Pumpkin Smoothie Made Even Better with Roasted Chestnuts!
October is full of falling leaves, cozy sweaters, and fallen chestnuts! Now add those roasted chestnuts to a pumpkin smoothie and you have the ultimate fall smoothie.
I am in love with this new Pumpkin Chestnut Smoothie recipe. Rocket City Chestnuts gave me a bunch of their Chestnuts and I am having a blast experimenting with chestnuts in some of my favorite recipes. I just had to share!
This Pumpkin Smoothie with Chestnuts is a spin-off of my Pumpkin Chestnut Soup. Pumpkin and chestnut flavors go so well together in so many dishes. In this smoothie, I bring the flavors of fall alive with cinnamon, dates, pumpkin, and chestnuts. Now, let’s dive into the ingredients!
The Star Ingredients
Chestnuts: These chestnuts came straight from a local Huntsville Small Business, Rocket City Chestnuts! They are a family-run orchard offering already-picked fresh local chestnuts. I roasted and shelled my chestnuts, and even snacked on a few before they hit the blender!
Pumpkin: Around this time of year, I love adding pumpkin to smoothies. It’s festive and makes for a healthy pumpkin smoothie.
Option to use homemade pumpkin however, I use leftover pumpkin puree. I like to use the canned pumpkin puree leftovers to make pumpkin chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, pumpkin pie, or even a pumpkin spice latte! You can also freeze pumpkin puree.
Banana: I always have bananas on hand. Usually, they are very ripe, kept frozen, and already cut. Frozen banana is my go-to fruit addition to any pumpkin smoothie.
Other Pumpkin Smoothie with Chestnut Ingredients
MCT Powder: I love adding MCT powder to smoothies. MCT Powder is a creamy ingredient but has lots of nutritional benefits. I talk more about this ingredient in the Sharper Nutrition Fix section of this post, so keep scrolling down!
Dates: I almost always add a touch of sweetness to a smoothie and I love using dates. The flavor can’t be beat, especially in a smoothie like this. Even though the smoothie is cold, the pumpkin, chestnuts, and banana paired with dates make you feel warm and cozy.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is another example of a “cozy” ingredient. Cinnamon + pumpkin = cozy! This is a must in this recipe.
Soy Milk: I use soy milk because it has 8 grams of protein per 1 cup. You can use any milk for your smoothie, like almond milk.
Yogurt (or Ice): Use plain Greek yogurt, vanilla Greek yogurt, another type of vanilla yogurt, or dairy-free yogurt to make your smoothie extra thick. Ice works as well.
Smoothie tip: You can also freeze soy milk or another milk in an ice cube tray. Add those frozen milk cubes to thicken up the smoothie.
Optional Ingredients: Maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, peanut butter, or even pumpkin seeds.
The Smoothie Blueprint
How to make a pumpkin Smoothie
Just like with my other smoothies and breakfast smoothies, I follow this Fruit Shake Blueprint. A fruit base, liquid, sweetness, fat, and “additional”. The lovely pumpkin and chestnuts count as both the fruit and the “additional” ingredient!
I love this smoothie recipe because it is so different from my usual smoothie concoctions but just as delicious.
Sharper Nutrition Fix: MCT Powder, a secret ingredient?!
What is MCT powder?
MCT stands for Medium Chain Triglycerides. MCT powder is most commonly extracted from coconut oil. I use nutiva organic MCT powder.
About 4 years ago, I discovered how wonderful MCT powder was in my morning coffee. It is plant-based, creamy, and not at all overwhelmingly coconutty. I originally started using MCT powder in my coffee because it is shelf-stable. I needed a creamer Finally, I found MCT powder! The taste is simple, not too flavorful, just the right amount of creaminess, and I love it. Bonus! Specifically for my plant-based peeps, This recipe (including MCT) is 100% plant-based
After discovering this MCT creamer, I have added it to many smoothies, chia pudding, and oatmeal recipes. And did you know?! Based on current research, possible benefits of MCT powder include but are not limited to;
A great energy source, fuel for the day!
It may help optimize the growth of good gut bacteria
It may play a role in weight management, and heart disease prevention
Seizure control
May aid with digestive issues
As usual in science and research, more research is needed. Check out these articles on WebMD and FCER.org if you want to learn more.
If you're using raw chestnuts, you'll need to roast or boil them and then peel them before using in the smoothie. Alternatively, you can use store-bought pre-cooked and peeled chestnuts.
Add all of the ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy.
If it's too thick, you can add more soy milk in small increments until you reach your desired consistency.
Taste the smoothie and adjust the sweetness and spice level by adding more honey or spices if needed. Enjoy!
The Holiday season has arrived which means these Gluten Free Dairy Free Thumbprint Cookies are making their debut!
During this time of year, cookies are being baked all across the world! Gotta leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk out for Santa! I have a few tried and true favorites, but this Holiday Thumbprint cookie recipe is new to me. Moreover, these gluten free dairy free cookies are a perfect choice for those with dietary restrictions, offering a scrumptious option for everyone to enjoy.
A New Holiday Favorite
I’d be lying to you if I said I have enjoyed Thumbprint cookies all throughout my childhood and the truth is this is my first experience with them! I’ve never really been a fan. Maybe that’s because they were all made with wheat flour and my interests were in the gingersnaps, snowballs, and shortbread cookies. Oh, and anything Christmas crack, bourbon-soaked or dipped in chocolate!
These will now and forever be in my Christmas cookie rotation. I can’t believe it took 30+ years, but I’m finally enjoying these perfect Christmas cookies. And I highly recommend you do too!
The Basis of this Holiday Thumbprint Cookie
Food Blog – Eating Bird Food
I stumbled across this recipe when attempting to create a gluten-free cookie to bring to Thanksgiving. After some brainstorming and Google searching, I found a wonderful recipe by Brittany the creator of the food and recipe blog, Eating Bird Food.
It brings me so much joy to share this recipe, inspired by Brittany’s recipe for Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookies, with you. Using Brittany’s recipe as my base, I slightly adjusted this almond flour cookie based on my preferences.
I love this recipe because it’s so easy and simple! However, I am also partial to almond flour, I think it’s super underrated in the food world, especially for desserts. Honestly, this recipe is better with almond flour vs regular wheat flour.
Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookie Dry Ingredients
Almond Flour: A little unknown secret, I love almond flour. It’s just so tasty. Make sense, I love nuts.
You won’t miss the flour in these cookies, the almond flour makes these cookies so deciding, nutty, and buttery.
Salt: The salt is the finishing touch for this delicious cookie dough, and a little goes a long way. There is something about the combination of sweet and salty that is Holiday Thumbprint Cookie perfection.
Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookie Wet Ingredients
Butter: Well of course butter! More butter for the buttery cookie effect. As Brittnay’s recipe states, you can use a different fat here, i.e. coconut oil, or margarine. But, I am all about the butter.
Sugar: I genuinely enjoy using coconut sugar when baking. The flavor is nutty with a slightly caramel taste. I also love the caramel color of coconut sugar, resulting in a nice golden-brown coloring in my cookie.
Vanilla Extract: Let’s give these cookies a little extra flavor shall we? I enjoy the taste of vanilla, but you can try any other flavor combinations. For example, swap vanilla for almond extract or even lemon, orange, or perhaps rum!
I love to swap vanilla extract for orange or lemon. I’ll even add a bit of citrus zest to the dough, too!
Almond Flour Thumbprint Cookie Fillings and Toppers
Jam: And last but certainly not least, the jam!
I have my favorite brands, i.e. Bonne Maman, Stonewall Kitchen, or Dickinson’s. Homemade jam would taste wonderful on these cookies too. To make your cookies even more festive try a deep red jam like raspberry or cherry!
Optional: Powdered Sugar for Dusting: This is an optional extra step because these cookies are divine without them.
I love this addition because it really adds to the festive feelings I have during this time of year. The deep red of the jam represents Santa’s suit and the white powdered sugar represents snow or the white trim on his Santa suit.
Another option that would be super yummy, is a white chocolate drizzle over top!
Sharper Nutrition Fix: Cookies and Mindful Eating
Take care to Mindfully Eat even when it’s not the Holiday Season; but this is a great time of year, when people are gathering and celebrating over large meals, to come back to the topic of Mindful eating. If you haven’t tried it, give it a go with these Holiday Thumbprint Cookies! It’s truly a mind-blowing experience.
Harvard School of Public Health has a great article on Mindful Eating. They discuss what it is, how it works, and even current research on the topic. If you are interested, check out the article!
Below are some quick and easy tips to remember this holiday season!
More Recipes to Try
Love these cookies? Try some other dessert recipes!
With an increasing number of people adhering to gluten-free, dairy-free, grain-free, and vegan diets, this recipe offers a wonderful opportunity to accommodate a wide range of dietary preferences and ensure everyone can indulge in a delicious treat.
A Collection of Dairy Free Dips From Registered Dietitians
Whether you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or simply looking to explore new flavors and healthier alternatives, you are in for a treat. I’ve gathered a selection of dairy-free dips that will make your taste buds dance with delight.
These delectable recipes have been carefully crafted by registered dietitians, ensuring not only great taste but also nutritional balance. Omitting dairy doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or texture. From Fiery salsas to Edamame Hummus to Chocolate Fruit Dip, these dishes are rich in flavor and cater to various dietary needs.
Now, let’s explore the world of fantastic tastes and discover how versatile and yummy dairy-free dips are in this exciting recipe round-up.
Salsas
Grab your favorite bag of tortilla chips and dive into these two salsa recipes!
This Peach Salsa has Peaches, tomatoes, jalapenos, herbs, and lime. It is bright, citrusy, and nutritious. Sarah Harper is the creator and voice behind The Addy Bean: A Flexitarian Food Blog.
Sarah is a Registered Dietitian based in Oregon. Her blog features a collection of flexitarian recipes, as well as articles on nutrition and cooking education.
This Low Sodium Salsa with Canned Tomatoes is an easy, delicious, and guilt-free salsa recipe by Kiran Campbell, a Registered Dietitian with an emphasis on adult heart-healthy nutrition.
Low Sodium Salsa by Kiran Campbell Nutrition
Bean Dips
You don’t need cheese as an ingredient to enjoy a delicious bean-based dip. These bean dips are perfectly paired with fresh veggies, crackers, or in a sandwich or wrap!
Loaded with veggies and spices, this Mashed White Bean with Salsa Verde is ready in just 5 minutes. Recipe by Lexi Cole, RD, CCMS one of the Dietitians with the To Taste Team, Culinary Dietitians committed to teaching the essential culinary skills that can help you take control of your health!
This Vegan Hummus Layered Dip is an easy snack that elevates hummus to a new level with fresh Mediterranean flavors. Recipe by Melissa Traub a Registered Dietitian who loves to share how to cook healthy plant-based meals!
This Tomato and Chickpea Dip is great for Fussy Eaters. It is packed with veggies and flavor. Penelope Henderson is a Registered Dietitian and the creator behind The Food Blog and Podcast Nutrition 2 Nourish & Flourish, helping families feed fussy eaters.
Tomato Pepper Chickpea Dip from Nutrition 2 Nourish & Flourish
This Simple Flaxseed Hummus is quick, easy, and delicious. Brittany Poulson is a Utah-based Dietitian with a passion for helping families build confidence in the kitchen.
Creamy Hummus without Garlic is a low FODMAPS recipe full of flavor and is ready in just a few minutes. Tori uses ice cubes to create an extra fluffy hummus. Tori is a Registered Dietitian who creates approachable plant-based meals that are simply delicious. She aims to inspire and encourage plant-based cooking.
This tofu hummus requires less oil than your typical hummus. The tofu makes this dip smooth and creamy and higher in protein! Moushumi Mukherjee is a dietitian interested in sharing foods that are comforting and healing.
This Easy Edamame Hummus is garlicy, lemony, and delicious. Best of all it is ready in just 10 minutes, max! Kristi Ruth is the creator behind Carrots and Cookies, a food blog focusing on recipes that appeal to tweens and teens.
Edamame Hummus by Carrots and Cookies
Other Veggie Dips
These veggie-based dips come together beautifully without sour cream, cream cheese, or other dairy products.
This beautiful deep purple dip is plant-based creamy, lemony, and oh so yummy. Jackie Newgent is the creator of this mouthwatering recipe and photo. She believes in “eating deliciously and eating nutritiously (…) natural, plant-based eating is the best approach to a healthy life…and a healthy planet!”
This recipe is creamy, decadent, and amazing for parties. Packed with protein, this dip is ready in under an hour. Recipe creator Alexis Joseph is a food writer, blogger, Dietitian, and Co-Founder of the restaurant group Alchemy Brands.
This plant-based dip is not lacking in flavor. Cannellini beans give this recipe its creamy texture and plant-based protein. The creator of this recipe, Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, focuses on performance nutrition for busy student-athletes to busy parents trying to fit in a quick spin class.
Dairy Free Spinach Artichoke Dip by Kelly Jones Performance Nutrition
This vibrant dip combines the sweet-smoky flavor of roasted red peppers with the wholesome goodness of walnuts. The creator Celine Thompson MS, RDN is the author behind the fertility recipe blog, Fueling Fertility.
Roasted Red Pepper Dip with Walnuts by Fueling Fertility.
This simple guacamole is a spin-off of the famous Chipotle guacamole recipe! It is healthy, quick, easy, and easy to adapt! Elysia is the creator of the food blog Haute & Healthy Living. She is on a mission to share how to make healthy eating simple, fun, and delicious.
Chipotle Guacamole Recipe from Haute & Healthy Living.
Condiments & Other Sauces
These condiments and sauces are dairy and gluten-free!
A beautifully green condiment, sauce, dressing, or dip, this Cilantro Cashew Dressing is extremely versatile. Enjoy this recipe as a dipper for veggies, baked tofu, crackers, or pretzels! Sarah Harper, the voice and Dietitian behind The Addy Bean, loves to wow her family with her super creamy plant-based dips!
This Honey Mustard recipe is oil-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and has only 2 ingredients! Summer Yule is the content and recipe creator for her food blog Summer Yule Nutrition & Recipes. She has easy recipes that include, but are not limited to, air-fryer and Instant Pot recipes.
This Horseradish Aioli is creamy, fiery, and dairy-free! While this recipe does use mayonnaise, you could use a vegan mayo to make this recipe 100% plant-based. This is another great recipe by Sarah Harper, the Dietitian and voice of The Addy Bean: A Flexitarian Food Blog.
Horseradish Mayonnaise by The Addy Bean
Dessert
I love a good dessert dip. Grab your favorite fruit or cookies and dive right in.
Feast your eyes on this creamy Pumpkin Pie Hummus. This dip contains chickpeas, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla! Julie is the voice and Dietitian behind The Healthy Epicurean. Based in the Midwest, Julie loves helping people make connections between good food and good health.
This dip is rich and creamy with a touch of sweetness. Best of all it is no bake, nut, gluten, and dairy-free! Kelsey is a Registered Dietitian and a mom. Kelsey shares her passion for cooking with quick and easy recipes, grocery tips, and time-saving kitchen hacks.
Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip by Kelsey and Coopers Kitchen
This Dairy-Free Cake Dip is just like Dunkaroos and you only need three ingredients. Chrissy is a Registered Dietitian and A Level I Triathlon Coach! She loves to share dairy-free recipes, product tips and so much more.
3 Ingredient Cake Batter Dip by Dairy Free for Baby
Enjoy this thick and creamy Chocolate Vegan Fruit dip any time of the year. This recipe has wholesome ingredients like dates, silken tofu, peanut butter, and cocoa powder. Nicole Addison is a Toronto-based Dietitian and is a lover of all things food and nutrition. She is on a mission to help individuals rediscover the joys of cooking!
Finishing off this collection of delicious dairy-free recipes with a Date Caramel with Almond Butter. This dip contains just 5 ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes.
Date Caramel with Almond Butter by The Addy Bean
Get cooking!
I challenge you to select your favorite recipe and give it a go! These dairy-free dips are sure to please. Share our favorite recipe in the comments!
Horseradish aioli is a fiery, tangy, yet creamy delight. It combines the creaminess of mayonnaise with the tangy and fiery taste of horseradish with other flavors like lemon juice and garlic to marry the flavors.
Homemade Horseradish Mayo is set to be your new favorite condiment. Add it to burgers, and sandwiches or drizzle it over some cooked vegetables, any way you serve it, it shines.
Why I Make This Horseradish Aioli Recipe
I often make this recipe to pair with simple roasted vegetable sides like Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, or Carrots. It is a great way to brighten up these veggies during the colder months when produce is sparse.
I also enjoy making this recipe to elevate sandwiches and wraps. Pair this with 2 slices of thick sourdough bread, a couple of slices of deli turkey, sharp cheddar cheese, a big handful of fresh spinach leaves or arugula, and a pinch of fresh cracked pepper for an upgraded Turkey and Cheese sandwich.
Ingredients
Mayonnaise – Store bought or homemade
Garlic
Prepared horseradish, drained – You could also use grated fresh horseradish root
Lemon juice – fresh lemon juice is preferable however bottle lemon juice works aswell
Dijon Mustard
Kosher salt
Black Pepper
How to Make This Horseradish Aioli Sauce
In a bowl mix mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, garlic, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
Adjust flavors to your liking (extra horseradish for heat, more lemon juice, salt, or pepper). Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
Make this aioli sauce in advance! You may store it in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to a week.
Variations
This is a great recipe to swap or add ingredients to. Below are a several suggestions to try!
More or less garlic
Omit the lemon for a creamier dipper or sauce
Spicy
Sweet
Pairings
This Horseradish Aioli pairs well with a variety of dishes. Some of these include but are not limited to:
Burgers
Sandwiches
Wraps
Grain Bowls
Salads
Air Fryer Veggies such as Sweet Potato Fries or Brussel Sprouts
Cooked animal Protein like chicken, fish
Cooked plant-based protein like tempeh or tofu
Oven Roasted Vegetables
Dip for a raw vegetable platter
FAQ (Ask a Dietitian!)
What makes aioli different from mayo?
Aioli is traditionally made with garlic, and olive oil in addition to salt and egg yolks. Whereas mayonnaise is typically made with egg yolks, vegetable oil, vinegar, or lemon juice.
What is horseradish mayo made of?
Horseradish Mayonnaise is a condiment that combines the creaminess of mayo with the sharp and spicy kick of horseradish.
You can use prepared horseradish when making horseradish mayo. Prepared horseradish is grated horseradish root preserved in vinegar.
Enjoy this Recipe?
Did you enjoy this recipe? You may like these too!
In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, prepared horseradish, garlic, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard.
Adjust flavors to your liking (extra horseradish for heat, more lemon juice, salt, or pepper). Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. This sauce can be made in advance.
Date Caramel with Almond Butter is sweet, rich, decadent, and tastes like caramel. But the best part is this caramel consists of natural date sugars. Not only is this easy date caramel gluten-free, but it has no butter, no cream, just dates, vanilla, and a little almond butter.
Why I Made This Sauce
To all the delicious smoothies I’ve had with some sort of date caramel rim or garnish, I have started to make my own! This recipe is simple, easy, and it’s fast to make.
I love using this easy date caramel to enhance my smoothies but it is also delicious as a caramel for apples, oatmeal, yogurt, cookies, brownies, or ice cream. I also like to use a spoonful in my smoothies for a little extra sweetness.
Ingredients in Date Caramel Sauce
1 cup pitted Dates
¼ cup Almond Butter
¼ cup hot water or almond milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
¼ tsp Kosher Salt
How to Make Date Caramel Sauce
Prepare the Dates
Remove any pits from dates if not already pitted.
Soak The Dates
Place the pitted dates in a heatproof bowl.
Pour the hot water over the dates to soften them. (I like to use boiling water).
Let the dates soak in the hot water for 15-20 minutes. This step will make the dates easier to blend into a smooth caramel.
Blend the ingredients
After soaking the dates, transfer them along with the soaking water to a high-speed blender or food processor. Add nut butter, a teaspoon of vanilla, and kosher salt to the high-speed blender.
Blend at a low speed and gradually increase to a high speed.
Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the blender.
Adjust the Consistency
If the date caramel is too thick, you can add more hot water 1 tablespoon at a time.
Date Caramel Versatility
Date caramel is a versatile recipe. You can use water to thin the sauce, hot almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, or coconut cream. You can add almond butter, peanut butter, maple syrup, even chocolate!
FAQ (Ask A Dietitian!)
Which type of dates tastes like caramel?
Medjool dates taste like caramel. They are sweet, rich, soft, and chewy.
Are dates good for health?
Dates are a good source of essential nutrients like potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and fiber. They are naturally sweet making them an excellent substitute for refined sugar in recipes and snacks. Dates are used in smoothies, baked goods, and other dishes.
Place the pitted dates in a heatproof bowl.Pour the hot water over the dates to soften them.Let the dates soak in the hot water for 15-20 minutes. This will make them easier to blend into a smooth caramel.
Blend the ingredients
After soaking the dates, transfer them along with the soaking water to a high-speed blender, then add the remaining ingredients to the high-speed blender. Blend at a low speed and gradually increase to high. Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the blender.
Adjust the Consistency
If the date caramel is too thick, you can add more hot water 1 tbsp at a time.
