Welcome to winter! With the freezing weather and snow last weekend, I was really in the mood for soup. I considered West African peanut soup (from Sundays at the Moosewood cookbook), but so far have just made black bean soup.
This was easily made in the slow cooker and budget-friendly, but I used too much broth. I fixed this by cooking it on the stovetop on low to reduce it, and adding a little peeled, cubed sweet potato to cook in the soup. This easily smushed right into it and led to a thicker and creamier soup. Topped with a little fresh lime juice - perfect for a wintry night!
This honeynut squash soup made with light coconut milk with homemade garlic croutons was one of my favorites from Thanksgiving:
And here’s my zhushed up apple crisp (here’s my recipe for Slow Cooker Apple Crisp - Gluten-free and Vegan) for a party: fresh and dried sugar-free cranberries, fresh grated ginger, and a little Bermudian rum.
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Easy Cranberry Mango Smoothie - Dairy-free
This cranberry mango smoothie has a light tropical feel and works well as a snack or drink. It fits into breakfast, helps use up fresh cranberries after the holidays, or works for a mid-day or after-school option.
Why it works
Cranberries offer a change from common smoothie flavors like strawberry or pineapple
Fresh or frozen fruit both work, and it blends quickly
No added sugar
Any plant-based milk works; soy or another higher-protein choice adds protein
Cinnamon Swirl Muffins with Oatmeal (Vegan)
Each Cinnamon Swirl Muffin has only about 200 calories - slightly less if you use unsweetened almond milk.
Made with oats, which contains nutrients like beta-glucan soluble fiber and magnesium.
A cinnamon-sugar-oat swirl runs through the muffin for flavor in every bite, with a lightly crisp top.
Sheri Gaw RD, The Plant Strong Dietitian provides recipes, tips, and evidence based information for reducing risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity with balanced plant-centered nutrition. When you sign up for Sheri’s newsletter you’ll receive helpful tips in your inbox every month. Here’s a link to her blog.
Check out Sheri’s Green Beans with Almonds for a simple and tasty addition to your holiday table!
Dietitians’ Holiday Cookie Recipes - check these for healthier options, allergen-free options, lower-sugar and lower-fat cookies, vegan choices, and no-bake recipes put together by Colleen Wysocki-Woods, MS, RDN - you will even find one of my favorite recipes there if you love oatmeal cookies!
Please answer this month’s poll below! - Thanks!
Last month’s poll results: 58% of respondents would like more slow cooker recipes. Twenty-five percent voted for air fryer recipes, with eight precent each voting for Instant Pot and waffle maker,
I did just get the cutest three-quart air fryer, but will make slow cooker recipes a priority for sharing this winter.
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Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate!
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