Mediterranean Eggplant Salad

This is a remake of a favorite salad we have enjoyed over the years. We have recently discovered freekeh, also known as farik. It’s broken, roasted green wheat berries, and very delicious. We’ve substituted freekeh for the original pearl couscous and mixed the salad together with a lovely lemon Italian vinaigrette.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freekeh
• 1 eggplant
• 1 large handful arugula , remove stems and chop
• 3-4 spring onions, white and green parts chopped
• 1 yellow bell pepper, de-seeded and chopped
• 2 large red tomatoes, de-seded and chopped
• Italian herbs
• salt and pepper to taste

for the dressing:

• 3-4 tablespoon olive oil
• 3-4 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 lemon lemon juice
• Italian herbs
• salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Cook the freekeh until soft in 2 cups water. Set aside and allow to cool.
2. Wash the arugula and cut off the stems.
3. Wash the eggplant and cut it into bite sized pieces.
4. Sauté the eggplant in a bit of olive oil, set aside or in the refrigerator to cool.
5. Make a dressing using olive oil, fruit or wine vinegar, salt, pepper and Italian herbs.
6. Place the cooled freekeh in a large bowl.
7. Add the chopped yellow bell pepper and chopped spring onions.
8. Add the cut arugula and tomato pieces.
9. Add the cooled eggplant pieces.
10. Mix the dressing and pour over the salad and mix gently.

Related Posts:

• Eggplant & Walnut Dip
• Creamy Pasta with Eggplant
• Grilled Eggplant with Tabbouleh Salsa
• Udon Noodles with Eggplant, Red Bell Pepper and Mango
• Mixed Bean Bowl with Eggplant and Green Olives

from Vegalicious http://ift.tt/1UdTgbk
via Why You Should Consider Buying Organic Food

26 Vegan Recipes For Comfort Food

1. Butternut Squash Mac ‘n Cheeze: Two Ways

Butternut squash pureed into macaroni and cheese just sounds like a match made in heaven, doesn’t it? It is also a fun way to sneak in another veggie. Get the recipe here.

 

2. Nirvana Enchilada Casserole 

Layers of corn tortilla sopping up spicy, fragrant, red sauce then overstuffed with mushroom, pinto beans and roasted potatoes. On top is a voluptuous cashew creme that will have you rolling your eyes to the back of your head like a zombie. An enchilada zombie.

3. Matzo Ball Soup
These matzo balls are firm and hold together awesomely well. They’re soft on the outside, but delightfully dense and toothsome in the middle. Try it out for yourself.

4. Tofu Popcorn Chick’n (+ it's gluten free)
This tofu chick’n recipe is so versatile. You can eat them on their own as popcorn chick’n or nuggets. You can put it in a wrap or a sandwich, on a pizza – so many possibilities! Try it!

5. Broccoli & Cheeze Soup
Why should dairy eaters have all the creamed soup fun? Create this delicious vegan option, instead.

6. Almost Famous Fried Pickles
It’s hard to believe the pickle can be improved upon, until you fry it up and taste it for yourself. Get the recipe here.

7. Peanut Butter Banana Chip Cookies
In this amazing recipe the sugar content is fairly low. They aren’t cakey, but not too crisp either. Somewhere in the middle with a pleasant crunch and a complex sweetness. And of course, they have a lovely peanut buttery undertone.

8. Mushroom Stout Pie With Potato Biscuits
A fluffy potato biscuit soaking up a deeply savory gravy that is at once mysterious and familiar. The stout really gives this dish an allure, and two kinds of mushrooms make it meaty and earthy and just umami like nobody’s business. And ya know, for a special occasion, it’s not too fussy.

9. Crispy Baked Onion Rings
Crispy, flavorful, and good-for-you, these onion rings make a great snack or addition to any meal. I could also see a big batch of these being made for a party served with a homemade dip. Can also be made gluten-free.

10. Vegetable Lasagna With Kale, Beluga Lentils & Carrots
This delicious lasagna recipe will make you forget about meat and cheese with kale and lentils!! Get the recipe here.

11. Creamed Kale
Nondairy milk and cashews combine to create a creamy sauce for kale or your favorite leafy greens. Try it for yourself!

12. Homemade Vegan Caesar Cocktail
Is this a vegan version of a Caesar cocktail or is it an adapted version of the Bloody Mary? I can’t decide. Whatever you call it, this is one fantastic drink with a whopping 4 servings of vegetables per 500 ml glass. Be sure to add the seasonings to taste and you can’t go wrong. Bottom's up!

13. Chocolate Cupcakes With Avocado Chocolate Icing

They say avocados and chocolate are brain foods right? (I don’t know who says, but it seems like something I might have read somewhere). I know it sounds weird and maybe a little gross to put them together but it actually works to make really thick and rich chocolatey frosting. Try out this recipe.

14. Creamy Polenta And Mushrooms

Creamy polenta, chickpeas and a mix of sautéed mushrooms & tarragon. This recipe is sure to be a main stay.

15. Mushroom “Alfredo”

Almonds blended with almond milk make a rich sauce for this vegan pasta dish. We like the flavor and smooth texture of spelt pasta and the way rotini traps the sauce, but feel free to substitute your favorite pasta. Get the recipe here.

16. Mozzarella Sticks

For the full diner experience, crack open a jar of pickles, whip up some vegan milkshakes, and make sure you have marinara sauce on hand. And remember, all food tastes better around 2AM. Dig into the recipe here.

 17. Double Cinnamon Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

A double dose of cinnamon gives these cookies a wonderful spicy aroma and even bigger cinnamon flavor.  Try them out now!

18. Vegan Chili

Hearty, healthy, and always ready to make you happy, this chili makes for a dependable partner. Whip up a batch with this popular recipe.

 

19. The Philly Reuben Sandwich 

A hefty sandwich, filled with sauerkraut and tangy Russian dressing that oozed out of the edges of the sandwich with each bite. Filled with marinated seitan and wrapped in warm rye bread. Try the recipe yourself! 

20. Spinach “Chicotta” Stuffed Pasta Shells

“Chicotta” is a new creation that will change the way you look at plant-based cheeses. It’s a ricotta-like cheese made from… chickpeas! With just some chickpeas and a few other simple ingredients, you can whip up the creamiest and most delicious non-dairy cheese you’ve ever tasted. Try this recipe tonight.
 

 

21. Miso Shitake Soba Soup
This soup is full of warming healing ingredients (shiitakes, ginger, miso, etc)… and would be the perfect thing if you’re under the weather… figuratively or quite literally. Get the recipe here.

22. Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich
Being a sandwich, this is totally a legit lunch. Grab a pink of Trader Joe's "Soy Creamy" vegan vanilla ice cream! Get the recipe here.

23. Creamy Broccoli And Mushroom Pasta
The vegan parmesan goes so well with the creamy mushrooms, the salty broccoli and the toasted pine nuts with the touch of heat from the red chili flakes. Yum yum yum! Try this recipe tonight!



24. Butterfinger Candy
This recipe is very simple, but you need to know two things before we begin: you must have a candy thermometer for this recipe, and you must read through the entire recipe before you start. Everything comes together quickly, and I certainly don’t wish a candy disaster on anyone.

25. Vegan Big Mac
Not only is this burger healthier and yummier than the original, it is also extremely easy and crazily filling! What a great way to impress your dinner guests with a vegan Big Mac! Try this recipe now!

26. Easy Cheezy Pizza
Nothing beats a yummy cheezy pizza…. Mmmmmm.  Get the recipe here.

[via Buzzfeed]

from Organic.org http://ift.tt/1YrZw4p
via The Advantage Of Organic Food

Piccolo's Top Baby Friendly Breakfasts

Alice Fotheringham, infant nutrition expert at Piccolo, the new organic baby food brand, talks to Planet Organic about great breakfast ideas to start off the day for you and your little one.
Despite our best efforts to change it up, most of us stick to the same breakfast routine in the scramble to get up and out of the house. For parents, the added factor of getting young children up and ready means that breakfast is often overlooked. But by spending an extra couple of minutes on breakfast for you and your family the night before, or in the morning, you can quickly make a delicious range of filling, slow release breakfasts, that make a great start to the day.

Breakfast is a meal where change often goes out the window, but getting a wide variety of foods into your baby’s diet is so important in the first few years of their life; not only to give them the range of nutrients they need, but also to help broaden their taste palette. At Piccolo we draw inspiration from the Mediterranean approach to lifestyle and nutrition which encourages a way of eating which is varied, and introduces children to a variety of delicious ingredients in early years.
 
So try mixing it up with a few ideas from Piccolo:

Oaty Breakfasts

Porridge has been proven to have many health benefits and is a brilliant way to start the day. Oats, whether soaked overnight or cooked, make a brilliant breakfast for babies. There is no need to buy special baby cereal - you can make a lovely smooth porridge using normal rolled oats whizzed up in a blender before cooking or soaking.

• Zesty Porridge: Stir in half a small finely grated carrot, ½ tsp orange zest, a squeeze of orange juice, and a scattering of raisins. Top with ground seeds.
• Banana & Cinnamon Porridge: Mash a ripe banana and stir it into the porridge with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Add a dollop of a nut or seed butter for added protein.
• Apple Soaked oats: Grate half and apple and some chopped ripe pear and top dry oats with a little apple juice and leave in the fridge overnight for bircher muesli. Sprinkle over a mix of toasted seeds or ground seeds for your baby for an added protein boost. Make a big batch of this to last a few days in the fridge.

 

Anything Eggy
(Babies can have eggs from 6 months, but they must be cooked through thoroughly. Runny yolk should not be given to any baby under 1).

• Scrambled egg: This is brilliant mixed with mashed avocado. For grown-ups put this on toast with a sprinkling of chilli flakes and freshly ground pepper.
• Eggy Bread: Whisk 2 eggs and a splash of milk (optional) in a bowl and dip fingers of bread into the egg mix. Heat a little butter in a frying pan and when hot add the eggy bread. Serve with a sprinkling of cinnamon.

 
Other Breakfast Ideas

• From 6 months, toast sticks make great finger food. Try spreading nut butters, any purées you have made or cream cheese for them to eat themselves. Flattening bread with a rolling pin and makes it a bit more manageable for younger babies.
• Chia Pudding: Soak 3 tbsp of chia seeds in 1 cup or ¼ of a tin of coconut milk and a handful of frozen berries. Stir the mixture and put it in the fridge over night or for a few hours. You can also mix in our Piccolo purées like Peach, Apple & Basil or Blueberry, Banana & Vanilla.
• Stuffed mushroom: Take a portobello mushroom and sprinkle on top any veg you have handy such as spinach, chopped tomato or red pepper. Top with either some breadcrumbs, grated cheddar or parmesan and place under the grill for a few minutes until golden and soft.
• Yoghurt: Full fat natural yoghurt is a great breakfast for you and your little ones. Add a little fruit compote or one our purees, some fresh fruit and for older children or adults add a sprinkling of toasted seeds or muesli on top. Avoid low fat or fruit yoghurts that tend to be high in sugar. Babies need full fat dairy products in the first year.

All the above recipes are suitable from 6 months upwards unless it says otherwise.

 

SHOP THE RANGE HERE
 

 

from Planet Organic Blog http://ift.tt/1sEiHvK
via How to Save Money When Buying Organic Foods

?Motion Power Breakfast Smoothie

Here at Motion Nutrition we’ve made a fine art of our breakfast smoothies.
We whizz this one up this first thing when we get to the office, but it can easily be made at home and taken on the go in a Motion Shaker.
 
Ingredients:

• 250-300ml of Almond Milk 
• 1/4 cup of Oats
• 1 scoop Motion Nutrition Pure Whey Protein
• 1 tea spoon Coconut Oil
• 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter
• Half a Banana 
• Heaped table Spoon Dried Cranberries 
• Large Handful of Ice

 
Method:
1. Add the ingredients to your blender in the order above. A trick to ensure a smooth mix is to add half the liquid first, start the blender on low and increase gradually. Poor in the remaining liquid at the end before switching the blender off.
 
2. We tend to opt for unsweetened almond milk, but a sweetened option turns this shake into a real treat. Full of healthy protein, essential fats and energy, this recipe will fill up a Motion Shaker and keep you going till noon!



Discover all the range from Motion Nutrition HERE

Everything you should know about this brand HERE
 

from Planet Organic Blog http://ift.tt/1sEijNU
via How to Save Money When Buying Organic Foods

5 ways to Enjoy Paleo Granola

​5 lip-smacking ways to enjoy paleo granola
 

• Satisfy your sweet tooth with an apple crumble

Grate one apple and mix with a sprinkle of cinnamon and ginger. Sprinkle a handful of Caramel Apple Pie Paleo Granola on top of the grated apple before diving in!

• Jazz up your smoothie bowl

Who doesn’t love a smoothie bowl? In a blender, combine 1/2c water, ½ avocado, ½ banana and a handful of spinach. Pour into a bowl and top with a handful of Sweet Greens Paleo Granola.
 

• Treat yourself to a paleo parfait

In a glass, layer a few tablespoons of coconut yoghurt, a handful of Super Berry Paleo Granola and fresh berries. Repeat and enjoy as a delicious, guilt-free breakfast or dessert!

• Add crunch to a loaf of banana bread

Whip up a batch your favourite paleo banana bread recipe and stir one cup of Tropical Twist Paleo Granola into the batter. Sprinkle with another handful of granola before baking as normal.

 

• Give in to your chocolate craving

Whizz up one cup of Chocolate Bliss Paleo Granola in a blender until you form crumbs. Mix the granola crumbs with 1/2cup Chocolate Coconut Butter. Use a tablespoon to measure out the mixture, then roll between your palms to form balls. Roll in desiccated coconut.



from Planet Organic Blog http://ift.tt/1Uinuxe
via How to Save Money When Buying Organic Foods

Super Cacao Iced Mocha

The health benefits of cacao have long been advocated, but never been clinically proven - until now.
Aduna Super-Cacao is the first cacao powder with a heart health claim approved by the European Food Safety Authority.  
 
Made from specially selected, gently roasted high-flavanol cacao beans, it contains 8x the flavanol content of regular cacao powder. Cacao flavanols are a plant-based antioxidant which help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, supporting normal blood flow. Taking just 2 teapsoons of Super-Cacao daily is clinically proven to support:

• Cardiovascular health - heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the UK
• Elasticity of arteries - ensuring a strong supply of blood, nutrients & oxygen to all vital organs
• Healthy blood circulation - great for those with cold hands & feet!

 
Aduna Super-Cacao is also jam-packed with antioxidants, giving you healthy, glowing skin - and like all Aduna products, supports small producers in rural Africa.

How to use Aduna Super-Cacao:
Aduna Super-Cacao has a delicious rich, chocolatey taste that’s easy to incorporate into your daily diet and great for making healthy sweet treats.  Here are some of our favourite ways to use it:

SPRINKLE... onto cereal, yoghurt, porridge, fruit & ice cream 
MAKE... into hot chocolates, mochas & healthy desserts
BLEND... into sauces, shakes, smoothies & ice creams
BAKE... into cakes, cookies, biscuits & brownies

It’s also delicious mixed into hot or cold coffee. Try our easy iced mocha for a cacaolicious way to keep cool this summer:

ICED MOCHA RECIPE

(Serves 1-2)
Ingredients:

• 1 ½ Tbsp Aduna Super-Cacao Powder
• 1 cup (250ml) strong, cooled coffee
• 1-3 tsp liquid sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, coconut nectar, etc.)
• ½ cup almond milk (we like Rude Health)
• ice

Method:
1. Whisk or blend together the Super-Cacao, coffee and sweetener of choice.
2. Fill 1 or 2 glasses with ice. Pour over the coffee mixture and top up with almond milk.



Enjoy!

from Planet Organic Blog http://ift.tt/1tjHu9h
via How to Save Money When Buying Organic Foods

Orange Bell Pepper Ginger Gazpacho

Now that the weather has become warm, we enjoy more cold soups or gazpachos. This is a very tasty cold soup made with orange bell peppers, orange juice and ginger.

Serving Size: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 orange bell peppers, de-seeded and chopped
• 1 1 inch nob ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 carrot , peeled and chopped
• 2 spring onions, white parts only
• 2 cups vegetable bouillon
• ⅛ teaspoon turmeric (optional but healthy)
• 1 cup orange juice, more if desired to thin the soup
• cherry tomatoes and green parts of spring onions as garnish

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a large soup pot
2. Add the chopped carrots, orange bell pepper, ginger and spring onion pieces. Saute lightly until soft.
3. Add the vegetable bouillon and cook until all vegetables are soft.
4. Puree the soup to an even blend and chill.
5. Add the orange juice.
6. Serve the cold soup in cups, bowls, shots or glasses, garnished with cut cherry tomatoes and green parts of spring onions.

Related Posts:

• Turnip and Red Bell Pepper Soup
• Udon Noodles with Eggplant, Red Bell Pepper and Mango
• Ginger Roasted Parsnips
• Mashed Rutabaga with Ginger Roasted Pears
• Carrot Gnocchi with Red Pepper Sauce

from Vegalicious http://ift.tt/1U7Jr0N
via Why You Should Consider Buying Organic Food