Monday, July 29, 2013

Meatless Monday: No Bake/Cook Recipes

Summertime is the perfect time to sit back and relax.  Why waste your time being stuck in the kitchen, cooking all day?  Today's meatless recipes are no bake/no cook,  just mix and go!  From easy veggie salads, to a delicious cheesecake dessert...did we mention they are no bake/no cook recipes?  So try one, and spend the rest of your down time doing the things you really want to...or do nothing at all-we won't judge!

Cucumber is one of those ingredients that can really refresh your palette.  There is nothing quite like a delicious cucumber salad on a hot summer day.  This Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream and Dill Dressing, compliments of Martha Stewart, is absolutely perfect for a picnic.  Just mix lemon juice, sour cream, dill, and a pinch of salt and pepper together and toss in your cucumbers...easy, breezy, just how we like it.


Or try a slightly different variation, this time using broccoli.  Eating Well adds a few more ingredients to their Broccoli Salad with Creamy Feta Dressing that mimics the above recipe, yet takes it in a completely different direction with the bright flavor of red bell pepper.


A Watermelon Gazpacho can really liven up your day, and give you plenty of extra time outside the kitchen, without disregarding your taste buds.  This recipe, also from Eating Well, only requires the press of a button on your blender or food processor to ensure yummy results.


With all these cool, refreshing flavors, let's bring it home with a cool, creamy dessert!  Oreo Cookies and Cream No Bake Cheesecake from Bakers Royale appears too good to be true, but we wouldn't lie to you...it only requires the use of a hand mixer to concoct this creamy, dreamy goodness.  Is your mouth watering yet?


With all the time these easy no cook/bake recipes saved you, why not get around to organizing that hall closet you've been putting off...or take that much needed nap (we said we wouldn't judge!)

Monday, July 22, 2013

Meatless Monday: Cheesy Dishes

Cheese.  It's good on pretty much everything, don't you think?  Unless you're lactose intolerant, we think you'll find these 5 recipes, featuring all sorts of cheesy goodness, to die for!

Starting with a  breakfast dish that can be served all day long, this mini quiche features feta and mushrooms with caramelized onions.  Featured on treehugger.com, you can find easy directions and delicious pictures that are sure to make your mouth water.

photo courtesy of  Jaymi Heimbuch

This Zucchini Parmesan dish can either be a snack or a side.  And all you need is zucchini and Parmesan cheese!  Can't make it any easier than that! For the nutritional information of this dish, check out Spark Recipes.


This next dish is quite the light fare.  Again featuring feta cheese, it's the perfect appetizer or poolside pick me up.  Cucumber-Feta Bites from Bitedelite.com are fun and fresh, not to mention delicious!


Love cheesy potatoes, but need something different?  Try adding cauliflower!  A Potato, Cauliflower, and Cheddar Bake from Martha Stewart gives you a little bit of help lowering your risk of stroke, according to Men's Health.  This lovely white vegetable is also a great source of potassium and folate.  And because it's white like the potatoes, you may be able to hide it in all that cheddar-y goodness, so you're kids will eat it all up without any complaints!  It's a win-win!


Check back next week for some easy no bake, Meatless Monday recipes!