Recipe: Stuffed Bell Pepper and Steamed Asparagus

17438080_494117124045466_2501886692655366144_nHealthy veggie based meal: stuffed bell pepper and steamed asparagus.
Ingredients:
4 yellow bell peppers, tops cut out and seeds rinsed out
1 package of saffron rice, prepared per package directions
1 roma tomato, small dice
1 zucchini, small dice
1 small yellow onion, small dice
3 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Olive oil

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Cook saffron rice per package directions
3. On medium heat, saute onion and zucchini in olive oil or water for 5 minutes, then add tomato and garlic and saute for 1 minute.
4. Add cooked rice, parsley to zucchini mixture and stir to combine. Using a tablespoon, scoop rice mixture into bell peppers.

Note: You can use other bell peppers, but I prefer the mild, sweeter flavor of yellow.
5. Place 4 stuffed bell peppers into 8×8 glass baking dish. Add water around the outside of peppers, 1/3 the way up the pepper.
Note: If you’re preparing ahead of time, store in refrigerator for up to 2 days, covered in plastic wrap. Add water when ready to bake.

6. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes, or until the skin of peppers begins to wrinkle. If your peppers are really thick, you may need 5-10 more minutes. Better to over bake than under bake.
7. Serve with steamed asparagus.

For a more robust meal, serve with crusty bread and large green salad.
I’ll see you at the table!

Asapargus

17332737_1265365500208322_2353166337565523968_nIt’s that lovely time of year when asparagus is in season! Delicate but bursting with flavor, add asparagus to your menu. My local grocer (Winco) has it on sale for $0.98/pound!
Some asparagus dish ideas:
🍴Cream of asparagus soup
🍴Roasted asparagus with balsamic dressing for dipping
🍴Two-inch size pieces added to rice
🍴Steamed and added to veggie tortilla wrap

However you use it, indulge in this spring time delicious vegetable!

Restaurant Review: The Wild Grape

wild grape 2
Business lunch in downtown Salt Lake area, so I invited my guest to join me at The Wild Grape. She hadn’t been before, so that was a nice bonus!

Pamela enjoyed the Beet Salad with side of grilled salmon. Love how the yellow beets are so bright and springy! She really liked the meal.

I enjoyed theGrape Salad. Their signature salad normally has an awesome honey vinaigrette, but to keep it vegan, I requested lemons instead. They provided me with steamed asparagus and broccoli rabe with garlic. This was a great vegan meal – hooray for another business lunch spot that meets my vegan preferences!


wild grape

British folk love their chips, so Pamela tried a side of fries. I had a few… the salt and oil just about caused a coughing fit, but soooo good.