Marina Delio's Blog, page 6
October 2, 2017
How to Cook Spaghetti Squash 4 Ways
How long do you cook spaghetti squash? Find out with the three BEST ways to cook spaghetti squash. Roast, boil, microwave, or toss in the crock pot!
This season is all about the autumn squash. I love seeing the piles of pumpkins, acorn squash, delicata squash, and more. One type of fall and winter squash I always pick up is spaghetti squash. Spaghetti squash is just so much fun! It's completely solid when raw, but once cooked the flesh breaks up into spaghetti like strands that can be used in a variety of dishes. There are a few questions that arise when many of us think of spaghetti squash. How do you cook spaghetti squash? How long do you cook spaghetti squash? How the heck do you even open a spaghetti squash?CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
This season is all about the autumn squash. I love seeing the piles of pumpkins, acorn squash, delicata squash, and more. One type of fall and winter squash I always pick up is spaghetti squash. Spaghetti squash is just so much fun! It's completely solid when raw, but once cooked the flesh breaks up into spaghetti like strands that can be used in a variety of dishes. There are a few questions that arise when many of us think of spaghetti squash. How do you cook spaghetti squash? How long do you cook spaghetti squash? How the heck do you even open a spaghetti squash?CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
October 1, 2017
Easy Coconut Chickpea Curry with Butternut Squash and Spinach
This quick and easy chickpea curry is packed with flavor and nourishing ingredients like spinach, butternut squash, turmeric, coconut milk and more. It's my go-to weeknight dinner and so comforting! 
I know I just posted a chickpea curry recipe pretty recently, but it's been on our dinner rotation ever since. To my surprise, after naming several dinner options yesterday, my littlest one asked for veggie curry. Creamy coconut chickpea curry made with yellow curry paste is so easy, hearty, and nourishing. I couldn't resist sharing this variation for the coming fall and winter months. Roasted butternut squash ads the perfect sweetness to the spicy (but not too spicy) yellow coconut curry sauce. Fresh baby spinach ads some much needed green color and freshness to an otherwise very yellow dish. Yellow is good though - this curry's bright yellow hue comes from inflammation-fighting turmeric.
CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
I know I just posted a chickpea curry recipe pretty recently, but it's been on our dinner rotation ever since. To my surprise, after naming several dinner options yesterday, my littlest one asked for veggie curry. Creamy coconut chickpea curry made with yellow curry paste is so easy, hearty, and nourishing. I couldn't resist sharing this variation for the coming fall and winter months. Roasted butternut squash ads the perfect sweetness to the spicy (but not too spicy) yellow coconut curry sauce. Fresh baby spinach ads some much needed green color and freshness to an otherwise very yellow dish. Yellow is good though - this curry's bright yellow hue comes from inflammation-fighting turmeric.CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
September 28, 2017
10 Veggie Soups to Make this Fall and Winter
Top 10 BEST vegan and vegetarian soup recipes! These delicious and easy soups are packed with healthy nourishing ingredients. I hope they keep you warm and cozy all fall and winter long.
Autumn has arrived and I'm wistfully awaiting soup, sweater, and cute boot weather. Even though we don't often have crisp fall days here in Central/Southern California, we actually eat soup all year long. The thing about soup is, you can pack in loads of healthy ingredients, it's usually relatively cheap, tasty, and easy. And did I mention it gives us all the cozy feels? It does that too. With small, soft bites, soup can be a great way to serve kid-friendly veggies.
Some friends in a Facebook group were asking for tried and true soup recipes to make this fall and winter, so I put together my top 10 plant based soup recipes. Gathering these healthy soup pictures is making me seriously hungry, so let's get to the recipes!
At the top of this post is Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup. I love the autumn flavors bursting from this soup.
CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
Autumn has arrived and I'm wistfully awaiting soup, sweater, and cute boot weather. Even though we don't often have crisp fall days here in Central/Southern California, we actually eat soup all year long. The thing about soup is, you can pack in loads of healthy ingredients, it's usually relatively cheap, tasty, and easy. And did I mention it gives us all the cozy feels? It does that too. With small, soft bites, soup can be a great way to serve kid-friendly veggies.
Some friends in a Facebook group were asking for tried and true soup recipes to make this fall and winter, so I put together my top 10 plant based soup recipes. Gathering these healthy soup pictures is making me seriously hungry, so let's get to the recipes!
At the top of this post is Curried Pumpkin Lentil Soup. I love the autumn flavors bursting from this soup.
CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
September 26, 2017
Pumpkin Pie Dessert Hummus
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Back To Nature Foods for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
This pumpkin pie dip, or "dessert hummus" is a delicious and festive autumn snack perfect for after school! This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Back To Nature Foods. All opinions are 100% mine.
The back-to-school season is so much fun. Autumn suddenly seems so close. On our drive home from school we pass a field of corn behind bright orange pumpkins emerging from under leafy vines. The leaves on our liquid amber tree are starting to turn orange, and we are all excited for pumpkin spice everything. For a quick and easy after school snack this week we made pumpkin pie dessert hummus. Sound weird? Hear me out. Dessert hummus is in fact a thing. My friend Happy Food Healthy Life made this Snickerdoodle Dessert Hummus, and my friend My Whole Food Life made this Brownie Batter Hummus. It's quite brilliant, really. Dessert hummus, is really just a sweet dip made with chickpeas, sweetener, and other flavorful ingredients. The great thing about dessert hummus is that even though it is a sweet treat, it has some great nutrition going on too. After a long day at school my kids come home ravenous! This dessert hummus is a great after school snack because the protein from the chickpeas makes it incredibly filling, so they are satisfied until dinnertime. CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
September 24, 2017
Vegan Lasagna Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
These are the BEST vegetarian and vegan stuffed portobello mushrooms. Filled with almond based ricotta, these portobellos have all the comfort of piping hot homemade lasagna. 
Did I ever tell you that lasagna is one of my favorite foods? To me it's the ultimate comfort food. Maybe that's why it's one of my go-to recipes when bringing food to friends with a new baby or needing a little extra TLC. I've posted a few different vegetarian lasagna recipes here in the past, from this Heirloom Tomato and Greens Lasagna to Brussels Sprouts & Butternut Squash Lasagna. We can't forget this Veggie Lasagna Soup! When I posted the lasagna soup recipe last year I mentioned that I topped it with a dollop of almond based ricotta cheese. Then last week I shared my homemade version of this creamy nut cheese here. I couldn't believe how easy it was to make and how much better it tasted then cow's milk ricotta. These lasagna stuffed portobello mushrooms are my new favorite take on lasagna. They're naturally vegan and gluten-free without sacrificing any flavor. They're so good in fact, I ate two during/after shooting this recipe. It was one of those situations where there was marinara sauce on my camera, face, and dog and I was thanking my stars that I work alone most of the time. Is that wrong?
CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
Did I ever tell you that lasagna is one of my favorite foods? To me it's the ultimate comfort food. Maybe that's why it's one of my go-to recipes when bringing food to friends with a new baby or needing a little extra TLC. I've posted a few different vegetarian lasagna recipes here in the past, from this Heirloom Tomato and Greens Lasagna to Brussels Sprouts & Butternut Squash Lasagna. We can't forget this Veggie Lasagna Soup! When I posted the lasagna soup recipe last year I mentioned that I topped it with a dollop of almond based ricotta cheese. Then last week I shared my homemade version of this creamy nut cheese here. I couldn't believe how easy it was to make and how much better it tasted then cow's milk ricotta. These lasagna stuffed portobello mushrooms are my new favorite take on lasagna. They're naturally vegan and gluten-free without sacrificing any flavor. They're so good in fact, I ate two during/after shooting this recipe. It was one of those situations where there was marinara sauce on my camera, face, and dog and I was thanking my stars that I work alone most of the time. Is that wrong?CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
September 22, 2017
Lunch Box Jokes Free Printable
Print this sheet of silly lunch box jokes for kids plus get a new lunch box sandwich idea. This post is sponsored by Horizon Organic. All opinions are my own.
Now that we're almost through September I feel like we've gotten back into the groove of a school schedule. I'm so proud of how well both of my girls are doing this year. It has been the first year without tears at drop-off, which feels so good. Both of my girls have new students in their classes this year who have struggled, however. Starting a new school can be so hard for little ones. I though this was a great teachable moment for my kids to learn how to be good friends. I really believe that teaching kindness is more important than most academic lessons at school. CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
Now that we're almost through September I feel like we've gotten back into the groove of a school schedule. I'm so proud of how well both of my girls are doing this year. It has been the first year without tears at drop-off, which feels so good. Both of my girls have new students in their classes this year who have struggled, however. Starting a new school can be so hard for little ones. I though this was a great teachable moment for my kids to learn how to be good friends. I really believe that teaching kindness is more important than most academic lessons at school. CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
September 18, 2017
Vegan Ricotta
This unbelievable vegan ricotta is easy to make and tastes even better than the real thing! 
Last year when I made Veggie Lasagna Soup I mentioned I had used dairy-free, vegan ricotta. I was blown away by how delicious the almond based ricotta from Kite Hill was and have been planning to try my hand at making my own version ever since. Many of you told me you couldn't find this ricotta, and homemade is my favorite way to go most of the time anyway. I finally got around to doing just that and it turned out amazing on the first go. I can't wait to use this easy vegan ricotta in all my favorite Italian recipes, but it was so tasty I couldn't resist sampling a few bites directly from the spoon and spread on crackers.
CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
Last year when I made Veggie Lasagna Soup I mentioned I had used dairy-free, vegan ricotta. I was blown away by how delicious the almond based ricotta from Kite Hill was and have been planning to try my hand at making my own version ever since. Many of you told me you couldn't find this ricotta, and homemade is my favorite way to go most of the time anyway. I finally got around to doing just that and it turned out amazing on the first go. I can't wait to use this easy vegan ricotta in all my favorite Italian recipes, but it was so tasty I couldn't resist sampling a few bites directly from the spoon and spread on crackers. CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
September 17, 2017
Cowboy Caviar with Avocado
This cowboy caviar makes a hearty dip, salsa, or salad with black beans, black eyed peas, corn, avocado, and more! What a delicious party appetizer! 
Is it a salsa? Yes! Is it a bean salad? Yes! Whatever you want to call it, this bean and corn cowboy caviar is perfect for snacking with friends or enjoying as a side dish with dinner. I've seen versions of cowboy caviar at Trader Joe's and Costco, but it's so easy to make and much tastier with fresh ingredients. My version has a little California spin with added avocado. If you were wondering, we do in fact have cowboys and cowgirls in California. Every time I've had cowboy caviar, I've thought it would be really great with some avocado.
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Is it a salsa? Yes! Is it a bean salad? Yes! Whatever you want to call it, this bean and corn cowboy caviar is perfect for snacking with friends or enjoying as a side dish with dinner. I've seen versions of cowboy caviar at Trader Joe's and Costco, but it's so easy to make and much tastier with fresh ingredients. My version has a little California spin with added avocado. If you were wondering, we do in fact have cowboys and cowgirls in California. Every time I've had cowboy caviar, I've thought it would be really great with some avocado.
CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
September 11, 2017
Vegan Broccoli Soup with Cashew Cream
This deliciously creamy broccoli soup is a snap to make in the blender. Fresh ingredients and silky cashew cream make this soup better than any cream of broccoli soup. No one can believe it's dairy-free.
I've been wanting to make this creamy broccoli soup since last winter. I discovered a similar soup at Gelson's market on a busy night on the way home from ballet. I was surprised to find the dreamy creaminess wasn't due to cream at all. I took a peek at the ingredients and found cashews listed. Ah-ha! I am no stranger to creamy cashew recipes. I've been making vegan "cheesecake" out of raw cashews for years. Once they are soaked, raw cashews can be blended into the most delightful cream for all sorts of recipes. If I recall correctly, the soup I bought that day also had quinoa in it. Though I didn't add it in this recipe, I may next time.
This broccoli soup is easy to make, filled with loads beautifully pure, fresh ingredients, and tastes incredibly comforting. I don't think I've ever eaten as much broccoli as I have when making this soup. It has that addictive cheesy umami flavor that keeps you wanting more. To my surprise, my 9 year old loved this soup and has requested it again. My 7 year old wasn't so sure. C'est la vie. The rest of us loved this one so much it's going on our regular dinner rotation. CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
September 9, 2017
Tahini Sauce Recipe
This quick and easy tahini sauce recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and comes together in 5 minutes. Tahini sauce ads a ton of flavor and luxurious creaminess to falafel, wraps, salads, and vegetables. 
I've been buying the creamy tahini sauce from Trader Joe's for ages. I add it to my falafel wraps, veggie sandwiches, chickpea salads, and really anything that could use a little extra flavor and creaminess. I finally decided to make make my own tahini sauce and am so glad I made that switch. Homemade tahini sauce is so stupid easy. It takes under 5 minutes to add the few simple ingredients to a bowl and whisk together.
Tahini sauce is vegan, gluten-free, and paleo. If you have a gluten allergy, be sure to check the tahini label, because even though sesame seeds are gluten-free, they can be contaminated during processing.
I always have a jar of tahini in my cupboard or fridge for my favorite Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing. I could eat that Mediterranean inspired salad every single day. One of the things I love about that dressing and this tahini sauce is that it doesn't need any added oil. What is tahini? It's like a nut butter, but made with ground sesame seeds. Tahini is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking. It's also a main ingredient in hummus, so you know it's got to be something special. While tahini has a stronger and sometimes slightly bitter flavor, it can also be used in sweet recipes. Check out these Tahini Ginger Cookies or these Chocolate Tahini Cookies. In this easy tahini sauce recipe, the tahini gets thinned and mellowed out with fresh lemon juice and water. It gets extra flavor from garlic. While I used finely minced fresh garlic, garlic powder works well too. You can experiment with other flavors. Dill would be a great way to add fresh herby flavor. If you like spicy foods, add a little cayenne pepper.
CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
I've been buying the creamy tahini sauce from Trader Joe's for ages. I add it to my falafel wraps, veggie sandwiches, chickpea salads, and really anything that could use a little extra flavor and creaminess. I finally decided to make make my own tahini sauce and am so glad I made that switch. Homemade tahini sauce is so stupid easy. It takes under 5 minutes to add the few simple ingredients to a bowl and whisk together. Tahini sauce is vegan, gluten-free, and paleo. If you have a gluten allergy, be sure to check the tahini label, because even though sesame seeds are gluten-free, they can be contaminated during processing.
I always have a jar of tahini in my cupboard or fridge for my favorite Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing. I could eat that Mediterranean inspired salad every single day. One of the things I love about that dressing and this tahini sauce is that it doesn't need any added oil. What is tahini? It's like a nut butter, but made with ground sesame seeds. Tahini is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking. It's also a main ingredient in hummus, so you know it's got to be something special. While tahini has a stronger and sometimes slightly bitter flavor, it can also be used in sweet recipes. Check out these Tahini Ginger Cookies or these Chocolate Tahini Cookies. In this easy tahini sauce recipe, the tahini gets thinned and mellowed out with fresh lemon juice and water. It gets extra flavor from garlic. While I used finely minced fresh garlic, garlic powder works well too. You can experiment with other flavors. Dill would be a great way to add fresh herby flavor. If you like spicy foods, add a little cayenne pepper.CONTINUE READING THIS POST »
