Mash Celeriac Root and Potatoes

Mash Celeriac Root and Potatoes

Celeriac isn’t a pretty vegetable. Its pale tan, knobby texture never sees the light of day until it’s pulled from the earth. It’s the root of celery, a base ingredient in most recipes, especially for soups. As expected, the root has a celery taste, but it’s mild with a dense texture. Its flavor is a quaint surprise, especially when paired with other root vegetables.

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Butternut Squash and Kale with Red Quinoa with Ginger Vinaigrette

Butternut Squash and Kale with Red Quinoa with Ginger Vinaigrette

Butternut Squash and Kale with Red Quinoa with Ginger Vinaigrette

Is there a whole grain recipe in your holiday menu? Impress guests with this vegetarian and gluten-free salad of red quinoa tossed with dice butternut squash, lightly sauté dinosaur kale and ginger vinaigrette. Currently in season in the Northeast region of the United States, butternut squash taste similar and can be used interchangeably with pumpkin. Use one large butternut squash diced in vegetable soups, pureed in breads and roasted for salads. It’s mildly sweet flavor compliments red quinoa’s earthy and nutty taste. Adding a bit of savory flavor is thinly sliced sauté kale. The vinaigrette adds tiny bites of ginger throughout the salad. Include this beautiful and healthy salad in your traditional holiday meal. Read more

Apple Cider Green Beans with Bacon

Apple Cider Green Beans with Bacon

Apple Cider Green Beans with Bacon

Southern vegetable dishes are usually slowly simmered and seasoned with pork for a long period of time, creating a salty flavor killing all signs of life. The cooking time of green beans are easily indicated by the color. Freshly picked green beans have a mild color turning a bright spring green when blanched. Southern recipes use long cooked green beans with a dark, military green hue. Read more

Orange Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Hazelnuts

Orange Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Hazelnuts

Orange Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Hazelnuts

Knowing the holidays are upon us, it’s time we organize and plan our menus to reflect this festive time of year of giving and eating. From now until New Year’s, I’m introducing a series of fresh and healthy dishes for the holidays. Some recipes are reinterpretations of classic recipes with a healthy twist. Other recipes are new ideas to serve with traditional classics. The festive holidays are no different then the rest of year, for we should all strive for a healthy and balance lifestyle everyday.

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