As this past week has been so beautiful with lots of sunshine and spring temperatures, I thought I’d post another BBQ recipe today. Bruschetta is one of my favorite BBQ side dishes, and I could actually just eat it until I’m full. Instead of grilled bread (which is obviously my #1 choice) I used grilled avocados in this recipe, and oh my, I didn’t even miss my beloved bread. The avocado base almost turns it into a salad equivalent – fresh and light. 

After I found out that you can actually bake avocados, I desperately wanted to try to grill them, too. It gives them kind of a smokey flavor that only a BBQ can achieve, and I think it tastes absolutely terrific. Of course if you don’t have a grill or it’s too cold for a BBQ, you do not have to grill the avocados at all, but I think it adds a nice delicious touch to it. I did a little calculation the other day and realized that I am spending more money on avocados in a month than I spend on going out with friends – foodie problems I guess. But hey, what can I say, I just love my avocados. They are the best way to get healthy fats into your system, and to protect your heart from chronic diseases. I consider my avocado intake as a form of health insurance, so I might as well spend some money on this.

What are your thoughts on avocados? Do you love them? Do you think they’re o.k., or do you actually do not really like them? I think I’ve never met someone who doesn’t like avocados, but I’d love to hear your thoughts about it in the comments below.

I hope you’ll love this bruschetta variation just as much as I do. It will definitely bring your BBQ game to a whole new level.

Enjoy!

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I realized that I haven’t uploaded a savory recipe in quite a while, and most of my savory dishes are curries that usually take at least an hour to prepare, so this recipe is first of all not a curry, and second of all, it takes less than 25 minutes to prepare. This quick buckwheat and vegetable stir fry is the perfect lunch or dinner, and can be easily boxed and taken to work. It’s also rich in nutrients such as fiber, protein and healthy fats.

Buckwheat is one of my favorite “pseudo-grains”, because it is not only naturally gluten free, it also contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete plant based protein. It is also rich in iron, a mineral that many vegetarians or vegans usually lack, because it is commonly found in red meat.

Besides from buckwheat, this stir fry combines spinach, tomatoes, broccoli and mushrooms, all of which come with amazing health benefits. Mushrooms, for example, are the only vegetable that can produce vitamin D. The D vitamin is important for absorbing calcium, for our cell growth and healthy bones. Spinach is a dark green leaf, which makes it one of the best sources of vitamin K, which is important for blood sugar regulation and healthy bones. Broccoli also contains lots of vitamin K, but also potassium, which is one of the most important minerals for maintaining a healthy blood pressure. Tomatoes contain lots of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals, and help protect against chronic diseases such as certain types of cancer.

Enjoy!

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Lasagna is one of my secret favorites. However, it can be quite heavy, especially when you make it with a cream-based bechamel sauce. That’s why I’ve tried this healthy version a few days ago, and luckily it turned out amazing. It’s filled with fresh veggies (whereas the freshest thing in most lasagnas is probably the onion), fresh herbs and it is topped with a creamy cauliflower bechamel that is so delicious and nourishing that you won’t even taste that it is healthy.
I’ve used cauliflower as a base for a healthy carbonara (alfredo) sauce before, so I have been wanting to try it as a substitite for bechamel for ages.The result was more than satisfying. It tastes pretty much like a vegetable lasagna, but much fresher and better than most bechamel–based lasagnas. There’s so much goodness in this lasagna, such as vitamin A-rich carrots, vitamin K-rich cauliflower or manganese-rich zucchini squash. I promise that you won’t even miss the cheese (although, sprinkling some feta cheese on top, won’t hurt – nobody’s perfect, right). Just try it next time you feel like comfort food, but don’ t want to feel crappy afterwards. This lasagna is the best way to get some nutrients into your system, without compromising on taste.

Enjoy!

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