Feel free to use other greens along with the spinach in this show-stopping side dish. Kale, Swiss chard, and beet greens all work well. Once you master this roll, try filling it with other delectable seasonal combinations such as roasted squash and goat cheese or apples, shredded turkey, and chestnuts.
2 Tbsp (30 mL) coconut oil, melted, or extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 shallots, finely diced
12 oz (340 g) button mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp (5 mL) dried thyme
1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried oregano
1/2 cup (125 mL) diced roasted red pepper
2 Tbsp (30 mL) Dijon mustard
3 Tbsp (45 mL) cornstarch, divided
1 1/2 cups (350 mL) milk or almond milk
2 Tbsp (30 mL) chopped parsley
3 Tbsp (45 mL) finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
11 oz (310 g) baby spinach
4 large free-range eggs, separated
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper
In large frying pan, warm 1 Tbsp (15 mL) coconut oil over medium heat. Add shallots and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 4 minutes. Increase heat to medium high and add mushrooms. Sauté until starting to brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, oregano, red pepper, and mustard, cooking until most of the moisture has evaporated and mixture is quite dry, about another 3 minutes.
In bowl, whisk together 2 Tbsp (30 mL) cornstarch with milk. Add milk mixture to frying pan and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture has thickened. Remove from heat, stir in parsley and 2 Tbsp (30 mL) Parmesan cheese before setting aside while preparing roulade.
Preheat oven to 425 F (220 C). Line 9 x 13 in (23 x 33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper and brush with light coating of grapeseed oil.
Wash spinach and place in frying pan. Don’t worry about drying spinach, as the residual water will help steam it. Place frying pan over medium heat and cook spinach, stirring occasionally, until just wilted, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to sieve and allow to drain and cool over a bowl. Squeeze spinach to remove excess water and finely chop. Add spinach to large bowl along with egg yolks, nutmeg, remaining 1 Tbsp (15 mL) coconut oil, and pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until well combined.
In another large bowl, whisk together egg whites and remaining 1 Tbsp (15 mL) cornstarch until stiff peaks form. Stir a quarter of egg whites into spinach mixture before gently folding in remaining egg whites with rubber spatula. Pour spinach batter into prepared baking pan, spreading out with spatula, and bake until firm to the touch, about 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, lay a large piece of parchment paper on clean work surface. Turn roulade out onto parchment, peel off its paper lining and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Position roulade on work surface so one of its shorter ends is facing you. Spread mushroom filling over roulade, leaving 1 in (2.5 cm) border at the bottom. Using parchment paper to help you, roll up roulade from the bottom. Place seam side down on serving platter and chill for 30 minutes. Garnish with remaining 1 Tbsp (15 mL) grated Parmesan, if desired, before slicing and serving.
Serves 8.
Each serving contains: 134 calories; 9 g protein; 7 g total fat (4 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 10 g total carbohydrates (4 g sugars, 2 g fibre); 231 mg sodium
source: "Sensational Sides", alive #386, December 2014
Custardy French toast drizzled in pure maple syrup is a cozy, cold-weather breakfast classic. We’ve given this recipe a vegan makeover by swapping out eggs in the batter with mashed banana and a bit of ground flaxseed. This clever swap makes the French toast reminiscent of banana bread. Top it off with a decadent drizzle of raspberry syrup and you’re just a quick stint in the kitchen away from breakfast bliss. Citrus swap If you don’t have any bananas around, consider swapping for an orange. In blender, add zest of one large orange along with peeled fruit and other batter ingredients. Blend until smooth and proceed with the recipe as described.
A satisfying plant-based dinner or packed lunch, quinoa and beans add filling protein, while greens, cucumbers, roasted veggies, and a probiotic-rich dressing bring texture and flavour. Try it with a creamy plant-based cheese on top, or goat cheese for non-plant-based eaters. Mix and match Use this recipe as a guideline. Add in your go-tos such as chopped walnuts or hemp hearts, pitted sliced dates, roasted cauliflower, and crumbled feta (plant-based, if desired).
Brown rice and two varieties of lentils cook in one pot with broth, coconut milk, and simple spices. Nourishing spinach and sweet green peas bring this meal to life. It’s true sunshine in a bowl for those cold winter nights. Main grains White basmati rice, short-grain brown rice, quinoa, or millet can be used in place of the brown basmati rice. Try a mixture of grains for added nutrition and taste (e.g., millet and basmati rice, quinoa and millet, and so on).
Sprouted tofu and mushrooms soak up a delicious tamari marinade before being baked along with prepared vegan potstickers and bok choy. A tasty sauce, sesame seeds, and a bed of whole grains to serve tie everything together. Adjust the heat level of this dish in the sauce or at the table so kids can partake. Salad swap Once cool, the tofu mixture can be served on a bed of crunchy romaine for a packable lunch that’ll spark office envy. Keep the sauce on the side and dress right before serving.