Sesame Soba with Bok Choy

This is a quick and easy dish.  It's fresh, it's filling and it's great comfort food. Begin by preparing soba - a buckwheat flat noodle - by following the directions on the packaging.

While that's cooking, prepare the bok choy and mushrooms by slicing them and sauteing over high heat with a bit of sesame oil.

Add together the cooked noodles, bok choy, sesame, a whisper of grated ginger tamari sauce and mushrooms.

Plate the noodles with fresh sliced tomatoes.  The whole dish is ready in about 10 minutes.  It's a delight.

Tofu Waffles with Sesame Green Beans

Starting the new year with a vegan and gluten free treat:  tofu waffles and sesame green beans.

First, set a large kettle to boil, adding a significant amount of salt.  This helps the beans cook properly.  Boil until they're al dente - they should have lost their coarseness, but not be mushy at all.  Then, plunge into ice water.

Half a block of extra-firm tofu and drizzle with olive oil.  Place in a hot waffle iron and slowly close the lid.  Watch out for steam!  Since tofu is very hydrated, there will be significantly more steam than when making regular waffles.

Also, don't add any flavourings - like garlic - which will likely burn before the tofu is done.  Shelf stable tofu, even if it's extra-firm, won't work for this recipe.

Drain the green beans and place in a hot skillet with sesame seed oil; stirring until the beans are comfortably warm.

Arrange the warmed beans atop the waffle and drizzle with a mix of ginger, tamari sauce and sesame oil.  Garnish with sesame seeds.

Sun Dried Tomato Hummus

It's an easy and flavourful dish!  As the weather gets warmer; easy, light and tasty meals are in demand.

Simply add a healthy portion of sun dried tomatoes to your usual hummus recipe.  I add chickpeas (and the tomatoes) to the Vitamix and cover with water - a bit of salt, sesame seeds, onion powder and a glug of olive oil.  I also like to add turmeric, garlic and smoked paprika.  Start slow and increase the speed to work up to that delicious thick consistency.

Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, a few chick peas and a sprinkle of sesame seed.  Enjoy!