Moroccan Superfood Salad

If you want a light and healthy meal over the weekend, this couscous salad from BBC Good Food looks ideal. It's bursting with goodness and flavour with beetroot, carrots, broccoli, pumpkin seeds and a sublime Moroccan dressing.

View recipe at BBC Good Food


image: BBC Good Food

Coriander Cashew Nut Spread Recipe

After discovering the wonderment that is cashew yogurt, it was only logical to progress from a breakfast staple to a lunchtime staple and find a blog post-worthy, savoury recipe for this talented nut.

Enter cashew nut spread. This can be used in lieu of cheese as it is creamy and strong in flavour. It's easy to toss all the ingredients into the blender and it keeps well in the fridge for several days so you can have a rather gorgeous sandwich anytime. I love it coated liberally on a freshly baked roll with tomatoes, marinated artichokes and lettuce. It's all we've been eating in my house for weeks!

Coriander (Cilantro) Cashew Nut Spread
The coriander/cilantro is optional. Play around with your favourite ingredients because this is a versatile, 'make-it-how-you-like-it' kinda dish.

• handful of fresh coriander (adjust to taste)
• one cup of cashews
• juice of 1/2 or one whole lemon
• tablespoon of olive oil
• one garlic clove, crushed
  
• splash of water
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
• pinch of sea salt

Combine all the ingredients in a blender until you get the consistency you like. That's all there is to it! Enjoy and let me know if you come up with any other variations.

Vegetarian Seasonal Soups for Autumn

Pinto Bean, Tomato and Butternut Squash Soup

Recipe - Moosewood Restaurant (photo by Beth Segal)

Rustic, hearty and warming. Everything you want in a soup. This recipe calls for canned pinto beans and tomatoes but if you're not a fan of the can, you could always opt for dried beans and passata.
View recipe at Epicurious


Chilli Pumpkin and Wild Mushroom Soup
- Allegra McEvedy

You've got to have a pumpkin soup during October and this is a good one to try. It's from the Leon Cookbook. I'd leave out the Parmesan but if you are vegetarian, remember to use a vegetarian-style Parmesan cheese as regular Parmesan is not vegetarian.
View recipe at Delicious


Creamy Mashed Potato and Leek Soup
- Real Simple (photo by Miha Matei)

For a little comfort food, try this nurturing soup made with potatoes, leeks and fennel. You just need to switch the stock to make this vegetarian-friendly.
View recipe at Real Simple


Mixed Mushroom Soup
- Whole Living

I've featured this recipe from Whole Living before but had to include it again. With its abundance of mushrooms, it's the perfect fall food.
View recipe at Whole Living

Carrot, Apple and Ginger Soup
- Whole Foods Market

This comes with a side of cheese crisps but as a vegan, I'd switch those for a hunk of country-style bread. For another carrot soup idea, you might like Gourmet's Curried Carrot Almond Soup.
View Carrot, Apple and Ginger Soup recipe at Whole Foods Market

Celeriac and Pear Soup
- Olive Magazine

Here's another autumnal vegetable and fruit combo that looks luscious (plus it's cream-free and butter-free so you can ladle up!).
View recipe at BBC Good Food

If you have...Watercress
Waitrose have a simple recipe that uses watercress with celeriac.

The Best Falafel Recipe

Here's a great falafel or vegan burger recipe. I've made this recipe a lot with chickpeas and other beans and it's definitely a staple for me now. The two tablespoons of plain flour bind the burgers really well (I shape them like burgers rather than typical falafels). Just make a batch over the weekend and then pop them into your freezer and you'll be able to make hearty sandwiches and burgers any day of the week. It's quick, nutritious and scrumptious!

View recipe at BBC Good Food


image: BBC Good Food

Vegetarian Noodle Recipes

Vegetable Lo Mein
- Ann Cooper (Whole Foods Market)
This would be ideal for a satisfying work lunch or weekend picnic.
View recipe at Whole Foods Market


Miso Aubergine with Cucumber Noodles
- Olive Magazine
Try plating up this mixture of rice noodles with cucumber ribbons for a light lunch or dinner, that is unique to look at and to taste.
View recipe at BBC Good Food


Sesame Noodles
- Whole Foods Market
This recipe sounds rather luscious and healthy thanks to the use of almond butter, tahini, red cabbage and carrots.
View recipe at Whole Foods Market


Udon with Arugula-Pumpkin Seed Pesto
- Natural Health
Here's a unique spin on udon noodles. This nutritious and flavour packed pesto will make healthy eating a pleasure!
View recipe at Natural Health Mag


Lettuce Wraps with Chile Peanut Noodles
- Whole Foods Market
If you're tired of eating sandwiches everyday for lunch, why not try making these light and zingy lettuce parcels.
View recipe at Whole Foods Market


Lacy Rice Noodle Crisps
- Gourmet (image by George Whiteside)
I thought this impressive dessert-topping made from dried rice vermicelli was worth a showing! What do you think? Would you try making this for your next dinner party?
View recipe at Epicurious

Vegetarian Soup Recipes, Perfect for Winter

Miso Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings
- Shawn McClain (photo by Ann Stratton)
This recipe is from the Green Zebra restaurant in Chicago and it is sure to liven up your standard miso soup thanks to the delicious dumplings. This recipe calls for wonton wrappers but if you can't find these in the shops, here is a link to a recipe for vegan wonton wrappers.
View recipe at Epicurious

Curried Carrot Almond Soup
- Andrea Albin (photo by Stephanie Foley)
Who knew almond milk could be used in soups? Well, it can and it is sure to create a creamy, light and delicious taste. Perfect for a winter warming lunch!
View recipe at Gourmet

Hot and Sour Broth with Noodles
- Olive Magazine
Nothing beats a good noodle soup and vegetarians and vegans (or anyone) will adore this simple yet flavourful recipe.
View recipe at BBC Good Food

Mulligatawny with Chickpeas
- Body + Soul
Mulligatawny is an Anglo-Indian soup but this recipe can also be served with rice as it is quite similar to dhal.
View recipe at Whole Living

Mixed Mushroom Soup - Body + Soul
Mushroom mania in a bowl! Porcini, oyster, shiitake and the whole gang can all be found in this highly nutritious soup.
View recipe at Whole Living

Spicy Roasted Vegetable Soup with Toasted Tortillas
- Bon Appetit (photo by Brian Leatart)
You will be instantly transported to Mexico after one spoonful of this wonderful soup thanks to ingredients such as jalapeno and chipotle chilies, garbanzo beans, corn, cilantro and of course, lime!
View recipe at Epicurious

Spicy Coconut Noodle Soup
- Good Food Magazine
Enjoy a luscious and creamy soup the healthy way with coconut milk and other ingredients such as mixed mushrooms, bean sprouts and red curry paste.
View recipe at BBC Good Food

The River Cafe's Winter Minestrone
- Good Food
We all need a great minestrone recipe to turn to, especially during this colder weather. If you can't stop by the revered River Cafe in London to enjoy their minestrone soup, why not whip up a batch yourself at home?
View recipe at BBC Good Food

10 Apple Recipes - All Vegetarian!

Hot Apple, Ginger and Calvados Toddy
- Waitrose
Sip the flavours of autumn and winter with this heavenly drink. The recipe calls for dried apple slices and an alcoholic tipple from the Normandy cider drink, Calvados.
View recipe at Waitrose

Chicory, Apple and Date Salad
- Olive Magazine
This salad is speckled with sweet and bitter ingredients and the crunchy apples, crispy chicory and chewy dates also create a wonderful array of textures.
View recipe at BBC Good Food

Roast Sweet Potato Soup with Curried Apples
- Body + Soul
This is the perfect bowl of soup for a cold, rainy evening. Ingredients such as jalapeno peppers, garlic, and honey will help keep you healthy during the colder months. Vegans can avoid the final yogurt dollop or substitute with a plain soy yogurt.
View recipe at Whole Living

Sweet-and-Spicy Colesaw
- Martha Stewart Living
Try a 'slaw without the mayo with this healthy recipe. Each bite of this salad promises a slew of delightful flavours from sweet raisins, carrots and Granny smith apples to spicy jalapeno chile and pepper.
View recipe at Whole Living

Wild Rice Salad with Apple and Toasted Almonds
- Natural Health Magazine
This power-packed salad would make a great lunch for work. Along with the title ingredients, there is also sweet potato, sun dried tomatoes and a citrus burst from lemon juice and orange zest.
View recipe at Natural Health Mag

Apple Fennel Granita
- Gourmet
This granita looks so beautiful and impressive (try serving in little vintage glasses for extra flair). There are only three ingredients needed to make this refreshing dessert. Simple and sweet!
View recipe at Epicurious

Apple Muffins (Vegan)
- Natural Health Magazine
I don't know about you but I'm always on the lookout for scrumptious vegan muffins so when I found this recipe, the Baking Betty within was extremely giddy! I can't wait to make these little autumnal bundles soon.
View recipe at Natural Health Mag

Bakeless Apple Tart
- Natural Health Magazine
A tart that requires no baking and no guilt! With a date and walnut crust and cinnamon, nutmeg infused apple filling, this is an apple dessert everyone needs to try!
View recipe at Natural Health Mag

Sesame Toffee Apple Wedges
- Waitrose
These would go down a treat with both kids and adults. They are easy to eat and the sesame coating creates a toffee apple bite with a twist.

Tropical Baked Apples with Pistachios and Cherries
- Waitrose
I love the idea of garnished apple halves with gourmet jewels such as pistachios and cherries. It looks and sounds delightful.

View both the Sesame Toffee Apple Wedges recipe and Baked Apple recipe at Waitrose

Nine Vegetarian Bruschetta Recipes

Avocado Bruschetta with Green Sauce
- Martha Stewart Living
Herb up with this flavour packed bruschetta recipe! Basil and parsley leaves create a divine green sauce that tastes delicious with avocado.
View recipe at Martha Stewart

Crushed Broad Bean and Mint Bruschetta
- Olive Magazine
So simple yet so utterly delectable! This recipe makes eating greens a pleasure with its use of broad beans and mint. The inclusion of parmesan could be optional.
View recipe at BBC Good Food

Chickpeas and Balsamic Vinegar Bruschetta
- Real Simple (image by Mark Lund)
Toast toppings have never been so flavourful or filling! The humble chickpea is elevated to new gourmet realms in this recipe thanks to a dash of balsamic vinegar.
View recipe at Real Simple

Polenta Bruschetta with Tapenade
- Good Food Magazine
If you're puzzled when it comes to creating new and delicious polenta recipes, why not try this bruschetta recipe? With an olive tapenade and sun blushed tomatoes, this appetizer will be a sure-fire hit amongst friends or family!
View recipe at BBC Good Food

Bruschetta with Fava Beans, Greens and Blood Oranges
- Bon Appetit (by Joanne Weir, image: Kana Okada)
With an earthy smothering of fava beans, crispy green salad topping and the surprise burst of citrus, these bruschette will surely delight anyone who takes a bite!
View recipe at Epicurious

Bruschetta with Eggplant and Olive Topping
- Australian Women's Weekly (image by Brett Stevens)
Honour the origin of bruschetta with this Italian rich recipe which also features capers, pine nuts and basil on a slice of ciabatta.
View recipe at Australian Women's Weekly

Cranberry Bruschetta
- Natural Health Magazine
Put a twist on the usual bruschetta with this unique recipe using sweet potato, rosemary, hazelnuts and cranberries.
View recipe at Natural Health Magazine

Bruschette Recipe, Baby Artichoke
- Jamie Oliver (image by David Loftus)
Artichokes, garlic, lemon and mint combine to make a truly tasty bruschetta in this Jamie recipe.
View recipe at Jamie Oliver

Bruschette with Chickpea Puree and Arugula
- Gourmet (image by Andrea Fazzari)
The pairing of chickpeas and arugula (rocket) would be quite sublime on a thick, toasted slice of country loaf!
View recipe at Epicurious

11 Healthy Vegetarian Quinoa Recipes

Quinoa, Herb & Pomegranate Salad - BBC Good Food

QUINOA ESSENTIAL INFO
How to pronounce Quinoa: Keen-wah
What is it? Seed from the herb plant, goosefoot but cooked as a grain
Similar to: Cous Cous, Rice and Amaranth
Nutritional Value: Great source of protein, 'containing all eight of the essential amino acids' and 'packed with dietary fibre, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.' (BBC Good Food).
How to cook: Boil in 'water, stock or fruit juice' for '12-15 minutes'. You'll know it is done 'when the rings around the centre of the grain detach themselves'. (UKTV Good Food).


RECIPES
Quinoa, Herb & Pomegranate Salad (image above)
- Olive Magazine
This is a simple dish to prepare but looks so stunning with the gem-like pomegranate seeds sprinkled throughout the salad with pine nuts and mint.
View recipe at BBC Good Food

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
- Recipe and image from eating / sf
If you're over mundane breakfast cereals, then you must try this gorgeous looking quinoa breakfast idea from 'eating s/f'. They have used milk, but I'm sure vegans could substitute that for their preferred non-dairy milk and then carry on with the suggested berries and nuts. This looks so divine, I think I will have to make this tomorrow morning.
View recipe at eating s/f

Quinoa Sushi
- Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
How perfect would this sushi be to take to work or school for lunch? Made with avocado, tahini and crispy vegetables, it makes a healthy and welcome change to lunchtime sandwiches.
View recipe at Nine MSN

Fresh Beet and Quinoa Salad
- Recipe and Image from She Simmers Blog
Imagine making this pretty salad for friends at your next dinner or lunch bash. They'll definitely be impressed! I found this recipe at 'She Simmers' and it appears super easy to pull together with only five ingredients required.
View recipe at She Simmers

Zesty Quinoa with Broccoli and Cashews
- Whole Foods Market
Zestiness from lemon juice and crunch from broccoli and cashews makes for a tasty quinoa dish.
View recipe at Whole Foods Market

Butternut Squash Chilli with Quinoa
- Olive Magazine
For those cold days when you crave a healthy and heart-warming meal, try this unique Chilli made with red kidney beans and tomatoes.
View recipe at BBC Good Food

Papaya Lime Quinoa - Waitrose
You only need six ingredients to create this summer-scented dish which is light, fragrant and flavourful.
View recipe at Waitrose

Quinoa and Apple Salad with Curry Dressing
- Martha Stewart Living
If you have a spare organic apple in the kitchen, why not pop it into this salad along with some almonds, dried currants and mint for a truly delectable salad.
View recipe at Martha Stewart

Avocado, Quinoa and Broad Bean Salad - Waitrose
This creamy and crunchy salad is also sprinkled with radishes, purple basil and chilli flakes. Delicious and nutritious!
View recipe at Waitrose

Roasted Bell Peppers Stuffed with Quinoa
- Whole Foods Market
Lift the lid off these vibrantly coloured peppers to reveal a delightful filling of quinoa, mushrooms, carrots, spinach and cashews.
View recipe at Whole Foods Market

Agave-Sweetened Almond Quinoa Muffins
- Recipe and images from That's One Tough Cookie Blog
I love searching around for delicious vegan muffin recipes so I was a little giddy when I found this quinoa muffin recipe at 'That's One Tough Cookie'. This blog also suggests slathering a coating of hazelnut butter on top of the muffins! Time to start baking!
View recipe at That's One Tough Cookie