tomato vegetable casserole with chickpeas

This makes 6 servings approximately 2 WeightWatchers points each, or 4 servings @ around 3 points each.

A one dish wonder with an overload of veggie goodness. Put this together beforehand and just leave the topping off till you're ready to bake. Nice served with a fresh crunchy salad or some steamed greens and maybe a side of pasta or bread to sop up the juices.


for the bread crumb topping:

2 slice whole-wheat bread
4 TBS Nutritional Yeast
1 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp garlic powder
salt to taste

for the casserole:

1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed & drained
1 eggplant, peeled & cubed
1 zucchini, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
a handful of baby carrots, halved
a couple handfuls of broccoli florets
4 small vine-ripened tomatoes, cut into chunks
tomato sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 450.

Make the breadcrumbs by first toasting the bread and then adding it to a food processor with the other ingredients and blending till it becomes a crumb consistancy. Make sure to salt to taste, proper salting is key when using nutritional yeast so you have to check it for taste.

Place all the veggies & the chickpeas in an oil-sprayed baking dish and mist them with a bit more oil, too.

Spoon a very thin layer of your favorite tomato sauce over the top and then sprinkle w/the breadcrumb mixture, mist lightly one more time w/oil, and cover with foil. Bake for approximately 1/2 hour, remove foil and continue to bake 1/2 hour more.

summer solstice breakfast

This year we’re having an easy morning feast for Litha so we can get out and enjoy the rest of the beautiful sunshiney day:


Menu for a Golden Breakfast Buffet
(Servings: 4)


Sunshine Yogurt Parfaits

Ingredients:

4 or 5 6oz containers lemon soy yogurt, emptied into a bowl
2-3 cups granola
¼ cup or so of sunflower seeds
½ cup or so of golden raisins
2-3 cups pineapple, peach & cantaloupe chunks

Instructions:

Spread out all the different ingredients in various bowls and let everyone layer their own parfaits buffet-style.

Toast-point Sun Wheels – trim crusts off 4 slices whole grain toast, spread w/almond butter & top w/orange marmalade. Cut each slice into 4 triangles and arrange pinwheel fashion on small plates. You can even make it look cuter by placing a cherry or strawberry in the center :)

Sparkling Solar Punch – in a large bowl or pitcher, mix equal parts white cranberry & pineapple juices. Add a splash or two of seltzer (perhaps champagne for the grown-ups).

For more summer solstice ideas click here.