Category: vegan meals

Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce with Garlic & Basil

Hello and happy fall!

If you read my blog you already know this—I’m Italian, and I love pasta. While I’ve been making my own homemade noodles for about a year, I’ve been hesitating on the sauce. Who wants that mess? You have to peel tomatoes and the juice splashes everywhere, etc. The list goes on. Or so I thought. Turns out I was wrong. Yes, it can be messy to make your own sauce, but it’s not that bad and it’s totally worth it. I never should have hesitated. I now LOVE making my own Simple Homemade Marinara Sauce with Garlic & Basil.

Not only is it way healthier to eat, but it makes your entire home smell amazing and it tastes so much better than that stuff from the jar. There is nothing better than the mix of fresh-snipped basil and ripe tomatoes with a splash of olive oil. There is a reason pasta marinara is a household staple, and it’s not just because it’s a cheap, quick fix. It’s really good, too. Pasta marinara is so simple, yet when you get a realllllly good noodle with an impeccable sauce, there’s just nothing better for a crisp, cool night!

My garden has been producing an overwhelming amount of tomatoes so my partner and I are hurrying to make sure none of our homegrown tomatoes go to waste. With a half dozen jars of salsa under our belt, we moved onto canning the following marinara sauce recipe.

Go ahead and give it a try. Let me know what you think!

Cheers and happy eating!

Jocelyn

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

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Recipe: Summer Pasta with Sautéed Eggplant & Zucchini

Hello everyone,

It might still be warm out, but that doesn’t stop me from cooking my one true love—pasta! My garden has been producing such nice squash, that I’m a bit tired of sautéing it and eating it “plain.” This week, I decided to use zucchini to make a chunky pasta sauce. Plus, I harvested the most beautiful Japanese eggplants. They are thin, sweet, and have the perfect texture! I combined these magical ingredients and made the best Summer Pasta with Sautéed Eggplant & Zucchini.

This hearty pasta dish comes together in under 30 minutes, but it looks like it would take much longer! It’s quick and easy—warm and inviting. It’s simply the perfect dish for a post-work date night. What’s your favorite date night dish? Let me know!

Cheers & happy eating!

Jocelyn

PS – Like this recipe? Check out my homemade gnocchi!

* 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. Continue reading “Recipe: Summer Pasta with Sautéed Eggplant & Zucchini” →

Recipe: Vegan Elote-Style Roasted Corn Salad

Hello everyone,

My partner and I traveled to Mexico last year, and ever since, he has been on a roasted corn kick. He has been grilling corn on the cob all summer long and recently made a fabulous Vegan Elote-Style Roasted Corn Salad.

What is elote? It is a popular street food found throughout Mexico and parts of Central America. Generally, the corn is served boiled or grilled in the husk, but it is customarily eaten while skewered on a stick. The husk can serve as the “handle.” While it is known as a street food, it is also served in many upper scale Mexican dining establishments as an appetizer. Elote can be served smothered in everything from butter to cheese, even mayo! Traditionally, the corn is then topped with chile powder and a healthy squeeze of lime juice.

We opted to create a hybrid spread utilizing vegan butter, mayo, as well as, lots of lime juice and chile powder! This vegan elote-style roasted corn salad is so satisfying! The flavors work well together, and opting to create a corn ‘salad’ eliminates all the problems of getting corn stuck in your teeth. I think this is going to become a quick favorite in my household! Why not give it a try?

Cheers and 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: 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.

Continue reading “Recipe: Zucchini & Squash Casserole” →

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.

LightLife Jumbo Smart DogLightLife Jumbo Smart DogLightLife Jumbo Smart DogLightLife Jumbo Smart Dog

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!