Thank you, Kim for sharing the culinary wisdom that could only come from 25 years of experience cooking for a vegan family. While I love the complexity of the subtle layering of flavors that are the hallmark of many fine gourmet vegan recipes, there is elegance in simplicity. Without a lengthy list of herbs and spices, the sumptuous flavors of fresh fruits and vegetables shine. And the sheer joy of putting together an outrageously delicious meal with fewer ingredients and in less time than a more complex one cannot be overstated. I fell head-over-heels in love the first time I tasted this sweetly satisfying Watermelon Smoothie, which has become my favorite indulgence on a hot summer day. Morning, afternoon, or evening, when the temperature is hovering in the 90s, this refreshingly delicious 4-ingredient wonder can be whipped up in 5 minutes! AND although it's divine when made with the sweetest watermelon you can find, it's also a fabulous way to use that less-than-stellar watermelon—the one you can't get all that excited about eating, but you don't want to waste. I'm so excited about this recipe, I'm sharing it at the end of the post.
Why make a stir-fry with twenty-two ingredients when you can make an incredibly delicious Asian-inspired dish with fewer than ten? This Portobello Mushroom and Broccoli Stir-Fry is made with hoisin sauce, but you'll save time preparing this recipe, because you won't be peeling, slicing, chopping, or mincing any garlic or ginger. A stir-fry without fresh garlic or ginger sounds a bit blasphemous, doesn't it? But once again, you'll be amazed by the brightness of the flavors in the finished dish, and your taste buds will ooh and ahh over each bite (as will those of your friends and family lucky enough to share this dish with you). But only you need to know that you didn't slave over your cutting board or stove to make it.
Chocolate lovers rejoice! Here's a tasty treat you can savor without any refined sugar or oil. These luscious little Chocolate Power Bites are made with cocoa powder and whole-food ingredients. And just one little bite will satisfy your craving for something chocolatey and sweet any time of day! And again, with just five ingredients, the prep time is minimal. Better tasting than a candy bar and so much better for you!
As promised at the outset of this post, below is the recipe for the wonderfully refreshing Watermelon Smoothie from The PlantPure Nation Cookbook, copyright ©2015 by Kim Campbell. It is reprinted here with the kind permission of BenBella Books. Enjoy this frosty treat on a sweltering summer day. You will LOVE it!
Yields: 2–4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes
Watermelon Smoothie
3 cups chopped watermelon
2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth.
2. Serve immediately or chill and save for later.
In addition to smoothies, entrées, and sweet treats, The PlantPure Nation Cookbook offers a delicious cornucopia of recipes for breakfast and brunch, breads, snacks and appetizers, dips and spreads, salads, sauces, marinades, and dressings, spices and toppings, sandwiches, burgers, and wraps, side dishes, soups and stews, and of course, desserts. This wonderful book has quickly become a treasured addition to my recipe book collection, and I know you'll want to make it a part of yours, too. Head on over to Amazon.com or your favorite bookseller and grab a copy.
But wait! Enter to WIN a copy of The PlantPure Nation Cookbook right now! Simply tell me in a comment below, which food documentary has most inspired you—or—tell me if there a food film you haven't seen, but can't wait to see. (I'm always on the prowl for great films!) Then follow the Rafflecopter prompt to complete your entry.* You can earn additional entries by following any or all of the other prompts in the Rafflecopter box. I'll be picking one winner at random. Good luck!
