Pasta Salad

Nikki H.

1 box of tricolor fusilli

Red bell pepper

Baby cucumbers

Olives

Baby spinach

Little mozzarella balls

Carrots

Artichoke hearts

Sundried tomatoes

Newman's Own Family Italian dressing

No-Bake Cheesecake

Oma J.

Cheesecake Recipe Found HERE, Blueberry Sauce FOUND HERE 

Ingredients for the Crust: 

1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs, from 14 whole crackers 

1 Tbsp granulated sugar 

8 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted 

For the Cheesecake Filling: 

16 oz cream cheese, 2, 8-oz blocks, room temperature 

2/3 cup granulated sugar 

2 Tbsp sour cream 

2 Tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed 

1 cup heavy whipping cream 

1 recipe blueberry Topping (below), to serve 

Instructions Blueberry Topping: 

In a small saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups of blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the blueberries breakdown and the sauce is syrupy, about 8 minutes. 

In a small bowl, whisk together the water and cornstarch. Stir it into the pan along with the remaining 1/2 cup blueberries. Cook, stirring constantly until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. 

Spoon over the cooled cheesecake before slicing. 

How to Make No-Bake Cheesecake: 

In the bowl of a food processor, coarsely break up graham crackers then pulse into fine crumbs. Transfer crumbs to a bowl, add 1 Tbsp sugar and 8 Tbsp melted butter. Stir to evenly moisten crumbs. Line a 9-inch round springform pan with a round of parchment paper and press crumbs into the bottom of the pan going 1/2" up the sides. Freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate 30 minutes for crumbs to set. 

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar with an electric hand mixer on medium/high speed for 3 minutes until fluffy and completely smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add sour cream and lemon juice and beat for another minute until well incorporated. 

Wash the mixer attachments and then in a second large mixing bowl, beat heavy whipping cream on medium-high speed for about 3 minutes, or until whipped and stiff peaks form. 

Using a spatula, fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined, scraping from the bottom of the bowl as you mix. 

Pour half of the filling over the cooled crust. Spoon 1/4 of the cooled blueberry sauce over the first cream cheese layer and lightly swirl over the top. 

Pour on the remaining cheesecake mixture and smooth out the top. Spoon and swirl 1/4 of the blueberry sauce over the top. Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight to fully set. To serve, top individual slices of cheesecake with the remaining blueberry sauce. 

TO FREEZE To Freeze, wrap the cheesecake in several layers of plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.

Tropikale Smoothie

 Yellowbrick 

1 whole banana
1/2 cup pineapple
3/4 cup mango
12 oz milk
2 stems of kale 

Use frozen fruit for a quick cold drink. Blend and enjoy! 

Mango Jicama Slaw

Inspired by Trader Joe's and recipe here

1/2 cup ripe-firm mango, thinly sliced or julienned 

1 cup julienned jicama 

1 cup shredded green cabbage 

1/8 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 

LIME MANGO VINAIGRETTE 

1/4 cup mango chunks 

2 Tablespoons olive oil 

2 Tablespoons rice vinegar 

2 Tablespoons honey 

2 teaspoons lime juice 

1 clove garlic 

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Prep slaw ingredients and place your cabbage, jicama, mango and cilantro in a salad bowl. Toss to combine. 

Add all ingredients for the mango dressing into a blender and blend until smooth. The batch will make about 3/4 cup. Pour 1/2 cup over slaw mixture and toss to combine. Taste and add more dressing if needed. 

Store any remaining dressing in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Leftover salad will also last 3 days in the fridge.

Kale (Quinoa) Salad

Prep a big salad to eat for several meals. Add cucumber, tomato, etc. per serving as they do not stay fresh as long prepping in advance to sit in the fridge. 

Recipe Adapted from HERE

2 cups cooked quinoa (brown/black rice, lentils, or preferred grain)

8 ounces chopped Lacinato kale (3 bunches,) stems removed 

1/2 red onion, chopped (about 3/4 cup) 

2 red bell pepper, chopped (about 3/4 cup) 

5-7 large carrots, shredded (I buy a small 10oz bag of shredded carrots)

6-8 stalks of celery 

cabbage shredded (I buy it already shredded and bagged) 

1 bunch of radishes, thinly sliced

Add protein of choice: chicken, turkey, salmon, etc.

Garlic Expressions Vinaigrette Dressing & Marinade (store bought) 

Whipped feta dip with spicy honey

Sunny A. 

Recipe Found HERE

7 ounces feta (without brine)
3.5 ounces ricotta full fat
1.5 ounces sour cream full fat
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
5 tbsp honey
1 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove grated or pressed
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp crushed red chili flakes
chopped chives for topping (optional)
1 tsp za’atar for topping
1 tsp black & white sesame seeds for topping
pita chips for serving

naan for serving

raw veggies for serving 

Feta, ricotta, and sour cream should be at room temperature. 

Add feta, ricotta and sour cream to a food processor. Season with salt and pepper. Blend on high until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Taste, add salt and pepper. 

In a saucepan, heat olive oil over low. Add garlic, sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Turn off the heat. Stir in honey, lemon juice and chili flakes. Season with salt and pepper. 

Serve the whipped feta drizzled with spicy honey. Top with chives, za’atar, sesame seeds, some extra freshly ground black pepper and chili flakes. Enjoy with pita chips, naan or on a veggie platter. 

NOTES: Leftovers can be used as a spread or a dressing.

Vegan Broccoli Salad

Nikki H.  

Recipe Found HERE

Cashew Sauce

1 cup raw cashews (soaked or boiled)

½ cup unsweetened almond milk

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp maple syrup

½ tsp sea salt (add more to taste)

¼ tsp black pepper 

Broccoli Salad

2 lbs raw broccoli (stems removed)

1 ½ cups red grapes halved

¾ cup red onion diced

½ cup dried cherries

½ cup roasted pumpkin seeds 

Boil the cashews in water for 10 minutes. Drain any excess water and set them aside to cool. 

Add the cashews, ½ cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, ½ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp black pepper to a blender. Blend on high until the sauce is smooth and creamy. 

Trim the stems off the broccoli and cut the florets into bite-sized pieces. Put the broccoli into a large mixing bowl along with 1 ½ cups halved grapes, ¾ cup diced red onion, ½ cup dried cherries, ½ cup roasted pumpkin seeds, and all of the cashew sauce.

Use a large spoon to toss the salad together until everything is coated with the cashew sauce. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if necessary. 

You can enjoy the salad immediately or put it into the fridge to chill for one hour before serving. 

 Notes: Store the leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days.