by Robin Robertson
on January 23, 2018
Tortilla chips are the usual accompaniment to guacamole, but raw vegetables and pita or bagel chips make a welcome change. Avocados were introduced to Mexico in the fifteenth century by the Incas, who originally brought them from Ecuador. I like Haas avocados because of their rich flavor and creamy texture. If you prefer a less sassy guacamole, leave out the jalapeños.
Smooth and Sassy Guacamole
Tortilla chips are the usual accompaniment to guacamole, but raw vegetables and pita or bagel chips make a welcome change.
-
2
ripe Haas avocados
-
1
tablespoon
fresh lime juice
-
1/2
teaspoon
salt
-
1/4
cup
chopped tomato
-
1/4
cup
minced onion
-
1
tablespoon
minced canned jalapeños
-
1
teaspoon
minced garlic
-
1/8
teaspoon
ground cumin
-
Peel and pit the avocados and place them in a food processor. Add the lime juice and salt and process until almost smooth, with a bit of texture remaining. Add the tomato, onion, jalapeños, garlic, and cumin, and blend with brief on-and-off bursts. Transfer to a serving bowl.
From Hot Vegan by Robin Robertson. ©2014 Robin Robertson. Used by permission from Andrews McMeel Publishing.
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by Robin Robertson
on January 16, 2018
Chipotle chiles and smoked paprika provide a smoky heat, while sun-dried tomatoes, lime juice, and a variety of seasonings add to the intriguing flavor palate of this Smoke and Spice Almond Hummus.
Smoke and Spice Almond Hummus
Chipotle chiles and smoked paprika provide a smoky heat, while sun-dried tomatoes, lime juice, and a variety of seasonings add to the intriguing flavor palate of this bold dip.
-
2
garlic cloves, crushed
-
1 1/2
cups
or 1 (15.5-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
-
1
or 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
-
2
oil-packed or rehydrated sun-dried tomatoes, drained
-
3
tablespoons
almond butter
-
2
tablespoons
lime juice
-
1
teaspoon
smoked paprika
-
1/2
teaspoon
ground coriander
-
1/2
teaspoon
cumin
-
1/4
cup
plus 1 tablespoon water
-
Salt and ground black pepper
-
3
tablespoons
chopped cilantro
-
1/2
cup
roasted slivered almonds, for garnish
-
In a food processor, combine the garlic, chickpeas, chipotle, and tomatoes, and process to a paste. Add the almond butter, lime juice, paprika, coriander, cumin, and the water.
-
Process until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add 2 tablespoons of the cilantro. Pulse to combine thoroughly.
-
Transfer the hummus to a bowl. If not serving right away, cover and refrigerate until needed.
-
If serving right away, sprinkle the top with the almonds and remaining cilantro.
From The Nut Butter Cookbook by Robin Robertson. ©2014 Robin Robertson. Used by permission from Andrews McMeel Publishing. Photo by Lori Maffei.
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by Robin Robertson
on January 9, 2018
Ideal for on-the-go breakfasts or between meal snacks, these tasty little no-bake energy bites pack a nutritious punch of protein, potassium, and other nutrients. If you don’t have protein powder for this recipe, you can just leave it out. If the texture is too moist, add a bit more oats or walnuts to the mixture.
Power Ball Energy Bites
Ideal for on-the-go breakfasts or between meal snacks, these tasty little no-bake energy bites pack a nutritious punch of protein, potassium, and other nutrients.
-
3/4
cup
old-fashioned oats
-
1/2
cup
toasted walnuts
-
2
tablespoons
vegan protein powder (I use Sun Warrior vanilla)
-
2
tbsp
cocoa powder
-
1
teaspoon
cinnamon
-
1
ripe banana, cut into chunks
-
2
tablespoons
almond butter
-
1/4
cup
maple syrup
-
1/2
cup
dried cranberries
-
2
tablespoons
ground flaxseeds
-
1
cup
shredded toasted coconut, ground
-
In a food processor, combine oats, walnuts, protein powder, cocoa powder, and cinnamon. Pulse until well mixed. Add the banana, almond butter, and maple syrup. Pulse until combined. Add the cranberries and flaxseeds, and pulse until combined.
-
Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls. If the balls are too soft, refrigerate or freeze them for an hour. Roll the balls in the ground coconut.
-
Transfer to a platter and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator.
From The Nut Butter Cookbook by Robin Robertson. ©2014 Robin Robertson. Used by permission from Andrews McMeel Publishing. Photo by Zsu Dever.
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by Robin Robertson
on January 2, 2018
As the name implies, there’s everything but the kitchen sink in this delicious Kitchen-Sink Capellini, including artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, and two kinds of tomatoes. Made with quick-cooking capellini, this meal is ready in just minutes with a complex flavor that belies its speedy preparation.
Kitchen-Sink Capellini
As the name implies, there’s everything but the kitchen sink in this delicious pasta dish, including artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, and two kinds of tomatoes. Made with quick-cooking capellini, this meal is ready in just minutes with a complex flavor that belies its speedy preparation.
-
8
ounces
capellini or angel hair pasta
-
2
tablespoons
olive oil
-
3
garlic cloves, finely minced
-
2
14-ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
-
1
16-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
-
1/3
cup
oil-packed or reconstituted sun-dried tomatoes, cut into thin strips
-
1
6-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
-
1/2
cup
Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
-
4
cups
baby spinach or 1 cup chopped frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed (optional)
-
2
tablespoons
fresh chopped basil or 1 teaspoon dried
-
Salt and ground black pepper
-
1/4
cup
toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts
-
Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 4 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, toss to coat, and set aside.
-
In the same pot in which you cooked the pasta, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Stir in the diced tomatoes, cannellini beans, artichoke hearts, olives, spinach (if using), basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook over medium heat until hot and well combined, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved pasta and toss gentle to combine and heat through. Serve hot sprinkled with the pine nuts.
Recipe from Cook the Pantry © 2015 by Robin Robertson. Photo by Annie Oliverio. Used by permission Vegan Heritage Press LLC.
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by Robin Robertson
on December 26, 2017
Apple slices with nut butter are a great healthy snack. Now, this delicious flavor combo can be enjoyed in these luscious Apple-Almond Butter Pancakes. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour.
Apple-Almond Butter Pancakes
Apple slices with nut butter are a great healthy snack. Now, this delicious flavor combo can be enjoyed in these luscious pancakes. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour.
-
1/2
cups
all-purpose flour
-
1
tablespoon
natural sugar
-
2
teaspoons
baking powder
-
1/4
teaspoon
salt
-
1 1/2
cups
almond milk
-
1/2
cup
apple juice
-
3
tablespoons
almond butter
-
1
teaspoon
vanilla extract
-
1
large apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
-
2
tablespoons
chopped roasted almonds
-
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking pow- der, and salt.
-
In a blender, combine the milk, apple juice, almond butter, and vanilla and blend until smooth.
-
Pour into the flour mixture, stirring with a few swift strokes until just moist. Fold in the chopped apple and almonds.
-
Preheat the oven to 200°F. Lightly oil a griddle or non- stick skillet and heat until hot. Ladle about 1/4 cup of the batter onto the griddle or skillet. Cook on one side until small bubbles appear on the top of the pancakes, about 2 minutes.
-
Flip the pancakes with a spatula and cook until the second side is lightly browned, about 1 minute longer. Repeat with the remaining batter. Keep the cooked pancakes warm in the oven while preparing the remaining pancakes.
From The Nut Butter Cookbook by Robin Robertson. ©2014 Robin Robertson. Used by permission from Andrews McMeel Publishing. Photo by Lori Maffei.
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by Robin Robertson
on December 19, 2017
This vegan paella is the ultimate in delicious pantry cooking. The quickest way to get it on the table is by having cooked rice on hand. If you have cooked rice in the freezer, it defrosts quickly in the microwave. You can also substitute a quick-cooking grain such as quinoa, if you prefer.
Paella from the Pantry
This vegan paella is the ultimate in delicious pantry cooking.
-
1
tablespoon
olive oil
-
1
large yellow onion, chopped
-
3
cloves
garlic cloves, minced
-
1
cup
vegetable broth
-
1
pinch
saffron threads or ground annatto or turmeric, for color
-
1
teaspoon
smoked paprika
-
1
teaspoon
dried oregano
-
1/2
teaspoon
red pepper flakes
-
1
28-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes, undrained
-
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
-
1
cup
frozen green peas, thawed
-
1 1/2
cups
cooked chickpeas, or 1 (15.5-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
-
2 1/2 to 3
cups
cooked rice
-
1
6-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
-
1
6-ounce jar roasted red bell pepper, drained and chopped
-
1/2
cup
sliced pimiento-stuffed green olives
-
2
tablespoons
chopped fresh parsley
-
Heat the oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes to soften. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the broth, saffron, paprika, bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, and tomatoes and their juice. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to medium. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover, and simmer for 8 minutes. Stir in the peas, chickpeas, cooked rice, artichoke hearts, roasted red bell pepper, olives, and parsley. Cook 3 to 5 minutes longer, stirring gently, to heat through. Taste and adjust the seasonings, if needed. Serve hot.
Recipe from Cook the Pantry © 2015 by Robin Robertson. Photo by Annie Oliverio. Used by permission Vegan Heritage Press LLC.
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