Browsing Tag

gluten-free

Spicy Kidney Bean Chili

February 11, 2014
spicy-kidney-bean-chili

Perfect for coming home to after a chilly winter day, this is the type of dish where you cook a huge batch and enjoy the spoils for days on end, OR, dish it up in appropriate serving sizes and toss in the freezer. This is my version of ‘fast food’ – for those nights when you really don’t feel like cooking, simply defrost and enjoy. This dish is purely vegetarian but it’s hearty enough that even the most die-hard meat eater in your life won’t complain.

Spicy Kidney Bean Chili

Serves 3-4

Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1  clove of garlic
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 can of chopped tomatoes
  • 2+ cups water
  • 1 medium sweet potato, chopped into 1″ cubes
  • 1 can kidney beans (or black beans)
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Serve with your choice of grain

Directions:

  1. Heat coconut oil in a large pot and add the onion, garlic, and spices and let fry for a couple of minutes. Stirring occasionally until the spices smell fragrant.
  2. Add tomatoes, water, sweet potato, and cocoa powder and cook for 15 minutes or so. Stir frequently.
  3. After sweet potatoes have softened, add the kidney beans and cook for 5 minutes further until well combined and hot. Stir in fresh cilantro. Serve with your choice of rice, millet or quinoa and top with avocado slices.
0 Comments

Bircher Muesli with Berry Compote

January 29, 2014
bircher-muesli-with-berry-compote

Happy new year to you! I hope that your holidays were filled with lots of warmth, love and happiness. A new year is a brand new beginning so let’s kick things off with renewed energy and a sparkling fresh focus. You may have noticed that I’ve been pretty quiet on the blog for the past few months. That’s because I’m head down in creativity mode creating HUGE and very EXCITING new projects that I’ll be bringing your way next month and later this spring! One of the surprises may be an updated look to the blog!

I’ve been chatting with some of you about what kind of recipes are helpful to you, and it sounds like we are all very busy people. Too busy to make breakfast, too busy to make lunch and too busy (and tired) to come home and make dinner. With that in mind, I am trying to include more recipes for busy people so that they can eat homemade + healthy more often. Starting with breakfast.

This one right here takes minimal effort and can be made ahead of time. As you would expect, it is dairy-free and gluten-free and oh-so delicious. The idea of this bircher is to create an easy weekday meal that can be portable if needed. You then have the option to eat it as is, or add some extra bits and bobs as toppings. This is a fabulous start to the day. It provides a complete balance of sustaining complex carbohydrates, protein and essential fats.

bircher-muesli-berry-compote

Bircher Muesli with Berry Compote

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup grain of choice – quinoa, buckwheat, oats (I used steel cut oats)
  • 1+ cup of non-dairy milk or water (I used almond milk)
  • 2 Tbsp ground flax seed or chia seeds
  • berries of choice
  • nuts or seeds

Additional topping ideas:

  • pomegranate
  • bee pollen
  • cacao nibs
  • coconut flakes
  • nut butter

Directions:

  1. Combine the grain, non-dairy milk or water, flax/chia seeds in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Mash fresh berries with a spoon until mostly smooth.
  3. Spoon both mixtures creating layers into a container with a lid or place in jars for individual servings. Leave covered overnight in the fridge.
  4. Top with fresh berries or whatever you have at home. Enjoy.

Keeps for 3-4 days in the fridge.

 

Tell me, what other types of recipes, nutrition advice or other daily things would you like to see featured on the blog? Are there any design elements or functions you would like added/changed? Leave comments below! You can also join in the conversation on the figgy & sprout Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram too. Don’t forget to sign up for the monthly newsletter while you’re at it! 

2 Comments

Harvest Stuffed Acorn Squash

November 20, 2013
harvest-stuffed-acorn-squash

Phew! It has been a wild couple of months over here and I am just coming up for breath. Highlights include: a couple of trips out of town (and out of the country), starting a new job, working hard on some new projects and some of fall’s finest bounty. It is shaping up to be a great year for fresh produce. I had an apple picking adventure a few weeks back, which means you should keep your eyes peeled for lots and lots of apple recipes around these parts. In the meantime, feast your eyes on this simple and healthy creation.

Harvest Stuffed Acorn Squash 

Vegan & Gluten-free

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 1 small acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup quinoa (I used red)
  • 1/4 cup sliced or chopped apple
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh kale
  • 2 Tbsp raisins or dried cranberries
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  • Pinch red-pepper flakes
  • drizzle of maple syrup (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Slice squash in half, scrape out seeds and strings. Brush squash with 1/2 tablespoon oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast cut side down on a baking sheet until tender – 15 to 20 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, bring quinoa and 1 cup water to a boil in a small pot. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let cool, then fluff with a fork.
  3. In a large bowl combine quinoa, apple, kale, raisins, almonds, remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil and mix. Season with salt and red-pepper flakes. Divide filling among squash. If your heart so desires, drizzle a little maple syrup over the top.

 stuffed-acorn-squash

0 Comments

Farmers’ Market Gazpacho

August 12, 2013
farmers-market-gazpacho

When fresh markets, farm stands and gardens are overrun with ripe tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and onions, I could eat gazpacho every day. I love to make runs downtown to the Union Square Farmers’ Market to check out the fabulous local produce. I look for the juiciest tomatoes I can find to make this refreshing and zesty gazpacho. There are no hard-and-fast rules in making this recipe. You can adjust the amounts and types of vegetables to your liking.

This soup is a celebration of freshness – in the body and in the season.  

What are some of your favorite ways to use your farmers’ market bounty?

farmers-market-tomatoes

Farmers’ Market Gazpacho

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

  • 5 ripe tomatoes, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup tomato juice
  • 1/4 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup celery, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 medium garlic clove, minced
  • 1/4 cup cucumber, seeded and diced
  • 4-5 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped (more whole leaves for garnish)
  • fresh ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

  1. Place the tomatoes and tomato juice in a blender and process until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl.
  2. Add the chopped bell pepper, celery, red onion, garlic, cucumber, basil and black pepper to the soup and stir well. Cover and chill in the fridge overnight. This allows for the flavors to meld. 
  3. To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with whole basil leaves. Enjoy. 

 

6 Comments