Delicious Recipes

Cooking with Herbs: 50 Simple Recipes for Fresh Flavor by Lynn Alley is the perfect way to take full advantage of the best that spring has to offer. Although it is not a strictly vegan cookbook, this book is packed with vegetarian recipes that highlight the bright, delicateflavors of fresh herbs like basil, tarragon, cilantro, coriander, and mint. With delicious menu items like Greek-Style Rice Salad with Dill Dressing; Garnet Yam Rosti with Indian Flavors; Walnut, Apple and Rosemary Loaf; and Savory Cucumber Sorbet with Lemon and Rosemary, there are loads of options for making fresh side dishes, entrees and desserts. This is the perfect book if you are looking for inspiration in the kitchen – the herbs are highlighted and these recipes are simple enough to make them part of your routine.

Revealing Jesus

Revealing Jesus: A 365 Day Devotional byDarlene Zschech is a powerful devotional for the whole year long. These short readings help to center you on Christ and reflect on His presence in the ordinary. With Biblical passages and encouraging words, this is the perfect little guide to help you start (or end) your day on a positive note. Zschech’s approachable style makes each reading feel like an intimate Bible Study. This devotional is wonderful and is the easiest way to have a year that helps you Reveal Jesus.

Italian Cauliflower with Olives

This vegan, gluten-free side dish is as easy as they come, especially because it is made in the slow cooker. All the ingredients get thrown into the slow cooker, and come dinner time, you are ready with a delicious accompaniment to pasta or polenta. To make this even easier, I have used store-bought olive tapenade because it has the olives, pimentos, and capers all beautifully blended, but if you prefer, you could make your own to suit your tastes.

Italian Cauliflower with Olives 1 head cauliflower, cut into small florets 3/4 cup vegetable broth 1 (5 ounce) container olive tapenade 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1. Mix all ingredients into the slow cooker, and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the cauliflower is tender.

Tropical Stuffed Sweet

This delicious side dish is healthy and the perfect way to spice up any meal. It has a hint of sweetness which almost makes it feel like a dessert. While it does take a bit of time to make this, it is worth every minute.

Tropical Stuffed Sweet Potatoes 2 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed clean 1 cup crushed pineapple 2 Tablespoons melted coconut oil 1 Tablespoon brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 1/2 teaspoon salt 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Pierce potatoes with a fork. 2. Place the sweet potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 50 minutes or until tender. Allow to cool completely, then cut in half length wise. Scoop out the flesh of the sweet potato, leaving the skin intact. 3. In a bowl, mash the sweet potato (or use an immersion blender to save time) in a medium bowl. Add the pineapple, coconut oil, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, coconut and salt. Blend together. Spoon the mixture into the sweet potato skins. Return to the baking sheet. 4. Reduce heat to 325 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes.

The Good Daughter

As an English teacher from a close Catholic family, I expected to enjoy reading Jane Porter’s The Good Daughter, but I didn’t expect it to resonate with me in such a powerful way. I loved reading this book which perfectly blends the reality of being a high school English teacher with the challenges of being part of a big family. Kit Brennan is an English teacher at a Catholic high school and is nearing 40. She has resigned herself to the fact that she will not meet a man, yet wants to pursue adopting a child on her own. After a series of horrible dates, Kit becomes more determined to begin building a family, but, as a good daughter, doesn’t want to isolate her traditional Catholic family (especially her mother who is battling terminal cancer). Kit decides to escape the chaos of her life by heading down to Capitola for a weekend away with one of her best friends. In the midst of some quality girl time, Kit runs into a mysterious biker who is everything that she needs to stay away from, yet she finds herself strangely drawn to him. Leaving him behind, Kit is certain that their chance encounter will fade into a distant memory, but when a troubled young student is enrolled into Kit’s English class, she has no idea that she will cross paths with the mysterious man once again. Kit must work hard to save her student, savor the remaining moments with her mother, and complete her adoption application all while dealing with a situation that she never expected. The Good Daughter is a great read with an engaging plot and strong characters. I also loved the details Jane Porter has added which helped me to visualize the story as it unfolded. Well worth adding to your spring read shelf!

Minute Minestrone

This delicious soup literally takes minutes to prepare (hence the name), and is packed with delicious vegetables. This is the perfect go-to meal for a busy week night, and the perfect way to welcome spring.

Minute Minestrone 1 teaspoon oil 1 small onion, diced 1 leek, white and light green parts halved and thinly sliced 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1 cup carrots, diced 1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced 1 can fire roasted tomatoes 1/2 Tablespoons Italian seasoning 3 cups vegetable broth 1 can white beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper 1. Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium-high and add onion, leek and garlic, cooking until fragrant, approximately 5 minutes. 2. Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil for 10 minutes, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until all ingredients are heated.

Fix-It and Forget-It Vegetarian Main Dishes

I am a big fan of easy meals that are healthy and delicious, so I have grown to be a fan of the creative recipes in the Fix-It and Forget-It series. The Vegetarian Main Dishes version by Phyllis Pellman Good is exciting because the recipes are so easy, yet are still tasty. With entrees like Tasty Lentil Tacos, Chickpea Curry, White Beans with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, and Wild Rice with Mushrooms, there is something to please everyone. Plus, options like Polenta Pepper Casserole and Quinoa and Broccoli with Hoisin Sauce mix up your dinner routine with unique flavors. While not every recipe in the book is vegan, most of the recipes have easy substitution options, or would taste wonderful without the dairy. This book is another great addition to the classic series, and definitely worth exploring in your dinner routine.