Cauliflower Soup,Beet Herbs Pasta and Figs parfait.

It was one of those days craving for a hearty Vegan meal,thankfully I had ample fresh fruits and vegetables to satisfy the hunger with a well balanced 3 course meal.
Cauliflower soup
A light and wholesome soup for the start of the meal.If you like crunch with the soup like I do ,serve this with some crackers or baked chips.

Serves 2-3
Ingredients
1/2 a medium cauliflower,chopped
1/2 a medium onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic,finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin(optional)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric(optional)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or chili powder
1 tablespoon fresh herbs,finely chopped(I used cilantro)
2 cups vegetable stock
1 teaspoon all purpose flour
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

accompaniment
low fat sour cream or tomato chili sauce

Method
In a medium skillet heat oil,add the onions and saute until translucent(about 3-4 minutes) on medium-high heat.Add the garlic and saute another minute or two.Add cauliflower and spices ,season with salt.Cover and allow to cook until cooked through(about 8-10 minutes),tossing occasionally.Stir in the stock ,herbs and bring to a boil .Add the flour and stir well,and simmer for 2-3 3minutes. Carefully transfer the mixture to a food processor or use immersion blender to puree.Return to the skillet,keep warm on low heat.Serve with sour cream or tomato chili sauce.And some baked chips or cracker for crunch.


Beet herbs pasta
Serves 2-3
With my passion for beets already revealed ,the pasta is yet another way to include the wonder veggie in your diet.

Ingredients
1/2 a pound Whole grain pasta,use any kind
1/2 a medium onion,finely chopped
2 small beets,roasted
1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive oil

For herb garlic sauce
1 cup fresh herbs(like parsley or cilantro),finely chopped
1 big clove garlic,minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice,freshly squeezed
1/4 teaspoon black pepper or chili powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive oil
Method
Cook the pasta as per the package instructions.
Make the herb garlic sauce by blending all the ingredients together.Keep aside.
Heat the oil on medium heat,add the onions,saute for 3-4 minutes until translucent,add the herbs garlic sauce,saute another minute or two.Mix the cooked pasta and stir well.Add the beets and serve warm.


Figs and Fruit Parfait.
As pretty and mysterious as these looks,figs are have healthy written in each of the seeds its packed with.

Parfait are the simplest desserts ,utterly delicious with the layers of fruity goodness.

Recipe

For compote
6 fresh ripe figs,chopped
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon orange blossom water or rose water
1 cups water

For Parfait
3-4 cup fresh fruits(like mangoes,peaches,figs or nectarine),diced
1/4 cup roasted nuts.

Method
Bring the compote ingredients to a slow boil, simmer,for about 15 minutes, or until fruit soft. Discard the cinnamon stick. Puree the mixture,return to the heat and cook until glossy and syrupy.Serve warm or chilled, on Ice creams or make a parfait.
In a wine or parfait glass ,layer the fruits ,nuts and the compote.Serve cold.




Health Nut Challenge :Well Balanced 3 Course Meal

Heart felt thanks to those who have already sent in there delicious 3 course meals.For those planning to participate ,please send in the entries before the deadline - September 20th.

Comments

Ayesha said…
Awesome!
Unknown said…
Super delicious..nice pictures.. There is something for you waiting in our blog..Please come and pick up..
Shri said…
Gosh!The spread looks absolutely divine!
Nithya said…
This is sheer awesomeness.. I would just love this meal :)super good dishes with amazing clicks.
A delicious and colorful meal! So refined too!

Cheers,

Rosa
Sarah Naveen said…
everything looks fabulous!!!
Nice click too!!!
Ann said…
WOW!! Looks at thta.. totally nutritious. Lovely adn colorful picture.
Shama Nagarajan said…
lovely recipes...all are healthy ones....
Wow!!!!Amazing n mouthwatering dishes....loved them.
Gita Jaishankar said…
Very health meal...everything looks delicious...thats my kind of lunch :)
Anonymous said…
What a delicious meal! The cauliflower soup has such a gorgeous color and I love the combination of beets with pasta! The fig parfait is scrumptious!
chakhlere said…
wow!! What a healthy and yummy meal.
Its really drool worthy.
Priya Suresh said…
Wat a lovely array of delicious dishes..absolutely gorgeous..
I know I'll LOVE that soup. Thanks for the recipe!
Sarah Alaoui said…
that soup looks awesome.
Cham said…
Everything look delish!
Raks said…
The first click is really fantastic
!!
Sanghi said…
Delicious meal yasmeen.. nice clicks.!
Unknown said…
wow..i loved the diet menu..brilliant..
Sharmila said…
Wow! You do come up with the most awesome things Yasmeen! :-)
Btw .. I have posted baked vadis .. you had asked about long ago. :-)
Renus Kitchen said…
Yasmeen you have a fabulous award...plz pick Fabulous Blog Award from my blog....keep it up !
Varsha Vipins said…
Havent evr thought a soup with Gobi..but that looks creamy good Yasmeen..n I specially liked that pasta with beets..your pics are too good this time..:)
CurryLeaf said…
Awesome meal Yasmeen.Perfect and healthy .Love the herbs pasta.
Parita said…
Loved the herby pasta! fig parfait sounds delicious and healthy too!
Finla said…
What i would love most is that parfai, super good.
Sarah Naveen said…
Please accept the awards waiting for you in my blog!!!
Dewi said…
Oh my,
I am sold on your fig parfait!
Anonymous said…
Oh My!Yasmeen,what a lovely wholesome,natural and cruelty free full meal!So inspiring and wonderful example showing how great and fulfilling this nourishment can be!Bravo!Mia
Mythreyi Dilip said…
What a delightful meal!
Mansi said…
The herb pasta sounds fab.
Cynthia said…
Ouuuu, that parfait is calling my name :)
Soma said…
Love the sound of the cauliflower soup. never made it or thought of it.

That fig parfait is gorgeous. nothing like fresh figs.
Vijitha said…
Thats called a complete meal Yas!
Nazarina A said…
Hi Yasmeen.
So nice of you to visit with me! Another delicious recipe of yours for my repertoire and so pretty!!!
I have had a pretty busy year thus far. Thank God Ramadan is here to slow me down! We have lost so much weight during this month, I dare not make anything elaborate or in abundance because it just goes to my neighbors ( not that I mind)!Your delicious soup would most probably be the only dish on your menu that I could enjoy!Maybe I could enjoy the Figs first...or maybe the beet pasta....
Indhu said…
awesome spread... love the pasta especially... all your dishes are healthy... loving it :)
sabah said…
I've never tried it before, but I would like to.
I have a tag for you in my blog, pl come and take a look.
Duchess of Tea said…
Darling, you have a deliciously lovely blog and a new follower…me. I will be back to read more of your posts and will definitely try your scrumptious recipes.

Love & Hugs
Duchess ♥♥♥

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