Ingredients

1 carrot, cleaned and grated
2 tablespoons powdered (finely ground) golden flax seeds
130 g almonds, peeled and coarsely ground
a handful of raisins, soaked in filtered water for about 10 minutes then drained
a pinch of whole sea salt
1 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
half a teaspoon grated nutmeg
half a teaspoon cardamom
a few pinches of vanilla powder
3 teaspoons raw almond butter
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
15 g coconut butter, softened
60 g agave syrup

Makes 15 treats.

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. When you have a homogeneous mixture, wet your hands, form into shaped cookies and dehydrate 10-12 hours or until the desired dryness is reached. This is a moist dough and it might take a while to dehydrate (dehydrating times also depend on the thickness of the dough). If you like these treats to be a little moist, you can certainly reduce the dehydrating time and store them in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (and a little more when ready to serve)
1 white onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
1 small carrot, cleaned and finely chopped
1 celery stalk, cleaned and finely chopped
13-15 Piccadilly tomatoes (or other baby tomatoes), cleaned and diced
half a large yellow pepper, cleaned and diced
1 teaspoon powdered vegetable stock
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
350 g plain seitan, finely chopped (you can use a food processor)
100 ml filtered water
400 g tomato purée (with no other added ingredients)
1 teaspoon rice malt syrup
2 handfuls olives (I used Taggiasche), seeded and halved
1-2 teaspoons dried oregano
half a teaspoon ground celery seeds
chili powder, to taste
freshly ground green pepper, to taste

Makes at least 6 servings (you can refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it and save it for later).

Directions

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the onion, garlic, carrot, celery, tomatoes, pepper, vegetable stock and salt and sweat until the vegetables are slightly soft. Add the seitan and sauté for a few minutes. Pour the water and tomato purée, add the rice malt syrup, olives, herbs and spice and stir well. Cover with a lid and simmer over low heat for about 1 hour. Remove from the heat, add 2-3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and stir again. Serve with your favorite pasta. Alternatively, it’s excellent on polenta but also to make risotto.

Ingredients

For the seitan ragù

3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (and 2 more when ready to serve)
half an onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 small carrot, cleaned and finely chopped
1 celery stalk, cleaned and finely chopped
1 teaspoon powdered vegetable stock
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
150 ml white wine
350 g seitan, finely chopped (you can use a food processor)
100 ml filtered water
500 g tomato puree
1 teaspoon rice malt syrup
1-2 teaspoons dried thyme
1-2 teaspoons dried oregano
a small handful of fresh parsley, cleaned and finely chopped
chili powder, to taste
freshly ground white pepper, to taste
paprika, to taste

Makes about 6 servings (you can refrigerate it for up to 2 days or freeze it and save it for later).

For the polenta

500 ml filtered water
500 ml vegetable stock
a few pinches of whole sea salt
150 g fine cornmeal

Makes 2-3 servings.

To complete

freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

To make the seitan ragù, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the onion, carrot, celery, vegetable stock and salt and sweat until the vegetables are slightly soft and translucent. Add the wine and the seitan and cook for a few minutes, stirring continuously, until the wine has evaporated. Pour the water and tomato puree, add the rice malt syrup, the herbs and spice and stir well. Simmer over low heat for about 1 hour. Remove from the heat, add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and stir.
To make the polenta, heat the water and vegetable stock in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the salt and whisk in the cornmeal until fully incorporated, stirring constantly (use a wooden spoon).
Lower the heat and cook, stirring almost continuously, for about 15 minutes or until you reach a velvety texture. Remove from the heat and divide the polenta between individual serving bowls, spoon the warm seitan ragù on top, sprinkle with black pepper and serve.

Ingredients

200 g black chickpeas, soaked in cold filtered water for at least 9 hours, or overnight, then washed and drained
150 g quinoa, washed under cold running water
half a red pepper, cleaned and cut into cubes
half a yellow pepper, cleaned and cuto into cubes
8-10 cherry tomatoes, cleaned and cut into quarters
1 carrot, cleaned and cut into cubes
2 hanfuld black pitted olives, chopped
a handful of fresh parsley, cleaned and finely chopped
a handful of fresh basil, cleaned and finely chopped
extra virgin olive oil, to taste
whole sea salt, just enought to taste

Makes 4 servings.

Directions

Cook the chickpeas in unsalted water (add the salt to the pot when the chickpeas are almost completely cooked as salt hardens the outer layer). Cook the quinoa al dente in lightly salted water in a separate pot. Drain well and let cool. When the chickpeas are cooked, rinse them under cold, running water, drain well and let cool. Once the quinoa and chickpeas are cold, transfer them into a sald bowl the stir in the red and yellow pepper, tomatoes, carrot, olives, parsley, basil and toss. Season with the olive oil and salt, mix well and serve.

Ingredients

70-80 g semi-whole long grain rice
70-80 black venere rice
juice of half a lemon
4-5 handfuls of fresh peas (out of pod), cooked in boiling and slightly salted water for 5-7 minutes, drained, rinsed under cold running water and set aside to cool
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 zucchini, cleaned and diced
2 small handfuls of pumpkin seeds
pickled ginger (sushi ginger), chopped, to taste
sesame oil, to taste
a pinch of whole sea salt
nori flakes, to taste
fresh chives, cleaned and chopped, to taste

Makes 2 servings.

Directions

Cook the long grain rice in plenty of boiling, slightly salted water. Cook the black venere rice the same way in a separate pan. Make sure the rice is still al dente when you drain it. Rinse it under cold running water and transfer it into a salad bowl. Add the lemon juice and some sesame oil and refrigerate until it’s completely cold. To assemble your rice salad, take out the rice from the fridge and add all the vegetables, the ginger, some more sesame oil, the  salt, the nori flakes and toss. Top with the chives and serve cool.

Ingredients

280 g whole wheat linguine
4-5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
half a onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 carrot, cleaned and finely chopped
a pinch of whole sea salt
a small head of radicchio, chopped
250 g seitan, minced
a handful of fresh parsley, cleaned and finely chopped
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Makes 4 servings.

Directions

Bring a pan of plenty water to a boil. As soon as the water is boiling, add some salt and cook the linguine. Heat the oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat then add the onion, carrot and salt and sauté for a few minutes (the carrot should stay crunchy). Add the radicchio and seitan, cook for a few more minutes and turn off the heat. When the linguine are al dente, drain and transfer them in the pan where you cooked the vegetables. Add a little more olive oil if needed, then mix and sauté over medium heat for 30-40 seconds, making sure the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat, add the parsley and pepper, toss and serve.

Ingredients

For the dressing

8 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
3 teaspoons raw sesame oil
a pinch of whole sea salt
2 teaspoons umeboshi paste
3 teaspoons tahin
3 teaspoons apple vinegar
4 teaspoons white miso
3 teaspoons maple syrup
juice of half a lemon

For the salad

half a white cabbage, shredded
1 carrot, peeled and grated (using the the large holes of a grater)
2 handfuls of pumpkin seeds
a handful of white sesame seeds
fresh thyme, to taste

Makes 2 servings.

Directions

In a bowl, whisk all the dressing ingredients and set aside. Alternatively, you can put all ingredients in a jar, secure it with a tight fitting lid and shake until perfectly combined (this is actually the quickest way to make the dressing).

In a large salad bowl, toss the cabbage with the carrot and the seeds. Pour the mixture over the vegetables and toss gently until thoroughly coated and moistened. Refrigerate to chill, garnish with the thyme and serve.

Ingredients

180 g whole grain farro medium-short pasta ( I used ‘torchioli’)
water and whole sea salt, just enough to cook the pasta
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 carrot, peeled and more or less finely chopped
1 yellow pepper (stem, core and seeds removed), diced
1 long, medium-hot, sweet red pepper, Italian or Mediterranean (stem, core and seeds removed), diced
1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced
a pinch of whole sea salt
a pinch of chilli powder
1 large handful of capers, soaked in water for 10-20 minutes to remove excess salt
1 handful of fresh parsley leaves, 1 handful of fresh mint leaves, 1 handful of fresh basil leaves, washed and pat dried with a paper towel

Directions

Bring a pan of plenty water to a boil. Heat the oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat then add the carrot, peppers, garlic and salt and sauté for a few minutes (the carrot and peppers should stay crunchy). As soon as the water is boiling, add some salt and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta then put it in the pan where you previously cooked the vegetables. Rinse the capers and add them to the pasta. Sprinkle with the chilli and add a little more olive oil if needed, then  mix and sauté over medium heat for 30-40 seconds, making sure the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat, add the parsley, mint and basil (chopped or whole), toss and serve.

Thoughts, tips, ideas

This pasta is delicious served warm but can be also enjoyed cold as a summer picnic pasta. It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6-8 hours.

Ingredients

180 g mezze maniche kamut pasta or other short pasta
water and whole sea salt, just enough to cook the pasta
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large carrot, peeled and more or less finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and more or less finely chopped
a pinch of whole sea salt
8 zucchini flowers, washed, stems and pistils removed, and cut into halves or 4 parts, lengthwise
a pinch of powdered saffron, mixed with 1 tablespoon natural mineral or filtered water
2 handfuls of fresh parsley leaves, washed and pat dried with a paper towel

Directions

Bring a pan of plenty water to a boil. Heat the oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat then add the chopped carrot, garlic and salt and sauté for a few minutes (the carrot should stay crunchy). When the water is boiling, add some salt and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain the pasta then put it in the pan where you cooked the carrot and garlic, add the saffron and, if you think it’s necessary, a tiny little more olive oil. Stir in the zucchini flowers and sauté for another few seconds, making sure the pasta does not stick to the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat, add the parsley leaves (chopped or whole), toss and serve. 

Thoughts, tips and ideas

This pasta is good warm but equally delicious cold, too, so it can be perfect for a summer picnic. You can keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6-8 hours.

Thanks to its high protein levels, tempeh -a soy derivative- is an excellent meat substitute. Because it is a cultured food, tempeh is fairly easy to digest, thus representing a great alternative for people who have problems digesting any other vegetable protein like beans and soy itself. This is a delicious sweet, salty and sour tempeh based dish that can be served alone or paired with whole Thai or Basmati rice.

Makes 2 servings.

Ingredients:

250 g GMO-free, plain tempeh

6 carrots, peeled and sliced

juice of 3 oranges

3 tablespoons rice malt syrup

5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 pinch whole sea salt

1 pinch white pepper

1 tablespoon shoyu

1 tablespoon mirin

½ teaspoon dried ginger powder

2 teaspoons dried lemongrass

½ teaspoon dried thyme

Directions:

Steam the tempeh for about 5 minutes and cut it into cubes or bite-sized chunks. In a bowl, mix the orange juice, the rice malt syrup, the mirin and the shoyu, add the tempeh and marinate for about 15-20 minutes. Heat the olive oil in a wok, then add the carrots, salt, all the spices and herbs. Stir fry for a few minutes over medium-high heat. Stir in the tempeh with the marinade and cook over medium heat until all the orange juice has thickened. Drizzle with some more olive oil and salt if necessary. Serve and enjoy.

Ingredients

1 medium red cabbage
3 carrots
1/4 leek
6-8 pitted dried plums, finely chopped
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon whole sea salt
a pinch of ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard powder
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons apple juice concentrate
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
2-3 handfuls walnuts, coarsely chopped
fresh thyme

Makes 4 servings.

Directions

First of all, finely slice the leek and the carrots and put a wok or a frying pan on the heat. Drizzle in the olive oil. When it’s hot, add the leek, carrots, dried plums and salt, and stir fry with a wooden spoon, on a medium heat, until the leek is lightly golden. In the meantime, clean the cabbage and slice it as thinly as possible, discarding the core. Add the cabbage to the wok and stir fry for 2 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar, apple juice concentrate, dried thyme, mustard and pepper and stir fry a bit longer, until the vinegar has evaporated. Stir in the walnuts and cook for another minute. Remove the wok from the heat, transfer your veggies into a salad bowl or platter, season with more salt and pepper if needed, and garnish with fresh thyme. This is equally good served warm or cool.

Notes, thoughts, ideas

Beautifully coloured, and sweet and savoury in taste, this dish is perfect on its own but also ideal to be served alongside some tofu or seitan. The cabbage and the carrots should keep their crunchiness, so be careful not to overcook them.

Here’s a simple yet tasty recipe, something to enjoy in summer time. Go for organic carrots!

Makes 1 serving.

Ingredients:

2-3 carrots

2 cm section fresh ginger root

1 teaspoon white miso

the juice of 1 lemon

extra virgin olive oil

whole sea salt (to taste)

1 pinch black pepper

1-2 ice cubes (optional)

fresh basil (for garnish)

Peel and chop the ginger, then chop the carrots (no need to peel them if they’re organic). Run ginger and carrots through a juicer. In a shaker (or jar) combine the carrot and ginger juice, the miso (previously dissolved in 1 to 2 tablespoons tepid water), the lemon juice, a few drops of olive oil, a pinch of salt, a pinch of ground black pepper and the ice cubes. Shake gently, pour mixture into a glass, decorate with basil leaves and serve.