Spring Pea and Arugula Pasta

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Spring peas add a touch of sweetness to this quick pasta salad. The red pepper flakes add a bit of a kick, which complements the fresh mint.

pea pasta salad mint arugula

Spring Pea and Arugula Pasta

1/2 pound (227g/8oz) gluten-free elbow pasta (I prefer Tinkyada)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 shallots, halved and sliced
1 cup fresh or frozen spring peas
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
2 cups lightly packed arugula
1/2 cup lightly packed fresh mint, finely chopped
Fine sea or Himalayan salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Lemon to taste, optional

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and set aside to cool.

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the peas and red pepper flakes. Cook until the peas are soft, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, scrape the mixture into a bowl, and add the pasta. Mix well. Cool completely.

Once the mixture is cool, add the arugula and mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve with freshly squeezed lemon juice, if desired.

Slurpy Noodle Soup (or Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup)

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With a flavor reminiscent of chicken noodle soup, this vegan version combines slurpable noodles with a flavorful broth. If making in advance, don’t add the noodles—instead, prepare the broth as directed and cook the noodles in it when reheating before you’re ready to serve it—this will avoid mushy noodle leftovers.

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Slurpy Noodle Soup

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 celery ribs, finely chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 1/2 litres water
1/4 cup large-flaked nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon fine sea or Himalayan salt
3/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
About 10 grinds freshly ground black pepper
Additional salt to taste
8 oz (226g) dry brown rice spaghetti or linguine, broken into approximately 3-inch pieces (I like Tinkyada)

Heat the oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add the celery, carrots, and onion. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the water, nutritional yeast flakes, parsley, bay leaf, salt, onion powder, sage, poultry seasoning, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix well. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover and decrease to a simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Taste for salt, adding more if desired (I add about 1/2 teaspoon).

Bring the soup back to a boil. Add the spaghetti. Cook until the spaghetti is tender, about 8 minutes. Remove bay leaf. Serve immediately.

Maple Buckwheat Granola with Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries

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This skillet granola recipe is done in a fraction of the time of the oven methods, and with the whipped cream and seasonal fresh berries, it makes for a simple dessert or breakfast. The granola freezes well, too.The whipped cream comes from my book, The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies.

buckwheat granola whipped cream strawberries

Maple Buckwheat Granola with Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries

For the granola:
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 cup flaked buckwheat, such as Bob’s Red Mill Creamy Buckwheat
6 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons hemp seeds
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon fine sea or Himalayan salt

For the whipped cream:
1 (14oz) can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated at least 24 hours
2 tablespoons icing sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For serving:
Fresh blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries

To make the granola, put the maple syrup and coconut oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Stir until the mixture just begins to bubble. Add the buckwheat flakes, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to completely coat with the syrup mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, until the ingredients are well mixed, fragrant, and golden in color. Remove from heat, and set aside to cool.

To make the whipped cream, put a metal stand mixer bowl or large metal bowl and wire beaters in the freezer for 20 minutes. Remove the items once they are thoroughly chilled, and take the coconut milk can out of the refrigerator, careful not to shake it. Open the can and spoon out the hardened coconut cream at the top of the can. Put the coconut cream, icing sugar, and vanilla extract in the metal bowl. Using the stand mixer or a hand mixer, beat on high until creamy and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Use right away to assemble the dessert, or refrigerate until needed.

When ready to serve, later the berries, whipped cream, and granola in individual bowls. Serve immediately.