Tag: dairy-free dips

My Top 10 Healthy Snack Upgrades for Super Bowl {Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free}

My husband, Bill, is a die-hard Packers fan and, being from Baltimore, I’m a Ravens fan.

My hubby and his friend Josh after the Packers won the 2010 Super Bowl. My sister, Jane, and I celebrating after the Ravens won in 2012.

My hubby and his friend Josh after the Packers won the 2010 Super Bowl. My sister, Jane, and I celebrating after the Ravens won in 2012.

As you might imagine, given the outcomes of the recent playoff games,Ā neither of us is all thatĀ excited for this year’s Super Bowl matchup.

Sure, we’ll watch it with friends and hope for a good game and some funny commercials, but it won’t be the same as if one of our teams had made it to the big game.

Even though the excitement for the game isn’t there, Super Bowl parties always mean FOOD, so here I am with some recipes for you!

I pulled together my favorite dips, snacks and potluck-style dishes that areĀ great upgrades to typical Super Bowl party food. They’re crowd-pleasingĀ AND nourishing šŸ™‚

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Like everything on this blog, all of these recipes are dairy-free and gluten-freeĀ ANDĀ get a big thumbs up from Bill, family and friends!

Creamy Queso DipĀ – A friend of ours FROM WISCONSIN liked this “cheeze” dip…even though it doesn’t contain any dairy! If someone from Wisconsin likes a non-cheeseĀ cheeze dip, then I think it’s safe to say anyone will.

Protein-Packed Pumpkin Spice DipĀ – This recipe is so good it was selected to be in an ebook this winter! I love the taste of pumpkin, and even though it’s winter and not fall, I’m still a big fan of this dip and think your friends will be, too. Serve it with sliced apples or pears and you’re good to go.

Raw Caramel Apple DipĀ – This is my go-to dip to bring to most parties. People love it and are always surprised to find out the ingredients. It’s silky, sweet and slightly salty…and is made from only 5 ingredients!

Elevate Your Tailgate Buffalo HummusĀ – I showed my coworkers how to make this at a cooking class this fall, and they loved it! If you’re looking to upgrade your buffalo chicken dip, try this healthier version instead šŸ™‚

Taste the Rainbow Super Food SaladĀ – You can keep this one simple and just use the basic ingredients (dressing + kale + shredded carrots + pumpkin seeds), or you can add all the other stuff. When I bring this salad to a party, I always get requests for the recipe afterwards.

MYO Chipotle-Style Bean Burrito BowlĀ – When I teach my How to Eat Healthy Without Going Broke workshop, I always serve this dish, and people rave about it. In one class, someone even said, “I don’t like black beans or avocado…but I loved this.” It’s a great potluck-style option to bring – double the recipe for a crowd!

Basil-Walnut Pesto Sauce with Cucumber SlicesĀ – People DEVOUR these. I first made them for my anti-inflammatory cooking class in the fall and then brought them to a Christmas party. They were gone within an hour. Trust me on this one – these will be a hit.

Paleo Pecan Pie PoppersĀ – I whip these up as a convenient “on the go” snack and love the combo of crunchy, chewy, sweet and salty. These may not be the most conventional appetizer choice, but think of them as a healthier and sweeter version of a “popper.”

Green Goddess GuacamoleĀ – Guacamole is pretty much one of the best things ever, isn’t it? I didn’t even try it until I was in my mid-20s because I thought it was made with mayonnaise, which I’veĀ never liked. Turns out, it’s amazingly delicious šŸ™‚ Whether you make this recipe or one of your own, guacamole is a great healthy dip that’s full of healthy, beauty-boosting and energizing fats.

And last but not least,Ā there’s always crock potĀ chili – aĀ great option to bring to any party or potluck. Serve with a dollop of guacamole or some diced avocadoĀ šŸ™‚

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Elevate Your Tailgate: Queso Dip…That’s Good For You! {Dairy-Free}

queso dip

“How do you live without cheese??”

That’s one of the most common question I get when I tell people I don’t eat dairy products.

Trust me, if you had told me 5 years ago that I would enjoy food (more than I ever have before!) WITHOUT Parmesan, cheddar, mozzarella, or any other kind of cheese, I would have kindly nodded my head and continued dousing any unsuspecting vegetables and pasta with mounds of Parmesan cheese.

Thank you very much.

One of the things that excites me MOST about cooking and preparing new recipes is finding ways to make healthy, dairy-free alternatives to foods I loved when I ate and drank things like milk, cream and cheese.

Today’s recipe is one of those special alternatives that I will be adding to my “go to” party snack list!

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I think it’s safe to say that anyone who blogs regularly and spends a lot of time in the kitchen frequently looks to other people and other blogs for inspiration.

For me, one of those people is Megan, a fellow IIN graduate and health coach who writes the blog The Detoxinista.

I’ve made quite a few of her recipes in the past and always been pleased with the outcomes, so as a general rule, I trust her recipes.

That’s what I hope happens with my readers, too – that you will try the recipes I post, like (maybe love?!) them, and trust that future recipes I share will be delicious.

It saves you some time and guesswork šŸ™‚

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I had been eyeing up her recipe for dairy-free queso dip but hadn’t taken the time to make it.

Queso dip is one of those foods that most of us wouldn’t imagine could be healthy.

Not only is this version healthy, but it’s also delicious…and just in time for football season!

We served it with our favorite chips – Way Better Chips.

I have a feeling we will be making this a lot over the next few months as football season swings into gear!

queso dip

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup raw cashews*, soaked for up to 4 hours and drained
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • juice of half a lemon (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/8 teaspoon turmeric
  • 14 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilesĀ (We used the Muir Glen Organic Diced Tomatoes, Fire Roasted with medium green chilies)

*Raw cashews have a very mild and neutral flavor that works well in this recipe. Try to avoid using roasted cashews, which have a stronger cashew flavor.

Please please PLEASE don’t let the “soak cashews” detail discourage you. I used to use it as a reason not to make certain recipes, but it’s SO easy. Seriously. Just put the cashews in a bowl, cover themĀ with water, and go about your business. Come back in a few hours, and you’re good to go. You can even soak them overnight if that’s easier for you šŸ™‚

Click here for the full recipe from The Detoxinista!

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