THANKSGIVING RECIPE ROUNDUP

Here is a quick round-up of last minute entrees, sides and desserts to make for this year's Thanksgiving.  Don't fret if you need one more side or a quick dessert, take a look below.  These recipes are all simple, seasonal and veg-friendly options for your table.  

Let me know if you plan to try any and of course,  I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving!

Thyme, Marjoram & Leek Socca (GF, V)

Wild Mushroom Gravy (GF, V)

Salt-Roasted Seabass with Frisee, Pistachio & Fennel (GF)

Poached Pears with Vanilla Bean, Ginger & Macadamia Maple Cream (GF, V)

Creamy Coconut Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Pepitas and Creme Fraiche

Roasted Root Vegetables with Rosemary, Thyme & Brown Butter (GF)

Red Quinoa Salad with Shaved Fennel, Sweet Peas & Whole-Grain Mustard Dressing (GF, V)

Peach & Blackberry Ramekin Crisps (GF, V)

SIMPLE THINGS

I recently shot for the Gatherings feature of Simple Things Magazine.  I invited a few friends over to share a large Indian meal full of roasted, spiced vegetables, coconut curry and lots of candles.  The theme was based on the Diwali festival also known as the "festival of lights," so we made sure to load up on tea lights and decadent servewear.  This feature also gave me an excuse to spend too much money at the Indian spice market -- 15 specialty spices isn't a lot, right?

Be sure to check out the November issue to see the five (vegetarian) recipes I developed for this gathering (which may or may not include sunchoke chips with spiced red lentil dip).  Now that it's finally a consistenltly cold temperature in New York, I'm ready for soups, curry and hearty meals with friends.  You can buy or order your issue here or check out where to buy.

RAW KALE CAESAR WITH ROASTED CHICKPEAS

The new year has been extraordinarily busy for me, and I haven't had a lot of time for extravagant/home-cooked meals. Most of the time, I eat on the go and get whatever I can to tide me over. The few days where I have a minute, I come back to my love of the kale salad. It is a meal I have been eating and re-working for years without ever getting tired of it. For whatever reason, kale salads can be just as comforting to me as my beloved pad thai, just with more work.

All you need to make the kale salad even more special is some spices and homemade dressing. I'm obsessed with any kind of "warm" salad, especially since it's not quite warm enough to pretend it's Spring. Needless to say, this salad is an in between and it's damn good.

ROASTED SPICED CHICKPEAS OVER KALE CAESAR SALAD    (Gluten-free, Vegan)

CHICKPEAS:

1 can chickpeas, drained

1/4 cup sesame seeds

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspon garlic powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1/4 teaspoon turmeric 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Add drained chickpease to a large mixing bowl.  Mix in all spices, sesame seeds and olive oil with sea salt and pepper.  Use your hands to make sure chickpeas are evenly coated with mixture.  Roast for 40-45 minutes or until crisp and browned.  Set aside to cool.

SALAD:

3/4 cup cashews, raw

1 teaspoon yellow miso

1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

2 garlic cloves, whole

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon nori, chopped

1 teaspoon nutritional yeast

2 tablespoons coconut cream

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon tamari, gluten-free

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 head of kale, de-stremmed and chopped

1/2 avocado, diced

1. Add the first twelve ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend  until smooth.

2.  In a large bowl, add kale, avocado and dresssing.  Mix together with your hands until well combine.  Top with roasted chickpeas and enjoy!

In chickpeas, avocado, cumin, sesame seeds, kale, cilantro, cayenne, cashews, miso, tamari Tags salads, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, dinner, lunch, winter, autumn, spring, summer, caesar salad

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