This is one of those amazing side dishes that disappears incredibly fast! It’s a fancy, restaurant-worthy recipe that is sure to impress special guests. (If you are serving a large crowd, I recommend doubling the recipe, since it only serves four as a side.)
If you’ve been skeptical about arugula in the past, I encourage you to give this recipe a try; the spicy, peppery-tasting green pairs beautifully with a bold and bright pesto. If you can’t find baby arugula, be sure to chop regular arugula into bite-sized pieces so it’s easier to eat. Hemp hearts add a kick of protein and omega-3 fatty acids for a nutritional boost. This dish is amazing served warm, but the chilled leftovers taste great as well.
Per serving:
Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Line extra-large baking sheet (15 x 21 in/38 x 53 cm) with parchment paper.
Place potatoes on baking sheet and toss with oil until thoroughly coated. Spread potatoes into even layer. Season with a couple of pinches of salt and pepper.
Slice top off garlic bulb so all individual garlic cloves are trimmed. Place garlic bulb on square of aluminum foil (about 8 in/20 cm square) and drizzle top of cloves with olive oil. Wrap garlic bulb entirely in foil and place on baking sheet with potatoes.
Roast potatoes and garlic for 20 minutes, then remove pan from oven and flip potatoes with a spatula. Return potatoes and garlic to oven and continue roasting for 15 to 20 minutes more, until potatoes are golden and fork-tender.
In food processor, combine pesto ingredients and process until mostly smooth, stopping to scrape down bowl as necessary. Keep pesto in processor because we will add the roasted garlic as the final step.
Remove potatoes and garlic from oven. Carefully unwrap garlic bulb and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes, until cool enough to handle.
Turn off oven and return potatoes to oven with the door ajar so they stay warm. (You can also put the potatoes into an oven-safe casserole dish so the dish stays warm when serving.) Squeeze roasted garlic cloves out of the bulb. You should have about 2 Tbsp (30 mL) roasted garlic. Add into food processor with pesto. Process until mostly smoothu2014you can add a touch more oil if necessary to get it going.
This is the important part where you need to act fast; I like to assemble the salad very quickly so that itu2019s warm when I serve it. Grab a large serving bowl and place arugula in bottom of bowl. You can break arugula up into smaller pieces with your hands a bit. Then, remove potatoes from oven and quickly place in serving bowl on top of arugula. Toss potatoes and arugula with pesto until thoroughly combined. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Sometimes I add another drizzle of lemon juice if I feel like the dish needs more acidity. Sprinkle on hemp hearts and serve immediately.
This vegan take on classic shepherd’s pie is jam-packed with bold and rich flavours that will ensure no one will miss the meat. While a great source of fibre, lentils also contain the highest amount of folate out of all plant-based foods. Oven ready If you don’t have an ovenproof skillet, you’ll need to transfer cooked lentil filling to a baking dish before topping with mashed sweet potatoes and baking.
Cauliflower has been having a moment lately, and this salad proves exactly why. Tender caramelized cauliflower is crowned in a glorious sweet and savoury crumble that will ensure it a place on your table all month long. Of all tree nuts, pecans have the highest concentration of flavonoids, which offer beneficial anti-inflammatory effects, and they also protect your cells from oxidative damage. Crumble perfection This crumble topping is too good not to use it on other preparations. Sprinkle over a carrot ribbon salad to add some extra pizzazz, use as a glorious garnish on a soup or stew, or consider generously spooning over your next vegetable “steak” to add some delicious textural variation.
This gloriously comforting dish gets its creamy lusciousness from a can of white beans. Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand instead of broccoli. Pass the pasta Instead of regular pasta, consider serving this sauce over zucchini noodles, carrot noodles, or cooked spaghetti squash.
This nut-free take on classic queso dip is everything you want and more. Paired with chips, crackers, or crudités, this creamy, zesty, smoky, and oh-so-satisfying dip is easy enough to whip up for a cozy snack or as an appetizer for company. Go nuts! If you’re okay to eat nuts, try substituting sunflower seeds with 1 cup (250 mL) raw cashews.