Tag: paleo

Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Almond Butter Balsamic Vinaigrette

by EcoCosmeticsLab, posted in Green Salad, salad, Salad Meals

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When you want to be decadent and healthy at the same time!

I have been trying to cut down on grains lately and follow the specific carbohydrate diet a little more. This salad is really filling due to the almond butter dressing sweetened with dates and delicious tartness of the balsamic. I actually have a mediocre balsamic currently and it still tasted amazing, but if you have a higher quality one, all the better!

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Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup almond butter
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 3 Tbsp balsamic dressing
  • 1 tsp grainy mustard
  • 1/2 cup water
  • Juice of half a lime or lemon
  • 4 dates 
Blend in blender , adding water until happy with consistency
Roast squash and cauliflower in the oven at 400 degrees C for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Wash and dry a bunch of lettuce, I found it easier to add the dressing to the veggies separately and mix, then add to the lettuce and mix, then combine together and voila!
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Tabbouleh Salad

by EcoCosmeticsLab, posted in salad

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I could eat tabbouleh salad every day for the rest of eternity. George Carlin did a stand up bit about death and how whatever you think your afterlife is going to be, it will be. My afterlife is me constantly munching tabbouleh salad. This pleasing five minute masterpiece is all you’ll ever need:

Juice of half a lemon (around 2 Tablespoons)
1/4 cup olive oil
Cucumber (about 1 cup)
Tomato (around 2 or 3 depending on size)
Green onion (1 or 2)
Parsley (1 bunch, rinsed and stems removed)
Mint (1 Tablespoon)

Salt and pepper to taste

(recipe can easily be doubled)

Usually tabbouleh calls for bulgur wheat but I omit it, you could also use quinoa or hemp hearts. Usually I cut the tomato and cucumber into really small pieces but I sometimes leave it in larger chunks.  A good trick for the best tasting tabbouleh is cutting the parsley really small. Go on a chopping spree. Here is a more traditional style but using quinoa:

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Grilled Fava Beans

by EcoCosmeticsLab, posted in Beans

It’s hard to make charred broad beans look sexy. Even on Martha Stewart’s website they resemble a burnt pile of crap. (Martha herself has a history of epically bad food photos.) But I digress… 

Despite it’s less than glamorous aesthetic appeal, these babies are a moreish, heavenly delight. I could eat a whole bowl to myself, day in / day out. Although I probably shouldn’t as I hear charred material causes cancer (what doesn’t though, am I right?). Nevertheless, it is a simple, quick yet decadent treat to be thoroughly enjoyed. 

I eat the whole bean, husk and all. It is soft and chewy and I de-stem them carefully beforehand so I can ravenously attack them without fuss later (but you don’t have to do this). The hard end and spine will never really be edible but go at it. Eat how you choose and feed your mitochondria the roughage it deserves! 

If you are eating the whole pod, definitely keep the charring to a minimum, if not, char away!

RECIPE

  • Fava beans (pick healthy green ones with velvety fuzz)
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt, Pepper
  • Lemon juice
  • (Fresh herbs if desired)

Carefully stem and toss the pods with olive oil. Grill for 4-5 minutes per side over high heat, for 8-10 mins, until pods are soft. Toss with lemon juice, sprinkle fresh pepper and salt. Voila! Delicious to the last drop.

Moroccan Split Pea(rsonality) Soup

by EcoCosmeticsLab, posted in Soup
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Healing Split Pea Soup with Moroccan Spice

The flavours of this soup are delicate yet complex. It is soothing, healthy, fresh and nourishing. Most of the time is spent soaking and rinsing the peas.

Moroccan Split Pea Soup

  • Yellow Split Peas (soak at least 4 hours, rinse until water is clear)
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Carrots
  • Peas
  • Harissa spice
  • Coconut Oil or butter
  • Vegetable stock/water
  • Honey
  • Lemon juice
  • Spinach
  • Mint

Sauté onions in coconut oil until translucent, add garlic sauté another minute. Add harissa spices, stir to combine, then add split peas and mix really well. Add vegetable stock and lid, turn burner to low and simmer for 30 mins.

After peas are cooked: Add fresh lemon juice and honey and adjust spices. (Optional: Use blender on 3/4 of mixture to make creamy paste) Add fresh carrots and peas, simmer a few minutes until soften. Ladle into bowls with fresh spinach (cut in ribbons) and 1 tsp. of chopped fresh mint. Stir and enjoy!

LIFE-CHANGING MEAL SALAD!

by EcoCosmeticsLab, posted in Salad Meals
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California Salad with Sunshine Dressing

My version of this life-changing meal salad from Sweet Cherubim. Luckily I live close by so can purchase the dressing. I don’t know the exact recipe but here are the ingredients as listed:

SUNSHINE DRESSING: *organic

  • Sunflower Oil (non-GMO)
  • * Miso
  • * Tofu
  • Purified Water
  • * Apple Cider Vinegar
  • * Agave Syrup
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Cayenne peppers

SALAD:

  • Lettuce
  • Sprouts
  • Avocado
  • Cucumber
  • Tomato
  • Carrot (grated)
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Cheese (1 Tbsp, grated)