Welcome!

Welcome to Romeo's Food Lady! This blog contains recipes for delicious vegetarian food. Most of these are not recipes authored by me. Rather, this is just a compilation of great veggie food I've found from all over the place, usually tweaked just a little. It's intended to be a reference FOR ME so I don't lose great food I've found nor the changes I've made to suit my tastes, but I'm happy for you to use it, too. After more than 25 years of being a vegetarian, I know what tastes good.
Romeo's Food Lady is named after my friend and cat, Romeo. Romeo is not a vegetarian, but his Food Lady is!

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Southwestern Quinoa

This recipe is slightly modified from a side dish from the Food Network.  Serve this version as an entrée.

Ingredients:
1 bunch scallions, sliced, OR 1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded, deveined, and minced
2 t. canola oil
4 t. tomato paste
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. chipotle chili powder
1 t. salt
2 3/4 c. water
1 1/2 c. quinoa, rinsed
2 bell peppers, chopped (any color will do, but 1 green and 1 orange make the dish colorific)
1 15-oz can corn, drained
2 cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

Method:
In a large skillet, sauté the scallions or onion and jalapeno in the canola oil over medium heat until the vegetables have softened.
Stir in the tomato paste, ground cumin, chipotle chile powder, and salt. Add the water and quinoa, stir, and bring to a simmer.
Simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is soft but not mushy, 15 - 20 minutes.  Add the bell pepper, cover, and steam 3 minutes until the bell pepper is tender-crisp.
Stir in the corn and pinto beans, and warm through.
Stir in the tomatoes, and serve immediately.
Serves 4.

Thursday, July 12, 2018

Curried Tofu Sheet Pan Dinner

This amazing recipe is from Cooking Light magazine, and they give credit to Robin Bashinsky for the original recipe.  I've tweaked it a little here, but the idea is still the same.
NOTE:  You'll need 2 sheet pans for this recipe.

Ingredients:
3 T. canola oil, divided
4 t. curry powder
1 1/4 t. salt, divided
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes that are 1/2-inch in size
1 14-oz pkg extra-firm tofu, drained and cut into cubes that are 3/4-inch in size (If you're new to tofu:  get the Chinese kind, not the silken kind.  Freeze it for 24 hours, then thaw it before cooking, as this gives it a better texture.)
canola cooking spray
2 10-oz bags frozen cauliflower florets, thawed
6 oz. fresh green beans, cut into 1.5-inch pieces
1/2 c. plain, unsweetened coconut milk yogurt (vegan)
juice of 1/2 lime
1/4 c. chopped unsalted cashews


Method:
Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.  Place 2 rimmed baking sheets in the oven during the preheat.

In a large bowl, combine 2 T. canola oil, curry powder, and 1 t. salt.  Add the sweet potatoes and tofu, and toss to coat.  Carefully remove the hot sheet pans from the oven and coat each pan's cooking surface with canola cooking spray.  Arrange the sweet potato-tofu mixture in a single layer, divided between the 2 pans.  Set the tossing bowl aside, and bake the sweet potato-tofu mixture at 500 degrees F for 10 minutes.

While the sweet potato-tofu mixture is cooking, add the last 1 T. oil to the tossing bowl.  Add the cauliflower and green beans, then toss to coat.

Remove the pans from the oven, and carefully (Caution!  It may splatter oil!) add the cauliflower-green bean mixture divided between the two pans.  Toss the contents of each pan, then arrange back into a single layer, and return to the oven to bake until the potatoes are tender, about 10 - 12 more minutes.

While this is baking, combine the yogurt, lime juice, and remaining 1/4 t. salt.

When the potatoes are tender (check with a fork), serve the vegetables drizzled with the yogurt sauce and sprinkled with chopped cashews.  Serves 4 - 5.

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Barley and Arugula Salad

This is based on a recipe originally published in the now defunct magazine Vegetarian Times...just a few tweaks.  It's SUPER EASY and perfect for a summer weeknight.
 
 
Ingredients:
1 T. olive oil, divided
1/2 t. salt, divided
1 c. pearled barley
2 cups shredded or finely diced carrots (I use the bagged, pre-shredded carrots to save time.)
1 t. ground cumin
1/4 c. raw pepitas or pistachios
2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
4 scallions, chopped (green and white parts - optional)
6 c. baby arugula
Your favorite vinaigrette salad dressing
freshly ground black pepper, to taste


Method:
Bring 2 1/4 c. water, 1/4 t. salt, and 1 t. olive oil to a boil.  Stir in barley, reduce to a simmer, and cook until the barley is chewy but not mushy (between 20 and 30 minutes...check for desired consistency).

Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 t. olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Add carrots and cumin and stir to coat.  Sauté, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender-crisp.  Add pepitas or pistachios, and cook 2 minutes more.  Stir in a scant 1/4 t. salt.  Remove from heat.  Stir in chickpeas and cooked barley, then allow to come to nearly room temperature.  Stir in the scallions.

Divide the arugula between 4 plates, and dress each plate's serving with a teaspoon or so of your favorite vinaigrette salad dressing.  Add the barley mixture (either mixed with the arugula or served on the side) and season to taste with salt and pepper.  Serves 4.

Friday, June 8, 2018

Golden Avocado Dressing Bulgur Bowl

Here's my version of a delicious and healthy grain bowl recipe from Cooking Light magazine.  Cooking Light gave credit to Adam Hickman for the original, and I left his sauce as originally published except...I doubled it!  It's the crowning glory of this bowl recipe.


Ingredients:
2 c. boiling water
1 c. uncooked bulgur
1 t. salt, divided
2 15-oz cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1.5 T. canola oil
2 cups finely chopped carrots (I use the bagged, pre-shredded carrots.)
½ c. sliced shallots or white parts of scallions
2 bunches lacinato kale, de-stemmed and chopped (I am sure other kale varieties would work fine, too.)
½ t. freshly ground black pepper
1 avocado, peeled and pitted
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
2 T. tahini
2 cloves garlic, peeled
½ t. ground turmeric
½ c. flat leaf parsley, chopped (or more, to taste)

Method:
Mix the boiling water, bulgur, and ¼ t. salt in a medium bowl, and allow to stand until the bulgur is chewy, about 15-20 minutes.  When chewy consistency is reached, drain off any excess water.

In a large, deep-sided skillet with a lid, add the chickpeas and lightly dry them over medium-high heat, about 3-4 minutes.  Add the canola oil, carrots, and shallots (or scallions), and sauté about 5 minutes.  Add the kale, cover, and cook until the kale is slightly wilted and carrots are tender, about 3 minutes.  Uncover and remove from heat.  Stir in ½ t. salt and the black pepper.

Process the avocado, olive oil, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, turmeric, 2 T. water, and remaining ¼ t. salt in a blender or food processor until smooth.  Additional water can be added 1 T. at a time if needed to bring the avocado sauce to the desired consistency.

Stir the parsley into the kale mixture.  Divide the bulgur between 4 wide, shallow bowls.  Top with the veggie mixture and drizzle with the avocado dressing.  Serves 4.

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Mediterranean Bulgur Bowl

I made this one up myself, but the sauce is based on a bowl sauce from Eating Well magazine.  It's super easy, so it's perfect for a weeknight, and besides boiling water, there's no heat involved, so it's perfect for summer!

Ingredients:
1 c. bulgur
2 c. boiling water
¾ t. salt, divided
¼ c. tahini
Juice of one lemon
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced (or ¼ t. garlic powder)
4 T. extra virgin olive oil
2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cucumber, diced
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
½ c. fresh parsley, chopped



Method:
Mix the bulgur, boiling water, and ¼ t. salt in a medium bowl, and allow to stand until the bulgur is chewy, about 15-20 minutes.  When chewy consistency is reached, drain off any excess water.

Meanwhile, whisk together the remaining ½ t. salt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic (or garlic powder), and olive oil.  Add up to ¼ c. water, 1 T. at a time, to bring the sauce to the desired consistency.

Divide the bulgur between 4 wide, shallow bowls.  Top each bowl with ¼ of each:  chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, and parsley.  Drizzle each bowl with ¼ of the sauce.  Serve immediately.

Serves 4.

Green Curry over Quinoa


Based on Jason Wyrick’s Green Curry with Mango and Sweet Potato recipe published in Vegan Health and Fitness magazine.

Ingredients:
1 c. quinoa
2.5 c. water, separated
½ t. salt, separated
1 15-oz can coconut milk
2 T. vegan green curry paste
1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped
2 c. frozen mukimame (shelled edamame)
10-oz bag frozen cauliflower florets
1 bell pepper, chopped (any color is fine; red is colorific)
Juice of 2 limes
1 mango, chopped
¼ c. roasted, unsalted peanuts

Method:
Rinse the quinoa under cold water.  Combine the quinoa, 2 c. water, and ¼ t. salt in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 (or so) minutes until the liquid is fully absorbed but the quinoa is not mushy.  Fluff quinoa with a fork.

Meanwhile, in a deep, large skillet with a lid, heat 2 T. of the coconut milk over medium heat.  Stir in the curry paste until fully combined.  Add the rest of the coconut milk, the remaining 1/2 c. water, and the remaining ¼ t. salt.  Again, stir until fully combined.  Add the sweet potato, bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat.  Simmer 5 minutes.  Stir in the mukimame and cauliflower, re-cover, return to a simmer, and steam for 5 minutes or until sweet potato can be pierced with a fork.  Add the bell pepper and re-cover.  Steam for 3 minutes or until everything is warmed through but not mushy.  Stir in the lime juice and mango. Add additional salt to season to taste, if desired.

Divide the quinoa between 4 wide, shallow bowls, and spoon the curry over the quinoa.  Serve topped with the peanuts.  Serves 4.

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Chickpea Curry over Riced Cauliflower

Here's an easy, spicy main dish from Eating Well.  We serve it over cauliflower rice, but you can use regular rice if you prefer.

Ingredients:
2 10-oz bags frozen riced cauliflower
1 serrano pepper, cap removed
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1- to 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled
1 onion, peeled and chopped
6 T. canola oil, divided
2 t. ground coriander
2 t. ground cumin seeds
1/2 t. turmeric powder
2 15-oz cans diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1/2 t. salt
2 t. garam masala (This is an Indian seasoning.)
2 15-oz cans chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed

Method:
Take the riced cauliflower out of the freezer so it can start thawing.

Pulse the serrano, garlic cloves, and ginger in a food processor until minced.  Add onion and pulse until finely chopped but not watery.

In a small stockpot (not saucepan - This will still be a big pot.), heat 5 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat.  Add the onion mixture, coriander, cumin, and turmeric, and sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

Pulse the tomatoes and their juices in the food processor until they are also finely chopped.  Add the tomatoes, salt, and garam masala to the onion mixture in the pan.  Cover and cook at a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes.  Stir in chickpeas until warmed through.

While the tomato mixture is simmering, heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the riced cauliflower and sauté until tender, 5 - 10 minutes.  Salt to taste.

Serve the chickpea mixture over the riced cauliflower.  Serves 4.

Burrito Bowl

This recipe kind of seems like I should have thought of some riff on this idea myself, but since I didn't, I'm thankful Southern Living magazine did.  I tweaked it to make it vegan and a little more "from scratch", but it's otherwise as they published it:  YUM!
Ingredients:
1 c. brown rice
2 1/2 c. water, divided
1 t. salt, divided
2 T. canola oil, divided
juice of a lime, divided 
3 large Roma tomatoes, chopped
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and de-veined, minced
3 T. finely chopped onion
2 15-oz. cans black or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 t. chili powder
1/2 t. ground cumin
2 ears corn, shucked, de-silked, and kernels cut away from the cob
4 c. finely chopped romaine lettuce
2 ripe avocados, diced
4 T. vegan sour cream

Method:
Combine rice, 2 c. water, 1/4 t. salt, and 1 T. oil in a large saucepan with a lid.  Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 40 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Let rice stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork

Meanwhile, combine the tomatoes, jalapeno, onion, juice of 1/2 lime, and 1/4 t. salt.  Set aside.

Combine beans, remaining 1/2 c. water, chili powder, cumin and 1/4 t. salt in a small saucepan.  Cook over medium until beans are hot, about 5 minutes.  Remove heat and cover to keep warm.

Heat remaining 1 T. oil in a medium-size cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly charred (about 5 minutes).  Sprinkle with juice of remaining 1/2 lime and remaining 1/4 t. salt.

Divide rice, beans, corn, tomato mixture, lettuce, avocado, and sour cream between 4 wide, shallow bowls.  Serves 4.

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

I've been saving this recipe from the now-defunct Vegetarian Times magazine for literally years.  I finally got around to making it for the "big football game" this year, and it is fantastic!  It's from a lovely vegan food blog called Dreamy Leaf.  Check them out!


Ingredients:
1 12-oz. package soft silken tofu (Be sure to get the silken tofu, not the crumbly Chinese tofu.)
1/4 c. nutritional yeast
1 T. lemon juice
1/2 t. crushed red pepper
1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper
salt
1 T. olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 14-oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped

Method:
In a blender, purée the tofu, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, crushed red pepper, ground black pepper, and a pinch of salt until creamy and fully blended.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and garlic, and cook until slightly softened (2 - 5 minutes).  Add the spinach and artichokes, and cook another 5 or so minutes until everything is soft and warmed through.  Add the tofu, and continue cooking 2 - 3 minutes until fully heated through.  Transfer to a serving dish, and enjoy!

Makes about 2 - 2.5 cups.