Monthly Archives: November 2015

Poppy Chow

Poppy Chow (chocolate peanut butter popcorn) | GuessWhosCooking.com | Less calories, carbohydates, and sugar, gluten free, egg free, can be made vegan and dairy freeThat’s not a typo – poppy chow is a lighter twist on an old favorite recipe called “puppy chow,” or sometimes “muddy buddies.” The cereal is replaced with popcorn, which is lighter in calories and carbohydrates by volume. A few other little tweaks have been made to this recipe to make ita little less unhealthy without sacrificing taste. This makes a great edible homemade holiday gift!

You can also try making this recipe with other substitutes for cereal – sliced almonds, whole almonds, coconut flakes, or pumpkin seeds! To make it vegan and dairy free, look for vegan chocolate chips.

 

Poppy Chow

Serves 8
Meal type Dessert, Snack
Poppy chow is a lighter twist on "puppy chow," traditionally made with Chex cereal.

Ingredients

  • 7 tablespoons virgin coconut oil (divided)
  • 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions

Step 1
Make the popcorn: In a large stock pot, melt 3 tablespoons oil over medium high heat, add 3-4 popcorn kernels, and cover. When the kernels pop, add the remaining kernels and cover. Remove from heat for 30 seconds, then return to heat. Once the popping starts, continuously shake the pot gently back and forth until 2-3 seconds pass between pops. Remove from heat.
Step 2
Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, remaining coconut oil, and vanilla extract in the microwave or in a double boiler. Discard all unpopped kernels and toss with melted chocolate mixture in a large bowl. Toss until all popcorn is coated. Let cool until chocolate mixture is tacky but not hot, then toss with powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, until popcorn is coated. Let cool, then store in an airtight container.

“Puppy Chow” Flavored Pumpkin Seeds

Puppy Chow Flavored Pumpkin Seeds (chocolate and peanut butter) | GuessWhosCooking.com | Less carbohydates and sugar, gluten free, egg free, can be made vegan and dairy free

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie (no bake)

I wanted to share this recipe from Chocolate Covered Katie, a healthier dessert blog. It is very easy to make, and quick because there is no baking involved. It tastes like a rich chocolate cream pie, but is made with a vegetable (pumpkin) instead of cream, making this recipe lower in saturated fat, higher in beneficial nutrients, and can also be made vegan/dairy-free! This recipe can be made gluten-free if you skip the pie crust, making it into more of a mousse, or making your own pie crust with a nut base. I found that the mixture has a stronger pumpkin taste at first, but tastes more just like a chocolate pie after chilling for one day.

If you’re highly motivated, you can make this pie with fresh, homemade pumpkin puree. If not, use canned. You may find that certain brands, especially organic brands, have a different taste from the canned pumpkin with which you are more familiar. That is because canned pumpkin can be made with different blends of pumpkin and other squash. This may be off-putting, but again, this pie seems to lose the strong pumpkin flavor after one day.

You may find pumpkin in an aseptic carton (brand name Tetra Pak) rather than a can. Please note that these cartons are not recyclable in all areas, so check here to find out if these shelf-stable cartons can be recycled where you live.

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Recipe – from ChocolateCoveredKatie.com

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie (no bake) | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, dairy free, egg free, vegan, vegetarian, low carb, less sugar added, can be made gluten-free

Shown in a whole grain pie crust, which you may be lucky enough to find at your grocery store!

Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup

This compilation was originally assembled in 2015, but has been updated in 2018. Here are some delicious recipes for Thanksgiving sides, desserts, and ideas for leftovers. Everything is vegetarian and many recipes are completely plant-based. No recipes contain dairy, but if you need it to be dairy-free, be sure to double check the chocolate ingredients! Enjoy!

Thanksgiving Recipe Roundup - 5 sides, 5 desserts, and 5 ways to use leftovers

Sides

Green bean casserole photo
Green Bean Casserole from scratch – plant-based
Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Grapes and Balsamic Reduction – plant-based
Vegan broccoli salad
Vegan Bacon-Flavored Broccoli Salad – plant-based
Garlic Cauliflower Mash
Garlic Cauliflower Mash – plant-based
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Dill – plant-based

Desserts

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie (no bake) – plant-based
Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos
Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos – can be plant-based (depending on chocolate)
Chickpea Blondies
Chickpea Blondies – can be plant-based depending on chocolate
"Anyberry" Cobbler with Coconut Milk Ice Cream
“Anyberry” Cobbler with Coconut Milk Ice Cream
Pumpkin Streusel Pie - No Oven Required guesswhoscooking.com
Pumpkin Streusel Pie – No Oven Required

 

Ways to Use Leftovers

If you’re cooking pumpkin or any other kind of winter squash, save the seeds! Clean and dry them, then try one of the two recipes below.

2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes
2 Ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes – vegetarian

Leftover baked sweet potatoes or sweet potato mash? Mix with eggs and super simple pancakes!

Easy Cauliflower Fried “Rice” – plant-based

You can also toss leftover veggies into cauliflower fried “rice.”

Egg Muffins
Egg Muffins or Frittata Muffins – can be vegetarian

Leftover veggies? Chop them up and use them in an omelet, or an omelet muffin!

Salt and Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds
Salt and Vinegar Pumpkin Seeds – plant-based and one of Guess Who’s Cooking’s most popular recipes!
Chex Mix Flavored Pumpkin Seeds
Chex Mix Flavored Pumpkin Seeds – plant-based