Recipe: Zucchini & Squash Casserole

Hello everyone,

Casserole is such a timeless, satisfying, family-friendly dish. No wonder it’s been a household staple for years. However, I’ll admit – growing up, I was never a big fan, and my mother certainly didn’t attempt to make casseroles too often. Lately, I cannot seem to get enough. I suppose it could be due to the continued harvests from my garden. It’s certainly been a summer of squash, and I’ve fallen for zucchini & squash casserole.

cas·se·role ˈkasəˌrōl/

noun

1. a kind of stew or side dish that is cooked slowly in an oven.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-make comfort food side dish for your next meal, look no further! This recipe is so simple, with only 6 ingredients. You simply chop, swirl and stick it in the oven. It’s magically simple. Why not give it a try?

Cheers & happy eating!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate and referral links. I may earn a commission or bonus if you click through to make a purchase. All opinions are my own. I only work with companies and brands I personally support.

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Recipe & Review: Vegan Banana Ricotta Toast

Some of you may have seen an accidental post with the draft version of this content. Obviously, my post was published accidentally, very prematurely. Please check out my actual, full post below. Your tastebuds will thank you. =)

Hello everyone,

Avocado toast has become… Let’s just say “a thing.” Admittedly, I love a good avocado toast as much as the next millennial, but recently I had a craving for a sweet, slightly savory breakfast toast. I had just picked up some Kite Hill Ricotta so I thought—why not make a Vegan Banana Ricotta Toast?! I’m so glad I did. It was simple, ascetically pleasing, and delicious!

I love all things banana + peanut butter flavored, but I was never one for savory/ sweet breakfast combos. This recipe has swayed me. Kite Hill’s ricotta is slightly sweet and silky and can be used to replace traditional ricotta in any recipe. I’ve previously used this ‘ricotta’ for stuffed shells, and it works fantastic! Check out my tried and true recipe sure to please the dairy-free non-believers! (Plus, you can save $1.00 on the Kite Hill product of your choice!) Next on my list is to use this as a substitute for mascarpone!

What follows is my ‘all you need to know’ recipe for a delicious Vegan banana Ricotta Toast! I hope you enjoy it.

Cheers & happy eating!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate and referral links. I may earn a commission or bonus if you click through to make a purchase. Additionally, I received these products free for testing. All opinions are my own. I only work with companies and brands I personally support. Continue reading “Recipe & Review: Vegan Banana Ricotta Toast” →

Summer Party Ideas & Recipes

Hello everyone,

Are you busy preparing for the long holiday weekend? If you’re like me, that means three trips to the grocery store to pick up all the items you keep forgetting and hours in the kitchen obsessing over which side salad to make for your guests. Well I’ve got a helping of 4th of July Party Ideas & Recipes ready to go. And the one thing I know I don’t have to worry about is which faux meat to grill.

My hands down, favorite veggie dog is the LightLife Jumbo Smart Dog. This slightly larger dog actually fits the length of traditional hot dog buns, and it has the perfect texture + taste combo. Try it topped with a little mustard, ketchup, red onion and vegan cheese.

It’s so good and without the guilt—it’sonly 100 calories with 3.5g of fat and 4g carbs, plus it has 13g of protein! Even better, they are vegan and non-GMO. Healthy and hot dogs don’t exactly go together like pb&j, but this veggie dog seems to do the trick!

These veggie dogs are especially good if you lightly char them on the grill. And I do mean lightly. If you let them go too long, they’ll blacken and get a little “rubbery.” However, if you cook them just long enough, it makes for the perfect summer snack! If it’s a rainy day youcan also use a griddle. As you head to the store this weekend, remember to pick some of these up. Right now you can save $2.00 off any two LightLife products through Mambo Sprouts.

Okay. So now you know which veggie dog to cook. What else? Well for me, I’ll probably whip up a creamy, vegan old-fashioned coleslaw or maybe opt for an asian-inspired slaw. Of course, I have to make my signature macaroni salad, and maybe a summer bean salad, too. Plus, you can’t forget dessert! Perhaps I’ll go with vegan Rice Krispie Treats or maybe some melty, satisfying s’mores if the weather is just right for a fire.

Tell me, what are you planning for your holiday weekend?

Cheers!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Additionally, I received Light Life coupons for free products in return for my honest review. As always, all opinions are my own!

Recipe: Vegan Zucchini Roll Ups

Hello everyone,

If you know me, you know that I love pasta, but sometimes I want something a little lighter with drastically less carbs. Spiralized carrot or zucchini is certainly on trend, but for whatever reason I simply want my noodles to taste like noodles. I can’t help it! Not to worry – there are many other healthy pasta alternatives, and my new favorite is a hearty helping of vegan zucchini roll ups.

This recipe includes all the flavor you seek in an Italian dinner, but no heavy pasta. You simply use finely sliced zucchini, sort of like a lasagna strip. The dish also includes my new favorite nut cheese which uses a mixture of pepitas, tofu, and Daiya mozzerella. It’s so, so good, and it’s much better for you than traditional ricotta cheese. Aside from the rich flavor, the best part of this recipe is that it has a quick cook time, and the “rolling” is actually quite fun.

I think this would be the perfect dish to make with your loved ones help! Please give it a try and let me know what you think!

Cheers and happy cooking!

Jocelyn

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

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Recipe: Japanese Curry with Fried Eggplant

Hello everyone,

If you’re like me the word “curry” triggers thoughts of rich, creamy coconut milk- based goodness or a nice Indian meal. If so, you’re missing out!

For years, I too, was ignorant that there is yet another type of curry that should not be missed. It’s Japanese Curry! This style of curry is thick, indulgent and delicious! Simply put — it’s a must try. The base of the dish is more of a gravy than sauce so it’s certainly a splurge meal, but it’s worth it.

The basic components include white or brown rice, the sauce, and a slew of steamed or sautéed vegetables. My partner was feeling particularly ambitious, so we added breaded eggplant to our dish. The result was an amazing meal meant to be enjoyed with friends.

Give this recipe for vegan Japanese Curry with Fried Eggplant 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!

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