The beauty of this recipe is that it’s greater than the sum of its parts. It just goes to show that thoughtful and (dare I suggest) fancy fare doesn’t need to be complicated. The pea pesto garnish will make more than you need, but it’s a delicious accompaniment to almost any meal and keeps well for up to a week when refrigerated in an airtight container.
Make this soup into a main meal by treating it as a blank canvas for additional garnishes. With a little fridge foraging, you can easily pull together a variety of ingredients that will take this from appetizer to main course.
Per serving:
Start by making pea pesto garnish. In bowl of food processor fitted with steel blade attachment or blender, add peas, mint, basil, jalapeno, garlic clove, lemon zest, cheese or nutritional yeast, pumpkin seeds, and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt. Process until a chunky paste forms. With processor running, drizzle in 2 Tbsp (30 mL) olive oil until you have a thick and textured sauce. Transfer to airtight container and keep refrigerated until ready to use. Wipe out processor and set it up again to make soup. No need to wash it.
In processor, place tomatoes along with their juices, fennel, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, sherry vinegar, coconut sugar, black pepper, cumin, bread, remaining 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt, and 2 Tbsp (30 mL) olive oil, and blend until smooth. Transfer to airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours.
To serve, divide chilled soup among serving bowls. Swirl in a dollop of pea pesto before garnishing with additional peas, some fennel fronds, and a grind of fresh black pepper, if desired.
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.