weeknight dinner

Rainbow Tahini Bowl

Sometimes the best creations come out of what I happen to have on hand. That was the case last week when I made this bowl for lunch. Crunchy grated carrots with the protein of the cheese and garbanzos made for a filling meal I could revisit for lunch or dinner. Plus I love keeping cooked beets on hand (I buy them cooked at Trader Joe’s). I could put cilantro on everything, but you can easily sub in basil or arugula if you’re not a lover of it.

To make this vegan, just leave out the cheese. To make it gluten free, omit the couscous and just use rice. You can really use any dressing, but I used a creamy tahini one I bought at the store.

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RAINBOW TAHINI BOWLS

(serves 1)

1 c cooked grains (I used a mix of quinoa & brown rice)

3 T grated carrot

1 small cooked beet, sliced (I bought the precooked ones at Trader Joes)

3 T garbanzo beans (canned, drained)

3 mini mozzarella balls 

2 T babaganoush

fresh cilantro

tahini salad dressing

Put 1 c cooked grains in a bowl. Top with 3 T grated carrot, 1 small sliced cooked beet, 1/4 c canned garbanzo beans, 3 mini mozzarella balls, a 2 T scoop of babaganoush (or hummus) and a big pinch of fresh cilantro (or any herb you prefer). Top with your favorite salad dressing. I used a store-bought tahini dressing, but you could also try a sesame dressing or basic vinaigrette.

This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if cooking for more than one. Easy desk lunch or light weeknight dinner!

xx

Erin

No-Cook Mediterranean Tostadas

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This tostada is great for those nights when you just don’t feel like cooking but still want something balanced and fresh. This is not a traditional preparation of the tostada (which is often seen in Mexican cuisine), but an adaptation using more Mediterranean-style ingredients which makes for an easy weeknight meal.

Find this recipe, with a few other variations in my cookbook The Forest Feast Road Trip.

No-cook mediterranean tostadas

makes 4 tostadas (*divide the ingredients below among the 4 pita breads)

4 pita breads (whole wheat or regular, left whole)

1 c hummus

1/2 c babaganoush

1 tomato, diced

1 small cucumber, diced (peel on)

2 green onions (chopped)

1/4 c crumbled Feta cheese

1/4 c garbanzo beans (from a can)

lemon wedges (for serving)

Using the hummus as the base, layer all other ingredients in the order above onto the pitas. Slice in half, if you wish, or enjoy the whole thing hand-held.

*I prefer my pita soft, but if you'd like to stick with the typical tostada crunchiness, bake your pitas at 375F for 10 minutes before adding the toppings.

Enjoy!

* * *

xx

Erin

Honey-Balsamic Green Beans

Every year we go to Santa Barbara to my aunt and uncle’s dreamy beach house for Thanksgiving but this year, we are heading to Sonoma County. I’m making a few sides to bring including these green beans from my new Forest Feast Mediterranean cookbook inspired by our time in Sicily.

Honey-Balsamic Green Beans

recipe from The Forest Feast Mediterranean

4 c green beans

2 cloves minced garlic, trimmed & diagonally sliced

1/4 c (35 grams) pomegranate seeds

1/4 cup (30 grams) pistachio seeds, roasted & chopped

Saute on medium heat with 1 T olive oil, plus salt and pepper, for 3-5 minutes or until the beans are bright green. Then add 1 T balsamic vinegar and 1 T honey to the pan and toss until all the beans are glazed. (about 1 min).

Transfer to a platter and sprinkle with a bit of sea salt and the pomegranate seeds and roasted & chopped pistachio seeds.

Max and me in Cefalu, Sicily in 2017 while shooting The Forest Feast Mediterranean cookbook

Max and me in Cefalu, Sicily in 2017 while shooting The Forest Feast Mediterranean cookbook

The rural area of Sicily we visited is known for its honey and pistachio production and these ingredients are used frequently in sweet and savory dishes from the region. I love the added crunch from the pistachios. We visited the snowy volcano peak in the morning and ended the very same day with a sunset walk along the coast in the village of Santa Maria La Scala.

Ezra making a snowball near the top of Mt. Etna, Sicily, 2017

Ezra making a snowball near the top of Mt. Etna, Sicily, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving!

For more vegetarian sides, try my Persimmon Cranberry Sauce, Butternut Hummus & Deviled Eggs , or Nutty Cauliflower Rice Pilaf.

P.S. The Forest Feast Mediterranean is on sale now and makes a great host gift!