savory grits with bbq tempeh and collard greens

Serve up a warm bowl of Savory Grits with BBQ Tempeh and Collard Greens for a hearty meat-free meal!

Savory Grits with BBQ Tempeh and Collard Greens ~vegan, gluten free~

Born and raised in the North East I never heard of grits until I did a quick stint of schooling down in Virginia my freshman year of college.  I was instantly hooked on this standard southern soul food!  Traditionally, grits are prepared with butter and often times they are served with cheese and sausage or bacon.  Grits are made from ground corn and are also referred to as hominy.  They are gluten-free and contain vitamins and minerals including B vitamins, iron and selenium.  You can also eat them for breakfast swirled with maple syrup, walnuts and sliced bananas!

(Note: Not all brands of grits are gluten free due to cross-contamination.  However, Bob’s Red Mill and Arrowhead Mills are labeled gluten free.)

Savory Grits with BBQ Tempeh and Collard Greens ~vegan, gluten free~

savory grits with bbq tempeh and collard greens
 
Cook time
Total time
 
Serve up a warm bowl of Savory Grits with BBQ Tempeh and Collard Greens for a hearty meat free meal!
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Cuisine: Vegan
Serves: 4
Ingredients
For Tempeh:
  • 8 oz. tempeh, cubed
  • ¾ cup BBQ sauce
For Collard Greens:
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 bunch collard greens, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • pinch sea salt
  • splash balsamic vinegar
For Grits:
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup onion, chopped
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup grits
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
For Tempeh
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. In a shallow baking dish mix tempeh and bbq sauce. Marinate for 30-45 minutes. Cover and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
For Collard Greens:
  1. In a large skillet over medium-low heat add olive oil and garlic. Sauté until fragrant. Add collard greens and sauté until wilted. Add sea salt and splash of balsamic vinegar.
For Grits:
  1. In a medium sauce pan heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Sauté onion until golden. Add broth and bring to a boil. Lower heat and slowly whisk in grits to prevent clumping. Add sea salt. Cover and cook until grits are soft and fluffy, around 10 minutes.
Serve BBQ tempeh and collard greens on top of grits, enjoy!

     Savory Grits with BBQ Tempeh and Collard Greens ~vegan, gluten free~

    cashew pumpkin dip

    Pass on the pile of candy and dive into a bowl of Cashew Pumpkin Dip this Halloween!  It’s secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake!  Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack…or just eat it by the spoonfuls like I did :)

    Cashew Pumpkin Dip ~vegan~ It's secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake! Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack...or just eat it by the spoonfuls!

    This recipe takes only a few minutes to make.  Simply blend creamy cashew butter, pumpkin, maple syrup and spices until fluffy.  Cashew butter is a mild tasting nut butter that works well in recipes.  It’s also super buttery, which makes for a decant dessert!  Cashews are a great source of zinc, biotin, iron, potassium and magnesium.  They also provide protein and monounsaturated fat, making this a snack that will keep your glucose levels in check and in turn preventing sugar cravings.  Sugar cravings and Halloween are a bad combo!

    Cashew Pumpkin Dip ~vegan~ It's secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake! Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack...or just eat it by the spoonfuls!

    cashew pumpkin dip
     
    Prep time
    Total time
     
    Cashew Pumpkin Dip ~vegan~ It's secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake! Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack...or just eat it by the spoonfuls!
    Author:
    Recipe type: Dessert
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Serves: 8
    Ingredients
    • 1 can pumpkin
    • ¼-1/3 cup pure maple syrup
    • ½ cup cashew butter
    • ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • pinch sea salt
    Instructions
    1. Place all ingredients in a food process or high-speed blender. Puree until smooth and creamy.
    2. Serve with apple slices, pretzels and graham crackers!
    Nutrition Information
    Serving size: 1 Calories: 137 Fat: 8 Carbohydrates: 16 Sugar: 8 Fiber: 2 Protein: 3

    Cashew Pumpkin Dip ~vegan~ It's secretly healthy and tastes just like pumpkin cheesecake! Dip into it with apple slices, pretzels or spread onto graham crackers for a delightful snack...or just eat it by the spoonfuls!

    P.S. Leftovers make a tasty topping on whole grain toast for breakfast! 

    Head over to Nuts.com for more healthy snack ideas including snacks for work, snacks for kids and high-protein snacks!

    boo bark

    I’ve seen so many variations of Halloween Bark floating around Pinterest these days.  They look beautiful, but are all loaded with artificial coloring and chemicals.  Here is my healthier take on it, Boo Bark!

    Boo Bark, healthier halloween bark! ~vegan, gluten free~ 

    I found the eyes and natural food coloring at whole foods.  I melted coconut butter and coconut oil together to create something similar to white chocolate.  It gave the bark a nice coconutty flavor!  I added brown rice crisps, dried cranberries and walnuts for texture, but feel free to add any of your favorite healthy snacks!  Pistachios, sunflower seeds, dried apple pieces, peanuts or dried kiwi would all work well!  Try this adorable recipe for Vegan Googly Eyes from Fork & Beans!

    Boo Bark, healthier halloween bark! ~vegan, gluten free~

    Boo Bark
     
    Spooky Bark, a healthy version of Halloween Bark without all the added dyes or chemicals!
    Author:
    Recipe type: Dessert
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Ingredients
    • 1 bag dark chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life)
    • ¼ cup coconut butter
    • ½ tablespoon coconut oil
    • a few drops of all-natural orange food coloring
    • walnuts
    • dried cranberries
    • brown rice crisp cereal
    • naturally colored green sprinkles
    • monster eyes (optional!)
    Instructions
    1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
    2. Using a double boiler melt chocolate. Spread evenly onto parchment paper.
    3. Meanwhile, melt coconut butter and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Add all-natural food coloring. Drizzle on chocolate and use a knife to swirl.
    4. Top with goodies of your choice such as walnuts, dried cranberries, brown rice crisps, sprinkles and monster eyes!
    5. Place in a cool place to harden. Once set, cut into squares and enjoy!
    6. Store in the refrigerator.

     Boo Bark, healthier halloween bark! ~vegan, gluten free~