Carrot Noodles with Peanut Chili Sauce & Crispy Tofu

Carrot noodles served with crispy golden brown tofu makes for a perfect summer meal while upping your veggie intake. I recommend investing in a spiralizer if you are looking to make your own vegetable noodles. Pressed for time? Most grocery stores conveniently sell fresh or frozen spiralled noodles.

If you care to, please share your creations with me by using the hashtag #milkandmarigolds or tag your post on Instagram @milkandmarigolds

Prep Time: 30 minutes            Total Time (including marinade): 1 hour + 15 minutes 
Author: Milk & Marigolds.      Serves: 2 large or 3 small

Noodle Sauce Ingredients:
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
2 tsp chilli garlic sauce (I used the brand: Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce)
1 tsp of minced ginger root
(2 limes) 2 tbsp of lime juice, reserve the remainder of the lime for wedges
1/3 cup water

Tofu Marinade Ingredients:
400 g extra firm tofu (vacuum-sealed without water if available), cubed
4 tbsp tamari (g-free soy sauce)
3 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water

Salad Ingredients:
5-6  (2 lb (900 g) large carrots, thinly spiralized
2 scallions, sliced thinly on a diagonal  
1/3 cup roughly chopped cilantro (stems and leaves)

Garnish Suggestions:
crushed peanuts or cashews
lime zest
cilantro or thai basil
roasted sesame seeds
chillies or red Thai peppers

Equipment:
A spiralizer (or store-bought spiralized noodles)
Whisk
Container to hold tofu marinade
Measuring cup
Zester or microplane 
Large non-stick frying pan
Tongs or two wooden spoons

1.Begin by prepping your tofu and any other protein of choice. The tofu should be marinated for at least an hour. Cut the tofu into about 1 inch or smaller cubes. Whisk the marinade ingredients together and combine with the tofu in a container that allows the tofu to be submerged as much as possible.

2.In the meantime, wash and prep your produce. Sprialize the carrots or buy them spiralized if available. Then, thinly slice the scallions on a diagonal, mince the ginger root, zest half of the lime while reserving the other half for wedges. Juice the zested lime (you need 2 tbsp amount) and prep any desired garnishes. Set prepped ingredients aside.

3.Next, prepare the sauce for the carrot noodles. Combine all of the ingredients listed above under “Noodle Sauce”. Whisk until smooth. This sauce will yield more than enough and can be kept in the fridge for up to a week for any leftovers. Set aside.

4.Once the tofu is ready, remove it from the marinade and prepare a large frying pan by setting it to a medium heat. Place a tablespoon or more of oil (I used canola). Once hot, add the tofu and cook for about 4 – 5 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Once the tofu is cooked, add the spiralled carrots to the pan and sauté for just a couple minutes to just slightly soften the carrot noodles. 

5.Then pour over some (not all) of the noodle sauce and gently combine. Add sliced scallions, freshly chopped herbs and garnishes. Enjoy warm or cold. Add more sauce as needed.  

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds

Asparagus with Fragrant Parsley Pesto

Whether you are celebrating Easter, Passover or just looking to shake up your meal  routine, look no further. Fragrant and savoury, this recipe is the perfect spring dish while not breaking the bank. The ingredients are also interchangeable depending on what you currently have in your fridge and pantry.

Asparagus with Fragrant Parsley Pesto (nut & dairy-free)

Prep Time: 20 minutes         Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Author: Milk & Marigolds      Serves: 2 large servings (easily scaleable)

Ingredients: 
1 bunch of asparagus
2 eggs, soft boiled and halved
1/3 cup packed flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 lemon (zest and 1 tbsp of its juice)
1/2 garlic clove, minced
2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
a few turns of ground pepper
a few pinches of red pepper flakes

Equipment:
food processor
fine grater or zester
serving platter

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to broil. Begin by washing your produce. Roughly chop your parsley (stems included) until you have a 1/3 cup amount (packed). Then mince half a garlic clove and zest your lemon. Set aside the zest for garnish.

2. In a food processor, add the garlic and the parsley and lightly pulse (do not blend). Then add your salt, pepper, lemon juice and slowly add the olive oil with just a few pulses. Set aside. This will yield about 1/2 a cup parsley “pesto” sauce.

3. Next, boil the eggs to your liking and once cooled, peel and halve them. Meanwhile, cut the woody stems off the ends of the asparagus. Space out the asparagus in a roasting pan without oil. Broil for about 4-5 minutes.

4. While the asparagus is still warm, place it on a serving platter and top with as much pesto as you like. Garnish with red pepper flakes, lemon zest and anything else you desire. Enjoy!

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds

Warm Mushroom Salad with Avocado, Dried Cranberries & Quick-Pickled Red Onions

How are you getting your Vitamin D these days? Did you know that mushrooms are the only natural (non-fortified) plant source of Vitamin D? 

Mushrooms are incredibly versatile and can enrich any meal. If it is challenging to find fresh mushrooms, try ordering dried mushrooms which can be easily rehydrated. This warm mushroom salad is both sweet and savoury and full of nutrients. Let me know if you give it a try and please use @milkandmarigolds or #milkandmarigolds on Instagram to show me how yours turns out! 

Skinny Sumo Salad

Looking to step up your salad game? We have got you covered with this Skinny Sumo Salad.

Did you know that the Sumo is not an orange?
Although the Sumo’s appearance is gnarly, beyond the peel it is the sweetest and brightest citrus around. These gems are only available for a few months of the year from January to April and while they are more costly than the average citrus, Sumo Citrus is an absolute treat.

If Sumos are out of season or not within your budget, a combination of grapefruit and oranges will also pair lovely with these ingredients.

Sumo Citrus

Skinny Sumo Salad