“Over the river, and through the woods…,” I hum as we leave the comfort of our apartment for a road trip lasting a few hours. For those of us who aren’t hosting a Thanksgiving meal in their home and traveling long-distance to friends or a relative’s house, packing for a road-trip is a feel good alternative to feeling bloated and heavy from fast food restaurants at rest stops. Here are a few ‘lighter’ fare ideas for traveling and below is a recipe for Roast Coriander Cauliflower, Pomegranate and Grilled Chicken Salad that packs well in a cooler or over frozen water bottles. If serving the salad as part of a Thanksgiving dinner, omit the chicken. It’s contrasting crunchy texture in a Thanksgiving menu with mushy dishes would be a welcome addition. Read more
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Parade.com: Saffron Butternut Squash Soup
Finland. Summer 2003. Lunch outside of a mild summer day. The server presented steamed salmon in a saffron creamy broth. It was simple dish, but the memory of its taste is grand. Recently, when I made Saffron Butternut Squash soup as an idea to include in a Thanksgiving menu, the first spoonful didn’t have me thinking of smoked turkey. Instead, forgotten memories of Finland returned.
It was the summer of learning about organic food, becoming environmentally-conscious and riding Copenhagen’s public bikes. The flavorful produce was fresh, bruised and unwaxed. Large chickens looked liked American cornish hens. Fingerling potatoes enclosed in a thin papery skin roasted into a buttery softness. I would return to occasionally trying to recreate the Saffron Creamy broth. It’s a simple sauce, in which I’m surprised to not have successfully created it. Perhaps, the simpleness of the sauce is underestimated. Ten years later into today, I would unwittingly recreate the taste with different ingredients, but the memories come courtesy of saffron. It’s distinct flavor beautifully infuses every dish. Read more
Parade.com: 3 Ways to Spice Up Your Acorn Squash
Even as a so-called health nut, I love winter squashes roasted until they’re buttery and sticky-sweet. They’re drizzled with olive or coconut oil, or a little soft butter is brushed on slices. Perhaps they’re sweetened with brown or coconut sugar, maple syrup or honey. A bit of sea salt and fresh black pepper are sprinkled here and there. In my creative mind, winter squashes are flavored with any combination of herbs and spices. Read more
Parade Magazine: Roast Brussel Sprouts and Wild Brown Rice
I personally prefer smoked over fried and roast turkey. The orange-tea smoky flavor infuses the whole bird to render even the breast meat juicy. As my father cooks at least three turkeys, each using a different cooking technique mentioned above, he’s also preparing several carb-loaded side dishes. Read more
Parade Magazine: Maple Almond Pear Tarts
After returning to working a weekday schedule of 9 to 5, desserts with less prep work are appreciated in my schedule. Although pears and/or apples baked in buttery pie crusts are worth the extra effort and time, using puff pastry to make a tart turns out a quickie dessert.
This tart is topped with pear slices, warm spices, chopped almonds, and a maple syrup glaze with Tonewood Maple Flakes sprinkled on top. Of course, no dessert with baked pears is complete without a generous scoop of fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Sweet pies are great if there’s extra time in your schedule, but those with fewer hours can make these maple almond pear tarts with equal love. Read more