Quick Spicy Tomato Basil Marinara

Quick Spicy Tomato Basil Marinara

Who needs jarred sauce when you can whip up a tasty, preservative-free, lower sodium version in less than 30 minutes? This sauce has countless uses from spreading on pizza to mussels marinara to layering into a rustic lasagna. Or simply toss with freshly cooked pasta for a simple supper all ages will enjoy.

Makes: 2-3 cups

What You Need:

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• 4-5 cloves garlic, minced

• ⅛ teaspoon sea salt, divided

• ½ - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• ½ - 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 large (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

• 1 handful basil leaves, cut into thin strips  

What You Do:

1. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

2. Add garlic cloves and a pinch of salt. Lower heat slightly and sauté gently until soft. 

3. Add red pepper flakes and oregano. Saute 1-2 minutes. 

4. Add tomatoes and remaining salt. Bring to a low boil. Reduce to medium low heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes or longer to reduce and intensify flavor. Adjust seasoning with salt and red pepper flakes.

5. Before serving, stir in the fresh basil. 

Whole Grilled Trout with Cilantro, Mint, Nam Pla Prik and Cashews

I modeled this dish after a favorite from one of our local Thai restaurants, a lightly battered fried red snapper served with cashews and heaps of herbs like cilantro and mint. It’s also dressed with a healthy serving of Nam Pla Prik, a Thai Chili Lime Sauce that comes together in minutes with thai bird’s eye chilis, lime juice, and fish sauce. It’s traditionally served with some minced red onion, although I always leave that out. It’s just as good without as it is with, depending on your taste and tolerance for raw onion. Don’t skip the fish sauce though — it’s that fermented umami combined with the lime juice that gives this sauce its special tang. We grill the fish, because, well, then it’s not deep fried and the flaky fillets absorb the sauce perfectly.

WHOLE GRILLED TROUT WITH CILANTRO, MINT, NAM PLA PRIK (Thai Chili Lime Sauce) AND CASHEWS

Serves: 4-6

What You Need:

For the Fish:

• ¼ cup cashews

• 3 whole trout or other small fish such as branzino, perch or red snapper, scaled, cleaned, & heads removed or butterflied, about 1 lb each*

• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

• 1 bunch mint

• 1 bunch cilantro

• 1 bunch thai holy basil, if available

• 4-6 kaffir lime leaves

• 1 tablespoon canola or other neutral oil

Nam Pla Prik Thai Chili Lime Sauce

For the Nam Pla Prik (Thai Chili Lime Sauce):

• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2-3 limes)

• 2 tablespoons fish sauce

• 2 teaspoons brown sugar

• 1 clove garlic, grated on microplane, optional

• 2-3 Thai chilis, sliced thin

• 1 small red onion, minced, optional

What You Do:

1. In a small skillet over medium heat, toast the cashews until they are lightly browned, shaking the pan frequently, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.

2. Sprinkle sea salt and crushed white pepper on the insides of the fish. Stuff each fish with a couple of sprigs of cilantro, a couple sprigs of mint, a sprig of thai basil, and 1-2 kaffir lime leaves. Brush the outside of each fish lightly with canola oil.

3. Heat a grill on high heat.

4. Meanwhile, make the sauce. In a bowl whisk together lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar and garlic. Stir in sliced thai chilis and red onion, if using. 

5. Grill the fish over high heat, turning once, 6-7 minutes per side or until skin is crisped and flesh is flaky. Serve immediately with the Thai Chili Lime Sauce, toasted cashews, more fresh mint, cilantro and thai basil leaves. 

No grill? No problem. You can also cook this whole fish under the broiler in a cast iron skillet or broiler safe pan. Heat the pan under the broiler for about 10 minutes. Add the prepared fish to the pan and place back under the broiler for about 6-7 minutes. Flip and cook an additional 5-6 minutes on the other side.

*Fish weigh in before head removal. Be sure to adjust cooking time for the size of your fish. I find 6-7 minutes per side is perfect for fish that are just over a pound each and this is enough fish to serve 4-6 people.

Rhubarb Strawberry Compote

If I can put aside a few stalks of rhubarb before my older son manages to eat them all, completely raw, I chop them up and combine with strawberries, for the classic combination and otherworldly compote that has as many uses as it has strawberries, and qualifies as a serving of vegetables, even for dessert. Use this strawberry rhubarb compote as a filling for crumb bars or pies, to top your porridge, or to spread on toast and these Rhubarb Oat & Cream Scones. Prepare in large batches and freeze for another day or to surprise everyone with an unseasonable Strawberry Rhubarb Pie on Thanksgiving.

Rhubarb Strawberry Compote

Yield: 5 ½ cups

What you need:

• 4 cups rhubarb, ¼ inch thick slices

• ½ cup turbinado sugar

• 2-4 tablespoons water, divided

• 4-6 cups strawberries, quartered for pie filling and small dice for jam or spread

What you do:

1. Put the rhubarb, sugar and 2 tablespoons water into a small pot.

2. Bring to a boil and simmer, stirring frequently, for about 8 minutes, until rhubarb softens. If rhubarb is sticking to bottom of pot, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

3. Add strawberries and continue to cook on medium high for about 5 minutes, until strawberries break down and mixture thickens (so that it coats the back of a spoon).

4. Allow to cool. At this point, you can freeze the compote in small storage containers or plastic bags.

I recommend adding about 1 tablespoon of tapioca starch per 2 cups of compote when using as a pie or crumble filling.

Naturally Colored Liquid Dyes

To make most types of naturally colored liquid dye:

1. Boil or steep vegetables (1 cup), spices (1 tablespoon), or dried flowers or teas (1/2 cup) in boiling water (1 1/2 - 2 cups) for 10-20 minutes.

2. Strain through a fine mesh strainer. Discard, compost or reuse the solids.

3. Add vinegar and stir. Use ~1 tablespoon vinegar to 1 cup liquid dye. Use less for acidic mixtures like berries cooked in lemon juice.

Steep: to soak (food, tea, etc.) in hot water so as to extract its flavor or color or to soften or reconstitute it

Boil: to cook (food) in boiling water over a heat source

RAINBOW of RECIPES

• Red: 1 cup shredded red beets* + 2 cups water + 1 tablespoon smoked paprika. Boil. Strain.

• Pink: ½ cup dried hibiscus flowers** + 2 cups boiling water. Steep. Strain.

• Rust: 1 tablespoon chili powder or smoked paprika + 1½ cups water. Boil. Strain.

• Orange Spotted: Sauté 1 tablespoon smoked paprika + 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder in 1 tablespoon canola oil. Add 1½ cups water. Boil. Strain.

• Pale Yellow: 1 tablespoon grated fresh turmeric root** + 1 cup water. Boil. Strain.

• Yellow: 1 cup shredded golden beets + 2 cups water. Boil. Strain.

• Green: 2 cups chopped spinach or kale + 2 cups water. Boil. Purée. Strain. (Not recommended, since greens will turn brown or olive green with the addition of an acid). OR mix 1/2 cup yellow (turmeric root) with blue (butterfly pea flower) added 1 teaspoon at a time.**

• Blue: ½ cup dried butterfly pea flowers** + 2 cups boiling water. Steep. Strain.

• Violet: 1 cup shredded red beets + 2 cups water. Boil. Strain.

• Purple: 1 cup blueberries* + juice from ½ lemon + 1 tablespoon sugar. Cook until berries have popped. Purée. Strain. Whisk in 1 cup water.  

• Brown: Coffee** brewed per your usual method.

** MOST RECOMMENDED                * RECOMMENDED

Anti-Inflammatory Butternut Squash & French Lentil Stew

Anti-Inflammatory Butternut Squash and French Lentil Stew

This hearty and flavorful stew highlights squash and fast-cooking french lentils. It’s spiced with Ras el Hanout, a North African and Moroccan spice blend that means “head of the shop”. Ras el hanout is packed with anti-inflammatory agents, like ginger, turmeric and black peppercorn and delivers additional warmth with paprika, cinnamon and cayenne. Plant-based and lowcarb, this stew is thickened with tahini, the middle eastern staple made from ground sesame seeds. A bright finish of crisp spinach leaves and lemon juice give you everything you’re craving in one pot and under 40 minutes.

Makes: 5-6 cups, serves 6-8

What you need:

• ½ cup french lentils

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 small red onion, diced

• 1 small yellow or white onion, diced

• ¾ teaspoon salt

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1-2 tablespoons grated ginger root

• 2 - 3 teaspoons ras el hanout spice (purchased or see my recipe to make your own)

• 2 tablespoons tahini

• 4 cups low sodium vegetable stock

• 1 medium butternut squash, ¼ inch cubes

• 3 carrots, ¼ inch thick half moons

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 1 bunch of spinach, about 2 cups leaves, torn

• Freshly cracked black pepper

What you do:

1. Rinse the lentils and soak in a bowl of hot tap water for about 10 minutes (or until it is time to add them to the stew).

2. Heat olive oil in a soup pot on medium high heat. Add the onion and a few pinches of salt. Sauté until onion is soft, about 3 minutes.

3. Add the garlic, ginger and a pinch of salt. Sauté about 1 minute longer.

4. Whisk in the spice mixture and sauté 30 seconds longer.

5. Stir in the tahini, and then gradually whisk in the stock in a slow steady stream, allowing it to thicken before adding more.

6. Strain the lentils and add them to the pot with the remaining salt. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to medium and simmer gently about 20 minutes.

7. Add the butternut squash and carrots and simmer an additional 10-15 minutes or until lentils, squash and carrots are tender.

8. Taste and season the soup with lemon juice. Add the torn spinach leaves, stir and heat just a minute or two until they wilt. Serve with additional lemon juice and fresh cracked black pepper, if desired.

Ras el Hanout

RAS EL HANOUT SPICE BLEND

Ras el Hanout is a Moroccan spice blend found throughout North Africa, Tunisia, and Algeria as well. Its name translates to “head of the shop”. Ras el hanout is packed with anti-inflammatory agents, like ginger, turmeric and black peppercorn and delivers additional warmth with paprika, cinnamon and cayenne. Spice shops and families have their own versions of this ubiquitous blend, some with highly guarded secret recipes using anywhere from 10-40 different ingredients. I always recommend making your own spice blends from both whole and ground spices. They will be fresher and more pungent than a store bought blend, which might also be hard to find consistently. In your own blends, you can omit salt and control the ratios of spices to your particular taste. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, simply use all ground spices to make this blend. Or you could attend a Spice of Life class where you learn all about spices and can make a freshly ground blend to take home.

Makes: 9 tablespoons or ~½ cup or fills 1 average spice jar

What you need:

• 1 cinnamon stick (1 teaspoon ground cinnamon)

• 2 teaspoons black peppercorns (1 ½ - 2 teaspoons ground black pepper)

• 2 teaspoons allspice berries (1 ½ - 2 teaspoons ground allspice)

• 2 teaspoons coriander seeds (1 ½ - 2 teaspoons ground coriander)

• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds (1 ½ - 2 teaspoons ground cumin)

• 2 teaspoons whole cloves (1- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves)

• 4 teaspoons ground turmeric

• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

• ½ teaspoon cayenne

• ½ teaspoon grated nutmeg

What you do:

1. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the cinnamon stick and toast for 30 seconds. Add the peppercorns and allspice berries and toast an additional 45 seconds. Add the coriander seeds, cumin seeds and whole cloves. Toast just until fragrant, about 15-30 seconds. Transfer spices to a plate or sheet of parchment paper to cool.

2. When cooled, grind whole spices in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle until fine.

3. Transfer to a bowl and add smoked paprika, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, cayenne and nutmeg. Whisk to combine. Store in a glass spice jar and use within 6 months for best results.

My Dad's Beef Stew

My Dad’s Beef Stew

Turnips are one of those funny vegetables: Many people object to the idea of them, but when you braise them slowly in a stew, particularly a peppery beef-based broth, they take on levels of umami flavor that even the pickiest of vegetable eaters can’t resist. This stew just screams snowy winter afternoon and pairs nicely with a deep Cabernet—two things I associate with my father who cooks this stew for football Sunday up in New Hampshire. You can also fancy it up and add a fresh richness with a dollop of herb butter preserved from when herbs are in peak season.

Serves 8 (or 4 with leftovers)

What you need:

• 4 tablespoons all purpose flour

• ¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme (optional)

• 2 pounds stew beef, cut into bite sized chunks

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 onion, diced

• ¼ cup red wine (optional)

• 1 quart beef stock, store bought or homemade

• 2 medium turnips (approximately 2 pounds), cut into a large dice

• ½–2 cups water

• 4 medium potatoes, cut into a medium dice

• 6 medium carrots, roll cut or cut into ¼-inch rounds or half moons for really large carrots

• 4 ribs celery, cut into ½-inch slices

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• Herb butter for serving

What you do:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme. Add the beef pieces and toss with the flour mixture.

2. In a dutch oven or large stock pot, heat the oil over high heat.

3. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the beef and brown it on all sides, approximately 8 minutes, or until a crust forms. Remove from the pan and set aside. In the remaining fat, sauté the onion with a few pinches of salt until softened.

4. Add the red wine, scraping up brown bits as you whisk it in. Add the stock, slowly whisking in a half-cup at a time, and letting it bubble and thicken, before adding more. Bring to a simmer.

5. Return the beef to the pot. Add the turnips and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. Add the water half a cup at a time, as needed to reach your desired consistency.

6. Add the potatoes, carrots, celery, and a few pinches of salt, and simmer, partially covered, for 90 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the stew thickens slightly. If the stew is still thin, you can remove 6 to 8 potato pieces, mash them with a fork, and whisk them into ½ cup of stew liquid. Then return the liquid to the pot.

7. Add the balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes longer, until vegetables and stew reach your desired consistency.

8. Portion into bowls and serve with a dollop of herb butter, if desired.
   

Variations:

• use diced celery root (celeriac) in addition to or in place of the turnips or celery

• use dried rosemary along with the thyme or add rosemary and/or thyme sprigs to the cooking liquid

• swap the balsamic vinegar for apple cider vinegar

To Freeze: Cool stew thoroughly. Consider what size portions you might want to have and use appropriately sized containers or freezer bags to store stew in (I like mine in 2-cup portions). If using bags, place in freezer flat and let harden for 2 hours before placing bag upright for storage.

To Reheat: Defrost the stew in its bag or container in the refrigerator for about 6 to 8 hours (some remaining ice chunks are okay). Transfer the stew to a soup pot. Heat covered, over medium heat, breaking up ice as needed. Add beef broth to thin if needed while reheating.

Spiced Baked Brown Basmati Rice

BAKED SPICED BROWN BASMATI RICE

Yield: serves 8

• 2 cups brown basmati rice, washed
• 4 teaspoons coconut oil
• 3 ½ cups boiling water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 8 cardamom pods
• ¾ teaspoon salt

1. Preheat conventional oven to 375 degrees
2. In a 3-4 inch deep baking dish, add rice and dry roast rice approximately 10 minutes (or until dry and fragrant).
3. Stir oil into rice and bake 3-4 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add boiling water, whole spices and salt: stir once; cover baking dish with tightly fitting lid or foil.
5. Cook covered, about 40 minutes, or until all water is absorbed.
6. Remove from oven and allow to sit on counter for 5 minutes.
7. Fluff gently with a fork.

Jerk Lamb Shepherd's Pie

Jerk Lamb Shepherd's Pie

Yield: Serves 6

What you need:

• 3 red or yukon gold potatoes, about 1 ½ cups cut into ½ inch cubes
• Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional)
• 3 medium carrots, small dice
• 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
• 1 bunch cooking greens, chopped (such as mizuna, chard, kale, mustard greens)
• 1 lb ground lamb (or beef)
• 1 - 1 ½ cups spring jerk marinade (below)

What you do:

1. Place the cubed potatoes into a large stock pot and cover with cool water. Add a generous handful of kosher salt. Bring to a boil, lower heat to medium and cook until potatoes are fork tender. Drain. Using a ricer or potato masher, mash the potatoes, adding butter if desired.
2. In a medium pot fitted with a steamer basket, add water to just above the basket. Bring to a boil. Add the carrots and a few pinches of kosher salt. Steam until the carrots are tender but still firm, about 5 minutes.
3. In a large skillet, heat oil on medium high heat. Add the chopped greens and a pinch of salt and sauté until they are soft. Remove greens from pan and set aside.
4. Using the same skillet, heat another tablespoon of oil. Add the ground lamb, breaking it up with a spoon until you have ½ inch crumbles. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper and sauté until cooked through.
5. Add the jerk marinade to the lamb. Cook about 5-7 minutes until the marinade is absorbed into the lamb and the lamb breaks down further into smaller crumbles.
6. Preheat the broiler. In an oven- proof casserole dish, layer the lamb, followed by carrots and greens and top with the mashed potatoes.
7. Heat under the broiler on high for about 12 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and crisp.

To Freeze: Wrap casseroles tightly with plastic wrap. Label with contents and reheating instructions.

To Reheat: Thaw overnight or for at least 12 hours in refrigerator. Preheat broiler. Remove plastic wrap and broil under high for 12-15 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and crisp and the center is warmed.

Spring Jerk Marinade

Yield: ~ 4 ½ cups

What you need:

• 2 shallots or small spring onions, about ½ cup large dice
• 20 garlic cloves
• 1 bunch scallions, top ⅓ of green removed, roughly chopped
• 4 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled & roughly chopped, about ¼ cup
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup canola oil
• 6 tablespoons tamari soy sauce or shoyu
• ½ cup lime juice, approximately 4 limes
• 1 ½ ounces fresh thyme, leaves and tender stems only, approximately ½ cup
• 6-8 habanero peppers
• 6 tablespoons ground allspice
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 ½ tablespoons kosher salt
• ¼ cup water

What you do:

1. Put all ingredients into the bowl of a food processor. Process on high until completely pureed.
2. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Be judicious with the chili peppers. The heat level will intensify over time.
3. Freeze unused portion for up to one year.

Shaved Brussel Sprout, Apple and Walnut Salad with Spiced Roasted Chickpeas

A refreshing salad that can be made ahead, packed for lunch, and eaten later. The hearty brussel sprouts combined with the tartness of the apple, richness of the walnuts and smokiness of the spiced chickpeas are the perfect mouthful, all cut with the acidic sweetness of a health supportive vinaigrette. But this salad is also versatile. You can swap the shaved brussel sprouts for a chiffonade of kale or use baby kale or spinach. Trade in the walnuts for pecans or pumpkin seeds. Use any spices you like or have on hand to season the chickpeas.

Yield: 6-8 servings

What you need:

For the salad:

• 2 large tart and firm apples, such as empire, rome, or granny smith
• Juice from ½ lemon
• 1 pound brussel sprouts
• 2 shallots or 1 red onion (optional)
• 1 cup walnuts
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the vinaigrette:

• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon orange juice or apple cider
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

For the chickpeas:

• 1 ¾ cups cooked (or canned and rinsed) chickpeas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 pinches sea salt or kosher salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons smoked spanish paprika (or hungarian paprika)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

What you do:

Prepare the salad:

1. Remove the seeds and core and slice the apples into thin slices. Set aside in a bowl and squeeze the juice of ½ a lemon over the apple slices.
2. Trim the brussel sprouts and cut into very thin slices with a sharp knife. Alternatively, shave the brussel sprouts using a food processor fitted with the grating attachment. Add to the bowl with the apple slices.
3. If using, slice the shallot or onion into very thin slices. Place in a bowl of ice cold water.
4. Heat a skillet over medium high heat. Add the walnuts and toast until lightly browned and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Remove walnuts from the pan. Allow to cool slightly (2 minutes) and then chop. Add to the bowl with the apple slices and brussel sprouts.

Mix the Dressing:

1. Put all dressing ingredients into a pint size glass jar. Close the lid tightly and shake vigorously until all ingredients are well incorporated. Taste and adjust acid and seasoning if needed.
2. Pour the dressing over the apple, brussel sprout and walnut mixture.
3. Drain the shallot/onion pieces and add to the salad.
4. Toss to mix everything together and coat evenly with dressing.
5. Allow to sit at least 15 minutes before serving with spiced chickpeas. It will also keep well refrigerated for a day or more.

Prepare the spiced chickpeas:

1. Using a clean kitchen towel, pat the chickpeas dry.
2. In a bowl, mix together the salt, paprika, cumin, and garlic powder. Add the olive oil to make a paste.
3. Add the chickpeas to the bowl and toss to coat.
4. Roast the chickpeas in one of two ways: Spread the chickpeas in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in oven at 400 degrees until lightly browned and toasted, about 15 minutes. Or Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chickpeas and toast until lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Stir or shake the pan occasionally.
5. Top each portion of salad with about ¼ cup spiced chickpeas.

Sweet Potato Waffles

These subtly sweet and arguably healthy waffles are perfect for giving new life to leftover cooked sweet potatoes or neglected vegetable purees. I also highly recommend making a batch and freezing for easy kid friendly weekday breakfast. These are actually improved after freezing and a quick toast. No need to defrost first. Just pop a frozen waffle in your toaster at your preferred setting.

Makes ~6 waffles

What you need:

• 1 cup white all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch of ground cloves
• 1 1/2 cup plain unsweetened kefir or drinkable yogurt
• 2 eggs, room temperature, separated
• 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, divided

What you do:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, egg yolks, sweet potatoes, maple syrup and vanilla. Add most of the butter (reserving about 1 tablespoon for brushing the waffle iron) and whisk swiftly.
3. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix in a few swift strokes with a rubber spatula. It's okay if some of the dry ingredients are not fully incorporated. Do not over mix.
4. Heat up your waffle iron. While it is heating, with a whisk or electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
5. Gently fold the egg whites into the batter. Do not over mix. You are done when you see small pieces of whites speckling the batter.
6. Brush both sides of waffle iron with melted butter. Scoop about 1/3 cup of batter onto the waffle iron leaving room for spread. Cook 4-5 minutes or according to the setting of your iron. Serve immediately with maple syrup or keep warm in a low oven.
7. Freezer tip: cool on a wire rack before transferring to a freezer safe container.

Notes:

• Change the spices to suit your taste. Feel free to use more or less cinnamon, ginger, or cloves, remove altogether or add other spices like nutmeg.
• My vegetable mash of choice for waffles is the flesh (skins discarded) of oven baked/roasted sweet potatoes, but other roasted and steamed vegetables and fruits substitute nicely. Try squash, pumpkin, carrots, beets, apples or combination. See my note in the Shopping in Your Freezer post regarding using what you have.
• If you don't have kefir or drinkable yogurt, you can use about 5+ oz plain Greek yogurt whisked together with enough milk to make 1 1/2 cups of thick liquid. Buttermilk also works.

Spicy Root Vegetable and Sausage Hash with Soft Boiled Eggs

Adapted from Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

This is a go to winter recipe for make ahead breakfast and lunch. Just reheat and top with a soft-boiled egg you made in a large batch over the weekend. Adjust the heat level to your personal taste by dialing up (or back) the amount of jalapeno or by adding some cayenne pepper. If you're monitoring your sodium, try this recipe with ground chicken or turkey in place of the sausage and increase the spices. I like to add fennel seeds in this case. You can also vary the root vegetables - try yukon golds, parsnips and turnips too and you can opt to roast the root veggies instead of steaming them.

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

• 2 medium beets

• 1 large sweet potato, medium dice

• 2 large carrots, medium dice

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• ½ red onion, small dice

• 2 jalapenos, halved, seeds and membranes removed, sliced into ¼ inch strips or 1 dried chili, crushed

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lb. spicy or sweet Italian sausage, loose (not in casing), turkey or pork

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

• 1 teaspoon dried sage or 2 teaspoons fresh sage leaves, minced

• 6 eggs

Procedure:

1. In a pressure cooker, cook beets until tender, about 15-20 minutes.* Allow to cool. Peel and cut into medium dice.

2. Fill a medium pot with water to reach the bottom of a steamer basket. Insert steamer basket. Add sweet potatoes and carrots and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, cover, steam until vegetables are tender but maintain their shape, about 8 minutes. Remove lid, remove from stove and allow to cool slightly.

3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. When it shimmers, add the red onion and a pinch of salt. Sauté until soft, about 2 minutes.

4. Add jalapeños and garlic and sauté another minute. If you are using dried herbs, add them at this time and sauté for another 30 seconds. Move to the cooler side of the pan.

5. Add the sausage, break it up with a wooden spoon or a fork, and cook on medium high heat until cooked through.

6. Add in the beets, sweet potato, and carrots, and, if using, the fresh herbs. Add a pinch of salt and stir gently to combine while on medium high heat. Heat through.

7. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Gently add in eggs. When water comes back to a boil, set timer for 6 minutes. Prepare an ice bath. After 6 minutes, quickly remove eggs from pot with a slotted spoon and drop into ice bath. Peel and serve on top of hash. See my blog for a step by step photographed tutorial on soft boiled eggs.

*If you do not have a pressure cooker, wash, peel and cut beets into small dice. Then steam in pot with steamer basket, separately from other root vegetables, about 7 minutes.

Roasted Beet Hummus

The subtle punch of clove is a welcomed surprise in this colorful hummus with warming spices. My family's pickles beets, which include whole cloves in the pickling liquid, inspired the flavors of this hummus that is perfect for winter's chill.

Makes: 1½ cups

Ingredients:

• 1 medium beet
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1-2 garlic cloves
• 1 ½ - 2 cups cooked chickpeas
• 3 tablespoons tahini
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced, divided
• Sea salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Wash and scrub beet. Brush lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Wrap in foil and roast until tender, about 30 minutes. Cool.

2. In a small sauté pan, on medium high heat, toast the cumin, cinnamon, and cloves just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

3. When beet is cool enough to handle, remove and discard skin. Put beet and garlic cloves in the bowl of a food processor. Purée until finely chopped.

4. Add the chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, half of the lemon juice, toasted spices, and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more lemon juice, freshly ground black pepper or salt if needed.

5. Serve with pita chips or vegetable slices or spread on a sandwich or wrap.

Variations:

• Substitute a sweet potato for the beet and roast without foil. Use cumin, cayenne, dried ground chipotle and/or smoked paprika for the spices. Use chickpeas or substitute black beans.
• Instead of beet, use ½ cup of any cooked vegetable (skins removed, roasted, grilled, or steamed), such as broccoli, red bell peppers, carrots, or squash.
• Substitute ½ cup of prepared pesto for the roasted vegetable, decrease the olive oil to 2 tablespoons, and omit the spices.
• Use lime juice, apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar in place of the lemon juice.
• In place of the beet, add an entire head of garlic roasted in olive oil. Decrease the olive oil to 2 tablespoons. Use chickpeas or substitute navy or cannellini beans.

Vegan Pumpkin Flax Bread

Yield: 1 loaf or 4 mini loaves

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup ground flax seeds (or flaxseed meal)
• ½ cup hot water
• 1 cup all-purpose white flour
• ¾ cup all-purpose whole wheat flour
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons plus 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/3 cup apple cider
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 ½ cups cooked pumpkin

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. With canola oil, grease bottoms and sides of a standard loaf pan (or 4 mini loaf pans and place mini loaf pans on a sheet pan).

2. In a small bowl combine the ground flax seeds and hot water. Mix and set aside until all water is absorbed.

3. Sift together and whisk the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, 1½ teaspoon cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. Set aside.

4. Combine the apple cider and vanilla. Set aside.

5. In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, beat the canola oil and 1 cup of sugar on high speed about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down sides and bottoms frequently. Add the flaxseed mixture and pumpkin and beat until smooth.

6. In 3 additions, alternately with the apple cider & vanilla mixture, add the sifted ingredients, beating in between each addition just until combined. Do not overbeat.

7. Spread batter into greased loaf pan(s). In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Sprinkle evenly across the top of the batter.

8. Bake at 350 degrees about 1 hour for regular loaf pan and 35 minutes for mini loaves or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

9. Cool in pan for at least 5 minutes, and then continue to cool in pan or remove and allow to cool on a baking rack.

Freezer option: wrap loaves or slices tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature or toast before enjoying.

Roasted Red Pepper Muhammara Sauce

Yield: 2 cups

Ingredients:

• 1 cup walnuts

• 2 large red bell peppers (1 pound)

• 2 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

• Sea salt

• 3 cloves garlic, peeled

• 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses

• juice from one lemon

• ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs

• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons vegetable stock or water

• 1 ½ teaspoons red wine or apple cider vinegar

Procedure:

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Toast walnuts until lightly browned, about 7 minutes.

2. Rub bell peppers with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and place on a baking sheet, lined with parchment or aluminum foil if preferred. Roast peppers until charred, about 20 minutes. Alternatively, roast peppers over open flame of gas burner or grill, rotating every few minutes, until skin is charred all around.

3. Remove peppers from oven (or flame) and place in a bowl. Cover with a tightly fitting lid. Allow to cool.

4. Peel charred skin from peppers. Discard. Cut open pepper and remove seeds and white membrane. Discard.

5. Combine pepper flesh, garlic cloves, pomegranate molasses, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and walnuts in bowl of food processor and purée.

6. Add breadcrumbs, black pepper, olive oil, vegetable stock/water, and vinegar. Puree until smooth. Adjust seasoning and add more lemon juice to taste.

7. Serve immediately or store in a glass jar and refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze for up to 6 months. Defrost in the refrigerator.

Parsley Walnut Pesto

Yield: approximately 1 cup

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch of parsley
• 3 cloves garlic
• ¼ cup lightly toasted walnuts
• ½ cup walnut, canola, or olive oil
• zest from one lemon
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt (or to taste)
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Procedure:

1. Remove the parsley leaves from the stems, discard stems. You should get about 2 cups of loosely packed leaves.

2. Put the parsley, walnuts and garlic into the food processor and turn it on.

3. Add the oil while the food processor is running.

4. Stop scrape sides and taste.

5. Add lemon zest, freshly ground black pepper, and salt.

6. Close lid and turn on food processor again for just 30 seconds longer.

7. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.

Cavatelli with Beet Green Pesto

Ingredients:

• ½ cup walnut pieces

• 1 bunch of beets with tops attached

• 2 T olive oil

• 1 ½ inch piece of ginger root, peeled and roughly chopped

• 2 tablespoons of orange juice

• 1/2 cup canola oil

• 1 t sea salt

• 1 tsp of freshly ground pepper

• 1 pound dry cavatelli pasta

• 6 ounces goat cheese, crumbled into quarter inch pieces

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. On a sheet tray, toast walnut pieces until lightly browned and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

3. Remove the beet tops from the beet roots. Wash and dry greens thoroughly. Roughly chop.

4. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Scrub beets thoroughly. Quarter large beet roots and leave small ones whole, so that pieces are no larger than 1-2 inches. Toss with olive oil, ¼ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground pepper. Roast in oven for 30 minutes or until beets are tender.

5. Combine beet greens, ginger root, orange juice, and walnuts in a food processor. Blend until thoroughly combined. Stop to scrape down sides.

6. Turn food processor back on and while running, slowly stream in the canola oil. Stop to scrape down sides and continue processing if needed. You should have a finely blended paste. Season with salt and pepper.

7. At this point, you can set aside about 1 cup of the pesto for use in the recipe and freeze the remainder in a plastic freezer storage bag.

8. Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente or according to package instructions. Drain. Reserve about ¼ cup cooking liquid.

9. Toss pasta with 1 cup of pesto. Add cooking liquid 1 tablespoon at a time to help toss pasta. Top with roasted beets and crumbled goat cheese.