Category: Holidays

Chef V’s Favorite Special Occasion Recipes – Dinner parties, Christmas, Valentines, Easter, July 4th recipes from Chef V. All are gluten-free, many are vegan, all use organic ingredients.

 

If it’s warm for Christmas, like it is here in San Diego, I’ll be enjoying some pickleball and a nice refreshing treat after. Like this healthy vegan gingerbread smoothie.

It tastes like a cookie but it’s made with cauliflower and banana for lots of nutrients. It’s also packed with flavor from all the spices. I hope you enjoy this deliciously unique treat!

This is a delicious fall treat for those first cool days that signal the end of summer. It’s also a hit at Thanksgiving dinner. It’s very filling and makes you feel warm inside even though it’s a salad. It’s also very healthy and vegan. – Veronica

Aioli, a traditional Mediterranean sauce, is just right for dipping veggies or drizzling over toasted baguette. It makes a delicious accompaniment to my Grilled Artichokes. – Veronica

I swear to you that my sweet potato pureé will have the same starchy mouth-feel as regular mashed potatoes. But this version contains way more minerals and is lower in calories.

Sometimes you just need a luscious rich tasting spread – so I created this cashew-based mayo. Way to prepare, you can use it in dressings, dips, on a sandwich, anywhere you want that mayonnaise experience – only healthier. Add raw horseradish to make a zippy dip for my Grilled Artichokes. – Veronica

The only thing more comforting than a bowl of soup is a bowl of homemade soup that is both vegan and gluten-free. There’s something special about cooking comforting meals like this during the Fall that will warm you up and have your kitchen smelling festive.

This vegan, gluten-free crust is so good you can use it for any pie recipes, sweet or savory. It’s a keeper! Use with my pumpkin pie recipe – also vegan

This recipe is easy to make on your own, especially if you have a lot of spices in your cupboard. It is needed for the recipes below but you can always buy this one pre-made too.

Chia seeds are tiny superfood heroes. They come in either white or dark brown/black and have a huge nutritional profile. They contain Calcium, Manganese, and Phosphorus and are packed with fiber, protein, and healthy Omega-3 fats. They are basically tasteless so you can add them to nearly any kind of dish. Add raspberries, cocoa nibs, and coconut and you have a decadent yet healthy dessert.

This makes a lot of cupcakes so I keep them in a bag I frosted in the fridge. Pop one out and place in microwave and then top with frosting when done. These are great to have in the house for a delightful yet healthy treat when you have a sweet tooth.

My love salad with pomegranate seeds is so yummy. They are sweet and tart and add a delicious crunch to any dish. They have lots of fiber and two essential Vitamins, C and K. Sprinkle them on your favorite salads and soups or toss them into your next smoothie.

Beets, including beet greens, contain an amazing array of antioxidants, other vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein.  – Veronica

As I write this a week before Thanksgiving, I realize that soon, lots of people will be spending their hard-earned money on holiday gifts for friends and family. I get it. Every extra dollar in your pocket this time of year adds up. But one thing I’m willing to splurge on even if it means one less spa treatment is organic turkey….

So how do I make cranberry sauce healthy? To sweeten the organic cranberries, I use coconut sugar. And in my opinion, my cranberry sauce tastes better than traditional Thanksgiving.

While we typically recommend steering clear of sugary treats, this healthy take on tiramisu is a must! Plus, once you start baking and cooking with these healthy ingredients, there’s a good chance you’ll want to continue!

Traveling With Kids – These 5 Essentials Will Keep your kiddos safe. if I were a momma to a human kiddo, what would I do to protect them? The answer:

The good news is that you have the freedom to eat organic, non-GMO, gluten-free products.

Every single day, you should maintain a practice of gratitude, especially for having the freedom to eat whatever you want to and how much you want to. Nearly 9 percent of the world’s population is food insecure. That’s roughly 690 million people. And it’s not getting better; worldwide, hunger is on the rise.

© 2021 Chef V, LLC.