Ratatouille

Ratatouille originated in the 18th century in the region of Nice. The word comes from the verb “to stir it up”. Basically, it is a chunky stew that was made to use up the last of the Summer Vegetables. It is a great entree or side dish that pairs well with a GF pasta, zucchini noodles, quinoa or just as a healthy snack. GF, V, VG

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of olive oil

1/2 lg yellow onion chopped

2 eggplants ( approx 1lb)

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cloves of garlic minced

2 cups of cherry tomatoes ( or 1 can of diced tomatoes w/ juice)

1 bell pepper ( red or yellow) seeded and cut in strips

2 medium zucchini cut in half and sliced

1/2 cup olives drained ( optional)

1 tablespoon of fresh thyme ( 1/2 tbsp dried)

1 teaspoon of Herbes de Provence

1 teaspoon of sweet paprika

1 teaspoon of dried oregano

Ground pepper

1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar

Fresh herbs to garnish ( basil, thyme, fresh oregano)

Instructions:

In a dutch oven or large sauce pan heat olive oil and add garlic, onion, zucchini, bell pepper and eggplant. Sauté for 10 minutes.

Add in your paprika, oregano, herbs de provence, thyme, salt and stir until fragrant.

Add in the tomatoes and olives and stir well.

Cover and cook for 15 minutes until vegetables are tender.

Stir in 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar and add garnish of fresh herbs or even some toasted pine nuts or pepitas.

Bon Appetite !

Note: This dish should be on the thick side, but if you have used the fresh cherry tomatoes and it needs a bit more juice, just add in half a can of diced tomatoes with juice.

Health Benefits : High in fiber, B6, Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, antioxidants etc. An all in one healthy dish!

Perfect Pesto ( Garlic free/ GF / DF )

The Perfect Pesto that makes every BODY feel good..inside and out!

Ingredients

4 cups fresh basil leaves

3/4 cup raw walnuts

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/4 teaspoon salt/ pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend for several minutes until your basil pesto becomes creamy.

Store in refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze by filling ice cube trays.

Great as a sauce for any entree ie: zoodles, salad, spaghetti squash, tofu, proteins, potatoes and more.

Avocado-Mango-Tomato Salsa

Brighten up your meals with this refreshing Avocado-Mango-Tomato Salsa. Avocado provides healthy fats, while mango and tomatoes add a burst of sweetness as well as your daily vitamins. We love this recipe, especially in the heat of the Summer.

Ingredients:

Mango (1 ripe, diced)
Avocado (1 ripe, diced)
Tomato (1 medium, diced)
Red onion (1/4 cup, finely chopped)
Jalapeño (1 small, seeded and finely chopped, optional)
Fresh cilantro (1/4 cup, chopped)
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the diced mango, avocado, tomato, red onion, and jalapeño.

Gently fold in the chopped cilantro and squeeze the lime juice over the mixture.

Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything together gently until well combined.

Serve immediately, or chill for 15-30 minutes.