grain flakes like oats to fruit smoothies makes them not only a quick, simple and tasty breakfast solution but also a nourishing one that will provide you with the protein and fat energy to keep you going in the morning. Blueberries and pineapple are a surprisingly delicious combination of sweetness and tartness, but add any fruits or combination of fruits that suits your morning fancies.

No-Bake Blueberry Bars

The advent of blazing southwestern Ontario summer heat means that it's time to enjoy refrigerated treats and the refreshing taste of summer berries … or better yet, refrigerated berry treats! I'm especially partial to blueberries and wholesome and nourishing raw treats, so these two-layer no-bake raw blueberry bars combine the best of both worlds. Chewy, cool and refreshing, these are perfect bars to keep on hand in the refrigerator or to pack into a picnic cooler on hot days.

Creamy Spinach with Mung Beans

The fresh and wholesome taste of green mung beans was one of the great revelations to me when I started cooking Indian vegetarian food more than two decades ago. Light, refreshing, nourishing and slightly starchy in flavor, mung beans are a colorful and delicious platform for dry curries using spices, ginger, coconut and vegetables. The fact that they cook up more quickly than most whole beans is a bonus for cooks in a hurry.

This mung bean and spinach curry makes for an easy and light but complete and filling delicious meal when served with fresh cook white rice — or a fragrant saffron rice as I have done here. Cooked with a ginger, tomato, coconut and an assortment of spices, the curry has a complex layering of flavors that belie the simplicity of putting it together. It's a fine curry to serve at any time of year.

How to Freeze Grapes

For those who adore fruit, frozen grapes are quite a treat. Slightly firmer on the outside than the flesh beneath the skin, the grapes maintain a crunchy texture with the added bonus of an extra burst of sweetness and chill — snacking on a few of these is like having a couple of bites of refreshing sorbet on a warm summer day. A snap to prepare, frozen grapes keep well for a good few months in a sealed bag. Not only are frozen grapes a sweet standalone snack or feature on an appetizer plate, they also happen to be a delicious addition to smoothies. Be sure to serve some up in yogurt or a bowl of granola. You many also wish to consider using frozen grapes in recipes calling for frozen berries and fruits.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Many of us might feel the need for a protein boost from time to time to boost our strength or reserves. Protein bars are an easy and efficient way to get this boost, but if you're like me you might find not only that store-bought protein bars are expensive but that most of them don't really taste all that great — kinda funny, in fact, even if the strange taste is tolerable.

South Indian Squash Poriyal

Poriyals or palyas are spicy South Indian sautéed vegetable dishes, quite often featuring grated coconut. They are easy to prepare and a perfect choice for a meal calling out for a side vegetable dish. This poriyal is especially simple to make and delightfully sweet and spicy. I went with acorn squash for this dish, but any winter squash would work equally as well. Consider using pumpkin chunks when it's available locally.

Sun-Dried Tomato Coconut Quinoa and Bean Burgers

Creating and making different dishes stimulates the creative part of me and keeps me interested in working in the kitchen. We all must eat to survive, and that being so, it is beneficial to focus, keeping a positive and open mind when planning and implementing meals for the week. Why shouldn't we be mindful of the fuel that nourishes our body?

My Legume Love Affair #105 roundup

It was my turn to host MLLA for March. This month I only have a short roundup to showcase, but the recipes are all worth considering. I'm always looking for guest hosts, so please do send me a message if you would like to host. I've spots for this year open. Thanks to everyone who participated this time around.

Fennel and Chickpea Curry

submitted by The VegHog. Chickpeas star here with onion, garlic, chilies, purple carrots, fennel, garam masala, turmeric and coconut cream. Serve with rice and you have a nourishing and complete vegetarian meal.

Slow Cooker Miso Molasses Baked Beans

from Janet of The Taste Space. I've a weakness for baked beans and these ones are made in a slow cooker and feature navy beans, miso, molasses, cider vinegar, tamari, mustard, garlic, ginger and paprika. Serve with some toast or if you please Jamaican patties, roasted sweet potato and a Chinese sweet and sour sauce and you are in for a fine meal.

Black Kale and Chickpea Pot Pies

from Shaheen of Allotment 2 Kitchen. Another thing I have been craving is pot pie. This wonderful creation all wrapped up in puff pastry is made up of onion, garlic, celery, carrots, black kale, chestnut mushrooms and chickpeas. Bake and enjoy.

Creamy Chickpea Flour Peanut Butter Maple Fudge

is my contribution this time around. It's vegan and is made with chickpea flour, peanut butter, coconut butter and oil, maple syrup, some coconut sugar, cardamon, vanilla and toasted sesame seeds. I really think this is the best fudge I have ever made.

Ali of Fix Me a Little Lunch is hosting for April. Do check her post to join in the fun.

Creamy Chickpea Flour Peanut Butter Maple Fudge

It seems each time a try a different approach to vegan-friendly fudge, I declare that a new favorite has been born. I used to think dairy was pretty essential to a rich and decadent fudge, but I've since discovered otherwise. In fact, this chickpea flour fudge is reminiscent of maple fudge — the richness comes from the addition of coconut butter and oil and the maple syrup. However, it's nearly guilt-free, because everything in there is good for you and more forgiving to your waistline. You really only need a small piece to satisfy that craving for the richness that sometimes only a piece of fudge will satisfy.

Spicy Brown Lentil Soup with Broccoli

The temperatures are slowly rising, the birds are chirping, and there are even signs of wildflowers starting to bloom in the backyard. All the same, soup still makes frequent appearances on my table and soups are even better when paired with salads, so you get the best of both worlds. Lentils feature so well in soups and broccoli adds vegetable goodness to a spicy and aromatic broth. Nourishing and warming, and really easy to prepare, this might become a favorite soup to grace your tables too.

Apricot Almond Energy Bites

Raw energy nibbles are frequently on hand in my kitchen. Easy to make up, all kinds of varieties and combinations can be used to make up healthy bites that make for a good accompaniment to breakfast or for a snack when a little burst of energy is needed. Dried fruits, nuts and seeds are always a good choice, and all three feature in this easy and forgiving recipe.

Since I find myself munching on dried apricots frequently throughout the day, along with small handfuls of almonds, I decided to combine the two. I added some orange juice for a subtle citrus-y undertone the complements the nutty sweetness of the other ingredients. I couldn't resist adding some fine dark chocolate into the mix too.

My Legume Love Affair #105 - March 2017

I'm pleased yet again to be hosting My Legume Love Affair. This ongoing event was started by lovely Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook, and passed over to me to administer. Great thanks for the support other bloggers have shown by sharing recipes and guest hosting.

Legumes are a mainstay of my vegetarian diet and I never tire of finding new ideas.

To join in the fun, all you need to do is prepare a legume-centric dish. Link back to this announcement, my blog and also Susan's blog, as she is the original founder of the event. Share your creation using the linky tool at the end of this post by the end of the month. Use of the lovely logo, designed by Susan, is optional, but appreciated.

Only one entry per blogger please and it must be vegetarian. Recipes from archives will only be accepted if reposted and updated with the links required.

For your dish to be included in the roundup, it must contain more than just a few tablespoons of legumes. The slight exception to this are legumes such as fenugreek or tamarind that typically are used in smaller quantities. Fresh or dried beans, lentils, pulses, and the sometimes edible pods that contain these seeds, and derivative products such as tofu or besan, along with fenugreek, carob, and peanuts are all acceptable. The possibilities are endless. Please just ensure that your shining ingredient is in fact a member of the legume family. All types of cuisines and courses are welcome, meaning appetizers, sides, mains and desserts are all acceptable so long as the mighty legume is the key ingredient.

I look forward to your creations. And as always, if you would be interested in guest hosting this event, please let me know. I have spots for this year open.

Vegan Morning Glory Muffins

Not all of us greet the morning as a glorious occasion, but these muffins live up to the promise of a glorious morning and are sure to brighten even the most dismal awakenings. Delectably moist and spiced up like a pumpkin pie, lots of textures and flavors are present in these multi-layered bites of goodness. Nutty undertones mingle with the aromatic spices, while the natural sweetness of the fruit and pumpkin tantalizes the palate in a gentle and soothing way. Walnuts add a bit of crunch to complete the experience. Each small bite is a delight. Serving one up with a cup of tea or coffee is a healthy way to start your morning or enjoy for a morning or afternoon snack.

Complimented by nutty undertones and natural sweetness from the fruit, these beauties are moist with a bit of earthy crunch from walnuts, natural sweetness from pineapple, apple, raisins and coconut.

Homemade Fruit and Nut Maple Granola

There is nothing quite like homemade granola as I can now assert with confidence, having finally made my own. It's not something I eat all that often, but it does make for a healthy treat, quick breakfast or travel along snack. Granola is especially delightful served up with a good helping of almond milk or yogurt and topped with fresh berries. It's a fine way to enjoy a generous serving of fiber, protein and essential nutrients too.

Creamy Peanut Butter Chickpea & Squash Curry

Though I embrace nearly every legume with open arms and a hungry tummy, my pantry being a concrete overflowing testament to that statement, if I absolutely had to choose a favorite, say a desert island essential, I would say buttery soft, plump, and infinitely versatile chickpeas are always a consideration when it comes to meal planning.

No-Bake Trail Mix Energy Bites

My approach to eating is to focus on small balanced meals and wholesome snacks and treats that can be enjoyed throughout the day. I always focus on variety and quality ingredients to ensure that my digestive system is not overly taxed and additionally that I'm getting a wide range of nutrients from different sources.

This brings me to these little trail mix bites that are easy to prepare and packed right full of protein. You really only need one to provide a boost of energy.

They travel well on the trail, are well suited to take along for an addition to lunch, or just enjoyed when you are wanting a snack right inside when it's too miserable to want to go on a trek. It's always such a challenge to find anything decently nourishing and healthy to purchase when on a road trip, but if you plan ahead, it won't be necessary to stop for snacks.

Potato Patties Stuffed with Spiced Mushrooms and Green Peas

Potatoes are always a nourishing and comforting choice to serve up for dinner, and when they are shaped into heavenly patties with a mushroom and pea filling, complete with fresh dill and spices, and then baked or fried and topped with velvety tomato chutney, culinary bliss ensues. These were served up as a side, but honestly, if that was all I was going to eat for my evening meal, I would have been completely satisfied. Slightly crisp on the outside and soft inside, these succulent little bites were inspired by my potato patties stuffed with spiced green peas (aloo mattar tikki).

Hearty Vegetarian Beet Borscht with Lentils, Quinoa and Fresh Dill

Pretty much anytime I serve up a hearty bowl of borscht, I am again convinced it is one of the healthiest and most comforting soups to be enjoyed during the winter months. However, I enjoy it so much that I would never refuse a bowl, no matter the time of year.

I've prepared borscht on many occasions, but this recent vegetarian version of the Eastern European classic might just be a new favorite. The mighty beet is necessarily present, along with other earthy vegetables and some lentils and nutty quinoa to fill everything out. Dill was also a must for it's slightly sweet and bitter flavor, and included are also beet greens wilted in because I was fortunate to get a healthy bunch on top of the beets. To keep the theme vegan, I served up each bowl with a healthy dollop of cashew cream rather than sour cream. It's truly a meal in itself, but do serve with some chunks of crusty bread to fill things out even more if desired.

Savory Corn Fritters {Vegan}

Paring down the cookbook shelves has its advantages. As much as it pains me to let go of books, cookbooks or otherwise, so often the experience is one of renewal and discovery. I looked through books that I hadn't opened for a while, salvaged some recipes from those marked for the donation pile, and managed to make room for the ones that I truly cherish. My brain was buzzing with inspiration. I was discovering recipes I had nearly forgotten about, others just waiting to be enjoyed again, and new ideas to try.

These savoury pancakes I rediscovered in one of the first vegetarian cookbooks that ever occupied a space on my shelf. I have adapted the recipe over the years to make it my own, but as corn appears only occasionally on the menu, these moist, almost melt-in-your-mouth fritters hadn't been served up for a quite a long time. Usually they were paired with a zesty and chunky black bean and feta salsa. The corn kernels in these fritters provides a bit of a crunch, along with the grainy cornmeal, with some underlying tanginess from the sun-dried tomatoes and some heat from spices and hot chilies. Serve these up for dinner or enjoy for brunch.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Teff Cookies

Teff is one of the smallest and oldest known grains on the planet, and it sure is one of the mightiest. Native to Ethiopia, teff is used in a wide variety of ways, enjoyable just cooked up as is into a porridge, shaped into savory cakes, incorporated into soups, or ground into a flour and made into spongy injera breads to be served up with a variety of legume and vegetable dishes — or, as in this case, as a feature of sweeter creations. Teff is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, iron, calcium and protein.