I was never a green beans fan until I tried this recipe. I seriously could eat a massive bowl of this. It’s got the perfect mix of juicy, crunchy, tangy, sweet, spicy, slightly bitter (the beans) — perfection. It’s rare that you find a good green bean recipe, you know? So, enjoy!

Makes the perfect side dish with added benefits of vitamins and omega 3s (walnuts)! Or eat it as a meal on its own with added tofu (see below).

This recipe was created by my Naturopathic Doctor/Holistic Nutritionist Jennifer Baer. She’s the Director of Body of Knowledge Healing Arts. See, she knows what she’s talking about. Thanks for the recipe, Jenn!

Ingredients
3-4 cups green beans or haricots verts, washed and trimmed
1/3 cup walnuts, chopped and lightly toasted in pan
1/4 cup unrefined olive oil (optional — I don’t use oil in this recipe)
2 Tbs apple cider vinegar
2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
2 Tbs honey, heated briefly or run under hot water (made liquidy)
1 tsp mustard powder or 1 Tbs Dijon-style hot or grainy mustard
1/4 cup fresh dill, trimmed
2 Tbs finely diced shallot
Generous amounts of sea salt and fresh ground pepper (to taste) (optional — I don’t use the salt)

Instructions
Steam beans uncovered for a few minutes until bright green and tender crisp. Immediately cool under running cold water or in an ice bath. Drain well and set aside.

Combine all other ingredients well and pour them over the green beans.

Toss to coat and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.

Optional: Add crispy tofu cubes (3/4″ cubes pan fried until golden brown on all sides).

Bon appetit!

I am on a HEALTH. KICK. And, I feel great. In fact, I haven’t felt THIS good in a LONG time. And, it didn’t take long at all.

For a complete overview of the plan I’m on, check Cheaty Monkey. I designed it myself! There’s something to be said for putting the diet books DOWN and listening to your own body.

By far, the best thing I ever did — I HAVE TO SAY — is ditching the dairy. In fact, I attribute how great I’m feeling to that alone. I feel lighter, less congested, clearer-headed. And, it’s because I gave up dairy, FASHIZZLE. And, I was ADDICTED to cheese. I’d have cheese on EVERYTHING. Peanut butter and cheese on a bagel was, like, MY FAVOURITE THING! Now, though, not an INCH of a craving.

One thing I thought I’d really miss is parmesan cheese. BUT, in the following pasta recipe, I used a FAKE parmesan cheese (with no casein — very important to look out for that in fake dairy products), and it did the job. It wasn’t PERFECT, but it satisfied my craving for the texture and saltiness of parmesan.

CHECK IT!

TASTY TOFU BASIL PASTA

INGREDIENTS
(serves 4-6)

1 block (organic) tofu, cubed
4 cups cooked brown rice pasta
Bunch Portobello Mushrooms (optional)
Bunch Spinach (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped finely
1 tbsp canola Oil
1 tbsp olive Oil
Basil (generous amount)
Pepper (to taste)
Fake Parmesan Cheese (to taste)
Pine nuts (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Get your pasta cooking…. When pasta is halfway done, toss in portobello mushrooms. Drain them with the pasta.
2. Meanwhile, heat canola oil — MEDIUM HEAT (never heat oil on high) — in medium-sized pan. Lovingly…, throw in the garlic and onion, and saute until softened.
3. Throw in the tofu, flipping it over and over gently, letting each side brown.
4. Sprinkle with TONS of basil and a little bit of pepper. TONS of basil.
5. Mix pasta and tofu together.
6. Drizzle with Olive Oil. Add MORE basil — you really can’t have too much.
7. Pour into dishes. Sprinkle fake parmesan on top, and PINE NUTS. And, ENJOY!

Serve with a nice raw green salad with flax seed oil dressing (see next post!).

By the way, this dish is of course great WITHOUT tofu, as well. The pine nuts and the portobello mushrooms provide ample protein.

Let us know how YOU like it!

xo Haley-O