Feasting with friends and family is probably the best part of Thanksgiving (although the ritual game of football is certainly not shabby) But rather than serve the same tired dishes, why not see them with a healthier twist
We took three classic Thanksgiving. -? sauce, mashed potatoes and stuffing - and raised the nutrient factor with our fight against cancer favorite add-ins. So they just happen to be vegan as well, but that does not mean they are not a delicious side dish for roast turkey.
Savory Mushroom-Herb Gravy
Turkey sauce n 't exactly the most attractive dish on the Thanksgiving table - or the most nutritious. Skip sauces groceries, which are devoid of any nutritional value, and opt for our warm homemade version instead. Velvety with surprisingly tasty nuances, this version gets its flavor of shiitake mushrooms earthy
Ingredients :.
- 3 tablespoons Earth Balance vegan butter organic
- ½ cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 3 tablespoons chopped onion
- 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour dough
- soy sauce 1 teaspoon
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 1 tablespoon sage coffee
- salt and pepper sea to taste
Directions:
- melt butter over medium heat; sauté mushrooms and onion until tender
- Sprinkle flour on top of the mixture mushroom / onion .; stir constantly for 2-3 minutes or until flour is golden
- Add soy sauce, broth and herbs. stir every few minutes until the sauce thickens the sauce
Health Bonus :. The researchers identified a number of anti-cancer compounds in shiitake mushrooms. The cell walls of fungi are rich in lentinin - an immune stimulant popular in Japanese medicine - which can help slow tumor growth. Shiitake mushrooms also contain a substance known as "hexose-containing compound on," which mitigated the side effects of cancer treatment in several independent studies.
garlic, parsnip potato puree
puree are a Thanksgiving staple for a reason. If you are planning to serve this food favorite comfort for your holiday gathering this year, why not slip in an extra serving of vegetables? In whipped potatoes, parsnips bring a new set of nutrients, while keeping it soft and chewy texture that we all learned to love
Ingredients :.
- one half pound of Yukon Gold potatoes
- 1 pound parsnips
- 6 cloves garlic
- ½ cup olive oil
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. As the water heats, peel and chop the potatoes and parsnips. Once the water is boiling, add the vegetables and coverage; cook until tender.
- As the water boils, crush and mince garlic. Let stand 10 minutes before blast lightly with a teaspoon of olive oil
- Drain the cooked potatoes and parsnips. add to a large bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper. Using an electric mixer, whip until soft and fluffy
Health Bonus :. Garlic is a powerful, yet completely natural antibiotic. Also, once the pods are crushed, chemical changes produce allicin - a control substance against cancer. It is important not to cook garlic for at least 10 minutes after crushing to allow these changes to take place. In several studies, garlic and garlic extract stimulated activity in cells fight against cancer and even slow the rate at which existing tumors spread throughout the body.
Wheat Sourdough Stuffing-Chive
In this stuffing recipe, the Treaty white bread is replaced by a version with whole grains, extra tasty sourdough made by the tang. Chives, onion and celery provide crunch texture, while vegetable broth actually a side suitable for vegetarians - or those looking for a little less meat on their table for Thanksgiving
ingredients :.
- 1 large loaf of sourdough bread wheat
- virgin olive oil 4 tablespoons extra soup
- ¼ cup chopped chives
- ¼ cup onion, chopped
- 4 stalks celery, chopped
- oil 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive (again)
- 4 sprigs of thyme
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoon sage vegetable broth
- 3 cups
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. As the oven heats, tear the bread into small cubes and mix with 4 tablespoons of olive oil; spread on a greased baking sheet.
- Toast bread crumbs in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Like toast crumbs, fry the chives, onion and celery with remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
- In a large baking dish, combine bread cubes and stir fried vegetables with fresh herbs. Cover with vegetable broth and return to oven to bake for 30 minutes
Health Bonus :. Chives belong to the same family as garlic; they are another rich source of allicin fight against cancer. Unlike garlic, however, chives are rich in glutathione, which helps the body to naturally identify and eliminate toxins. Beta-carotene - a powerful stimulant of the immune system - is also abundant in the thin green stems
planning to try one of these dishes -. Or edit one of your own favorite recipes for Thanksgiving? Be sure to share your culinary ideas in the comments!
