Baked Zucchini Boats (Only 128 calories!)

Are you looking for a recipe that is fun to make, delicious, esthetically plesasing, and low in calories? Oh.. and vegan... did we mention vegan? Well then look no further! Our Baked Zucchini Boats are only 128 calories each!

Also, they are already conveniently located in the My Fitness Pal food database. Haven't been on My Fitness Pal? Well, if you're looking to drop a few pounds or simply keep track of your exercise/calorie intake then you should check it out! It is a wonderful site we have both been using for a couple years to regulate our health and fitness goals.

We plan on adding more of our recipes into the food database on MFP but for right now we just have these guys. Once you cook up these Zucchini Boats just search: "Two Vegan Ladies" and they will pop up!

Note: MFP listing is for 1 boat. Does not include pasta or additional boats. A full meal serving-size to us is 2 boats. So about 256 calories. (Not bad for a whole meal!) But we programed the listing as 1 boat so you can regulate it as you see fit. One boat would make a delicious snack.

So let's get to it!

You will need:

2-4 raw zucchinis
1 package firm tofu
4 tablespoons nutritional yeast
garlic powder
salt
pepper
dried basil
dried Italian seasoning
spray oil
1 8oz can of tomato sauce
1/4 block Vegan Gourmet Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Cheese
green onions

First, preheat oven to 350ºF then cut each zucchini in half length-wise and, with a spoon, scoop out seeds. You want to scoop out all the pulp until you have a nice cavern for your stuffing. Set pulp to side (you're gonna need it in a minute!)

Next, in a food processor, combine tofu, nutritional yeast, and all spices. Now, you didn't think we were gonna waste all that delicious and nutritious zucchini pulp, did you? Throw all those pulp guts and seeds right into the food processor with your tofu and spices and blend until thick and creamy.

Now, fill each of your hollowed out zucchini halves with about 2-3 tablespoons of the tofu mixture. Fill them right to the top but to do not overflow.

Spray a casserole dish with a little cooking spray and lay out your stuffed zucchini boats so they fit snuggly. The set in oven.

Let's talk about sauce while our boats cook for about 15 minutes. Canned tomato sauce can be a little bland so it's up to you whether or not you want to flavor it up a bit first before adding it to your boats. We like to quickly throw it in a small sauce pan with some garlic powder and other dried seasonings just to give it a little more kick.

You could also use any homemade or canned sauce of your choice here, but note that the My Fitness Pal database numbers will only reflect the 8oz canned sauce.

Either way, once your sauce is ready to go and 15 minutes has elapsed, pull out the boats. Turn heat up to 450ºF.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of sauce to the top of each zucchini boat. Make sure you spread it out over the whole thing so the flavor will be even.

Next, with a cheese grater, finely grate Vegan Gourmet Follow Your Heart Mozzarella Cheese on top of the saucy boats. Try not to add more than a tablespoon or a tablespoon and a half to each one.

Then chop some green onions and sprinkle on the top for garnish. Place casserole dish back into oven. (Which should now be heated to 450ºF.)

Bake for about 20 minutes or until cheese starts to get really melty and just slightly browned. You may even want to stick the boats under the broiler for just a second before pulling them out depending on how you like your cheese.

Let cool for a few minutes then serve.

These are very yummy as they are but we did serve ours on a bed of pasta that night. They would also go nicely with a side of steamed veggies.

They keep very well in the fridge, so don't be afraid to make a bunch at once!

Enjoy and don't forget add this dish into your My Fitness Pal diary! Just search: Two Vegan Ladies!

With peace, love, and compassion-
The Two Vegan Ladies
 

What the Sprout?

So... sprouts! 


What are they? Why should you take the time to make them and why should you eat them? 


Well...
Sprouts are the living part that comes out of a bean/seed when it is soaked in water. 


They contain oxygen, healthy fats, fiber, and protein. They're also low in calories and high in vitamins B and C! 


You can buy some sprouted and living foods in grocery stores, but it's so easy, fun, and rewarding to sprout them yourself at home!


So let's get started with some lentils! This process will take about 3-4 days.


What you'll need:


A glass mason jar
Mesh fabric  
A rubber band (hair ties work too!)
Water
Green/brown lentils


This sort of feels like a science project already, doesn't it? We told you it was fun! 




Step 1:


1. Take the jar and fill it about 1/4 of the way with your lentils.


2. Fill your jar with 2-3 times as much water as you have of your lentils.


(Note: we suggest using filtered water for this step, like from a Brita pitcher, because your lentils are going to soak in it overnight. If you plan to eat them raw you're not going to want all the added stuff in tap water to end up in your sprouts.)


3. Put your mesh fabric over your jar and pull it taught, secure it with your rubber band.


                     4. Set in a shady/room temperature location.

                                                        5. Wait 8-12 hours to move on to step 2 instructions. 

Step 2: (8-12 hours later)
Look closely, you may have some small sprouts already!


1. Make sure 8-12 hours have elapsed. Don't wait more than 12 hours with them soaking or they could start to turn over saturated and icky! 


2. Drain the soaking water from the jar through your mesh lid. Get it all out.


3. Fill again with water and give a good swirl.


4. Drain all water from the jar.


5. Repeat the rinse/drain process until your water runs clear.


6. Make sure all water has drained from your jar and then set back in shady room temperature location. 



Step 3: (8-12 hours later)
Your sprouts should be pretty easy to see now! 


Repeat all steps from Step 2. Rinse, rinse, rinse and make sure all the water is drained from the jar. 


















Step 4: (8-12 hours later)
Your sprouts may be just about ready to go. 

If jar is full and the sprouts have a little green on the end, then go no further. If not, continue the rinse/drain process until your sprouts look ready.

Sometimes it takes a little longer, not to worry! Just keep rinsing and draining. 

When they are finished give them a last rinse/drain and then either take off your mesh cover and add a real jar lid or put them into a tupperware container and place in the refrigerator. 

You can do so much with these little guys! And it's a good thing, because you're going to have a lot of them! We suggest eating them raw on salads and sandwiches or cooking them in a stir-fry. 

Our favorite sprout dish:

A hummus, tomato paste, lettuce, tomato, and sprout sandwich!

Yummy!

Enjoy your new sprouty friends and eat them often, for they are delicious and good for you!




With peace, love, and compassion-
The Two Vegan Ladies

For the Kids: Babbling Beetles Over Bananas!

So here's a little something from The Two Vegan Ladies for our younger followers. It's a great breakfast or snack and it's really quick and easy to make. This is something you parents out there can certainly have fun making with your kids. And it's good for them!


Babbling Beetles Over Bananas!


Don't worry, no adorable insects were harmed in the making of this dish! We call them babbling beetles because when you add all the ingredients together you're going to hear something magical!


What you'll need:
One Banana
1/4 Cup Whole Raw Almonds
1/2 Teaspoon of Brown Sugar


First, grab a square of aluminum foil and spread your raw almonds out evenly on it.


Then, stick your aluminum sheet in the toaster oven (or conventional oven) and toast for about 5-7 minutes. If you're using a conventional oven preheat to 375º first and try 8-10 minutes.




Now, while your almonds are getting nice and toasty peel your banana.

Did you know humans are the only animal who open their bananas from the top stem? All other animals pinch either side of the bottom portion and pull the peel apart! Give it a try!




Next, cut or break your banana into medium size pieces and set them in the bottom of a cereal sized bowl.

Are your almonds ready? Don't they smell delicious?



Carefully remove your toasted almonds from your oven or toaster oven and slide them in your bowl on top of your banana pieces.



Now for the last step sprinkle your brown sugar on top, and listen! Do you hear the beetles talking and scurrying around with the bananas? Magic!


With peace, love, and compassion-
The Two Vegan Ladies