Basil quinoa and red plums - vegan lunch

Our simple all vegan lunch yesterday: basil quinoa and season's fresh red plums.

I just washed the quinoa and then cooked it in vegetable stock and made sure all the liquid was absorbed. In the meantime I made a dressing from olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme, rosemary and two handfuls of fresh basil. Make sure to use lots more basil than thyme and rosemary. You want the basil flavour. I sometimes add cherry tomatoes but yesterday I didn't. 

I washed and cut the plums, added some maple syrup for sweetness and a splash of lemon juice. Nutritious vegan lunch that takes less than 20 minutes to make!

Raspberries in a glass

I just love raspberries. When I was a child we had raspberries in our garden and I couldn't wait for them to ripen! One of my dream is it to have raspberry and blackberry bushes in my garden. For this smoothie I had to pick up the berries at the local fruit market. They cost a lot but are really good! Here is what I used for my smoothie:

One handful of fresh raspberries

One handful of fresh pineapple

A splash of coconut milk

One frozen banana 

A spoonful of agave syrup

Blend. Done. Enjoy.

Vitamin boost

Strange colour but oh so good! Here is what I used: three apples, one pear, one kiwi, one handful of blackberries! 

NYC Bagles at home in Italy

Sometimes I get these cravings for certain foods that are unavailable to me here in Italy, such as my grandma's green bean stew, Nova Scotia chowder or New York style bagels. And when I mean, I am having cravings, I really have cravings, cannot think of anything else. Our of desperation I looked up New York bagel recipes as could not believe there actually were some! After reading carefully through many, I decided to try the one from "the sophisticated gourmet" http://www.sophisticatedgourmet.com/2009/10/new-york-style-bagel-recipe/ -and I do not regret it! The recipe is easy to follow and straightforward. You do need to dedicate some time to the process but it's so so worth it! Have a try. 

Green kind a mornin'

It's a green kind a mornin' here in Italy with way over 25 degrees at 10 a.m. and I decided to start my day with a green smoothie: 2 cups of baby spinach, 2 cups of ice water, 2 cups of frozen strawberries, 1 ripe banana, a handful of shredded flax seeds and some agave syrup. So refreshing and healthy!!

Orange breakfast

Love my new juicer!! And the recipes I try. This morning zu had a delicious carrot-apple-pineapple juice! It was Heaven!!!

 

Colourful fridge

What's in you fridge? Love mine packed with colours! Ready for the weekend!