Super Bowl

This past weekend was really nice because I set aside time for myself. I am known for overbooking myself and leaving no room for down-time. Over the years I've learned alone-time is necessary for me to function as a human and I have to have periods of quiet to really gain my energy back.

So, this weekend I granted myself that luxury and the only plans I set were for the Super Bowl. I knew I wanted to have really yummy food for this event so I put together an activity for myself: make good food! My dad always cooks lots of good food for the Super Bowl so I figured I'd carry this on and do it for myself.

I am vegan so all of these apps are plant-based and vegan friendly! I'll take you through each of the recipes and the do's and don'ts that I found through cooking them. First up: My dad's famous loaded nachos.

Recipe for Dave's Loaded Nachos:

Ingredients:

-Bag of tortilla chips

-1 can Black Beans

-1 can Refried Beans

-1 can Annie's Vegan Chili

-Vegan Cheese

-Onion

-Olives

-Tomatoes

-Banana Peppers

-Jalapeño Pepper

(In true Dave fashion I didn't really measure, just kind of felt it out. So however much of each topping is up to you!)

Instructions:

In a pan add a layer of chips, then on top add half a can of black beans, refried beans, and Annie's Chili. Top with vegan cheese. (-still finding my favorite vegan cheese, this time around I used So Delicious vegan cheese and it wasn't goey enough. Will let you know when I find the best cheese brand).

Layer more chips on top along with the rest of the black beans, refried beans, and chili.

Add another layer of vegan cheese.

Bake for 20 min on 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Top with onion, olives, tomatoes, banana peppers, and jalapeño peppers.

Enjoy!

Pro Tip: Make these the day of. I'm pretty sure this goes without saying, but nachos are not as good on day two lol. Even though this is obvious my brain currently operates off of time optimization and so I made these the day before. I definitely paid the price as they weren't AS good ahahah (they were still pretty good. Still ate them and was happy).

Next up, Cauliflower wings-

Recipe for Cauliflower Wings:

Ingredients:

-Cauliflower

-1 cup GF flour

-1tbsp garlic powder

-1 tbsp onion powder

-Salt&pepper to taste

-Vegan Butter

-Hot Sauce

or

-Choice of sauce

(You may want to double batch for bigger parties)

Instructions: Cut up and wash your cauliflower into "wing-sized" pieces.

In a medium sized bowl add 1 cup of GF flour with 1 tbsp onion and 1 tbsp garlic powder. Add salt and pepper.

Mix with water until it become pancake-batter consistency.

Dip cauliflower "wings" in batter and coat.

Place on baking tray.

Bake in oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 min.

Take out, flip them and bake another 10-15 min. (longer if you want them crispy.)

Melt butter and hot sauce together to create your own sauce.

Or buy other sauces you may want for them!

Best served fresh.

Last but not least (actually my favorite out of the three this past Super Bowl): Spinach Artichoke Dip

Recipe for Spinach Artichoke Dip:

Ingredients:

-1 jar artichoke hearts

-Handful of spinach (10-14 oz)

-1 1/2 cups raw cashews

-1 Lemon

-2-3 garlic cloves

-1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

-2-4 tablespoons nutritional yeast

-1 cup unsweetened almond milk

-Salt to taste

-Pepper to taste

To serve:

-pita chips

-crackers

-veggie sticks

Instructions:

-Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

-Soak cashews in hot water for about 5-10 minutes

-Dice artichoke hearts and prep spinach (I would chop up the spinach or put it in the blender with the cashew cheese. I didn't do either this time around and wish I had.)

-Making the cashew cheese:

-In a food processor or blender, add the soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, onion powder, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and almond milk. Process until smooth. Taste for flavor, adding more of anything needed.

-In a small/medium sized baking dish, add the spinach and artichoke heats. (Put artichokes first. And then chopped up spinach if you didn't blend with the cashew cheese. It's all going to be mixed anyways.)

-Pour the cashew cheese on top and mix to combine.

-Bake in the oven covered for 10 min.

-Take cover off and then bake for another 10-15 min.

This dipped turned out really yummy! It was my first time trying it and I was pretty happy with the results. Definitely chop the spinach and serve in a pretty dish. Serve as is or stir it up before to give it that traditional "spin-dip" look.

Go Benga- Ah, I mean, go Rihanna!!