Description
Place a serving of the rice (hot, warm or cooled) in a bowl, then top with a bit of the Heavenly Sauce, followed by the other ingredients listed and ending with the salsa. Add another dollop of the Heavenly Sauce, and bon appétit!
Ingredients
- 1 recipe of Heavenly Jasmine Rice (below)
- 1 1/2 cups of Heavenly Sauce (below)
- 2 to 3 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled, seeded, diced
- 2 to 3 medium tomatoes, cored and chopped
- 1 cup sliced black olives
- About 3/4 cup chopped green onion
- 1 cup black beans, canned or fresh-cooked
- 1 1/2 cups salsa
Jasmine Rice Makes 6 to 8 servings
- 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups jasmine rice
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Heavenly Sauce Makes 2-1/2 cups
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup roasted and skinned Oregon hazelnuts
- 1/3 cup canned and drained garbanzo beans
- 1/4 cup cooked and drained soybeans*
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/3 cup nutritional yeast*
- 1 tablespoon Ponzu sauce (or soy sauce)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon ascorbic acid (optional, for “zing”—available in the health food section of most supermarkets)*
* Found in local natural foods store.
Instructions
Jasmine Rice
- In medium-sized heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, sauté the onion in the butter until the onion is soft and translucent (about 5 minutes).
- Add the rice and sauté to evenly coat the grains.
- Add the water and salt, increase the temperature to medium-high and bring the water to a boil, stirring occasionally with a flat-bottomed utensil so the rice won’t scorch.
- Once the water has boiled, reduce the temperature to low, cover, and cook the rice at a very slow simmer for 20 minutes without uncovering the pot.
- After 20 minutes, check the rice. If all the water has been absorbed, the rice is done. Gently fluff it with a fork. If not serving immediately, place a paper towel over the top of the pot and put the lid back on to keep the rice hot (the paper towel absorbs condensation that would otherwise drip back down on the rice and make it soggy).
Heavenly Sauce
- In a blender, combine the oil, hazelnuts, garbanzo beans, soybeans and garlic. Pulse several times, stopping to scrape down the sides to ensure everything is fully blended.
- Once the mixture is a rough purée, add the water, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, Ponzu sauce (or soy sauce), salt, basil, cumin, and ascorbic acid.
- Continue blending until the mixture is relatively smooth (it will remain grainy because of the nuts). Scrape it into a container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Ingredients
Harissa-Spiced Lamb Chops
- 8 lamb chops
- 1 1⁄2 tablespoons Harissa spice mix 1 tablespoon chopped mint
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- 1⁄2 cup Grapeseed oil, as needed
- 1 cup pistachios, crushed
Pistachio Romesco
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1⁄4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1⁄2 red onion, sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 4 Piquillo peppers (canned)
- 1⁄4 cup sourdough croutons
- 1⁄2 cup pistachios, crushed
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Glazed Eggplant
- 2 Japanese eggplants
- 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar 2 tablespoons honey
- Olive oil, as needed
- Salt and pepper
Pistachio Raita
- 1 cup thick Greek yogurt
- 1⁄2 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled, germ removed and finely grated 1⁄2 lemon, zested
- 2 tablespoons mint, chopped
- 2 tablespoons pistachios, crushed
- Salt and pepper, as needed
Instructions
Prep Ahead
- Combine the Harissa spice mix and herbs with the grapeseed oil and blend using a hand blender until it forms a paste. Pour over the lamb and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight.
- Slice the eggplant into 1-inch slices.
- Crush the pistachios using a pot until they are finely chopped. Reserve.
- Over an open flame, blacken the skin of the red bell pepper. Transfer the pepper to a bowl and cover it with plastic, steam at room temperature for 10 minutes. Peel the black skin from the red pepper and trim away the seeds.
- Thinly slice the red onion, Piquillo peppers, 2 cloves of garlic and combine in a bowl. Roughly dice the tomatoes and combine in the same bowl. Reserve.
- Peel, seed and grate the cucumber. Toss it with 1 teaspoon of salt and rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to extract the liquid. Squeeze dry the grated cucumber and transfer to a small bowl.
- Mix the Pistachio Raita, then combine all ingredients in the bowl with the grated cucumber, season with salt, lemon zest and pepper to taste. Mix in the crushed pistachios and chopped mint.
Instructions
- For the Pistachio Romesco: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Add the onion, tomatoes, garlic, and Piquillo peppers. Sauté until the onions are tender and the liquid has evaporated; about 4 minutes. Transfer peppers and cooked vegetables to a blender with the croutons, pistachios, and vinegar. Blend until smooth and while running, pour in the remaining olive oil until emulsified. Season, to taste, with paprika, salt and pepper.
- For the Glazed Eggplant: Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Add eggplant in a single layer (you may need to do this in batches) and sear until golden brown on both sides. Reduce heat to medium and deglaze using the sherry vinegar and honey. Bring to a simmer until reduced to a glaze.
- For the Lamb Chops: When ready to serve, preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Season the marinated lamb with salt and pepper and then grill the lamb until it is cooked to your desired temperature (about 5 minutes for medium rare). Remove from the grill and let rest for a few minutes. Brush some Romesco Sauce on each side of each chop and dip them in the reserved crushed pistachios to coat them.
Assembly
- Spoon some Romesco sauce onto each plate and drag a spoon across it to make a well.
- Place 4 slices of glazed eggplant over the sauce and sprinkle some toasted pistachios on top.
- Divide the lamb chops between the plates and serve the Raita on the side.
Description
Spread your love of almonds with this finger-licking, sweet and buttery treat! You’ll find excuses to put this spread on everything and anything.
Ingredients
- 3 cups roasted, unsalted almonds
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons toasted unsweetened coconut flakes
- Optional: 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Pour almonds into a food processor or blender and pulse until they are finely ground.
- Add honey and coconut flakes to almonds; pulse again until the almond mixture becomes thick and smooth. If needed, add coconut oil for a smoother consistency. Store covered in the refrigerator.
Description
Blogger Liz Moody shares a fun, flavorful spin on an all-time party favorite, Vegetarian Spiced Pecan Taquitos.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pecan pieces, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil and more to brush tortillas
- 3 cups fresh or frozen cauliflower rice
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 3 cups shredded cheddar
- 20 small corn tortillas
- Salsa, sour cream, or other condiments of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F.
- In a skillet over medium heat, warm with a drizzle of olive oil.
- Add the cauliflower rice and sauté until brown at edges, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chopped pecan pieces, chili powder, and cumin and toast until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, water, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt, and stir until well combined and warmed through.
- Warm tortillas in the oven until pliable, about 30 seconds.
- Add a thin line of pecan mixture down one side of the tortilla, followed by a sprinkle of cheese.
- Roll tightly and place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Brush with olive or avocado oil to lightly coat the side facing up and bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden at edges.
- Serve with salsa, sour cream, or condiments of choice.
