9 Healthy Brunch Dessert Recipes Perfect for Entertaining

Dessert after brunch is a tough call; yes you’d like something to satisfy your sweet tooth in the middle of the afternoon, but you’ve already had a full meal (and maybe a cocktail or two). But a light, healthy dessert strikes exactly the right note. Try out these 9 healthy dessert recipes that are just sweet enough and are perfect for entertaining.

1. Tropical Fruit Salad with Cacao Nibs

Chowhound

With amazing tropical flavors and a crunch textures (thanks to the cacoa nibs and hazelnuts), this fruit salad is a delicious nod to summer. The freshly squeezed lime juice will keep the kiwis from browning and adds a pleasant tang. Get our Tropical Fruit Salad with Cacao Nibs recipe.

2. Lemon Meringue Pie in a Jar

Wake The Wolves

This recipe somehow manages to be both delicious and gluten- and dairy-free!  The individual jars are perfect for serving to a crowd and can be made in advance.  With chia seeds, coconut oil, and a number of other healthy additions, this is so good for you that there’s no need to feel guilty about eating a second dessert. Get the recipe.

3. Triple Melon Fruit Salad

Chowhound

If you like melon, you’ve met your match. This salad combines watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon with fresh mint, lime, and a bit of sugar for a memorable and unusual combination. Get our Triple Melon Fruit Salad recipe.

4. Raw Almond Butter Cups

Oh She Glows

These are the healthy food lover’s alternatives to Reese’s peanut butter cups. Made in a muffin tin, these treats contain raw almond butter, oats, almond meal, and a number of flavorings, as well as a coconut oil, maple syrup, and cocoa powder topping. Get the recipe.

5. Apple Crumble with Oat and Nut Topping

Mesa de Vida

One of the most delicious desserts, apple crumble is a healthy way to incorporate a large amount of fruit into the dessert course. The oat and nut topping contains chia seeds, ground flax seeds, and spices for a tasty and beneficial combination. Get the recipe.

6. Greek Yogurt Cake

Healthy Recipes Blog

This cake manages to taste decadent without being boring–an impressive feat for a cake made with a full cup of Greek yogurt and whole wheat flour. This pairs perfectly with fresh berries and is a delightful end to brunch–make it ahead of time and keep a loaf in the freezer for last-minute entertaining. Get the recipe.

7. Banana Pudding

Chocolate Covered Katie

Coconut butter and tofu manage to sneak their way into this delectable dessert. Made with cream or butter, it’s hard to believe how smooth and creamy this banana pudding. Get the recipe.

8. Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

Pinch Purrfect

You can make this pudding with either almond milk (or traditional milk) but the higher the fat content the creamier the pudding will be. Add in vanilla extrat for flavor and make it the night before to have an easy breakfast addition that requires no preparation. Get the recipe.

9. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Blackberry Jam

A full cup of creamy, natural peanut butter are what pushes these oatmeal cookies to center stage. You can add in peanuts, dark chocolate, honey, or any number of ingredients to change up their consistency, but be sure to watch the clock and that they’ll take the same amount of time in the oven. Get the recipe.

For more tips, tricks, and healthy recipes, check out our healthy living page.

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St. Patrick’s Day Menu

There’s nothing corned on this menu, and the closest we came to green beer is green Champagne. But our St. Patrick’s Day menu is full of ingredients—from cabbage to Guinness—that we’d like to see on our table. And since St. Paddy’s is a holiday on which drinking takes center stage, we’ve also got plenty of alcoholic options; we even spiked the dessert. Partaking in the celebration doesn’t have to involve a leprechaun hat or a four-leaf clover. Just dig in.

Libations

Money Green Champagne

Green beer is so passé.

Black Velvet

The most famous tipples from either side
of the English Channel, combined.

Irish Fix

A serious drink when you need a Celtic fix.

Victuals

Beef Braised in Guinness

Because beer and beef belong together.

Braised Red Cabbage
with Bacon

A great side dish that can be made the day
before and gets even better with time.

Classic Mashed Potatoes

Just as they should be: creamy and buttery.

Chocolate-Whiskey Cake with Fluthered Cream

So boozy even the cream is drunk.

See all of our St. Patrick’s Day recipes, and visit our St. Patrick’s Day headquarters for more ideas and information.

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11 Vegetarian Blogs to Inspire Healthy Eating All Year Long

Keeping up healthy vegetarian habits in the new year is easier when you surround yourself with people who inspire those habits. Although these bloggers are spread out all over the world, it will feel like they’re in your living room with you as they share recipes and tips for healthy vegetarian eating.
Baked Eggs with Kale photo and recipe from Chowhound

1. THE FIRST MESS

Laura from The First Mess brings us into her old farmhouse to share vegetable-heavy recipes through large and inspiring photos.  Start with her veggie-centric carrot, chickpea, and harissa dip (pictured) or moroccan stew.

2. A COUPLE COOKS

Sonja and Alex are a couple based in Indianapolis who share simple and nourishing recipes. Several years back, they decided to cut out processed and fast food from their diet and have since developed hundreds of whole-food recipes that they share over at A Couple Cooks. Try their healthy buckeyes (pictured) or their rosemary–white bean dip recipe the next time you have people over.

3. EARTHY FEAST

Earthy Feast focuses on festive whole-food recipes that range from simple salads (lentil salad with roasted vegetables, pictured) to filling meat-alternatives (Apple, Herb, & “Sausage” Stuffing).

4. OH, LADYCAKES

Although Oh, Ladycakes is a baking blog, the recipes are as healthy as baked goods come, with the main ingredients being natural sugars and alternative flours. We’d recommend starting with Ashlae’s Whole Grain Caramel Apple Hand Pies (pictured) or the Peanut Butter Cookies made with spelt flour.

5. SPROUTED KITCHEN

The authors behind Sprouted Kitchen create accessible and delicious vegetarian cuisine. Their focus is often on healthy recipes that are ideal for entertaining, like their Holiday Slaw or Berry-Ginger Cocktail (pictured).

6. GREEN KITCHEN STORIES

Green Kitchen Stories is a couple and daughter who share their healthy twist on vegetarian recipes. Their newest cookbook, Green Kitchen Travels, is about recipes inspired by food from around the world, but you can also check out their recipes for free on their blog.
Spiced Parsnip Cake recipe and photo from Green Kitchen Stories

7. NATURALLY ELLA

Erin from Naturally Ella turned to healthy eating after watching her father go through numerous medical issues due to his traditional American meat-and-potato diet. Start by checking out her Barley Chocolate Chip Cookies or the Mediterranean Flatbread (pictured).

8. VEGETARIAN ‘VENTURES

Though I may be biased since it is my own blog, Vegetarian ‘Ventures is all about serving up delicious vegetarian recipes that focus on local and in-season ingredients, and is worth checking out; particularly if you like the sound of Savory Cheddar & Cornmeal Waffles or Salted Maple Dark Chocolate Raspberry Crumble (pictured).

9. COOKIE + KATE

Cookie + Kate is a vegetarian blog about a girl and her dog creating healthy habits in the kitchen. In addition to recipes, Kate also shares monthly “what’s in season” guides so you can stay on top of eating seasonally.

10. OH MY VEGGIES

Oh My Veggies is a wonderful resource not only for recipes, but also for learning more about vegetarian topics like the differences in tofu types and how to make rice out of cauliflower (pictured).

11. LOVE & LEMONS

The Austin-based couple behind Love & Lemons are experts at turning traditional recipes into healthy, vegan versions that are just as fantastic. We’d recommend you start with the Vegan Mac & Cheese or the Chocolate PB&J Cups.

Shelly Westerhausen is the founder of Vegetarian ‘Ventures, a food blog that focuses on planet-based recipes and healthy eating habits. In her free time, you can find her rocking a wolf T-shirt, sipping on hibiscus tea, and working on her magazine, Driftless.

For more tips, tricks, and healthy recipes, check out our healthy living page.

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How to Make Healthy Super Bowl Snacks

This article is brought to you by Bai.

Every year on the first Sunday in February, Americans gather in front of their televisions to watch football and chow down on foods that are mostly deep-fried and pair well with ranch dressing. Which is a tradition that’s swell and all, but sometimes even the most steadfast rituals deserve to be shaken up, and these healthy Super Bowl snacks are still super delicious too.

This year, instead of serving the same-old gut-busting spread, why not put out an array of healthy-but-delicious foods that will supply the energy you need to cheer on the action through the final quarter? Not only will it create a positive tone, it will also set the stage for an extra festive gathering—you’ll want to put up plenty of decorations in your favorite team’s colors.

We’ve come up with a menu that will help you eat like a real champion on Super Bowl Sunday. And while you’re putting together your superfood feast, don’t forget to stock up on some smart beverages as well, like Bai. With a range of antioxidant-infused, fresh fruit flavors that contain only five calories per serving and have no artificial sweeteners, Bai will help you score big in the health and happiness departments. Just make sure to set up a few coolers and fill them with ice: that way, the juice will stay cold and refreshing while also being easy to grab during the game.

1. Crock Pot Taco Soup

Your slow cooker isn’t just for rib-sticking stews. This Tex-Mex style crock pot soup with lean ground meat keeps it hearty while still packing in nutritious vegetables and beans. Get our Crock Pot Taco Soup recipe.

2. Cauliflower Pizza Crust

You don’t have to follow a gluten-free diet to enjoy this carb-less pizza crust made from cauliflower and goat cheese. It’s an absolutely delicious vehicle for any and all toppings that your heart desires. Get our Cauliflower Pizza Crust recipe.

 

3. Spiced Black Bean Hummus

Hummus can be so much more than just a plain ‘ol chickpea dip. This recipe takes it into Tex-Mex territory with the addition of black beans, lime, jalapeño, and cilantro. Get our Spiced Black Bean Hummus recipe.

4. Toasted Almond Guacamole with Apricots

Guacamole might just be the one game day classic that gets a healthy pass. But you can make it even more worth the while by adding in nutrient-packed ingredients. Calcium-loaded almonds and fiber-rich apricots not only up the ante, but bring some crunch and sweetness too. Get our Toasted Almond Guacamole with Apricots recipe.

5. Red Pepper Hummus

Hummus is made from chickpeas, which are full of energy-boosting protein. We like to add In red bell pepper too, not just because of its zesty taste and bright color, but also for its dose of vitamin C. Get our Red Pepper Hummus recipe.

6. Garlicky Kale and Spinach Dip

Ditch those gooey, gunky dips for one that is completely feel-good: this pesto-esque crudité topper contains not one, but two nourishing leafy greens. Get our Garlicky Kale and Spinach Dip recipe.

7. Sweet Potato Chips

You won’t feel guilty about eating chips by the handful when they’re made from nutritious ingredients and baked in the oven. These sweet potato chips are not only crispy and satisfying, but also have an addictive, candy-like flavor too. Get our Sweet Potato Chips recipe.

8. Pressure Cooker Black Bean Chili

Your chili can still be five-alarm without setting off any health alarms. This vegan version is based around a soulful mix of spiced black beans, tomato, and corn. Get our Pressure Cooker Black Bean Chili recipe.

9. Buffalo Cauliflower

Wings are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to foods that taste good slathered in buffalo sauce. These crispy cauliflower bites take brilliantly to the stuff as well. Just make sure to have plenty of napkins on hand. Get our Buffalo Cauliflower recipe.

10. Salmon and Asparagus Kebabs

Finally, some food on a stick that you can feel good about. Between the chunks of omega-3-rich salmon and the vitamin A-packing bits of asparagus, there’s something wholesome in each bite. Get our Salmon and Asparagus Kebabs recipe.

11. Chicken Sloppy Joes

By swapping out beef for lean chicken, you can make sloppy joes that feel lighter and not as over-the-top. They’re still plenty saucy and savory, though, just in case you were worried. Get our Chicken Sloppy Joes recipe.

12. Vegetable Fajitas

You might want to call these fajitas Tex-Fresh instead of Tex-Mex: they’ve got enough whole vegetables to make even the most committed herbivore happy. Get our Vegetarian Fajitas recipe.

For more Super Bowl recipes and other advice and tips, check out our Super Bowl headquarters!

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7 Unexpected Ways to Use Jicama

With spiralizers being all the rage and plant-based diets growing in popularity everyday, it seems like an ideal time to expand the types of vegetables you put on your plate. Greens like spinach and kale may already get the most love in your diet, but they’re not the only options. In fact, there’s one versatile veggie that you probably haven’t heard of that you need to get to know: jicama.

To start: what exactly is jicama? Jicama (sometime nicknamed the Mexican turnip) is a root vegetable that grows in warm climates in Central America, the Caribbean, and Asia. Though it tastes slightly sweet (like an apple), the vegetable looks similar to a potato, with its starchy composition makes it just as versatile as your favorite spud.

Jicama is not only delicious but packs a ton of health benefits as well, including being a great source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion. In addition to being low calorie, making it a great choice if you’re trying to lose weight, jicama provides a ton of vitamins that have immune-boosting properties as well. Ready to give it a try? Here are some of the unexpected ways to use jicama.

Jicama Sticks

Design Love Fest

Ditch your carrot sticks and celery—there’s a new player in town. Wash and peel the vegetable and cut it into matchsticks, which are ideal for dipping and a low calorie alternative to potato chips or pretzels. Sprinkle some chili on top for an easy and portable bite you can eat on the go. Try this recipe.

Jicama Chips

Sweet Cannela

Have a bit of time on your hands to prep a snack? Then jicama chips, made either in an air fryer or baked in the oven, are a must try. Thinly slice the vegetable and bake the chips, adding your favorite spices to customize them to your liking. In addition to slashing calories from traditional chips, you’ll get a healthy dose of fiber, known to help blood sugar levels stable. Try this recipe.

Jicama Tortillas

If you’ve been missing tortillas and wraps while on a paleo diet then jicama “tortillas” are the answer to your prayers. Calling them tortillas is a bit of a misnomer—they’re actually just very thinly sliced pieces of the vegetable, which become pliable enough to serve as a tortilla. Find them at supermarkets or online and load them up with veggies for a wrap, or with meat and cheese for a low-calorie taco.

Jicama in Salads

Have your lunches been monotonous lately? Adding in jicama to salads is an easy way to get some crunch and upgrade your salad. Jicama’s firm texture and slightly sweet flavor plays well with fresh, citrus flavors. Get our Spicy Jicama, Grapefruit and Mango Salad recipe.

Jicama Slaw

Kalyn’s Kitchen

It’s time to dust off your mandolin and use it to whip up a modern take on traditional coleslaw. Jicama and other crunchy vegetables like carrots and radishes make for a lighter version of other slaws, ideal for a side or a light lunch or dinner. Try this recipe.

Jicama Rice

Detoxinista

Looking for a reason to whip out your food processor? Look no further than jicama rice, a sweeter version of your standard white rice. Get creative and use it for veggie sushi, fried rice, or as a part of a stir-fry. Try this recipe.

Jicama Hash

Unbound Wellness

Potatoes and sweet potatoes aren’t the only things you can use to make hashes. Swap out your ho hum hash browns for a jicama version, or make a veggie-packed skillet with the Mexican turnip instead of potatoes for a filling breakfast. Try this recipe.

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Betty White Credits Vodka and Hot Dogs for Her Long Life

Actress, television personality, and national living treasure Betty White just turned 96 years-old yesterday. At first, many fans freaked out when they saw her name trending on Twitter, immediately fearing the worst. Got to love it when celebrity birthdays turn into celebrity death scares!

So what’s the secret to our favorite Golden Girl’s long life? When asked this question by Parade Magazine, White had this very simple and surprisingly culinary answer: “Vodka and hot dogs, probably in that order.” Now that’s some advice we can follow.

When it comes to health and vitality, food products high in alcohol and nitrates usually don’t spring to mind as natural fountains of youth. But if the woman responsible for some of the funniest characters in the history of television tells us to indulge in booze and processed meat, we listen up. Who are we to deny Rose Nylund?!

Science sort of verifies White’s claims too. One study found that moderate drinkers are 20 percent less likely to die early of any cause. Not that we need actual numbers to back up her claims. You try hosting “SNL” when you’re in your 90s!

Beyond her favorite food and drink, White also attributed longevity to her positive attitude. In the same interview, she had these choice words of advice, “Enjoy life. Accentuate the positive, not the negative. It sounds so trite, but a lot of people will pick out something to complain about, rather than say, ‘Hey, that was great!’ It’s not hard to find great stuff if you look.”

So there you go. Gave a cheery outlook, a bottle of Grey Goose, and a tray of mini hot dogs and you, too, can plan living well into your golden years. We’ll be celebrating her birthday all week with eight of our favorite vodka cocktails from around the world.

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11 Super Bowl Wings for Your Appetizer Spread

Truth be told, I don’t know much about football. But if there’s one thing I can get behind, it’s the food that goes along with the fanfare. While everyone’s gathered around the screen, you’ll find me making a strategic play at the snacking table. And one of the things I’ll be piling high on my plate is chicken wings, in all their bone-licking glory. 

The beauty of wings is that no matter which way you make them—baked, broiled, braised, or fried—they’re pretty hard to get wrong. Once you’ve got those flats and drumettes cooked, all they need is a high-intensity, flavor-packing sauce. Buffalo is the perennial favorite, of course. But there are countless other spicy, sweet, and savory possibilities that are just as appropriate for a sports-watching party.

In advance of the big game, here are 11 Super Bowl wing recipes that will please each and every type of palate, from the heat-loving to the chile-averse. If wings aren’t your Super Bowl appetizer of choice, no worries. Just head on over to our Super Bowl recipe headquarters to find tons of other snack recipes for the big game. Visit our friends at CBS Sports for the need-to-know Super Bowl information this year.

1. Easy Buffalo Wings

Classic Buffalo wings don’t need a whole lot of fuss. In fact, they don’t even need a deep-fryer. These babies get crispy by simply sitting under the broiler. Just toss them in a simple, two-ingredient Buffalo sauce and you’re good to go. Get our Easy Buffalo Wings recipe. 

2. Jerk Chicken Wings

One of the pleasures of wings is getting to nibble the meat straight off the bone. But this also demands a flavor that penetrates straight to the core. Jerk spice has just the right intensity to keep you bone-licking till the last bite.
Photo and recipe from Martha Stewart

3. Panang Curry Chicken Wings

Think of these as chicken wings that just got back from a semester in Southeast Asia: They’re still the good old friend you know at heart, but there’s something a bit more cultured and well-traveled about them on the outside.
Photo and recipe from Lady and Pups

4. Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Wings

Wings don’t have to be spicy—they can be savory, too. These crispy delights are coated in garlic, herbs, and Parmesan cheese, for a triple-threat flavor bomb.
Photo and recipe from Steamy Kitchen

5. Baked Brown Sugar Chicken Wings with Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce

Sometimes, it helps to have a little sweetness, like with these caramel-y brown-sugar wings. The accompanying red pepper and goat cheese dip keeps things intriguing, offering a tangy alternative to standard-issue blue cheese and ranch.
Photo and recipe from Damn Delicious

6. Oven Baked Chicken Wings with Honey Garlic Hot Sauce

If there’s one caveat to wings, it’s that you’re likely to feel more than a little weighed down after having one too many. By baking them, you can reduce that gut-busting feeling. Just don’t skimp on the sauce.
Photo and recipe from Recipe Tin Eats

7. Grilled Maple-Mustard Chicken Wings

Maple syrup and mustard make for a sauce that is both sticky and succulent. Bring extra napkins for this one. Get our Grilled Maple-Mustard Chicken Wings recipe. 

8. Singaporean Chicken Rice Wings

It’s not that wings aren’t perfect on their own, it’s just that sometimes a little extra stuffin’ takes things that much further. These gingery wings are bursting at the seams, both literally and flavor-wise.
Photo and recipe from Food Republic

9. Filipino Chicken Adobo Wings

Filipino adobo is best known as a vinegary, garlicky slow-cooked stew, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be adapted for crispy-skinned wings. This recipe concentrates that irresistible balance of flavors down into a spoon-coating glaze.
Photo and recipe from The Meatwave

10. Black Bean Chicken Wings

A good braise can work wonders on wing meat, producing tender, pull-apart pieces. These wings go for a swim in Chinese-style black bean sauce, which also adds a healthy dose of umami flavor.
Photo and recipe from Appetite for China

11. Old Bay Hot Wings

That’s right: Old Bay Seasoning isn’t just for the crabs. As Marylanders know, the stuff tastes great on almost everything, and wings are no exception.
Photo and recipe from Food & Wine

For more tips, tricks, and recipes for the big game, check out our Super Bowl page. 

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