Blog Archives - HAPPY VEG

Pesto & Sausage Tortiglioni

8/30/2024

This recipe basically combines two of my favourite things with pasta. Y'all know I'm obsessed with Beyond Meat Hot Italian sausages, and if you've been following my cooking throughout the summer, you'll know I'm also obsessed with pesto. This mashup was bound to happen.

This recipe is super simple and quick, but doesn't skimp on flavour thanks to a fresh batch of gorgeous pesto. Some aromatics, good wine, our sausages, and pesto are all you really need for this fabulous pasta dish.

I finished the skillet with some pizza mozzarella just barely melted under the broiler. I wanted gooey, melty cheese as opposed to golden brown, crisp cheese for this one and it was fabulous. Guys, this recipe is easy and delicious! Get on over to the RECIPES page <3

HAPPY VEG

Street Corn Tortellini Salad

8/27/2024

Tortellini are one of my favourite noods because of their versatility in the kitchen. They work great as a pasta dish, a salad, folded in to soups; they basically works for everything. I LOVE them for salads because they just have so much texture and chew making it a delight to eat.

My Street Corn Tortellini Salad is absolutely delicious, pretty easy to throw together, and full of gorgeous, local corn which is perfectly in season right now. The dressing is a simple sour cream, mayo and cilantro sitch, blended until creamy. You've got fresh veggies including bell pepper, onion, and jalapeno, along with roasted corn tossed in lime and grana padano.

Finished with heaps of crumbled feta for that salty tang, Tajin seasoning, and fresh cilantro. So gorgeous and so fun to eat. Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPY VEG

Butter Bean & Tomato Lumaconi

8/25/2024

From what I've seen online, this particular noodle comes in many sizes, some of which can be stuffed. For this recipe, I'm using the smaller variety which was more bite size and comparable in size the the butter beans.

This recipe is super easy you guys for a quick, weeknight meal. Some aromatics, fresh grape tomatoes and creamy, gorgeous butter beans, and wine are essentially all you need. I finished the pasta with some grana padano, fresh parsley, and folded in some prepared sundried tomato pesto for an extra punch of flavour.

I dislike the bowl I served it in if I'm being honest, but sh!t happens guys lol Finished with dreamy burrata, grana padano, and fresh basil. Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPY VEG

Roasted Cauli Cheddar Soup

8/23/2024

I know, it isn't quite soup season yet you guys, but that's no reason we can't enjoy a good bowl or simply get a head start on our fall / winter collection of delicious soup recipes.

This soup is super easy, super creamy, and super cheesy, all of which is just perfect. I roasted the cauli with some simple seasonings and once nice and roasty toasty, I folded it in to my simmering soup to finish with the broth. A quick blend until smooth and creamy and that's about it.

I folded in a combination of extra old white cheddar for funk, and some fiery, spicy English cheddar for flavour and a little pop of heat. It's delicious you guys and available now under the RECIPES tab!

HAPPY VEG

Dark Chocolate Date Bites

8/20/2024

These are so nostalgic to me you guys. I whipped up a little riff on a treat we used to make at Healthy Mama Restaurant, the restaurant I proudly worked at for 8 years before we closed. These little bites are addictively good and a great, healthier alternative to candy bars or other sweet treats.

Quite simply, gorgeous dates are halved and frozen, dunked in dark chocolate and pressed in walnuts before being frozen again. Once ready, they're addictively snackable and delicious, chocolatey, sweet from the dates, and with a welcome crunch from the walnuts. In hindsight, I think I'll try them again with nuts that are a bit more crushed up, but they were delish nonetheless. Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPY VEG

Jalapeno Cheddar Cauli Steaks

8/18/2024

The key to a delicious, and perfectly cooked cauliflower steak lies in the core / stem. Like you would a potato, you have to pierce the core with a knife / fork multiple times in order to ensure that it cooks at the same time as the florets. Without doing so, the core remains too crunchy while the florets overcook.

These steaks are simple, flavourful, and pretty too! I basted them in EVOO and Tex-Mex seasoning and seasoned them with Himalayan salt, pepper, and pepper flakes. They're baked for 40 minutes before being topped with cheddar and sliced jals, and finished in the oven.

What you get is cheesy, ridiculously tender cauliflower that's a delight to eat. Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPY VEG

Summery Pesto Toasts

8/16/2024

When I think of summer eats, pesto is always at the top of my list. Fresh, vibrant, flavorful, and so gorgeous. Plus, it's really quite easy to make and I always have all of the ingredients readily available.

When it comes to easy, gorgeous summer eats, these pesto toasts are where it's at. A celebration of summer gorgeousness. When you're eating your pesto without heating it, I would always recommend making it fresh. Jarred pesto is fab, but I prefer using that if I'm going to be cooking.

These toasts are simple, summery, and gorgeous. Grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with pesto, vine tomatoes, burrata, balsamic reduction, and fresh basil. Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPY VEG

VICTORY - Massachusetts signs bill banning wild animals in traveling circus'

8/15/2024

Massachusetts, United States - A new bill was signed in to law banning the use of wild animals in traveling circus'. Overdue as it may be, this incredible law means that animals like bears, lions, tigers, and elephants who are forced to perform will no longer be allowed in the state. As more states hopefully jump on this train, we will see wild animals free from the chains of forced performances. Learn more under the ANIMAL NEWS tab.

HAPPY VEG

Sausage & Jalapeno Corn Queso

8/13/2024

My first corn queso recipe was a whole ass vibe you guys. I couldn't stop eating it and I even enjoyed it the next night again. Creamy, cheesy, full of gorgeous corn, and frankly, any excuse to pummel crispy, salty tortilla chips in to my face is a good thing!

I went with the same idea but tried to take it in a more traditional route. I added some Spicy Beyond Meat sausages, roma tomatoes, loads of veggies, and a combination of both spicy Monterey Jack, and funky old cheddar.

Some quesos will use a roux to thicken but I've found that just using full fat whipping cream reduces in to a luscious sauce without the use of flour. You guys ready to break out the chippies and get to the dippies? Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPY VEG

Panzanella For 1

8/11/2024

If you've been following my blog for any amount of time now, you'll know that cooking for 1 is not something I typically do. I cook meals for 4 and this way, I have leftovers to bring to work. With that being said, a gorgeous, fresh panzanella is not something I want in my fridge getting soggy for days.

My Panzanella for 1 is so delicious, easy to make, and just the right amount of everything for one. Fried baguette rubbed down with garlic, along with gorgeous cherry tomatoes dressed in garlic, EVOO, lemon juice, and seasonings. A drizzle of sweet balsamic reduction, some basil and grana padano, and of course some glorious burrata.

Cooking for 1 doesn't have to be annoying lol This salad came together in under 15 minutes and I enjoyed every bite. Head to the RECIPES page.

HAPPY VEG