Vegan Sweet Potato Casserole

  I love sweet potatoes in just about everything! They are also really good for you, and are a great fall time vegetable. However, during this time of year, sweet potatoes get stuffed into dishes with butter, cream, butter, tons of sugar, more butter, marshmallows, and other, not-so-healthy ingredients. It really is sad because they almost cover up the taste of the sweet potato, in all its glory, and you are left with a sugary, buttery over load.

       But this recipe for sweet potato casserole is not only vegan, meaning no butter, cream, or other animal products, but also is low in sugars, which allows the beautiful sweet potato to shine! After all, its called Sweet Potato Casserole, so shouldn't you be able to taste the actual sweet potato?

This healthier, vegan, but still delicious recipe is so good, you won't even be able to tell there isn't a bucket load of sugar, butter, or cream in it! So let's make it already! :)

Ingredients:
5-6 medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped
3 TBS Coconut Oil
4-5 TBS Maple Syrup ( add more or less depending on how sweet you like it!)
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
Pinch of Salt
Splash of Vanilla Extract

Topping:
5 TBS Coconut Oil, melted
4 TBS Maple Syrup
Pinch of Salt
1 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
1/2 cup Almond Flour
1 cup Oats
Handful of chopped Pecans
Sprinkling of Brown Sugar( Optional)

Start by peeling and chopping your sweet potatoes. Add them to a pot of boiling water and cook for 20 minutes, or until soft.

 

Once they are cooked, drain off the water and return the potatoes to the pot. Use a fork, potato masher, or electric mixer to mash the potatoes into a smooth puree.

Add in the coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla and give it a good mix. Taste and adjust if needed.

Lightly grease a pan with coconut oil, and then spread the potato mash evenly in the pan.

 

 

Then, make the topping! Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg to a bowl and give it a whisk. Them stir in the almond flour, oats, and chopped nuts. Give it a really good mix and then layer it on top of the sweet potato mix. Make sure to get an even layer.

 

 

This topping would be great for apple crisps, peach cobblers, or even muffins!

 

 

 

Heat your oven to 350 F. Bake your casserole for 35-40 minutes, or until the edges start to brown and your house is filled with the smell of fall! Serve right away to your family and friends, or eat it all by yourself! No judging here! :)

The brown sugar on top is totally optional,  but I think it gives a really nice crunch. I used maybe a tablespoon, if even that much, and it really makes a difference! You could even use something like coconut sugar!

 

Mhhhmmmmmmmmm. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed making and eating this recipe! So delicious, comforting, perfectly sweet, and healthy! What more could you want?

 

 

I really hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did! Its a great fall time meal, and even a perfect dish to add to your Christmas table!

 

Please share this post and my blog with your family and friends to share all things healthy living!

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New post every Friday!

 

Keep Healthy and Safe!

H. Banana

Whole Wheat Naan Bread

Naan bread is so delicious! I first had it store-bought and I liked it then, but home made is even better! If you've never had Naan before, you should try it! Believe me, you won't be disappointed!

Most recipes for Naan that I've found use all white flour, sugar, dairy milk, and use little or no seasoning. In my recipe I use whole wheat flour, honey, almond milk( though there isn't anything wrong with using dairy milk, I just like the flavor almond milk gives to the bread) and spices for a hearty and more flavorful bread!

Ingredients:
4 cups Whole Wheat Flour( or 2 cups Whole Wheat and 2 cups All Purpose)
1 tsp Salt
1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1/4 tsp Ground Corriander
1/4 tsp Curry Powder
1/4 tsp Garam Masala
1/4 cup Warm Water
1 tbs Honey
1 tbs Dry Active Yeast
3/4 cup Almond Milk
1 cup Greek Yogurt

Start by warming your water. It should be lukewarm temp. Whisk in honey and yeast.

Let that sit while we move on to the next step. Mix dry ingredients( Flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, ground coriander, curry powder, and garam masala) together.

 

Back to the yeast, it should have started to rise and bubble. You should also smell a familiar just-baked-bread smell.

 

To this, add the almond milk( Note: use any milk you desire. Dairy, Goat, Cashew, Coconut..... any will work!) and yogurt. Whisk to combined.  Add this to the dry mix and combine. Knead just until the dough has come together. It will be a sticky dough.

Take the dough and place it in a bowl. Cover with a towel and let sit in a warm place for at least an hour.

The dough should double in size. Once it has done so, we are ready to get cooking!

There should be lovely yeast bubbles all over!

Heat some butter, coconut oil, or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. On a floured surface, roll out little balls of the dough. They should be fairly small.

Roll the balls out very thin. They will puff up in the skillet, so don't worry!

Place one unbaked Naan bread in the skillet and cover for 1-2 minutes.

It should have lovely bubbles and starting to go brown on the edges. Flip and cook for another minute. Remove from heat and then repeat with the rest of your dough.

They smell so amazing and they taste wonderful too! I always end up eating the first Naan bread I make, just to make sure it taste good!

We like to have Naan with Tiki Masala and Curry dishes. They are also great for snacks or even used instead of sandwich bread! You can switch up the seasonings and even use these for gyros!

I hope you give this recipe a try, and please share this post and my blog with a friend! Everyone needs to try Naan bread, and making it at home is a great way to introduce it to your menu! If you love Naan just as much as I do, please follow the blog via email, Google, Twitter @ SpinachisGood and on Pinterest @ Hannah Plunkett.

Stay tuned for more healthy living post every Monday and Friday!

Keep healthy and SAFE!
H. Banana