side dish

easy black bean dip (vegan, dairy free, gluten free)

Posted on by andrealeighcoadmin

 

I have a gift for you today…an incredibly easy recipe for you to make and I bet you have all of the ingredients in your pantry. It’s been one of my favorites for years and is inspired by a recipe I found on the Whole Foods recipe site before I even made the transition to a plant-based diet: Black bean dip.

Although the “dip” word would make you think this is appetizer-only, I love making it for our main meal with a side of raw veggies and hummus! All of the “meaty” plant-based protein coming from the beans makes it hearty enough for that.

Because this black bean dip is quick and simple to pull together, I love saving it for Sundays (my low key cooking or no-cooking day) and for times when I’m up to my ears in life and/or have been cooking up a storm. You know, kind of like what will happen this weekend.

 

 

This black bean dip is made of only six ingredients and can be served with the traditional tortilla chips or you could try it with my sweet potato rounds if you have a little more time. Guacamole is an excellent side kick. You can get my basic guac recipe here or my new favorite spicy version here.

Because this recipe is so easy going, I rarely measure the ingredients when I’m whipping it up, but I’ve included suggested measurements for you here. It’s a recipe that works well for experimenting to adapt to your tastes, but if you do so, start with my suggestions and go slowly from there.

Bonus: You can make it a day ahead of time which also gives the flavors time to develop, though you might want to add a little extra salsa on the re-heating.

 

Print
Easy Black Bean Dip
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 

This six-ingredient is simple to whip up and works well as an appetizer or main dish.

Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Servings: 6
Author: Andrea Anderson
Ingredients
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cup black beans, cooked
  • 3/4 cup salsa
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • cilantro for garnish (optional)
  • torrilla chips for serving
  • guacamole on the side (optional)
Instructions

  1. Add garlic and onion to a medium saucepan with a little bit of water and saute over high heat until the onion is translucent, adding more water if needed to prevent burning.

  2. Reduce to medium-high heat and add in remaining ingredients. Mash beans slightly for a chunkier dip and more thoroughly for a smoother dip. Cook until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and heated through.

  3. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with cilantro if desired. Serve with tortilla chips and/or sweet potato rounds and a side of guacamole, if desired.

 

 

 

 

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thanksgiving recipe roundup (vegan, plant-based)

Posted on by andrealeighcoadmin

I cannot believe Thanksgiving is one week away!! How did that happen?!

If you’re new(ish) to a plant-based/vegan diet, I’m guessing Thanksgiving can feel rather…intimidating. After all, the main feature of this holiday meal is the turkey. (Can you even hear “Thanksgiving” without picturing the turkey? I can’t!) And holidays usually mean eating with people who probably aren’t eating the way you at best or make you feel looney tunes for choosing a different diet altogether.

But I’m here to encourage you that Thanksgiving – and all other holiday meals – can still be looked forward to and even give you chance to share how amazing a vegan diet can be! After all the turkey is only one part of the meal…the rest is a delightful array of sides which let the veggies we love shine.

So let’s get on with the roundup, shall we? #inspirationloading

 

Lentil Walnut Mushroom Balls by Oh She Glows

Hands down this is my favorite dish that I look forward to every year. I use it as my “main” dish and love it because it reminds me of stuffing. I usually make a batch for Canadian Thanksgiving in October and have enough to last me until Christmas (since I’m the only one who isn’t eating the turkey).

photo credit: oh she glows

 

 

Classic Vegan Stuffing by Raepublic

Confession: the stuffing is the one part of this meal I do eat even though it’s been cooked in the turkey. Shocking, I know. But I eat a vegan diet for health reasons, not strictly for animal rights, and it’s a rare indulgence. If you’re eating strictly vegan, however, give this stuffing recipe a try.

photo credit: raepublic

 

 

Vegan Porchini Mushroom Gravy by Veganosity

I’m still working on a vegan gravy recipe that hits the spot. This one looks divine.

photo credit: veganosity

 

 

Easy Biscuit Recipe by Whole New Mom

Anytime you can squeeze “easy” into a labor-intensive meal is a win! Plus this one is made from whole grains and can easily be made 100% plant-based by using dairy free milk.

photo credit: whole new mom

 

 

Fresh Cranberry Apple Relish by Veggies Save the Day

I love this twist on traditional cranberry sauce which usually is loaded with added sugars – it wins be over by relying on the natural sweetness found in the apples and dates.

photo credit: veggies save the day

 

Jeweled Sweet Potatoes

These are my favorite side dish that I’ve added as a “must have” to my holiday menu. They even eat like dessert!

 

 

Savory Stuffed Butternut Squash by Emilie Eats

Usually, I prepare my squash simply with just a little Earth Balance butter and cinnamon, but if you’re up for a twist on the traditional, give this recipe a try. It could stand in for a main dish as well!

photo credit: emilie eats

 

 

Apple Cabbage Slaw with Apple Cinnamon Dressing

This is my new favorite salad because it’s so refreshing! A perfect contrast to the heavier dishes and spotlights how tasty clean eating can be. It’s one of the bonus recipes included in the Fall edition of my Perk Up Your Pantry recipe ebook, which you can get here.

 

 

 

Fall Brussels Sprouts Quinoa Salad by Emilie Eats

I love the looks of this “meatier” salad and all of the fall colors in one dish!

photo credit: emilie eats

 

 

Easier-than-pie Apple Crisp

With all the work you put into the main meal, having an easy dessert recipe in your hip pocket is a must. Bonus: you can make the filling and topping separately up to several days ahead of time!

 

 

Vegan Pumpkin Caramels by Minimalist Baker

Here’s one way to spin dessert if you want to break away from the traditional pie. No added sugar, of course!

photo credit: minimalist baker

 

 

Pumpkin Pie-lets with Maple Coconut Whip

Although I was never a pumpkin pie fan (it’s a texture thing), I do love this vegan spin on a Thanksgiving staple. The pie-lets are free of added sugar and the coconut whip has only a teensy amount. These are coming at you Monday here on the blog…stay tuned!

 

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apple cabbage slaw with apple cinnamon dressing (vegan, raw, paleo, gluten free, no added sugar)

Posted on by andrealeighcoadmin

In the apple vs. pumpkin debate, I fall in with the apple crowd.

What about you?

It’s been a great year for apples here in Northeast Ohio…especially the organic red apples we’ve been enjoying from my parent’s neighbors. Which got me brainstorming ideas for a fresh fall apple-based salad…

Voila! Apple cabbage slaw with apple cinnamon dressing.

I can eat it like candy.

My favorite thing? I can’t decide. It’s a toss up its crunchy sweetness (but without any added sugar!) or being the perfect balance to the heavier comfort food dishes because the apple cinnamon dressing is free of heavier oils found in traditional coleslaw.

 

The apple cabbage slaw recipe is one of the three bonus recipes included in the the Perk Up Your Pantry – Fall edition recipe ebook and also includes:

  • 5 essential sauce recipes
  • 5 essential snack recipes
  • 5 easy main dish recipes
  • 3 fall-inspired bonus recipes
  • A shopping list of all ingredients

PLUS you’ll receive two bonus items: a meal prep tip sheet and a meal plan tip sheet which includes a suggested meal plan featuring the recipe in the Fall Perk Up Your Pantry recipe book. All for only $8! Click here to buy it now.

 

And in case you fall on the pumpkin-side of things, I’ll have a pumpkin-inspired recipe for you later this week.

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tuscan roasted tomatoes with sesame parmesan (vegan, dairy free, nut free, gluten free)

Posted on by andrealeighcoadmin

As much as I love sharing the fun, creative recipes (like these matcha coconut lime energy bites or these weeknight tacos), I also love giving equal play to recipes that are meant for the every day or moments when you’re not sure what to throw together. Like these tuscan roasted tomatoes.

I came up with these lovelies one Sunday evening when we were going to have a mishmash of leftovers and family coming over at the last minute. Throwing together a medley of vegetables prepared in a number of ways is still one of my favorite things to do…it speaks of abundance and simplicity and letting my pickier (ahem) eaters load up on the veggies they prefer over the ones they don’t.

This is a great way to use up an abundance of tomatoes from your hardworking garden and takes only minutes to prep before sliding in the oven. With a hearty slice of toasted bread, you also could serve these as an appetizer and leftovers could easily be cooked down into a pasta sauce. The extra sesame parmesan can be saved for pasta or even soup recipes, like this one.

 

Print
Tuscan Roasted Tomatoes with Sesame Seed Parmesan
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

Pulling together simple, fresh flavors with the transition of summer to fall in mind, these Tuscan Roasted Tomatoes come together easily as a casual side dish or hearty appetizer.

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Andrea Anderson
Ingredients
  • fresh tomatoes
  • roasted red pepper hummus
  • fresh basil, diced
  • salt & pepper
  • sesame seed parmesan
  • whole grain, hearty bread (optional)
For the sesame seed parmesan
  • 1/2 cup sesame seeds
  • 4 tsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2-1 tsp olive oil
Instructions

  1. Rinse tomatoes and slice into rounds that are between 1/4" and 1/2" thick. Generally, plan around 1 tomato per person. Place tomato rounds onto a baking sheet. Add a generous spoonful of hummus to each tomato slice and spread. Place in a 350 degree F oven for about 15-20 minutes.

  2. Meanwhile, add all sesame Parmesan ingredients to a food process or high speed blender and blend until the sesame seeds are crumbly and resemble Parmesan cheese.

  3. When the tomatoes are done, remove from oven and top with basil and a few sprinkles of sesame parmesan. Season with additional salt and pepper if desired and serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

RECIPE NOTES

  • If serving as an appetizer, cut bread into thick slices (about 1" thick), place on a baking sheet and lightly toast in the same oven as the tomatoes. Keep an eye on it though so it doesn't burn! Remove from oven when toasted and then top with a roasted tomato, the basil, sesame parmesan and salt and pepper if desired.

 

 

 

(contains affiliate links which help fund this blog at no cost to you ? )

  •  My go-to brand of hummus (both original and roasted red pepper) is Sabra.
  • Click here for my favorite mini food processor
  • I get both my nutritional yeast and sesame seeds in bulk at Whole Foods, but you also can find them here and here.

 

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oven-baked sweet potato chips + guacamole (vegan, oil-free)

Posted on by Andrea

2009-01-18 19.13.25I grew up in a home where we ate quite a variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables. But somehow the avocado eluded us. And guacamole? The first time I tried it I was in my late twenties.

It was love-at-first-bite.

guacamole collage But chips, guac’s side kick, are rather low on the healthy eating spectrum, sprouted, organic, GMO-free or not. And despite their salty, crunchy tastiness, I’ve been looking beyond the vegan label to examine what I’m actually putting into my body.  Because eating a plant-based diet doesn’t necessarily = a healthy diet.

So when I want a healthier compadre for my guacamole, I round up some sweet potatoes and put them to work. According to WebMD, sweet potatoes are full of calcium, potassium and vitamins A & C.sweet potato rounds collageBoth recipes are simple to prepare and contain a small handful of ingredients.

But before we get to the recipes, I wondered…are there any foods or dishes that somehow eluded you in childhood that you discovered as an adult?

CLICK TO PRINT A PDF of the guacamole recipe
CLICK HERE TO PRINT A PDF of the oven baked sweet potato chips recipe

oven baked sweet potato chips & guacamole (oil free, vegan)

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes

Cook Time: 45-60 minutes

Keywords: bake raw appetizer snack side gluten-free nut-free oil free paleo soy-free sugar-free vegan vegetarian garlic avocado cilantro sweet potato Cinco de Mayo Mexican

Ingredients

    For the Sweet Potato Chips

    • Sweet potatoes
    • Salt
    • Chili powder
    • Cumin

    For the Guacamole

    • 1 avocado
    • 1- 1½ tsp. fresh lime juice
    • 1-2 T cilantro
    • 1 small garlic clove, minced
    • 1 tsp. cumin
    • 1/8 tsp. salt
    • Freshly ground pepper

    Instructions

    For the Sweet Potato Chips

    Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

    Meanwhile, peel sweet potatoes, then slice into rounds about ¼” thick.

    Place rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and sprinkle with seasonings to your taste.

    Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hours, turning at least once until potatoes are cooked through.

    For the Guacamole

    Peel the avocado, remove pit and mash.

    Add remaining ingredients to the avocado and stir thoroughly.

    Best if served immediately.

    Recipe Notes

    Plan to prepare approximately 1-2 sweet potatoes per person depending on the size of the potato.

    Sweet potato chips are best when freshly cooked, but can be stored in the fridge and then reheated

    Avocados are ripe when their skins are black and they yield gently to the touch.

    A fork or potato masher work well to mash the avocado.

    Sometimes I add in diced onion and/or finely diced tomatoes to mix things up a bit.

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