February 28, 2022

Quinoa-Stuffed Winter Squash

Pine nuts, allspice, and mint give this meat-free entree Middle Eastern flair, but the overall statement is “American harvest.” The entire dish can be prepared up to three hours ahead and reheated just before serving time. Ingredients: 4 small table queen or other acorn squash 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing 2 cups vegetable broth 3/4 Tbs. sea salt, divided 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided 1-1/2 tsp. allspice, divided 1 red onion, cut in 1/4-inch dice 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup dried cranberries 2 cups cooked quinoa 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered […]
February 1, 2022

Global Grains Recipes Will Bowl You Over

Bring the flavors from around the world into your next bowl. We’ve created five healthy plant-based recipes that each have a whole grain as a base and cultural flavors, for nutritious, balanced meals in a bowl. From grains and veggies to nuts and spices, plant foods reign supreme in cultural dishes across the world. Here we combine five nutritious grains with other vegetarian ingredients in unique ways, each of which celebrates a different delicious cuisine. MIDDLE EASTERN FLAVORS The cuisine of various countries in the Middle East—including Indian, Arab, Israeli, Greek, Persian, Turkish and Armenian food—is diverse, but typically used […]
April 13, 2021

9 Secrets to Living a Long Life

By Lisa Truesday A trip to the library changed Luann Alemao’s life—and the small city of Cedar Falls, Iowa—forever. While browsing the new-book shelf a few years ago, Alemao found The Blue Zones (National Geographic, 2012) by Dan Buettner, a New York Times best seller showcasing five locations in the world with the highest percentage of people living well into their 100s. Alemao, a former Family and Consumer Sciences educator, remembers feeling more than a little amazed. “I thought, wow, this is everything I used to teach, like food and nutrition, marriage and family and consumer education, plus all the […]
March 30, 2021

Herb and Goat Cheese Crustless Quiches

Thyme’s vibrant flavor enhances mild goat cheese and eggs and aromatically complements parsley’s steady flavor.  Make these easy, egg-based bites up to three days in advance, and store in the fridge for a quick power breakfast on busy days. Ingredients 1 shallot 1 cup packed and shredded baby spinach or kale ½ cup lightly packed, minced fresh parsley 2 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves 8 eggs ½ cup crumbled goat cheese ½ cup low-fat (1 percent) cottage cheese ⅓ cup cornmeal ½ tsp. salt Procedure Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and grease a standard muffin tin with cooking spray. Chop shallot, […]
August 25, 2020

Relax with Mexican Roasted Chickpea Salad

This tasty salad is a mixture of nutritious vitamins from lettuce and grape tomatoes, and offers healthy fats, too. Best of all, it’s vegan, offers a good amount of fiber from the chickpeas, and helps promote sleepiness if you’ve been staying up too late. Ingredients: 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (drained, rinsed and dried) 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. smoked paprika ½ tsp. salt, divided 2 ears sweet corn (kernels removed) ½ cup fresh salsa ¼ cup plain almond milk yogurt (TRY: Kite Hill or Silk) ¼ cup chopped, fresh cilantro […]
June 3, 2020

Vegan Swiss Chard & Spicy Guacamole Quesadillas

Stuffed with perfectly spiced veggies and creamy guacamole, these cheese-free quesadillas will awaken your senses with unique pops of flavor from plumped raisins and orange juice. Ingredients 1 ripe Hass avocado (peeled and pitted; reserve pit) 2 Tbs. fresh cilantro (minced) 1/4 cup red onion (diced) 1 clove garlic (minced) 1/4 (about 1/2 tsp.) fresh habanero or jalapeño chile (seeded and finely chopped) 1 Tbs. fresh lime juice 1 pinch cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp., plus more to taste coarse sea salt 2 Tbs/ raisins (optional) 1 large bunch (1 pound) Swiss chard chiffonade 1/2 Tbs., plus a little extra extra-virgin […]
April 20, 2018

Orzo Salad ‘Lambs’ It Up!

To make this dish gluten free, use gluten-free bread crumbs in the meatballs and swap in quinoa for the orzo. Herbed Lamb Meatballs with Orzo Salad Ingredients: 2 cloves garlic, peeled ½ cup packed flat-leaf parsley leaves 2 Tbs. fresh mint leaves 1 Tbs. fresh oregano leaves 1 tsp. ground cumin ½ tsp. salt ⅛ tsp. ground pepper 1 pound ground lamb ½ cup bread crumbs 1 egg 8 ounces orzo pasta 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes 1 small cucumber, sliced ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley 2 Tbs. olive oil ½ cup crumbled feta cheese FOR THE LEMON-PARSLEY YOGURT SAUCE: […]
August 8, 2017

Get Creative with Beet “Carpaccio” Salad

Serve this recipe as a creative salad course, or serve open-faced as appetizers. If serving as appetizers, top beet rounds and cheese with a few arugula leaves and drizzle with dressing. This recipe makes more vegan cheese than you’ll use. Store extra in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks. If your beet rounds are especially large, add another teaspoon of vegan cheese per round. It’s Gluten Free and Vegan! Ingredients: 2 large red or yellow beets, scrubbed FOR THE RAW VEGAN CHEESE: 1½ cups raw cashews, soaked at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours 1 Tbs. raw apple […]
June 27, 2017

Balsamic Peaches with Crème Fraîche

A simple mix of sweet-tangy balsamic vinegar, orange juice and honey are all you need to turn in-season peaches into a fancy dessert. Top with a dollop of crème fraiche or Greek yogurt and call it done! The recipe is Gluten Free and Vegetarian. Ingredients: 3 peaches, halved and pitted 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup orange juice 1 Tbs. honey Crème fraîche (for topping) Instructions: Place peaches, cut-side up, in a large casserole dish In a medium bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, orange juice, and honey. Mix well. Pour over peaches and let absorb for 15 minutes. In a large […]