Vegetarian Archives - Life Bites

Quinoa Cilantro Tabbouleh – An easy and nutritious salad

One of my favorite summer salads, quinoa cilantro tabbouleh is nutritious, simple to make and pairs easily with other ingredients as a side dish or entree. Quinoa seeds are a good source of complete protein for vegeterians, offering eight grams of low fat, cholesterol-free protein per cup. So, this salad makes a great entree. Toss with sauteed tofu, grilled shrimp, chicken breasts, smoked salmon or your favorite protein for a real treat. Quinoa cilantro tabbouleh A twist on a Mediterranean favorite, swap parsley with cilantro and cous cous with quinoa. 1 cup red quinoa (or 1/2 each of white and…

Braised eggplant

If you are an eggplant lover like me, you might have tried it fried, stir-fried, baked, and of course braised. Braised eggplant (or berenjenas guisadas) was my favorite dish growing up, as a side to black bean rice. This dish goes well with rice or quinoa, though I suspect it is also delicious with flat breads like pita or naan. In the Dominican Republic, eggplant is widely used as a meat substitute, despite its low protein content. Its meaty texture and flavor are only two of many good reasons to eat eggplant. This vegetable is packed with antioxidants, vitamins B1,…

Zucchini noodles with fish in ginger sauce

Here is a simple recipe for zucchini noodles with fish fillet in ginger sauce. Quick and healthy for lunch or dinner! Zucchini noodles are easily made using a vegetable spiralizer or a julienne peeler. Alternatively, you could slice pieces of zucchini thinly with a peeler or knife, line the slices and cut them into noodles. Now let's get cooking: Zucchini noodles with fish in ginger sauce For the noodles:3 green zucchini1 table spoon of olive oil1/2 tea spoon of sea saltFor the fish:1 1/2 lbs. of fish fillet of your choice1 teaspoon of thinly sliced ginger2 large cloves of garlic…

Cold noodle salad

This Asian-inspired cold noodle salad includes cellophane mung bean noodles, minced cucumbers and your choice of additional vegetables, with a traditional Chinese dressing. Turn this salad into an entrée by adding shrimp, shredded meat or tofu. Perfect dish for a warm day or evening. Cellophane or glass noodles are transparent noodles made from mung bean, cassava root, yam or potato starch. This recipe uses mung bean noodles. They are gluten-free, paleo-approved and absorb the flavor of the sauce you serve them with. They are ready in a minute and can be added to a variety of dishes, including soups, stir…

Spicy tofu with snow peas recipe

For this spicy tofu recipe, I am using a hot black bean sauce that can be found at your local Asian markets, or at local/online specialty shops by the names "spicy bean", "chili bean" or "black bean sauce". Being a bean fan, black bean sauce is a regular in my spicy dishes. But do not let the word bean discourage you from using this sauce if you do not like legumes. Black bean sauce tastes mildly earthy and spicy (from the chili peppers). It makes a great companion sauce for tofu, mushrooms and bell peppers, as well as meats.…

Gluten free banana bread

This gluten free banana bread combines a mix of brown rice/tapioca flour, coconut flour, almond meal and flax seed meal for a delicious twist to this all time favorite. This gluten free banana bread recipe does not use nuts, but you are welcome to add them for a crunchier, heartier slice. Using chia seed gel This recipe uses traditional cooking oil and eggs, but these can be substituted for chia seed gel. Add 1 tea-spoon of chia seeds to 1/4 cup of water, stir with a spoon and allow 10 minutes or so to form into a gel. Add this…

Chinese green onion pancakes: perfect meal companion

Chinese green onion pancakes make a great companion to saucy and spicy meals, they work as appetizers or can be served with cold meats for a full meal. Everyone in my family loves green onion pancakes. I suspect they could be healthier if made with whole wheat flour (or you could experiment with adding flax seed meal or using gluten-free flour), but since we don't have these every day, I wouldn't want to compromise the flavor everyone has come to love. These are simple to make and can be frozen for long storage, as they reheat very well. Watch my…

Easy brunch: cheese, onion and pepper omelette

Easy and delicious, this cheese onion pepper omelette is a great brunch idea that does not require baking or turning. Serve alone for a low carb breakfast, enjoy with fruit or your favorite bread. About the cheese: For this recipe, I really enjoy muenster cheese or grated chihuahua (Mexican melting cheese). If you do use muenster, two thin slices cut in small pieces will do for this recipe. Experiment with different types of cheese and peppers to find what works for you! Easy brunch: cheese, onion and pepper omelette 4 eggs1 Cubanelle or bell pepper1/4 medium size onion1/4 cup grated…