Tag: red bell pepper

Tortilla Soup (Vegan)


Hearty and flavorful, this Mexican – inspired soup is the best option whenever you feel like eating something satisfying and flavorful but time isn’t exactly your best friend. The juxtaposition between the hearty and tangy soup and the crunchy tortilla croutons is simply wonderful. This dish is ready in practically no time and it requires only budget-friendly ingredients. It’s so tasty that I find it simply impossible to limit myself at just one bowl. It’s packed with veggies, each and every one of them doing its own thing, transforming this dish into a color and flavor symphony. Simply amazing…

    Ingredients (for 6 servings):

    • 1 can of corn
    • 1 can of red kidney beans
    • 1 can of chopped tomatoes
    • ½ red bell pepper
    • 1 medium onion
    • 3 garlic cloves
    • 3 Tbsp olive oil
    • 800ml vegetable soup
    • juice of 1 lime
    • 1 tsp oregano
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • ¼ tsp chili

    for the tortilla croutons:

    • 2 large tortillas
    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 1 tsp brown sugar
    • ¼ tsp cumin
    • ¼ tsp paprika
    • ¼ tsp garlic powder
    • ¼ tsp salt


    Method:

    Preheat de oven at 400°F/204°C (treapta 6). 

    Peel the onion and give it a chop. Remove the seeds from the red bell pepper and cut it into small cubes. Peel the garlic and mince it.

    Preheat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and sautee it until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sautee it as well until fragrant. Add the spices and give the ingredients a stir.

    Add the canned tomatoes and the soup and bring the pot to a boil. Simmer the soup for about 5 minutes.

    Add the beans and the corn and boil it for about 15 minutes.

    Meanwhile prepare the tortilla croutons. Slice them into 2 cm thick ribbons, lay them over a parchment paper-lined tray and bake them in the preheated oven until golden.

    Carefully remove them from the oven, drizzle the 2 Tbsp of olive oil over them and sprinkle them with the spice mix.

    Serve the soup in large bowls garnished with the tortilla croutons.


    Hummus & Bell Pepper Tortilla Wrap (Vegan)

    These homemade tortilla rolls are filled with a smooth and creamy chick pea spread and some sweet roasted red bell peppers. I cannot possibly imagine a finger food platter made without these creamy tortilla rolls, as they are incredibly easy to make and they are the first ones that vanish off the platter. And the reasons are quite simple: they are delicious, hearty and nutritious.

    Ingredients (for 2 rolls):

    • 2 large tortillas
    • 1 red bell pepper
    • 1 Tbsp chopped chives

    for the hummus:

    • 1 can of chickpeas (400g)
    • 1 Tbsp tahini (I used homemade tahini – here is the recipe)
    • 2 Tbsp lime juice
    • 3 Tbsp olive oil
    • 1 – 2 Tbsp water
    • ¼ tsp cumin
    • 1/8 tsp chili flakes
    • salt to taste

    Method:

    1. Roast the red bell pepper. Take a metal disk, place it on the stove and roast the pepper on each side. Place the roasted pepper in a small saucepan and cover with a lid. After 10 minutes carefully peel the pepper. Remove the stem and the seeds, give it a quick wash and pat it dry with a paper towel. Slice it.
    2. Prepare the hummus. Drain the chickpeas using a colander and rinse it under cold water. Take about 8 – 10 chickpeas and gently squeeze them in your fingers to remove their skins. Proceed the same with the rest of the chickpeas – this step is optional.
    3. In the bowl of the food processor add the tahini and the lime juice and pulse until combined.
    4. Drizzle the olive oil 1 Tbsp at a time. Pulse until the mixture resembles to a mayonnaise.
    5. Add the chickpeas and pulse until you form a paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
    6. Add the spices (cumin, chili flakes and salt). Add 1 Tbsp of water and process. Add more water until you reach the desired consistency. Spoon it into a bowl and drizzle some olive oil on top.
    7. Assemble the wrap. Take both flatbread and place each one on a different square of parchment paper. Divide the hummus between the two flatbreads and spread it into a fine layer. Place half of the pepper slices on one side and sprinkle them with ½ Tbsp of chopped chives. Using the parchment paper, starting from the side with the peppers, start rolling the flatbread as tight as possible. Process the same with the second flatbread and wrap tightly each roll with the parchment paper. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing.
    8. Serving and leftovers. Slice the wrap into 3cm thick slices and serve. Wrap the leftovers (if any) in cling film and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

    Roasted Red Pepper Pasta (Vegan)

    This creamy and spicy roasted pepper pasta are the ideal option on those busy evenings when time isn’t precisely your friend. With some basic organisational skills, this dish is ready in less than 1 hour. While the water boils, the peppers are being roasted and while the pasta is being cooked, the sauce simmers on the stove. I find that pipe rigate are the perfect option for this type of sauce. Once mixed with the sauce, this type of pasta captures the creamy sauce and you get to enjoy that decadent sauce with every bite. Simply amazing…

    Ingredients (for 4 servings):

    for the sauce:

    • 2 large red bell peppers
    • 360ml almond milk
    • 1 medium red onion
    • 4 garlic cloves
    • 3 Tbsp active dry yeast
    • 1 ½ tsp corn starch
    • 1 ‘bird’s eye’ dried chili
    • salt and pepper to taste

    for serving:

    • 350g dry pipe rigate
    • fresh basil leaves
    • active dry yeast

    Method:

    1. Pasta. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package. Drain them using a colander and cool them under cold tap water. Drain them very well and place them in a large bowl.
    2. Roast the peppers. While the water boils, take a metal disk, place it on the stove and roast the peppers on each side. Place the roasted pepper in a small saucepan and cover with a lid. Proceed the same with the second pepper.
    3. Peel the peppers. Carefully peel each pepper. Remove the stem and the seeds, give them a quick wash and pat them dry with a paper towel.
    4. Onion and garlic. Peel the onion and slice it carefully. Peel the garlic.
    5. Prepare the sauce. Place the milk, onion, garlic and chili in the bowl of a blender. Mix until smooth. Add the peppers, olive oil, corn starch, and dry nutritional yeast and blend until smooth and creamy.
    6. Cook the sauce. Add the sauce to a medium saucepan and simmer it over low-medium heat until thick (for about 7 minutes).
    7. Serve. Add the sauce to the pasta and mix well. Serve in large bowls and garnish with basil ribbons and nutritional yeast.

    Source: www.minimalistbaker.com


     

    Scrambled Tofu with Pepper and Spinach

    I had no idea that there’s a way to make some delicious scrambled eggs without using a single egg. Seasoned crumbled tofu accompanied by a couple of veggies creates the best “scrambled eggs” I’ve ever tasted. This scrambled tofu with spinach and bell pepper is absolutely delicious and it’s ready in less than 15 minutes. For seasoning this tasty dish, I use turmenic, cumin, chili and garlic powder. The golden turmenic is not only used for its flavor, but it also brings this vibrant, “eggie” color to the dish. The steps are so simple. You sautee the onion and the pepper in a skillet, you add the spinach and you braise it for a couple of moments. Finally you add the crumbled tofu and you season it to perfection. That’s all! Simple, nutritious and incredibly delicious!

    Ingredients (for 2 servings):

    • 200g extra firm tofu
    • 1/2 red onion (50g)
    • 1/2 red bell pepper (70g)
    • 2 handfuls of spinach (50g)
    • 1 Tbsp olive oil
    • 2 Tbsp water / vegetable soup
    • 1/2 tsp turmenic
    • 1/2 tsp cumin
    • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 pinch of chili
    • salt to taste

    Method:

    1. Pat tofu dry using a clean paper towel. Cover it with paper towel and place something heavy on top (I used some cans).
    2. Chop the onion and the bell pepper. Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Add the onion and the pepper and sautee for about 3 minutes.
    3. Wash the spinach, pat it dry and add it to the skillet. Cover with a lid and cook for 2 – 3 minutes or until soft.
    4. Unwrap tofu and crumble it using your hands. I a small bowl prepare a sauce by mixing the spices with water / veggie soup.
    5. Move the vegetables to one side of the skillet using a spatula and add the crumbled tofu to the empty side. Pour the sauce over the tofu and stir.
    6. Continue to cook over high heat until tofu begins to brown (for about 3 – 5 minutes).
    7. Serve immediately. I served my scrambled tofu with a large slice of homemade challah bread. Best breakfast ever!



    1. Source: www.minimalistbaker.com

    Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce)



    Shakshuka is an absolutely delicious North African dish. Under this adorable name hide some eggs poached to perfection in a decadent tomato sauce. Shakshuka is usually served for breakfast, but nothing keeps you from serving it for lunch or even supper. One pan. Some olive oil, onion, red bell pepper, garlic, cumin, paprika and tomatoes.  Five eggs poached for five minutes. The beauty of this dish is the fact that all the story takes place in one single pan.

    Why I love Shakshuka:

    • it’s so easy to make, it’s mouth-watering, healthy and packed with protein
    • it’s perfect for brunch
    • it’s ready in about 20 minutes
    • it takes just one single pan
    • it has a charming rusticity

    Continue reading Shakshuka (Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce)

    Tortilla de Patatas with Sweet Potatoes and Kalamata Olives

    Tortilla de patatas - sliceOmletteTortilla slice

    I make tortilla de patatas for dinner at least once a week and I usually serve it with a salad. The best part of this simple dish is that the leftovers (if there are any and that’s one big “IF”) are even better the next morning, for breakfast. This morning I had a sudden craving for tortilla and I just had to make one. Another wonderful thing about this dish is that regarding the ingredients, sky is the limit; you can use anything from fresh or frozen veggies and herbs to dairy or meat products.

    For this particular tortilla I used sweet potatoes, Kalamata olives, red bell pepper and onion. To make this recipe lighter, I boiled my potatoes instead of frying them and the result was a hearty and colorful omelette full of bold flavors. Continue reading Tortilla de Patatas with Sweet Potatoes and Kalamata Olives

    Salmon Croquettes with Horseradish Sauce and Mango Salsa

    salmon croquettes & mango salsaSalmon croquette - plating

    These hearty baked salmon croquettes are simply exquisite and easy to make. They have a flavorful and creamy center and a crispy crust. They are delicious served alone, maybe paired with a slice of homemade bread but I decided to serve them with horseradish sauce and mango salsa. Continue reading Salmon Croquettes with Horseradish Sauce and Mango Salsa