Vegan Pizza Potato Skins with Roasted Broccoli

It’s still March Madness, which means I have another perfect game-day appetizer to share. This recipe was inspired by a meal I cooked for a client following the Whole30 diet. If you don’t know the rules of Whole30, it’s pretty much clean eating, with no grains, dairy or beans, and a focus on produce and high-quality meats and poultry. This diet plan is almost impossible for a vegetarian like me (no grains, dairy or beans? I definitely cannot sustain that). However, for a meat-eater, this is an amazing option to both lose weight and to transition into a clean eating lifestyle.

Given the rules, this recipe fits into the Whole30 regimen. Baked potato skins, an easy tomato sauce, homemade cashew cream and broccoli florets are all acceptable foods on Whole30. For my client, who eats meat, I added crumbled and cooked italian sausage, but for me, roasted broccoli is the perfect meat-free topping. This recipe is a clean, whole and delicious appetizer or main dish, and it not only pleases Whole30 peeps, but also satisfies vegans, vegetarians and gluten-freers too. Before getting to the recipe, check out my breakdown of the top health-supportive elements in this dish, and then head to the kitchen to whip up this healthy, satisfying and delicious dish.

Potatoes are sometimes looked down upon because they’re “carby”, but potatoes are actually a super healthy food containing substantial amounts of fiber, protein, potassium, magnesium, iron, niacin, thiamin, b-6 vitamins and vitamin-c. Vitamin b-6 helps with a variety of essential bodily functions such as immunity, mood, digestion, metabolism, energy production and brain function. Added bonus, b vitamins are known for their healthy skin and hair benefits. Iron, which is highly concentrated in the potato’s skin, is known for providing energy and supporting the immune system. Vitamin-c is also important here because it allows the body to absorb and utilize the iron found in plant-based food like potatoes.

Cashews, like other nuts, provide protein and healthy unsaturated fats, which help to fight high cholesterol. Additionally, cashew cream adds dairy-free richness and makes plant-based meals super satisfying. Because they are a softer nut, cashews and water easily transform into a smooth, creamy sauce without needing an expensive high-power blender (like a Vitamix).

Tomatoes, like in my quick tomato sauce, are a great source of antioxidants such as lycopene. Lycopene is associated with bone strength, fighting certain types of cancer and protecting against a variety of toxins and pesticides commonly found in modern foods. Tomatoes are also high in other nutrients like vitamin-c, vitamin-k and biotin, to name just a few. Vitamin C, as I mentioned earlier, allows for plant-based sources of iron to be absorbed by the body (very important for vegetarians like me). And biotin (vitamin b-7) is commonly associated with healthy skin, hair and nails. Additionally, because tomatoes are low on the glycemic index scale, they are helpful in regulating blood sugar levels.

Vegan Pizza Potato Skins with Roasted Broccoli

Serves: 3-4 (entree), 6-8 (appetizer)    Start to Finish: 1 hr 30 min