All posts tagged: healthy snacks

Super Nachos with Gooey Sweet Potato Cheese Sauce (Vegan)

This is my favorite thing to make when people come over to watch football so I wanted to share it in time for the big game! Everyone loves these nachos and people always ask for the recipe. They are fresh, flavorful and satisfying without being too heavy or greasy. They’re packed with veggies and other wholesome ingredients so they’re super healthy, but still rich and filling. I make a couple of plates of these, one of my big party platters, and big bowls of popcorn sprinkled with truffle oil, sea salt, black pepper and nutritional yeast. This simple menu keeps everyone happy and since you can make most of it ahead of time, you won’t have to spend the whole game in the kitchen. Enjoy! xJacq Ingredients: Serves approx. 6 Cheese Sauce: 1 Sweet Potato 1/4 cup Raw Cashews, soaked 2-4 hrs and rinsed 1 1/4 cup Hot Water 2 Tbsp Nutritional Yeast 2 Tbsp Tapioca Flour 1 1/2 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar 1 tsp Dijon Mustard 1 Garlic clove 3/4 tsp Kosher Salt 1-2 tsp …

The Most Delicious Dip, Spread and Topping – Whipped Avocado Cream

Published by Jacqueline King

This Avocado Cream is one of my favorite things to keep in the fridge. I make it every week as part of my meal prep. The recipe seems almost too simple, but trust me, it adds an incredible amount of flavor and richness to so many dishes. Of course it’s wonderful on Mexican food, but I especially love to use it as a topping for my lunch bowls. You can also whip it up as a quick dip for a snack or to serve at a party. Somehow it seems more sophisticated and complex than regular guacamole, but it’s actually faster and easier to make because you throw it all together in the blender in seconds. You can even use it as a delicious spread to make pretty little appetizers. Even though it tastes rich and creamy, it is made of simple healthy ingredients. Avocado is one of the most nutrient dense foods around with both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been shown in studies to be good for both your skin and heart health. …

High Protein Black Bean Brownies! You won’t believe how good they taste.

Published by Jacqueline King

After reading a friends post about delicious black bean brownies, I knew I wanted to try them for myself. When I read the recipe, however, I realized it contained a lot of butter and eggs. I figured if I was making “healthy” brownies, I wanted them to be dairy-free and suitable for plant-based diets, so I would have to make some adjustments. I tried to adapt the original recipe and it turned out to be a dry, crumbly baking fail. I looked at other vegan black bean brownie recipes online, but to be honest, I didn’t like the looks of them. They didn’t look like real brownies in the pictures, so I didn’t bother trying them. It was back to the drawing board. After a few more attempts (OK, 6) I finally came up with a recipe for these gorgeous things. They have the perfect balance of ingredients to satisfy your sweet tooth, while still being packed with nutrients. When I finally got the recipe right I must admit I was feeling pretty sassy. One of the …

Quick & Delicious Superfood Chocolate Mole

Published by Jacqueline King

Mole is one of the most delicious and exciting sauces in the world in my humble opinion. It has such complexity of flavor and is surround by lore. It evokes images of old mexican ladies grinding spices and simmering chiles for days. Now, the chef in me loves the idea of cooking up an old traditional family recipe for hours on end, but the busy real-life working girl was looking for a simpler process. What I came up with is this raw version that (unbelievably!) can me made completely in a blender without missing out on all the savory flavor and spice. When I say this is a “quick” mole, keep in mind that it’s a relative term . You still have to measure out quite a few ingredients, but that shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes and I promise it’s well worth it! I tried to make a recipe with fewer components, but there is really no way to get an authentic flavor without the diversity of spices and other ingredients. Hopefully you’ll have …

Strawberry Rose Cashew Milk

Published by Jacqueline King

I found fresh local strawberries at the market for the first time this year and was inspired to come up with this gorgeous, grown up version of strawberry milk. This is nothing like the powdered, bunny labeled version of your youth. The flavors are beautifully delicate and so satisfying. It reminds me of an English garden in springtime, and what could be better than that? Cashews are a good source of protein, fiber and antioxidants and rosewater is anti-inflammatory and a mood enhancer, so this delicious drink makes you feel both full and happy! Though lavender became a popular flavor with chefs in the US a few years back, rose is still a little less common. Rosewater is available, however, at many supermarkets, usually in the baking section near the vanilla extract or in the middle eastern food section. You can also find it online at Thrive Market. I absolutely love the scent and flavor, but it is very concentrated so be careful to only add 1 drop at a time! If you don’t finish up the bottle …

Feel Good Green Smoothie

Published by Jacqueline King

This is my favorite green smoothie! It’s the perfect drink any morning, especially if you’re feeling run down. It’s also a great pick me up in the afternoon. You might be afraid to drink something this green, but I promise it’s super delicious, sweet and creamy. Best of all it’s packed with nutrients that make you feel great. The fruit and veggies are filled with vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. You also get a good dose of healthy fats from the avocado and protein from the nuts. Leafy greens are some of the most nutritious foods on the planet. They are believed to do everything from lower the risk of certain cancers to help prevent signs of aging. It’s pretty much a good deed in a cup, so I guess you can check that off your list today. 😉 I like to sprinkle my smoothies with a little of the superfoods maca powder and chia seeds before serving for extra nutrients and a little crunch, but it’s completely optional. Enjoy! xJacq Ingredients: 2 servings 1/4 cup raw almonds, …

Feel Good Chocolate Mousse made with Avocado

Published by Jacqueline King

This chocolate mousse takes only minutes to prepare and tastes deliciously rich and creamy. It’s the perfect recipe for a quick afternoon chocolate fix or a crowd pleasing end to a dinner party. Best of all, it’s a sweet treat you can feel good about. The cocoa powder is full of antioxidants, the avocado gives you healthy fats and the almond milk has a good amount of protein. If you’re feeding picky eaters, try not telling them what’s in it until they’ve gobbled it all up, then enjoy the look on their face when you reveal your secret ingredients. 😉 Enjoy! xJacq INGREDIENTS: 1-2 servings 1 ripe Avocado 1/2 cup unsweetened Almond Milk 1/4 cup unsweetened Cocoa or Cacao Powder* 1/4 cup raw Agave syrup** 1 tsp Vanilla Extract Kosher Salt, pinch Cinnamon, pinch 3 ice cubes Blend everything in a high-speed blender until it turns into a thick, creamy mousse. You may need to scrape down the sides. If it gets too thick for the blades to turn add another splash of almond milk. Serve plain …

QUICK SNACK- Better than Snickers Medjool Dates

Published by Jacqueline King

When trying to consistently eat healthy, it’s important to have quick snacks in your arsenal for when you’re on the go or having a serious sweet-tooth craving. These creamy chocolatey little guys, I swear, taste better than a snickers bar! You won’t believe something so simple can be so delicious. I used 1/2 cup of hazelnuts and 1/2 cup macadamia nuts blended with 3/4 cups water and a sprinkle of salt in my Vitamix to make the nut butter, but you can use any kind as long as it’s unsweetened. The ideal way to make homemade nut butters is to soak and dehydrate the nuts first, there is a great tutorial here. If you are using store-bought look for labels that have only nuts and optionally salt in the ingredient list. These also make great party appetizers or mini desserts. I hope you love this quick and healthy treat! xJacq Ingredients: per person 2 Medjool Dates 2 tsp your favorite Nut Butter 1 tsp Raw Cacao Nibs Split the dates with your thumb and remove the pits. Stuff a teaspoon …