Pumpkin ALL The Things

In my healthy cooking “hacks” article, you can re-read that post HERE, there wasn’t enough space to focus on PUMPKIN!

Organic pumpkin is an EASY hack (readily available in cartons and cans)! What a super nutritious ingredient substitution for oil as well as just a healthy additive to recipes …JUST BECAUSE!

 

PUMPKIN SOUP (organic, GF, vegan) 

• 1 15oz can of Pumpkin (puree, not pumpkin pie mix; organic)
• 1 sm Yellow or sweet Onion, diced
• 2-3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1-2 TB Ginger root, minced
• 4-5 C Water or veggie broth (could use chicken if you’re ok with that)
• 1 large head of Cauliflower, chopped (~1.5 – 2 C)
• 1/2 – 1 C Almond, coconut or non-milk “milk”
• Avocado or grapeseed oil
• Maple syrup
• Option: salt to taste, 1 C of potatoes (adds thickness)

1. Cook to soften & brown: onion, garlic, ginger root in large pot
2. Add the rest of the ingredients ( save for syrup) & simmer
3. Ladle ingredients in food processor or blender (incl maple syrup) & mix until smooth and add back to pot to keep warm
4. #nom

This soup is super nutritious, vegan and GF but of course you can modify and add as you see fit (<- no pun intended)

READY FOR MORE?

Pumpkin Cookie Dough (GF, organic, vegan depending on chips used)

• 1 C Pumpkin puree (see previous recipe)
• 1/4 C organic Maple syrup
• 1/4-1/2 C (any) Nut butter
• 1 t Vanilla extract
• 2/3 C Coconut flour (or oat flour, similar flours)
• 2 T Pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg)
• Himalayan salt to taste
• 3-4 T (any) “non milk” Milk
• 1/2 C Carob chips or dark chocolate (70% or more) chips
• 1/4 C Walnuts, chopped

1. Mix the wet ingredients,
2. Add to dry
3. Add more “milk” if too dry
4. Refrigerate until cooled (or freeze if you’re hungry)
5. Enjoy

 

Pumpkin Cookies (organic, GF. vegan)

• 1-2 C rolled Oats, GF (<- check)
• 1/4 C Chia seeds
• 3/4 C C Coconut flakes
• ! C Pumpkin puree
• 1/2 C (any) Nut butter
• 1/2 C Dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 C Maple syrup
• Salt, pinch
• 2 t Baking powder
• 1 t Cinnamon
• 2-3 t Vanilla

1. shape cookies
2. Bake at 350 x 15 mins
3. EAT

 

Pumpkin Protein Smoothie (raw, organic, GF, vegan depending on protein used)

• 1 serving of your preferred Protein Powder
• “Non milk” milk (almond, coconut, soy, etc)
• 2 T Chia seeds
• 1/2 C Pumpkin puree
• 1 t Pumpkin pie spice
• Maple syrup to taste
• Optional: vanilla, cacao nibs, 1/2 frozen banana

1. Blend up

 

BONUS: Raw, Organic Pumpkin Energy Balls 

• 1/2 – 3/4 C Pumpkin puree
• 1.5 – 2 C GF rolled Oats
• 1/4 C Flaxseeds
• 2 T Chia seeds
• 1 serving of your Protein Powder
• 1/4 – 1/2 C Honey
• 1/2 C of (any) Nut butter
• 1 t Pumpkin pie spice
• Optional: chopped pecans, cranberries, coconut flakes, cacao or chocolate chips…

1. Chill
2. Roll into balls
3. Stuff balls into face

 

BONUS: Ultimate Cake Pumpkin “Hack”

• Box of yellow cake mix
• 1 8-10oz can of Pumpkin puree

1. Mix and bake per directions! (That’s right; no need to add the eggs, oil or anything else

 

—

What other pumpkin recipes do you want modified? 

Any Questions??