If you’re anything like me, you might be on the hunt for some kick-butt, plant-powered recipes to start off 2014 on the right foot. Here are 9 favourite healthy recipes from the past year. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
1. Easy Flaked Almond “Tuna” Salad
vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free option, no bake
I think this almond “tuna” salad tastes even better than the real thing. The base of this salad is made with plump soaked almonds which are processed until “flaked” in texture. To bulk up the flaked almonds, I added celery, garlic, and green onion for more flavour and crunch. Finally some oil-based mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and lemon juice brought everything together. The end result is creamy, crunchy, a bit tangy, and seriously, seriously hard to resist. I couldn’t stop eating it straight from the bowl! Try it on top of a salad, in cucumber cups, lettuce wraps, on toasted sprouted-grain bread.
2. The Best Shredded Kale Salad
Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free
Want in on a little secret? A Toronto Maple Leafs hockey player said this is the best kale salad he’s ever had (and apparently they eat a lot of kale!). My life is now complete. And I might pee my pants.
Vegan. gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free, refined sugar-free, no bake, nut-free
With a base of cauliflower rice, this non-traditional version of tabbouleh is grain-free while still tasting incredible thanks to the heart-healthy red wine and flax dressing. Cruciferous vegetables (such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower, cabbage, watercress, and mustard greens) are said to be detoxifying because they provide support for the immune, inflammatory, hormonal, detoxification, and antioxidant systems in the body. One more reason to dig in! I especially love this tabbouleh served with hummus and crackers. A fun snack or light lunch.
Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, no bake/raw, nut-free, soy-free, sugar-free
Beet, strawberries, avocado, and lemon unite to create one kick-butt, surprisingly delicious, creamy, bright pink smoothie! It’s not super sweet, so if you like your smoothies on the sweeter side I suggest adding an apple to compliment the other flavours.
5. Chia Fresca
vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, oil-free, no bake, refined sugar-free, nut-free
I like to call this my all-natural energy drink! Chia Fresca has been a popular drink in Mexico and Central America for many years. It’s made up of water, chia seeds, lemon or lime juice, and sweetener. Thanks to the chia seeds, it’s packed with nutrition and the lemon or lime juice aids in detoxifying the body. Drink it after a wild night (such as NYE!) or anytime you need a boost. I know I’m going to have a bottle ready for New Year’s Day…
6. Back on Track Green Monster
vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, refined sugar-free, no bake, nut-free, soy-free
This Green Monster is great for getting your healthy eating back on track after a series of indulgences. I’ll take 8 please! It sets your day on the right tone and instantly makes you feel great. For the banana haters out there, you’ll be pleased to know that this one is banana-free. As with any smoothie, feel free to play around with the ingredients to suit your own taste buds. You might like more or less lemon, ginger, apple, etc. Add to taste and you can’t go wrong.
7. Italian Bean Balls with Spaghetti Squash Noodles
Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, sugar-free
Delightful Italian bean balls filled with basil, oregano, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes round out this fresh & light meal of spaghetti squash "pasta" and tomato sauce. It’s a light meal, but it totally feels gourmet.
Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, oil-free, soy-free, sugar-free
This dense and filling savoury chickpea pancake is packed with protein and fibre and it makes a great breakfast, lunch, or quick dinner. Feel free to change up the mix-ins and toppings based on what you have in your fridge. It’s super versatile! I love it topped with hummus, avocado, salsa, and a sprinkle of Herbamare.
9. Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ‘Larabars’
vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, no bake, oil-free, soy-free option (use Enjoy Life chips or omit)
Because we all need something sweet now and then! This recipe is just like the store-bought bars, only homemade in your own kitchen in a matter of minutes.
Contest Winners:
Congrats to Meredith Bessey for winning the $100 Whole Foods Gift Card and the subscription to Chickpea Magazine! I’ve sent you an email this morning to collect your info.
The Facebook winner of a digital subscription to Chickpea Mag is Kirsty Scharneck! Please email [email protected] and we’ll get you hooked up.
Congrats ladies! Thanks to everyone who participated.
Wishing you all a very happy, prosperous, healthy, and fun New Year! I’m so grateful that you take the time out of your day to visit my blog; you enrich my life in so many ways. All the best to you in 2014! I have a feeling it’s going to be a great year.
These all look fantastic Angela! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Great round-up! That ‘tuna’ is now on my to-do list. And, that part about 2014 being a great year? I have that same feeling, too :) xxoo
All these recipes look great! I’m going to have to make that kale salad asap :-) it looks like it would be great to make ahead and use throughout the week
I have made the kale salad so many times, its unbelievable.
Wow!! These all look amazing!! I’m just starting out being a vegan – certainly, mixing being a student with become vegan is so hard… your website is amazing!! Have a lovely New Year :) and thank you for everything :)
Angela, this was just what I needed! I have been eating a lot of sugary foods over the Christmas period, not to mention testing for my dessert e-books released next year, and the boyfriend visiting at the moment so we’re eating lots of ‘man food’… I’m feeling quite bloated and heavy, to say the least. I can’t wait to make your Shredded Kale Salad! xoxo
YUM YUM YUM!! I think I’m going to make “more chia seeds” one of my New Year’s Resolutions… And the Italian Bean Balls with spaghetti squash looks heavenly!
Great picks! I had a giant chickpea flour pancake for lunch today :D
I can’t believe I still haven’t made that flaked almond salad yet. Thanks for the reminder.
Angela, I love your site, your recipes and your approach to food. I honestly can’t keep track of how many of I your recipes are staples in my household! That said, I’m a bit bummed to see the word “detox” in front of these (amazing!) recipes. I just feel that your blog does such an amazing job of conveying a super inclusive approach to eating – one that sees celebration as just that – and not something that requires a “fix”. It doesn’t make me love your blog any less, just a totally individual opinion from someone who thinks that d-word undermines the notion that true health means making room for everything in your life. I’m still very excited to have purchased more than one copy of your book and I wish you the very best and continued success in 2014!!!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, J. I appreciate your honesty and I can now see how it might come across in the wrong way. Totally not my intention! I was simply trying to communicate that these recipes contain ingredients that are shown to help with the detoxification process in the body.
All my best & thanks for ordering my book!
Thank you. !!! Being 9 months pregnant & baking a ton of cookies for friends meant eating waaay too much sugar. Looking forward to eating a bit cleaner & lighter–both now and after baby (any day now!).
Wishing you lots of love, laughter, health, & prosperity in 2014!
haha a detox is exactly what i need right about now!
These all look great, I have tried and loved the Chia Fresca and the chickpea pancake. Those larabars and the flaked almond salad are definitely on my ‘must try’ list! Happy New Year to you :)
I can’t wait to try all of these!
I cannot get over how yummy that pink smoothie was when I made it! I’m going to have to try those Larabars (I’m unhappy with my current recipe) and for sure the kale salad. Thanks for sharing, and Happy New Year :)
Good idea having a bottle of the chia drink ready for New Year’s Day! I should do that. Also stoked about your bean balls. I’ve been meaning to find a good bean ball recipe because I haven’t made them in forever. Your food is seriously the best. Definitely one of the prettiest food blogs around, and not just in the vegan world, but in the blog world in general. I just started my blog a little while ago and I’m finding it difficult to really put my effort into it. You’re my inspiration to get my blog feet on the ground. Huge fan. :)
Thank you for putting these together. You have saved me so much time, and believe me I appreciate that more than you know. I am not a fan of the word detox. It could be that it is about healthy living for me. Healthy lifestyle, and healthy food, and constantly trying to achieve a balance. I love your blog, and appreciate all the time and effort you put into it.
I am a forever fan!
This is such a great mash up of recipes! I so need this after holiday splurging :)
Hi Angela,
LOVE your blog!
Will your book be available as an e-book ?
Thanks,
Sonia
Hey Sonia, Thanks for your kind words! I do think it will be available as an e-book, but I have to check on that.
Great ideas and tips! Thanks for sharing!! I will be trying the Green Monster tomorrow morning!!
Mmmm I wish I could stay home all day and make these! I’ve had a huge craving for the Whole Foods detox salad again (ever since our visit last month!) and am going to make a big batch on New Years Day when I can get back into my kitchen and cook the day away. I also just ordered a huge bag of chia seeds so there will be lots of chia fresca a-flowing! Happy (early) New Year, Ange!
The kale salad and faux tuna salad looks insanely delicious! These are definitely being added to my meal prep for next week!