During the holidays, we might be tempted to eat less healthy, but it’s pretty easy to eat healthy, plant-based ingredients. It’s important not to sacrifice our heart health just to overindulge when there are other tasty, healthier alternatives. That’s why we put together a list of 15 heart-healthy recipes from our Food Monster App divided between low sodium recipes, low carb recipes, and low sugar and refined sugar-free recipes. Enjoy!
Low Sodium
1. Smoky Sweet Potato Bisque
Source: Smoky Sweet Potato Bisque
You don’t need cream to make a rich and creamy bisque — in fact, Susan Edelman‘s dairy-free Smoky Sweet Potato Bisque doesn’t even include coconut cream. Sweet potatoes are cooked until tender and then blended with sautéed onions, non-dairy milk, and plenty of spices that’ll bring the heat and keep you warm. Serve with a dollop of cool coconut sour cream and crackers for dipping.
2. Sweet Potato and Chickpea Coconut Curry
Source: Sweet Potato and Chickpea Coconut Curry
Dana Sandonato‘s Sweet Potato and Chickpea Coconut Curry is crunchy, creamy and delicious. The dish combines an excellent blend of spices and fresh ingredients to bring together a curry that is savory and well balanced. The cashews are a perfect crunchy counterpart to the tender sweet potatoes.
3. Swedish Mushroom Meatballs
Source: Swedish Mushroom Meatballs
Making the perfect veggie meatball is an art and the secret is seasoning. These Swedish Mushroom Meatballs by the Cruelty Free Family are blended with fragrant onions, garlic, nutritional yeast for cheesiness, Sriracha, savory liquid aminos, and a few other spices. After being formed and baked until crispy, these meatballs are tossed in a creamy cashew sauce which tastes amazing over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice. Yum!
Source: Red Bean Curry
Molly Patrick‘s Red Bean Curry is totally delicious, and it’s also a lot easier to clean up because there is no oil coating your dishes. The part that takes the longest is chopping the veggies!
5. Lentil Potato Nut Loaf
Source: Lentil Potato Nut Loaf
Nele Liivlaid‘s hearty, colorful Lentil Potato Nut Loaf is made from red lentils, chickpeas, vegetables, and potatoes. It’s nutty, savory, and slightly sweet thanks to the addition of roast sweet potatoes and carrots. The loaf goes extremely well with vegan cheese sauce, a salad of Romain lettuce, steamed kale, oven roasted tahini-sauce coated Brussels sprouts, and raw red cabbage.
Low Carb
1. Tahini-Roasted Cauliflower With Lemony Herb Oil
Source: Tahini-Roasted Cauliflower With Lemony Herb Oil
Dinners, in the traditional sense, are usually centered around one main dish. For a stunning centerpiece that looks as amazing as it tastes, you have to try Maikki Vasala‘s Tahini-Roasted Cauliflower. Along with being absolutely gorgeous, it is craftily spiced, rubbed down with a nutty tahini coating, drizzled with lemony herbs, and eventually garnished with roasted almonds.
2. Teriyaki Glazed Tofu Steaks
Source: Teriyaki Glazed Tofu Steaks
This recipe by Maya Sozer is an incredibly delicious way to enjoy the plant protein powerhouse that is tofu. These Tofu Steaks are pan-seared and then glazed with a sweet and zesty homemade teriyaki sauce. Serve with white rice and greens for a hearty and tasty meal.
3. Curried Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
Source: Curried Cauliflower Rice Pilaf
Cauliflower rice is a wonderful grain-free alternative to rice that is lighter, more nutritious, and just as delicious! While you can definitely enjoy cauliflower rice plain, this Curried Cauliflower Rice Pilaf by Lisa Lotts only gets more delectable with more seasoning. This particular recipe uses Indian spices like turmeric, curry powder, and cilantro, as well as some popular Indian garnishes like golden raisins and toasted almonds. Yum!
4. Fresh and Light Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups
Source: Fresh and Light Zucchini Lasagna Roll-Ups
A light and fresh zucchini lasagna recipe to eat more veggies and for those trying to eat less carbs during Christmas dinner! Rolled with hummus and fresh spinach, then topped with simple tomato sauce, fresh basil, and toasted pine nuts – this zucchini lasagna by Emily Brees will be a favorite!
5. Sicilian Roasted Cauliflower
Source: Sicilian Roasted Cauliflower
Who would have thought that a whole head of cauliflower could pack so much texture and flavor! Lilia Jankowska‘s Sicilian Roasted Cauliflower features a roasted cauliflower topped with crispy, crunch breadcrumbs. It is flavored with plenty of Italian herbs and red pepper flakes.
Low Sugar/Refined Sugar Free Desserts
1. Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake
Source: Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake
This Flourless Dark Chocolate Cake by Pauline Hanuise is the ultimate in rich, chocolate flavor. Feel free to use a lighter percentage of chocolate, but the dark chocolate really makes this dessert ultra-fudgy and intense. Either way, it’s a chocolate lover’s dream!
2. Pumpkin Pomegranate Cheesecake
Source: Pumpkin Pomegranate Cheesecake
How could anyone be sick of pumpkin when this Cheesecake exists? It’s rich, sweet, and the pop of pomegranate arils against the creamy pumpkin spice filling is so delightful! This cheesecake by Amanda Smith will be the star of any holiday dessert spread.
3. Chickpea-nut Butter Ice Cream Cake
Source: Chickpea-nut butter Ice Cream Cake
The best vegan Ice Cream Cake is made with… chickpeas! Yes, chickpeas. Chickpeas and peanut butter combine to make chick(pea-nut). Yes, that means there are in fact chickpeas in this dessert. And no, you can’t taste them. They’re simply there for nutrition and texture. Made with a buttery cashew chocolate crust, creamy peanut butter ice cream and topped with chocolate and coconut chips, this recipe by Caroline Doucet is the perfect ice cream cake that’s secretly healthy!
4. Plantain Brownies
Source: Plantain Brownies
This perfect Brownie recipe by Claire Ragozzino is gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and doesn’t taste like cardboard or strange hippie healthy takes on dessert. Plus, it’s under 10 ingredients! It’s also a recipe that’s versatile in texture and flavor possibilities. If you like fudgy, dense brownies, then increase the oil to 1/3 cup. If you like them fluffy, then use less oil. The majority of the sweetness comes from the ripe plantains, but the maple rounds it out with a touch of smoky richness. You can also play around with adding mint instead of cinnamon or a swirl of nut butter, the base is pretty solid and can be tweaked for different flavor cravings as your heart desires.
5. Raw Orange and Chocolate Cake
Source: Raw Orange and Chocolate Cake
Chocolate and orange is one of the best citrusy and sweet combinations for fall, winter, and seasonal holidays. This Raw Orange and Chocolate Cake recipe by Lili Basic Capaccetti lets you enjoy the tasty combo while still being healthy! The orange juice and orange peel give a lovely refreshing citrusy note that goes so well with other flavors.
