Tag Archives: baked potato

Healthy, Main Dishes, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Chili & Greens Smothered Potato

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Whether for a quick snack or a hearty, filling meal, smothered potatoes are a go-to for me. A plain potato has 150-200 calories, along with magnesium, B vitamins, and a surprisingly high amount of vitamin C. Potatoes get a bad rep mostly because they are usually served or cooked with other things that are far less healthy for you, like butter, margarine, sour cream, and cheese.

The better options for topping your tater include: greens, fresh veggies like broccoli, onion, peppers, avocado chunks, beans, salsa, corn, and of course, chili! I used my delicious vegan three-bean chili. You IMG_7594will use leftover chili, or store-bought, whatever kind you like. If you don’t have chili, looking up this recipe is silly isn’t it?

This baked potato takes mere minutes to put together, and is perfect for a portable lunch. You will need a heavy plate and utensils though, no eating while literally on the run here. It is packed with vitamins and nutrients, filling fiber, healthy fats, and staying power from protein. And it’s totally vegan! But you won’t even know the meat is missing, it’s that good.

I used homemade sauerkraut on mine, because I totally love this tangy, salty stuff. If you hate it, don’t worry about it. Not required for the experience. Sauerkraut is ridiculously easy to make, by the way, and crazy good for your digestive health. I’ll have to post on that soon…

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium baking potato
  • 2/3 cups vegan 3-bean chili
  • 1/2 an avocado
  • 1/3 cup broccoli florets
  • 2-3 large kale leaves or 1/3 c spinach
  • 2-3 tbsp sauerkraut

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Step 1: Rinse well, and poke holes in the potato. Microwave on high for 5 minutes, turn it, and microwave another 4 minutes.

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Step 2: Cut the hot potato in half, and place on a large plate. Top with the greens, broccoli, and chili, and microwave another 1-2 minutes. Add the sauerkraut and avocado, season if needed and enjoy!

 

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Appetizers, Main Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Recipe Review: Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli from Oh She Glows

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Vegetarianism and Veganism is consistently growing in popularity nationwide as society becomes aware of the health benefits of whole foods and the dangers of processed foods. Along with this awareness comes a rise in health-related blogs and recipes. I’m a big fan, as I’m always in search of new, fun combinations of food. Especially when it’s healthy foods.

Speaking of healthy foods, today the winner of a FREE copy of dietician Sharon Palmer’s book “Plant-Powered For Life” was Katy Dyer!! This book has over a hundred fabulous plant heavy recipes, as well as 52 tips for a year of healthy living habits. Incorporate one tip per week for a total life makeover. Congratulations!

One of my favorite discoveries in terms of new food blogs is the vegan goddess Angela at Oh She Glows. She has oodles of fabulous recipes, almost all of which I am antsy to try myself. Angela has a knack for combinations and substitutions that makes you say “Why didn’t I think of that! Sounds great!”

I reviewed her Chia Fresca last week, and found it to be a very strange beverage. However, it is surprisingly pleasing and a nice change if plain water bores you. In addition, chia seeds have a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids, especially useful if you are following a vegan or vegetarian diet and can’t get what you need from fish or eggs.

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This review is my take on her Crispy Smashed Potatoes with Avocado Garlic Aioli.  It is totally vegan, but you would never know it if you weren’t told. Avocado is a fabulous substitute for many dairy products because of its creamy texture, especially when blended. When combined with salsa, it made a satisfying and healthy meal. You could also top with black beans, grilled onions and mushrooms, or steamed broccoli.

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Ingredients:

  • 4 medium potatoes
  • 1 avocado
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  •  1 tbsp veganaise or plain yogurt
  • 1/2 cup salsa
  • Sea salt
  • Diced garnish: green onion, parsley, etc

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Step 1: Rinse the potatoes and poke a few holes with a fork. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Take them out and let cool a little, then smash them with a spoon or bottom of a glass.

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Step 2: In a blender, combine the veganaise, peeled and pitted avocado, lemon juice, and a sprinkle of sea salt. Blend well. If it is not smooth enough, add some  warm water, lemon juice, or olive oil to thin.

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Step 3: Pour 2 tbsp salsa and 2 tbsp avocado aioli over top, and sprinkle with garnish.

This combination is absolutely delightful. The avocado aioli is delicious on its own, and could probably be used anywhere aioli can be used. I loved the salsa, and think adding heated beans as well would perfectly round this out. This would also make a great side dish for many other main courses. Even the meat eater declared this a winner!

Comfort food, Healthy, Main Dishes, Soups, Vegetarian

Baked Potato Soup

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As stated previously, cold weather is made for soups and stews. But you can only throw meat, vegetables, and some kind of stock together so many different ways. Sometimes I need a soup of a different texture.

Given that the days of grilling and baked potatoes are slowly fading, I decided to make the soup adaptation of baked potatoes. It is creamy, cheesy, thick and filling. Not to mention it is relatively cheap to make (especially if you skip adding the bacon, but I wouldn’t recommend it).

The way I made it, you will make the mashed potato base, and then both thin and thicken it with the broth and dairy and add-ins.

For soup base:

  • 6 medium baking potatoes
  • 3 cups of chicken broth or 3 bouillon cubes (for vegetarian use veggie broth)
  • Approximately 12 oz cheese (I used marbled cheddar and colby jack)
  • 1/2 block cream cheese

Soup additions/toppings:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup cooked bacon
  • Handful of chives
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 small onion
  • 1/2 block cream cheese

Step 1: Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut the potatoes into quarters and add to 3 cups chicken broth. Either boil for 1 hour, or put on hot in a slow cooker for 4 hours. Then liquefy the cooked potatoes in a blender and put into a soup pot on the stove. Add the cheese and cream cheese and put on low.

Step 2: While the soup simmers, combine the milk, chives, bacon, garlic, onion and the rest of the cream cheese in a blender. Liquefy all of the ingredients, and then add to the soup pot.

Once the soup simmers and begins to thicken, taste the soup and adjust to your liking. Then if you want to be all fancy, you can serve it with a sprinkle of cheese and bacon, a dollop of sour cream and a piece or two of chives.