Here are the best cozy soup recipes for the season… They are easy, delicious, and healthy.
Soup, Soup, Soup… It is repetition worthy
Soup is the most amazing food. Honestly, soup has saved me on many an occasion. If I have a big pot of soup sitting in my fridge, I’m good. It means I have food for when I’m hangry. Or for when someone just drops by. Or for when I feel a bout of gluttony coming on while I’m watching The Great British Baking Show. If I have a big bowl of healing soup instead of let’s say… cake… I am so much better off.
If you follow me on Instagram then you already know I can be obsessed with certain food groups or preparations. Soup is a happy obsession. Pasta is another one… but that’s a post for another day. There are plenty of worse things than cooking and making way too much soup. Don’t get me started on that though…
There are two types of soup eaters. Those who like a thin, delicate soup and those who feel it should be more like a stew and the thicker and heartier the better. I am part of each. Steve, on the other hand, needs his soup to be more like a Stoup, if I may borrow that word from Rachael Ray. When I worked at Food Network for a stint, I thought that word was so corny, but now I find myself actually using it in sentences. I guess I’ve evolved. Thanks Rachael.
Anyway, this list of the Best Cozy Soup Recipes includes both types. Because diversity is always good. I always like to switch things up. So if you think you only like thick soups, try making a thinner one. And if you always make brothier soups, go for one with a thicker consistency sometimes. These recipes are easy enough so you can make several of them. Or all of them. So go for it.
What makes a good soup?
Well, taste, obviously is the number one factor. Duh. But there’s so much more than that. To earn a spot on this best cozy soup recipes list, it’s got to be more than tasty. It has to have a great mouth feel. And it has to have healing ingredients, be kind to my digestive system, and be nice to look at. It also has to have some textural complexity. Some of my favorite great soups are made exceptional by the addition of amazing toppings. Kind of like what makes a smoothie bowl good. But then again, this is nothing like a smoothie bowl, but my point is that it can be all about the toppings if you want it to be.
Here’s my list of the Best Cozy Soup Recipes…
These recipes are mostly dairy-free, grain-free, and easy to make. Remember, it’s only soup, not rocket science. Change up the recipes as you see fit. You do you and have it your way. All of these soups are healing and in each recipe I describe the healing ingredients and how they can help you out. There are no bad choices here.
This one is comfort food to the max. I love to serve it with dairy-free quesadillas made with grain-free wraps. Or, with sourdough croutons. It doesn’t sound decadent, but it is.
This soup came to be when I was craving burgers and dogs but it wasn’t the season to be standing outside at the grill yet. This one will make you feel like a kid again. Or still.
One of the first soups I learned to make was black bean soup. It was good way back then and it’s still good now. I like to top mine with scallions, dairy-free cheese, and some avocado. Oh, and if you add a dollop of dairy-free yogurt, it takes it to a whole other creaminess level. So there’s that.
This soup is a mashup between chicken soup and onion soup. The broth is like an onion soup broth but the ingredients in the soup are like those found in a more traditional chicken soup. It is so healing.
I don’t like to play favorites. But as I sit here and write this post now, this one is my baby. Beets are like magic. They are one of the most healing foods and this soup calls my name loudly. I just love it.
This is one of the most flavorful soups around. It’s warming and cozy and just plain delicious. Make it vegan by substituting cauliflower for the chicken if that makes you happy.
Let me know which one is your favorite. My recipes are always a work in progress, so I love any and all feedback. Pick one or two and make them now. Make a big pot and keep it in your fridge for the week. Maybe soup will save you too.
This Healthy Babaganoush recipe is fresh, smoky, creamy, and just plain delicious. This will become your new go-to dip for barbecues, picnics, and everything in between.
Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables. And eggplant dips… well, I just love them. I guess that’s why babaganoush has always been a go-to dip for me. But, I never used to make it myself. I’d buy it at a Mediterranean restaurant or a deli, or wherever I could find it. For some reason, I had no problem making my own hummus, but when it came to making a Healthy Babaganoush, I never gave it a second thought.
And then I tried it.
And it was awesome.
And I saw how easy it is.
Really. It couldn’t be easier. Roast the eggplant. Put everything in the food processor. Whiz it up. Done. Sooooooo good…
Everyone needs an easy go-to dip in their cooking repertoire. This is it. There are only a few ingredients and the processor does the heavy lifting… and it’s good for you!
My sister-in-law’s family used to own a restaurant and they made the best babaganoush. So every time we’d go to their house, I would hope that there would be a big bowl of this creamy eggplant dip on the table. Sometimes I lucked out lo and behold it would be there. I’m not sure why I never attempted to make this on my own… usually, if I like something I make it myself, especially if it’s something simple. This dip always tasted so good that I guess I never realized how easy it is to make it myself. I feel like I have a big “L” on my forehead for not having realized this until now. Oh well, better late than never.
So, don’t be like me… make it now. You won’t be sorry.
My favorite thing to dip in this Healthy Babaganoush is big fat homemade sourdough croutons — I almost always have these on hand. And radishes… it’s so good with radishes…
In Chinese medicine, we use eggplant to help reduce inflammation, lessen pain, and smooth your digestion. Isn’t it awesome when healthy food is actually really delicious?What an awesome way to use food as medicine.
Here are some of the healing ingredients in this Healthy Babaganoush recipe:
In eastern medicine, eggplant is added to the diet when there is pain in the body because it’s great for relieving pain and reducing swelling. It’s especially good to eat eggplant when you are experiencing some nasty digestive issues. It relieves stomach pain, helps with dysentery, diarrhea, and painful urinary conditions. Eggplant has also been used topically to treat frostbite and canker sores… talk about a multi-tasking vegetable…
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….
Sesame seeds have many great nutritional benefits. They are an anti-aging food. If you have backaches, hair thats graying way too fast, ringing in the ears, weak knees, blurry vision or general weakness, go for the sesame seeds; just sprinkle them on everything. Long ago in China, sesame seeds were ground into honey to form a paste and was taken as a medicine to counter old-age and weakness. Black sesame seeds are a Chinese herb (Hei Zhi Ma). Black foods, in Chinese medicine, are knows as longevity foods. This recipe uses tahini sauce, which is a paste made from sesame seeds and oil (I buy this read-made in a can or a jar).
Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better. Lemons are great for quenching your thirst, and, in China, many years ago, hypertension was treated by drinking tea made from lemon peels.
This Healthy Babaganoush is the creamiest, most deliciously smoky eggplant dip -- and it's so easy to make.
Ingredients
2 medium eggplants, sliced in half vertically
3 medium garlic cloves, minced
juice of one large lemon
¼ cup tahini
salt, to taste
⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 2-Tbs to rub on the eggplant prior to roasting
pinch of cumin
pinch of smoked paprika (or traditional paprika), optional
chopped cilantro or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 450°F or 425°F if using a convection setting.
Rub the cut sides of the eggplant with the 2-Tbs oil.
Place the eggplant, flesh-side down, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast in the oven until very soft, about 50 minutes.
When soft, scoop the eggplant flesh into a food processor.
Add the rest of the ingredients (except the paprika) into the processor with the eggplant. Whiz it up until creamy, but not watery. I like to leave a few small chunks in mine.
Sprinkle the top with paprika and cilantro or parsley.
Spoon it into a pretty bowl, and enjoy with croutons, bread, or veggies.
These Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies are so delicious… nobody will guess that they are grain-free and dairy-free!
I was never one of those people who had real true chocolate cravings. Honestly, I never understood it when people said they needed chocolate and they needed it fast. And then, last week, I had a chocolate craving… hmm. It wasn’t all-encompassing, but it was a definite strong desire for something chocolate. And nothing else would do. So, I looked through my recipes. What could I make that I had all of the ingredients on hand for? What could I make that was simple. I didn’t want to mess around with cake pans and pie tins.
So, these Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies were born. Out of a chocolate need.
You should know, baking does not come naturally to me. It’s not like I have it in my skillset to just start creating a cookie recipe. I am not equipped with enough baking knowledge to know the ratios of flours to sugars to everything else. So, I started perusing my favorite food blogs to get some ideas. I want to give thanks to Arman at The Big Mans World — I worked off of his ratios in his awesome recipe for Paleo Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies.
Maybe one day I’ll be able to experiment with cookie baking independently, but for now I’ll save the complete and total experimenting to my cooking and I’ll look to the experts for the baking… it certainly worked out well here in this recipe for Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies.
I learned long ago that my digestion runs so much better without any grains at all. If you think you are one of these people, I urge you to remove grains from your diet and see how you feel. Digestion is my baby — it’s what got me into this work. I wrote an ebook on it… you can download it below for free now.
Here are some of the amazing healing ingredients in this recipe for Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies:
I used almond flour in this recipe. In Chinese medicine, nuts are known to be good for your brain, heart, skin and reproductive system. Almonds are particularly nutritious. They are a good source of protein and they give you energy. And, they are gluten free and make the best grain free flour! Almonds will help relieve a cough and asthma and are also good for constipation.
Raw cacao is a superfood. It is packed with magnesium, iron, zinc and other minerals. Not only is it packed with health benefits, but it actually has properties that help the body absorb nutrients better and it’s filled with antioxidants. Cacao can actually be translated as “food of the gods”… Raw cacao can help lower blood pressure, promote healthy heart function, improve digestion, and may even help increase the libido.
Sesame seeds have many great nutritional benefits. This recipe calls for tahini (sesame paste). These seeds are an anti-aging food. If you have backaches, hair thats graying way too fast, ringing in the ears, weak knees, blurry vision or general weakness, go for the sesame seeds; just sprinkle them on everything. Long ago in China, sesame seeds were ground into honey to form a paste and was taken as a medicine to counter old-age and weakness. Black sesame seeds are a Chinese herb (Hei Zhi Ma). Black foods, in Chinese medicine, are knows as longevity foods. This recipe uses tahini, which is a paste made from sesame seeds and oil (I buy this ready-made in a can or a jar).
Peanuts, contrary to what some believe, are actually good for many things in your body. I don’t often let myself eat them because they sometimes contain mold and it’s really hard to find reasonably priced organic healthy peanuts. But, these popular nuts are great for lessening edema; they act like a diuretic. They can also help you if you have insomnia or if you are breast feeding. An old-time remedy is to made peanut tea and drink it for bed to promote sleep. And, peanut shells used to be used to help with high blood pressure.
In Chinese medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. These cookies contain coconut flour, coconut oil, and coconut sugar.
5 Tbs non-dairy milk (I used oat milk, but be aware that oats are a grain so if you want to keep these cookies completely grain-free, use almond milk, or hemp milk.)
¼ cup roughly chopped walnuts
½ cup plus 2 Tbs dark chocolate chips
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut flour, coconut sugar, cacao powder, and baking soda and whisk until well mixed.
In a small bowl, stir together the tahini, peanut butter (I melted mine a bit in the microwave to make it easier), coconut oil, egg, and oat milk.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips.
Form the dough into golf-ball-size balls (I got 13 balls out of mine) and arrange them on the lined baking sheet, leaving as much space between them as possible. Gently press down to form cookies -- I used my fingers, but you can use the bottom of a glass or a fork.
Bake 15 mins or until the edges are starting to crisp up a bit. Remove the pan to a rack to cool for a bit. Then, when the cookies are mostly cooked, use a spatula to place the individual cookies on the rack to cool. Eat some now and store the rest in a container in the fridge for later. Enjoy!
3.5.3251
https://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/chocolate-cookies-vertical-overhead-angle-on-rack-0404.jpg1000667Stacey Isaacshttps://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mainlogo@2x-e1524021900779-180x180.pngStacey Isaacs2019-12-03 15:49:222023-01-25 23:04:19Flourless Chocolate Walnut Cookies
This Dairy Free Creamy Cauliflower Bone Broth Soup is creamy, delicious, and healing! It’s topped with crispy spicy chickpeas and fried herbs… oh my!
I’m so happy that fall is in full swing here in New York City. The leaves are changing and they are just gorgeous. Every time I go outside, I’m engulfed by amazing vibrant reds and yellows and oranges. It makes me happy. And, it makes me crave soup.
The other day, I came inside and my head was still filled with all of these bright autumnal colors. I threw open the windows, let the crisp air inside, and I set about making a healing pot of soup.
I find it amusing that with all of these hues in my head, the soup I ended up creating is so deliciously devoid of bright colors. I just love the creamy whiteness of this dairy free creamy cauliflower bone broth soup. There’s something about it that’s just so calming. It’s as smooth as velvet, with such a pleasant mild flavor, that I just can’t seem to get enough of it.
One of the favorite combinations is a smooth creamy soup base that’s topped with some really flavorful and textured toppings. So, I topped this delicate soup with some bold spicy crispy chickpeas and some fried herbs. OMG… this is truly mouth watering.
One of the simplest ways you can make your soups as healing and as flavorful as possible, is to use a good quality bone broth in place of traditional broth or stock or water. Of course you can make your own homemade bone broth, but these days there are so many awesome pre-made bone broths on the market, your healing pot of comforting soup can be ready in no time at all. (See the recipe below for the bone broth I used in this soup recipe.)
As a wellness/health coach here in Manhattan, I teach many of my clients to use cauliflower for breads, crusts, rice… everything. It can be used in so many forms… and, it’s really good for you. In Chinese medicine we use it to aid in digestion and help with constipation. One of the things I find most amazing about this cruciferous vegetable is it’s ability to help with age-related memory loss (My menopausal friends will appreciate this benefit!). It contains a healthy amount of Vitamin B, Vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acids and can help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cauliflower also helps the body with detoxification and with reducing inflammation. So, as far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier. And, as in this soup, it makes an awesome substitute for cream!
I love to customize recipes for specific health concerns. Let me customize a skillet recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation… I’d love to create a soup recipe that addresses your specific needs!
This soup will help keep you youthful inside and out. Read this article to learn more foods you can add into your diet to help keep you young and healthy — there are lots of great recipes in this article too!
Here are some of the awesome healing ingredients in this recipe for Dairy Free Creamy Cauliflower Bone Broth Soup:
Bone broth is filled with bone marrow and essential fatty acids — these things promote optimal brain health. It also contains glycine, which is an amino acid that helps with memory, concentration, stress, and focus. You can make your own bone broth, but you don’t have to anymore. Bone broth is now available in tons of markets. (See the recipe below for the awesome ready-made bone broth I used in this soup recipe.) It’s sold in boxes just like chicken or vegetable broth. The glucosamine in bone broth can reduce inflammation and strengthen the bones. It’s also great for your skin, hair, and nails. This is a great thing to use for a quick soup base, or to just sip on during the day. Sometimes I’ll have a hot cup of bone broth first thing in the morning for a quick healing pick me up.
Cauliflower helps digestion and is great to eat if you are experiencing constipation. It can help with age-related memory loss and it contains a healthy amount of Vitamin B, Vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acids and can also help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. Cauliflower also helps the body with detoxification and with reducing inflammation.
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….
Onions are great for your immune system; they are a natural antihistamine. In the winter, I eat lots and lots of onions… I guess I should feel sorry for the people close to me! Recently, I recommended that a patient with bronchitis put sliced raw onions in her socks when she went to sleep… she woke up so much better; they actually can rid the body of bacteria. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!
Chickpeas actually help calm the spirit. They relieve anxiety and soothe irritability… it kind of makes you realize why hummus is so popular…
Parsley has been shown to reduce tumors in the lungs and to neutralize the effects of carcinogens, including cigarette smoke. It is high in vitamins A and C, and is good for your heart. This herb is also a natural breath freshener. So, if you have a chance to use more than a few sprigs as a garnish, go for it.
Sage is great for your digestion, especially if you have loose stools. It’s also good for memory loss and for Alzheimer’s.
If you make this Dairy Free Creamy Cauliflower Bone Broth Soup, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.
Line a rimmed baking tray with parchment paper and spread the chickpeas out on it.
Drizzle about 2 tsp oil onto the chickpeas. Sprinkle on the smoked paprika, chili powder, chipotle chili powder, and turmeric. Toss until evenly coated.
Place the tray in the oven and set your timer for 10 minutes. Check the chickpeas. If they are not crispy yet, stir them up and put them back in the oven, checking them every 5 minutes so that they do not burn. They are done as soon as they are a bit crispy.
Remove them from the oven and set aside.
In a large stockpot, heat 1 Tbs oil.
Add the onion. Season with salt and pepper.
Saute over medium heat until beginning to soften.
Add the cauliflower.
Season again with salt and pepper.
Add the bone broth.
Stir.
Cover and cook over low heat, until the cauliflower is softened, and a fork can easily be stuck through the center of one of the larger pieces. Mine took about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbs oil in a small skillet. Add the sage leaves, and let fry about 30 seconds or until crisp. Remove to a paper towel with a slotted spoon.
Next, add the parsley leaves and let fry until crisp. Transfer to the paper towel.
Transfer half of the cauliflower onion mixture to your blender. Cover the blender with a clean dish towel and hold it tightly over the top. Blend until completely smooth. Transfer the blended mixture to a bowl and then blend the rest of the soup. Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper if necessary.
Make one of these meals each day this month, and you will be a new person… food really is medicine! Scroll down for 30 quick meals to heal you this month. Let’s get cooking and you’ll see how much more energy you will have, how your digestion will improve, how you will sleep better, how your mood will be lifted, and how your health conditions will start to melt away…
Each one of these meals will heal different conditions in your body and each one can be on the table in 30 minutes or less. If you commit to making one meal each day for 30 days, you will be on the road to looking and feeling healthy and youthful.
Do you remember when you used to have the energy to want to do so many things? Remember when your skin was glowing and healthy? Remember what life was like before you had those chronic aches and pains? Let’s bring those days back. Just one meal a day will put you on that track… after that you will want to add in more meals… the possibilities are endless!
I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a quick healthy meal with your name on it… So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.
When I tell you that this creamy mint avocado pasta sauce is amazing, I really mean it. The avocado makes it creamy. The flavor of the mint can be as strong as you like, or it can just peak through. And, if you make this dish with grain-free pasta, it’s one of the healthiest comfort foods around. It’s like happiness in a bowl — ugh, did I really just say that…?
Mint boosts your immune system and avocado is great for your digestion and your skin.
The simple sauce is made by pulsing the ingredients in a blender very briefly. It’s a cold sauce. And it is the most delicious and refreshing sauce you will ever have.
Oh, and did I mention that the sauce only has 4 ingredients? Yup, it’s like when you eat a great meal in Italy, and everything tastes so simple and fresh. This is just like that. Fresh and simple. Fresh tomatoes. Fresh garlic. Oil. Vinegar. Done.
Salmon is great for your blood, for anemia, and for energy. Tomatoes are great for your digestion.
Soup still hits the spot even when the days start to get warm. This instant pot spring vegetable soup is perfect for those days — it will boost your immune system and make you feel good!
This soup is especially satisfying because it contains buckwheat groats that mimic pasta. Buckwheat helps lower blood pressure and is good for some intestinal issues.
4. Paleo Beefaroni
If you liked beefaroni when you were a kid, you will love this healthy grownup Paleo Beefaroni.
Beef is good for swelling or edema in your body and it can be good for bloating too. Tomatoes are good for your digestion.
This healthy soup really is comforting. And it’s healing. It’s one of those soups that lets you actually feel the energy seeping into your body as you eat it. Really, you can.
White beans give you energy and calm your mind. Kale is filled with vitamins and minerals, including calcium.
The noodles here are made from butternut squash. This squash is good for your heart and your digestion. Shiitake mushrooms help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
This vegetable noodle lo mein is the perfect recipe to try out your favorite type of veggie noodle. You can even mix it up and use a few different kinds here. This tastes better than Chinese takeout and you won’t feel bloated or tired after you eat!
This Baked Lemon Cod is delicious. And, it’s simple. There’s no sautéing involved. There’s no flipping of delicate fish. There’s no complicated sauce. But it is truly delicious.
Fish is a great thing to eat when you feel like you need more energy. Cod, in particular, is good for your heart. Lemon peels are great to detoxify your body and to smooth your digestion.
9. Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
Oats are good for your digestion. Walnuts are considered a Chinese herb that treats constipation. Honey gives you energy and quiets coughs.
This recipe is warming, comforting, and can be customized with whatever ingredients you like.
10. Shaved Brussels Sprouts And Apple Salad
I’m kind of a freak about leftover salad. I love almost anything straight out of the fridge as a leftover. Except salad. I just hate it when it goes all wet and limp. Enter this salad… it’s even better leftover the next day. The Brussels sprouts stand up so well to the creamy dressing that there is no ick-factor involved. This makes it perfect to make for a crowd because you can make it way in advance. This is just awesomely easy and convenient.
Brussels sprouts are an anti-cancerous vegetable and they are also great for weight loss. Apples are good for your heart and your digestion.
11. Zoodles With Creamy Avocado Pesto
The avocado makes the pesto so creamy and it’s so easy to make. It’s a really pretty green… And the noodles are made from zucchini… deliciously creamy and healthy.
Zucchini calms your mind. Avocados are good for hot flashes and for your heart. Basil calms your mind and boosts your immune system.
This is a warming and comforting vegan dish… and nobody will miss the meat.
Sweet potatoes are good for your digestive system. They can be good for both constipation and diarrhea. These orange gems also help rid your body of excess water, are good for breast health, help people with diabetes and actually can help ease night blindness.
It really is true that an apple a day is a good thing. Apples help to strengthen your heart. They are also good for your digestion and they can help eliminate mucus when you have a cold.
This tomato pomegranate salad is beautiful, simple, delicious, healthy, and easily customizable with the ingredients you have on hand.
Tomatoes are good for your digestive system. Pomegranate seeds nourish the blood. In Chinese medicine, we know that many illnesses and conditions are caused by the body making poor quality blood. Pomegranate seeds are great at helping the body make good quality blood. They are also good to combat diarrhea, anemia and incontinence.
14. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
I used grain-free almond tortillas to wrap up these sheet pan chicken fajitas. And I added turmeric to the spice mix. And lots of scallions. Yup, this is not only delicious, but it’s healing too!
Chicken is a healthy protein to eat when you are feeling weak. Bell peppers can help relieve that bloated feeling in your stomach.
15. Buckwheat Ramen Soup
Ramen soup is so delicious, but if you eat grain-free, you can’t have traditional ramen. I used buckwheat ramen noodles in this soup; buckwheat is a seed, not a grain.
Buckwheat helps lower blood pressure and it’s good to stop diarrhea. Ginger is great for your immune system and for your digestion.
This recipe is great on 2 different fronts. First, there’s the pesto. OMG — this is sooooooooo good! And, it takes only 5 minutes to make. Next, there’s the beauty and deliciousness of the grain-free pasta made from chickpeas. Well, this is nothing short of genius!
Arugula boosts your libido and cools your body down. Chickpeas calm the spirit.
Slow-roasting this fish at a really low temperature keeps it so tender, juicy, and fresh tasting.
Parsley is considered an anti-cancerous herb. And, it freshens your breath! So, if you get a chance to use it for something other than a garnish, I say go for it!
Salmon is great to nourish your blood and can help with asthma.
Wild salmon is a great thing to add into your diet to help increase your athletic performance — this fish can help reduce aches and pains in your muscles and joints, and it’s a good source of iron.
Lemons help detoxify your body and they are great for your immune system.
As an added extra benefit, this salmon makes for awesome leftovers.
Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better during those hot days of summer. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.
In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections. This recipe uses both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes.
This chicken is crispy. The outside layer actually crunches in your mouth, but the chicken itself stays so moist. And, the coating mixture… it’s so easy to make and it contains superfoods to heal your body. Ummmmm…. what are you waiting for? You’ve got to try this one!
This is one of my most popular recipes — make it and see why! And, make sure you make extra because this chicken is great sliced up on salads or sandwiches too.
21. Buckwheat Sweet Potato Arugula Salad
Let me tell you, rather immodestly at that, that this salad is incredible. It hit all it’s marks. The buckwheat is chewy. The sweet potatoes are warm and sweet. The tempeh tastes like unexpected little pieces of smoky bacon. The spinach and arugula are refreshing. The cherries are tart. The dressing is tangy. The pecans are crunchy. Okay, enough praises. But you’ve got to make this!
Buckwheat is a seed, not a grain. It is great to eat if you have diarrhea. It also helps lower blood pressure, stops some types of sweating, and has a good amount of vitamin E, and has antioxidants that can help fight cancer and heart disease.
Arugula boosts the libido and helps cool the body down.
Fish is great to eat if you feel like you need more energy. It’s also helps with diarrhea and hemorrhoids. I used cod for this recipe, but any firm fleshed sturdy white fish would work great. Cod, like many fish varieties, is good for the cardiovascular system; it helps protect against heart attacks and strokes and helps regulate blood pressure.
Turmeric is actually a Chinese herb (Jiang Huang). It is great for reducing inflammation throughout the body. If you suffer from aches and pains in your joints, try turmeric. It can help relieve menstrual pain and some other abdominal pains but, if you are pregnant, ask your doctor before you eat too much turmeric.
23. Simple Fresh Vegetable Soup
One of the things that I tell my clients is that if you make a big pot of healthy soup at the beginning of the week, you will have no reason to grab unhealthy snacks when you come home famished.
This vegan soup contains lots of fresh vegetables to heal you.
This dish is especially great because the zucchini noodles are mixed with buckwheat noodles, so in the end, this slurpy and spicy pasta dish tastes like real pasta.
Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better when you are feeling hot. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.
Buckwheat is great to eat if you have diarrhea. It also helps lower blood pressure, stops some types of sweating, and has a good amount of vitamin E. It also contains antioxidants that can help fight cancer and heart disease.
Almost all meatballs are awesome. But these meatballs are extra awesome. They are made with pork and infused with some traditional Vietnamese flavors. They are bit-sized, juicy, mouth watering, amazingly flavorful meatballs.
Pork strengthens the digestive system, helps with constipation, and can moisten a dry cough and other dryness in the body. It’s also good to strengthen your qi and give you energy.
I like to put these meatballs on top of cauliflower rice. Cauliflower contains a healthy amount of vitamin B, vitamin K and Omega-3 fatty acids and can help fight cancer and cardiovascular disease. It also helps the body with detoxification.
27. Paleo Fettuccine Alfredo
This is a grain-free pasta dish made with a dairy-free cream sauce… and it is the most delicious and creamy pasta you can have.
The sauce is made with cauliflower, which helps fight cancer and is good for your digestion.
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body.
There’s nothing easier than a sheet pan dinner. And this one is awesome!
Shrimp are high in protein and low in calories, so really, they are a pretty good thing. In Chinese medicine, shrimp are actually recommended as a food to promote longevity because they nourish the kidneys, and in Chinese medicine, the kidneys are the key to life. Shrimp are great to boost libido, lessen some lower back pain and weakness, and they can help new moms with lactation.
Lemon peels contain calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better.
I used a grain-free pasta and the creamy cheese sauce is made with potatoes and carrots… yum!
This one will make you smile as you eat it. There’s just something about this that feels so decadent… but the sauce is made from healing veggies.
30. Lemon Pesto Fish Filets
This recipe is so easy, and you can use any thin white fish that you like.
Fish is great to eat if you feel like you need more energy. It’s also helps with diarrhea and hemorrhoids. I used cod for this recipe, but almost any fish would be delicious with this preparation and creamy mustard sauce. Cod, like many fish varieties, is good for the cardiovascular system; it helps protect against heart attacks and strokes and can help regulate blood pressure. It’s also very low in calories… so have a nice big piece!
Lemon peels contain calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better. Lemons are great for quenching your thirst, and, in China, many years ago, hypertension was treated by drinking tea made from lemon peels.
If you make this any of these 30 quick meals to heal you this month, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.
It’s my hope that you will enjoy these meals and the way they make you feel so much that you will move onto eating this way more and more often. I’d love to help you out, so CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.
And, be sure to click on the individual recipes for more health information about each ingredient used.
https://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/creamy-mint-avocado-pasta-horizontal-overhead-6146.jpg8331250Stacey Isaacshttps://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mainlogo@2x-e1524021900779-180x180.pngStacey Isaacs2018-08-06 05:15:492018-08-21 13:50:5630 Quick Meals To Heal You This Month
Sesame Pork Meatballs are the perfect appetizer, hors d’oeuvre, main course, or snack… delicious and healing!
If it’s getting close to dinner time and I still have no idea what to make or what I’m in the mood for, my go-to is oftentimes some kind of meatball. I always keep a variety of organic ground meats in my freezer just for times like this. This recipe for sesame pork meatballs was born on one of these nights.
I go through phases with foods and cooking. Sometimes I will make the same type of ethnic food for weeks at a time, just because that’s what I’m feelin’ at the time. I learned long ago that when I cook what I’m in the mood for and what my body is craving, the food comes out awesome. If I make something that I really have no interest in… ummmm…. it can come out really bad. And yes, I too have some epic kitchen failures.
Asian food is one cuisine that I have a love-hate relationship with. I can go for months without touching it and then… bam… I have to have it. A lot.
Last week, when I was hot and tired and didn’t feel like cooking but I also didn’t feel like going out, I opened my freezer and peeked in. I did what most of us do: I stood there and stared. I moved some things around as if by doing so something new would appear. Needless to say, it didn’t.
I really do keep several packages of ground meat in the freezer. I’ve got ground lamb, bison, beef, pork, and chicken in there right now as I write this post. When I know the flavors I’m in the mood for, ground meat can become my canvas for those flavors. That’s what happened here. These sesame pork meatballs have a slight Asian taste and that’s exactly what I wanted. And the sesame seed coating makes them a little crunchy… yum… just perfect.
I didn’t use any grains in these meatballs. Instead, I used chickpea crumbs. This is an awesome invention — they are sold in bags in lots of markets now and I just love to substitute them for breadcrumbs. (See the recipe below, for details on the chickpea crumbs I used.)
These are not messy balls. They can be eaten with your fingers. And that is my favorite way to eat everything. The sesame seed coating helps keep the moisture and juices inside the meatballs… kind of like M&Ms. Well, not exactly, but I think you get the picture. Pick one up, dip it in your favorite Asian dipping sauce, and pop it in your mouth. Perfection.
I love to customize recipes for specific health concerns. Let me customize a meatball recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.
Here are some of the great healing ingredients in this recipe for sesame pork meatballs:
Pork strengthens the digestive system, helps with constipation, and can moisten a dry cough and other dryness in the body. It’s also good to strengthen your qi and give you energy.
Sesame seeds (the black ones) are a Chinese herb (Hei Zhi Ma). Black foods, in Chinese medicine, are knows as longevity foods. This herb is good for so many things, including headaches, constipation, dizziness, and even helping with lactation. White sesame seeds also have many great nutritional benefits. They are also an anti-aging food. If you have backaches, hair thats graying way too fast, ringing in the ears, weak knees, blurry vision or general weakness, go for the sesame seeds; just sprinkle them on everything. Long ago in China, sesame seeds were ground into honey to form a paste and was taken as a medicine to counter old-age and weakness. You can use black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds, or a combination of both for this recipe.
Chickpeas actually help calm the spirit. They relieve anxiety and soothe irritability… it kind of makes you realize why hummus is so popular. I used chickpea crumbs instead of breadcrumbs in these meatballs.
If you make these Sesame Pork Meatballs, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.
All fries are good… and these green bean fries are awesome!
If you could see the talk-bubble above my head whenever anyone asks me what my favorite food is, you’d see a picture of a huge plate of french fries. Next to that would be a puddle of ketchup and a bowl of gravy. My all-time favorite food has always been french fries with gravy… preferably from a greasy diner. That’s what I’m thinking when I get asked that question. But, it’s been many, many years since I felt good eating that way. Nowadays, I make my “fries” baked, not fried, and they are not always made with potatoes.
That doesn’t mean that I am depriving myself at all. Mainly, because I truly don’t believe in depravation. Baked fries, if you make them correctly, taste just as good as the fried version (okay… maybe not the greasy diner version…). But, because I like all fries, I have learned to make them out of lots of different veggies. This way I can have them all the time. Literally, with every meal if I feel like it.
First, let me just say that these taste nothing like traditional french fries. Nothing compares to a fried potato. So, when you serve these, don’t call them fries. People get all drool-y and excited (at least I know I do…) when they think you are serving french fries. When I served them at my house, I just called them green beans. OMG, they got rave reviews! Really, who doesn’t like a crispy food that you can pick up with your fingers and dunk in a creamy spicy dip?
I live in the middle of Manhattan. So, it’s kind of crazy and loud all of the time. I kind of thrive on the craziness and the hustle and bustle. And, now that I’m in my urban happy place, I can find something I like about every season. Even though I’m not really a lover of the cold, I love to watch the snow fall on the city streets below my windows. That’s winter. Now that winter is over and it’s full-on spring here in New York, it means we get to sit at my dining room table near the window, look outside, and actually watch the sun set at dinner time… yay! No more darkness at 4:30 pm…
Picture it… a big plate of green bean fries. A spicy creamy dip. Finger food near an open window while the sun sets. And for me, the beauty of the city noises outside while I eat with a smile on my lips. I feel so blessed to have found my happy place… and when I fill it with happy food… oh my, it’s a great thing!
I have made fries out of just about every vegetable you can think of. Some are good, some are excellent, and some… well… they really were… ummm… pretty gross.
The secret to these green bean fries is the coating. You’ve got to dredge them in something to get them crispy. I’m sure breadcrumbs and flour would crisp them up nicely, but we don’t want to have to use those inflammation-producing ingredients, so I tried out lots of things on the way to finding out the best answer to the crispy green bean dilemma.
And, here’s the answer: chickpea crumbs! In the supermarkets now they actually sell bags of chickpea crumbs. Now, you can use any crumbs you like to coat these green bean fries, but if you can find chickpea crumbs, give them a shot. You can add whatever you like to these crumbs. Once I added hemp seeds. Once I added sesame seeds. Do whatever floats your boat.
If you want to try another great green bean recipe, try my simple recipe for Salt And Pepper Roasted Green Beans.
Here are some of the healing ingredients in these green bean fries:
Green beans have a lot of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B, and iron. Eating green beans can help rid the body of toxins and can help regulate metabolism. They also can help relieve that feeling of excessive fullness in your stomach and excessive belching. In Chinese medicine, green beans are eaten to clear up chronic diarrhea and even for some lower back pain.
Chickpeas actually help calm the spirit. They relieve anxiety and soothe irritability… it kind of makes you realize why hummus is so popular… I used chickpea crumbs to coat these green bean fries.
Hemp seeds are a superfood. They are high in protein, easily digestible, and contain a full complement of amino acids. They contain disease-fighting phytonutrients that are good for your blood, immune system, tissues and skin. Hemp contains a specific fatty acid that acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory. It also helps balance hormones, making it a great choice to fight the symptoms of PMS. This super seed is also good for your liver and your brain.
Hot peppers contain more vitamin C than any other vegetable and they are good at fighting off the common cold. So, if you like spice, as I do, use a generous amount of whatever hot peppers you like. The main component of hot peppers is capsicum. Capsicum actually works with your body and mind to make you feel happy. It’s also good for reducing swelling and can relieve arthritic joint pain. If you have high blood pressure, check with your doctor before eating too many hot peppers because they can actually raise the blood pressure in some people. These green bean fries have chili powder, and chipotle chili powder in the coating and the dip is made with sriracha.
I’m going to be honest: most of my life I was not a big mint fan. I could never understand how people liked mint chocolate chip ice cream so much — to me, the mint ruined the deliciousness of the chocolate chip. Mint tea?… ewww…. And, I would always choose any other candy over the pretty red and white candy canes of winter. Funny how things change. And boy have they ever! Mint is awesome! And it’s recipes like this creamy mint avocado pasta that make me wonder what was wrong with me all of those years ago…
When I first started studying Chinese medicine and I fell so in love with all of the herbs, Mint (Bo He) quickly became a go-to healing herb for me. It is amazing in it’s abilities to fight colds, boost the immune system, and settle your stomach. But, it wasn’t until I started experimenting by adding mint to my recipes, that a true love affair bloomed.
A few weeks ago, one of my neighbors asked me if I wanted some fresh mint from her garden. Well, duh… of course I did. So I gratefully took a whole bag-full, and made tea and chocolate mint shakes, and this awesome pasta sauce. I probably should have shared the big bowl of it that I made but we ate it all before that ever happened. I guess there’s always next time…
So, when I tell you that this creamy mint avocado pasta sauce is amazing, I really mean it. The avocado makes it creamy. The flavor of the mint can be as strong as you like, or it can just peak through. And, if you make this dish with grain-free pasta, it’s one of the healthiest comfort foods around. It’s like happiness in a bowl — ugh, did I really just say that…?
Here are some of the healing ingredients in this creamy mint avocado pasta:
Mint is a Chinese herb called Bo He. It’s one of the best things to fight a cold, sore throat, or fever. It’s also good for some abdominal issues too, like bloating, nausea, and some stomach pains. Mint also helps cool of the body in cases of heatstroke, so stock up in summer!
Avocados are one of my favorite foods, both for their health benefits and because they taste great. In Chinese medicine, some practitioners recommend avocados to raise the sperm count. I like them because they are good for anemia, dry skin, palpitations, constipation, and hot flashes due to menopause.
Hemp seeds are a superfood. They are high in protein, easily digestible, and contain a full complement of amino acids. They contain disease-fighting phytonutrients that are good for your blood, immune system, tissues and skin. Hemp contains a specific fatty acid that acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory. It also helps balance hormones, making it a great choice to fight the symptoms of PMS. This super seed is also good for your liver and your brain.
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc…. In this recipe, the garlic is left raw, so it’s effect and taste is magnified… so don’t use as much as you would if you are making a recipe with cooked garlic.
Limes help to regenerate fluids, so they are great to combat any dehydration symptoms that sometimes can accompany alcohol consumption. They also contain a lot of vitamin C and they can actually help energize you.
This pasta sauce is amazing! It's so healthy, and it's raw -- just put the ingredients in your food processor or blender, cook your pasta, and you're ready to go!
Vegan parmesan cheese to sprinkle on top (optional)
Instructions
Cook your pasta according to the package directions, making sure it's al dente.
Drain.
Meanwhile, make the sauce by putting all of the remaining ingredients (except Parmesan) into your food processor.
Whiz it up until it's creamy.
Toss the sauce with the pasta.
Sprinkle with Parmesan if you like.
Enjoy!
3.5.3229
https://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/creamy-mint-avocado-pasta-vertical-overhead-6155.jpg1000677Stacey Isaacshttps://kitchenofyouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mainlogo@2x-e1524021900779-180x180.pngStacey Isaacs2017-08-11 08:53:262018-05-06 22:31:05Creamy Mint Avocado Pasta
Pizza is almost always the answer… and this paleo pizza margherita is a healthy and delicious answer!
Yes, I eat pizza! In fact, I LOVE pizza! I always have loved pizza and I probably always will love pizza. I remember in college (many moons ago…) ordering pizza with EBA (everything but anchovies) and actually sitting there and eating an entire pie by myself. This used to surprise people because I was a skinny 5-foot tall girl who looked like I ate like a bird. But nothing could have been farther from the truth.
Fast forward to today. I’m well into my 50s and I try not to eat dairy or grains. But there is no way I’m giving up my pizza. So I have experimented with soooooooo many vegan cheeses, substitutes for cheeses, grain-free pizza crusts, vegetable pizza crusts… you name it and I’ve tried it. And, believe it or not, I have been having some truly awesome pizzas! Even with my dietary restrictions, pizza is still one of my favorite foods.
This pizza is dairy-free and grain-free. I know, if I told that to people before they took a bite, I would have to deal with that face. You know the one — that pinched look by the mouth and that roll of the eyes; that they-know-they-are-going-to-hate-it-but-will-try-to-be-a-good-sport-look.
So, I made this awesome pizza, put it on a plate and set it on the table in front of people who where watching TV in my living room. I came back in a few minutes and it was gone. Smiles all around. You’ve got to try this paleo pizza margherita — it’s delicious, healthy, crispy, gooey, and everything a pizza should be. And don’t be afraid to customize it anyway you like.
Here are some of the healing ingredients in this pizza:
The crust I used is made from coconut flour. In Asian medicine, we use coconut to strengthen the body, reduce swelling, and stop bleeding. Coconut kills viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s good for all types of infections and viruses in the body, including the flu, bronchitis, tapeworms, urinary tract infections, and herpes. And perhaps most importantly, it helps you keep your mind sharp and it makes it easier for you to focus. This crust is pre-made from Cappello’s and it really does have the texture and taste of traditional pizza crust (see the recipe below for where to buy it).
Basil has anti-viral and anti-bacterial capabilities. It also is good for settling your stomach, and it’s good at lessening the symptoms of the common cold and its accompanying cough. Basil is a spiritual herb — the scent actually calms you; you can boil some in a pot and let the aroma fill the air, you can just leave some around the house, you can toss a bunch in your bath water (I love to do this), or you can use an essential oil with basil to get some great calming effects.
In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections.
Hot peppers contain more vitamin C than any other vegetable and they are good at fighting off the common cold. So, if you like spice, as I do, use a generous amount of whatever hot peppers you like. I actually placed a bowl of fresh sliced hot peppers next to the pizza when I served it so my guests could top their pizza with them if they liked spice. I also sprinkled a generous amount of dried hot red pepper flakes on mine. The main component of hot peppers is capsicum. Capsicum actually works with your body and mind to make you feel happy. It’s also good for reducing swelling and can relieve arthritic joint pain. If you have high blood pressure, check with your doctor before eating too many hot peppers because they can actually raise the blood pressure in some people.
This vegan fettuccine bolognese is a great alternative to a meaty pasta sauce!
Whenever I make a pasta dish, it’s almost always a paleo-friendly pasta recipe because I feel better when I don’t eat grains. But, I do feel better when I eat pasta (for me, it’s the most comforting food around… and, I mean, really, who doesn’t love a good bowl of pasta…?). I’m never sure whether to call the recipe “Paleo Pasta” or just call it “Pasta”. I know this sounds trivial, but really, I get stuck with this each and every time.
Now, this recipe (which by the way is sooooo delicious), is vegan and it’s paleo. When I first typed in the title, it was “Vegan Paleo Fettuccine Bolognese”, but that’s just too long and complicated for a recipe that’s easy to make. So, for this recipe I decided to use vegan, and omit paleo. I’m still not sure that’s the best title, but I guess this dilemma falls under the category of champagne problems…
Anyway, I used one of my favorite grain-free pastas (Cappello’s fettuccine), and I made an awesome vegan bolognese sauce by using my favorite recipe for simple marinara sauce and adding tons of finely chopped mushrooms, eggplant, and zucchini.
I’ve learned that often when I make a vegan recipe, my guests love it, but sometimes I see wary expressions on the faces of the meat eaters if I call it something with a traditional meaty name (like bolognese). But this time, the meat eaters enjoyed this vegan fettuccine bolognese so much, the meaty name was just perfect. Try this out the next time you want to cook something to both vegans and non-vegans… it’s just perfect!
Along with all of this deliciousness, you also get great healing benefits from this recipe:
In Eastern medicine, eggplant is added to the diet when there is pain in the body because it’s great for relieving pain and reducing swelling. It’s especially good to eat eggplant when you are experiencing some nasty digestive issues. It relieves stomach pain, helps with dysentery, diarrhea, and painful urinary conditions. Eggplant has also been used topically to treat frostbite and canker sores… talk about a multi-tasking vegetable…
I love mushrooms. In Chinese medicine, mushrooms ARE medicine. They are herbs. They are one of the most healing foods around. In China, mushrooms have been used for many years as part of a natural cancer treatment. They are one of the best immune-boosting foods around. I used both baby bellas and shiitakes in this recipe. Shiitakes are probably the variety of mushroom that I use most. I love the way they taste and they help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. These shrooms also promote healing and have been found to fight tumors. In Asia, shiitake mushrooms are often fed to a patient who has just had surgery to help the healing process.
Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better during those hot days of summer. It helps your body release excess heat and it will make your mind feel more calm.
Basil has anti-viral and anti-bacterial capabilities. It also is good for settling your stomach, and it’s good at lessening the symptoms of the common cold and its accompanying cough. Basil is a spiritual herb — the scent actually calms you; you can boil some in a pot and let the aroma fill the air, you can just leave some around the house, you can toss a bunch in your bath water (I love to do this), or you can use an essential oil with basil to get some great calming effects.
In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections.
Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….
Here's a great dish for all types of dietary habits: vegan, paleo, meat eaters, comfort-food lovers... this is really easy and satisfying!
Ingredients
1-1/2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
2 small eggplants, finely diced
3.5 oz shittake mushrooms, caps finely diced
8 oz baby bella mushrooms, caps finely diced
1 medium zucchini, finely diced
sea salt and black pepper
1 28-oz can crushed tomatoes
1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
4 garlic cloves, smashed
½ cup fresh basil leaves
1 lb pasta of choice (I used Cappellos, grain-free fettuccine -- see above in post for link)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F convection setting, or 425°F regular bake setting.
Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper.
Spread the eggplant, zucchini, and shrooms out on the sheets in a single layer. Drizzle oil over and toss a bit. Season with salt and pepper. (Try to keep each veggie in a separate area, so if one is done before the others it's easier to remove it from the sheet.)
Roast the veggies in the oven until they start to brown and caramelize a bit. (Every oven is different, but my eggplant took 35 mins, the shrooms took 25 mins, and my zucchini took 20 mins.)
Meanwhile, start the sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic, and basil. Season with salt and pepper.
Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, then cook an additional 15 minutes, uncovered. Remove from heat and let cool a few minutes, then using an immersion blender, blend the sauce until it's smooth. (Alternatively, you can transfer the sauce to a blender and whiz it up -- just make sure you hold a dish towel tightly over the top of the blender instead of using the canister top, so that steam can escape and you don't burn yourself.)
Cook the pasta al dente, and drain it well.
Toss the pasta with the tomato sauce and top with mounds of the veggies. Toss it all together if you like before serving.
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