Lately, I have been experimenting with no meat. I eat meat.  I love meat. But sometimes I just don’t want meat. So, here’s an ode to vegetarian meals.

Pesto with Couscous, Bocconcini Marinated in Olive Oil and Herbs, Mixed Baby Greens, More Olive Oil, and Lemon Juice.

Buckwheat Soba Noodles, Balsamic and Red Pepper Marinated Tofu, Arugula, Olive Oil, and Fresh Garlic (extra because I love garlic!!)

Open-Faced Toasted Whole-Wheat Tortilla, Hummus, Mache-Rosettes, and Avocado

And then there is tapas (perfect for a movie night).

Mixed Olives in a Sicilian Herb Mix, Hummus with Spicy Pepper Oil, Roasted Almonds in Coconut Oil and Sea Salt, Bocconcini Marinated in Pesto, Flaxseed Crackers, and Flume Raisins. Also, a Robust Cabernet Sauvignon.

Noticeably, I repeat recipes and mix-match daily. Making a batch of pesto goes a long way. Same with hummus or home-roasted nuts. A little prep-time can add to creativity through the work week! For me, cooking isn’t about recipes as it is about fresh nutritious ingredients and melding flavors. I hope you feel inspired to make a meal by your creative inspirations now!