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Tag Archives: Vegetarian

Categories Dine, Recipes

Carrot and Red Lentil Soup

Carrot and Red Lentil Soup

Author Shani - Lemon Tree Nutrition
It’s a chilly evening, and you are craving a super quick, easy-to-make dish that will satisfy your hunger, nourish you and, most importantly, be delicious. I give you one of my favourite soups to make and eat. It’s high in fibre, satisfying, delicious and super-quick to prepare. Plus it’s vegetarian!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes

Equipment

  • A medium-sized pot
  • A sharp knife
  • Serving bowls

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ½ large onion chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
  • 1 stick celery chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
  • 2 carrots chopped
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Fresh ground pepper to taste
  • 1 litre carrot juice or water
  • ½ cup red lentils thoroughly washed and drained of access water
  • Optional your favourite chopped herbs

Instructions
 

  • In a pot, heat olive oil. Add the onion and saute until the onion turns translucent. Add garlic, celery, ginger and carrots. Cook until softens.
  • Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for about 15 minutes until lentils are soft.
  • If the soup is too thick, add some more carrot juice or water.
  • Adjust spices to taste.
  • To serve, place the desired amount in a serving bowl and garnish with your favourite herbs, such as cilantro, basil, parsley, dill or mint.

Notes

For a spicier version, while mixing in the spices add some chilli flakes or a bit of chilli pepper powder.
The quantities here are for about 4 servings. You can double all ingredients to have more as this soup is great the next day too.
Categories Dine, Recipes

Epic & Colourful Summer Salad

Epic & Colourful Summer Salad

Author Shani - Lemon Tree Nutrition
I hereby give you your new go-to summer salad. Seriously, it doesn’t get better than this. This salad truly has it all - it’s filling, crunchy, satisfying and colourful. For lunch or as a side for dinner, you pick!
This vegetarian salad provides a nice balance between healthy carbs, fats and protein. It is high in fibre, good nutrients, and the whole family can enjoy it.
Bonus: If you don’t have a certain vegetable, just swap it with whatever you have in the fridge.
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Prep Time 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Sharp knife
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup chilled, cooked grain of choice: quinoa, whole-wheat couscous or bulgur
  • ½ can pre-cooked chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1 red bell pepper cubed
  • 1 yellow bell pepper cubed
  • 1 carrot grated
  • 2 Roma tomatoes cubed
  • ½ cup fresh peas
  • 1 bunch flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • Black olives pitted and halved, optional
  • Dried cranberries or raisins optional for some sweetness

Dressing

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
  • 1 tablespoon liquid honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
  • ½ teaspoon teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions
 

  • Begin with preparing the dressing: Place all dressing ingredients in a jar, close with a lid and shake until well combined. Set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, place the chilled grain of choice, chickpeas, bell peppers, carrot, tomatoes, fresh peas and parsley.
  • With a tablespoon, mix all ingredients. If adding black olives, cranberries or raisins, add them now and mix.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and mix well.
  • Refrigerate for an hour before serving to allow the flavours to set.
Categories Dine, Recipes

Classic Chickpea Hummus

Classic Chickpea Hummus

Author Shani - Lemon Tree Nutrition
Chickpea hummus is a staple in Middle-Eastern cuisine. Chickpeas are high in fibre, complex carbs, plant protein, vitamins and minerals. Pair it with some veggie sticks or whole wheat pita bread and you got yourself a nutritious and satisfying snack or even a meal.
Bored with regular chickpea hummus? Look at the notes for optional flavours and colours.
*Please note this dish contains sesame paste.
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Cook Time 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Food processor or blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can pre-cooked chickpeas
  • ½ cup Tahini (sesame paste)
  • 1 clove of garlic peeled and chopped or ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • warm water

Instructions
 

  • Place the canned chickpeas in a colander, drain juices and rinse well with tap water.
  • Place drained chickpeas in a food processor or a blender and blend for 30 seconds just to break up the chickpeas a little.
  • Add Tahini (sesame paste), garlic, salt, cumin and lemon juice.
  • Add 1/2 cup of warm water and process/blend to a smooth consistency, scraping the sides and adding a bit more water until desired texture has been achieved. The ideal texture would be silky. Please note, the hummus gets firmer after a while. If you have added too much water, add one tablespoon of Tahini at a time until preferred consistency has been achieved.
  • Taste the hummus and fix seasoning if required. Serve warm or at room temperature.
  • Leftover should be kept in an air-tight glass container in the fridge, for about 2 days.

Notes

Here are some delicious modifications to your hummus:
  • Roasted peppers Hummus- Before starting the blending process, add 1 roasted red pepper.
  • Pink Hummus - Before starting the blending process, add 1 small cooked cubed beet.
  • Bean dip - Replace cooked chickpeas with cooked white beans.
Serving options:
  • With whole wheat pita bread (classic in the Middle East); veggie sticks; or even diluted with some extra water to turn into a dressing to drizzle over greens.
  • Middle Eastern style serving - In a small plate, spread 2 tablespoons of fresh hummus in a circular way (view picture), drizzle with a bit of olive oil, garnish with some whole cooked chickpeas, and sprinkle a bit of sweet paprika and chopped parsley on top.
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