A Side of Maca, Please!

You’re in trouble.

There’s a big family dinner tonight, and you were supposed to make a side dish. Who can blame you for forgetting? You’ve been busy juggling work commitments with a social life, and doing your best to make time for keeping in shape. But the clock is counting down, and there’s no braving the grocery store now - you’ve got to make do with what you have on hand. But there’s no need to fear - with maca in your pantry, you’re getting off to a good start.

Snacking with Maca

You’re going to need something to snack on while all burners are going for the main event. Here are a couple healthy sides you can bring to the table featuring our favorite nutritious ingredient: maca root.

Maca Hummus

• 1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)(15 0z), drained and rinsed or 1 1/2 cups cooked
• 4 tablespoons tahini
• 1/4 cup water (+ 2 tablespoons as needed)
• 1 small garlic clove or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• juice of 1 or 2 lemons, to taste
• 2 t Maca powder
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon roasted pine nuts, optional
• 1/2 teaspoon himalayan salt, or to taste

Place all ingredients in food processor and blend until desired consistency. Taste for flavor adding anything here and there that you like….garlic, lemon, salt, cumin. Depending on the size of your lemons or how many you used, you may like to add the extra 2 tablespoons of water for slightly thinner consistency. Serve with toppings of choice or plain. Garnishes here are chickpeas, pine nuts, chopped parsley and a dash of smoked paprika.

Cowboy Caviar

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
• 1 can (15 oz) navy beans (or any small white bean), drained
• 1 bag (12 oz) frozen sweet corn
• 5 roma tomatoes, seeds and pulp removed, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeds removed, chopped
• 1 red/orange/yellow bell pepper, seeds removed, chopped
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed, chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 avocado, chopped (optional)

Combine all above in a large bowl.

In a small bowl combine dressing ingredients:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 3 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 Tbsp jalapeño hot sauce (if desired)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Pour over the other ingredients and toss/stir until combined. Store in refrigerator.

Maca for your Sweet Side

Maca Fruit Salad

• 2-3 t of Gelatinized Maca powder
• 1 apple, cubed
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1/4 pineapple, cubed
• 5 strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 c blueberries
• 4 oz raw almond milk, rice milk or coconut milk

Mix the milk and Maca powder in a blender bottle or in a blender. Pour over sliced fruit. Serve chilled.Add other fruits that are in season in your area and use organically grown produce whenever possible.

Avocado Chocolate Maca Mousse

Why not offer a healthy but delicious alternative to pumpkin and pecan pie? Try this surprising recipe for chocolate goodness with some better nutrition and a secret ingredient: red maca. Don’t tell your guests, they will never know the difference. Add some whipped cream to give it a beautiful presentation and you have a crowd pleaser.

• 2 ripe Avocados (265 g)
• ½ cup (50 g) finest cocoa
• 2 tbsp (17 g) toasted carob powder
• ¾ tsp pure monk fruit or 1 cup (120 g) icing sugar
• ¼ cup (34 g) date sugar or sugar ¼ cup (63 g)
• 2 teaspoons red maca powder
• 1 cup (63 g) fresh raspberries
• coconut whipped cream (optional)

Place all ingredients in a food processor (except raspberries) until smooth. Taste for sweetness and adjust as needed. Serve immediately piped onto the dishes or just scooped out with a spoon and add raspberries and whipped 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!