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Vegan Mac & Cheese (with Carrot Potato Cheese Sauce!)

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Time to get saucy! Carrot Potato Cheese Sauce-style.

This week is all about creating that decadent flavour and texture, amping up the nutrients, and ditching the high fat, high calorie ways of those usual culprits in your typical creamy or mac n’ cheese pasta sauce (I’m lookin’ at you butter, cheese and heavy cream).

This sauce is so healthy, that there’s no shame in drinking it from the blender.

Actually, it’s highly encouraged.

When you’re just dying for that creamy pasta experience…but you don’t want to dose yourself with a big ol’ bowl of heavy cream sauce, this is the pasta sauce for you.

Carrots and taters to the rescue.

Vegan Mac & Cheese (with Carrot Potato Cheese Sauce!)
 
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A super healthy version of your typical mac & cheese, but still so creamy, flavourful and more than satisfying!
Author:
Recipe type: dinner, lunch
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • Pasta noodles of choice (around 450g)
  • 1 large head of broccoli florets, chopped (save stalks for your next hummus plate as dippers!)
  • 1 package vegan sausage (I used Field Roast from Spud. You can use code: 'CRVAN-MURJUB for 20$ off your first order)
  • Smokey Vegan Parmesan

  • Carrot Potato Cheese Sauce:
  • 3 medium-sized russet potatoes, chopped
  • 4 large carrots, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ¼ cup miso paste
  • ⅛ cup dijon
  • ¾ cup nutritional yeast
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened, unflavoured soy milk
  • pinch of salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Steam potatoes and carrots for 10-15 minutes (until you can poke a fork through them)
  2. Add all the sauce ingredients to your blender, including the carrots and potatoes
  3. Bring your pasta pot to a boil.
  4. Place broccoli in the steamer (add more water if needed), and steam for 5 minutes.
  5. Back to the blender: blend sauce ingredients until smooth (you may need to use a tamper to help in the beginning, but it should blend on its own. Let it blend for a couple of minutes for optimal creaminess)
  6. Cook pasta of choice 1 minute less than what directions say.
  7. Meanwhile, heat a pan to medium, add 1 tsp of oil (avocado is best), then the vegan sausage. Cook for 5 minutes, flipping around every minute or so.
  8. *OPTION: to use 1 less pan, wait until the pasta is finished, and add the sausage to the bottom of the pasta pot while the pasta sits in sink in the strainer*
  9. Strain, pasta, then put back into the pot with the broccoli and sausage.
  10. Add the sauce to the pot and mix until each pasta noodle is super creamy delicious!
  11. Whip up some Smokey Vegan Parm to sprinkle on top!

 

Tag @hookedonplants if you make this! I love seeing your creations.

For more inspiration and info on eating plant-based, sign up to my emails for weekly inspiration, recipes, plus a free PDF on How to Get Hooked On Plants!

This week’s email is all about Colon Cancer Awareness month, and what doc’s to follow on instagram for the month of info!

Try the #PlantsForAWeek challenge by grabbing my new E-Book

Japanese Pumpkin Lentil Curry Stew

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T’is the time of the year for hearty bowls of flavourful ingredients…Today, in the form of this nutrient-dense Japanese Pumpkin Lentil Curry.

There’s just something about the words ‘pumpkin’ and ‘curry’ that causes the mouth to water and the comforting vibes to shine.

Oil-free.

Ridiculously simple.

Minimal ingredients.

Lots of benefits.

If you’re wondering what a ‘Japanese Pumpkin’ might be…it’s a Kabocha Squash!

Same, same.

I love love love Kabocha. It’s packed with vitamin A and C, with some B’s in there too. Meaning your eyes, immunity and nerves will all benefit from this sweet pumpkin!

Read on for the easiest way to cook up squash.

This recipe makes a lot, but you could even double it and freeze half to be ready for a stress-free, last minute dinner in that future of yours!

Japanese Pumpkin Red Lentil Curry Stew
 
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A comforting stew, packed with nutrients, flavour and heartiness. Ready for that rustic baguette and hungry people!
Author:
Recipe type: stew, dinner, lunch
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 Japanese pumpkin (kabocha squash), halved with seeds scooped out
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 8 white or cremini mushrooms, diced or sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small jar of green or red curry paste (used Thai Kitchen curry)
  • 1 can light coconut milk (use the liquid too)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth (or 1 veggie bouillon cube mixed with 2 cups water)
  • 2 cups dry red lentils
  • 2 cups spinach, chopped

  • To serve:
  • Cilantro, chopped
  • Peanuts
  • Brown Rice or Quinoa as the base
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F
  2. While it's pre-heating, chop your veggies.
  3. Place the halved, de-seeded squash flesh-side down on a parchment covered or a re-usable baking sheet covered pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes.
  4. Oil-free sauté the first ingredients by heating your pot to medium heat, then adding the onion, carrots, celery and mushrooms. Let these sizzle for a few minutes, then de-glaze (un-stick) with a couple tablespoons of water. Continue to do this for about 7 minutes, de-glazing a few times as needed.
  5. To the pot, add the 2 minced garlic cloves and full jar of curry paste. Mix and let sauté a few minutes.
  6. Then add the full can of coconut milk, 2 cups of veggie broth and 2 cups of red lentils.
  7. Mix, bring to a boil, then let simmer for 20 minutes.
  8. Add chopped spinach.
  9. When the Kabocha Squash is done, flip the halves over to let cool for a few minutes, then scoop out the flesh with a spoon and mix it into the stew.
  10. Serve it up! On a bed of quinoa or brown rice with cilantro and peanuts on top!
Notes
*Didn't include cooking time or instructions for grain to serve it on. Pre-cooked quinoa, rice, or wheat berries are great!

Tag @hookedonplants if you make this! I love seeing your creations.

For more inspiration and info on eating plant-based, sign up to my emails for weekly inspiration, recipes, plus a free PDF on How to Get Hooked On Plants!

This week is all about Plant Proof’s podcast with Dr. Alan Desmond. He gives out so much amazing information about the gut microbiome!

Try the #PlantsForAWeek challenge by grabbing my brand new E-Book!

 

Simple Caramelized Leek & Onion Side Dish | Oil-free

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Move over mashed potatoes, there’s a new kid on the block. This caramelized leek & onion side is now the side of all sides.

Paired with the easiest go-to ingredient combo of Bragg’s liquid aminos and Nooch.

Hack alert: add these two ingredients to any savoury dish, and BAM: you’re a chef pumping out incredibly flavourful dishes!!

It might not look like much, but the flavours are bursting and the simplicity is ridiculous.

Just a few chops, a bit of a sizzle, a yummy aroma, and you have yourself a fancy, melt in your mouth side!

Simple Caramelized Onion n' Leek Side Dish
 
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A simple, flavourful side dish to amp up any dinner menu!
Author:
Recipe type: side
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 leeks, with the dark green part chopped off (this is optional, but makes for a softer caramelization). White/light green part sliced in half lengthwise, rinsed well, then thinly sliced horizontally
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Kosher salt
  • ¼ cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos
  • ½ cup nutritional yeast
Instructions
  1. Heat pan to medium heat then add sliced onions. Let the pan brown, then add a bit of water (about an ⅛ of a cup) and mix to de-glaze the pan. Do this twice.
  2. Add the sliced leek to the pan. Continue the de-glazing method with water (baslamic vinegar works too!) for few times.
  3. Lower the heat, put the lid on, and allow to caramelize for at least 10 minutes.
  4. Add liquid aminos and nutritional yeast. Mix until combined.
  5. Serve it up!

Tag @hookedonplants if you make this! I love seeing your creations.

For more inspiration and info on eating plant-based, sign up to my emails for weekly inspiration, recipes, plus a free PDF on How to Get Hooked On Plants!

This week is all about Plant Proof’s podcast with Dr. Alan Desmond. He gives out so much amazing information about the gut microbiome!

Try the #PlantsForAWeek challenge by grabbing my brand new E-Book!

Ginger Coconut Kombucha Float

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Time to float on!  Kombucha float style!

Today we’re getting our float on… the easiest way ever.

2 ingredients (3 if you count the berries on top), a satisfying pour, and a super delicious spoonful of bubbles n’ cream!

Just like you might remember, but minus the pop n’ dairy.

Have at er’ kids!

Simple as:

  1. Scoop
  2. Pour
  3. Spoon

Today we’re using the Ginger Kombucha by Rise!! Their Rose Shizandra or Maple Blueberry boosh’s would be a great idea too.

I do make my own boosh, but it’s not always ready to go, and… I really like this kind. You can find Rise in most grocery stores these days, and this ginger one goes deliciously with the vanilla coconut ice cream (by Coconut Bliss).

Que the nostalgia, cuz here’s a taste of childhood in the summer!!

Ginger Vanilla Kombucha Float
 
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The easiest recipe you'll ever make?! A great one for the kids, and one to excite that child within you.
Author:
Recipe type: dessert, snack
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 cups of kombucha (used Ginger Rise Kombucha)
  • 6-8 scoops of vegan ice cream (used Vanilla Coconut Bliss)
  • Blueberries to top.
Instructions
  1. Scoop your ice cream into your 2 cups.
  2. Pour the boosh all over.
  3. Sprinkle those blueberries on top!

If you make this, tag @hookedonplants so I can see your creation!

Pink Banana Oat Pancakes with Maple Cacao Drizzle

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Que the Jack Johnson and bring on Sunday morning! ….And with Valentine’s Day in our midst, then you’re in luck, because we’re flauntin’ the pink today with these banana oat pancakes!

These pancakes are so simple it’s stupid.

Toooo easy not to make and packed with whole-food ingredients.

That’s what I’m all about.

Top it off with a cacao maple drizzle, serve it to your Valentine, and be ready for a proposal.

It’s all about tha base bout’ tha base (que song here).

I’m talking about just 3 ingredients: ripe bananas + oat flour + plant milk.

Vanilla and cinnamon are always a must when I’m whipping up some flapjacks, so we’ll throw some of that in there, too.

Once you have that blended up, feel free to get creative.

Today, with love in the air, I went with beet powder + vegan chocolate chips!

Maybe tomorrow calls for antioxidant boosters, turmeric + blueberries (bonus recipe below).

The next day… Cacao powder + raisins? Maca powder + strawberries?

What ever that artist within comes up with, your pancake will no doubt be delicious and ready before Jack finishes off his guitar solo.

Easiest Banana Oat Pancakes | 2 Ways with Cacao Maple Drizzle
 
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Easy Banana Oat Pancakes with a Valentines Flare!
Author:
Recipe type: Breakfast
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 2 cups of oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 3 bananas, spotty and ripe
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tbsp beet powder (order from Organic Matters or Amazon)
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life)
  • ½-3/4 cup almond milk
Instructions
  1. Add oats to blender. Blend into a flour
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients, except chocolate chips, blend until smooth
  3. Gently chocolate chips into the batter (or sprinkle on top after flipping the pancakes)
  4. Heat a pan on low heat (level 2-3)
  5. Spoon pancakes into pan and cook for 3-4 minutes (until you see little bubbles appearing)
  6. Flip, then cook for another 2 minutes
  7. Meanwhile make the cacao maple drizzle by whisking together the cacao and maple syrup until well combined!
  8. Go the extra mile and serve it up with Coco Whip(and fruit and drizzle!)

Tag @hookedonplants on instagram if you make these! I love seeing your recipes 🙂

Another option!

Turmeric Blueberry Banana Pancakes

Serves: 2

Making time: 3-5 minutes

Cooking time: 6 minutes per batch

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups oats (gluten free if needed)
  • 3 bananas, spotty and ripe
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 thumb turmeric root (about 2 cm long) OR 1 tsp turmeric spice
  • 1 tiny pinch black pepper (for turmeric absorption)
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1/2-3/4 cup almond milk

Directions:

  1. Add oats to blender. Blend into a flour
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients, except blueberries, blend until smooth
  3. Mix blueberries into batter
  4. Heat pan on low heat (level 2-3)
  5. Spoon pancakes into pan and cook for 3-4 minutes (until you see little bubbles appearing)
  6. Flip, then cook for another 2 minutes
  7. Pour over maple syrup and top with fruit
  8. Go the extra mile and pour over some delicious chocolate sauce from the Hot For You Bites chocolate layer

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