Pesto Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed cauliflower seems to be a huge buzz right now in the food world. It is a great lower calorie and lower carbohydrate version of mashed potatoes, but tastes just as delicious. I wanted to create a twist to this recipe by making a pesto version of this dish. Enjoy!

Makes 4 servings as a side dish

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cauliflower, chopped
• 1 tsp of minced garlic (if you are sensitive to garlic, reduce the amount)
• 1 Tbsp of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of fresh basil, packed
• 1.5 oz of pine nuts
• 2 tsp of nutritional yeast
• juice of 1/2 a lemon
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add a dash of salt to the pot. Add the chopped cauliflower into the pot. Cover the pot, bring to a simmer, and cook until the cauliflower is fully cooked.
2. Drain the water from the pot and let the cauliflower cool for several minutes.
3. Put the cauliflower in a food processor along with the garlic, olive oil, basil, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and desired amount of salt and pepper. Purée until smooth and creamy, but not liquidy.
4. Transfer the mashed cauliflower back into the pot and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes to incorporate all of the flavors. Serve warm.

Benefits of this recipe:

-Cauliflower helps lower cancer risk, fights inflammation, decreases risk of heart disease, provides high levels of vitamins and minerals, improves digestion and detoxification, helps balance hormones, and preserves eye health.

The information on the benefits of the ingredients was researched from http://www.draxe.com

 

6 Delicious Vegan Side Dishes for Thanksgiving

Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is just a few days away! I am looking forward to making a delicious turkey-less feast for my family. Our annual vegan thanksgiving meal consists of seasonal vegetables, pumpkin flavored goodies, and traditional dishes with a plant-based twist. I have put together a list of my favorite recipes that would make great side dishes for your family’s thanksgiving meal. Enjoy!

Carmelized Beet & Sweet Potato Farro with Roasted Chickpeas

 

 

Classic Vegan Mashed Potatoes

 

 

Pumpkin Hummus

 

 

Honeycrisp Apple Salad with Candied Walnuts & Dates

 

 

Lemony Walnut-Pesto Brussel Sprouts

 

 

Wild Rice Stuffed Butternut Squash

Creamy Avocado Pesto Salad

I love pesto, so combining a leafy green salad with savory pesto dressing is a no-brainer for me. This salad is packed with the flavors of fresh herbs and lemony goodness. The avocado is loaded with nourishing healthy fats and creates a creaminess to this salad. Enjoy!

Preparation + Cook Time: 30 minutes

Makes about 5-6 servings

For the Pesto Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 C Packed Fresh Basil
• 2 T Fresh Lemon Juice
• 1/4 C Pine Nuts
• 1/3 C Raw Cashews
• 1/4 C Olive Oil
• 1/4 t Minced Garlic
• 1 T Water
• Dash of Salt & Pepper
• 1 T Nutritional Yeast

Instructions:

1. Put all of the ingredients for the pesto dressing into a food processor or blender and mix until smooth. Scoop into a bowl and set aside. 

For the Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 Avocados
• 2 T Fresh Lemon Juice
• Dash of Salt & Pepper
• 1 15 oz can of Chickpeas
• 1/2 a Cucumber, chopped
• 1/4 C Green Onion, chopped
• 1/4 C Fresh Cilantro, chopped
• 6 C  Spring Greens Mix or Arugula
• 1/4 C Cashews, chopped 

Instructions:

1. Cut the avocados into small cubes. Put them into a large salad bowl.
2. Add the lemon juice to the avocados and mix until the avocados are evenly coated. Add a dash of Salt & Pepper. 
3. Drain the chickpeas. Add to the bowl of avocado. Stir to combine. Now, add the cucumber, green onions, and cilantro. Stir again to combine.
4. Add the spring greens. Toss the salad and add the pesto dressing. (You may not need to add all of the pesto if you don’t want as much dressing). Add more salt and pepper to taste.
5. Top with the chopped cashews and serve.

Benefits of this recipe:

–Avocado protects heart health, aids in better digestive health, protects from diabetes, balances hormones naturally, and boosts your mood. It is also great for keeping your hair, skin, and eyes healthy.

-Basil contains disease fighting antioxidants, helps lower inflammation in the body, reduces stress, fights depression and anxiety, supports the liver, and promotes cardiovascular health.

-Salad greens or arugula protects eye health, improves heart health, helps maintain strong bones, improves digestion, helps prevent diabetes, and reduces skin inflammation.

-Chickpeas help control blood sugar levels, improves digestion because of high fiber content, helps protect against heart disease, is a good source of protein, and contains many beneficial vitamins and minerals such as zinc, folate, phosphorus, and B vitamins.

The information on the benefits of the ingredients was researched from http://www.draxe.com

 

 

Lemony Walnut-Pesto Brussel Sprouts

There’s no better way to do Brussel sprouts than mixing it with homemade pesto. These sprouts are nutty, lemony, and full of great flavor. Enjoy!

Preparation + Cook Time: 50 minutes

Makes about 6-7 servings

Ingredients:

For Pesto Sauce:

• 2 C Packed Fresh Basil Leaves
• 1 C Raw Walnuts
• 1/4 C + 1 T Olive Oil
• 1 T Nutritional Yeast
• 1/2 t minced Garlic
• Juice of 1/2 a Lemon
• 1 T Water
• Salt & Pepper

For Brussel Sprouts:

• 2 lbs Brussel Sprouts
• 1 T Olive Oil
• 1/4 C Pine Nuts (Optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all the ingredients for the pesto in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and set aside.
3. Prepare the Brussel sprouts. Wash and chop them in half. Line a baking sheet with tin foil. Spread the sprouts on the sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Cook in the oven for 25 minutes.
4. Take the baking sheet out of the oven. Transfer the sprouts into a bowl. Pour the pesto sauce over the sprouts and mix together. Top with chopped walnuts or pine nuts.

Benefits of this recipe:

-Brussel Sprouts are one of the best suppliers of Vitamin K (which keeps your bones healthy), Vitamin C (which boosts immunity),balances blood sugar, improves brain function, and protects eye & skin health

-Walnuts contain Omega-3s, improve brain and heart health, and help fight depression

The information on the benefits of the ingredients was researched from http://www.draxe.com