Browsing Tag

avocado

Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup

July 23, 2014
chilled-cucumber-avocado-soup

This summer, NYC is bringing the heat. It has been a hot, humid summer tempered only by an occasional thunderstorm and lots of cold watermelon. With all this sticky humidity, I have to remind myself of all of the great things that the summer brings: farmer’s markets, long days of sunshine, flowers, roof top parties, afternoons spent at the pool, ice pops.

To celebrate summer I made a raw soup. It combines two summertime favorites – avocado and cucumber. This refreshing, delicate soup is a perfect pairing to a sunny day.

cucumber-avocado-soup

Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup

Vegan, Raw, Dairy-free & Gluten-free

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 large cucumbers, roughly chopped
  • 2 avocados, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 clove garlic
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 4 fresh dill sprigs, to garnish

Directions:

  1. Combine cucumbers, avocado, garlic, lime and salt in a food processor or powerful blender and blend until totally creamy and smooth.
  2. Chill 30 minutes before serving and top with dill to garnish.   
1 Comments

Vegan Spring Rolls

May 14, 2013
vegan-spring-rolls

Oh, I’ve been looking forward to sharing this with you! Not only because it has become my favorite snack/meal, but also due to the fact that it is a tribute to spring and all the amazing light summer meals this time of year! While we have seen many more rain showers than we’ve seen the sun over the last few days, I know warmer temperatures are on the way (fingers crossed!). Spring rolls are the perfect food to get you feeling like warmer days are already here.

Before I made my first spring roll, I have to admit, I was intimidated to take on the task – especially after my sushi rolling experience. But let me tell you, once you start making your own spring rolls, you’ll never stop. It is so much easier that you would think, and this way you can come up with crazy concoctions that you would not be able to order from take out. After a little practice, I know you’ll be raving about them as much as me.

I love the idea of stuffing what is fresh and seasonal into a spring roll. Because spring is here, I chose to go with a mostly green veggie palette – cilantro, lettuce, avocado, cucumber and carrot for a little color and something sweet. Use whatever you have on hand and what is in season. This meal is a great way to use up all the little bits of veggies hanging out in the fridge that you haven’t found a use for.

veggie-spring-rolls-vegan

Vegan Spring Rolls

Serves 6 rolls

Ingredients:

  • 6 rice paper wraps (found in health food shops or the Asian section of well stocked markets)
  • lettuce
  • 1/2 cup cilantro sprigs
  • 1 1/4 cup grated carrots
  • 1 2/4 cup grated cucumber
  • 1 large avocado

Directions:

  1. Set up your roll work space. You need a large bowl of warm water and a damp dish towel to work on. Set out your lettuce, cilantro, carrots, cucumber and avocado.
  2. Working one roll at a time, put the rice wrap flat into the large bowl of warm water, being careful to not let it curl up, until soft, about one minute.
  3. Lay the wrap down on the dish towel. Down the center, like a burrito, layer the cilantro, lettuce,small handful of the carrots, cucumber and a few slices of avocado. Fold over the top and bottom ends over the filling, tuck the right flap over and then roll to close. Repeat with remaining wraps.

 

Photo Credit: my sister, Jenny Norris – jjnorris.com

10 Comments

Green Smoothie

February 16, 2013
green-smoothie

I’ve been on a smoothie kick lately. They are so tasty and filling – makes for the perfect thing to eat post morning workout! If you have been cooking a lot of vegan or raw food you’re probably familiar with avocado in desserts.. but have you tried it in a smoothie? Banana, creamy avocado, greens, spicy ginger and tart, yet sweet pineapple makes this drink a tall glass of deliciousness. The Green Smoothie of course makes an amazing breakfast, but it can be enjoyed as a snack or light lunch as well. You can also add kale, chard or other dark leafy green of your choice.

I love sharing new recipes that can are easy to make part of a healthy weekly menu. Fruity green smoothies are easy to rely on for simple and delicious breakfasts and snacks and they provide so much flexibility – you can add or subtract whatever additional ingredients you’re in the mood for.

Green Smoothie

Vegan, Raw & Gluten-free

Serves 1

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 avocado
  • 1 banana
  • a handful spinach
  • 1/2 inch fresh ginger
  • 2-inch slice pineapple
  • 1 cup ice cold water

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend on high until smooth .

(*Photo Credit: my sister, Jenny Norris – jjnorris.com)

7 Comments

Veggie Sushi Bowl

January 11, 2013
veggie-sushi-bowl

This is what happened one day when we felt like making our own vegetarian sushi but were too lazy to go through the whole Japanese rice and rolls procedure. Inspired by nori rolls I’ve had at various raw food restaurants, I set out to create a flavorful veggie sushi bowl. It may not be raw, but I was craving something warm, so instead I boiled some brown rice, chopped our favorite vegetables, cut the seaweed into pieces and turned sushi into a meal. And what a meal it was! It has that sushi feeling with a more nourishing twist. We quickly realized that this dish actually had made it to our top-list of favorite dinner recipes.

Veggie Sushi Bowl
Vegan & Gluten-free

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 1.5 cups of water
  • 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
  • 4-5 florets of broccoli, chopped into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
  • 1 spring onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 avocado, cut into slices or cubes
  • 1 handful bean sprouts
  • 1/4 cucumber, chopped
  • 2 sheets nori seaweed, cut into 2×2-inch squares
  • 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

Serve with: wasabi & soy sauce

Directions:

  1. Boil the rice according to the instructions on the package or combine rice and water in a heavy saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, cover, and simmer gently until the water is absorbed, about 35 minutes.  When it’s done, stir in vinegar.
  2. In two separate bowls, toss in prepped veggies, bean sprouts, nori and rice. Top off with sesame seeds. Enjoy!
6 Comments