Protein Pasta Salad!

What's up with the weather this year? It's crazy! Last week we had 2 feet of snow on the ground...and today it was 59 degrees. But this girl ain't complaining--I HATE winter! Anyway, this warm burst has got me craving Spring...and springtime FOODS! And one of my all-time FAVORITE spring and summer dishes? PASTA SALAD. MMMMMMMMHHHMMMMM. And my Protein Pasta Salad is even better than regular pasta salad (shocking, I know)...because it has an impressive 25 GRAMS OF PLANT PROTEIN PER SERVING/RECIPE! My secret? BEAN PASTA NOODLES. I used a lentil macaroni noodle from the brand "Pasta Legume" which I am OBSESSED with, but I love all the bean pasta brands out there! Explore Asian is another great brand...love their mung bean fettuccine! I know. I just turned pasta salad fit. You love me, I know. Enjoy :)

Protein Pasta Salad!

Protein Pasta Salad! Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves One.


Ingredients
1. 3/4 cup bean-based small pasta noodles (I used lentil macaroni noodles from "Pasta Legume")
2. 1/4 cup chopped red onion
3. 1 cup raw cauliflower florets
4. 1/2 cup sliced grape tomatoes
5. 1/2 cup canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
6. one stick celery, sliced
7. 1/8 tsp each onion and garlic powder
8. 2 T white vinegar
9. black pepper and dried parsley, to taste
10. salt, to taste

Method
1. Bring a small soup pot of water to a boil on the stove. Add pasta noodles and cook until al dente--NOTE--bean-based pastas cook MUCH faster than grain-based. When the pot begins to overflow, the goods are done!
2. Drain noodles and rinse briefly under cold water.
3. Combine noodles with remaining ingredients and toss well.
4. Spoon pasta salad into a large bowl, cover, and refrigerate 30 minutes for flavors to mingle (or until ready to eat). Serve chilled and enjoy!

Roasted Tofu Tacos with Sliced Beets and Pumpkin-Herb Sauce.

Happy Taco Tuesday, my lovers! Taco Tuesday dinners are always one of my favorites of the week...as if traditional Mexican tacos (or Tex-Mex...) aren't amazing enough, when you start branching out with what to fill in your tortillas, well, let's just say the possibilities are endless!
These Roasted Tofu Tacos with Sliced Beets and Pumpkin-Herb Sauce are so yummy, and super quick to prepare! Less than 8 ingredients, minimal prep time, and only about 20 minutes cooking time. BOOM! #TacoTuesYAY.

Roasted Tofu Tacos with Sliced Beets and Pumpkin-Herb Sauce.

Roasted Tofu Tacos with Sliced Beets and Pumpkin-Herb Sauce. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one.


Ingredients
1. Two soft corn tortillas
2. Two handfuls fresh spinach leaves, steamed
3. 5 oz. extra-firm tofu
4. pinch of salt
5. onion and garlic powders, black pepper to taste
6. 1/2 cup sliced, steamed red beets
7. 2 T canned pumpkin puree
8. splash of barge's liquid aminos (or soy sauce)
9. dried herbs and spices of choice, to taste


Method
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Chop tofu cubes into small chunks and place in a medium-sized bowl, along with salt, onion, garlic, and black pepper. Toss with spoon to coat.
3. Spread tofu over parchment and roast for 20-30 minutes, until crispy. Remove from oven and let cool.
4. While tofu is baking, begin plating your tacos. Place tortillas on a large plate and divide steamed spinach between the two.
5. In a small bowl, whisk pumpkin puree with enough water to form a sauce. Add herbs and spices of choice, along with aminos/soy sauce, and stir well.
6. Top spinach with tofu, then steamed beets, and finally, pumpkin sauce. Serve!

BBQ Beans and Tangerines.

Ok don't ask WHAT made me think of this...but be glad I did...and that I'm sharing the recipe NOW instead of saving it for my cookbook! Enjoy friends. 

    BBQ Beans and Tangerines. 

         For reals though. This is bomb. 

BBQ Beans and Tangerines. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 3 oz. sliced white onion

2. 3/4 cup great northern beans (chickpeas would be Delish too!)

3. 1/4 cup BBQ sauce (like my spicy BBQ on the blog!)

4. One large tangerine, sectioned

5. Lettuce for serving 

Method

1. First, halve your tangerine and section it. Place about 4 slices in a plastic baggy and stick in the freezer overnight (or for at least 8 hours). 

2. Place onions in a small saucepan with a little water. Caramelize until soft. Add beans and stir (water should be prett much gone). Toss in your fresh tangerine chunks and add BBQ sauce. Stir well and cook, stirring regularly, over medium heat until gooey and luscious smelling. 

3. Spoon beans mixture over your lettuce (use spinach for extra iron!). Take your frozen tang slices out of the freezer and, using a hand grater, grate over dish to make "frozen citrus zest"...aka the secret ingredient of why this recipe is seriously insane. Serve immediately. 

PB Coconut Lentil Stew over Sprouts.

This. Oh heavens. Prepare yourselves, friends. 

    PB Coconut Lentil Stew over Sprouts. 

PB Coconut Lentil Stew over Sprouts. Vegan, gluten-free. Served one. 

Ingredients 

1. 1 cup canned lentils

2. 2 T ground golden flaxseed

3. 1 T coconut flour

4. 1 cup coconut milk

5. 1/4 tsp garlic powder

6. 1/8 tsp each onion powder and ginger

7. 1 cup frozen broccoli florets

8. 1 cup fresh broccoli sprouts 

9. 4 T powdered peanut butter 

Method

1. Combine all ingredients except coconut flour in a medium size soup pot. 2. Stir over medium heat. 

3. When lightly boiling, add coconut flour and stir constantly till thick. Serve over sprouts.  

Curried Cous Cous Salad

Cous Cous is one of those foods that I literally grew up eating. My mom fixed so many international meals for our family, so Cous Cous was a very common grain when I was little. However, when I went vegan (and gluten free), I gave up my bird semolina-based hot cereal. But this story had a happy ending: I FOUND BROWN RICE COUS COUS PEOPLE! Thus, this recipe was born. A new fave! Enjoy!

           Curried Cous Cous Salad. 

                          So good. 

    This is one dish j DO NOT want to share...

         Time to devour. GET IN MA BELLY!

Curried Cous Cous Salad. Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup brown rice couscous

2. 1/2 cup water

3. 3/4 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed

4. 1/4 cup chopped sweet onion

5. 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper

6. 2 T raisins

7. 1 T white whine vinegar

8. 1/2 packet stevia

9. 1/2 tsp curry powder

10. 1 1/2 tsp braggs aminos

11. 1/8 tsp garam masala 

12. Handful finely chopped cilantro

Method 

1. Cook couscous according to package directions and fluff with a fork. Remove from heat and set aside to firm up for a few minutes. 

2. Return to heat, along with all ingredients except cilantro, along with 1/2 cup water, and stir together over medium heat. 

3. When heated through and water is absorbed, stir in cilantro. 

4. Serve warm and enjoy! 

Cream-filled Butternut Boats.

So, I'm going to start a new recipe series here on TFVG blog...I'm calling it "Dinn in 10". Yep, you guessed it--ten minute dinners. And I'm not talking PB sandwiches. Warm, cooked, comfort food (and no, Lean Cuisines don't count...). YES IT IS POSSIBLE! Listen up all you full time/night shift workers. You too, hungry college students--Get ready for your minds to be blown. Oh, and set your timers ⌚️😜

         Cream-filled Butternut Boats.

      Ten minutes to creamy goodness. 

Cream-filled Butternut Boats; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One small butternut squash

2. 6 oz. silken tofu

3. 5 drops liquid stevia

4. Pinch sage

5. Garlic and onion powders

6. Sprinkle of cinnamon for garnish

7. Dash of bragg's liquid aminos 

Method 

1. Carefully slice the top off your swuash and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out  the seeds and discard (or toast 'em for later! YUMMO!). 

2. Place squash on micro-safe plate/dish and cover. Nuke her 5-6 minutes, until fork tender. Set aside to cool slightly. 

3. In your mini food processor, combine tofu, aminos, sage, garlic, onion, and stevia. Blend until smooth. Scoop into squash and sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve with a salad and toast.  There ya go. Simple and delicious!

Note: the spices here are totally versatile. Get creative! Not into sage? Leave it out or sub for a different spice. Sweet basil (stevia + dried basil) is super yum here too. 

Around the World Mega Salad.

If you all follow me on Instagram (@thefitveganginger--follow me! Hehe!) you will know my utter OBSESSION with giant salads...I have lovingly termed these gigantic veggie piles "Mega Salads". I've posted a few of my past fave mega salads on the blog, but this one tops them all. The eclectic combination of flavors really makes this salad pop. You've got crisp, tangy, spicy, fresh, and buttery all rolled into one TOTALLY BOMB dish. "Clean out the fridge salad" just became a new fave lunch. 

         Around the World Mega Salad. 

Around the World Mega Salad; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one (makes one GIANT salad!). 

Ingredients

1. 8 cups packed fresh spinach leaves 

2. 1 cup canned navy beans (don't sub with great northern or cannellini. Navy beans are essential in this recipe because of their smooth and buttery texture, which other white beans don't provide.)

3. 1/2 medium red bell pepper, chopped

4. 2 T bragg's liquid aminos

5. 1/2 tsp dried basil

6. 1/4 tsp fenugreek powder

7. 1/4 tsp curry powder

8. Pinch mustard powder

9. Onion, garlic, and black pepper to taste

Method

1. Place spinach in a HUGE bowl (DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE BOWL SIZE---I literally eat my salads out of a family size serving bowl...!) and too with red pepper chunks. Add beans and aminos and sprinkle on spices. Eat up! So good. 

Note: because of all the different flavors in this salad, it goes well with almost anything as an addition to make a full meal. Think pita bread, brown rice, hummus on gluten free cracker, you name it. I may or may me have had this with my "Cinnamon Swirl Oatmeal", though....

Sweet 'n Sour Mega Salad.

Ok. Wow. Just, wow. This is by far and away THE BEST SALAD I HAVE EVER EATEN. And yes that is quite the statement. But I'm not kidding! It's the perfect combination of sweet, sour, crunchy, smooth, oh. YUMMO!

             Sweet 'n Sour Mega Salad. 

Sweet 'n Sour Mega Salad; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one (makes one "mega salad"). 

Ingredients 

1. 8 packed cups raw spinach leaves 

2. 1/4 cup TVP (mix with 1/4 cup water and microwave 1 minute)

3. 1/2 cup navy (or other white bean) beans, drained and rinsed

4. 1/2 chopped apple (I used gala)

5. 1/4 cup chopped red onion

6. Juice of 1/2 lime

7. 1 T balsamic vinegar 

8. 1 tsp Dijon mustard

8. Garlic powder and black pepper to taste

Method

1. Place spinach leaves in a LARGE bowl and add all ingredients in the order listed until you get to the balsamic. 

2. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar and Dijon together until smooth. Drizzle over salad and sprinkle with garlic and pepper. Enjoy!

Raw Yellow Squash Noodles with Tangy Chickpeas.

Yes, yes. The title of this one is preeeeeettyyy boring. Don't let the title fool you. This dish is AHMAZING! It literally takes 10 minutes but tastes like you slaved in the kitchen. Ready. Set. Go! 

Raw Yellow Squash with Tangy Chickpeas. 

                     Close up time!

Raw Yellow Squash Noodles with Tangy Chickpeas; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. One medium yellow squash, spiralized or julienned into "noodles" (I use the "vegetti")

2. 3/4 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 

3. 2 tsp spicy brown mustard

4. 1 T balsamic vinegar

5. 1/4 cup sliced red onion 

6. Garlic powder to taste

Method 

1. Make your veggie noodles and place in a large bowl. 

2. Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add chickpeas. 

3. In a small bowl, whisk mustard and balsamic. Pour over chickpeas and let it sizzle. Mix aroun with spatula an cook until "toasty". Serve over noodles. 

4. In same pan, after scraping as much glaze off as possible, add red onion with about 3 T water. Let it caramelize, stirring with spatula occasionally. Add garlic powder and cook until dry. Serve over chickpeas an noodles and enjoy! 

Mighty Miso Soup.

 Soup is definitely a go-to for me. For example, this recipe was invented after getting home kind of late and simply digging through the fridge to use up what I had left before going to the store. Simple, quick, super yummy and filling, this soup is great for any season and any time of day! Hope you enjoy! 

                 Mighty Miso Soup. 

Mighty Miso Soup; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 1 and 2/3 cup low sodium vegetable broth

2. One large leaf Bok choy, chopped 

3. 3 oz. carrot "matchsticks"

4. 1 T bragg's liquid aminos

5. 1/4 cup chopped onion

6. Onion powder, garlic powder, and ginger powder to taste

7. 1/2 package (4 oz.) noodles of choice (I used tofu shirataki noodles)

Method

1. This soup is so SO easy. Simply add all ingredients to a medium size soup pot and cook over medium heat until bubbling and until Bok choy, carrots, and onion are tender. Pour ion large bowl and enjoy!

                So simple. So yummy! 

Gingersnap Oatmeal.

One of my all time favorite sweeteners is blackstrap molasses. In fact, I think of it more as a supplement than a sweetener. This stuf is a total suoerfood, in my opinion. It supplies so much iron it's not even funny. And that taste. Who doesn't love molasses?! 

This oat bowl is heaven. Literally like devouring a healthy Gingersnap cookie. Perfect for breakfast...or any time of day for that matter...

               Gingersnap Oatmeal. 

Gingersnap Oatmeal; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. 1/2 cup oats of choice (I used oatbran)

2. 1 cup water (2 if you are following my "double your grains!" technique, explained in a previous post)

3. 1 T blackstrap molasses

4. 1/2 tsp powdered ginger, plus extra for garnish

Method

1. In a small soup pot, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and stir in oats. 

2. Cook, stirring regularly, for about 3 minutes or until mostly cooked. Stir in molasses and ginger and continue cooking until desired thickness is reached. Pour into a bowl, top with ginger, and EAT! 

             Heavenly. Pure perfection. 

"Dessert" Salad.

Are you ready to be bombarded with sala recipes?! When the weather starts warming up, all I want is SALAD. I call my salads "mega salads" because, well, they are freaking HUGE let me tell you. This one is no exception. Packed with yummy fruits (hello antioxidants!) this salad feels like a dessert, thus the name "dessert" salad. But fear not, even this seemingly "treat" of a salad is still 100% guiltless. Too good to be true?! Nope. You love me. Admit it. 

                     Dessert Salad. 

"Dessert" Salad; Vegan, Gluten-free. Served one (one GIANT salad). 

Ingredients

1. 8 cups fresh spinach leaves

2. One large plum, sliced and chopped

3. 5 oz. honeydew melon, cut into chunks

4. 1 cup fresh blueberries

5. 1 T carob powder

6. 2 T almond milk

7. 1 tsp unsweetened shredded coconut

Method

1. In a gigantic bowl, add spinach first, then plum, honeydew, then bloobs. 

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the carob and almond milk. Drizzle over salad an sprinkle with coconut shreds. Eat up!

Breakfast Sushi.

Everybody loves breakfast. As one of my good friends on Instagram said, it's literally like you're saying "Hello, food! I've missed you!" I absolutely love love love breakfast. For me, breakfast food is comfort food. Oatmeal, vanilla no gurt (recipe in a previous post), nice cream and sorbet, ok Anna....

This recipe was inspired by one of my favorite oatmeal toppings/condiments; I call it protein "frosting". This has gotten LOTS of interest and inquiries on my Instagram page, so I thought I would finally share my staple spread on my blog also! 

Quick and easy, this Breakfast Sushi can go as a quick afternoon pick me up also. Start to finish, it takes about 5 minutes to make (and it looks really pretty!). Can't beat that! 

                    Breakfast Sushi. 

              Up close and personal. 

Breakfast Sushi; Vegan, Gluten-free option. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One medium-large whole grain/gluten free wrap or tortilla (I used a lavash wrap made of oat flour and flax. Mine was super big, so I cut it in half.)

2. 2 T or one scoop protein powder of choice 

3. Pinch of stevia if your protein powder is unsweetened, as mine is

4. One medium banana, peeled

5. Cinnamon for garnish, optional (try ginger!)

Method

1. Lay out your wrap on a large, flat surface. 

2. Make your protein frosting: in a small bowl, combine protein powder and optional stevia. Mix together and add splashes of water until a spreadable, "frosting"-like consistency is reached. Add water a little at a time as it is VERY easy to make this too runny by accident. 

3. Spread protein frosting on wrap, reserving a little to seal the edges after you roll it up. 

4. Lay banana to one side of wrap and start Rollin! Seal edges together with remaining frosting, slice like sushi, and sprinkle with cinnamon or ginger. You could try nutmeg too. Get creative! 

         Breakfast in 5 minutes (or less!). 

Note: what makes this even MORE AWESOME you ask?! Depending on your protein powder, this little meal can pack a BIG protein punch. My wrap plus my powder brought this protein count to 22 grams total. Boom babay!

Holiday Post!: Mexican Stuffed Poblano Pepper.

I love spicy. I mean, I looooooooove spicy. So this Mexican Stuffed Poblano is naturally one of my favorite meals. Relatively simple and super scrumptious, this visually appealing pepper packs good protein ad ton of other nutrients from veggies. Serve alongside steamed veggies and brown rice or homemade corn chips and voila! Dinner. Happy cinco de mayo!

       Mexican Stuffed Poblano Pepper. 

Mexican Stuffed Poblano Pepper; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One large poblano pepper (mine weighed 6 oz.), top removed and seeded

2. 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed

3. 5 oz. cauliflower florets, processed into cauliflower "rice"

4. 1/4 cup chopped onion

5. 2 tsp minced garlic

6. 2 T bragg's liquid aminos

7. One small Roma tomato, chopped 

8. Cayenne, cumin, and oregano to taste

9. 1/4 cup salsa of choice (I used tomatillo verde salsa)

Method 

1. Sauté onion and garlic with a little water in a nonstick pan until soft. Add aminos and sauté about 3 minutes. 

2. Add black beans, cauli "rice", and tomato. Stir with spatula and then add your salsa. Cook over medium heat until heated through and tomatoes are slightly wilted. 

3. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for a few minutes. 

4. Preheat oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment. While oven is preheating, wash and prepare your poblano. Once seeded, start spooning the skillet mixture into the pepper, mashing it in tightly but gently. Do not overfill. I had some filling left over that I served over some spinach. 

5. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until pepper is beginning to brown and slightly wilted. Let cool a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Breakfast of Champions: The Fit Vegan Ginger's Bounty "Cereal" Bowl

If you didn't already know, I am a competitive figure skater; ice dancer, to be exact! I have been skating since I was 9 and am hoping to go to the National Solo Dance Chanpioships. I train 6 days a week...2 out of the 6 days I get up at 4:30 AM to be on the ice before 6. Needless to say, a good, filling breakfast is essential to get me through those brutal early sessions. 

This Bounty "Cereal" Bowl has become my go-to breakfast before my early morning practices. It's super quick, packed with filling protein and energizing carbs, and gives me tons of energy. Try this yummy breakfast bowl on a morning you know you have to hurry out the door-I guarantee your day will be off to a great start once enjoying this!

 The Fit Vegan Ginger's Bounty "Cereal" Bowl. 

The Fit Vegan Ginger's Bounty "Cereal" Bowl; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. One medium zucchini, chopped

2. 1 medium carrot (or 6 baby carrots), peeled and chopped

3. 1 cup frozen blueberries

4. 1/3 cup dry roasted unsalted soy nuts 

5. 1 cup plant based milk of choice (almond milk is my personal fave)

Method

1. In a VERY large bowl, combine your zucchini, carrots, and frozen blueberries. Mix very well to thoroughly combine the ingredients. 

2. Cover and place in fridge overnight. In the morning, add your nuts, stir, and top with milk of choice. That's it! So simple and so yummy!

Herbed Apple White Bean and Spinach Soup

I love a good 30 minute dish. The only thing I love MORE than a 39 minute dish? A 15 minute dish! Yes, yes, you probably guessed where I am going with this. This soup takes 15 minutes (or less!) start to finish. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. And I know it's spring, but who says you can't have a spring-y soup?! It's 45 degrees in Virginia today anyway...!

   Herbed Apple White Bean and Spinach Soup. 

Herbed Apple White Bean and Spinach Soup; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1.  1 cup low sodium vegetable broth 

2.  1/2 cup canned navy beans, drained and rinsed

3.  One small green apple, chopped 

4.  Onion and garlic powders to taste

5.  1/4 tsp EACH parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme 

6.  2 cups fresh spinach leaves, torn

Method 

1. In a small soup pot, combine broth, spices, and beans. Heat over medium high heat as you add your chopped apple. 

2. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from heat and stir in spinach. Pour into bowl and serve! 

                            Bliss. 

Beefless Enchilada

This thing rocks. It is so so good. Totally vegan, of course, but would satisfy any meat eater's meat craving. Nice and hearty, this goes great with a Mexican style salad. 

                  Beefless Enchilada. 

Beefless Enchilada; Vegan. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. One extra large wrap (mine was a lavash)

2. 2/3 cup TVP granules

3. Scant 2/3 cup water

4. 1/4 cup chopped onion

5. 2 tsp minced garlic

6. Poultry seasoning, to taste

7. 1 T bragg's liquid aminos 

8. 2 T no salt added tomato paste

9. 2 T water

10. Cumin, cayenne, oregano, liquid aminos to taste

Method 

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and place lavash or wrap on top. 

2. Heat a non stick pan over medium heat. 

3. In a medium bowl combine TVP and water. Microwave 2 minutes, watching carefully to make sure it doesn't overflow. 

4. Add some water to your pan and sauté the onion and garlic. Cook about 2 minutes, then add the now cooked TVP, poultry seasoning, and aminos. Cook until gmfragrant and liquid is gone. 

5. Spread filling into lavash and roll up tightly, folding ends shut. Bake for 10 minutes. 

6. While baking, make your sauce. In a small soup pot, add tomato paste, water, and spices. Cook, stirring frequently, until warm and thickened slightly. 

7. When enchilada is done, remove from oven, transfer to plate, and spread sauce over top. Enjoy!

Blackberry Artichoke Salad

This is so simple and so good! Literally takes minutes to prepare. The combination of flavors is so yummy...definitely one of my new go to meals! Hope you enjoy it also!

            Blackberry Artichoke Salad. 

Blackberry Artichoke Salad; Vegan, Gluten-free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. Fresh spinach leaves for base

2. 1 cup artichoke hearts, sliced

3. 1 cup blackberries

4. 1 tsp agave

5. 1/4 tsp vanilla powder

6. 1/2 lemon, juice

7. 1 T sunflower seeds

Method

1. Not much to this recipe! Simply arrange your artichokes and blackberries over the spinach. 

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the agave, vanilla, and lemon. Drizzle over salad and too with sunflower seeds. Yum!

Savory pumpkin garlic pasta

Yes I know it's spring. But pumpkin is an all year food in my opinion. So good. And this pasta. Oh. Too goo to wait until fall to post. 

          Savory Pumpkin Garlic Pasta. 

Savory Pumpkin Garlic Pasta; Vegan, Gluten free. Serves one. 

Ingredients 

1. Raw spinach leaves for plating

2. One serving of pasta (I used brown rice penne)

3. 1/4 cup chopped onion 

4. 3 tsp minced garlic

5. 1 T liquid aminos

6. 1/2 tsp dried basil (plus more for garnish)

7. 1/2 cup canned pumpkin

8. 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk

9. Sprinkle of garlic powder

Method

1. Cook your pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside. 

2. In a non stick pan, sauté onion and garlic in 1 T aminos. Add splashes of water of necessary to prevent sticking. After two minutes, add basil and cook until liquid is gone. Remove from heat and set aside. 

3. In a small soup pot, combine cooked pasta, pumpkin, almond milk, onion and garlic sauté, and garlic powder. Cook over medium heat until warm and thickened. 

4. Serve over fresh spinach and garnish with more basil if desired. Enjoy!

Vegan Pasta Primavera with Creamy Balsamic Sauce

It's always so fun creating recipes that reflect the changing seasons. As vegans, we can really play it up...all those fresh and seasonable veggies! YUMMO. 

One of my all time favorite meals during my pre-vegan days was pasta primavera. The word "primavera" literally translates as "spring", so what better time than spring to recreate a veganized version of one of my favorite meals?! 

    Vegan Pasta Primavera with Creamy    Balsamic Sauce. 

Vegan Pasta Primavera with Creamy Balsamic Sauce; Vegan, Gluten-Free. Serves one. 

Ingredients

1. 5 oz. silken tofu

2. 1 T balsamic vinegar 

3. Onion and garlic powders, to taste

4. Pasta of choice (I used a package of tofu noodles) 

5. 1/8 cup diced red pepper

6. 5 cherry tomatoes, halved

7. 1/2 cup canned artichoke hearts, halved

8. Black pepper to taste

9. 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, chopped 

Method

1. In a mini food processor combine the tofu, balsamic, onion, and garlic. Process until very smooth. Set aside. 

2. Cook your noodles and place in a large bowl with the chopped spinach. 

3. Prepare your veggies and set aside. 

4. Spoon your sauce over noodles and spinach. Mix very well. Serve into medium size bowl and top with veggies. Sprinkle with black pepper, if desired. Enjoy! 

Note: the veggies are pretty flexible. I just used what I had in my fridge. You could use any veggie you have on hand (asparagus would be super yum!). 

              Oh the taste of spring...