Harvest time really allows you to embrace a plant-centric \ndiet more easily. All these beautiful vegetables are being picked, stored, pickled \nand fermented. Use some of those cold weather greens and root vegetables, \nadd dried beans, grains and other vegetables that are hanging in the \nrefrigerator for a hearty porridge, breakfast or soup. <\/p>\n
Usually, morning porridge is sweet with milk and \nsugar, fruit and nuts. This version is all savory. Think risotto or creamy \ngrits.<\/p>\n
Ingredients<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
1 cup oatmeal or leftover grains<\/li>\n
1 clove garlic<\/li>\n
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, enough to cover bottom of pot<\/li>\n
2 cups water<\/li>\n
Celtic salt to taste<\/li>\n
Generous handful of greens<\/li>\n
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast<\/li>\n
1 teaspoon hemp, flax or chia seeds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Directions<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
Heat your pot to medium, add oil and garlic, and cook for a minute or two. Add oatmeal coat. Add water and greens, and cook covered like any other oatmeal, depending on the thickness of grains. <\/li>\n
Stir in nutritional yeast, seeds and drizzle with olive oil. <\/li>\n
Options: Crack an egg in the center, turn off the heat, and let it cook another 5 minutes covered.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Traditional cold salads make me just that, cold. \nSo I switch out some traditional salad vegetables and chop up others. In this \nrecipe, steamed\/saut\u00e9ed cruciferous veggies are the main event, and then I add \nraw veggies, cooked grains and garnish with roasted pumpkin seeds and dried \nblueberries or tart cherries. I still get the crunch and color, but in a warm \nway. This will make two rather large salads that fit in individual pasta bowls. \nYou can also serve it in a big wooden salad bowl and have everyone help \nthemselves. Any leftovers are great for lunch <\/p>\n
1 bunch lacinato kale, ribless and chopped. <\/li>\n
Handful of Brussels sprouts (about 6-8), chopped<\/li>\n
1\/2 head small cauliflower <\/li>\n
2 cloves garlic, chopped<\/li>\n
1 cup cooked grains (rice, quinoa or a grain mix)<\/li>\n
1\/2 red pepper, chopped<\/li>\n
1\/4 cup parsley, chopped<\/li>\n
1 carrot, grated<\/li>\n
1 green onion, chopped<\/li>\n
1\/2 lemon, juiced<\/li>\n
1\/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil<\/li>\n
1\/8 cup white balsamic and raw apple cider vinegar<\/li>\n
Roasted pumpkin seeds<\/li>\n
Dried blueberries<\/li>\n
Celtic salt and pepper to taste<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Directions<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
In a saute pan, add the cruciferous base and a little water and salt. Cover. As soon as it begins to boil, turn it off. Steam for 5-7 minutes. <\/li>\n
While that steams, put your other chopped veggies in a bowl and add lemon juice. Toss.<\/li>\n
Drain the steamed veggies.<\/li>\n
Turn the heat to medium, add two teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil and chopped garlic. Coat and toss well. <\/li>\n
Add the bowl of lemon soaked veggies and the grains.Toss well and cook for about 5 minutes constantly stirring. <\/li>\n
Add vinegar and the rest of the olive oil, toss and cook through. <\/li>\n
Pour into bowls, top with pumpkins seeds and blueberries.<\/li>\n
Coming home after a long day, hungry and cold. \nThis is probably the easiest bean soup recipe to make. You can kick up the \nnutrition with a little smoke-flavored dulse. Seaweeds and good sea salt, \nlike Celtic, add trace minerals that are missing in our foods these days. All \npart of the microcosm that runs our inner network. <\/p>\n
Options: Add chopped any cauliflower <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Directions<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n
Soak your red lentils to decrease the phytic acid. <\/li>\n
In a soup pot, add some olive oil to the pot and heat over medium. Add aromatic spices, garlic and onions. Coat and cook through until onions are translucent. Add a little water if it starts to burn. <\/li>\n
Add celery, seaweed, red pepper, sweet potato and red lentils (soaked or not). Stir to coat everything with spices, onions, salt and garlic. <\/li>\n
Increase the heat, add tomatoes and enough water to cover all the vegetables, plus 2 inches. <\/li>\n
When it\u2019s right below a boil, lower the heat, cook uncovered for about 30-40 minutes and test the softness of the vegetables.<\/li>\n
Add coconut milk, cilantro and spinach. Cook another 5-10 minutes. Add whatever spice you think it needs to your liking.<\/li>\n
Turn off the heat, cover and let it cool slowly. It will still cook and be just perfect for next day\u2019s lunch. <\/li>\n
Serve with your favorite bread for scooping and dipping. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Note from Suzanne Anderson: This week\u2019s column was written by my friend, Tara. She has shared her vegan recipes in this column before, and I asked her to give us some vegan options for cold winter nights when the snow is blowing. Here\u2019s my question to you, dear readers: Would you like to see a mix of vegan and meat-based in this column? Let me know at suzanne@suzanneelizabeths.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n
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