Lentil Bolognese with Spaghetti

This dish is a tasty, vegetarian alternative to a classic beef bolognese sauce. The recipe for this sauce is thick and creamy due to the texture of the red lentils. It is rich in flavor and simply fresh from the savory basil, thyme, and oregano. Enjoy!

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of uncooked red lentils
• 1 8 oz package of spaghetti
• 1-2 Tbsp of olive oil
• 1/2 of a white or yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1/2 tsp of garlic
• 2 1/2 cups of mushrooms, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp of freshly chopped basil
• 1 tsp of dried oregano
• 1 tsp of dried thyme
• salt and pepper
• 2 cups of jarred marinara sauce
• salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Cook the lentils according to the package. Once cooked, set them aside.
2. Simultaneously, cook the spaghetti according to the package. Once cooked, set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes until they become translucent. Then add the garlic, bell pepper, carrots, and mushrooms.
4. Once the vegetables start to get tender, add in the basil, oregano, thyme, and desired amount of salt and pepper.
5. Once the lentils are fully cooked, add them and the marinara sauce to the vegetables. Stir to combine. Put the lid on, turn the heat down to low, and simmer for 12-13 minutes.
6. Serve by placing the spaghetti on the bottom of a bowl with the bolognese layered on top. Add fresh basil on top for garnish.

Benefits of this recipe:

-Mushrooms are a great source of protein, fiber, antioxidants, and high in B vitamins.

-Carrots are very high in Vitamin A, which protects eye health and vision. They are high in antioxidants, can help lower cholesterol, help protect against cancer, improve immunity, boosts skin health, and helps improve brain function.

-Bell peppers are high in antioxidants, they improve eye health, and prevent anemia.

-Lentils can help lower cholesterol, are high in protein, good for digestive health, and beneficial for heart health.

The information on the benefits of the ingredients was researched from http://www.draxe.com

 

 

Mexicana Nourish Bowl

This is a tasty and savory bowl to make for dinner that everyone will love. The flavors are inspired by Tex-Mex style food, and are made with clean and healthy ingredients. Enjoy!

Preparation + Cook Time: 80 minutes

There are 4 main parts to this bowl that you will have to prepare: Spanish Quinoa, Lime Roasted Corn, Black Bean Fajitas, and Homemade Guacamole.

For the Spanish Quinoa:

Ingredients:

• 1 C Uncooked Quinoa
• 1 14.5 oz Can of Chopped Tomatoes
• 1 1/2 C Vegetable broth
• 1 T Olive Oil
• 1/2 of 1 Yellow or White Onion
• 2 Cloves of Garlic, Chopped
• 1 t Cumin
• Dash of Salt +Pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil on medium heat in a large pot. Sauté the onions and garlic. Cook until golden brown.
2. Add all of the rest of the ingredients to the pot. Turn the pot up to a boil. Once it’s boiling, let the ingredients simmer. Cook for about 20 minutes until the quinoa is fully cooked. There should be no leftover liquid in the pot.
3. Season with more salt + pepper if needed. Set quinoa aside.

For the Lime Roasted Corn:

Ingredients:

• 4 Corn on the Cob
• 1 T Olive Oil
• Juice from 1/2 of a Lime
• Dash of Chili Powder
• Dash of Salt + Pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 Degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove the corn from the husks.
3. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lime juice, chili powder, and salt + pepper. Whisk with a fork to evenly mix all ingredients.
4. Place each corn on the cob on an individual piece of aluminum foil. Brush the corn with the lime-olive oil mixture. Wrap each corn on the cob in its piece of foil, and place into the oven rack. Cook for 40 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and let it cool off for several minutes. Before your bowls are ready to serve, cut the corn off of the cobs with a serrated knife.

For the Black Bean Fajitas:

Ingredients:

• 1 Red Bell Pepper
• 1 T Olive Oil
• 2 14.5 Cans of Black Beans
• 1/2 C Mild Salsa or Pico de Gallo

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil on medium heat in a wok. Add the red bell pepper and sauté until cooked.
2. Drain and rinse the 2 cans of beans. Add to the wok.
3. Add the salsa to the wok as well. Stir all the ingredients together. Simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside.

For the Homemade Guacamole:

Ingredients:

• 2 Avocados
• 1/4 C Chopped Red Onion
• 1 Medium Tomato, Chopped
• 2 Cloves of Garlic, Chopped
• 1/3 C Chopped Cilantro
• Juice of 1/2 a Lime
• Dash of Chili Powder
• Dash of Salt + Pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mash the avocados until there are no large chunks.
2. Add all of the rest of the ingredients to the bowl. Stir until combined. Set aside.

Extra Toppings:

• 1 Lime, cut into slices
• 2 Green Onions, chopped
• 1/2 a Head of Iceberg Lettuce, chopped

Preparing your bowl:

I like to serve these Mexicana Nourish Bowls in pasta bowls, but you can also serve on a plate if you prefer. Give each bowl a large scoop of each item: Spanish Quinoa, Lime Roasted Corn, Black Bean Fajitas, and Homemade Guacamole. Add some chopped iceberg lettuce, green onions, and a lime for some extra flavor.

Benefits of this recipe:

-Black Beans are high in protein and fiber. They are filled with many valuable vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B1 thiamine, etc. These vitamins and minerals improve cardiovascular health, protects against cancer, maintains digestive health, provides long lasting energy, and keeps blood sugar stable.

-Avocado protects heart health, aids in better digestive health, protects from diabetes, balances hormones naturally, and boosts your mood. It is also great for keeping your hair, skin, and eyes healthy.

-Quinoa is loaded with Potassium and Magnesium which supports a healthy heart. Eating quinoa also supports bone health, a healthy digestive system, reduces diabetes risk, and contains disease-fighting antioxidants.

The information on the benefits of the ingredients was researched from http://www.draxe.com