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My Plant-Based Family

Feeding My Family a Whole Food, Plant-Based Diet, On a Budget

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Recipes

Roasted Stuffed Winter Squash from the Forks Over Knives Plan

September 17, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo 6 Comments

Roasted Stuffed Winter Squash from the Forks Over Knives Plan

Yesterday I shared a review of the new book The Forks Over Knives Plan by Alonda Pulde, MD and Matthew Lederman, MD. Today I’m going to share a recipe from the book! This recipe is shared with permission.

It’s perfect timing too because fall is on the way and soon we will be looking for comforting recipes just like this one.

Roasted Stuffed Winter Squash from the Forks Over Knives Plan

Roasted Stuffed Winter Squash

Winter squashes, such as acorn and butternut, can be tricky to work with because their tough skin is hard to peel. Preparing squash this way — stuffed with a savory filling and roasted — puts that sturdy shell to good use. The rice should be quite moist after it cooks in step 3; it provides good contrast to the squash and helps the stuffing mixture stay together without becoming chewy or dry during baking. — Darshana Thacker

Makes 4 stuffed squash halves

  • 2 medium acorn squash
  • ½ cup wild rice medley
  • 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth, plus more as needed
  • ½ medium red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1½ teaspoons dried rosemary
  • ½ cup finely chopped carrot
  • ½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
  • ½ cup small broccoli florets
  • ½ cup small cauliflower florets
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons pine nuts

1. Cut each acorn squash in half through the stem. Trim the stem and remove and discard the seeds (keep the skin on).

2. Bring a large saucepan or pot of water to a boil. Add the squash halves and cook until the squash is slightly soft when pierced with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the water and drain well. Set aside until cool enough to handle.

3. Meanwhile, bring 1½ cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add the wild rice medley and cook, covered, over medium heat for 25 minutes. (Alternatively, follow the cooking instructions on the rice package, using a bit more water than called for so that the rice is moist after steaming.) Remove from the heat and set aside.

4. Use a spoon to scoop out the inner edges of each cooled squash half to create a wider and deeper hollow for the stuffing; leave about half of the squash flesh attached to the peel. Reserve the scooped-out squash flesh for the stuffing. Set the squash shells aside.

5. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

6. In a skillet with a lid, combine the vegetable broth, onion, garlic powder, ginger, and rosemary. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, covered, until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. Add the carrot, cover, and cook for about 10 minutes. Add the bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, black pepper, and salt to taste, cover, and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes more.

8. Add the reserved squash flesh and wild rice. Use a wooden spoon to mix the stuffing together; it should be a bit creamy. If all the liquid has dried up, add about ¼ cup broth or as much as is needed to make it slightly creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Remove from the heat.

9. Arrange the acorn squash shells on a baking sheet and divide the stuffing evenly among them. Sprinkle the pine nuts on top.

10. Bake until the pine nuts are browned and the stuffing is heated through, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for a few minutes before serving. Serve hot.

The above is an excerpt from the book The Forks Over Knives Plan: How to Transition to the Life-Saving, Whole-Food, Plant-Based Diet by Alona Pulde, MD, and Matthew Lederman, MD. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy and references.

Giveaway

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win you very own copy of the Forks Over Knives Plan and read my full review.

Have you entered the giveaway yet?

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Dairy Free, Forks Over Knives, Forks Over Knives Plan, Plant Based Diet, Recipes, squash, Vegan

Cookie Bars (Vegan, Gluten-Free and Nut-Free)

September 3, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo 7 Comments

Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegan Cookie bars

I first made this recipe when I was trying to make cookies. It tasted good but the consistency was off. I tweaked it to develop the Sunbutter Cookie Recipe (also GF and Vegan) that I shared last week. This recipe is easier and works really well as Cookie Bars. They are very sturdy and perfect for lunch box packing. My kindergartener ate them daily after school.

Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegan Cookie bars

I make this recipe with Sunbutter because my youngest son is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. You could try this with peanut or almond butter if you are not allergic. Also, if you do not have brown rice flour and sorghum flour you could use a gluten-free baking mix. If you make it with any adaptations I’d love to hear how they go. I’m considering making them with oat flour next. I imagine they would work fine with wheat flour also but I haven’t tried it.

Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Vegan Cookie bars

Cookie Bars

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup SunButter
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup Brown Rice Flour (this is the best deal I’ve found)
  • 1/2 cup Sorghum Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Xanthan Gum
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/8 cup rice milk
  • 1/2 cup Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (optional)

Do

  1. Cream Sunbutter and Sugar together.
  2. Dump the rest of the ingredients together, except chocolate chips.
  3. Mix well, adding extra rice milk if needed.
  4. If using chocolate chips mix them in or just sprinkle them on top.
  5. Pour into a 9×9 pan that is lined with parchment paper.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.
  7. Allow to cool before removing from pan and cutting into bars. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for about 5 days.

Serve

This is perfect for an after school snack or in the lunch box.

The odd thing is that my super picky kid loved these and the one who eats everything didn’t like them. He doesn’t always want to try new things because of his food allergies so I don’t force it.

Do you need to work around various food allergies or restrictions? I try to make them as accommodating as possible. What restrictions do you deal with?

This recipe is part of the Virtual Vegan Linky Potluck!

This page contains affiliate links. 

Filed Under: Allergies, Back to School, Dessert, Recipes Tagged With: allergies, Back to School, Dairy Free, gluten free, Healthy, kids, Plant Based Diet, Recipes, Vegan

Allergy-Friendly SunButter Cookies

August 27, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo 5 Comments

SunButter Cookies that are Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, nut-free

It’s been a really long time since I’ve shared a dessert with you. I don’t make dessert often. With my little guys food allergies I have to use specialty ingredients. Thankfully they are becoming more mainstream and I can find SunButter at most grocery stores.

I first made these allergy-friendly SunButter Cookies last year. It’s taken me a long time to share them but I hope the wait is worth it.

SunButter Cookies that are Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, nut-free

I still prefer to buy most of my “special” items on Amazon. I have an Amazon Prime membership so they are delivered to my door so I don’t have to take the kids in the store. Win-Win. I’ll share links to the products I buy if you are curious. I buy them in bulk but you can purchase smaller amounts.

SunButter Cookies that are Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, nut-free

Sunbutter Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup SunButter
  • 1/2 cup Sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 cup warm water + 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 cup Rice Flour Brown
  • 1/4 cup Sorghum Flour
  • 1/4 cup Tapioca Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Xanthan Gum
  • additional sugar for dipping

Do

  1. Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a Silpat Non-Stick Baking Mat.
  2. “Cream” first four ingredients together in a medium bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl (I use my measuring cup) mix warm water and chia seeds together. Allow them to sit for a few minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  4. In a large bowl mix the remaining dry ingredients together.
  5. Dump all of the wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well.
  6. Use your hands to scoop out ping-pong sized cookies and roll them into balls. Roll them in sugar. Use wet hands to keep the dough from sticking to your hands.
  7. Flatten them onto the prepared cookie sheet.
  8. Bake for 12 minutes. Allow to cool before eating.

Serve

This recipe makes about 12 cookies. They will be soft in the middle but firm on the edges, the best of both worlds. They are great for lunch boxes too!

For a little change try adding a 1/2 cup Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips.

SunButter Cookies that are Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, nut-free

Substitutions:

I haven’t made this with peanut butter or other nut butters but if you do please let me know how they turn out. You could use a Gluten and Wheat Free Baking Mix instead of using the flours mentioned above. Be sure to read the labels to check for allergens.

If you like these allergy-friendly SunButter Cookies you should try my Brownies!

This page contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase I may earn a small percent at no extra cost to you.

Filed Under: Allergies, Dessert, Recipes Tagged With: allergies, Back to School, Cookies, Dairy Free, gluten free, Plant Based Diet, Recipes, SunButter, Vegan

Don’t Miss The Top 8 Allergen-Free Recipe Collection

August 26, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo 1 Comment

All proceeds of the sale of this book will benefit Gabriel and his family.

This week is your last chance to get The Top 8 Allergen-Free Recipe Collection.

Remember Gabriel? He is a handsome little guy who lives with multiple life threatening food allergies. You can read his story here. He has had over 20 anaphylactic reactions.  He is one tough kid. He also has an incredibly brave Mom who tirelessly advocates for him.

All proceeds of the sale of this book will benefit Gabriel and his family.

I’m doing my part to help and have created The Top 8 Allergen-Free Recipe Collection. It will only be available through the end of August. We have raised almost $60 to send to their family to help offset the expense of their trip to Mayo Clinic. I have also donated money personally and wouldn’t ask you to do something I wasn’t willing to do myself.

Help Me Help Gabe

Would you partner with me? You can give on their Go Fund Me Page or buy this cookbook. It contains 40 Recipes that are free of the top 8 allergens and it’s vegan. The Recipe collection is only $2.99!

There isn’t a lot of pop and circumstance awarded for buying this cookbook and making this donation. You will have my thanks and appreciation. You will be part of making a difference in Gabriel’s life. You will give other food allergy families hope. That is a lot for only $2.99.

Thank you for joining me. Now click here or here to buy the book.

Filed Under: Allergies Tagged With: allergies, cookbook, Plant Based Diet, Recipes, Top 8 Allergen-free

Need Help with your Plant-Based Diet?

August 17, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo 2 Comments

The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook, Shop and Eat Well is $2 off during August

Have you been considering my ebook The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook, Shop and Eat Well? If you I have great news for you!

In honor of Back to School month here at My Plant-Based Family I’m offering $2.00 OFF the PDF copy through the end of August. Please note that this is only for the PDF copy sold here and not for the kindle version sold on Amazon.

Back to School Month

I’ve been getting so many emails from new readers who are just discovering the plant-based diet and I really want to make the transition as easy on you as possible.

This book covers all the basics of a plant-based diet in an easy to read format. I leave the science to the doctors and explain exactly how to get it done in the real world including a chapter on transitioning your family.

To get $2.00 OFF your purchase of The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide (PDF ebook) use the code backtoschool. Remember it’s this sale is only happening until August 31st! Add to Cart

The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide: How to Cook, Shop and Eat Well is $2 off during AugustAdd to Cart

The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide has helped many people take that next step and fully transition to a plant-based diet.

Have you read The Plant-Based Diet Starter Guide Yet? What did you think of it?

Filed Under: Back to School, How to, Plant-Based Basics Tagged With: How To, Plant Based Diet, Recipes, Starter Guide, Vegan

Quick and Easy Meal Plans for Back to School

August 4, 2014 by Holly Yzquierdo 1 Comment

Meal Plan for Back to School

It’s Back to School month here at My Plant-Based Family! This month will focus on quick and easy meal plans. I recommend you double recipes so you can eat leftovers and save time cooking.

Back to School Month

In case you are just joining us all of the Meal Plans are plant-based meaning they do not contain animal products like meat or dairy, they are also allergy-friendly. Since food allergies vary widely it’s not possible to come up with an allergen-free menu. For each recipe that contains one of the Top 8 Allergens I’ll list substitutions that can be made. Most of my recipes are gluten and nut free although older recipes may container them.

I’ll be handling lunch ideas in a separate post so they won’t be included here.

Meal Plan for Back to School

Plant-Based Meal Plan

Breakfast

I like to keep it simple on school mornings so we will be eating easy foods. Here is a hint, you can prepare breakfast the night before for a quick “heat and eat”.

  • Blueberry Oatmeal
  • Cereal
  • Toast with SunButter and fruit
  • Multi-Grain Breakfast Bowl with fruit

You can also follow my Plant-Based Breakfast Pinterest Board for more delicious breakfast ideas or see my Breakfast Page.

Dinner

  • Pizza Pasta with side salad and Sweet & Tangy Salad Dressing (my kids favorite)
  • Tostadas with Mexican Rice
  • Crock Pot Brown Rice and Broccoli Casserole I’ve been tweaking this recipe and will likely share a new (easier) variation soon
  • Taco Soup with Baked Potatoes
  • Veggie Pad Thai (this is my favorite super quick dinner) try using coconut aminos if you have a soy allergy

Have you seen my latest Pinterest Board? The Back to School with My Plant-Based Family is a community board, meaning you can add your own pins. All you have to do is follow all of my board on Pinterest and send me your email address and I’ll send you an invite. It’s a great opportunity for bloggers to expand their reach but also fun for anyone.

Are you staring school soon? We start this week!

This page contains affiliate links.

Filed Under: Back to School, Meal Plan Monday, Meal Plans 2014 Tagged With: Back to School, gluten free, Meal Plan Monday, Meal Plans, Menu Plan, Plant Based Diet, Recipes, Vegan

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