With the holidays just around the corner, we thought it would be nice to give a bit of a recipe round up. But then we thought wouldn’t it also be wonderful to give you at least one new idea too. I find that around this time of year we are all presented with cheese platter, after cream cheese based dip, after cheese platter. So a little while back while hosting a nothing but vegetables party (strange theme I know) I started playing around with the idea of making a dairy free warm spinach dip. While experimenting I came up with a Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan Spinach dip, it was served with vegetable sticks and gluten free seed crackers and it was a huge hit!
– Brittany Gordon
Ingredients:
1 package of extra firm silken tofu
1 bouillon cube veg. GF
1.5 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp Braggs soy sauce
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper*
2 green onions diced
1/2 cup diced and steamed spinach
2 tbsp lemon juice
Black pepper to taste
Directions:
Steam chopped spinach. You will need at least twice as much raw spinach, if not more, to yelled 1/2 cup steamed. Set aside to cool. If you are pressed for time chopped spinach from the freezer section works fine, but be sure to drain the liquid.
In a blender mix together the first 7 ingredients. While they blend squeeze 2tbsp of fresh lemon juice and dice the green onions (white and green parts).
Place tofu mixture in a medium bowl and fold in lemon juice and green onion. Once nicely mixed together add in the cold steamed spinach mix vigorously to make sure the spinach breaks up and is evenly distributed in the dip.
Chill for an hour to let set. Serve with rice crackers, pita bread or vegetables.
*with 1/2 tsp of cayenne the mix is pretty very spicy. If you or your guests are spice adverse I would recommend lowering this amount to 1/8 tsp.
Here are some easy and treats and appetizers we have posted on our blog in the past. These are great healthy ideas for when you are hosting that inevitable holiday party or participating in a cookie swap:
Roasted Chickpeas (https://cavennutrition.com/roasted-chickpeas-are-a-perfect-snack-and-these-maple-roasted-ones-are-a-hit/)
Chocolate PB&J Cups (https://cavennutrition.com/roasted-chickpeas-are-a-perfect-snack-and-these-maple-roasted-ones-are-a-hit/)
2. Chocolate PB&J Cups (https://cavennutrition.com/pb-and-j-chocolate-cups-you-can-make-at-home/)
3. Chocolate Protein Chickpea Cookies (https://cavennutrition.com/chocolate-fermented-protein-powder-chickpea-cookies/)
4. Zucchini Fritters (https://cavennutrition.com/zany-for-zucchini-fritters/)
5. Nut free treats: http://cavennutrition.com/looking-for-a-nut-free-healthy-snack-check-out-a-recipe-we-shared-at-kids-day-kanata-this-weekend/
6. Gluten Free Cookies: https://cavennutrition.com/lyndas-gluten-free-cookie-recipe-a-must-try/
7. Coconut Truffles: https://cavennutrition.com/the-many-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil-on-ctv-morning-live/
Hope these ideas help to make your holiday season healthy, tasty and fun!
