Vegan Queso

     Who would of ever thought you could make Queso out of vegetables...whelp someone did, and I am putting my own twist on a fun new idea.  Follow along and prepare to be amazed.  Each of the 10 half cup servings are only 123 calories, 13.4g carbs, 5.8g fiber, 7.6g net carbs, 10.6g protein and 3.2g fat.  Never could you have that much protein with so little fat using dairy in your Queso.  Put this on your to-do list pronto, use it for dipping or dressing a salad, or just eat it from the bowl...it's just that good.  :)

Ingredients for 10 servings~
1 head trimmed Cauliflower, cut into florets
3 large peeled and sliced Carrots
1/2 cup Simple Truth Cashews
1 cup Simple Truth Nutritional Yeast
1 can Kroger Mild Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilis, or Rotel 
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Salt, to taste

     Add Cauliflower, Carrots and Cashews to pot, cover with water, simmer 45 minutes, drain and add to food processor, blend til well incorporated.  Add Yeast, the liquid from Rotel, Chili Powder, Garlic and Salt, continue to blend til thoroughly mixed to desired consistency.  Stir in the Tomato mixture from remaining Rotel.  Enjoy  :)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crispy Treats

     I have a new way of eating cereal in the morning!  How bout coated in Chocolate and Peanut Butter!?  I can't imagine anyone turning that down.  Each of the 16 servings are only 227 calories, 24.6g carbs, 5.6g fiber, 5.6g sugar alcohol, 13.4g net carbs, 6g protein, and 15g fat.  Not a bad set of macros, especially for something so delicious, and Vegan friendly.  :)

Ingredients for 16 servings~
2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1 cup Seed Butter, can sub with Nut Butter
1 bag Lily's Stevia Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips, sub with Semi-Sweet or Milk Chocolate if preferred
6 cups Rice Chex Cereal

     Melt Oil, Butter, and Chips in microwave safe bowl in 30 second increments til melted, stirring after each time til well blended.  Pour over Cereal and stir til completely coated.  Pour into parchment lined 9X13 and chill for 3-4 hours, or til set.  Cut into 16 equal squares.  Enjoy  :)

Sweet and Sour Hummus

     Who says you can't give your Hummus a little twist from time to time!?  I have taken dip to the next level with this one.  Each of the 18~two Tablespoon servings are only 77 calories, 9.4g carbs, 1.6g fiber, 7.8g net carbs, 2g protein and 2.7g fat.  Serve these with Carrots, Pita Chips or Pita Bread, but my all time favorite suggestion is Red Bell Pepper slices.  Just make sure to give this new flavor experience a try, it will give your belly a smile!  :)

Ingredients for 18 servings~
1 pound skinned Sweet Potatoes, cubed
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Cayenne Pepper, to taste if desired
1 can drained Garbanzo Beans
2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
1/4 cup Water
1 teaspoon Cumin

     Add cubed Sweet Potatoes to foil lined cookie sheet, drizzle with 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, stir til coated, season with Salt, Pepper and Cayenne as desired.  Bake at 400 for 40 minutes, stirring once.  Meanwhile, add remaining ingredients to food processor and blend til well incorporated, when ready also add Potatoes and continue to mix in thoroughly til Hummus consistency.  Enjoy  :)

Vegan White Chili

     You have heard of Meatless Monday...whelp, how bout Meatless More Often!?  There is a big wave of encouragement towards plant based single ingredient foods, and I am trying to jump on that train.  The next time you are pondering where to start, give my Vegan White Chili a whirl, and notice how it won't leave you wanting.  Each of the 2 cup servings are only 313 calories, 51g carbs, 12g fiber, 39g net carbs, 11g protein and 8.2g fat.  Macros do not include garnish.  Bon appetite!

Ingredients for Seven 2 cup servings~
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 chopped Onion
1 Tablespoon chopped Garlic
Dash Cayenne Pepper
1 cup sliced Carrots
1 bunch chopped Celery
1 diced Yellow Bell Pepper
3 cups Vegetable Broth
1 pound chopped diced White Potato
10oz bag fresh or frozen Cauliflower Rice
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
2 Tablespoons Cumin
2 cans drained White Beans
1 can drained Sweet Corn
8oz Vegan Cream Cheese, sub with regular if not Vegan
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Vegan Sour Cream, garnish as desired (sub with regular Sour Cream)
Diced Tomatoes, garnish as desired
Diced Green Onion, garnish as desired
Vegan shredded Cheese, garnish as desired, (sub with regular Cheese)
Cilantro, garnish as desired
Salt and Pepper, as desired

     Add Olive Oil to large soup pan, add Onion, Garlic and Pepper til lightly golden brown.  Stir in Carrots and Celery til crisp tender, then add Bell Pepper til slightly softened.  Pour in Broth, Potato, Cauliflower, Chili Powder and Cumin, bring to bowl and reduce to simmer for 40 minutes, or til Potatoes are soft.  Stir in Beans, Corn and Cream Cheese.  Garnish as desired.  Enjoy  :)

Vegan Avocado Chickpea Toast

     Is it breakfast, is it a snack!?  Who care's is my answer!!! This is absolutely delicious.  As an added bonus, it's perfectly Vegan.  The entire serving is 207 calories, 27g carbs, 9g fiber, 18g net carbs, 9.5g protein and 8g fat.  Hope you try this fun combo soon!  :)

Ingredients for one serving~
1 slice Ezekiel Bread
1/4 cup Chickpeas
Lemon Juice, desired amount
Everything Spice Bagel Seasoning (sub with Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder)
1.5oz sliced Avocado

     Toast Bread, meanwhile heat Chickpeas in microwave for 15 seconds, mash with fork, stir in desired amount of Lemon Juice and Everything Spice Seasoning til well combined, spread on toasted Bread, top with Avocado slices.  Top with Everything Spice Seasoning.  Enjoy  :)

Vegan Buddha Bowl

     Do you try to do meatless at least once a week!?  Have you ever heard of Buddha Bowls!?  Are you looking for a few ideas!?  If so, here is a fun option to try.  And again, there are several options, there are no rules.  Any combination of fruits, vegetables and grains is wonderful.  You are only limited by your creativity.  :)

Ingredients for one Bowl~
1 head of Romaine Lettuce, shredded finely
1 cup trimmed halved Brussel Sprouts
1 teaspoon Olive Oil
Dash Balsamic Vinegar
4oz peeled cubed Sweet Potatoes
Everything Spice Bagel Seasoning (sub with Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder)
1/2 cup Chickpeas
1/3 cup prepared Grains (Quinoa, Brown or Wild Rice, Polenta, etc.)
Sliced Avocado, desired amount

     Add Romaine Lettuce to bowl.  Meanwhile, add Brussel Sprouts to one end of foil lined cookie sheet and Sweet Potato to other end of pan, drizzle with Olive Oil.  Top Brussel Sprouts with Vinegar and Sweet Potato with Everything Spice Seasoning.  Bake at 400 for 40 minutes, stir half way thru, add Brussels and Potatoes to top of Lettuce, as well as Chickpeas and Grains.  Garnish with Avocado slices.  Season as desired.  Enjoy  :)

Peanut Butter Cup Fudge

     I just love my Lily's Chocolate so much, it really cures my cravings...and for that I'm immensely grateful.  They posted a recipe that really got my wheels spinning and I had to try it out, with only a few minor changes.  These 18 decadent servings literally melt in your mouth.  Each piece is only 166 calories, 11.6g carbs, 6.1g fiber, 4.2g sugar alcohol, 1.3g net carbs, 3.4g protein and 14.1g fat.  This is one to go on the must try list, super fast, super easy, super delish!  Can I hear an amen for stevia sweetened Chocolate...!?  :)

Ingredients for 18 servings~
1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream (sub with Coconut Cream for Vegan)
9oz bag Lily's Dark Stevia Sweetened Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
6 Lily's Peanut Butter Cups (this is one 3.2oz bag), chopped

     Bring Cream to low simmer, remove from heat and stir in Chocolate til melted, then stir in Seed Butter or Peanut Butter til smooth and fully incorporated, pour into parchment lined 9X5 loaf pan, sprinkle top with chopped Peanut Butter Cups, press slightly into mixture, chill in fridge til set, approximately 2-3 hours.  Slice into 18 equal pieces.  Enjoy  :)