Vegan Healthy Nachos

Wow!  Did you ever think you could make a dish like Nachos and have it be healthy and nourishing at the same time?  Ah, yes we can. I came across this recipe for nacho sauce from the Forks Over Knives Cookbook.  Now, I've created vegan nacho sauces before, but they've never been this tasty or this healthy.  What's the secret? One roasted red pepper! Brilliant. One red pepper has more Vitamin C than an orange, and it makes this nacho sauce vibrant with flavor, and healthy for our bodies.  If you have never roasted a red pepper before, you simply put it in the oven heated at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.  Let it cool and remove the skin and seeds.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
Nacho Sauce (from the Forks Over Knives Cookbook: Find recipe here or below:)
http://www.forksoverknives.com/wp-content/uploads/FOK_SUPERBOWL_RECIPE_PDF_FINAL.pdf
one bunch or bag of your favorite greens, washed and chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 can of black beans (or refried black beans if you prefer)
One bag of low-fat or baked tortilla chips
1/2 c. salsa of choice
1/2 c. black olives (optional)
1 avocado, chopped and drizzled with fresh lemon juice (optional)
2 c. brown rice (optional)
1/2 c. chopped cilantro (cilantro)

Assemble on the plate: Bed of greens, rice, black beans, tomatoes, olives, avocado, nacho sauce and salsa.  Sprinkle with cilantro and crumbled tortilla chips. Enjoy!

Variation: Customize these ingredients as you like. Vegan sour cream, or jalapenos would also be great!

Nacho Cheese Sauce (courtesy of Forks Over Knives Cookbook)- http://www.amazon.com/Forks-Over-Knives-Cookbook-Plant-Based/dp/1615190619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363046933&sr=8-1&keywords=Forks+Over+Knives

1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for at least 30 minutes and then rinsed

1 TB. tahini

1 roasted red pepper (rinsed from jar or prepared from fresh)

1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes

1 TB. tamari (or Bragg’s liquid aminos or low-sodium soy sauce)

zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/4 cup water

Healthy tip: By adding the greens to the plate first, you have more of the healthy stuff, leaving just enough room for a sprinkling of chips on top.  You still have all the flavor, and the kids still see all the chips. :)