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Pesto Pizza {with roasted red pepper, tomato and roasted corn}

August 21, 2013 · by Ari ·

Pesto Pizza with roasted red pepper, tomato and roasted corn

If I had to choose one food to eat for the rest of my life and cilantro didn’t count, I would probably choose pizza. Goat cheese is right up there too, but I would just put the goat cheese ON the pizza. In fact, I kind of can’t believe I didn’t put it on this pizza. You could though. It would be delicious.

Pesto Pizza with roasted red pepper, tomato and roasted corn

I mean, you really can’t go wrong with carbs and cheese. My two favorite food groups. Add in some homemade ricotta pesto, and you’ve got yourself a ridiculously easy and impressive homemade pizza for any day of the week!

Pesto Pizza with roasted red pepper, tomato and roasted corn

The pesto and the corn are without a doubt my favorite part. I loved the pesto on it’s own, and on a pizza it got EVEN BETTER. Plus, I looooove roasted corn, especially in the summer. I seek it out on menus when I go out to eat, and put it in almost everything I make at home. Sweet and crisp–it takes almost any dish to the next level!

Pesto Pizza with roasted red pepper, tomato and roasted corn

Print
Pesto Pizza {with roasted red pepper, tomato and roasted corn}

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Yield: 3-4 servings

Pesto Pizza {with roasted red pepper, tomato and roasted corn}

Ingredients

  • 1 lb whole wheat pizza dough (I used Trader Joe's brand), at room temperature
  • 1-2 tbsp cornmeal
  • 1 batch ricotta pesto
  • 6-8oz freshly shredded part skim mozzarella
  • 1 red bell pepper, roasted and chopped
  • kernels from 1 ear roasted corn
  • 2 roma tomatoes, sliced
  • heavy pinch oregano
  • pinch pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 450. If using a pizza stone, leave it in the oven for 30 minutes. Sprinkle cornmeal over a sheet of parchment paper. Place dough on parchment paper and roll into desired shape. Alternately, use your hands to stretch it out into desired shape, then place on parchment paper.Transfer to pizza stone or baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
  2. Remove from oven and evenly spread pesto over the pizza. Top with cheese, corn and sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle oregano and pepper on top.
  3. Bake until crust is cooked throughout and cheese is bubbling, about an other 15-20 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
3.1
https://arismenu.com/pesto-pizza/

Filed Under: Entree, Holiday & Seasonal, pizza, Vegetarian · Tagged: corn, dinner, lunch, pesto, pesto pizza, pizza, recipe, ricotta pesto, vegetarian, whole grain pizza

Black Bean Burger Salad

June 16, 2013 · by Ari ·

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette #glutenfree

In the summertime, the only things I crave other than burgers (and grilled food in general) are big, delicious, cool and refreshing salads. I’m not talking the kind of “salad” that is some lettuce thrown on a plate and then drowned with ranch dressing. My salads need to be loaded with flavor, and they have to have a little something special to keep me interested.

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette #glutenfree

I also always love a new way to eat one of my favorite foods. I fell head over heels for these black bean burgers at first bite, and since I almost never make the same meal twice, I wanted a new way to enjoy them. I have to say, I like them even better this way!

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette #glutenfree

The bold, spicy burgers balance perfectly with the fresh, crisp lettuce and cucumber, and the sweet tomatoes, peppers, roasted corn and dried cranberries. And that tangy, creamy goat cheese on top? Flavor heaven. Not to mention the sweet and spicy cilantro lime vinaigrette. It is legit the best salad dressing I have ever tasted.

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette #glutenfree

If you don’t do dairy, you could leave the goat cheese off and replace it with avocado. I mean, you should probably just add avocado anyway to all things, but especially if you leave the cheese off. This salad is perfect for summer (or any time), and I even continued to make it with my left over black bean burgers for the entire rest of the week! You can also easily double or triple it if you’re serving a bigger group!

Print
Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

Black Bean Burger Salad with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 2 ears corn
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 heart of romain, chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 large cucumber, chopped
  • 1/3 cup dried cranberries
  • 2 black bean burgers*
  • 3 oz goat cheese
  • For the Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette:
  • 2 limes
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2/3 cup cilantro
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeds removed
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Drizzle corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast at 400 until golden and tender, about an hour.
  2. Prepare the dressing by adding the zest of 1 lime, and the juice of two with all remaining ingredients in your food processor and pulsing until combined and smooth, about 1 minute.
  3. For the salad, gently toss together roasted corn, lettuce, tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, and cranberries. Transfer to serving dishes. Crumble 1 black bean burger and 1.5 oz goat cheese on top of each salad. Serve with prepared dressing.

Notes

*Store bought/frozen black bean burgers may be used. Cook per package instructions before adding to your salad.

**To keep vegan, avocado may be subbed for goat cheese and agave may be subbed for honey in the dressing.

3.1
https://arismenu.com/black-bean-burger-salad/

Filed Under: Appetizers, Dinner, Entree, Gluten-free, Holiday & Seasonal, Lunch, Salads, savory, Summer, Vegetarian · Tagged: beans, black bean burger, cheese, cilantro, corn, dinner, gluten free, lunch, recipe, salad, summer, vegetarian

Roasted Corn Black Bean Salad

June 5, 2013 · by Ari ·

Roasted Corn Black Bean Salad #vegan #glutenfree

You guys…it is HOT here. Have I mentioned that? Complained about highs of 110*?? Wahhhh, I live in Arizona and 5 months out of the year, I strongly question my life choices.

sted Corn Black Bean Salad #vegan #glutenfree

It’s okay though, because I’ve only got an other 10 days of this madness before I head to the northwest for SIX WEEKS!!! I’m starting with a little vacation in San Francisco to visit my friend Karisa with my New York Husband, then working at a theatre camp in Portland for 5 weeks. I went last summer, and this actually marks my 11th summer between my time as a first student, then counselor and now teacher. I love it. It’s my happy place, and this time of year I always need the recharge of a new environment to remind me why I love what I do.

sted Corn Black Bean Salad #vegan #glutenfree

Anyway, I guess you were maybe here to read about food? Well, I swear the heat relates to the food. You see….it’s hot (redundant, part of 1), and I don’t want to eat anything that doesn’t taste like summer. You know what is, like, the most summeriest food??? CORN!!!!

sted Corn Black Bean Salad #vegan #glutenfree

I just used the words “most summeriest”. Honestly, sometimes I’m not sure why you guys read a word a say. Oh yeah….the food.

sted Corn Black Bean Salad #vegan #glutenfree

This salad is light, refreshing and filled with “most summeriest” flavor. Fresh roasted corn, cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, sweet red peppers, spicy jalapeno and protein-packed black beans come together with just a little olive oil, vinegar, some honey or agave (I love honey, but my bee loving friends are free to use agave!), fresh lime juice, and of course, my favorite food–cilantro! So many of my favorite things in one summer salad. I also love that with all the protein, it can be used as a meal, or a side dish–your choice. I’ve been eating it on the side with my 5 billion different burgers, but I also like it for lunch. However you eat it, you will love the light, fresh taste and bold flavor profile!

Print
Roasted Corn Black Bean Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Yield: approx 16

Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Roasted Corn Black Bean Salad

This simple, easy, vegan and gluten-free summer salad is refreshing, and easy to put together in bulk for lunches, dinner sides or a BBQ!

Ingredients

  • 3 ears corn, husked
  • 2 1/2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 3 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey or agave
  • 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 red bell peppers, chopped
  • 3 persian (or 1 large) cucumbers, chopped
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
  • 2 16 oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/3 cup cilantro leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • generous pinch each salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Drizzle corn with 1 tbsp olive oil and roast at 400 until golden, about an hour.
  2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil, rice vinegar, honey/agave, and lime juice. Set aside.
  3. Cut kernels from cooked corn and place in a large bowl. Add onion, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, jalapeno, black beans and cilantro. Season with cumin, salt and pepper. Add prepared dressing and toss lightly. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7-10 days.
3.1
https://arismenu.com/roasted-corn-black-bean-salad/

Filed Under: Gluten-free, Holiday & Seasonal, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: bbq, black beans, corn, gluten free, lunch.dinner, salad, side, summer, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian

Cheesy Broccoli Soup with Roasted Corn

January 28, 2013 · by Ari ·

The weather has been unusually cold and rainy here in Phoenix. Not that I’m complaining. We only get about 5 days a year of this, and so it’s kind of like a treat. I generally like to keep my schedule jam packed, constantly going from one thing to the next, but when the weather gets like this, it’s like one of life’s little reminders to slow down, cuddle up under a blanket with the puppies, and listen to the rainfall.

brocollicheddarsoup-16

Oh, and eat my body weight in rich. creamy, hot soup. I could probably eat soup year round. I love it sososo much, but when it’s 115* outside, it sort of loses it’s luster, if you know what I mean.

brocollicheddarsoup-12

Therefore, after December 25th, when I stop eating cookies for dinner every single night, I usually declare the month of January soup month, and cook pretty much only soup for the entire month. I’m sure my husband loves it, and never gets bored.

brocollicheddarsoup-11

I’m such a creature of habbit. Have I ever told you I eat the same thing for breakfast every.single.day.? Pumpkin, Greek yogurt, chopped apple, chia seeds, spices, and cereal on top. It’s really….weird. But I love it. Steve makes fun of it. I find him rude. Also, when I find a lunch I’m into, I eat that every day as well. Lately, it’s a grilled sandwich with hummus, cheese, mustard, and lots of veggies. It’s delicious.

brocollicheddarsoup-9

So, I’ve been enjoying my month of soup. I had a serious craving for broccoli cheddar soup, and then I went grocery shopping and saw that the ears of corn actually looked good. In January. I decided that was a sign that corn needed to make it’s way into my soup.

brocollicheddarsoup-1

 

This isn’t your typical broccoli cheese soup. The corn makes it thick, and chunky, and it’s more creamy than cheesey, because I didn’t want to add an entire block of cheese. Right about the time it was ready, I got reallll nervous, and told Jason we might just be eating bread for dinner (I made some really delicious biscuits to go with it that I never doubted for a second), but I decided I would take pictures juuuust in case. Then I took a bite, and I couldn’t believe how much I loved it! It was different than what I was expecting with the initial broccoli cheddar feel, but I absolutely loved the rich creaminess with the texture of the broccoli and corn.

 

Cheesey Broccoli Soup with Roasted Corn

yield 6 servings

  • 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 3 ears sweet corn
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 3 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 3 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 lb fresh broccoli florets, chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • dash hot sauce
  • 4 oz freshly grated reduced fat cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400. Place corn in a large baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and add salt and pepper if desired. Roast for 1 hour until lightly browned.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large pot over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in olive oil until fragrant. Add almond milk and veggie stalk whisking together for 3-5 minutes. 
  3. Add broccoli, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Reduce heat to medium low, and continue to cook until broccoli is tender, about 40-50 minutes.
  4. Remove pot from heat, and pulse with an immersion blender, until desired consistency (I like mine chunky, so I only pulse it through a few times. For a smoother soup, blend for longer, or transfer soup to a blender to blend completely).
  5. Return pot to heat, turn down to low, and add cheddar cheese. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. When corn is finished cooking, scrape kernels off with a knife. Stir in corn and Greek yogurt, and serve. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Filed Under: Entree, Gluten-free, Side Dish, Soup, Vegetarian · Tagged: broccoli, cheese, corn, dinner, gluten free, recipe, soup, vegetarian

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