Month: May 2020

Vegan Broccoli Pasta

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This recipe is a deliciously creamy. and my son said that it was a TEN!! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! And please, if you make a recipe on my blog, please, tag @itsapegslife in your pic on Instagram or Facebook!

Vegan Broccoli Pasta

  • 12 oz pasta (whatever kind you would like)
  • Sauce Ingredients:
  • 1 cup cashews
  • 2 large garlic cloves
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons white miso paste
  • 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 3/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Trader Joe’s sun dried tomatoes (add to your liking)
  • 3 cups broccoli
  • 12 oz. button mushrooms (optional)
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper
  • red pepper flakes (optional)

Cook the pasta according to the instructions. Set aside.

In the meantime, make the creamy cashew sauce. Place cashews (see tip for cashews below), garlic cloves, nutritional yeast, miso paste, salt, Dijon mustard and almond milk in a high speed blender and process until smooth. Add Vegetable broth, corn starch, lemon juice and sun dried tomatoes.

Cut broccoli into small florets and slice mushrooms, cook in a bit of vegetable broth in a large pan about 10 min.

Add cashew sauce to the sauted broccoli and mushroom mix.

Cook about 10 minutes to thicken.

Stir in the cooked pasta or serve sauce on the top of pasta. Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes. Enjoy!

Vegan Thai Coconut Quinoa Bowls

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I LOVED this recipe. There were so many different flavors on my tastebuds that every bite was a little different. The coconut quinoa was some good vegan comfort food. This recipe is taken from one of my favorite blogs called fitfoodiefinds.com. I adapted it for an oil free version. Also, don’t get overwhelmed by all of the cooking steps! It just creates more opportunity for family to help you in the kitchen. Make it a family event and it will be quick and easy :).

Prep Time: 40 minutes Bake Time: 30 minutes

COCONUT QUINOA

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 15-oz. can full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

To prepare the quinoa RINSE WELL, place coconut milk, water, maple syrup, and quinoa in a sauce pan and bring it to a boil over high heat.

Next, turn the heat to low, cover the saucepan and let the quinoa cook for about 20 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked.

ROASTED SWEET POTATOES

  • 2 large sweet potatoes and or yams, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • Spritz with a little bit of water
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground pepper
  1. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Then, place diced sweet potatoes on a large baking sheet and spritz with water. Toss to fully coat.
  2. Then, season with minced garlic, salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
  3. Roast sweet potatoes at 400ºF for 25-30 minutes.

PURPLE CABBAGE SLAW

  • 1 cup purple cabbage, sliced
  • 1 cup shelled edamame (if you don’t have shelled edamame, you can use shelled like I did and spread them on top)
  • 1 large red pepper, sliced
  • 1 large carrot, cut into thin sticks
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  1. Place purple cabbage, edamame, carrot, and red pepper in a bowl. Set aside.
  2. Make dressing by whisking together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce, maple syrup, grated ginger, and salt.
  3. Then, toss veggies in dressing. Set aside.

PEANUT SAUCE

  • 2.5 tablespoons all-natural peanut butter
  • 2.5 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  1. To make peanut sauce, place all ingredients into a medium bowl or jar and mix together to combine.

TOPPINGS

  • 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
  • squeeze of lime juice
  • Black sesame seeds, to toast

ASSEMBLY

  1. Evenly distribute the coconut quinoa, sweet potatoes, and coleslaw into four bowls or meal prep containers.
  2. Drizzle with peanut sauce if eating immediately and top with cilantro, chopped peanuts, a lime wedge, and more black sesame seeds.

Vegan Alfredo Sauce–SO YUM

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Vegan alfredo sauce?? What the what?? This vegan alfredo is bomb!! Try it! It would be even better with homemade pasta!

Vegan Alfredo Sauce

  • 1 white onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 bag cauliflower rice (see note)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 3/4 c. cashews (soaked overnight or boiled for 20 minutes)

Heat a bit of water in a medium size pot over medium high heat. Add the onion and let it cook for 3-4 minutes, or until it is soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for one minute. Add the cauliflower and vegetable broth to the pot, Cook until cauliflower is done–about 10 – 15 minutes until it is done.

Transfer cauliflower mix to a heavy duty blender, like a Vetamix, and add remaining ingredients, mix from low speed to high. Blend until creamy. Transfer this back into the medium sized pot and heat for a few minutes until it is hot. Service on your favorite pasta. Enjoy!

Note: This is the cauliflower rice I like to buy at Costco. It works great for this recipe.

Hearty Lunch Salad Ideas

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One of the things that I love to have for lunch is a hearty salad. It just makes my body feel good when I nourish it with some good veggies for lunch. You can get creative with your own salad to use up leftovers you have in the refrigerator. I want to share just a few of my favorite combinations today.

Mexican Salad

Ingredients:

  • Spring mix
  • Baked sweet potato, cut into chunks
  • Black beans or pinto beans
  • Avocado
  • Salsa
  • Brown Rice

Layer ingredients in a bowl and enjoy. This is one of my favorite combinations. If you have a little cashew cream, that is a delicious addition as well. Just drizzle it on the top. No need to add dressing to this salad. It’s delicious with all of these wholesome salad toppings.

Mediterranean Salad

Ingredients:

  • Spring mix
  • Artichoke hearts
  • Avocado
  • Slivered almonds
  • Garbanzo beans
  • Lupini beans

These are the Lupini beans that I like to use and they are delicious for snacking too. They are very flavorful and again, no need for dressing. They flavors together are delicious. I would love your feedback if you try these salads. Please tag me @itsapegslife.com if you instagram a recipe made from my blog. Enjoy 🙂