It's Friday! Woohoo! Did you guys check out the guest post from Katie @ From Icecream to Marathon? She shared some great tips for those looking to start running. She's running a half-marathon tomorrow and I just want to take this time to say- GOOD LUCK, KATIE! Can't wait to hear all about it!
One of my monthly goals is to eat 1 vegan meal a week. What is a vegan? A vegan is a person who consumes absolutely no animal products. (No, not even dairy!) I used to be a vegetarian and, do plan on going back to the lifestyle at the start of the new year- but I am a cheese fanatic. Giving up cheese (dairy- not so much, we don't drink cows milk in our house- the thought of milking an animal for their breast milk just grosses me out!) seemed impossible.
Until I discovered Daiya. What is Daiya? I'll whip out my favorite vegan cookbook- Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook and let it tell you:
One of my monthly goals is to eat 1 vegan meal a week. What is a vegan? A vegan is a person who consumes absolutely no animal products. (No, not even dairy!) I used to be a vegetarian and, do plan on going back to the lifestyle at the start of the new year- but I am a cheese fanatic. Giving up cheese (dairy- not so much, we don't drink cows milk in our house- the thought of milking an animal for their breast milk just grosses me out!) seemed impossible.
Until I discovered Daiya. What is Daiya? I'll whip out my favorite vegan cookbook- Skinny Bitch: Ultimate Everyday Cookbook and let it tell you:
"Daiya is a plant-based, soy-free cheese that could hardly be considered an "alternative." It comes in block or shredded cheddar and Italian blends that melt like chocolate in 110-degree heat. Besides being loaded with vitamins B and B12, Daiya has gained the vegan blessing with no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or cholesterol. Did I mention it's low in fat?"It's as amazing as it sounds! Trust me! Here is a recipe I *love* using Daiya's Mozzarella style shreds.
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Spaghetti Squash and Eggplant Marinara
:Ingredients:
1 Medium to large spaghetti squash
1 large eggplant
3 cups of your favorite marinara sauce
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
1 bag of Daiya Mozzarella style shreds
:Directions:
Split the squash in half lengthwise and scoop out the seed. Bake it on a cookie sheet (cut side down) in the oven at 350-degrees until tender. (About 25 minutes.) Let cool.
Get a skillet very hot and add about 4 Tablespoons of olive oil.
Wash your eggplant and slice into 1/4 inch thick slices.
Place slices into skillet and let fry until browned on both sides and drain on paper towels.
*The eggplant really soaks up the oil, so you may need to add a bit more each time you flip them.*
Scoop out the stringy squash flesh into a casserole dish. Salt and pepper the squash and add about a cup of marinara sauce and 1/4 of the bag of Daiya.
Place the fried eggplant slices on top of the squash-- overlapping as necessary.
Salt and pepper, cover with the remaining marinara sauce and Daiya.
Bake in a 350-degree oven until hot and bubbly.
(About 30 minutes)
YUM! Enjoy! It is such a yummy meal!
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Guess what?! The makers of Daiya have provided me with the opportunity to offer a lucky reader the chance to win some free products!
(How neat is that!?)
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**You have 5 chances to win!**
-Leave a comment telling me whether or not you have tried Daiya.
-Follow me on Google and leave a comment saying you did so.
-Follow Mama's Got A Big Belly on Facebook- leave a message saying that you did so.
-Follow Mama's Got A Big Belly on Twitter - leave a message saying that you did so.
-Tweet about this giveaway by copy/pasting this:
Enter to win FREE @daiyacheese on @MamasBellyBlog http://mamasgottabigbelly.blogspot.com #Daiya #Giveaway #Free #BellyBlog
and leaving a comment saying that you did so.
**For more than one entry you must leave a comment for EACH entry. Each comment will count as 1 entry. Winner will be announced next Friday morning!**
I'm so excited for the winner to try this AWESOME product!
Looks yummy! Can you get daiya at any grocery store?
ReplyDeleteIn Mankato- they sell Daiya at the Hilltop Hyvee in the organic section- otherwise you can buy it at the co-op in St. Peter!
DeleteThanks, darlin!!
ReplyDeleteWow, that looks SO good! I wanna win some Daiya!!
I follow you on FB!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! I'm going to have to try this!
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried soaking your eggplant in water before you cook it? I think it stops the eggplant from absorbing so much oil when you're cooking it.
Also, I've never tried daiya. :)
I love your your blog and always look forward to reading when you post something new!
I've always wanted to try Daiya, but I haven't found it in my local grocery store! Awesome giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteI liked you on facebook!
ReplyDeleteI follow you on twitter, too!
ReplyDelete@j_mosh
I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/j_mosh/status/249342453046452224
ReplyDeleteI've never tried it but I've been interested in it. :)
ReplyDeleteCarrie C
I have never tried but would love to!
ReplyDeleteAZIA! I have never tried Daiya! Looks and sounds amazing, though! Thanks for this recipe--I'm going to try and make it asap! LOVE this blog, friend! :)
ReplyDelete