Thursday, July 16, 2020

The Everything Marinade

Tofu in Everything Marinade.

Hello! Welcome to the land of deliciousness where all you need is a few pantry ingredients, a jar, and your choice of anything to marinade in heavenly, smokey-sweet, savory flavor.

In our house we are now calling this The Everything Marinade!

The flavor is incredibly adaptable to whatever it is that you’re serving it with – but my favorite is the most simple. I love just using it to make the main thing SING with smokey sweetness (even if the main thing is as humble as a block of tofu or some mushrooms), and serving it up with sides of green salads, mashed or roasted potatoes, and crusty no-knead bread.

Here’s what you put in your jar that makes the base of this happen:

  • maple syrup (SWEET)
  • olive oil (SILKY)
  • soy sauce (SALTY)
  • balsamic (TANG)
  • smoked paprika (SMOKE)

And then finish with a few ingredients that make you go, gosh, that’s good, what is that? Such as:

  • cumin
  • Italian seasoning
  • onion and garlic powder
  • salt and pepp
Everything Marinade in a jar.

Get a lid on that jar and mix er up – takes all of about 5 minutes to measure and shake.

Now… just use it to marinate stuff you love to eat.

Everything Marinade in a bowl.

Like chicken. pork. veggies. portabello mushroom caps or a block of tofu (both my personal favorites). Dinner is almost done.

Everything Marinade with chicken, mushroom caps, and pork chops.

We’ve tried just about every marinade-able thing several times in our kitchen, and we put some timing and cooking notes (including notes about what we didn’t like – looking at you, beef) in the recipe notes section so you know how long to marinate and how long to cook these guys.

IT’S THE EVERYTHING MARINADE!

Marinated chicken, mushroom caps, and pork chops.

The Everything Marinade is the thesis for why sauce week exists. One sauce, minimal energy, big flavor, all resulting in a beautiful, joy-bringing, proud-of-it meal. ♡

The Everything Marinade


Description

The Everything Marinade! All you need is a few pantry ingredients and a jar, and you’ve got heavenly, smokey-sweet, savory flavor that goes with just about any vegetable or protein.


Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Whisk all ingredients or shake in a jar until combined.
  2. SO MANY OPTIONS. See notes for all the ways to use this magic.

Notes

The equipment section above contain an affiliate link to a product we use and love!

Pork: We used pork chops and loved it. Marinate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight. Grill, pan fry, do your thing, brushing the pork with a little reserved sauce during cooking to make it extra juicy and yummy.

Chicken: We used chicken thighs and loved it. Marinate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight. Pan fry, bake, or cook in the Instant Pot for 15 minutes. Shred or chop the chicken for a salad or add-in to another recipe, or just… eat the chicken thighs!

Tofu: We used extra firm tofu and loved it. For best results, marinate the intact block of tofu overnight. The next day, cut the block into cubes and pan-fry, brushing with reserved marinade.

Portobello Mushroom Caps: My personal favorite! Marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Grill or pan-fry until nice and roasty and sticky and juicy. 

Veggies: Works great with just about any veggies, no instructions needed. 

Beef: This was the only thing we tried that we didn’t love with this marinade.

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Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Green Tahini

SUMMER SAUCE WEEK IS HERE! CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MASTER LIST OF ALL OUR FAVORITE SAUCES!

I’m just gonna say right from the get-go…. green tahini is DELICIOUS but it is not for everyone.

If you don’t love tahini, this probably won’t make you love tahini (although it might slightly change your mind – baby steps).

This sauce is for specific subset of humans who love:

  • The nutty, slightly bitter flavor of tahini
  • Herbs, garlic, and green saucey things
  • Creamy versatile sauces that are vegan

If you are looking for a more widely popular flavor profile, I would point you over to the Magic Green Sauce which has been a staple in my life (and many of your lives) for the last few years. Easy win.

But if you are bold, if you love to keep things interesting, if you’re looking to change up your sauce game from the usual, this one is dedicated specifically to you.

To start: tahini, herbs, garlic, oil, salt, lemon.

Is it herbed ranch dressing? Is it green goddess sauce?

IT’S GREEN TAHINI.

Green tahini goes best with mild-ish things that can handle a little bittery, zippy punch. For example:

  • Roasted potatoes
  • Roasted carrots, cauliflower, or broccoli
  • Okay, any roasted veggies
  • Grilled chicken
  • Pitas / flatbreads
  • Beans and grains
  • Hard boiled eggs

(Here is a roasted vegetable bowl with green tahini that is one of my meal prep favorites – featuring roasted cauliflower, potato, carrot, onion, broccoli, a hard boiled egg, and some avocado drizzled with the love of a big spoonful of green tahini and squeezed with lemon.)

Check out our video for how to make Green Tahini:

Common Questions About Green Tahini

I’m not a big fan of tahini. Does this taste strongly of, well, tahini?

Yes, yes it does. It could definitely turn you towards *starting* to like tahini, but does not hide the tahini flavor.

Can I use different herbs?

Yes! Basil would be another good option to throw into the mix.

I’m allergic to sesame. Can I sub the tahini for something else?

This is a very tahini-centered recipe. If you’d like something similar that’s sesame-free, our Magic Green Sauce would be a great alternative.

Is there a way to make it less bitter?

Naturally, this recipe has a little bitter bite (which we love!). But if it’s not your thing, feel free to add a little honey or agave to taste to sweeten it up a bit.

How long will this keep in the fridge?

This sauce will last for about 3-4 days in the fridge.

Green Tahini


  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil (mild tasting)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • a big bunch of both cilantro and parsley
  • 1 clove garlic
  • squeeze of half a lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste – I like salt 🙂 so ~1 teaspoon is what I use)

Instructions

  1. Blend up all your sauce ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth. Taste and adjust. If the sauce is too runny, add a little more tahini.
  2. Pour over roasted vegetables, beans, grains, protein… anything that needs to be woken up with some rich and creamy flavor!

Notes

The equipment section above contains an affiliate link to a product we use and love!

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Tuesday, July 14, 2020

5 Minute Romesco Sauce

Romesco Sauce! Roasted red peppers, plum tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, parsley, salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice? Put this on everything = food goals achieved.

Romesco sauce in a bowl with a spoon.
SUMMER SAUCE WEEK IS HERE! CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MASTER LIST OF ALL OUR FAVORITE SAUCES!

Here’s the deal. This beautiful thing I’m showing you is called Romesco Sauce and it is in the business of saving the Summer Meal.

You know, the Summer Meal for the day where you’ve been outside all day or a lot of the day or, to be honest, none of the day (!!!!) which means that now it’s 6pm and you need to get outside ASAP because SUMMER IS AMAZING. It’s the day when the best possible meal would be one that could involve as little time as possible indoors.

Romesco sauce in jars with a spoon.

Related Terms –> Grills. Sunsets. Margs. Chicken. Brats. Veggies. Sangria. Decks. Potatoes. Burgers. Juicy Lucys (Minnesota represent). Friends. Music. Smores. Bonfires. Help I can’t stop drinking romesco sauce.

Romesco sauce in jars.

How to Make Romesco Happen

Let’s get this happening up in your life right. now.

Do you have a blender? And do you have a small spatula to preserve every last lick? Awesome – then we are set.

Plop these items in your blender or food processor. Give them a go-round a few times till everything gets nice and friendly with each other:

  • Roasted red peppers – you can make your own and we’ll all be proud of you! but it’s summer and the whole point here is to NOT spend a ton of time in the kitchen so the rest of us will be over here with our jarred roasted red peppers and we’ll be proud of ourselves, too.
  • Plum tomatoes – canned is fine but HECK YES it’s summer and HECK YES there are tomatoes growing in your garden and HECK YES you can use them here.
  • Almonds – they make it more textured and more thickened and generally just satisfying and interesting. which is just how I like my food.
  • Olive oil – we’re talking creamy-like emulsion here. DREAMS COMING TRUE.
  • Lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and salt – the makers of good-tasting food.

ANNNNND GO.

Romesco Sauce Ingredients in a blender.
Romesco Sauce in a blender.

And just like that, you made the ultimate sauce with which you can create hundreds of summer meals. YOU ROCK!

What to Serve with Romesco

Do we even need to talk about what this sauce could be paired with or is your mind already spinning with ideas? (Leave a comment I’m greedy for your ideas 👇 )

Most recently, I had this Romesco Sauce over chicken mozzarella meatballs (but for real) and crispy potatoes which basically makes the BEST combo for meal prep. In case you’re wondering, I made broccoli to go with it which conveniently got charred to a crisp and wasn’t able to join the party. Some things are just not meant to be, amiright?

Romesco Sauce plus poached eggs sound pretty amazing, as does grilled chicken slash grilled ANYTHING with a shmear of this over top.

This is the lifesaver of the Summer Meal and I think you’re going to love it because around here we are lovers of all the sauces. Cheers to you and your Romesco Sauce adventures. Go forth and be saucy!

Romesco sauce on a spoon.

Common Questions About Romesco Sauce

Can I make this without nuts?

Yes, you could sub in sunflower or pumpkin seeds/pepitas. Some classic romesco sauces actually use a piece of crusty bread to thicken the sauce as well, so that’s an option as well if you’re not gluten-free!

Can I roast my own peppers instead of using jarred?

Look at you, fancy! Yes, you can. A jar of roasted red peppers *should* be about two peppers, but feel free to weigh out 12 ounces after roasting.

Can I used canned plum tomatoes instead of fresh?

Yep! Highly recommend those summer-fresh tomatoes though.

5 Minute Romesco Sauce


  • Author: Pinch of Yum
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 mins
  • Total Time: 7 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups sauce (about 4 servings)

Description

Romesco Sauce! Ready in 5 minutes and perfect for serving with grilled chicken, vegetables, crispy potatoes, eggs, and more. Made with roasted red peppers, plum tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, salt, parsley. vegan / vegetarian.


Ingredients

  • 1 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained
  • 4 small plum tomatoes
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 1/4 cup fresh flat leaf parsley
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • juice of half a lemon

Instructions

  1. Pulse everything together in a blender until it’s texturally right for you (I like it right between chunky and smooth – I leave a little texture with the almonds, but it’s mostly a smooth emulsion).
  2. Serve hot or cold with grilled chicken and vegetables, crispy potatoes, eggs… the possibilities are endless.

Equipment

Notes

The equipment section above contains an affiliate link to a product we use and love!

You can used sliced almonds but since you’ll be able to pack more into a cup, use about 3/4 cup vs. the whole almonds where you would use a full cup. This is a very forgiving recipe. Add or subtract as you like, but the almonds do help thicken the whole thing so don’t omit those!

If you have a nut allergy, try sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead.

  • Category: Sauce
  • Cuisine: Spanish

Keywords: romesco sauce, easy romesco sauce

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Monday, July 13, 2020

Chipotle Cashew Queso

Chipotle cashew queso in a bowl with a spoon.

Smoky, silky smooth, and beyond creamy – this is chipotle cashew queso.

I have good news for you:

  • This chipotle cashew business is vegan. (But tastes good universally!)
  • It’s is extremely versatile and goes even beyond Mexican-inspired or Tex-Mex recipes to be delicious on almost everything.
  • IT COULD NOT BE EASIER TO MAKE.

I will never apologize for sharing REALLY YUMMY recipes that are too easy because easy is where it’s at!

It’s summer, and it’s not a time that we love to be in the kitchen, and can we just please help ourselves out by removing as many barriers to making homemade food as possible right now okay thanks.

You need five ingredients: cashews, chili powder, salt, a chipotle pepper or two, and diced green chiles (they give it a true queso-y taste),

Ingredients for cashew queso in a blender.

Blend that gang up until they’re nice and smooth and creamayyy:

Cashew queso blended in a blender.

And you’re done. You’ve basically made dinner. Get ready for the fun part:

Put it on anything.

  • Tacos
  • Fajitas
  • Nachos
  • Roasted corn
  • Chips, solo
  • Quesadillas
  • Rice bowls
  • Grilled Southwest-y chicken

(Pictured here on the vegan sheet pan fajitas that are too good and too easy for life. We don’t even deserve their wonderfulness.)

Cashew queso on vegan fajitas.

Take out your blender, gather your goods, and keep the chips handy.

It’s chipotle cashew queso time.

Common Questions about Cashew Queso

Can I make this nut-free?

This recipe is dependent on using nuts, so if you need a nut-free alternative, another recipe like this one might be your best bet!

Is this super spicy?

It’s got a little kick, so if you’re super sensitive to spice, you can use half the amount of chipotle pepper.

What if I don’t have a high-powered blender?

It might help to soak the cashew in hot water for 1-2 hours to help soften them.

How long will this keep in the fridge?

It will keep for 2-3 days in the first (but will be gone fast!).

Chipotle Cashew Queso


  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

Smoky, silky smooth, beyond creamy Chipotle Cashew Queso! Made with all pantry ingredients that you just toss in a blender. Top it on tacos, fajitas, nachos and more!


Ingredients

  • 1 cup cashews
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 (4-ounce) can diced green chiles
  • 1 chipotle pepper canned in adobo (more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (more if your cashews are unsalted)
  • optional, for more oomph: 1-2 tablespoons of the chipotle adobo sauce, or 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • optional, for more cheeziness: 2-4 tablespoons nutritional yeast

Instructions

  1. Blend everything together at a high speed until very smooth. Taste and adjust.
  2. Serve on tacos, fajitas, nachos, rice bowls, grilled chicken and veggies, with straight chips, really ANYTHING. It’s pure smoky, cheezy goodness.

Equipment

Notes

The equipment section above contains an affiliate link to a product we use and love!

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