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.
The Italian bean balls look amazing! BTW, try as I might, I can’t see the image for Detox Tabbouleh. Not sure why that would be.
What a great round-up of recipes! I’m dying to try the Pink Power Detox Smoothie, but I have a hard enough time staying warm during the winter. I do want to let you know: I first made the shredded kale salad for Thanksgiving, and since then I’ve eaten it at least 4 or 5 times per week! I could pretty much eat the “Parmesan” part with a spoon! 95% of the dinners I make for my husband come from your blog, and he loves every single one of them, which is really something, considering I’m a vegan and he’s not!
I just love coming to your blog! You always make such wonderful and healthy recipes that I crave – as well as your awesome pictures!
I’m posting here in hopes that someone here can help me out with a vegan pregnancy. We are vegan at my house because my 18 month old has severe food allergies to animal proteins. He’s also allergic to wheat and nuts. As you can see, this makes it very difficult. I keep nuts at work as a pick me up, but I need some suggestions on what I can make at home that are nut free but helps me to get the extra protein that I need right now.
I feel healthier just looking at all of these. Oh, and hungrier too. So many delicious things to make! Especially that kale salad.
I pre-ordered your book last night and I’m so excited to try more of your amazing recipes. It will make it that much easier to stay healthy in 2014.
Cheers to the new year!
Every year around this time I look through your old “detox” type recipes because I always feel so lethargic after the heavier holiday fare. I added a little bit more banana to the pink power smoothie and really loved the sweetness it gave it :)
These all look great! I’m in the mood for some lighter food!
Oh, and how did you know we’d be needing this list at this time of year…
Thanks for posting! Happy New Year to you and yours!
Awesome! I came home from work feeling drained and now just reading this has revived me and gotten me excited to plan the rest of the week’s meals for boyfriend and I. Those larabars are gonna get made tonight though….they say dessert is the most important meal of the day (right?). Hope you have a superfabulous new year!
My family did not have a Christmas dinner so , I feel like im already ahead of toning up my body for my spring time shorts… Ill drink a detox drink tomorrow and kick***, oops I mean exercise and be me.
BENNY!!! I spy Benny in your Winter Wonderland post!! SO SO SO cute :) Glad he made an appearance!! I love his white face. He just looks SO soft and happy all the time! (yes, I’ve been a ready for a loooong time (i.e. 1st Halloween post with Sketchie).
Thanks for the yummy recipes. I can’t wait for March (i.e. your cookbook). Preorders are the best. It will be like Christmas morning in March!
Happy New Year to you and Eric (Sketchie too) :)
Oops..Sketchie wasn’t in that first post, but you know what I mean ;)
This is exactly what I needed, thank you! I’m starting off 2014 with a 10 day detox and I’m excited to include some of these recipes!
These ‘detox’ recipes look amazing! With so much unknowns in our food sources, it’s good to know what is actually GOOD and cleansing for us! Thanks for posting!
Laura
Hi Angela,
I’ve been a huge fan of your site (and recipes!) for a few years now, and felt it was finally time to say thanks for all you do. I’m not vegan, but thanks to your recipes have begun incorporating more vegan meals into my family’s menu each week (and all my “boys” love them!).
Wishing you and yours a very happy New Year! Congrats on your upcoming book – look forward to picking up a copy.
Hey Liisa, I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks & Happy New Year to you as well :)
“Tuna” salad is awesome. Just made it for the first time and it’s so good. Soaked almonds give it a real authentic feel. Thanks for a great recipe as always :)
Thanks for this inspiring post, angela! I, too, am hoping that your cookbook will be an e-book as well (especially if it’s a .pdf cause i find those are the easiest to use). I’m a big big traveller and can’t afford to move cookbooks every time i move. If you publish it digitally, you can count on me for a copy!
Thanks for the links to your great re-fresh recipes! Although Ive been trying to incorporate more whole foods each day – it’s nice to have a list of your fabulous recipes to refer to!
Hope you had a great new year!
Love, love, love this blog! Your recipes make it deliciously easy to eat better! Thank you for sharing! Just pre-ordered your book – can’t wait until March!
Love your blog and can’t wait for the book! I am not vegan but try to make vegan meals at home as often as possible. I think eventually I will be fully converted as I feel much better after one of your recipes! I love these roundup posts and your posts you did on a week of lunches and meal plans to make. I remember reading that you are not huge into meal planning, (and not that you asked ha!) but I’d love to see some sample weekly menu ideas to help navigate creating well rounded vegan meals! And tips on what is freezer friendly as it seems most veggie meals are not.
Thanks for another year of great recipes!
These all look so delicious & your pictures are gorgeous! I’ve been a vegetarian for a couple of years and just gave up dairy two months ago. Your blog has helped me transform my meals and food choices so much while remaining totally satisfied and nourished. Thank you!!