Category: vegetarian

Vegan Peanut Sauce Noodles

On By nathalieskitchenIn Asian Party Food, Salads, Side Dish, Thai, Vegan, Vegetables, vegetarianLeave a comment

Recently I have had a few of my vegan/vegetarian friends ask me for some modified recipes so they can enjoy some of my recipes too. This is a simple noodle salad packed full of flavor and you can make it ahead of time and enjoy on a hot day.

Vegan/Vegetarian Peanut Sauce Noodles

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients for peanut sauce:

  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 1/4 can Thai red curry paste
  • 1 tablespoon of  fresh lemon juice (more to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar or palm sugar
  • 1/2 cup hot water
  • 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon of peanut oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Ingredients for noodle salad:

  • 1 package of rice vermicelli noodles – see picture below for type (cooked and washed in cold water to cool). You can also use thick spaghetti if you are in a pinch or experiment with other noodles. You need a thicker noodle to hold up the peanut sauce so it doesn’t get too mushy.
  • 2 seedless cucumbers sliced into chunks (I like Persian)
  • 3 carrots julienned
  • 1/2 cup green onions (chopped)

Directions:

  • In a medium sauce pan, mix the curry paste with a teaspoon of peanut oil and stir until hot, add coconut milk and bring to a boil.
  • Add peanut butter, sugar, salt and lemon. Bring to a boil for 5 minute stirring the entire time so it doesn’t burn.
  • Add hot water to make the consistency looser and not to thick
  • Taste and make sure there is enough salt and sour taste.
  • Add more sugar if its too spicy.
  • Toss the peanut sauce 1/2 cup at a time to make sure you don’t over dress the noodles
  • Add cucumber, carrots and onions
  • Chill and serve cold or room tempurature

fivegrainbrandguilinricevermicelli

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Egg and Scallion Fried Rice

On By nathalieskitchenIn Asian Party Food, dinner, Easy Dinners, Side Dish, vegetarianLeave a comment

This recipe was inspired by the fried rice in Din Tai Fung. I love being able to use my fresh eggs from my hens for this dish! You can serve this dish with any meat, vegetables or curry dishes.

Egg and Scallion Fried Rice

  • Servings: 4
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

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Ingredients:

  • 3 cups cooked short grain rice (cooled on a plate for at least 5 hours)
  • 1 – 2 tsp salt
  • 1- 2 tsp soy sauce
  • 3/4 cup green onions (use entire stem, chopped)
  • 4 eggs (beaten)
  • 4-5 cloves garlic (grated fine)
  • 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
  • 2 tbsp soy oil or vegetable oil

Directions:

  • In a large skillet or wok heat oil
  • In the bowl with the beaten egg add garlic, soy sauce, salt and pepper
  • Drop into hot pan and stir quickly until halfway cooked
  • Add cold rice and combine until there are no rice clumps
  • Add scallions
  • Taste and adjust with salt or soy sauce until you have reach the flavor you like
  • Serve hot

 

Vegetarian / Vegan Thai Green Curry

On By nathalieskitchenIn Thai, Vegan, vegetarianLeave a comment

I’ve been cooking Thai food for almost 30 years and one of my go to dishes is green curry. I don’t have time make the paste from scratch so I opt to make it with canned paste. If you sauté in heated peanut oil it helps bring out the flavor and wake up the spices.

Typically this is made with two types of Thai Eggplant, one that is shown in this recipe and the other that looks like peas. I had some fresh yellow squash I picked up from the farmers market that made the curry more colorful and tasted great!

I adapted this recipe from my chicken curry and omitted the chicken, fish sauce and chicken stock. Replacing them with vegetable stock and salt makes this dish vegan.

Vegetarian / Vegan Thai Green Curry

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: medium
  • Print

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Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon of peanut oil
  • 1 can of green curry paste (I prefer Maesri brand)
  • 1 can of heavy coconut cream (not milk)
  • 1-2 Kaffir lime leaves
  •  Large handful of Thai Basil (remove from stems)
  • 3 cups of vegetable broth
  • 1-2 tablespoons of sugar or palm sugar
  • 1-2 teaspoons of salt (to taste)
  • 1 can of bamboo shoots (I prefer Chaokoh brand)
  • 10-15 Thai eggplant (if you can’t find this use green Zucchini cut into quarters)
  • 2 yellow squash (cut into quarters)
  • 1 handful of fresh green beans (cut into one inch pieces) (optional)

Directions:

  • In a large pan or dutch oven heat the peanut oil and add the entire can of green curry paste (a little less if you don’t like it too spicy)
  • Sauté for 1-2 minutes
  • Add coconut cream and stir until combined with curry paste
  • Let boil on high for 5-8 minutes. The aroma should be strong and make you want to sneeze.
  • Add vegetable stock
  • Add Kaffir leaves and a handful of basil
  • Add sugar
  • Add salt
  • Add bamboo shoots, eggplant and squash
  • Bring to a boil then reduce heat to simmer for about 15 minutes
  • Add green beans and let cook for 15 more minutes
  • Serve over rice or rice noodles

Green curry paste and coconut milk
Green curry paste and coconut milk

Kaffir Lime Leaves and Thai Basil
Kaffir Lime Leaves and Thai Basil

Thai Eggplant, bamboo shoots and yellow squash
Thai Eggplant, bamboo shoots and yellow squash

cut Thai eggplant into quarters
Cut Thai eggplant into quarters

Green Curry!
Green Curry!

Brioche French Toast

On By nathalieskitchenIn Breakfast, Brunch, vegetarianLeave a comment

Recently I discovered a new vendor at our local farmers market that sells French pastries. I was inspired by their brioche bread and decided to make breakfast for dinner. I like to add orange zest and nutmeg to my egg mixture, it makes the a great flavor for the french bread. The corn starch creates a crunchy texture to the french toast.

 

Brioche French Toast

  • Servings: 8
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients:

  • 8 slices of brioche bread (cut into one inch slices)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup half & half or heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp orange zest
  • 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp corn starch
  • 2 – 4 tbsp salted butter  (to be used in the pan)
  • Pinch salt

Directions:

  • In a square shallow bowl beat the eggs and add the half and half
  • Add orange zest, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, corn starch and salt
  • Place bread into mixture one at a time to coat the bread
  • Place on a heated grill or pan with the melted butter
  • Cook until golden brown and crispy
  • Sprinkle powdered sugar and serve with warm maple syrup

 

Burrata and Arugula Garlic Toast

On By nathalieskitchenIn Appetizers, vegetarian1 Comment

I have made this easy dish for appetizers and also served along with pasta or a soup. I haven’t met anyone that eats this that doesn’t like it. You can add pine nuts for an extra texture to the arugula or drizzle over with glazed balsamic vinegar.

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Burrata and Arugula Garlic Toast

  • Servings: 10
  • Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients:

  • One french baguette (sliced diagonally, about 10 pieces)
  • 4 – 6 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 4-  6 tbsp butter (melted)
  • 1 container burrata (2 balls)
  • 1 – 2 large handful organic arugula
  • 1 – 2 tbsp high quality olive oil
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 400
  • Melt butter and add garlic (stir well)
  • Brush mixture on each piece of bread and place in oven until toasted (about 5-10 minutes)
  • Remove from oven and place on a platter
  • Section out burrata into 10 servings and place on each piece of bread
  • In a bowl, mix arugula with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper
  • Place arugula on top of each piece
  • Ready to serve!

 

Vanilla Custard Trifle

On By nathalieskitchenIn Desserts, vegetarianLeave a comment

I’m always looking for an easy dessert to make ahead of time for my dinner parties. I typically will make pies or cheesecake but I wanted to try something different. Using the custard recipe I make for my banana cream pie I created this amazing trifle.

The custard recipe was shared by my friend Penny of Penny’s Pies. I have changed a few methods of her recipe as I have tested this out and made this many times.

Vanilla Custard Trifle

  • Servings: 8-10
  • Difficulty: medium
  • Print

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Trifle Ingredients:

  • 1 trifle bowl
  • 1 pound cake loaf  (cut in slices)
  • 2 cups fresh whipped cream (not in a can)
  • 1 package of strawberries (sliced and cut)
  • Custard

Custard Ingredients:

  • 1 package of unflavored gelatin
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 6 extra large egg yolks
  • 1 cup bakers sugar
  • 1 cup half and half (warmed to just tepid)
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp chilled butter

Custard Directions:

  • Soften the gelatin in the 1/4 cup of water
  • In a medium size saucepan, off heat, beat egg yolks and gradually add 1 cup of sugar to the eggs, whisking continuously. Continue whisking by hand for 2 more minutes until egg yolks and sugar are thick and light yellow in color.
  • Slowly whisk in the warmed milk or half and half to the yolk/sugar mixture until well blended, about ¼ cup at a time.
  • Place saucepan on medium heat, stirring constantly. Foam will form on the surface and as the filling comes to a boil the foam will start to disappear. When the filling comes to a full boil, remove from heat immediately. Add the softened gelatin and stir in until melted. Add vanilla extract, butter and stir until fully combined.
  • Pour filling into a large bowl, place in refrigerator for one to two hours until set.

Trifle Directions:

  • In a trifle bowl, place the cut slices of pound cake on the bottom
  • Add half the custard and smooth over the top of the pound cake
  • Add half the whipped cream and smooth over the top of custard
  • Add cut strawberries to layer the top of whipped cream
  • Add another round of pound cake
  • Add custard
  • Add whipped cream
  • Add strawberries
  • Chill for 3-4 hours
  • Serve cold

 

Greek Spiralized Cucumber Salad

On By nathalieskitchenIn Salads, vegetarianLeave a comment

I got a new toy for Christmas! I got a spiralizer! This new gadget is going to inspire me to make more vegetables for my family. Here’s a big greek salad you can make for any potluck, party or just for your family.

You can change up the amounts based on your needs, it’s so simple you can’t go wrong!

Greek Spiralized Salad

  • Servings: 8-10
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

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Ingredients:

  • 4-5 seedless English cucumber
  • 2 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
  • 1 cup red onion, sliced thin on spiralizer
  • 2 fresh lemon
  • 1 package of fresh feta
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp fresh oregano leaves, minced

Directions:

  • Spiralize the cucumbers using the chipper blade on the spiralizer.
  • Cut the strands into smaller bite size pieces
  • Place on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt to help remove the excess water. Let sit for 1 hour
  • In a large bowl mix the bell pepper, tomatoes, olives and onion
  • Add cucumber
  • When ready to serve, toss with fresh feta and dressing

Dressing:

  • In a small bowl combine juice of 2 lemons
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp fresh chopped oregano
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Creamy Brussel Sprouts

On By nathalieskitchenIn Holiday Meal, Side Dish, Vegetables, vegetarianLeave a comment

Christmas Eve dinner with our Aunt Patty has been an event we look forward to each year. She is an incredible chef and hostess. This year I was able to help her in the kitchen to learn her recipes that she has been making for many years. I was surprised on how simple each dish was to make! The biggest key to a successful dinner party is timing, patience and organization.

IMG_3396There are many dishes in her holiday meal and I will post each separately but categorize them under the menu “Holiday Meal” so that you can find them with ease.

Creamy Brussel Sprouts

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

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Ingredients:

  • 1-2 pounds of Brussel sprouts
  • 2 cups heavy cream (more if your pan is large)
  • 1 tsp fresh nutmeg

Directions:

  • In a large skillet, add the Brussel sprouts
  • Add cream to pan and coat all Brussel sprouts until covered
  • Cook on low heat for one hour or until fork soft
  • Grate fresh nutmeg over the top
  • Serve hot!

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Glazed Onions

On By nathalieskitchenIn Holiday Meal, Side Dish, Vegetables, vegetarianLeave a comment

Christmas Eve dinner with our Aunt Patty has been an event we look forward to each year. She is an incredible chef and hostess. This year I was able to help her in the kitchen to learn her recipes that she has been making for many years. I was surprised on how simple each dish was to make! The biggest key to a successful dinner party is timing, patience and organization.

There are many dishes in her holiday meal and I will post each separately but categorize them under the menu “Holiday Meal” so that you can find them with ease.

Glazed Onions

  • Servings: 6-8
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

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Ingredients:

  • 1 pound boiling onions
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 2-3 tbsp sherry vinegar
  • minced parsley

Directions:

  • Place a cross in the root end of each onion
  • Drop into boiling water for 2 minutes and remove
  • Remove skin of onions and set aside
  • In a heavy saucepan, heat olive oil
  • Add peeled onions, sugar, salt and pepper
  • Cover and cook for 35 minutes, stirring occasionally
  • Add sherry vinegar and cook for an additional 35 minutes over low heat, covered, but turn onions so that they are glazed on all sides
  • Sprinkle with minced parsley
  • Serve hot

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Broccoli and Baby Dutch Potatoes with Garlic

On By nathalieskitchenIn Side Dish, Vegetables, vegetarianLeave a comment

Here is an easy side dish you can serve alone or with a protein of your choice.

Broccoli and Baby Dutch Potatoes with Garlic

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Print

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Ingredients:

  • 2-3 stalks of organic broccoli (cut)
  • 10-12 medium organic Dutch baby potatoes (sliced into discs)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/2 lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Directions:

  • Wash and clean broccoli, for the stalk, peal and slice into discs
  • Wash and slice potatoes into discs
  • In a large pan boil water
  • Add broccoli and blanch for 1 minute, set aside
  • In a large pan, heat olive oil
  • Add garlic and potatoes and cook until golden brown
  • Add broccoli
  • Add salt and pepper
  • Cook until soft
  • Add lemon juice at the end for flavor
  • Serve hot