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the underwear diet

kale, delicata squash, and avocado

December 20, 2013
somethin' on the side, the underwear diet
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1 delicata squash
2 tsp olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 bunch lacinato kale
2 avocados, diced
Juice of 1 lemon (or 2 limes)
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Halve the squash lengthwise. Remove seeds and slice into 1/2 inch pieces. Toss with 2 tsp olive oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Spread squash out on baking sheet and roast for about 10-15 minutes, flipping the squash halfway through.
4. Remove ribs from kale leaves and thinly slice crosswise.
5. In a bowl combine squash with kale, avocado, lemon (or lime) juice, and extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.

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vegan chili

December 20, 2013
the main event, the underwear diet
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3 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, medium dice
1 red bell pepper, medium dice
1 green bell pepper, medium dice
4 large cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup textured vegetable protein
2 Tbsp paprika
2 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
9 oz beer of your choice (drink the last 3 oz!) (use gluten-free beer to make the recipe gluten-free)
1 28-oz can peeled whole tomatoes
1 15-oz can red kidney beans
1 15-oz can pinto beans
1 4-oz can fire-roasted green chiles

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Saute until soft, about 8 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, soak the textured vegetable protein in hot water. Drain, and then add to the pot along with the paprika, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Saute for 3 minutes, or until fragrant.
3. Crush tomatoes and add to the pot, along with the beans and chiles.
4. Pour in the beer and reduce by half.
5. Crush the tomatoes and add to the pot, along with the beans and chiles.
6. Cover the ingredients with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

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curried cauliflower over lentils

December 15, 2013
the main event, the underwear diet
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1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 Tbsp curry powder
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 small onion, finely diced
2 stalks celery, finely diced
2 carrots, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/4 cups vegetable broth (or water)
1 cup lentils
1 small bunch parsley (or cilantro), roughly chopped
1 pomegranate, seeded
Lemon juice, for garnish
Extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Toss cauliflower florets with 1/2 Tbsp olive oil, curry powder, salt, and black pepper. Spread out on a sheet pan and roast for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly crispy.
3. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Saute the onions, celery, carrots, and garlic until tender, about 5 minutes.
4. Add broth (or water) and lentils to the pot. Bring to a rapid simmer and then reduce to a low simmer and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir in the parsley (or cilantro).
5. To plate, place lentils on plate or in bowl. Top with curried cauliflower, drizzle with lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil, and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

Hopefully this recipe tests well the second time around, because it was ridiculously delicious, filling, and terribly healthy.

photo 3

shaved brussels sprouts with fingerling potatoes

November 20, 2013
somethin' on the side, the main event, the underwear diet
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Bold without being “in your face”, this winter salad takes advantage of raw shaved Brussels sprouts, which gives crunch and a mild cabbage flavor. Crispy potatoes add another layer of texture, and cheddar cheese lends a pleasant tang. The whole thing is drizzled with a bright honey mustard dressing, bringing all the flavors together.

1 pound fingerling potatoes, halved
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 apple
Juice of 1 lemon
6 oz pecans, roughly chopped
5 oz extra-sharp cheddar cheese, small dice
1 Tbsp whole-grain mustard
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp honey
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Toss potatoes with 1 Tbsp. olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Spread out on a sheet pan and roast for 30 minutes, or until dark golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. Thinly slice the brussels sprouts and add to the bowl.
4. Thinly slice the apple and then cut into matchsticks. Toss with lemon juice and add to the bowl.
5. Add pecans and cheese to the bowl.
6. Whisk together the mustards, honey, and vinegar. Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil until emulsified.
7. Drizzle honey mustard vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.

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polenta cakes with tomato sauce

November 14, 2013
the main event, the underwear diet
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3/4 cup polenta, prepared according to package’s instructions
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, small dice
5 cloves garlic, divided, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 28-oz can peeled whole tomatoes, crushed by hand

Make the polenta:
1. Pour the prepared polenta into a square or rectangular pan. Cool and then invert onto a cutting board.
2. Cut the polenta into triangles, or whichever shape you prefer.
3. Heat 1 Tbsp of the oil in a pan over medium high heat. Sear each triangle until crisp and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes each side, depending on the thickness.

Make the sauce:
1. Heat the remaining 2 tsp oil over medium heat in a medium pot.
2. Add the onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Sweat until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes and juice to the pot. Stir and simmer over medium low heat for 20-30 minutes, until the flavors have melded but remain bright.

Spoon the tomato sauce onto a plate. Top with seared polenta. Serve with wilted baby spinach.

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