Tag Archives: holiday

Mashed Cauli-tatoes

This one pot recipe is so simple but so hearty. The 50/50 mixture of cauliflower and potatoes takes on the starchiness of the potatoes to create a rich and creamy consistency very similar to traditional mashed potatoes. There is no need to steam the cauliflower separately, simply place it on top of the potatoes while they boil and cover, essentially steaming it in the same pot! It is completely plant-based, simply replacing butter with olive oil and milk with a plant-based milk such as cashew.

Mashed Cauli-tatoes

A simple and hearty mixture of cauliflower and potatoes that rivals traditional mashed potatoes! 

Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword comfort food, plant-based, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 cups potatoes, peeled and chopped ideally organic, about 2 pounds
  • 5 cups cauliflower florets 1 medium head
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or non-dairy butter
  • 1/2 cup plain and unsweetened cashew or other plant milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Place potatoes in a stockpot and cover with water and a lid. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes.

  2. Add cauliflower to the pot on top of the potatoes and cover. Continue cooking until a knife slides easily into the cauliflower and potatoes, about 10 minutes more, adding more water if necessary.

  3. Drain the cauliflower and potatoes, then mash with a potato masher or whisk. Add oil or butter and ¼ cup milk and continue mashing. Add salt and pepper to taste, and more milk if necessary to reach desired consistency. 

Chai Tea Mix

This chai tea mix makes a thoughtful homemade holiday gift. Just add the tea and spices to a jar and attach the simple brewing instructions! If available in a store near you, buy the spices in bulk to save some serious cash. For enhanced flavor, toast the spices in the oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes or until fragrant.

Chai Tea Mix

Each batch fills one small jar, about 4-8 ounces. Multiple this recipe to make as many jars as you'd like. 

Course Drinks
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings 12 cups prepared

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup loose black tea
  • 1/4 cup candied ginger cut into small pieces if large
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 2 teaspoons cardamom pods about 20-25
  • 1 teaspoon red peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 8 star anise seeds optional
  • 2 teaspoons fennel seeds optional
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns optional
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds optional

Instructions

  1. If possible, lightly crush the spices – break the cinnamon stick into pieces, split the cardamom pods slightly, and lightly crush the other spices using a mortar and pestle.

    Alternatively, you can break the cinnamon stick and cardamom pods carefully using kitchen shears, a garlic press, or a nutcracker.

  2. In a small jar, combine tea, spices, and candied ginger. Close the jar and wrap.

  3. Include these instructions:

    Steep 1 tablespoon of tea mixture in 1 cup hot water for 5-10 minutes. Strain. Add ½ cup milk or milk alternative and optional sweetener to taste.

2-Ingredient Crispy Rice Bars

2-Ingredient Crispy Rice Candy Bars | Healthier gift, vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free

These bars make a fun and healthi-er gift. They are very easy to make – all you have to do is melt chocolate and stir in cereal. They can be made vegan and/or gluten-free if you check the ingredients on the chocolate and cereal. If these need to be made gluten-free, be extra careful to check the cereal as some rice cereal is sweetened with malt syrup, which is made from barley, a gluten-containing grain.

2-Ingredient Crispy Rice Bars

Serves 12 - 14
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 5 minutes
Total time 10 minutes
Dietary Gluten Free, Vegan
Meal type Dessert
Misc Child Friendly, Freezable
These 2-ingredient candy bars are very easy to make and can be made vegan and gluten-free. They make a great edible gift!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cup crisped brown rice cereal

Directions

Step 1
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2
Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, stirring constantly until melted. Alternatively, heat the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30 seconds increments, stir, and repeat until melted.
Step 3
Gently stir in cereal and mix until all of the cereal is coated.
Step 4
Pour the cereal mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into a square in an even layer. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until firm.
Step 5
Place the parchment paper and bars on a cutting board. Cut the square in half and then cut into smaller bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

 

There are many options for ingredients that you may use, but if you’d like to know the exact brands used in these photos, see below.

2-Ingredient Crispy Rice Candy Bars | Healthier gift, vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free

I used Barbara’s Organic Brown Rice Crisps cereal, which was labelled vegan and gluten free (“Verified to contain less than 20 ppm gluten”) at the time I bought it. It contained 1g sugar per 1 cup serving and was sweetened with organic fruit juice concentrate (pear or apple).

For the chocolate, I used Pascha Organic Dark Chocolate Chips, 55% Cacao, Semi-Sweet. It was “allergen-friendly,” vegan, and gluten-free.

Holiday Paprika Popcorn

Holiday popcorn is a festive yet healthy treat made with whole grains, healthy fats, herbs and spices, and not too much added oil. It’s easy to pop your own popcorn on the stove, and healthier than microwave popcorn. Microwave popcorn bags are lined with perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which are potentially dangerous for our health and the environment – so make it yourself, and save money as well!

Holiday Paprika Popcorn | Healthy, plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, easy, great for Christmas | guesswhoscooking.com

Holiday Paprika Popcorn

Serves 8
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 5 minutes
Total time 10 minutes
Holiday popcorn is a festive yet healthy treat made with whole grains, healthy fats, herbs and spices, and not too much added oil. Microwave popcorn bags are lined with perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), which are potentially dangerous for our health and the environment - so make it yourself, and save money as well!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil (or other high heat oil)
  • 1/3 cup popcorn kernels
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Directions

Step 1
In a large stock pot, heat the oil and 3-4 kernels of popcorn, covered, over
medium heat until all kernels pop.
Step 2
Pour in the remaining kernels, cover pot and shake to distribute. Remove pot from heat for 30 seconds. Return pan to heat, shaking pan continuously, leaving the lid slightly ajar for crisper popcorn, if possible. To do this, you can wear two oven mitts (ones that cover your wrists or beyond are best), hold the lid slightly ajar while holding onto the pot handles and shaking the pan as pictured. If you have a lid with a vent, you could just open the vent, or use any other preferred popcorn popping method.
Step 3
When popping slows to 2-3 seconds between pops, remove from heat. Pour popcorn into a large bowl, removing any unpopped or partially popped kernels.
Step 4
Combine the paprika, garlic powder, and salt. These measurements are general and you may want to add more, but the beauty of this recipe is that the quantities don't have to be exact.
Step 5
Drizzle the olive oil over the popcorn, then sprinkle with the spice mixture. Toss to combine. Add more spices if desired. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Holiday Paprika Popcorn | Healthy, plant-based, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, easy, great for Christmas | guesswhoscooking.com

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

Holiday Gingerbread Granola

Give a healthier gift this year! This homemade granola is lower in sugar and added fat than most recipes. The gingerbread flavor and the colors, red cranberries and green pistachios, make this a festive treat. Substitute pumpkin puree for the applesauce for pumpkin gingerbread granola. One batch will fill about 2-3 standard size mason jars, which make a great gift! Recommended serving size is 1/4 cup. Try this granola over plain yogurt or with a little bit of milk or milk alternative.

If you need this recipe to be gluten-free, look for gluten-free oats.

Holiday Gingerbread Granola

Serves 18
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 40 minutes
This holiday granola has less added fat and sugar than most traditional recipes, and is made with whole, natural ingredients. The red cranberries and green pistachios make it a festive gift that would look beautiful in a decorated mason jar!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup organic unsweetened applesauce (or substitute with pumpkin puree)
  • 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil, or other oil (melted)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon molasses
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup (or more to taste)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup shelled pistachios

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 325° F.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine oats, coconut flakes, and almonds. Sprinkle ginger, cinnamon, and salt in the bowl and toss.
Step 3
Over the oat mixture, pour coconut oil, applesauce, molasses, maple syrup, and vanilla, then stir to until oat mixture is well coated.
Step 4
Spread granola mixture evenly on a baking sheet and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes and watching carefully and stirring every few minutes for the last 10 minutes to prevent burning. Remove from oven when granola is golden brown and almost completely dry.
Step 5
Let cool, then add pistachios and dried cranberries.

 

 

Rosemary Sesame Pecans

Give a healthier gift this year! These savory roasted pecans are free of added sugar but full of flavor. Serving size is about 1/4 cup, so this recipe makes about 16 servings. Pack them into mason jars for festive and healthy holiday gifts!

Lightly adapted from this recipe.
Rosemary Sesame Pecans = Healthy homemade Christmas or holiday gift - low carb, dairy free, gluten free, sugar free. Guesswhoscooking.com

Rosemary Sesame Pecans

Serves 16
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 25 minutes
Total time 30 minutes
Meal type Appetizer, Snack
These savory roasted nuts make a healthy Christmas or holiday gift without all the added sugar of most holiday treats.

Ingredients

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary (minced)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1lb pecan halves, raw (about 4 cups)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2
Whisk egg whites in a large bowl.
Step 3
Mix sesame seeds, rosemary, and salt in a small bowl.
Step 4
Add pecans to egg whites and stir to combine well. Add sesame seed mix and stir to distribute evenly.
Step 5
Spread pecans evenly on the baking sheets in a single layer. Bake 20-25 minutes until coating is dry.

Rosemary Sesame Pecans = Healthy homemade Christmas or holiday gift - low carb, dairy free, gluten free, sugar free. Guesswhoscooking.com