Thai Asparagus salad

This salad can be made in a variety of ways however, egg is traditionally asian. If you have an egg like substance OR some flavourful tempeh, those work amazingly well as well.

I think this is a great lunchtime or brunch recipe. I had this for dinner after a big gym session and felt like a needed a little something more. If you feel like you are missing something with this dish – I say add some lightly steamed Farkay noodles or some other small noodle to warm up your greens just a smidgeon.

Ingredients: 

1 romaine heart

1 handful peashoots

2 cups kale

1/2 long English cucumber, sliced

1 bunch asparagus ends removed

1/4 cup fresh chopped mint

1/2 cup fresh chopped basil (thai basil if you can find)

1/3 cup fresh chopped cilantro

4 eggs OR vegan thai tempeh

4 tsp oil for cooking

Fresh thai peppers diced to top (optional)

My favourite homemade FAUX FISH SAUCE

Method:

Create fish sauce and allow to sit for at least 1/2 the day.

On stovetop in saucepan bring 1/2 an inch of water to a boil. Add asparagus, cook with lid on for 3-5 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and chill in fridge.

Prep your salad veggies in a bowl and set aside/refrigerate.

Eggs: Beat/whisk individually in small bowl. In small pan heat 1 tsp of oil for each egg or as needed. Add whisked egg to hot oil and cook until a little egg crepe is created. Remove from heat. Repeat for 3 remaining eggs.

Roll egg crepes into a tubes and slice thinly – set aside.

Toss cucumbers and asparagus in a heavy helping of fish sauce and allow to marinate/coat for 5 minutes.

Top salad with marinated veggies, egg and diced peppers if desired.

Beauty greens.

Serves 4

Japanese-style Miso soup

Quick & delicious

 

When you have no time and no patience, you require quick and easy recipes that are filling and nutritious. This meal is a 30 minute marvel packed with protein, vitamins and minerals.

Ingredients: 

2 tbsp miso

3 tbsp tamari

4 cups homemade veggie broth

1/2 red pepper sliced

8 white mushrooms sliced

1 cup broccoli florets

2 stalks celery sliced

1/4 cup cilantro diced – set aside

4 hard boiled eggs, halved (optional)

4 large cloves garlic

3 tbsp seseame oil

1.5 tbsp rice vinegar

1 package black bean noodles (equivalent to 4 cups cooked noodles)

Salt & pepper to taste

Method: 

Bring eggs to a boil on stove top, set aside for 10  minutes. Rinse and soak (shell on) in icy water for a few minutes. Peel & set aside.

Saute garlic in oil for 3-5 minutes. Add all veggies and cook for 3-5 more minutes. Add broth, miso, vinegar and tamari & bring to a boil for. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

While soup is simmering cook noodles.

Add noodles to bowl, top with soup, garnish with egg and cilantro or try green onion & sriracha.

Serves 4 OR 2 very hungry people.

Not your Mee’s Bahn Mi

A beautiful thing

So excited I can’t even write an intro.

 Ingredients:

1 block firm ORGANIC tofu – pressed

(my press cheat is to place the block between two plates, wrapped in paper towel with a heavy bowl on top for about 20 minutes)

2 tbsp black sesame seeds

3/4 cup oats

1 cup diced fresh cilantro

1 diced/sliced tomato

3 large cloves garlic

1/4 cup sliced cucumber

4 Ciabatta buns – gluten free option is brown rice wraps which work really well, you’re welcome celiac friends.

2 tbsp tamari

1/2 tbsp Liquid smoke

1.5 tbsp vegan/vegetarian Worcestershire

1 large yellow onion

1/2 & a bit cups bread crumbs

2 seeded jalapenos

1/2 tbsp Ginger

1/2 tbsp Paprika

1 tbsp Cumin

1/2 tbsp Corriander

1/4 tbsp Cayenne

Salt & Pepper to taste

2 tbsp sesame oil

 

Method:

Get your tofu pressing if you haven’t already, this needs doing first. Next get on creating the Pickled Carrot/Daikon and Aioli before you start on the rest of the recipe.

Did you get pickling and aioli’d? If not, get back to those recipes, if yes, good. Let’s start.

Place all ingredients other than tomato, cilantro, cucumber and jalapeno’s in food processor. Blend until the mixture can be shaped into patties. Shape yourself some lovely little patties and hold on to your hats because your mouth is going to be revved up with food passion like you’ve never seen before.

 

A greater tofu patty was never created.

 

Preheat a cast iron pan for 10 minutes to medium heat setting. Add 1 tbsp sesame oil and coat pan evenly. Fry up sliced onion and garlic for about 5 minutes or until translucent. Place patties in pan and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, careful not to allow for too much burning to occur on the outer edges. Add remainder of sesame oil if your pan dries up.

 

NOW you’re going to spread your bread or wraps with that lovely aioli you made then stack on your patties, toppings and FINALLY your pickled carrot delight. You’re going to top this off with some salt and pepper and enjoy, thoroughly. I opted to cut mine in half because it was a little breakable.

This recipe serves 4 or 8 snack-sized 1/2 sammies. It’s a big one so don’t bother with any sides.

 

Pickled carrot and daikon

 

Pickled radish & carrot

This recipe is a good one for keeping some of this yummy deliciousness around all year. The end product should store well for a year or so in a closed mason jar in your fridge. You can use this for soups, salads and dressings to zip it up a notch.

I have used this in my Bahn Mi recipe as well as hot and sour soup and asian salads.

Ingredients:

5 carrots

1 large daikon

1.5 cups white vinegar

2 tbsp agave nectar

1 cup warm water

Method:

Julienne or grate carrot and daikon into bowl. Mix in all wet ingredients and let stand at least one hour before use.

Sriracha aioli

 

Easy aioli

 

Need a quick pick me up for a sandwich, cracker or some type of finger food? Look no further. This little ditty is a great go-to back pocket kitchen friend. You won’t forget the recipe because it’s just too darn easy. I use this in my Bahn Mi sandwich and it’s just the cats patoot. Icing on a beauty Thai cake. Try the recipe out if you want to have your socks knocked off.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup veganaise

1.5 tbsp sriracha sauce

2 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice

2 cloves garlic diced or pressed

Method:

Mix it all together and let it sit for an hour or so. Reduce the sriracha if you’re not a fan of too much spice.