Chocolate Cream Dream Pie Heavenly. Dreamy. Delectable. These are just a few words to describe this dessert that will definitely please the crowd. Your non-vegan guests won’t even know that the chocolate cream is made with tofu! Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 13, 2020 · < 1 min read
Raw Dark Chocolate Bar with Pistachios and Sea Salt Are you the most ardent of dark chocolate enthusiasts? Then this raw dark chocolate bar is for you! While you might not get the shiny color and snappy bite of traditional store-bought chocolate, you’re getting all of the plant-powered phytonutrients and training your taste buds to enjoy the magical flavor of pure cacao. Enjoy it with crunchy pistachios or add a little dried fruit for natural sweetness. Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 13, 2020 · < 1 min read
Spicy Aztecan Sipping Chocolate Turn up the heat with this coveted beverage, “xocolatl,” that was symbolic of strength and health in Mesoamerica over 3,000 years ago. Cacao was found to be an energy booster and mood enhancer—now there’s some research to back up that claim! Enjoy this as an afternoon snack or as a replacement – hot or cold – for your morning cup of joe. Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 13, 2020 · < 1 min read
Chocolate and Almond Butter Avocado Mousse Be prepared to feel decadent when enjoying this creamy mousse. Decadent without the downside, that is. There are four stars in this show — fiber-rich avocado, phytonutrient-rich cacao powder, protein-packed almond butter, and iron-rich dates. See what we mean? Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 13, 2020 · < 1 min read
Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Ice Cream Stay cool and energized this summer with dark chocolate and sea salt ice cream, which gets its creaminess from coconut milk and natural sweetness from dates. Bananas act as a double agent giving the ice cream some of both. One thing that’s awesome about homemade ice cream is that you can adjust the sweetness to your liking. No more “this is too sweet” or “it’s not sweet enough.” Taste as you go, using the reference amount of date paste below (it’s pretty dark!), and add the amount of date paste you need based on your sweet preference. Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 13, 2020 · < 1 min read
Super Simple Homemade Date Paste Adding nutrient-packed natural sweetness to desserts can come from fruit pastes, which are made by soaking dried fruit in water, sometimes with spices or citrus, and then pureeing the thick mixture until smooth. Commonly made from dried dates, figs, apricots, or mangoes, fruit pastes are core ingredients for a plant-based diet. Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 13, 2020 · < 1 min read
Super Easy (and Tasty!) Mint Chutney This plant-based condiment receives the “most refreshing” award for its fresh, nutritious herbs and light, bright flavors. Made with mint, cilantro, avocado, and lemon, it offers you a nice dose of nutrients with each tablespoon — healthy fat from avocado, vitamin C from the citrus, and tons of phytonutrients from the herbs! Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 9, 2020 · < 1 min read
Vegan BBQ Sauce Enjoy this sweet and tangy condiment in a sandwich, on top of baked organic tempeh or tofu, or with grilled vegetables. This homemade version tempts your tastebuds with a savory blend of spices in nutrient-dense organic tomato paste without excessive sugar. Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 9, 2020 · < 1 min read
Creamy Jalapeño Lime Dressing Raise your hand if you love the versatility of beans. (Our hands are high!) White beans give this dressing some texture, as well as protein and fiber. The healthy fat in the avocado not only gives it a creamy mouthfeel but will also help the dressing stick to your greens a bit better. Swap a bell pepper in place of jalapeno if you want to skip the spice — it’s still delicious! Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 6, 2020 · < 1 min read
Ginger Miso Dressing If you love Chinese ginger salad, or if it sounds like something you’d love, then you’re going to adore this dressing. The blend of miso and tahini creates an oil-free, creamy umami and nutty flavor combination that is out of this world! Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN · July 6, 2020 · < 1 min read