An ooey gooey cheesy gratin does not have to curb your diet and overall health. With an emphasis on flavorful, water-packed vegetables and a few substitutions, you can get the comfort you crave in this vegan leek and zucchini gratin recipe, bite after bite.

This cheesy vegan leek and zucchini gratin recipe is a delicious and easy approach to health cooking while still satisfying the warmth an evening meal usually demands. The vegan cheese, which is widely available, adds just the right texture and flavor without the burden of hard-to-digest dairy. So take your gratin recipe to the next level — the more conscious level — with these healthy twists.

Leeks are a great way to get the wholesome nutrition you need in a flavorful and aromatic food. Leeks reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and fight colon and prostate cancer with their carcinogen-fighting quercetin content. They also contain protective antioxidants, prevent aging, lower blood pressure, pack very few calories, cleanse the blood, and heal wounds.

Zucchini is also a showstopper when it comes to your health. Low in calories, with just 36 per cup, zucchini also helps to digest fat in your body, promote proper digestion, lower blood pressure and prevent heart attacks.

Cheesy Vegan Leek and Zucchini Gratin Recipe

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

• 1 large leek
• 1 large zucchini
• 1 large summer squash
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 cup shredded vegan cheese (Daiya works well)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Chop and rinse the leeks. Chop the zucchini and yellow squash into the same size as the leeks. In a large bowl, toss together the leeks, zucchini and squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic powder.

Place the vegetables into a baking dish and top with shredded cheese. Let cook in the oven for 30-35 minutes.

Photo Credit: GlowKitchen

The post Cheesy Vegan Leek and Zucchini Gratin Recipe appeared first on EcoSalon.

This winter, try your hand at a different kind of homemade pizza. Add some seasonal vegetables to the mix and you’ll bring more excitement and diverse flavors to pizza night. This sweet potato and leek pizza recipe is just one way you can mix it up. Enjoy!

The stars of this pizza recipe are the leeks and sweet potatoes. As spring approaches, I’m trying to get the most out of my sweet potato kick and one of the ways I like to do that is to pair it with unlikely vegetables, such as leeks, and in unique ways, such as in a pizza. This recipe makes me appreciate the sweet potato — and pizza! — in an entirely different way.

Leeks reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol and are helpful in fighting certain cancers, such as colon and prostate cancer, with their carcinogen-fighting quercetin content. They also contain protective antioxidants, inlcuding the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which help to prevent aging, lower high blood pressure, cleanse the blood, and heal wounds.

The sweet potato also offers incredible health benefits. It is packed with vitamins B6, C and D, contributing to healthy bones and nerves, clear skin and strong teeth. The sweet potato is also helpful in reducing stress and boosting the immune system. It is the better alternative to a white potato because it has sugars that are slowly released into the bloodstream and thus won’t cause sugar spikes. Like leeks, the sweet potato also wards off cancer.

Sweet Potato & Leek Winter Pizza

Makes one 10-inch pie

Ingredients

• 1 10-inch pizza crust (preferably whole-wheat)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing the crust)
• 2 leeks
• 1 medium white onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, stemmed and halved
• 1 sweet potato (baked at 400 degrees F for 40 minutes)
• 1 teaspoon chives, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Brush both sides of the crust with olive oil and place on a baking dish.

Spread the sweet potato over the crust so that it is evenly distributed.

Top the sweet potato with the leeks, onions, cherry tomatoes and chives.

Bake in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10-12 minutes, or until the crust browns slightly and the tomatoes cook to a withered look. Serve and enjoy!

Photo Credit: GlowKitchen

The post Winter Ingredient Twist: Sweet Potato and Leek Pizza Recipe appeared first on EcoSalon.