How to Incorporate Maca in your Holiday Meals

Spooky season is officially over and that means the candy is out and turkey is in! Maca Team has got you covered with ways to incorporate Maca into your Thanksgiving meal so the holiday fun never has to end!

First up is a stuffing recipe from How Sweet Eats. This stuffing is a delectable blend of buttery herbs and is sure to be the talk of the town. And even more so with our secret ingredient!

Ingredients:

●18-24 ounces bread cubes (1.5 loaves of bread or about 12-14 cups) Preferably toasted or stale

●1 cup unsalted butter

●3 cups diced sweet onion, roughly 2 large onions

●2 cups diced celery

●6 garlic cloves, minced

●Kosher salt and pepper

●3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage

●3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

●3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

●2 ½ cups chicken or vegetable stock

●2 large eggs

●A mixture of fresh herbs for sprinkling

●1 tablespoon maca powder

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Brush a baking dish or foil roasting pan with melted butter, olive oil or spray with nonstick spray.
3. Place the bread (two different varieties of bread are recommended for texture!) in the baking dish.
4. Next, heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
5. When melted, add in celery, onion, and garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper (at least ½ 1 ½ teaspoon each) and stir.
6. Cook for about 8-10 minutes or until celery and onion soften.
7. Mix in parsley, rosemary, and stir.
8. Cook for one minute and then stir in one cup of stock.
9. Pour the onion and celery mixture over the bread crumbs and toss to coat them well.
10. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 ½ cups stock, 2 eggs, and 1 teaspoon of maca extract.
11. When done, pour this mixture onto the bread cubes and fold until thoroughly mixed. Bake the stuffing for about 45 to 50 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F. Serves 8 - 12 people.
12. Enjoy!

Of course, what would Thanksgiving be without mashed potatoes? The ultimate comfort food and if prepared correctly, the food of luxury. No, really. Mashed potatoes are absolutely rich in potassium. Not only that, but they also contain Vitamin B6 which helps support your metabolism. Hmmm, if only there was a way to make mashed potatoes even better…

Ingredients:

●15 pounds of potatoes

●2-3 cloves of garlic

●Fine sea salt

●6 tablespoons of butter

●1 cup whole milk

●4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

●Toppings: chopped fresh chives or green onions, freshly- cracked black pepper

●1 tablespoon maca powder

Directions:

1. First, cut the potatoes. Leave the skins on or peel them off. Cut them into evenly sized pieces about an inch or so thick and then transfer them into a large stockpock full of cold water.
2. Time to boil them. Make sure there is enough cold water in the pot so that the water line sits an inch above the potatoes.
3. Add in and stir the garlic and 1 tablespoon of fine sea salt into the water.
4. Turn the heat to high and cook until the water comes to a boil.
5. Reduce heat to medium-high and continue to cook for another 10-12 minutes (or until a knife can easily pierce into the potato).
6. Drain out all of the water.
7. As the potatoes are boiling, heat the butter, milk, and an additional two teaspoons of fine sea salt together in either a small saucepan or in the microwave until the butter is melted.
8. Set aside until ready to use.
9. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes to your desired consistency and add in 1 tablespoon of maca powder while mashing, mixing well.
10. Next, pour half of the butter mixture onto the potatoes and fold it in with a spatula until the liquid is soaked in.
11. Repeat with the remaining melted butter mixture and then again with the cream cheese, folding in each addition.
12. Time to taste test! Taste your maca masterpiece and add additional salt if needed. Garnish with your favorite toppings and enjoy with the ones you love! Serves 10-12.

And there you have it! Healthy holiday dishes full of the amazing benefits of Maca. As an adaptogen, Maca supports overall health and strength providing long-term benefits such as greater energy, stamina, improved mood, and the ability to handle stress (holiday shopping, anyone?). Conquer the holidays this year and have a new beginning just in time for 2022! And from everyone on the Maca Team, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

- The Maca Team