Fall Couscous with Butternut Squash

Here’s another fall recipe for you guys! I don’t work with squash very often, but we have a big bag of frozen squash chunks in our freezer and it’s fall so I figured it’s time to bring it out😂 Another ingredient that I haven’t used in a looooong while is couscous. I’ve been on the quinoa train, but couscous is actually really good! It’s basically just really small beads of pasta made from durum wheat, and it cooks super fast so it’s very convenient. Combining these two underrated ingredients with some other awesome stuff is going to give you the perfect fall side dish🙌🙌

We’re roasting up the butternut squash along with chickpeas and red onion, and everything is going to get SUPER caramelized and delicious. The couscous takes like 5 minutes, so it can be whipped up just as you’re taking the veg out of the oven. For some crunch (and extra autumn-y-ness) we’ve got pumpkin seeds! Then everything is tossed together with a tahini and apple cider vinegar dressing😍

I love how the couscous almost absorbs the dressing, so it’s just full of great flavour. And of course, roasted veg is my fave! Honestly, how else would you eat squash? Boiled? Just not as good. I hope you enjoy this awesome fall dish!

Fall Couscous with Butternut Squash

Serves: 4-6

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Couscous:

  • 3 cups frozen butternut squash chunks
  • 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 small red onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup couscous
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 2/3 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vunegar
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Toss the butternut squash, onion, and chickpeas in a large bowl with the olive oil and some salt and pepper. Dump the veg onto a parchment lined baking sheet, and roast for 30-35 minutes, until the squash is soft and caramelized and the chickpeas are crispy.
  3. Bring the water for the couscous to boil in a small pot. Add in the couscous, remove from the heat, and let it stand for 5 minutes until cooked.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together all of the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
  5. Toss together the couscous and roasted veggies in a large bowl. Add in the pumpkin seeds and dressing, and mix until everything is combined.
  6. Enjoy!!

Have a great Thanksgiving weekend everyone!!

Your Truly,

Olivia:))

Apple Pie

Hi guys! There’s nothing better to end off the week than a nice slice of Apple Pie, and that’s just what I made today. This Pie has a super easy to make crust, a delicious, cinnamony filling, and is no bake!!! There’s no refined sugar in it either, and is healthy so you can feel good about eating it. Don’t get me wrong though; this Pie is SUPER tasty, especially when it comes to the filling. Hope you enjoy!!

Apple Pie

Serves: Makes 1 9-inch pie

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

For the crust:

  • 2 1/2 cups oat flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 tbs maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup water

For the filling:

  • 3 medium apples, diced
  • 1 tbs cinnamon
  • 1/2 tbs vanilla
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbs oat flour

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, combine the crust ingredients until a dough forms. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate, taking a little bit out if the crust is too thick. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 15 minutes, then place in the fridge.
  2. In a pot, add in the apples, cinnamon, vanilla and water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let the filling cook for 10-15 minutes until the apples are soft and any remaining liquid is syrupy. Add in the oat flour and cook for another 2 minutes, then remove from the heat.
  3. Let the filling cool, then spread it in an even layer on the crust. Cover with plastic wrap again and place in the fridge to cool completely before eating.
  4. Enjoy!

This Pie is just what you need to snuggle up by the fire with on those cold winter nights;) Have a great weekend everyone!

Yours Truly,

MyDayIsBooked:)))

Stuffed Mushrooms

Hi guys! I’m back at school again, and back to making lunches. On my Instagram story you can see what I’m eating for lunch each day, which will hopefully give you some inspiration. I’d also like to do some more lunch recipes in the future;)

Today, however, I’d like to feature one of my favourite veggies: Mushrooms!! I love mushrooms so much- they have a great earthy and deep flavour that is rich and delicious. They’re great any way you prepare them; sautéed, roasted, fried, or even raw with some hummus! I have a tasty stuffed mushroom recipe for you guys that also packs in some protein because it uses soft tofu in the stuffing. If you’re new to using tofu or would like to learn more about it, I give sort of the run down on this soy protein in my previous post, Soy Marinated Tofu.

From the sautéed onion to the splash of balsamic vinegar and fresh thyme, everything about these mushrooms screams homey deliciousness! Hope you enjoy;)))

Stuffed Mushrooms

Serves: 3-4

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 1/4 of a large onion, diced
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 12 medium sized white mushrooms
  • 1 tsp dried Thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp ground thyme)
  • 2 tbs balsamic vinegar
  • 1 block (85g) soft tofu
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Wash the mushrooms and remove the stems by gently pulling them out. Set the mushroom caps aside and dice the stems.
  2. In a small bowl, mash the soft tofu until it resembles cottage cheese. Set aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add in the onion and cook until translucent, about 6 minutes. Add in the garlic and mushroom stems, and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
  4. Pour in the balsamic vinegar and add in the thyme. Let the mixture cook for about 4 more minutes, until most of the liquid has cooked off.
  5. Add in the soft tofu and stir, combining all of the ingredients before letting them cook for an additional 4 minutes, then remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
  6. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  7. Place the hollow mushroom caps on a parchment lined baking sheet. Scoop about a teaspoon of filling into each.
  8. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
  9. Enjoy!!

Have a great week everyone!

Yours Truly,

MyDayIsBooked;)

Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Ok, these Brussels sprouts are life changing. LIFE. CHANGING. If you’re a Brussels sprout hater, than this combination of sweet and vinegary flavours will convert you. They’re crispy and easy to make as well! These sprouts are a great addition to your holiday menu. Here’s the recipe.

Maple Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

Total Time: 40 minutes

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

  • 13 Brussels sprouts, cut in half lengthwise
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Toss the Brussels sprouts with the olive oil on a sheet pan lined with parchment. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  3. Bake for about 25 minutes, until crispy.
  4. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the balsamic and maple syrup. Put back on the pan and bake for another 5 minutes.
  5. Remove from the oven and enjoy!

Hope you enjoy this holiday recipe!

Yours Truly,

MyDayIsBooked;))

Festive Jam Cookies

Hey people:) I have another dessert recipe today because I have a sweet tooth that cannot be satisfied! Since cookies are the creme de la creme of Christmas baking, I had to put my spin on the classic sugar cookie. These Festive Jam Cookies are crumbly and delicate and filled with a delicious homemade jam. Store bought works too, but making your own eliminates all of the refined sugar. They look beautiful on a holiday dessert platter, are gluten free and vegan! Hope you enjoy these mouth watering treats;))

Festive Jam Cookies

Serves: Makes about 12 Sandwich Cookies

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

  • 2 cups oat flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 2 tbs water (plus more if needed)

For the Jam

  • 2 cups frozen berries
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
  • 1 tbsp oat flour

Directions:

  1. Stir together the oat flour and spices in a large bowl. Add in the coconut oil and maple syrup and combine until a crumbly mixture forms. Add in the water and use your hands to form a dough.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. On a clean surface, roll out the cookie dough. Use a doughnut-shaped cutter to cut out individual cookies and place them on a parchment lined baking sheet. If at any time the dough becomes too dry to roll out, and a tablespoon of water and knead it into the dough.
  4. Bake the cookies for about 20 minutes, until they’re slightly browned on the bottom. Let cool completely before filling with jam.
  5. While the cookies are baking and cooling, combine the frozen berries and water in a small pot. Bring to a boil and then let simmer for about 6 minutes, until most of the water has cooked off and the berries are thawed. Use a potato masher to mash the berries, leaving about half of them whole. Stir in the oat flour and continue to simmer for another few minutes until the Jam has thickened. Set aside and let it cool completely.
  6. Once the Jam and cookies are both cool, start assembling. Scoop the Jam onto the bottom flat side of a cookie. Gently press another cookie on top to form a sandwich, making sure that the top of the cookie is facing up. Repeat this process until the rest of the cookies have been filled.
  7. Store in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy!!

See you guys Wednesday! In the meantime I’ll be munching on a bunch of Christmas treats…

Yours Truly,

MyDayIsBooked;))