Gluten Free Paleo Thanksgiving App - Carrot Sunflower Seed Dip
Are you prepared with a recipe arsenal for last-minute family and unannounced guests showing up this Holiday season ready to eat? Oh and don’t forget Auntie Pattie who is Paleo now, and Jimmy who has a peanut allergy, oh right and your gluten allergy.
Are you sweating already?
Its ok, I am here to help.
Let me introduce you to a healthy, quick, and easy dip that is usable for an appetizer dip with crackers or veggies, or to pull together a meal by using it as a spread for roasted meats, or even thinned out with some olive oil for a salad dressing.
Oh and did I mention its Gluten, Dairy, Grain, and Peanut Free?
Boom!
A bonus aspect to this recipe is that you can exchange the sunflower seeds for any nut or seed you have on hand. I usually make my own crackers but let’s be honest, during the holidays sometimes we need to take short cuts, so here are some links to gluten-free crackers that I have pictured with the dip.
Obviously fresh veggies would be optimal but we need to please a crowd so lets not be too pushy on family and friends during Thanksgiving about gluten-free this and vegan that. Just put the food down and make no health announcements (unless you need to) and see what the reaction is. Plus a dip made of carrots that is completely vegan is way better than the usual cream cheese stuffed fried food that is usually around, but they don’t need to know that right?
Carrot Sunflower Orange Date Spread
Yields 2
Vegan - Gluten Free - Grain Free - Paleo - Sugar Free - Make Ahead
Ingredients
- 1 Lb Carrots Peeled and Cut into 1/2'' Pieces
- 1 Cup Roasted Sunflower Seeds or Nut/Seed of Choice
- 1/2 Cup Pitted Dates (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes)
- 1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Zest and Juice of 1 Orange
- 1/2 Tsp Fine Sea Salt
- Pinch of Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Steam the carrots for 5-7 minutes or until the carrots are easily pierced with a knife.
- Drain the dates and add all of the ingredients to a blender.
- Blend the mixture until smooth.
- Taste for seasoning and transfer to a bowl and serve with crackers, crudite, or use as a dip for meat or veggies.
Notes
The sunflower seeds can be replaced with cashews, almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts.