Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

14 Plant-Forward Fall Recipes

As the fall rolls in, you can put on some sweatpants and curl up with a cozy blanket. But you also need to nourish your belly with the flavors of the season. We’ve made a list of some of our best fall recipes which just happen to be plant-forward. Brussels […]

Main Dishes, One-Dish Meals, Side Dishes

Beans and Greens Sauté

Makes 6 servings Prepare this savory sauté in a cast-iron skillet right on a grill alongside other items, or make it ahead of time on the stovetop to serve with bread or other proteins. If you can’t find beet greens, substitute spinach, kale, escarole, collard greens, or turnip greens. Ingredients […]

Main Dishes

Black Bean and Quinoa-Stuffed Zucchini

Makes 4 servings Quinoa is a great base for a stuffing, which you can use in zucchini, like we do here, or other veggies like portobello mushrooms, acorn squash, or bell peppers. Substitute any bean for black beans, or even shredded cooked chicken. Ingredients 4 large zucchinis, halved lengthwise 5 […]

Side Dishes

Boston Baked Beans

Makes 8 servings Chef’s Note: Cook these beans, uncovered, in a smoker to give them a slightly smoky flavor. You can also place the beans under ribs or a pork butt during smoking to allow the beans to gain some barbecue flavor from the drippings.

Chef's Notes Plus

Chickpeas’ Secret Power: Aquafaba

A crowd favorite and hero of the plant-forward kitchen, chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a versatile ingredient in sweet or savory recipes. Widely known for its high protein and fiber content, this pulse is found in many Middle Eastern and Indian recipes, including hummus, falafel, salads, pastas, and […]

Chef's Blog, Chef's Notes Plus

Cooking Dried Chickpeas

Why cook dried chickpeas? Simple: They’re hands-down better than canned. Here’s how to make perfect chickpeas every time. And remember, beans of all kinds are great to freeze and use later, so make a big batch! Ingredients 1 lb dried chickpeas 1 peeled onion, halved 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided […]

Side Dishes

Creamy Pinto Beans

Makes 6 to 8 servings Ingredients 1 lb dried pinto beans 5 1/2 cups water 2 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions 3 ancho chiles, seeds and membranes removed 1 teaspoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons tomato paste 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano 2/3 cup milk 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 garlic […]

Main Dishes, Soups and Stews

Diabetes-Friendly Cuban-Style Black Bean Soup

Makes 6 servings We love the added flavor from the spices, sun-dried tomato, and sherry vinegar in this diabetes-friendly black bean soup. Garnish it with some mixed grains and wilted spinach and it becomes addictive. Ingredients 12 ounces dried black beans 8 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 sachet d’épices (2 […]

Main Dishes

Eggplant Caponata Stuffed Shells

Makes 4 to 6 servings This vegan pasta dish is creamy comfort food at its very best. Make all of the components ahead of time, or even assemble the dish a few days before you’re ready to serve it for an ultra-convenient weeknight meal. Serve it alongside prepared marinara sauce, […]