How to Make Fattoush Salad

Hello everyone,

I love Middle Eastern cuisine. Baba ghanoush, falafel, tabouli, you name it— it’s some of my favorite food. I was craving a feel good meal this weekend, so I decided to try my hand at a classic, fattoush salad.

Fattoush (فتوش) is a levantine bread salad which originated in Lebanon, but is also common in Syria and other Middle Eastern counties. Fattoush includes toasted or fried pieces of pita bread mixed with greens and fresh vegetables. It generally also includes cucumber, tomato, and other ingredients depending on season, location, taste, etc.

The dressing is slightly sour and acidic, using a healthy serving of lemon juice and sumac. Since I didn’t have sumac, I used zatar seasoning to give the salad a full flavor. I also used store bought pita chips to save time, but I’m sure this recipe would be even better if you used homemade pita bread for the crunch. This is a deceptively easy salad to make considering the robust flavor combinations. Why not give it a try?

What’s your favorite Middle Eastern recipe?

Cheers,

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own! Continue reading “How to Make Fattoush Salad” →

Vegan Enchilada Lasagna Redux

Hello there,

I know we’ve all been there. A certain is in aroma in the air, and all of a sudden, in comes the grand idea to make a hearty Mexican meal. After a few minutes of mental conversation, you decide you really want enchiladas, but you just don’t have the patience. Well, I’ve got the recipe for you!

Enchilada lasagna has all of the flavor and goodness of regular enchiladas but only 10% the hassle. I absolutely love this recipe because it’s simple. You sauté a few ingredients, you create layers, and you pop it in the oven. Simple! So simple in fact, it’s become one of my go to meals when I’m having company over. I’ve cooked this vegan meal for so many omnivores who are down right shocked that it is completely satisfying without any animal products.

Still not convinced? It tastes just as amazing, if not even better, as leftovers! Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Cheers & happy eating!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own! Continue reading →

Recipe: Homestyle Green Bean Casserole

Hello everyone,

It’s 6:30pm on a weeknight. You got stuck at work, and then in traffic. You’re tired, you’re hungry, but not to worry—dinner is already done! Casserole is a perfect goto meal for busy weeknights. You can make it in advance and simply reheat and serve on the spot.

Growing up, I know that green bean casserole was a popular staple at family get together and holiday events. However, I just couldn’t get excited about the dish. It’s soggy. I don’t like mushrooms. The list goes on.

I finally decided to give traditional green bean casserole a vegan twist, using vegetable broth and nutritional yeast instead of cream of mushroom soup! Check out the step by step pictures below.

What’s your favorite weeknight recipe?

Cheers!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own!

Continue reading “Recipe: Homestyle Green Bean Casserole” →

Recipe: Potato Gnocchi

Hello everyone!

I’ve always loved Italian food. The smell of sauce cooking, the warm, filling qualities of the meals. ahhh… Pasta! Plus, I’m Italian, and I grew up eating pasta in all its forms. Since the fall, I’ve been trying to make various pastas from scratch, but one I was avoiding was gnocchi.

Why avoid gnocchi? Well, it’s hand down my favorite pasta and always has been. And I simply did not want to mess it up, or let myself down. Luckily, gnocchi is—dare I say—easy to make! And easy to make vegan!

Making gnocchi for the first time took me less than two hours, and it was absolutely scrumptious. It was probably the best gnocchi I’ve ever had. It was that good! The dough was pillowy, yet still dense enough to be chewy. The fork ‘rolling’ technique did the trick, and the pasta sauce stuck on the gnocchi in the best way.

I know spending a few hours making pasta isn’t feasible most nights of the week, but for that special occasion or on the weekend it’s well worth the effort! Give this simple three ingredient gnocchi recipe a try!

Mangia! Mangia!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own!

Continue reading “Recipe: Potato Gnocchi” →

Garlic Compound Butter

Hello everyone!

I have a confession. My partner and I eat pasta more often than we should. However, we very seldom make garlic bread to go on the side. Being vegan, I can’t just goto the store to pick up Texas Toast so our meal is usually missing a hearty bread helping. BUT no more!

Cory recently made quick & easy—and even more so tasty—compound butter for garlic bread. It used just three ingredients and was done in a pinch! A spoonful of this classic compound butter really takes bread to another level. It’s worth the small amount of prep time! Check it out below and treat yourself to some indulgent garlic bread this week!

Mangia! Mangia!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own!

Continue reading “Garlic Compound Butter” →