YumSugar

Perfectly Seasonal: Asparagus, Scallion, and Cucumber Salad

Lauren Hendrickson — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:40:21 PDT

With all the green around you right now, give this very Springy salad a chance: a bed of asparagus, topped with cucumbers, scallions, and a zippy Dijon dressing is bound to make you fall in love with the season if you haven't already.

This is a perfect picnic or party salad, since the the dressing, asparagus, and green onions can be prepared a day in advance, provided they're stored separately before being quickly assembled. The finished salad is a hearty side dish that could easily double as a meal for two. Get the recipe for this crunchy green salad when you keep reading.

Blast Through Belly Fat With These Avocado-Inspired Lunches

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:05:03 PDT

Cardio and crunches aren't the only way to slim down your middle. Eating monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), like the kind found in avocado, is proven to diminish belly fat. Here are 12 lunch ideas featuring the belly-fat-fighting powers of the avocado.

Source: Flickr user VegaTeam, Flickr user SweetOnVeg, and Flickr user SweetOnVeg

5 Fast Dinners For Meatless Monday

Leta Shy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:06:53 PDT

The beginning of the week can be hectic, so a quick healthy dinner is key to more time unwinding after work and less time on yet another obligation for the day. If you've got 30 minutes, make one of these fast and flavorful vegetarian meals tonight.

Curried lentil stew: There are a lot of ingredients in this curried lentil stew recipe, but even with prep this one-pot dish only takes about 30 minutes to make.

Spicy mushrooms and kale: This simple recipe for spicy mushrooms and kale is full of flavor, thanks to the simple additions of pepper flakes and a little bit of vegetable stock. Make this as a side or toss in marinated pan-fried tofu for a filling dinner.

Read on for more vegetarian recipes to make tonight after the break.

5 Plant-Based Meals For the Week Ahead

YumSugar — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 09:59:31 PDT

In honor of Earth Day, we thought we would shake things up and provide you with five dinner ideas that are plant-based and full of flavor. If you want to give meatless eating a try, here's the proof that it's a delicious endeavor. Click through to plan your vegetarian meals for the week.

Meatless Monday: The Ultimate Vegetarian Chili

OnSugar Blog — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:15:36 PDT

You've heard how meatless Mondays are good for the planet. Now, look to Cooking in Pajamas for a fast and easy vegan chili recipe.

Meatless Monday is back baby! It never actually went anywhere, I just kept forgetting to blog about it. In my quest to get healthy and lose a few pounds before my 20th anniversary trip in April, I have been testing out a plant based diet. I keep going back and forth on whether I want to include fish in my diet. I am thinking of limiting it to once or twice a month. While I decide, I am loving some of the vegetarian dishes I have made. For lunch yesterday I made a polenta pizza. . .a grilled slice of polenta topped with a slice of heirloom tomato, shredded mozzarella, garlic and basil.

This chili will knock your socks off. Not only is it healthy, it is a flavorful and spicy bowl of vegetables, beans, chiles, spices and wine. You can easily serve this to the die-hard meat eaters in your house, and it will be gobbled up.

This chili is also vegan, which means it contains no dairy products. If you are not into the vegan thing, feel free to top your bowl of chili with sour cream and sharp cheddar. The chili is quite spicy. As you see it has a jalapeño AND a chipotle chili. If you would like a more mild version, use half of the jalapeño with the seeds removed. Try not to cut back on the chipotle because it adds a deep, smoky flavor.

For her unique technique - which involves marinating tofu for extra flavor! - keep reading.

How Meatless Mondays Can Help the Planet

Susannah Chen — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 05:08:03 PDT

There are many ways to go about reducing your carbon footprint, but one of the easiest ways is to participate in Meatless Mondays.

Although forgoing meat also helps fight world hunger (and the issue of obesity), it's also proven to be kinder to Mother Earth, even if you're just skipping out on animal protein one day each week. To learn a few of the environmental benefits of going meat-free once a week, keep reading.

Sheer Elegance: Ribboned Vegetable Salad

Camilla Salem — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:08:50 PDT

Although typically I don't veer far from my trusty green salad, there's something about Easter that makes me want to fill the table with all kinds of color. And when a gorgeous bunch of multicolored carrots appeared in my CSA box last week, I knew exactly how I wanted to enjoy them.

When vegetables are shaved (with a peeler or a mandoline), they take on an entirely new quality. Tossed in a your favorite vinaigrette, they're subtle, light, and elegant. It's a good idea to have a variety of salads to serve with different meals, and you can (and should) customize this recipe to your liking. While I stuck with cucumbers, multicolored carrots, zucchini, yellow squash, and onion, I could also see asparagus and beets adding great flavors and colors to the mix. You can also play off the ribbon concept and toss in a chiffonade of mint or basil.

For this recipe, keep on reading.

Taste the Rainbow With These Seasonally-Inspired Vegetarian Salads

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:32:00 PDT

Spring brings a bounty of colorful fruits and vegetables, rich in essential phytonutrients. Phytonutrients boost the immune system, help prevent disease and cancer, and are classified by their pigment or color. To load up on the full spectrum of phytonutrients, click through to see some of our favorite rainbow-bright salad recipes.

Photos by: Camilla Salem

Filling Veggie Meals That'll (Bonus!) Boost Your Metabolism

Leta Shy — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 19:25:10 PDT

If you want to help give your metabolism a little boost, there are many types of foods you can try. And the good news? These foods are also delicious and versatile to cook with. Read on for five recipes that will not only keep you feeling full, but will also increase your calorie burn.

Make Elegant Parmesan Twists in Under 15 Minutes

Susannah Chen — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:09:25 PDT

If you're hosting or attending an impromptu gathering and you're in a crunch for time, turn to these ridiculously easy, cheesy twists. Here, chef Meg Hall shows you how to turn little more than puff pastry, parmesan, and ingredients you've already got on hand into an mouthwatering finger food in under 15 minutes. Keep watching for a quick and simple vegetarian appetizer that's as fun to make as it is to eat!