Tag Archives: vegetarian

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Apple “Nachos”

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Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos - healthy dessert that is gluten free, low in added sugar, and can be made dairy free and vegan. Guess Who's Cooking

This guilt-free dessert or appetizer is easy, requires very little cooking (microwaving), and is low in added sugar, gluten-free, and can be made dairy-free and vegan (depending on the chocolate chips). It only takes a few minutes to prepare, but is sure to please!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos

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Serves 4-5
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 1 minute
Total time 11 minutes
Meal type Appetizer, Dessert
Misc Child Friendly
This fun-looking and fun-tasting dish is a great dessert with very little added sugar.

Ingredients

  • 3 large apples
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (preferably organic and unsweetened)
  • 1/2 cup mini dark or semisweet chocolate chips (divided. Look for vegan chips to make this a vegan recipe)

Directions

Step 1
Cut apples into thin slices, about 16 per apple. Place on a large plate.
Step 2
Microwave the peanut butter in a small bowl on high until it becomes melted enough to drizzle, 15 seconds at a time. You may be able to skip this step if using a fresh jar of natural peanut butter because it will already be somewhat thin. Drizzle over the apples.
Step 3
Microwave 2-3 tablespoons of the chocolate chips in a small bowl on high for about 30 seconds. Stir, then continue heating 15 seconds at a time until completely melted when stirred. Drizzle over the apples.
Step 4
Garnish with the remaining chocolate chips and serve immediately. The apples will start to brown, so don't wait to long to serve.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Apple Nachos - healthy dessert that is gluten free, low in added sugar, and can be made dairy free and vegan. Guess Who's Cooking

Guacamole Deviled Eggs

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Guacamole Deviled Eggs - dairy free, low carb, gluten free, vegetarian, healthy! Recipe from Guess Who's Cooking

 

Guacamole Deviled Eggs

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Serves 6
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 12 minutes
Total time 22 minutes
Meal type Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
These avocado deviled eggs replace the traditional mayonnaise with healthier avocado. This provides a fun, tasty, and colorful twist!

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 large avocado
  • 1 tablespoon red onion (minced)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2-3 teaspoons lime juice

Optional

  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • paprika for garnish

Note

Tired of standard deviled eggs? Put a healthy twist on them by stuffing with guacamole!

Directions

Step 1
Hard boil the eggs. One method is to put the eggs in pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cover for 12 minutes. Drain and let sit in ice water to cool.
Step 2
Peel the eggs, cut in half lengthwise, and remove the yolks. Save 2 yolks and discard the rest.
Step 3
Mash the avocado and add the 2 yolks, red onion, lime juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder. Mix well but leave the avocado slightly chunky.
Step 4
Fill the egg whites with the avocado mixture. Sprinkle with paprika.

Guacamole Deviled Eggs - dairy free, low carb, gluten free, vegetarian, healthy! Recipe from Guess Who's Cooking

French Toast Apples

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French toast is a very popular breakfast item at restaurants, but is the opposite of a balanced meal. Traditional versions are prepared using white bread (refined flour) and high amounts of sugar, often followed by a flooding of sugary maple syrup or artificial “pancake syrup” or “original syrup.” Did you ever notice that those cheaper syrups at the grocery store aren’t even called “maple syrup”?

Instead, this recipe replaces the unhealthy white bread with much healthier apples, and contains no added sugar. Try serving this recipe with something other than syrup, such as fresh berries, nuts, and/or natural nut butter.

French Toast Apples | Guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains

French Toast Apples

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This healthy recipe replaces white bread with apples to make a delicious French "toast."

Ingredients

  • 2 Medium to large apples
  • 1 Large egg
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon virgin coconut oil (or other medium to high heat cooking oil)

Optional

  • 6-8 drops liquid stevia
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1
Cut the apples into 1/2 inch rounds, then use a paring knife to cut out the core.
Step 2
In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, almond milk, cinnamon, and if using, vanilla and stevia.
Step 3
Heat a nonstick skillet (non-Teflon preferred) over medium heat. Add the oil.
Step 4
Dip the apple slices into the egg mixture, then onto the skillet. When the bottoms become golden brown, about 3 minutes, flip the apples with a spatula and cook the other side until golden brown, about 3 minutes.
Step 5
Repeat step 4 until all apple slices are cooked. Remove from pan and serve with your choice of berries, a touch of maple syrup, or nut butter.

French Toast Apples | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains. Great for breakfast, brunch, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, or Father's Day

French Toast Apples | Guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains French Toast Apples | Guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains

French Toast Apples | Guesswhoscooking.com | Healthy, easy, lower carb, no added sugar, no refined grains

Egg Muffins (A.K.A. Mini Fritatta or Omelet Muffins)

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Egg Muffins

I have suggested this recipe to dozens of people, and many of them make these quick breakfast treats regularly! You can use whatever fillings you’d like to keep it interesting. For inspiration, think about what fillings you would enjoy in an omelet. For the healthiest egg muffins, emphasize the veggies, but avoid  processed meats (bacon, sausage, ham, etc.) and keep cheese to a minimum, if you use it at all.

Veggie filling ideas:

  • Mushrooms (sauteed) + spinach/chard (sauteed)
  • Broccoli (lightly cooked, or thawed from frozen) + raw tomato (halved cherry/grape tomatoes)
  • Butternut squash (cooked) + sage
  • Bell peppers (raw or cooked) + onion (raw or cooked)
  • Leftover grilled vegetables, chopped
  • Pizza  = marinara/pizza sauce + favorite pizza toppings (mushrooms, spinach, bell peppers)

Egg Muffins

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These mini frittatas are a favorite recipe of many. Use your favorite veggies and fillings!

Ingredients

  • 10 Large eggs
  • 2 cups vegetables of choice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • Oil for greasing pan

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a muffin tin with oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil.
Step 2
Whisk eggs. Add vegetables of choice and salt. Feel free to add other fillings, herbs, or spices. Pour egg mixture into muffin tin until cups are 2/3 full.
Step 3
Place muffin tin in oven and bake 20-25 minutes, until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven, let cool, and serve or store in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days.

 

Egg Muffins (AKA Mini Frittatas or Omelet Muffins) | a healthy, quick, easy breakfast | Low carb, high protein, high vegetable recipe | Guess Who's Cooking.

Spaghetti Squash with Green Beans, Arugula, and Truffle Oil

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Spaghetti Squash with Truffle Oil. Guess Who's Cooking. Low carb, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, soy free.

This “pasta” dish is so full of flavor that you won’t care that it’s spaghetti squash, not spaghetti! The truffle oil is optional, but really gives this dish a huge boost in rich, earthy flavor.

Truffle Spaghetti Squash with Green Beans, Arugula, and Truffle Oil

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This rich and flavorful pasta dish is so tasty that you will forget you're eating spaghetti squash, not spaghetti!

Ingredients

  • 1 Medium spaghetti squash
  • 1/2 to 1lb green beans (trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • handful baby arugula
  • drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
  • garlic powder to taste
  • salt to taste

Optional

  • dash of truffle oil

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Slice the spaghetti squash in half and remove the seeds and stringy flesh. Drizzle with olive oil, rub the oil over the inside and outside of the squash, and place face down on a baking sheet.
Step 2
Bake for 30-40 minutes, until squash is fork tender or flakes easily with a fork. Let cool.
Step 3
Bring a saucepan of water to a boil, then add green beans. Blanch for 2-3 minutes for thin beans and 4-5 minutes for thick beans. Drain.
Step 4
Once the squash is cool enough to handle, shred the flesh into strands with a fork. In a large bowl, combine the squash, green beans, and arugula. Drizzle with oil, and sprinkle with salt and garlic powder to taste.

Bean and Corn Dip – Super Easy

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This appetizer/side dish is extremely easy and will please a large crowd. You can serve it as a salad, or as a dip with tortilla chips (preferably baked chips). You can make this recipe from scratch using dried beans (cooked and cooled) and homemade dressing using the ingredients below (it’s really not that hard), or make it super easy by using canned beans and store-bought Italian dressing, which isn’t quite as healthy. BPA is a potential concern in canned foods, and store-bought dressings often have artificial ingredients and added sugar.
Bean and Corn Dip - Super easy. Guesswhoscooking.com

Bean and Corn Dip

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Serves 12
Prep time 10 minutes
This super easy bean and corn dip makes an easy appetizer or salad for a party.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups white beans, cooked (or 1 15-oz can)
  • 2 cups black beans, cooked (or 1 15-oz can)
  • 2 cups white or yellow corn, fresh, cooked and cooled; or frozen and thawed (or 1 15-oz can)
  • 3 tablespoons pimentos (about 2 ounces)
  • 1 stalk green onion (sliced)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1
Rinse and drain the beans and corn. Add to a medium bowl, then add green onions and pimentos.
Step 2
To make the dressing, combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine, or place in a jar and shake.
Step 3
Pour the dressing over the bean mixture, using only as much as necessary. You may not need the whole batch of dressing. You can also substitute store-bought Italian dressing, although it is not as healthy. For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve as a salad or as a dip along with baked chips.

Bean and Corn Dip - Super easy. Guesswhoscooking.com

Easy Whole Wheat Scallion Pancakes

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These savory pancakes are similar to Chinese and Korean pancakes, but are made with whole wheat flour. They may not be completely authentic, but they are easy to make and even easier to eat. You could experiment with other finely chopped or shredded veggies too, such as carrots or bell peppers.

Healthy Whole Wheat Scallion Pancake - similar to Chinese or Korean pancakes. Guess Who's Cooking

Whole Wheat Scallion Pancakes

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Serves 4-8
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 35 minutes
Meal type Appetizer, Breakfast, Lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish, Snack
These savory pancakes are similar to Chinese and Korean scallion pancakes, but have a healthy twist with whole wheat flour.

Ingredients

Pancakes

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cup water
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 cup green onions (or about 8 stalks)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 2 teaspoons oil (grapeseed, canola, coconut, or olive oil)

Dipping Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

Pancakes
Step 1
Add eggs to a large bowl and whisk. Add water and flour and whisk until well combined.
Step 2
Slice green onions into 1-inch pieces. Add to batter, along with salt.
Step 3
Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add about 1/2 teaspoon oil to the pan to lightly coat the bottom.
Step 4
Add about 1 cup of batter to the pan. Swirl the pan to make the pancake an even round shape, and use a wooden spoon to spread out the scallions if necessary.
Step 5
When the edges start to brown and the underside is golden brown, about 3-4 minutes, flip the pancake. Continue cooking until the underside is golden brown, another 3-4 minutes. Set aside and repeat steps 3-5 until you've used up all the batter. Cut into wedges and serve with dipping sauce.
Dipping Sauce
Step 6
Whisk together ingredients for dipping sauce.

Holiday Gingerbread Granola

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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

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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

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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

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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

Chickpea Blondies

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These blondies are made with pureed chickpeas and contain no flour. They are vegan, dairy-free, grain-free, and gluten-free, assuming you don’t use honey or chocolate chips with dairy. These blondies are moist and delicious, and no one will know that they are made from chickpeas! They would make an excellent healthier holiday gift.
Chickpea Blondies - healthier, vegan, grain free, gluten free, dairy free. Guesswhoscooking.com

Chickpea Blondies

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Serves 9
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 40 minutes
Meal type Dessert, Snack
These chickpea blondies are flour-less, gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be made 100% vegan.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tablespoon virgin coconut oil (for greasing)
  • 1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup or agave (or honey, if not vegan)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup mini dark chocolate chips (look for vegan chocolate if you want 100% vegan or dairy-free blondies)
  • coarse sea salt or Himalayan salt (for sprinkling)

Directions

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 8x8 baking pan with coconut oil.
Step 2
In a food processor, puree all remaining ingredients except for chocolate chips and salt. Blend until completely smooth. Stir in chocolate chips, then spoon batter into prepared baking pan.
Step 3
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until lightly golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool, then cut into squares and sprinkle lightly with salt.

Chickpea Blondies - healthier, vegan, grain free, gluten free, dairy free. Guesswhoscooking.com