Recipes — Recipes

5 Sustainable Fall Recipes with Freeze-Dried Foods to Reduce Food Waste 0

Autumn offers a rich array of produce like apples, pumpkins, and broccoli. While farmer's markets are a go-to for fresh items, freeze-dried foods present a sustainable alternative. With a longer shelf life, they cut down on food waste and are eco-friendly. Enjoy the season's flavors without harming the planet through sustainable fall recipes featuring freeze-dried foods.

6 Recipes That’ll Make Summer Meal Prep Easy 0

Summer is all about relaxation and fun, but that doesn't mean you have to abandon your meal prep routine. We've got you covered with six easy and delicious recipes that will make summer meal prep a breeze. From breakfast to dessert, these recipes offer a balanced mix of nutrients and flavors that are perfect for the warm season. Start your day with the delightful Froyo Granola Cups, packed with yogurt, granola, and freeze-dried berries. For a refreshing side dish, try the Chili Lime Chickpea Salad, a zesty mix of corn, garbanzo beans, and spices. The Spicy Chicken Burrito Bowl is a lunchtime favorite, and you can customize the toppings to your liking. Need an afternoon pick-me-up? The Apple Cinnamon Protein Bites are a protein-filled treat that freezes well. For a comforting dinner, try the Vegetarian Chili, made effortlessly in a Crock-Pot. And finally, indulge in the Mango Popsicles, a refreshing and easy dessert that will keep you cool all summer long. So, get ready to enjoy the season with these simple and tasty recipes that will make your summer meal prep a success. Try them out and share your summer meal prep routine in the comments below!

6 Healthy Back-to-School Snacks Perfect for Your Kid’s Lunchbox 0

Summer is winding down, and the back-to-school season is just around the corner. With hectic school days ahead, it's essential to have delicious and healthy snacks ready to fill those lunchboxes. We've got you covered with six irresistible back-to-school snacks that are perfect for both kids and adults. From the sweet and wholesome Cherry Almond Cereal Bars to the frozen delight of Peanut Butter Froyo Bark, these snacks are easy to make and guaranteed to keep everyone satisfied. For those who crave savory treats, our Sausage Pizza Rolls, Oven-Roasted Chickpeas, and Cheesy Spinach Muffins are the ultimate choices. These mouthwatering snacks are packed with flavor and nutrition, making them the ideal alternative to unhealthy store-bought treats. So, get ready to impress your little ones and yourself with these scrumptious back-to-school snacks that are sure to become family favorites! Discover the recipes and make snack time exciting and nutritious for the entire family.

6 No-Cook Meals for When It’s (Just) Too Hot to Cook 0

Summer is here, and the scorching heat makes spending long hours in the kitchen unbearable. But don't worry, we've got you covered! Discover six mouthwatering no-cook meals that are not only easy to prepare but also deliciously nutritious. From refreshing Hummus Veggies Wraps to the tempting TSP Bacon Caprese Salad, these recipes are perfect for those hot summer days when cooking feels like a chore. Say goodbye to the heat and hello to a fantastic dining experience with our Cucumber Red Pepper Gazpacho, No-Bake Peach & Oat Bliss Balls, Peanut Butter Strawberry Open-Faced Sandwich, and Blueberry Buttermilk Sherbet. These no-cook wonders are quick to make and guaranteed to keep you cool while delighting your taste buds. So, why slave over a hot stove when you can enjoy these delightful dishes and savor every moment of summer? Explore these mouthwatering recipes now!

7 Eco-Friendly Camping Meals for Zero-Waste Excursions 0

Camping season is upon us - and campers across the U.S. (yours truly included!) are getting their gear and backpacks ready for another year of setting up camp in the great outdoors. But with every camping trip comes great responsibility, meaning trying to leave the camping spot as intact as possible. Honestly, that can be challenging for many reasons, primarily mealtime. From plastic-wrapped packages to disposable cutlery, camping meals can lead to a big pile of waste that isn't exactly nature-friendly. So, with June coming up (FYI, it's also National Camping Month), we decided to be more thoughtful about our usual nature trips by sharing our tastiest eco-friendly camping meals for a zero-waste sleepover in the nearest forest or nature park. Ready to start packing?

5 Carrots Recipes for Your Sweet & Savory Cravings 0

If we can say one thing about carrots is that they're versatile. The root can follow many cooking paths, from being pureed and cooked into a soup to getting shredded and folded into a cake batter. Occasionally, it's caramelized and mixed into a salad bowl with other roots or herbs for a refreshing salad meal. No matter the form they take, carrots are prized for their unique flavor that stands out in both sweet and savory dishes. So, to highlight this unique quality of the root vegetable just in time for International Carrot Day⁽¹⁾ (April 4th), we share five carrots recipes that will make you think beyond the cake (although we included a recipe for carrot cake because it's that iconic).

 1. Carrot Salad with Dates & Herbs

Salads are usually served as a side dish. But this zesty recipe steps into "main dish" territory by combining carrots with herbs, cheese, and dates for a filling midday meal. Drizzle with any olive oil based dressing of your liking for a flavor kick.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups dried carrots
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup fresh coriander
• 3 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
• 1/4 cup goat's cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2/3 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cumin

Instructions:

1. Add the carrots and 3 cups of warm water to a bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and transfer the carrots to a salad bowl.
2. (Optional vinaigrette) In a separate small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and cumin. Set aside.
3. Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and toss to combine. Drizzle with the suggested vinaigrette or one of your choices. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes and serve.

 2. Creamy Carrot Soup

Another meal that's often reserved for the entree menu, soup has a reputation for not being filling enough as a stand-alone dish. However, this carrot recipe tampers with this status quo by using the root vegetable and various spices to make the dish hearty enough to satisfy both your hunger and soul.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups dried carrots
• 1/4 cup dried onions
• 3/4 tbsp dried garlic (granulated)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Add the carrots and 5 cups of warm water to a bowl. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.
2. Pour the olive oil into a pot and heat over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and sautée for 3-4 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the carrots and cook for another 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the vegetable broth, bring it to a boil, and cook for 15 minutes until the carrots are fork-tender.
4. Transfer the soup to a food processor, blitz until smooth, and pour it back into the pot.
5. Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the heavy cream, and season with salt, pepper, coriander, cumin, and lemon juice. Serve immediately, preferably with a slice of toasted bread on the side.

 3. Carrot Halloumi Balls Wrap

Inspired by falafel, this carrot recipe follows the same cooking technique - but instead of chickpeas and herbs, it calls for carrots and halloumi cheese. To round out this meal, wrap the balls in a tortilla or pita and top them with your favorite dip (hummus, ranch dressing, or even tzatziki).

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup dried carrots
• 1 cup halloumi cheese, grated
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt, to taste
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions:

1. Add the carrots and 2 cups of warm water to a bowl. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and transfer to a mixing bowl.
2. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the oil) and stir to combine.
3. Fill a pot 1/3 of the way with the vegetables and heat over medium-high heat.
4. Meanwhile, form balls of the carrot batter (about 1 tablespoon each).
5. Once the oil is hot, fry the balls in batches, cooking them for 2 minutes on each side until golden brown.
6. Transfer to a paper towel-lined bowl to drain excess oil. Wrap in a tortilla or pita, slather your favorite dip on the top, wrap, and enjoy.

 4. Carrot Cake

Although cliché, carrot cake is an easy (and sweet) way to squeeze some of that orange root into your meals. To make things even sweeter, the following recipe tops the dessert with a layer of cream cheese frosting that you can make in no time. Of course, it's optional, but much appreciated.

Ingredients:

For the carrot cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 fruit puree of your liking (banana, apples, pumpkin, etc.)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups dried carrots

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 8 ounces of cream cheese
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Add the carrots and 4 cups of warm water to a bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Whisk in the eggs, butter, sugar, fruit puree, and vanilla extract and mix until combined. Set aside.
3. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt to a separate bowl and mix until combined.
4. Preheat the oven to 350^oF and spray two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Set aside.
5. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently with a spatula. Make sure not to overmix the batter.
6. Divide the batter between the two pans and bake for 35 minutes. Check if it’s done by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cakes. If it comes out clean, the cakes are ready. Remove from the oven and let cool.
7. Meanwhile, prepare the frosting. Add the cream cheese to a bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Add the butter and for another minute until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla and beat a little more until your frosting is silky smooth.
8. To assemble the cake, level the tops of each cake and top the first one with 1/2 cup of frosting. Place the second cake on top and frost the sides with a spatula.

 5. Carrot Pie

A distant cousin of pecan pie, this carrot recipe is perfect for the cooler months when you're craving something wholesome yet indulgent. Thanks to its vibrant colors, the dish looks so festive that you can readily serve it as a dessert on Thanksgiving.

Ingredients:

• 1 9-inch pie crust (store-bought)
• 3 cups dried carrots
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 3/4 cup maple syrup
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Add the carrots to a small pot and fill it with warm water until they're covered. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, drain the water and squeeze gently to remove excess water.
2. Transfer the carrots back to the pot and, this time, cover them with 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
3. Transfer to a food processor and add all the remaining ingredients (except for the pie crust). Blend until smooth.
4. Preheat the oven to 375^oF and place the pie crust into a baking pan. Pour the filling into the pie crust and bake for 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Remove from the oven, let cool, slice into pieces, and serve. Top each slice with a whipping cream dollop for extra indulgence.

Do you have any sweet or savory carrots recipes your family can't get enough of? Please share them in the comment section down below!

References:

1. https://www.carrotday.com/carrotday.htm
2. https://natalieparamore.com/shredded-carrot-salad-with-dates-and-pistachios/
3. https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/carrot-and-coriander-soup/
4. https://www.yummytemple.com/vegetarian-halloumi-cheese-balls-with-carrots/
5. https://www.livewellbakeoften.com/the-best-carrot-cake-recipe/#recipe
6. https://itsavegworldafterall.com/carrot-pie/#recipe