Category: Fresh Recipes

Rich and Creamy Herbed Hummus

herbed-hummus

If you have never made homemade hummus, today is the day to start. There is something so deliciously creamy about freshly made hummus that is not comparable to the store bought stuff. Through trial and error I have found that tahini paste is an essential ingredient to making a smooth, luscious hummus and adding that amazing sesame flavor. Mix in a few fresh herbs like garlic, rosemary, thyme and basil for aroma and added flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the hummus up a bit and adds a nice tanginess.

I have made hummus with an immersion blender and standard food processor and find that both work well to achieve the creaminess. Make sure to take your time blending until it is super creamy. Then go to town dipping away. I love to toast up pita in the oven and slice into triangles for dipping alone with fresh vegetables.

This naturally vegan herbed hummus is a crowd pleaser and makes a large batch perfect for entertaining this holiday season!

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Rich and Creamy Herbed Hummus

10 minutes

10 minutes

Yield: 8 servings

Rich and Creamy Herbed Hummus

Ingredients

  • 2-14 oz cans garbanzo beans, drained
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup tahini paste
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 large basil leaves
  • 1 tsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  • Optional dippers: sliced cucumber, toasted pita, baby carrots, celery

Instructions

  1. Combine chickpeas, lemon juice tahini and herbs/seasonings in a food processor. Pulse until crumbly.
  2. Pour in olive oil and blend on low speed until smooth and creamy, 3-4 minutes.
http://freshandfit.org/rich-creamy-herbed-hummus/

Chipotle Chicken Corn Chowder

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Nothing soothes on a crisp fall day quite like a bowl of rich and creamy soup. This spicy chipotle chicken corn chowder is one that delivers everything you would want in a soup–a rich broth dancing with chipotle flavor, hearty potato, corn and shredded chicken all coming together for a soup that eats like a meal.

I recommend adding the chipotle in a little at a time to adjust the spiciness to your liking. Chipotle peppers can quickly go from spicy to blazing inferno in a matter of an extra tablespoon.

Top your bowl with crushed tortilla chips, cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime.

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Chipotle Chicken Corn Chowder

Chipotle Chicken Corn Chowder

Ingredients

  • 2-6 ounce chicken breasts
  • 2 Idaho potatoes, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 cups corn
  • 1 cup bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup sweet white onion, diced
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1/3 cup chipotle in adobo sauce, sauce only.
  • 1-4 ounce can hatched green chiles
  • 2 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 2 tsp sea salt
  • Optional toppings: chopped cilantro, lime wedges, tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Begin by melting 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan over medium heat. Allow pan to get nice and hot. Season chicken breast with salt and pepper.
  2. Place chicken breast on pan and cook 6-7 minutes each side. Place on a cutting board and finely chop chicken. Set aside.
  3. In a Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add green pepper, onion, potato, garlic, oregano, cumin and sea salt. Place lid on and cook until onion begin to soften about 10 minutes.
  4. Add hatched green chiles, chipotle sauce and flour. Stir to combine. Pour in chicken stock and whole milk. Stir regularly until flour is dissolved.
  5. Allow chowder to come to a boil. Reduce heat and add chicken and corn. Simmer uncovered 20 minutes.
  6. Serve with lime wedges, cilantro and tortilla chips.
http://freshandfit.org/chipotle-chicken-corn-chowder/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

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Creating an indulgent and satisfying dessert can prove difficult if you are watching your sugar intake. Enter Steviva. This awesome sugar-free sweetener company incorporates natural stevia into agave nectar and coconut sugar for a lower calorie alternative to sweeten baked goods and desserts. For these autumn inspired apple cinnamon cupcakes, I used their CocoSweet+ sweetener in the cupcake batter and the Steviva Blend Fine Powder in the frosting.

For a super sweet deal, enter coupon code FRESHANDFIT at the Steviva.com checkout for 15% off your order.

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Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Apple Cinnamon Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

  • FOR CUPCAKES
  • 2 cups oat flour
  • 2 cups grated apple (peeled)
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/3 cup CocoSweet+ by Steviva
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil, at room temperature
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • FOR CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tbsp Steviva Blend Fine Powder
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with paper liners. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, coconut oil and almond milk. Whisk until just combined.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine oat flour, CocoSweet+, baking powder and cinnamon. Stir together with a fork and breakup and large lumps.
  3. Gradually stir wet ingredients into dry until smooth. Stir in grated apple.
  4. Using a 1/3 cup measuring scoop, pour batter into paper liners. Bake for 35 minutes.
  5. While cupcakes bake, prepare frosting by combining cream cheese, unsweetened almond milk, vanilla extract and Steviva Blend Fine Powder in a mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat until smooth and fluffy.
  6. Pour frosting into a pastry bag with end secured. Place in refrigerator to firm up slightly.
  7. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to one week.
http://freshandfit.org/apple-cinnamon-cupcakes-cream-cheese-frosting/

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Roasted Vegetables with Truffle Cream Sauce

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When I think of autumn recipes, visions of oven roasted vegetables and herb infused sauces come to mind. The chilly weather lends itself to some super comforting dishes full of seasonal goodness. One of my favorite flavors is that of truffle oil. It gives everything from vegetable to pizza and pasta a mouthwatering savory aroma and flavor. In today’s recipe there will be truffle flavor throughout. From the oven roasted cauliflower and artichokes to the goat cheese and mushroom cream sauce they will be tossed in. Be sure to purchase a truffle oil made with real truffle mushrooms or an olive oil that is infused with truffle oil. Many companies cut corners by using an artificial truffle flavoring, and although it is less expensive, nothing beats the real thing.

This roasted vegetables with truffle cream sauce recipe is perfect for transitioning to fall cooking and a crowd pleasing dish for autumn entertaining.

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Roasted Vegetables with Truffle Cream Sauce

Roasted Vegetables with Truffle Cream Sauce

Ingredients

  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1 14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained quartered
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp white truffle oil
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 4 basil leaves, chopped
  • FOR TRUFFLE CREAM SAUCE
  • 4 oz goat cheese
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 8 oz button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp white truffle oil
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic, minced
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Begin by preheating oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dry artichoke hearts with a paper towel to remove excess liquid. In a large bowl, combine cauliflower florets, artichoke hearts, olive oil, white truffle oil and season with salt and pepper. Stir.
  2. Pour into baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned.
  3. While vegetables roast, prepare truffle sauce by combining olive oil, garlic, oregano and mushrooms over medium heat in a large pan. Cover and cook 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
  4. Add goat cheese, almond milk and truffle oil. Stir until goat cheese is melted and sauce is thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer on low heat.
  5. Once vegetables are roasted, add them to the pan with cream sauce. Stir to coat.
  6. Pour into a large serving bowl. Garnish with sliced almonds and basil.
http://freshandfit.org/roasted-vegetables-truffle-cream-sauce/

 

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