Category: Vegan

Lemony Quinoa with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Bright, delicious flavor in one of the easiest, most delicious sides dishes you’ll ever make! 

Lemony Quinoa with Sun-Dried Tomatoes – Bright, delicious flavor in one of the easiest, most delicious sides dishes you’ll ever make! Requires only a handful of ingredients. Gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #quinoa #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipes

I was tempted to call this dish “easiest ever quinoa”, or something along those lines, because Lemony Quinoa with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is so simple to make you barely even need a recipe. For food blogging however, specific, more descriptive titles are always better as they show up in internet searches more readily, and besides, any recipe title that begins with “lemony” always catches people’s attention, and believe me, this dish is deserving of attention! This is one of my go-to side dishes for entertaining because it’s easy, delicious, and only requires a handful of ingredients. Simply cook quinoa in vegetable stock (chicken and beef stock work too if you’re not vegan) and let it cool. Then, add lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh chopped parsley, and sun-dried tomatoes, and season to taste. That’s it! It doesn’t get much easier than that! (more…)

Pomegranate Ginger Chia Juice

By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by POM Wonderful and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Pomegranate Ginger Chia Juice – A healthy breakfast or post-workout beverage chockfull of antioxidants. Slightly sweet and tart with a zing of ginger. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free. (#AD) | QueenofMyKitchen.com #juiceforhealth #juices #pomegranate #pomegranatejuice #pomegranatebenefits #breakfast #chia #chiaseeds #healthybreakfast #healthybreakfastrecipes #healthybreakfastideas

This time of year is all about resolutions and things we want to achieve over the next 12 months to improve the quality of our lives. One piece of advice that is frequently given regarding New Year’s resolutions is to set realistic, manageable goals that won’t overwhelm you. Committing to drastic lifestyle changes is a surefire way to fail, so it’s important to keep this in mind as you think about your goals for the new year. I’m a big believer in the idea that small changes, over time, can add up to big results.  If one of your resolutions for 2018 is to eat healthier, then here is an easy, small change you can make to your diet with some potentially big health benefits – drink pomegranate juice daily.  You can start by mixing up a batch of Pomegranate Ginger Chia Juice using Pom Wonderful 100% Juice. Pom Wonderful is the leader in the pomegranate juice market.  The pomegranates they use to make their #CrazyHealthy juice are whole-pressed, meaning a unique blend of polyphenol antioxidants from two whole pomegranates – including its fruit, pith and rind – is found in each 8-ounce serving. But that’s not the only reason you should drink it. Read on! (more…)

Vegan Rudolph Reindeer Cookies

A fun and festive recipe that even very young children can help with.  The perfect cookies to leave for Santa!

Vegan Rudolph Reindeer Cookies – An easy and fun Christmas cookie recipe. Even young children can help make these. Soft and chewy with a super clean taste. Gluten-free and dairy-free. | QueenofMyKitchen.com #christmascookies #cookies #christmas #cookiesforsanta #christmasbakingforkids #christmasbaking #vegan #christmasvegan #vegancookies #christmascookieseasy

The holiday season is in full swing, replete with indulgences of all kinds, but let’s face it, when it comes to treats at Christmastime, it’s all about the cookies! Even the phrase itself – Christmas cookies – has a sort of sing-songy quality to it that conjures up feelings of happiness and nostalgia. Almost everyone has a favorite Christmas cookie, or one that they remember someone in their family making. A friend of mine once told me that his grandmother used to start baking right after Thanksgiving, and every year would make hundreds of cookies that she’d store in her freezer and then give away to just about everyone she knew on Christmas eve. What a wonderful memory! Old fashioned gingerbread cookies have always been a favorite in our house, but I’ve been seeing these cute reindeer cookies all over the place lately, so I decided to jump on the bandwagon and create a vegan Christmas cookie following this theme. I’ve heard that Santa is trying to eat a little healthier these days. If that’s true, then these Vegan Rudolph Reindeer Cookies will be perfect for him! (more…)

Vegan Pecan Blondie Pie

Candied pecans on top of a sweet, tender blondie base, make this delicious mock pecan pie.

Vegan Pecan Blondie Pie - Lightly spiced candied pecans, on top of a sweet, tender blondie base, make this delicious mock pecan pie. Gluten-free, dairy-free, no refined sugar. | QueenofMyKitchen.com #pecanpie #pecanpierecipe #Thanksgiving #vegan #dairyfree #glutenfree #norefinedsugar

‘Tis the season for pies, specifically, pumpkin pie, apple pie, and pecan pie. When it comes to Thanksgiving, tradition rules the day, so in my family this trio of pies will always be on dessert table. However, I decided to deviate slightly this year when I realized that my recently posted recipe for Vegan Flax Candied Nuts could be used to make a mock pecan pie. Vegan Pecan Blondie Pie looks just like a pie but it’s actually a cake, with lightly spiced candied pecans on top of a sweet, tender blondie base. This dessert is a fantastic alternative to traditional pecan pie, which typically contains an insane amount of sugar in the form of corn syrup and granulated white sugar. (more…)

Low Sugar Gingerbread Cranberry Sauce

I received free samples of SPLENDA® Naturals Sugar & Stevia Blend mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by SPLENDA® Sweeteners and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Low Sugar Gingerbread Cranberry Sauce (with printable labels) – A healthier cranberry sauce for the holidays with classic gingerbread taste. Great with turkey but can also be used as a dessert sauce or appetizer ingredient. Makes a great homemade holiday gift. #AD | QueenofMyKitchen.com

I know it’s a little early to starting thinking about the holidays, but several years ago I developed a habit that has served me well. I start a list right after Labor Day with gift ideas for everyone in my family, and jot down some possible menu options for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I usually don’t do any shopping until after Halloween, but making a list and some notes way ahead of time helps keep me organized so that when that panicky – oh no, the holidays are right around the corner – feeling strikes, I’m a little less stressed out. This year I got a head start thanks to the SPLENDA® Sweeteners Recipe Redux Sponsored Contest. I was initially stumped at what to make for this contest, but as luck would have it, one day I opened my spare freezer and there, staring me right in the face, were two bags of fresh/frozen cranberries with a “best by” date of December 2017. This was my cue to do a healthy remake of traditional cranberry sauce. This Low Sugar Gingerbread Cranberry Sauce is not only yummy, with substantially less sugar than store-bought cranberry sauce, but is hands-down the easiest cranberry sauce you’ll ever make. I plan to give it away as a gift to all those miscellaneous, but important people in my life that I like to thank or acknowledge during the holidays. (more…)

Oat Berry Spinach Salad

A unique salad made from one of America’s most popular cereal grains.  Oats are not just for breakfast!

Oat Berry Spinach Salad - Oat groats, corn, and spinach in a unique salad made from one of America’s most popular cereal grains. Oats are not just for breakfast! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Oat Berry Spinach Salad is a delicious, nutritious dish made with oat groats. If you don’t know what oat groats are, you’re not alone. Rolled oats are a staple in many kitchens and an important part of the typical American diet but very few people are familiar with oat “groats”.  If I had my way this would change, and if it did, I’m pretty sure oat groats would become the new quinoa! (more…)

Vegan Flax Candied Nuts

Vegan candied nuts have a multitude of delicious uses.  Gluten free and dairy free with no refined sugar.

Vegan Flax Candied Nuts – Deliciously addictive candied nuts. Gluten free and dairy free with no refined sugar. Eat them alone as a healthy snack, sprinkle some on salads or mixed them into yogurt. They make a great holiday or hostess gift too. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

WARNING – Vegan Flax Candied Nuts are dangerously addictive! Once you start popping them into your mouth you may not be able to stop!  The coating on these nuts, which produces a sweet glaze when baked, is made from a simple mixture of coconut sugar and cinnamon that binds to the nuts with the help of a flax egg replacer, which is nothing more than ground flax seeds (sometimes called ground flax meal) mixed with water. If you adhere to a plant-based diet you’re probably very familiar with flax egg replacers as they are an excellent vegan substitute for eggs. (more…)

Chocolate Thin Mint Avocado Pudding

A rich and creamy chocolate pudding that tastes like a thin mint cookie.  A healthy, yet decadent dessert.

Chocolate Thin Mint Avocado Pudding – A rich and creamy chocolate pudding that tastes like a thin mint cookie. A healthy, yet decadent dessert. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, no refined sugar. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

If you have an avocado obsession, like I do, chances are you’ll occasionally find yourself with too many ripe avocados. I always have at least two or three avocados on my counter at any given time. I buy them extra firm, but as soon as they become slightly soft to the touch (a sign that they’re ripe) I transfer them to the refrigerator if I’m not using them right away – this extends their life by a few days. After that though, they’re usually brown and splotchy when cut open, with very little flavor. Since I hate wasting food, I always make an effort to use up all my avocados before they go bad and one of the ways I’ve been doing that lately is by making this super simple Chocolate Thin Mint Avocado Pudding. (more…)

Sweet and Salty Chia Flax Peanut Butter

The magical combination of salty and sweet in a peanut butter with a nutrient boost from chia seeds and flax seeds.

Sweet and Salty Chia Flax Peanut Butter - The magical combination of salty and sweet in a peanut butter with a nutrient boost from chia seeds and flax seeds. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Certain foods are so insanely tasty and comforting that they trigger obsessive thoughts and cravings. Peanut butter is one such food. If you put peanut butter on anything and everything, never tire of its creamy deliciousness, and are always ready for your next fix, then you’re a peanut butter addict and will love Sweet and Salty Chia Flax Peanut Butter. One spoonful of this delicious homemade nut butter and you’ll be on a healthy peanut butter high! (more…)

Maple Maca Ice Cream Sundaes

A rich and creamy vegan ice cream, infused with the superfood maca, and topped with a bittersweet dark chocolate sauce.

If you’re not familiar with veganism you might not believe that you can create a good tasting ice cream without milk or cream, but this recipe for Maple Maca Ice Cream Sundaes proves it. The secret is cashews. Vegans have always known that cashews are an amazing substitute for dairy and over the years they have figured out how to use this nut to impart a rich taste and creamy texture in all kinds of dishes. In this recipe for Maple Maca Ice Cream Sundaes the ice cream base is created from pureed cashews, sweetened with maple syrup and banana, and infused with maca powder, an Incan superfood. If there was ever a healthy ice cream, this is it!

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