LIVING AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE #83

By Rhonda Jones

Christmas is almost here, and I hope you have had time to try out some of the recipes posted in previous weeks. Being plant-based this time of year does not mean that you have to give up the fun foods. I hope you have tried some of the recipes and enjoyed them as much as I do. I love baking cookies and making desserts, and it is even more fun knowing that the ingredients are healthy.

Christmas Eve is usually a day when everything starts to come together, and we begin to settle into the quiet of the evening as the big day approaches. The shopping is done, the presents are wrapped, and it is time to relax a bit. Some will go to church, others will settle in with friends and have a fun, relaxing night.

This is my favorite time of the holiday. Our family usually has soup on Christmas Eve for an easy, comforting meal. Your family may have traditional food you share with friends on Christmas Eve, and you may be thinking you are plant-based and want to stick with it, but you would also like to have a simple, enjoyable meal. I have some suggestions to make the meal simple yet great for the whole family.

I mentioned that our family likes soup. The traditional soup for us is Taco Soup, which is really easy, just a matter of opening cans. My daughter usually makes the traditional Taco Soup, and I have a version that I make. Here is the simple recipe:

Rhonda’s Taco Soup

1 26-ounce box of Pomi chopped tomatoes (Albertsons has this)

1 can Rotel tomatoes

1 package McCormick Taco Seasoning (Low Sodium)

1 can low sodium corn

1 can low sodium green beans

1 can low sodium green peas

Dump everything into a pot (liquid along with veggies) and cook on medium for about 30 minutes.

Doing a baked potato buffet is quick, and everyone will enjoy it. Simply bake Russet or Yukon gold potatoes and/or sweet potatoes. Include lots of toppings to make it interesting. Game-changer cheese sauce is great. How about plant-based ranch dressing for the potato? Some other toppings can include green onions, salsa,

chopped veggies, relish, and black olives. You can add some plant-based cheese if you like. For sweet potatoes, include cinnamon, date sugar, or dates.

Or how about beans and rice? This is especially good for New Year’s Day. Black-eyed peas and brown jasmine rice would be divine. Add lots of toppings and a green salad. Simple but nice.

Game Changer Cheese sauce

Add the following ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. (Blend for five minutes in a Vitamix, and it will get hot and thicken. If using a regular blender, put the mixture on the stove and simmer until thick.)

2 cups rolled oats

¼ cup cornstarch

½ cup nutritional yeast

2 teaspoons onion powder

2 teaspoons salt (I only use one)

1 12-oz jar Fire Roasted Red peppers

1 tablespoon lemon juice

¼ teaspoon liquid smoke and 4 cups of water

This is the basic recipe. I sometimes add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, or Chipotle powder for extra flavor.

Ranch Dressing

Blend the following ingredients until smooth:

1 cup water

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

1 cup raw cashews

1 ½ teaspoons dried dill weed

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 ¼ teaspoons garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon nutritional yeast

This is a great salad dressing, but also really good on baked potatoes. Take the time to enjoy the holiday season with comforting meals!