Cauliflower Garlic Pasta

Ingredients
1 head of garlic, with cloves sliced
1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets
3 tablespoons walnuts, chopped
6 oz. linguine
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 450°F. On a sheet pan, toss the cauliflower with garlic and walnuts, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Spread mixture out in a single layer and roast for 20 minutes, tossing twice, until the cauliflower is tender and garlic is lightly browned.

While the cauliflower is roasting, cook the pasta according to its instructions. Then drain and put pasta in large mixing bowl. Save some of the pasta water for later.

Scrape the cauliflower with garlic and walnuts into large mixing bowl with pasta. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, parsley, and lemon juice. Sprinkle with another 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss everything together, adding pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Adapted From
http://delicious-cooking.com/garlic-roasted-cauliflower-pasta/

Nutrition
2 large servings
694 calories  |  30g fat  |  87g carbs  |  22g protein

Bagels: First Take

Ingredients
2 teaspoons of active dry yeast
1 ½ tablespoons of granulated sugar
1 cup of warm water, about 110ºF (plus an optional ¼ more)
3 cups of unbleached flour (may need an additional ½ cup)
2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten
1 ½ teaspoons of salt

Directions
In ½ cup of the warm water, pour in the sugar and yeast. Do not stir. Let it sit for five minutes, and then stir the yeast and sugar mixture, until it all dissolves in the water.

Mix the flour, wheat gluten, and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle and pour in the yeast and sugar mixture.

Pour half of the remaining warm water into the well. Mix and stir in the rest of the water as needed. Depending on where you live, you may need to add anywhere from a couple tablespoons to about ¼ cup of water. You want to result in a moist and firm dough after you have mixed it.

On a floured countertop, knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic. Try working in as much flour as possible to form a firm and stiff dough.

Lightly brush a large bowl with oil and turn the dough to coat. Cover the bowl with a damp dish towel. Let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until the dough has doubled in size. Punch the dough down, and let it rest for another 10 minutes.

Carefully divide the dough into 8 pieces. Shape each piece into a round. Now, take a dough ball, and press it gently against the countertop, moving your hand and the ball in a circular motion pulling the dough into itself while reducing the pressure on top of the dough slightly until a perfect dough ball forms. Repeat, making 7 other dough rounds.

Coat a finger in flour, and gently press your finger into the center of each dough ball to form a ring. Stretch the ring to about ⅓ the diameter of the bagel and place on a lightly oiled cookie sheet. Repeat the same step with the remaining dough.

Cover the 8 dough rings with a damp kitchen towel and allow to rest, covered with damp towel, for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 425ºF.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Reduce the heat. Use a slotted spoon or skimmer to lower the bagels into the water. Let them sit there for 1 minute, and them flip them over to boil for another minute. Extending the boiling times will produce a chewier bagel. If you want to top your bagels with stuff, do so as you take them out of the water.

Transfer the boiled bagels to a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Adapted From
http://www.sophisticatedgourmet.com/2009/10/new-york-style-bagel-recipe/

Nutrition
makes 8 bagels
194 calories  |  0g fat  |  42g carbs  |  7g protien

To make 32 bagels
8 teaspoons of active dry yeast
6 tablespoons of granulated sugar
4 cup of warm water, about 110ºF (plus an optional ¼ more)
8 cups of unbleached flour (may need an additional ½ cup)
4 cups of whole wheat flour
8 tablespoons vital wheat gluten
6 teaspoons of salt

Tofu + Rice Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients
2/3 cup dry rice
12 oz extra firm tofu
4 bell peppers
1 medium onion, minced
1 medium carrot, shredded
1 cup kale or baby spinach
1 cup vegetable broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
extra herb seasoning

Directions
Preheat over to 350 degrees. Cook the rice to package instructions and set aside. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds, set aside. In a pan over medium heat, combine the tofu, onion, carrot, kale, and garlic and sauté in the vegetable broth until vegetables are tender and liquid has been absorbed. After vegetables and tofu have finished cooking, combine with rice and seasoning. Pack the mixture evenly into the bell peppers. Place in casserole dish, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.

Adapted From
http://rabbitfoodformybunnyteeth.com/tofu-wild-rice-stuffed-pepper/

Nutrition
4 stuffed peppers
200 calories  |  5g fat  |  30g carbs  |  11g protein

Thai Peanut Empowered Noodle Bowl

Ingredients
Sauce
1 large clove garlic
1 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
3 tablespoons crunchy peanut butter
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
fresh lime juice from 1/2 lime
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoons agave nectar

Salad
4 ounces whole wheat linguine
16 oz frozen shelled edamame, thawed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cucumber, diced
1 carrot, julienned
1/2 white onion, chopped
Sesame seeds, for serving

Directions
Make the Thai Peanut Sauce: In mixing bowl (or a food processor), combine the garlic, sesame oil, peanut butter, ginger, lime juice, soy sauce, agave nectar, and 2 to 3 tablespoons water. Process until combined.

Make the Salad: Cook the noodles according to the instructions on the package. Be sure not to overcook them—they should only take 5 to 9 minutes, depending on the brand. Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water. Transfer the noodles to a large bowl. Add the edamame, bell pepper, cucumber, carrot, onions, to the bowl with the noodles and toss until well combined. Pour the sauce over the salad and toss to coat. Garnish each serving with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Adapted From
http://ohmyveggies.com/thai-peanut-empowered-noodle-bowl-from-oh-she-glows/

Nutrition
2 large servings
764 calories  |  29g fat  |  91g carbs  |  46g protein

Butternut Squash with Quinoa

Ingredients
1 tablespoon coconut oil (or other oil)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium leek, white and light green parts only, cleaned and thinly sliced
2 cups vegetable broth
1 medium butternut squash, diced
1 cup quinoa, dry
1/4 cup dried cranberries
2 cups chopped kale

Directions

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, squash, quinoa and cranberries and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the liquid is absorbed and the squash and quinoa are tender, about 22 minutes. Gently stir in the kale and cook until it just begins to wilt, about 2 to 3 more minutes. Remove from the heat and serve.

Adapted From
http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/recipes/bobby-deen/butternut-squash-with-quinoa-spinach-and-walnuts.html

Nutrition

2 large servings

626 calories  |  13g fat  |  120g carbs  |  17g protein

Mexican Baked Spaghetti Squash

Ingredients
1 Spaghetti Squash
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 cup Onion, Chopped
1 Red Bell Pepper
2 Garlic Cloves
1 tablespoon Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 can Low Sodium Black Beans
1.0 cup Corn
1 can Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies
3.0 oz Extra Firm Tofu

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 F.

Cut spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds with a spoon or ice cream scoop. Cover halves with plastic wrap, and place in microwave. Cook for 15 minutes, until easily pierced with a knife and inner flesh is easy to remove.

While the spaghetti squash is cooking, heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and bell pepper, cook until softened and onion is translucent, about five minutes. Add garlic and cook for two minutes. Stir in chili powder, oregano, and cumin and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Transfer from the skillet to a large bowl. Stir in black beans, corn, tomatoes, and tofu.

When spaghetti squash is done, allow to cool for five minutes. Remove the long strands from the inside of the squash. Add the squash to the bowl with the rest of the ingredients and stir well to combine.

Transfer to baking dish. Cook, uncovered, for 33 minutes, until bubbling.

Adapted From
http://www.baked-in.com/2013/02/06/mexican-baked-spaghetti-squash/

Nutrition
6 servings
302 calories  |  7g fat  |  53g carbs  |  11g protein

Whole Wheat Nut + Seed Bread

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups lukewarm water, about 115 degrees
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons molasses
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons wheat gluten
1/4 cup sunflower seeds, chopped
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast

Directions
Combine all of the ingredients, and mix them till you have a shaggy dough. Let the dough rest, covered, for 20 minutes. Knead for about 10 minutes, till fairly smooth. Allow the dough to rise, covered, for about 2 hours, or until it's puffy and nearly doubled in bulk. 

Gently deflate the dough, shape it into a log, and place it in a lightly greased bread pan. Cover the pan with lightly greased plastic wrap, and allow it to rise for another 2 hours, till it's crowned about 1" to 2" over the rim of the pan.

Bake the bread in a preheated 350°F oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely before slicing.

Adapted From
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/100-whole-wheat-nut-and-seed-bread-recipe


Nutrition
18 slices
129 calories  |  4g fat  |  20g carbs  |  5g protein

Best Damn Protein Bars

Ingredients 
1 cup old fashioned oats
⅔ cup kamut puffs (or puffed rice cereal)
6 tablespoons Hemp Pro 70 Protein Concentrate (or brown rice flour, or other flour)
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ brown rice syrup
1 tablespoon amber agave nectar
¼ cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup slivered almonds
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
¼ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup dried cranberries

Directions 
Mix all wet ingredients, until they form a thick paste. Add protein powder and cocoa powder to wet ingredients. Stir together into a lump, it will look a bit like a chocolate brownie Clif Bar. 

Add the remaining dry ingredients, making sure to mix thoroughly. Knead with hands to incorportate oats and cereal. Add 1 - 3 tablespoons of water if mixture does not come together. Form giant granola bar on cookie sheet, wetting your hands as necessary to prevent sticking or cracking. Score the top while it's soft to make it easier to cut after baking.

Bake at 350 F for 22 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for at least an hour before slicing with a heavy knife. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, or store in refrigerator.

Adapted From
http://www.myhumblekitchen.com/2012/08/homemade-chewy-dark-chocolate-cherry-with-almond-granola-bars/

Nutrition
14 servings
141 calories  |  6g fat  |  16g carbs  |  6g protein