Cooking Light (and Veg!) for the Holidays

I love the smell, taste, and feel of fall – the crisp, clean air, the warmth of vegetables roasting in my oven, and getting cozy with a steaming hot cup of cocoa and a book.  Fall is also a time of holidays and for many of us Boomers, a season of abundant eating and quality time with family and friends.

Although a day of stuffing probably won’t derail your diet plans all that much, there’s no reason why holiday fare can’t be comforting, wholesome, and delicious.  In the spirit of a healthy holiday, I’ve listed some dishes you may want to incorporate into your menu this year.

To start, I consulted some of my favorite go-to food and lifestyle magazines  – Cooking Light, Martha Stewart’s Whole Living: Body & Soul in Balance and Living, and Everyday with Rachael Ray. The November issues of these magazines have many features on holiday recipes.   Many of these publications also have ideas for what to do with dinner leftovers (sweet potato biscuits, turkey tacos…and more!), as well as meal planning tips and festive decorating ideas.   All magazines are available at the Katy Geissert Civic Center Library and at many of the library branches.

Here’s a sample of what I found to be some of the most tantalizing dishes, making use of seasonal produce and fall flavors, and not too taxing on your waistline!

For sides and starters, how about Cauliflower Leek Puree, a savory and sweet Brussel Sprouts Salad with Apples, Pecans, and Manchego, or Sweet Potato Soup with Cranberry Cream (a good way to use up leftover cranberry sauce)?

Try Spicy Moroccan Chickpeas as an alternative to a meat main course, and round out the meal with these sweet delights – Spiced Persimmon and Pecan Muffins or Pear Tarte Tatin.

The Internet abounds with recipes.  Here are some of my favorite places to hunt:

• Allrecipes.com is a recipe aggregator with thousands of reader-contributed recipes. They have a special section on Thanksgiving Recipes.

• Chow – THE source for foodie conversation, recipes, and advice.

• Epicurious – Includes recipes from the publications Bon Appétit, Gourmet, and SELF, plus there is an Epicurious app for your smartphone!

• 101cookbooks – My absolute favorite blog for fresh and modern vegetarian fare using whole foods and always a source of inspiration!

Finally, here’s a link to a photo collage of delicious vegetarian holiday recipes that’s sure to tantalize your palate – Happy Holidays!

- rs

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