Meatless Monday!

When cooking for others I try to accommodate all food preferences the best I can. I am vegetarian, Tim is a carnivore, and our friends are everything in-between. Tonight I needed a gluten free recipe so I decided  to try pasta-less vegetarian lasagna! Let me preface this by saying that I don't like "other people's lasagna" not that I am a food snob or anything, I just don't like ricotta cheese! So I developed my own recipe a few years ago, and adapted it for dinner tonight.

Ingredients:
Zucchini (4-5 small)
Squash (1 small)
Chopped carrots (about 1 1/2 cups)
Chopped onion (1 med.)
Broccoli (about a cup)
1 1/2 jars of your favorite tomato sauce, or homemade
Mozzarella (3 cups)
Dried or freshspices/seasoning (garlic, oregano, parsley, basil, pepper)

Directions:
-The zucchini will take the place of the pasta. Cut each lengthwise and boil until tender.
Drain and set aside.
-boil the carrots and onion in water for about 7 minutes, add the other vegetables and continue cooking for 3 minutes. Drain water and retur the vegetables to pot.
-add your sauce and spices/seasoning. Mix and cook until heated throughout.
- layer zucchini"pasta", sauce and mozzarella twice in a large baking dish. Bake on 350* for 25-30 min.
Serve and enjoy!

Main Dish: Fajitas

I get a sense of satisfaction when cooking entire meals from scratch. Not only is it healthier than buying the pre-made or overly processed versions at the store, it also provides an opportunity for Tim and I to do something together.  Tonight we decided on fajitas (black bean for me/chicken for Tim) complete with colorful sautéed veggies, pico de gallo, and homemade whole wheat tortillas.

Fajita Ingredients:

Garlic, finely chopped

Onions, sliced

Bell peppers, sliced

Zucchini (quarterd and sliced) 

Squash(quartered and cut)

Fresh squeezed lime juice

Pepper

In a large pan,  sautée garlic and onion in a small amount of olive oil. Add the remaining ingredients and cook until soft. 

* Tim grilled sliced chicken breast seasoned with spices and added it to his veggies.

Pico De Gallo:

Mix chopped tomatoes, onion, fresh squeezed lime juice, cilantro, salt, and pepper

Whole wheat Tortillas (makes 6)

This was our first time using this recipe(found on "100 days of real food") Fun to make but neither of us liked the finished product all that much.  

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour

1/4 cup oil (I used olive)

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup warm water

With a dough hook, Mix flour, oil, and salt until crumbly (about 2-3 minutes) with the mixer still on, slowly add water and mix until a soft dough forms (about 5 min). 

Using your hands, roll dough into a log and divide into 6 equal parts. Roll each part into a ball, press, and lay on a cookie sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and let the dough rest for al least 15 min.

Sprinkle a little flour on the countertop or cutting board. Roll each tortilla with a rolling pin until they are 8-10 in. In diameter.(don't use too much additional flour or the tortilla will burn.) 

Cook tortillas in a pan on med/high heat 30-45 seconds per side. 

There you go...With a bit of planning, this is a healthy, easy, and delicious dinner to make!