Serving up Maca for the Holidays

It’s the time of year when pressures are high and bank balances are low. You’re stocking up for the holidays, preparing to host (and feed) a small army, and you’re running low on ideas. Many of the dishes served at holiday meals in the US are high-carb, low-nutrient, designed to fill you up and taste good, but not much more. Wouldn’t you like some healthy alternatives to the usual cheese plates and marshmallow-drenched sweet potatoes? Let’s take a look at some maca dishes that could make the menu!

Maca Snacks

Are you a fan of all things pumpkin? Pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin pastries, pumpkin-scented candles – this time of year, you’re spoiled for choice! Prepping Thanksgiving dinner is an exhausting endeavor, and you’re going to want to have some brain food on hand to keep you sharp and satisfied while you get down to work. Instead of picking at crackers and cookies while you cook, why not try some revitalizing Red Velvet Maca Energy Balls?

They’re small, they’re sweet, they’re packed with nutrients – just what you need to keep you going so YOU can keep Thanksgiving on track.

Ingredients:

• 4 medjool dates⁣
• 2 cups shredded coconut⁣
• 2 Tbsp organic beet powder⁣
• 1 tsp red maca powder⁣
• 5 Tbsp cocoa powder⁣
• 1 Tbsp nut butter of your choice⁣
• 1 tsp of vanilla⁣p
• pinch of salt⁣

Preparation:

1. Blend until comes together, roll into balls
2. Dip coat in coconut and extra beet powder
3. Enjoy immediately

Maca Sides

Cornbread, stuffing, green bean casseroles: the classic sides at a typical holiday meal. They’re delicious, but are they good for you? With all the added salts, sugars, and oils, there’s a reason you always crash so hard after dinner, and it isn’t just because of the tryptophan in that perfectly cooked roast turkey. Maca root may be high in carbs, but it’s also high in nutrients, namely essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. There’s a reason ancient Peruvian warriors consumed maca root before battle. And isn’t facing a swarm of noisy relatives a little like going into battle? Perform at your best with a healthy side serving of maca root.

Maca Souffle

Ingredients:

Zabianone:

• 2 egg yolks
• 2 T sugar
• 2 T port wine or marsala wine
• maca powder to taste
• splash of cream
• 2 egg whites whipped into meringue

Preparation:

Thoroughly blend egg yolks, sugar, wine, maca and cream. Place mixture in small buttered baking dishes (ramekins). Add egg white meringue on top. Bake in oven at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Maca Desserts

Pumpkin pie, apple pie, sweet potato pie – if you love pies, this is your time of year! And who doesn’t love pie? But like a lot of holiday side dishes, pies are often loaded with sugar and preservatives, which means your more health-conscious guests might decide to pass on the goodies. Make sure there’s something delicious for everyone with this Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Maca.

Ingredients:

• 1 9 1/2-inch whole wheat or gluten-free baked pie shell (or your favorite raw crust)
• 1/4 cup toasted unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 tbsp. chopped crystallized ginger
• 1 cup raw cashew pieces, soaked for a few hours, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup + 1 Tbsp. coconut butter
• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. water
• 1/4 cup non-dairy milk
• 1 Tbsp. maca powder
• 1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
• 1 tsp. vanilla-flavored stevia liquid
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. powdered ginger
• pinch allspice
• Whipped coconut cream, for topping, optional

Preparation:

In a small bowl combine the toasted coconut and the crystallized ginger. Set aside. Put the cashews, pumpkin puree, coconut butter, water, non-dairy milk, maca powder, ginger, stevia, and spices in a high-speed blender and process until very smooth. Scrape about half of the cashew-pumpkin mixture into the pie crust and smooth. Sprinkle the toasted coconut/ginger over top and carefully add the remaining cashew-pumpkin mixture over top. Spread until even and smooth. Chill for several hours or until firm. Cut into slices and serve with whipped coconut cream. 

Any Questions?

We hope we’ve given you some good inspiration for the big event! If you have any further questions about our Fair Trade, sustainably-grown maca, we’d love to hear them. Please don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616.

Enjoy the Day!