Nothing Says LOVE Like Veggies

Written by

Everyone wants to create that special evening on Valentine’s Day. You’ve bought a gift, perhaps some chocolate, perhaps some wine; you’ve set aside the time for a romantic meal with your partner/spouse/new fling. You know that everyone goes out for the 14th, so you’ve decided to impress with your culinary skills. But what to cook? Lucky for you, we’ve got some great veggie-forward dishes  that are sure to inspire both a love of vegetables and love of the cook.

  1. Stuffed Endive – want to knock them off their feet right at the start? These little delicacies will do just that. Crunchy endive stuffed with walnuts, dried cranberries, honey, & thyme will set the perfect mood for your meal.
  2. Sautéed Romanesco – Sure to win the heart of your dinner guests, this restaurant-worthy side brings seasonal cauliflower to perfection with shallots, almonds, and dried cherries.
  3. Mixed Greens Salad with Beets – ‘Tis the height of the season for both greens and beets, and they blend perfectly together in this light salad with goat cheese and pistachios. Plus, who can say no to a vegetable color-coordinated with the holiday?
  4. Red Penne – While pasta in a delicious red sauce may seem the focus of this main course, the seasonal Arugula is really what makes this baby shine. Slightly spicy yet beautifully fresh, it’s the perfect pairing for this highly-seasoned dish.
  5. Chocolate Avocado Pudding – We always want to finish the evening with a little something sweet. This pudding will taste as rich as any regular dessert, but won’t leave  you too weighed down for after-dinner fun. Try topping it with some freshly cut strawberries and cacao nibs for an extra-special twist.

 

Let us see how fancy you were! Tag your feats of culinary creativity with #vegout2019 & #vegoutrfs.

Fast Meals Fit For Resolutions

Written by

 

We know your new year is full of goals, resolutions, and plans for a great 2019, ours is too. You’re at a spin class this week, trying yoga the next. Having green juice for breakfast, quinoa bowls for dinner, and totally not drinking (okay… maybe a glass or two – I mean, it’s got antioxidants, right?). On top of that you’ve still got a full workload, social obligations, and family life…

You’ve also committed to eating more veggies. So how do you fit them in? We’ve got some great ideas for delicious & healthy recipes you can make in 20 minutes and under.

  1. Winter in the South is the best time for Braised Mustard Greens, and this delicious recipe will be the perfect end-of-day treat, only requiring one pan of clean up!
  2. Just finished your morning work out, and want a healthy way to start the rest of your day? Add a few eggs to this Garden Bok Choy Stir Fry, and you’ll have plenty of veggie-centered energy to get you to lunch or later.
  3. Even when you’re eating clean, you still want to snack. Instead of grabbing the chips and dip, try carrot sticks and hummus. Chickpeas are a great source of protein, and will keep you feeling satisfied until your main meal.
  4. Though we’re used to seeing coleslaw as a side, this delicious Mexican Coleslaw can make a great lunch. Mix this with a protein and some avocado – so good!
  5. For something you can prep at home on Sunday and take to the office for the perfect light lunch, try Vietnamese Spring Rolls. They’re easy to assemble, and you can create any combination of delicious veggies to suit the contents of your fridge.

 

Ready to get cooking? Tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtags #vegoutrfs & #vegout2019!

 

Holiday Recipes with a Healthy Twist on KHOU

Written by

 

We loved having KHOU out at the farm to film this segment for Great Day Houston! Chef Erin O’Leary Stewart of DEFINE Foods prepared 5 healthy holiday dishes you can make and enjoy with your family. All of which are now up on our recipes page!

If you want to see the clip, you can watch it here.

Then head over to see the recipes and get cooking!

Dinner In A Minute, Please!

Written by

 

You’re exhausted, it’s been a busy day, and you’re tempted to just call for takeout and open a bottle of wine. We get it. But we also know how that’s going to feel tomorrow morning. The good news is, we’ve got some ideas for making your weeknights speedy, easy, and deliciously healthy!

  1. Quinoa – This ancient grain is nutritious, easy to cook, and pairs well with almost everything. It only take 10 minutes from start to finish, then you can combine it hot or cold with whatever protein and veggies you’re having for dinner, and viola!– a delicious meal in minutes.
  2. Casserole – Trust us, they don’t have to be dense, tasteless bakes. There are ways to make this easy prepare-ahead dish delicious. Try a gratin, or layer some leftovers with onions, beans, parmesan, and a few spices and throw it under the broiler.
  3. Salad – This can be a delicious fast dinner, not to mention  light and nutritious to end the day. Clean out the refrigerator and  mix whatever greens you have with a protein and any combination of vegetables and beans, or eliminate greens altogether and mix corn with your favorite Mexican flavors. 
  4. Two Pot Spot – Have some time, but don’t want to do fancy dicing, sifting, or layering? Try something like ratatouille, where you can dump a whole bunch of veggies together on a baking tray, roast them, and serve over quinoa, grits, rice, or even fold into an omelet. You’ll keep the clean up to a minimum and have a dish you can eat in multiple ways.
  5. Stir Fry – While you will need to do a bit of chopping, this delicious dish cooks in under 10 minutes. Using rice you prepared during the weekend, or grating a cauliflower to use as rice, will make dinner prep even quicker.

Lunchbox Tips

Written by

We promised some tips on packing your kids (or yourself!) a healthy lunchbox, and we didn’t forget. See below for some ideas on making healthy eating easy & delicious throughout the week. Of course, if you can get any of your ingredients from a local farmer’s market, even better! We promise they’ll taste fantastic, plus you’ll feel great about supporting the community.

 

  1. Leftovers – Always cook a little extra dinner? Portion it out the next day for school lunch. If you made a sauce, try putting it in a sandwich; if you made a casserole, stick a small portion in the lunchbox. There’s always a way to adapt delicious leftovers into lunch.
  2. Hummus – Nothing says healthy lunch of snack like this dippable dish. The best part is that you can make a big batch on Sunday night, and use it throughout the week.
  3. Charcuterie – May sound too fancy for lunch, but we don’t think it has to be. Most of us have cheese & deli meats hanging out in our fridge, so when you’re tired of a sandwich, just roll up those ham pieces and pack them with a few slices of cheese, several grapes or olives, and a handful of nuts.
  4. Healthy Sweets – Sometimes we just need that afternoon pick me up, and want that easy to get candy bar or doughnut. Instead, try making a batch of healthy sweets on Sunday afternoon, and pack one as a backup in your bag for those sluggish hours.
  5. Salad – Want something lighter for lunch? Pack whatever greens you’ve got in a mason jar with whatever proteins and veggies are in your fridge. Add a little olive oil & balsamic, or your favorite dressing, and you’ve got salad in a jar – quick and easy (and healthy) lunch fix.
  6. Market Finds – Make a trip out of visiting your local farmer’s market this Saturday. You’ll find plenty of delicious veggies to pack for lunch, and you’ll support local agriculture at the same time! Look for small peppers, radishes, cucumbers, beans, and anything else you can simply wash and stick in your lunchbox.