Happy New Year!

Hoff's Quinoa Tater Tot Nachos

Hoff's Quinoa Tater Tot Nachos
Yields: two hearty entrees meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

Nacho "Meat"

• 1 cup Quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups Water
• 1 tsp. Taco Seasoning
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

Cheese Sauce:

• 1 15  oz. can Diced Potatoes (rinsed & drained)
• 1 15  oz. can Carrots (rinsed & drained)
• 1 Fire Roasted Red Pepper
• 1 cup Plant Milk
• Juice from half a Lemon
• 3 tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
• 1 tsp. smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

Nachos:

• 1 bag Tater Tots
• 1 15 oz. can Refried Beans
• 1 Avocado (chopped/optional)
• 2 tbsp. diced Onion
• Slice Black Olives (optional)

Directions:

1. Prepare Quinoa per the box directions, adding the rest of the ingredients, I prefer using the Instant Pot - throw all the ingredients in the IP, seal & lock lid, set Manual timer for 4 minutes, allow to Natural release for 10 minutes, then Quick release
2. Prepare the Tater Tots per the directions (I throw in my air fryer)
3. Meanwhile put Cheese Sauce ingredients into Vitamix & blend on high for 6 minutes
4. Heat the Refried Beans
5. When the Quinoa, Cheese & Beans are done, assemble your Nachos or Salad anyway you see fit

 Healthy Hoff: This is an indulgent meal that I would only enjoy 1-2 times per year, typically around the holidays.  However, just replace the Tater Tots with some chopped Lettuce & a handful of broken Corn Chips to enjoy anytime you want!

Merry Christmas!

Hoff's Orange Date Truffles

Hoff's Orange Date Truffles
Yields: 10ish Truffles
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free

Ingredients:

• 10 Dates (pitted)
• 2 tbsp. Cacao Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Orange Oil
• Pinch of Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Throw all ingredients into a high speed blender
2. Blend about 30 seconds until Dates are chopped into tiny pieces
3. Spoon about a tbsp. of mix into you hand and roll into a ball, repeat until all mix is used
4. Optional: roll each ball in additional Cacao Powder
5. Allow to set up in the fridge
6. Store in the fridge

Hoff Thoughts: If your Dates are dry, soak in water about 15 minutes and drain before using.

Raw Lemon/Orange Honey Tea

Raw Lemon/Orange Honey Tea
Yields: 1 serving
dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free, soy-free, gluten-free


Ingredients:

• 32 oz. Water
• 1 Lemon (peeled & de-seeded)
• 2 Clementines
• Honey
  

Directions:

1. Heat Water to 100-105 degrees
2. Add Lemon, Clementines & Honey (adjust amount to desired sweetness) to Vitamix
3. Pour Hot Water over spoon to remove the Honey easily
4. Blend for about 30 seconds to combine
5. Drink immediately

Hoff Thoughts: I love this electric kettle by Bonavita; although the minimum temp is 140 degrees and to keep it raw you don't want to go above 118 (depending on your source).  But, it heats up so fast, that I can just stop it once it reaches the temperature that I want.

Hoff's Quick Mac & Cheese

Hoff's Quick Mac & Cheese
Yields: 4-6 serving
meat-free, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. Gluten-free Pasta
• 1 stick Earth Balance Butter
• 1/3 cup Nutritional Yeast
• 1 cup unsweetened plain Plant Milk
• 1 tbsp. Arrowroot
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp. Sea Salt

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta according to directions
2. Meanwhile put remaining ingredients (except Butter) into Vitamix & blend until smooth
3. Drain Pasta, return to pot, mix in "Cheese Sauce" & Butter
4. Return to stove-top to heat through
5. Enjoy!