Ingredients

For the lasagne

1 pack of “tofu leaves” or equivalent (you can also use regular wheat lasagna squares)

For the rocket, basil and almond pesto

a large bunch of arugula, cleaned and blanched in boiling water for 1 minute then drained
a large handful of fresh basil, cleaned
1 garlic clove, peeled
5 tablespoons nutritional yeast (flakes)
10-11 tablespoons finely crushed almonds
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
80 ml filtered water
50 ml extra virgin olive oil

To complete

shaved almonds, to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 180 C. To make the pesto, process all ingredients with the help of a food processor. Once you have reached the desired consistency, set aside. Spread a little olive oil around the inside of a glass or ceramic baking pan (altrnatively, you can use parchment paper, to be placed n a regular baking pan). Put a lasagna square down first and layer on some pesto. Repeat until you have no squares left. Top with a final but thinner layer of pesto, drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil and bake for 15 minutes, until the top begins to get brown. Remove from oven, top with the shaved almonds and let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.

Ingredients

1 large cucumber, cleaned and cut into sticks
1 teaspoon pink peppercorns
1 teaspoon juniper berries
1 teaspoon wild fennel seeds
2 garlic cloves, peeled and cut into pieces
half a small chili pepper, cleaned and cut into pieces
2 teaspoons rice malt syrup
120 ml cold, filtered water
half a teaspoon whole sea salt
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
50 ml apple vinegar
the juice of 1 lemon

Makes 1 jar.

Directions

Place the cucumber sticks in a glass jar (mine was 600 ml). Add the pink peppercorns, juniper berries, fennel seeds, garlic and chili. In a bowl, mix the rice malt syrup, water, salt, rice vinegar, apple vinegar and lemon juice. Pour the water-vinegar mixture onto the cucumber sticks, shake gently, secure with the lid and refrigerate for 12-15 hours. During this time, shake the jar now and then. The marinating time can be longer, if you prefer a more vinegary taste.
These cucumber sticks are excellent added to a raw mixed salad, or paired with steamed vegetables but you can also use them as a sandwich filling. The same marinade can be used up to 2-3 times within a couple of days. These cucumber sticks should be eaten within 2 days.

Ingredients

150 g chickpeas, to be soaked in filtered water for around 9 hours then rinsed and drained
200 g soy yogurt, unsweetened, unflavoured and GMO-free
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon mild curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
1 small cucumber, cleaned and diced
1 long green pepper, cleaned and diced
a large handful pf fresh parsley, cleaned and finely chopped
1 small garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted then ground into powder
freshly ground white pepper, to taste

Makes 2 servings.

Directions

Cook the chickpeas until al dente. Rinse them under cold running water, drain well and let cool. In the meantime, combine the soy yogurt, olive oil, curry powder, turmeric and salt in a bowl and whisk until smooth. When the chickpeas are completely cold, transfer them into a sald bowl, add the cucumber, green pepper, parsley and garlic and toss. Stir in the spiced soy yogurt, add the cumin and white pepper, toss again and refrigerate. This salad is best served very cold.

Ingredients

350 g plain seitan, thinly sliced
the juice of 1 lemon
the juice of 1 orange
50 ml extra virgin olive oil
a handful of fresh coriander, cleaned and chopped
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
3 cm fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon powdered ginger
1 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed
freshly grond white pepper, to taste

Makes 3-4 servings.

Directions

Put the sliced seitan in a bowl. In another bowl, mix the lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil,  chopped fresh coriander, salt, garlic, fresh ginger and powdered ginger. Pour the vinaigrette over the seitan, transfer into the fridge and  let marinate for 18-20 hours, mixing now and then. Serve cold or at room temperature with vegetables such as zucchini and tomatoes.

Ingredients

For the asparagus and porcini cream

200 g fresh and cleaned asparagus
300 ml filtered water
200 ml vegetable cream (I used oat cream)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
ground nutmeg, to taste
freshly ground white pepper, to taste
4 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in about 70 ml cold, filtered water
20 g dried porcini mushrooms, soaked in filtered water for 30 minutes then drained and chopped

For the vegetables

200 g fresh and cleaned asparagus
200 g fresh spinach, cleaned and blanched in boiling water for about 1 minute
1 garlic clove, peeled and cut into halves
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
whole sea salt, just enough to taste

For the hazelnut and basil coating/filling

half a garlic clove, peeled
a handful of fresh basil, cleaned
2 handfuls of shelled hazelnuts
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
2 tablespoons wholemeal breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

To assemble

250 g kamut or whole wheat lasagna sheets

Makes 4 servings.

Directions

Blanch 200 g asparagus in boiling water for 6-7 minutes then drain and set aside. Cook the remaining 200 g asparagus until they’re tender. Drain and set aside. Pour the water, vegetable cream and olive oil in a heavy bottomed saucepan and bring to a gentle boil. Add the salt, nutmeg and pepper and keep cooking for a couple of minutes on a low heat. Add the cornstarch to the vegetable cream mixture and keep cooking, stirring constantly, until you reach a fairly thick texture. Remove from the heat and let cool a bit. Combine the 200 g tender asparagus and the cream in the bowl of a mixer and process until smooth. Transfer into a bowl, add the porcini, mix and set aside.
In a pan or wok over medium heat, sauté the remaining blanched asparagus and spinach with the garlic, olive oil, pepper and salt. Remove from the heat.
To make the hazelnut and basil coating, process all the ingredients together in a food processor until the mixture looks grainy. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 180° C. Bring plenty filtered water to a boil, add some whole sea salt and cook the lasagne. Drain them and place them on a tray but make sure they don’t stick together. Also, be careful not to break them.
To assemble the lasagne, choose an appropriate baking pan, as you don’t want your lasagne to be too thin or too thick. Oil the bottom of the pan with a little olive oil, then spread some of the asparagus and porcini cream. Arrange the lasagna sheets lengthwise over the cream then spread the lasagne with some of the cream, top with some vegetables (asparagus and spinach) and sprinkle with a little pesto. Repeat layers, and top with remaining cream and pesto. Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake an additional 15 minutes. Take away from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

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

4 tablespoons ground flax seeds
150 ml filtered water
a large zucchini, cleaned and cut into pieces
2 handfuls of arugula, cleaned
a tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled
4-5 tablespoons sesame seeds
dried thyme, to taste
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
freshly ground white pepper, to taste
a few pinches of chili powder

Makes about 20 crackers (6cm x 7cm x 3mm).

Directions

Mix the ground flax seeds with te water and set aside. Put the zucchini and rocket in the bowl of a mixer and process for about one minute. Add the flax seed mixture, olive oil, garlic, sesame seeds, thyme and salt and process again at high speed until you reach a smooth texture. Add the white pepper and chili and mix again. Spread the mixture evenly on a sheet of parchment paper that you will have placed on the tray of a dehydrator. The thickness of the final crackers will be determined by the thickness of the layer of your zucchini mixture. Dehydrate until the mixture looks dried on both sides but it’s still pliable. Cut into squares or rectangles and dehydrate again until crunchy or until you reach your favorite texture. It may take up to 12 hours; this depends largely on the dehidrator you use and the temperature you set.

Ingredients

10-12 mushrooms (champignons)
the juice of 1 lemon
1 zucchini, cleaned
1 garlic clove, peeled
2 tablespoons flax seeds, finely ground
a large handful of fresh basil, cleaned
5 handfuls hazelnuts (and some more for garnish)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (and some more for garnish)
freshly ground green pepper, to taste (and some more for garnish)
whole sea salt, just enough to taste

Makes 4-6 servings.

Directions

Wash well the mushrooms under running water then drain them on a paper towel. Pull the stems from the mushrooms, place the caps on a dish and drizzle with half of the lemon juice. Transfer the stems into the bowl of a mixer. Add the remaining lemon juice, zucchini, garlic, flax seeds, basil and blend for a couple of minutes (medium to high).  Add the hazelnuts, olive oil, pepper and salt and blend again for one more minute.
Before serving, fill each mushroom cap with 2-3 teapoons of pesto and arrange stuffed mushrooms on a serving plate. Garnish with some chopped hazelnuts, olive oil and pepper.

Ingredients

For the borlotti balls

150 g dried borlotti beans, washed under cold running water, soaked for 8-10 hours then rinsed
50 g wheat gluten
3 tablespoons golden flax seeds, finely ground
4 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes
2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
3 tablespoons tamari
4-6 tablespoons oat milk (unflavoured and unsweetened)
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
a large handful of fresh parsley, cleaned and finely chopped

For the vegetable stew

4-5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4-5 carrots, cleaned and sliced
half a medium (or 1 small) butternut squash, cleaned and cut into small pieces
400-450 ml filtered water
50 -60 ml oat milk (unflavoured and unsweetened)
half a teaspoon vegetable bouillon powder
freshly ground black pepper, just enough to taste
chili powder, just enough to taste
half a teaspoon powdered turmeric
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme

Makes 4 servings (12-15 balls) 

Directions

Cook the beans in plain fresh water until tender (you can use a pressure cooker or large pot). Preheat oven to 170°  C. Drain, rinse under running water, drain again and transfer into a large bowl. Mash the borlotti with a potato masher. Add wheat gluten, flax seeds, nutritional yeast, oil, garlic, tamari, oat milk, salt, parsley, and mix well until everything is combined. Roll into balls (wet your hands now and then), line a baking tray with parchment-paper, and bake for 30-35 minutes. In the meantime, to make the vegetable stew, heat the olive oil in a large casserole over medium-high heat, add carrots and squash and sauté for 5-10 minutes, stirring often. Add water, oat milk, vegetable bouillon powder, black pepper, chili powder, turmeric, salt, oregano, thyme, and sauté for about 5 more minutes. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes. Remove the lid and continue cooking until much of the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat.
When the balls are ready, remove them from the oven and let cool a bit. Add them to the vegetable stew. Cook over low heat for another 15-20 minutes and serve.

Ingredients

1 garlic clove, peeled
a pinch of whole sea salt
a pinch of white pepper
a pinch of chili powder
6-8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
fresh thyme leaves, to taste
fresh oregano, to taste
250-300 g plain seitan, broken into small, bite-sized chunks

Makes 2 servings (or more if served as finger food).

Start by pounding the garlic in a mortar and pestle, then add the salt, pepper, chili, oil, lemon, thyme and oregano. Using the pestle in a circular motion, coarsely grind the mixture then set aside. Break the seitan into small, bite-sized chunks. Place a heavy bottomed pan on the heat and wait until it’s hot. Dip the seitan chunks in the marinade making sure they’re completely covered and cook until they’re evenly golden brown. Transfer the seitan onto a serving plate, pour the left-over marinade (if any) over, and serve. You can also enjoy the seitan as finger food, using toothpicks or skewer sticks.

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

200 g pearled or semi-pearled farro, rinsed under running water (plus natural mineral or filtered water, and a pinch of whole sea salt to cook it -use 1 part farro, 2 parts water)
the juice of 1 lemon
2 large handfuls of  fresh green beans, ends trimmed, washed and cut into pieces (plus natural mineral or filtered water and a pinch of whole sea salt, to cook them)
5-6 sun dried tomatoes, soaked in natural mineral or filtered water for about 30 minutes
a handful of capers, soaked in natural mineral or filtered water for about 10 minutes
2 cloves of garlic, peeled
a small handful of fresh mint
a couple leaves of fresh basil
10-12 cherry tomatoes, washed
extra virgin olive oil, to taste
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
chilli powder, to taste

Makes 4 servings.

Directions

Put the farro and the water in a pan. Add the salt and bring to a boil over medium heat. Turn the heat down a little, cover with a lid and let cook. The farro should be ready in about 30 minutes (about 15 if you are using a pressure cooker). As soon as the farro is cooked al dente, drain well and transfer it into a large salad bowl. Pour half of the lemon juice over it, stir well and let cool (first at room temperature, then in the fridge).
In the meantime, cook the green beans in boilig salted water (5-6 minutes should be enough, do not overcook). Drain the green beans, rinse them under cold running water, pat dry and transfer them into a bowl. Add the remaining lemon juice and let cool (first at room temperature then in the fridge). Once the soaking time is over, rinse the sun dried tomatoes, pat dry them and chop or cut them. Rinse the capers and pat dry them. Mince the garlic, mint and basil. Cut the cherry tomatoes into halves or wedges. When both the farro and the green beans are cold mix them together in the salad bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Toss, sprinkle with oil, salt and chilli powder and toss once more just before serving.

Thoughts, tips, ideas

Pearled or semi-pearled farro can be substituted with whole farro or barley (pearled or whole). If you use whole grains, they need to be soaked first and of course the cooking time varies from grain to grain.

Ingredients

250 g brown lentils, soaked for at least six hours then cooked in natural mineral or filtered water with a pinch of whole sea salt (used canned lentils, if you really have to)
water and whole sea salt, to cook the lentils
2 cucumbers, ends cut off, washed, peeled and diced
1 red pepper, core and seeds removed, washed and diced
2 large handfuls of fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
1 red onion, peeled and diced
1 clove of garlic, peeled and finely chopped
extra virgin olive oil, to taste
apple vinegar, to taste
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
ground white pepper, just enough to taste
chilli powder, to taste

Makes 4 servings.

Directions

Cook the lentils in a pressure cooker or large pot until al dente. Rinse the lentils under cold running water, put them in a salad bowl then let cool completely (first at room temperature, then in the fridge) before adding the cucumbers, pepper, parsley, onion and garlic. Toss and add the olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper and chilli powder. Toss again then trasfer into the fridge to cool for at least half hour. Serve chilled.

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.

Ingredients

200 g fresh green beans, ends trimmed (plus natural mineral or filtered water and a pinch of whole sea salt, to cook them)
1-2 teaspoons poppy seeds

For the dressing

2 cloves of fresh garlic, peel removed
2-3 cm of fresh ginger root, skin removed
2 handfuls of fresh parsley
juice of 1 lime
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
a pinch of whole sea salt

Makes 2 servings.

Directions

Cook the beans in boiling water for 6-8 minutes (don’t overcook them). Drain, rinse under running water, pat dry  if necessary with some kitchen paper, transfer into a salad bowl and let cool (first at room temperature, then in the fridge).

To make the dressing, mince the garlic and the ginger. Wash and finely chop the parsley. Transfer garlic, ginger and parsley into a bowl, add the lime juice, olive oil and salt and mix well. Keep in the fridge until ready to use.

Pour the dressing over the beans, add the poppy seeds, and mix it all together (I suggest using your fingers). Check whether the dressing needs some extra olive oil. Divide between serving plates and enjoy. This makes a great, light and flavourful side dish.