Fun with Vegetarian Cooking

10 01 2010
Katherine Dignan

Katherine Dignan

Another new year has begun and with it many exciting changes. First of all, my family has made a huge move from Colorado to Hollywood, Florida. So I will have the pleasure of exploring new cuisines down here and experimenting in the kitchen with with all the amazing local produce like fresh caught fish, Caribbean and South American ingredients, and tropical fruits and vegetables not found in Colorado. So look for fun recipes in the near future.

Vegout Gourmet took off in 2010. I was busy developing recipes for small gourmet markets, catering events, and teaching classes. I plan to continue with similar projects and more in 2011.  I am excited to find new clients and opportunities here in the “Sunshine State”.

Needless to say, having been busy with the move, I have not updated my blog much in the past few months. I am intending to get back on track now that we are settling in here.

I had such joy this past year reaching out to my blog readers and receiving their comments. I hope you all enjoyed the recipes and tips. I look forward to sharing many more exciting food adventures with you in 2011.

Namaste,

Katherine Dignan





Sweet Potato Pie

5 12 2011
I was challenged over Thanksgiving to make a Sweet Potato Pie. I had only ever made a pumpkin pie before. I searched around and found this recipe which I doctored up with some more spices and it was delicious. Use your favorite pie crust recipe.
 

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Green Olive Hummus

12 11 2011
My good friend brought some of this over to share at a party. Oh my gosh! It was so delicious and even my kids, who do not like hummus, loved it. I think they what makes it so yummy was the wonderful green olive flavor and the subtle cumin and spice. The lack of tahini makes it lighter and less cloying. This is super simple so enjoy.

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Candied Walnuts

27 09 2011
These walnuts are perfect on a salad with beets or goat cheese. I usually make a big batch and then freeze some so I have them on hand when I want to dress up any salad. It is important to boil the walnuts first to remove any bitterness.

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Cream of Mushroom Soup

27 09 2011
I was making a hearty Central European kugel dish and I wanted a nice earthy soup to go with it. Thus, I created this lovely Cream of Mushroom Soup. It is not difficult to make and will definitely satisfy your tummy on a chilly autumn day. Enjoy.

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Tomato, Marjoram, and Fennel Sauce

7 09 2011
I made this sauce to go with a potato au gratin style dish, but my family forgot to use it. So the next day, I pureed it and used it on pasta and eggplant parmigiana. It was delicious. Everyone commented on the subtle licorice flavor and the nice pairing of the marjoram with the fennel. It is very simple to make and can be used on almost anything.
 

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Spinach and Romaine Salad with Tamarind Citrus Dressing and Pappadams

29 08 2011
This recipe was also part of my exploration of Indian food. Usually Indian salads are more of a small side dish, but I was looking for something that was more like our American salads with an Indian twist. I found it in this Tamarind Citrus Dressing. The crummbled pappadums made an interesting twist to the typical slivered nuts and bacon found on a spinach salad.

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Indian Roasted Cauliflower and Potato Salad

29 08 2011
I was creating an Indian menu for a new company where I am working. If any of my readers are in South Florida, check out www.eats-good.com. We cook and deliver twice a week wonderful meals for you or your entire family. For the next month, we are taking a trip around the world and this week we are going to India. So, last night I tried out this recipe on my family and they loved it. It is a great twist on classic potato salad and so much more flavorful.

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Quinoa and Fennel Pilaf

3 08 2011
Quinoa is still my new favorite grain. This is a very flavorful side dish particularly if you like the sublte licorice flavor of fennel. If you want a stronfer fennel flavor add a little fennel powder or fennel pollen into the broth. I served this as a side to the Ratatouille Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms.

1 cup quinoa

1/2 small white onion, finely chopped

1 celery rib, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 small fennel bulb, trimmed, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 1/2 cups vegetable stock

1 tsp salt or more to taste

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Ratatouille Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Goat Cheese

3 08 2011
Ratatouille is a celebration of summer harvest. So, I cooked this dish to celebrate my friend’s birthday.  It was a huge hit. Often ratatouille is just presented as a stew, but this presentation gives a bit more elegance to the meal. You can make it ahead and even stuff the mushrooms. Then all you have to do is crumble goat cheese over, reheat and serve.

1 onion, chopped

5 garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil (preferably extra-virgin)

1 1-pound eggplant, trimmed, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 small zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch dice

1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2 inch dice

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

Pinch of cayenne pepper

four 4-to-5 inch-diameter portobello mushrooms, stems removed

1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley

1 10-ounce package ready-to-use spinach leaves

1 8oz log of soft goat cheese or goat cheese crumble Read the rest of this entry »





Grilled Mahi Mahi with Slow Roasted Tomatoes and Lemon Oregano Oil

6 07 2011

These slow roasted tomatoes can be served with any grilled or roasted seafood or tossed with pasta or even used as a bruschetta topping along with a drizzle of the Lemon Oregano Oil. I think it is a perfect staple to make ahead and have in your refrigerator to spruce up any meal. Serve this fish with a light rice pilaf or some Israeli couscous or even quinoa.

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