Potato Chowder

Whenever I serve this thick and creamy potato chowder to guests (non plant-based), they can’t believe it doesn’t contain dairy or cheese.  For an even lower-fat version, leave out the cashews.  The result will still be delicious.

Savory Pumpkin Soup Recipe! Heavy on the Rich Flavor, Not the Fat!

I had never made pumpkin soup before.  Shocking, I know, considering what a pumpkin freak I am.  Well, I gave it a go recently.  As per normal, I was determined to listen to my culinary instincts rather than follow a recipe…not sure if that’s big ego or just a can-do attitude talking :).  Either way, my instincts paid off, big time!!!  This soup rivaled any pumpkin soup I’d ever had, including the non-vegan, really fattening varieties I’d had in years past.  Try it!  As you know, I don’t cook with oil as a rule, but the small amount of truffle oil stirred in just prior to serving MAKES this soup, in my opinion.

Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe! My New Favorite Meal!

Recipe ideas come to me at odd moments, usually when I’m not even thinking about food (which, if I’m being honest, isn’t all that often).  The idea for this one came to me on an airplane in the middle of reading a novel.  Pretty random considering the story took place in 1940 Nazi Germany. Anyway, it occurred to me I’d never seen or heard of a recipe for twice baked SWEET potatoes, only russet.  I’ve since done some searching and found many recipes (can’t believe I’d never seen any before) but most of them have more fat than a cheeseburger, with ingredients that just didn’t sound appealing to me (I will never understand adding brown sugar to sweet potatoes, especially when consuming them as an entree not a dessert.  Hello!?! They’re already sweet!).

This recipe has the right combination of sweet, savory, tangy, spicy and salty.  Honestly, it turned out better than I could have hoped.  I was so excited for leftovers today.  It’s a more time consuming meal since baking of the potatoes is required before anything else, but it’s not difficult by any means; just takes some planning ahead.  Note:  I prefer the lighter colored sweet potatoes as opposed to orange yams.  I will be making this again VERY soon!

Pumpkin Treats! Low-Fat, Oil-Free, Wheat-Free, Guilt-Free!

I’m all about the pumpkin.  It’s one of the many things I adore about fall.  I love the look of those orange beauties, and the flavor of anything pumpkin.  I only wish the pumpkin bread, scones and pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks were healthy!  Oh well, these little treats, along with my Pumpkin Pancakes (see Recipes), and Pumpkin Pie Minis (recipe coming soon) will suffice.  They do contain chocolate chips, taking the healthy factor down a notch, but it’s a small amount and just enough to make you feel like you’ve been treated.

Pumpkin Pancakes – Cinnamon, Allspice, Cloves…Oh My!

pumpkinpancakes2I know it’s not officially Autumn yet, and it’s still miserably hot outside, but I’m longing for fall, dangit!! These pancakes hit the spot, and made me look even more forward to my favorite holiday – Thanksgiving!  I’ve seen several recipes for pumpkin pancakes out there but the difference between them and mine is the amount of spices; I tend to be heavy-handed in this recipe.  The stronger the flavors of cinnamon, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, etc., the better!  I’m tempted to crank up the AC, put on a sweater, and eat these by the fire.   Make these!  They’re easy and delish!  Let me know how you like ’em!

Banana-Oat Pancakes

In our house, Sundays are known as “pancake Sunday!” Normally, pancakes are seen as a treat, eaten only occasionally.  Since these are healthy, there’s no need for deprivation! Just go easy on the syrup, and if you must, use a tiny bit of Earth Balance instead of butter or trans-fat-filled margarine.