Category Archives: Vegetarian

Soup Addict

Sweet, spicy, and tangy, this dish is also great served on rice.

A few years ago my husband and I started our own apparel company, and there were many long nights where it wasn’t unusual for us to work straight through until the next afternoon in order to fulfill orders in time. During that time we lived off of Red Bull, pizza, takeout Thai, and reruns of Seinfeld. One of my favourite episodes was “The Soup Nazi,” and when I came across this blog, Soup Addict, I naturally thought of Seinfeld, that particular episode, and that chapter in our lives that has now closed.

What hasn’t closed is our love of Thai food, though we’ve cut back on the takeout and try to make our own dishes. Since I’m half Thai you’d think I’ve tasted every Thai dish under the sun, but actually, I haven’t. I don’t know how authentic this Thai Chicken With Rice Noodles is, but I served it to my mother (she’s the Thai side of me) and she loved it! I’ve made this a few times, all without the curry paste so my toddler could have some, and I didn’t find the dish lacking. In fact, it’s an excellent balance of sweet and tangy, and the smell it emits is mouthwatering. I used red bell peppers and prefer it served with rice so the sauce can really sink in. This is definitely a cozy-night-in dinner. I have no doubt you’ll be making it more than once!

Soup Addict is written by Karen Gibson, a writer and self-professed soup addict based in Ohio. Obviously, she loves soup and you’ll find a nice array of soup recipes in her index, including this Cauliflower Apple Soup with Thyme Croutons. Now that summer has all but disappeared and fall is being ushered in by early autumn winds and rain, there’s nothing like a hot bowl of soup to keep you warm. The roasted cauliflower imparts a nutty flavour, which works well with the tartness of the apples; I used gala apples but I’m sure any kind will work. All of this flavour is then built on top of a brown butter base, folks. Nice and silky, I had this soup with a simple grilled cheese sandwich and it was a perfect afternooon meal.

There’s so much more to Soup Addict than soup. The recipes are based on seasonal ingredients, and Karen uses many herbs and vegetables from her beloved garden. There are many delicious vegetarian recipes, too. I don’t want to classify these Spicy Quinoa Patties as only suitable for a meat-free meal because I think they’re fabulous for any time or ocassion. Quinoa is super healthy for you (it’s a complete protein) and when cooked with herbs,  caramelized onions, and Gruyere, it’s irresistible. A dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt on top is all you need. We had these alongside a green salad for dinner, but they would also be wonderful for a light brunch, as appetizers (just make them smaller) for a dinner party, and my husband thinks they’d make great burgers. Oh, and the little one loved them as a snack!

Photos via Soup Addict

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Green Kitchen Stories

Oh, behave. Sushi just got even better: sushi salad.

If you’ve noticed, I’ve been featuring a lot of salads and meatless recipes in my reviews lately. That’s because I’ve been living through heat wave after heat wave here in Toronto—we’ve even broken records! When it’s this hot I try to minimize my time at the stove, and tend to go for lighter meals with “cleaner” fats and proteins. This suits my husband and I quite nicely because since the birth of our son, we’ve found ourselves eating less meat and more whole foods in an effort to live a healthier lifestyle. So, naturally, I took an instant liking to Green Kitchen Stories, an absolutely gorgeous vegetarian blog based out of Stockholm, Sweden. It’s run by husband-and-wife team David and Luise, with some help from their little daughter Elsa.

One visit to their site and you’ll be blown away by the stunning photography and mouth-watering recipes, like this Vegetarian Sushi Salad. This is the most ingenious salad I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. It incorporates two of my favourite things: sushi and salad, but there’s no rolling involved, and it’s even healthier for you. This salad is a sample of the many nutritious, creative, yet simple recipes you’ll find on the blog, as well as on their app. Take a look at their recipes and tell me there isn’t anything there that’ll appeal to you.

Lunch just got more exciting, thanks to this Danish egg salad.

Luise is Danish, and in Denmark there’s a traditional lunch called smørrebrød, which consists of rye bread with various toppings. This Spring Egg Salad is David and Luise’s take on a Danish egg salad, except theirs incorporates spring and summer vegetables, and uses yogurt instead of mayo. It’s refreshingly crunchy and sweet, and makes a very satisfying lunch. I had it on a slice of toasted dark rye, like the Danes do, and it was perfection!

This smoothie isn’t your run-of-the-mill blender drink.

One way to cool off on a hot, humid day is by drinking something cold and invigorating, like this Blueberry Coconut Super Smoothie. This smoothie stands out from your average fruity concoction due to its unique blend of ginger, blueberries, and coconut water. I’ve started making this for breakfast on those mornings when I don’t have much of an appetite. Kids will love this, as well. If the blog and the app aren’t enough to satisfy your craving for healthy, wholesome vegetarian fare, no worries, as David and Luise have a cookbook coming out in spring 2013. Whether it’s hot or cold outside, I, for one, am ready for it!

Photos courtesy of Green Kitchen Stories

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