Healthy Variations in Cooking

Here are a few ways to be able to eat those things we like to cheat with, and yet are even better for us than what we would normally have!

TOFU WHIPPED CREAM

1 (10 oz) container 1 percent tofu, soft
2 tablespoons canola oil or olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla

Combine all ingredients in blender or food processor and process until smooth and creamy.  Chill and serve as you would whipped cream.  YIELD:  1 ½ cups
(Recipe Tip:  This whipped cream alternative contains no cholesterol or saturated fat.  If you use firm tofu in this recipe, you will need to add a few tablespoons of water to thin the cream to a blendable consistency.  This whipped cream can be made up to three days in advance and chilled until needed.

RANCH SOY MAYONNAISE

1 cup water
2/3 cup Soyagen (soy milk powder)
1 pinch salt (optional)
1 tablespoon honey or sugar
2-4 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
¼ cup light olive oil or canola oil
Juice of 1 fresh lemon

In a blender, place water, Soyagen*, salt, honey or sugar, and ranch dressing mix, and process until smooth.  While continuing to blend, slowly pour oil into mixture.  Mixture will thicken.  Pour into container that has sealable lid.  Stir lemon juice into mayonnaise mixture.  The mayonnaise will thicken.  Chill in sealed container until serving time.  *Note: If you cannot get Soyagen, do NOT use anything else to substitute.  It will not thicken.

(Recipe Tip:  This soy mayonnaise tastes very much like regular ranch dressing.  Use as a substitute for mayonnaise on sandwiches, topping for baked potatoes or vegetables, and for chicken, potato, or pasta salads.  It contains NO cholesterol.)