We all know that when it is delicious, at the same time it is very dangerous! So be careful what you eat for!
Whether you want to avoid them or include them, you can find plenty of high-calorie foods for your vegan diet. It's a popular misconception that vegans subsist solely on fruits and vegetables, but a whole other world of legumes, grains, tubers and other foods can contribute plenty of calories without animal products. Fat, the biggest contributor, has more than twice as many calories per gram as protein and carbohydrates. The good news is that the fat found in a vegan diet is almost entirely the healthy, unsaturated kind. But fat isn't your only calorie-laden avenue, either -- plenty of grains and certain fruits and vegetables can pack a calorie punch as well.
My first recipe that I will introduce to you is the
Ham and Cheese Calzones
Ingredients
2 tubes (13.8 ounces each) refrigerated pizza crust
1 cup ricotta cheese
4 to 6 ounces sliced pepperoni
2 cups diced fully cooked ham
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Shredded Parmesan cheese, optional
Dried basil, optional
Spaghetti sauce, warmed
Directions
- Unroll one pizza crust onto a greased baking sheet; shape into a 14-in. x 11-in. rectangle. Spread half of the ricotta cheese lengthwise on half of the dough to within 1 in. of the edges.
- Sprinkle with half of the pepperoni, ham and mozzarella cheese. Fold dough over filling; press edges firmly to seal. Repeat with remaining crust and filling ingredients.
- Bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and basil if desired. Cut into slices. Serve with spaghetti sauce. Yield: 2 calzones ( 7 servings each).
Nutritional Facts
1 serving (1 piece) equals 341 calories, 20 g fat (9 g saturated fat), 65 mg cholesterol, 1,087 mg sodium, 20 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 21 g protein.
My second recipe is
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
INGREDIENTS
1⁄2cup all-purpose flour
1⁄2teaspoon salt
1⁄2teaspoon pepper, to taste
1⁄4teaspoon cayenne pepper, to taste
1⁄4teaspoon garlic granules
2cups half-and-half
2cups milk
2(10 ounce) packages sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided (I use Cracker Barrel)
1(10 ounce) package extra-sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (I use Cracker Barrel)
1(16 ounce) package elbow macaroni, cooked
1. In a big skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat.2. Whisk the flour in gradually until the mixture is smooth.
Third and the last one is the
Vegetables with Mayonnaise dressing
Mayonnaise is a thick creamy sauce that we often use as a condiment. We feel absolutely comfortable slapping on a layer of mayonnaise on a slice of toast or on a piece of chicken. Little do we realize what this could cost us. This dreamy white stuff is loaded with fat, calories, salt and may take away the healthiness of the food that you combine it with.
Ingredients
3 large carrots
3 large potatoes
1 parsnip
2 apples, peeled, cored
4 gherkins
5 hard-boiled eggs
1 cangreen peas or chickpeas
lemon juice
1 small jar mayonnaise
1 tsp mustard
Instructions
1. Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil. Cook the carrot, potato and parsnip until tender. Remove and drain. Set aside to cool. When cool, peel and chop into small cubes. Transfer to a serving bowl.
2. Chop the apple, gherkin and egg into small cubes. Add to the vegetables. Add the green peas (or chickpeas) and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Combine the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl. Add to the salad and mix well.
