Black Bean Mole Chili with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

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Warm, spicy, rich, and full of vitamins. This vegan black bean chili can be served with the roasted potatoes and spinach in the bowl or on the side. Delicious!

Ingredients IMG_2397b

2 lb black beans
3-4 large carrots, peeled and sliced
5-6 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
4-5 celery sticks, sliced
1-2 large onions, diced
8 cups fresh baby spinach
2 large cans diced tomatoes
2-3 jalapeños, sliced
4 T of vegetable broth powder
4 T of cumin
3 T of chili powder
1/4 cup of cocoa powder
1 T turmeric
1 T sea salt
1/4 cup of creamy peanut butter
4 T olive oil

Process

In a large pressure cooker, add beans, 2 T olive oil, onions, celery, carrots, jalapeños, cocoa powder, chili powder, turmeric, cumin, sea salt, diced tomatoes, and 3 quarts water (so, everything except the sweet potatoes, spinach, peanut butter, and 2 T of olive oil). If the broth does not cover the beans by at least 4 inches, increase water until it does.

Place lid on cooker and bring to high pressure. Cook at pressure 15 minutes and then turn off heat and allow to depressurize. Once pressure is released, test beans for doneness. If beans are ready, add peanut butter, stir until melted in, and allow to simmer 5 minutes to cook.

While the chili is cooking under pressure, toss sweet potatoes with remainder of olive oil. Spread on a baking stone or pan and cook at 350* until potatoes begin to soften, stirring occasionally. Pile spinach on top and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake until spinach wilts and potatoes are tender.

Serve potatoes and spinach on the side, or add a large spoonful to the bottom of your bowl and ladle chili on top. Add vegan sour cream if desired.

Cookies More Cookies

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Yes, I know, I really need to post something besides cookie recipes. But, until I do that, here is another one. They have some decently healthy ingredients, even.

Cran-Choco-Coco-Butter Cookies

Ingredients
2/3 cup natural peanut butter
1 1/2 cup raw sugar
1/3 cup soymilk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup vegan protein powder
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups quick oats
1 cup vegan chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup coconut shreds

Mix wet ingredients and sugar – 1-5. Mix dry ingredients – 6-9. Combine and fold in extras – 10-13.

Bake at 350* for 15 minutes. Check. When tops begin to crack and edges of bottom are slightly brown, remove from open and allow to cool on cookie sheet.

Dawes Cookies – Vegan Recipe

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My son named these cookies, because they have a little bit of everything (for the Dawes fans).
I’ve been on a cookie tear, trying to come up with recipes that are delicious, but healthy enough that I can grab one for breakfast – when I don’t usually want to eat – and not feel bad about it. These fit that bill.

Ingredients

2 tsp vanilla flavoring
3 mashed overripe bananas
2 T tahini or peanut butter
3 T almond or soy milk
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (can sub with gluten free all purpose)
1 ½ cups oats (either quick or regular, can use gluten free oats)
½ cup vanilla vegan protein powder (I used PlantFusion Protein Vanilla Bean)
⅔ cup raw sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
⅔ cup shredded coconut
⅔ cup vegan chocolate chips
⅔ cup raisins
⅔ cup dried cranberries
⅔ cup pecans

Process

Mix first 4 ingredients until smooth. In a separate container mix all dried ingredients thoroughly. Combine. If it seems too dry, add additional soy or almond milk very gradually. If it seems too wet, add additional oats or flour very gradually.

Spoon by large dollops onto a baking pan or stone and flatten slightly (they will not really rise or spread much).

Bake for 13 minutes and check. Bake additionally as needed until bottoms are lightly browned.

Allow to cool and enjoy. I like to store cookies like this in the refrigerator, so that I don’t need to worry about dampness from the condensation.

Makes 24 cookies.

Nutrition per cookie (approximate)
125 calories
1.5 grams fat
18 grams carbohydrates
10 grams sugar
4 grams protein
2 grams fiber

Photography by Ms. TheVeganAsana Jr. II.