Category Archives: Cheese

Vegetarian Lentil Loaf and Garlic Mashed Cauliflower

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Lentil Loaf

When I’m in need of some real ‘comfort’ food – something with sustenance and will make me feel full and satisfied, I almost always turn to this easy, ‘meaty’ recipe for vegetarian lentil loaf (‘meatloaf’) with mashed cauliflower  “potatoes”. With its high protein and fiber, combined with low calorie content and tons of flavor, what’s not to like? Even my meat eating husband will make a meal out of this lovely little loaf (thanks, mom, for showing me the recipe!). Serve it up with some steamed green beans and you have the perfect all-American dinner. Plus, it makes great leftovers (a sandwich, maybe?). I even think it might taste better after sitting overnight after the flavors have really mixed. Try it out and enjoy!

Vegetarian Lentil (“Meat”) Loaf

Serves 8

  • 2 cups water
  • Dash of salt
  • 1 cup lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 cup oats
  • 3/4 cup lowfat cheese (2% cheddar or mixed), shredded
  • 2 egg whites (or 1 egg), lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce (I usually use Trader Joe’s “traditional” marinara sauce)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 Tbsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp barbecue sauce (I use Trader Joe’s)
  • 2 Tbsp ketchup
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Bring water and a dash of salt to a boil in a saucepan. Add lentils and simmer, covered, 25-30 minutes, until lentils are soft and most of the water is evaporated. Drain and lightly mash lentils
  3. Stir in onions, oats and cheese. Add egg, marinara sauce, garlic powder, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix well.
  4. Spread mixture into a non-stick or greased loaf pan. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Mix barbecue sauce and catchup together and spread over the top of the loaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes until edges look dry, firm and golden brown.
  5. Cool for about 10 minutes. Run a sharp knife around edges of the pan, slice and serve.

Nutrition: 190 cal, 5g fat, 27g carb, 9g fiber, 4.5g sugars, 11.5g protein

Garlic Mashed Cauliflower (“Potatoes”)

Serves 8

  • 2 heads cauliflower florets (approx 4 cups)
  • 3 Tbsp fat free sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp fat free milk (plus more as needed)
  • 2 Tbsp fat free cream cheese
  • 1 Tbsp light butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
  1. Place cauliflower florets in a microwave-safe bowl. Sprinkle water over the top and cover with plastic wrap. Microwave 5-7 minutes, until very soft.
  2. Drain and use a paper towel to press out access moisture, taking care as the cauliflower will be very hot.
  3. Place cauliflower in a food processor with garlic. Process until lightly pureed. Add sour cream, milk, cream cheese and butter. Continue to process adding additional milk as needed until they reach a desirable consistency.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Nutrition: 35 cal, 1g fat, 5g carb, 1.5g fiber, 2g sugars, 2.5g protein

Mediterranean Vegetable-Cheese Pie

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I’ll just go on record and say that this is absolutely AMAZING and DELICIOUS and you might as well double the recipe right off the top because you’ll eat it all and then come back wanting more. I made this for our Christmas morning brunch and it was a hit. I tripled the recipe and came home empty handed. Every single crumb was devoured. I made it a week later for dinner. It worked just as well for either meal!

To top it all off, it’s HEALTHY. (what a nice way to start 2010, no?). The nutritional content on this both surprised and thrilled me and it’s for an entire quarter of the pie! It’s just 192 cals, 4.8g fat (2g sat fat), 10.5g carb, 17.5g protein, 7.8g fiber. Don’t lie. You’re in awe too.

Mediterranean Vegetable-Cheese Pie

Serves 4.
Recipe from SELF, April 2005 courtesy of Epicurious.
Rancho La Puerta Spa, Tecate, Baja California

  • Olive-oil cooking spray
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced in 1/8-inch rounds
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 8 oz (about 8 cups) baby spinach
  • 3 kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 cup nonfat ricotta or fat-free cottage cheese (I couldn’t find nonfat ricotta, so I went with the cottage cheese and couldn’t tell the difference)
  • 1 tbsp feta, crumbled
  • 3 tbsp finely chopped fresh basil or dill, or 3 tsp dried basil or dill, divided into 2 equal portions (I used fresh basil)
  • 3 Roma tomatoes, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
  • 1 1/2 tbsp grated Asiago or Parmesan
  • 1 1/2 tbsp grated lowfat mozzarella
  1. Heat oven to 350°. Coat a 9″ pie plate with cooking spray.
  2. Line bottom of plate with potato slices. Cut remaining slices in half and arrange around side of plate. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.
  3. Remove from oven and set aside. Coat a sauté pan with cooking spray and sauté onion over low heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add spinach to pan and let wilt, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Drain excess fluid from onion and spinach mixture. Stir in olives.
  4. In a bowl, beat eggs and egg whites. Stir in ricotta and feta. Add half the basil or dill and set aside. Spoon onion and spinach mixture into pie plate over potatoes. Layer on egg mixture, then slices of tomato. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until egg is set and a knife inserted into pie comes out clean.
  5. Sprinkle grated cheeses evenly over top of pie and top with remaining basil or dill. Return to oven for 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Cut pie into 4 wedges. Serve immediately.

192 cals, 4.8g fat (2g sat fat), 10.5g carb, 17.5g protein, 7.8g fiber.

Tea Sandwiches (x3)

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20091112_teasandwiches1

More dishes from my friend and my tea party… Thank you Epicurious (as usual) for providing more yummy recipes!

I set out to make just one vegetarian sandwich, and yet I ended up making three different varieties. That’s what happens when you give an indecisive, food loving girl too many good choices!  I was very pleased with all three. They were each unique in their own way, still holding true to the light tea sandwich theme. They all were devoured by all in attendance.  I would make them again, for sure!

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Zucchini and Goat Cheese Soup with Herbs

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Zucchini Goat Cheese Soup

In preparation for a tea party my friend and I were hosting together, I was browsing some blogs and Tastespotting to see what I could find. Tastespotting never disappoints and once again provided me with this gorgeous inspiration. This picture of a zucchini soup caught my eye since it looked like a perfect addition to my tea menu. I followed the link.

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Quiche in a Tortilla

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I recently discovered these fabulous little uncooked flour tortillas by Tortilla Land at Costco. Since they come in massive bulk sizes, I usually buy them and freeze half. The other half, I use to make quesadillas and other random things. For example, this broccoli cheese quiche. The raw tortilla makes the perfect shell.

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Manchego & Membrillo (Quince) Cupcakes

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This is my first entry in the Iron Cupcake challenge where you, my fair readers can vote for me starting Oct 26th and help me win. I venture into this challenge slightly excited and nervous.

This month’s challenge ingredient is Cheese. After wracking my brain for something unique, I came up with Manchego and Membrillo. Manchego is a sheep’s milk cheese from Spain. It is very frequently paired with Membrillo – a paste made from quince also famously from Spain. (Both these ingredients can be found at a Whole Foods or other gourmet foods store.)

My grandparents on my mom’s side had a quince tree in their back yard. Every year when the quince were ripe, grandma would make quince preserves, jellies, cookies, and other goodies. So, the flavor of the fruit conjures up sentimental feelings. And though they were not from Spain, my grandma on my dad’s side is from Spain.

So, I have to think… What better ingredients to use than Quince (Membrillo) and Manchego for a sentimental and inspired cupcake?

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Recipes for a Great Dinner Party

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I had a small dinner party at my house Saturday and we had a fabulous time. But, of course, the main highlights (for me anyway) were all the amazing flavors in the food. I thought I’d take a few minutes to share with you, my faithful readers.

If you don’t want to try all of them, there are two you MUST try: Tomato Olive Butter and the Strawberry Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese. Don’t ask questions. Just do it! (I even moved them to the top of the post so you could get to them easier.)

Enjoy!!!

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Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Sandwiches

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I know this technically belongs in a spring/summer post, but I can’t help it. I love this sandwich, so I decided to share it with you today instead of waiting for next spring or summer. They make a perfect on-the-go meal for picnics or lunches.

It’s so easy, has a lot of flavor and is just downright fabulous! Don’t take my word for it – try it yourself. (A friend of mine recently used my recipe for a Book Club brunch she hosted and according to her feedback, it was well received). Now, your turn!

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