healthy family meal

Cream of Mushroom Soup

Ladies and gents, it's November 11th / Veterans' Day... and the end of an interesting week here in America.  Thanksgiving is 13 days away and the temperatures are starting to fall here in NY.  What I'm trying to say is, bring on the soup.  All . the . SOUP!

This Cream of Mushroom Soup is a gluten-free, dairy-free version of the Thanksgiving Day classic.  Not only is it a great side dish to bring or serve for those with special dietary needs, it comes packed with protein and fiber to help you fill you up on the good stuff.  Make extra - you can freeze some to enjoy for a quick dinner when you come home late from holiday shopping. ;-)

This recipe calls for the soup to be pureed into a smooth, creamy consistency, but feel free to keep it "chunky" if you and your guests prefer it that way.  For comfort and toddler purposes, I went with the puree option this time and it worked out well.  

Toddler tip: Magnolia (3 years old now), taste-tested this recipe and helped me "adjust" the spices to her liking.  She also watched me chop the onions and garlic and put her two cents in about when the soup was done blending.  I let her lick the spoon after mixing and once I got the final chef's stamp of approval, I served her the soup over green beans.  All of this involvement requires front-loading of time - more time getting the kiddos involved in the prepping and cooking process will save you time, money, and stress of untouched meals.

Enjoy!

 

In health,

Tara

Cream Of Mushroom Soup to soothe the soul and enjoy this Thanksgiving! 

Cream Of Mushroom Soup to soothe the soul and enjoy this Thanksgiving!

 

Cream of Mushroom Soup

 

(Dairy-free, gluten-free)

 

 

Ingredients:

 

5 cloves garlic, minced

½ medium onion, chopped

2 cups mushrooms, chopped

2 cups chickpeas, cooked

2 cups cashew milk

1 cup coconut flour

2 T coconut oil

1 tsp Thyme

½ tsp sea salt

½ tsp pepper

 

Directions:

 

1.    In a large saucepan over medium heat, add oil, garlic, and onion.  Cook about 3-5 minutes (until onions become translucent).

2.    Add mushrooms and cook another 2-3 minutes.

3.    Add chickpeas, cashew milk, and coconut flour and bring to a boil.

4.    Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.

5.    Add thyme, salt, and pepper.

6.    Use immersion blender to puree (or transfer into regular blender in batches with towel firmly pressed over top of blender to prevent leakage).

7.    Enjoy as is or pour over cooked green beans or other veggies.

 

*This recipe is high in protein, high in fiber, and low glycemic.

Healthified Eggplant Parm

When you're looking for some comfort food, but still care about putting awesome ingredients in the tank...

…enter, Healthified Eggplant Parm!

Why should dinner take an hour to make when the little people have about 2.25 minutes to devote to eating before they want to get up to play?!?  It shouldn't!  Keep it simple and fueling their little bodies (and yours).

Healthified Eggplant Parm

 

1. Grease baking sheet

2. Slice eggplant whichever way you'd like.

3. An egg, beaten, goes in one bowl

4. Ground flaxseeds with lots of herbs and spices mixed in a second bowl (basil, garlic, salt, pepper, italian seasoning, thyme…have fun with it!)

5. Eggplant slices go in the egg, then in the flax concoction, then onto the baking sheet. 

6. Broil 5 minutes on one side.

7. Flip and put tomato sauce and whatever cheese or cheese replacement you want on.

8. Broil 3-4 minutes on second side.

9. Done.  Serve, garnish, enjoy!

Healthified Eggplant Parm with sweet potatoes, tahini, extra veggies, and a tomato-kale-balsamic reduction chutney

Healthified Eggplant Parm with sweet potatoes, tahini, extra veggies, and a tomato-kale-balsamic reduction chutney