vegetarian slow cooker white bean cassoulet

March 31, 2015 radish*rose 0 comment

I realized I didn’t blog on Sunday as usual because I was busy cooking. Too busy cooking to blog about cooking? I hoped that you would forgive me. Especially because of new and delicious things to share! Like this easy-peasy vegetarian slow cooker white bean cassoulet. Usually cassoulet has a mix of meats in it, but this is a lovely guilt-free and healthy version that simmers all day, smelling delicious all the while. So put this together and then go out and live your life, and come home to something comforting and warm on a chilly spring day! That’s what we’re having in New York City, so comfort is needed. Continue reading

simple roasted artichokes

March 22, 2015 radish*rose 1 Comment

Springtime means artichokes! I happen to love them, and they’re super good for you when not soaked in butter or sauce. Here is a way to prepare them in which they are perfectly delicious alone – no need for melted butter, dipping sauce, stuffing, or hiding them in a rich dip with spinach and mayonnaise! (Although that is a nice treat, too.) Artichokes are full of fiber – 7g per artichoke – and they are also rich in Vitamin C and magnesium. Thanks to the folks at America’s Test Kitchen for this technique! I had previously only had steamed or boiled artichokes, but roasting is my new favorite thing. Continue reading

spicy vegan slow cooker tortilla soup

March 12, 2015 radish*rose 1 Comment

Since my husband and I have been on our quest to consume fewer animal products, my slow cooker has had a little vacation. I was used to making meat-based roasts, stews and curries and it took a little while to find my way into veggie territory. I was determined, though, because you can’t beat the convenience of the slow cooker. I expected to find beans, beans, and nothing but beans! And while slow-cooked beans are indeed delightful, it turns out there is a whole world of delicious vegetarian and vegan slow cooking to play with, and it’s not brown and mushy as one might fear, but colorful and intensely flavored. This tortilla soup will make your whole home smell so smoky, spicy and delicious that you will hardly be able to wait to eat it. Get some really nice multi-grain tortilla chips to serve with it. My husband and I aren’t really vegan, so we had regular low-fat sour cream as a topping, but if you’re keeping it animal-free, just use vegan sour cream or skip it. Continue reading

mini crustless spinach feta quiches

March 8, 2015 radish*rose 4 Comments

These easy mini crustless quiches work very well for a weekday breakfast (make ahead on Sunday, then grab and go) or lazy weekend brunch (with bloody Marys or mimosas, am I right?). But it also works for dinner. You could make the 9-inch pie version, then serve a wedge with a simple green salad on the side, a glass of crisp white wine, and a happy sigh. To make the mini version, you use something you probably already have: a muffin tin. That’s right. Mini or regular. Your choice! The recipe magically makes exactly 12 mini-quiches or one 9-inch pie. Continue reading

low carb shirataki noodle coconut curry soup

February 22, 2015 radish*rose 1 Comment

Here’s a zingy, bright low-carb coconut curry noodle soup for a grey and cold winter day (we’ve been having a lot of those lately in New York!). Shirataki noodles are something of a miracle, aren’t they? Somehow they have no carbs and very few calories. You can find them in the refrigerated section of your supermarket – usually they are by the egg roll wrappers and tofu. I find they lend themselves very well to Asian-inspired dishes, but I’d avoid trying them with Italian – they have a slight oceanic tang. I’ve used tofu for protein in this version, but you could use anything you like – shrimp, chicken, thinly sliced beef, or fish. Just make sure it is already cooked. Continue reading

savory quinoa with toasted almonds and dried cranberries

February 14, 2015 radish*rose 1 Comment

I was pretty thrilled with myself for figuring out how to make plain quinoa. But then I tried this recipe from my good friend Melissa at Fun Fit Chic and I realized there is so much more you can do with it! You probably know quinoa is a superfood containing complete proteins, but did you know just one-half cup of quinoa has 14 g protein and 6 g fiber? So if you’re trying to eat fewer animal products, it’s a great way to get plant-based protein while thinking you are eating a fluffy bowl of carbs. Teehee. I love that. Continue reading