Oven Roasted Carrots

This simple side dish pairs perfectly with any main course and can be customized with your favorite combination of herbs & spices!

Oven Roasted Carrots
Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

• 2 lbs carrots
• cooking spray
• salt (and/or other seasonings)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease rimmed cookie sheet with cooking spray.
2. Peel carrots and trim ends, then rinse under cool water. Drain carrots on paper towel to remove excess moisture.
3. Cut carrots in 1/2" thick round discs and arrange in single layer on prepared pan.
4. Spray carrots with cooking spray and season with salt, to taste.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, or until fork tender and edges brown slightly.
6. Serve hot from the oven!

Recipe adapted from Big Bear's Wife.

Vegan Carrot Raisin Salad

This bright and refreshing summer salad is packed with crunchy carrots, juicy raisins, and tangy pineapple, making it the perfect side dish for any picnic, potluck, or cookout!

Vegan Carrot Raisin Salad
Yield: about 5 cups

Ingredients

• 4 cups shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup pineapple, cut into small pieces (if using canned, drain well first)
• 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions

1. Peel carrots and shred using food processor (or purchase pre-shredded carrots from grocery store). Blot carrot shreds with paper towel to remove excess moisture.
2. In medium sized bowl, whisk mayonnaise, maple syrup, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
3. Add carrots, raisins, and pineapple to dressing and stir to thoroughly combine.
4. Chill in refrigerator overnight to hydrate raisins and allow flavors to develop.
5. Serve cold.

Recipe adapted from Healthier Steps.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

While convenient, those small packets of taco seasoning found at the store for a quick and easy Mexican dinner often contain gluten (and when they don't, they're crazy expensive). Chances are good that you already have the individual spices in your cupboard at home, so mix up your own blend of seasonings to save on the cost while still getting food on the table in a jiffy!

Homemade Taco Seasoning
Yield: seasoning for 2 lbs ground meat

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp onion powder

Directions

1. Mix spices in small bowl; set aside.
2. Brown meat (ground beef, turkey, chicken, etc.) in skillet over medium heat. When no longer pink, drain excess fat and liquid.
3. Add seasoning to meat and stir until well combined.
4. Serve with your favorite taco fixings!

Recipe adapted from my 7 Layer Dip.

Easy Broccoli Slaw

When you're not in the mood for a leafy green salad, but you're not quite feeling like a hot vegetable side dish either, toss together this simple broccoli slaw for a quick and versatile addition to any meal!

Easy Broccoli Slaw
Yield: about 4 cups

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 1/2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 16 oz bag of broccoli slaw

Directions

1. Whisk dressing ingredients in medium-sized bowl.
2. Toss with bagged broccoli slaw until evenly coated. Serve cold.

Notes

• This broccoli slaw recipe keeps really well in the fridge, and the flavors actually improve over time!
• To transform this slaw into a main dish, try adding a combination of dried cranberries (Craisins), pistachios, crumbled bacon, sunflower kernels, slivered almonds, and/or blue cheese crumbles.

Recipe adapted from I Breathe I'm Hungry.

Vegan Lemon Coconut Chia Muffins

Reminiscent of the traditional lemon-poppyseed combination, these aromatic citrus muffins are studded with crunchy chia seeds and cater to a variety of dietary needs: vegan, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, soy free, and peanut free!

Vegan Lemon Coconut Chia Muffins
Yield: 12 muffins

Ingredients
Wet:

• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
• zest of 2 lemons
• juice of 2 lemons
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp lemon extract

Dry:

• 1 1/4 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour
• 3 Tbsp dried coconut flakes
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Directions

1. Mix together almond milk and chia seeds until well combined. Refrigerate about an hour to hydrate chia seeds.
2. Line muffin pan with paper liners. Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. In medium bowl, whisk remaining wet ingredients into chia seed mixture. Add dry ingredients and stir just until combined. (Be careful not to overmix!)
4. Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups. Bake 18-20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
5. Cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing to wire rack to cool completely.
6. Muffins can be stored in airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Recipe adapted from Vegan Richa.

4 Ingredient Chicken Marinade

Whether you have guests coming over or just need an easy weeknight dinner, this quick and simple marinade can be made ahead of time so the chicken will be ready whenever it's time to fire up the grill! The end result is a sweet, crispy glaze on the outside and moist, tender meat on the inside. Perfect every time!

4 Ingredient Chicken Marinade
Yield: about 2 cups

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup coconut aminos, gluten free soy sauce, or gluten free tamari

Directions

1. Mix marinade ingredients in gallon-size ziplock bag.
2. Place 6-8 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in marinade; seal bag shut.
3. To prevent leaks, place filled bag inside second gallon-size ziplock bag. Set bagged chicken in rimmed baking dish.
4. Refrigerate chicken for at least an hour, or overnight. (Longer is better because it means more flavor!) Periodically turn bag in dish to evenly disperse marinade.
5. Grill chicken until internal temperature reads 165°F with digital meat thermometer. Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe adapted from No Biggie.