 Growing up in Brasil in an Italian and Portuguese family, I never celebrated Thankgiving until migrating to the United States 19 years ago. But since then, it has become one of my favorite holidays. Year after year we have been building our own traditions among family and friends, celebrating gratitude and the bounty of the fall season with nourishing, warming and grounding foods. This is a recipe I came across a few years ago, changed it up a bit to suit our palates and lifestyle and bring to our table often, not exclusive of the holiday meal. It can be used as a side, as a stuffing for vegetables or incorporated into a warm salad.
WILD RICE WITH ROASTED GRAPES & WALNUTS
Warm a large heavy-bottomed pan (I love my enameled cast iron from Le Creuset!) and add oil of choice over medium heat. Add shallots and celery and cook until soft, stirring frequently for about 8 minutes. Add wild rice, stock, thyme, salt, pepper and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 30 minutes. Add brown rice, cover, and simmer until rice is tender but firm, adding a little more liquid (water or broth) if dry, about 40 minutes longer. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°F. Place grapes on rimmed baking sheet lined with a silicone mat. Drizzle with oil; toss. Roast grapes until beginning to wrinkle, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and toss with the balsamic vinegar. Add grapes (and its juices), walnuts, and orange peel to hot rice and toss well. Adjust seasoning and serve. Recipe adapted from Bon Appétit magazine.) * If using store-bought, make sure to read the list of ingredients and opt for low-sodium options. A good and sustainable idea is to customize your stock with whatever vegetables you usually use in your kitchen and have plenty of scraps at hand. I save outer layers of onions, celery tops, parsley and mushroom stems, pieces of carrots, fennel bulb, herbs, etc. in a reusable silicone freezer-safe bag. When I have enough, I simmer them with plenty of water until reduced in volume and the flavors have concentrated. NOTE: If making this for a Thanksgiving meal, consider trying other of my favorite recipes that go wonderfully with this one: Creamy Mushroom Soup Coconut Curry Lentil Soup Homemade Cranberry Sauce (two recipes) Vegetarian Mushroom Wellington Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Sage & Hazelnuts Maple-Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pecans Green Bean Almondine Whole Grain Corn Bread Harvest Kale Salad with Sweet Potatoes, Apples, Cranberries & Pecans and for dessert: Cranberry Crumble Pie Vegan Chocolate Mousse
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 It’s cranberry season! This is one of my favorite (and easy!) pies, perfect for breakfast or to top off a holiday feast. It’s been a must-have on our table for 19 years now! Cranberries are low in calories and high in vitamins C, A, and K. They also contain proanthocyanidins (PACs), an antioxidant that may help prevent a range of diseases. This recipe uses whole grain flour, coconut oil, unrefined sugar and nutrient-dense walnuts and is absolutely delicious! CRANBERRY CRUMBLE PIE
Part 1:
Part 1: Grease pie dish and put washed berries on bottom. Sprinkle sugar and nuts over the berries. Part 2: Cream together coconut oil (or butter), sugar, flour, eggs and almond extract and pour over berry mixture. Bake at 325F for about 40 minutes or until sugar caramelizes and gives a beautiful browned color. Enjoy!!  We are on a roll, trying new vegan ice cream recipes every week! This one gets super creamy after churned in an ice cream maker (I use Cuisinart). Just make sure the gel inside your ice cream freezer bowl is completely frozen through, making no sloshing sound as you shake the bowl. You might need to put it in the freezer for about 12-24 hours prior to use, dependinng on the temperature of your freezer and/or defrost cycles, During the Summer, I usually just keep mine in the freezer (covered) at all times until I need to use it. Also, it is essential that you use FULL FAT canned coconut milk when making this recipe, or any other vegan ice cream recipes that use coconut milk as a base. You can omit the molasses in this recipe, but using it adds richness and an almost smoky flavor. For the healhiest (and less sweet) type of molasses, go for unsulphured, blackstrap molasses. It is made from the third and final boiling of the cane or beet juice, retaining the most vitamins and minerals. You may add 2 extra teaspoons of maple syrup for added sweetness if using blackstrap molasses. For a true vegan version of this recipe, make sure you use vegan dark chocolate-covered almonds. You can also use regular roasted almonds instead. I used Trader Joe's 73% Cacao Dark Belgian chocolate-covered almonds, which is what I had at home. For the chocolate bar, I used "The Dark Chocolate Lover's" 85% cacao also from Trader Joe's. Raw cacao is full of powerful antioxidants like polyphenols, which help reduce inflammation and improve cholesterol levels. It may also uplift our mood, so let's (happily) get to it, shall we? VEGAN CHOCOLATE ALMOND CRUNCH ICE CREAM
Shake coconut milk can to incorporate all liquid and solids inside, then add it to your blender along with the cacao powder, maple syrup and molasses, if using. Melt chopped chocolate pieces in a bowl over a pot with boiling water (known as a bain-marie or double boiler), stirring when needed and being careful to not get any water mixed in with your chocolate. Pour it into the blender and incorporate with the coconut mixture processing on high until completely smooth. Add vanilla, salt and blend again. Cool down to room temperature and transfer to your ice cream machine. Churn for about 20 minutes (please see the instruction manual of your product for exact time) until it reaches soft serve texture. You can add the chopped almonds here, if using, allow it to churn a little longer to incorporate the nuts into the ice cream, and then transfer the mixture to a freezer safe covered container. Place in the freezer for a couple of hours before serving, and take out 10-15 minutes before needed. Enjoy the richness of this wonderful and healthy treat!   When the weather warms up, I get my ice cream maker out of the kitchen cabinet and flip through my many collected recipes looking for a new flavor to make at home for my family. As a nutritionist, I want the most nutrition-dense treat I can make; as a foodie and chef, I strive for quality ingredients and flavor; and as a mom, well, I look for ease of preparation and clean up. This recipe is all of that - free of dairy, gluten and added sugars and full of protein, fiber and vitamins courtesy of the almonds and dates. It also tastes amazing, and all I have to clean afterwards is my Vitamix blender, a couple of measuring cups and the kids' faces. I combined a couple of different recipes to get to this one, but unfortunately, I don't have the source of the original ones. You can substitute the almond milk for any other dairy-free milk, eat as is or sprinkle with roasted coconut flakes, unsweetened coconut or cocoa nibs, or even drizzle a little maple syrup on your cold dessert. To be fair, I wasn't the one who actually made this ice cream, I have to give credit for my 7-year-old son for making it all from scratch. Thank you, love!
ALMOND-DATE VEGAN ICE CREAM
Optional add-ins (highly recommend!):
Soak the dates in warm water for a few minutes and then remove the pits. Place all ingredients (minus add-ins) in a high speed blender and mix until smooth. If using the add-ins, incorporate them at this point and pulse a few times to mix well. Pour into a freezer safe container with a cover and freeze for about 3-5 hours. When ready to serve, allow to thaw a little beforehand. Homemade ice cream is best eaten within the first couple of days to avoid ice crystals from forming. Enjoy!  Romesco is a traditional Spanish sauce created in the 15th century by fishermen in Tarragona, Catalonia. It was originally concocted to pair with fish and seafood, but it is so versatile it pairs well with almost anything - as a dip for crusty grilled bread, sweet potato fries, raw carrots, celery, radishes; as a sauce atop grilled, roasted or sautéed vegetables such as asparagus, cauliflower, potatoes and mushrooms; as a spread for sandwiches and wraps; as a creamy dressing for salads or pasta sauce... the possibilities are endless! It packs a lot of flavor and health benefits, thanks to its wholesome ingredients: red bell peppers contain lots of fiber, vitamins A and C, almonds are rich in healthy oils, folate, potassium and antioxidants, and garlic is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral. This recipe uses smoked almonds, but you can swap it for regular roasted almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, walnuts… Apple cider vinegar can be used in lieu of the sherry vinegar if you don’t have it on hand.. And you can certainly use store-bought roasted peppers, but the homemade version is fresher and tastes much better. I added instructions on how to roast them at home at the bottom of the recipe. What would you eat your romesco sauce with? Please share it in the comments, I would love to know. Enjoy! SMOKED ALMOND ROMESCO SAUCE (adapted from Food & Wine Magazine) • ⅓ cup smoked almonds • 1-2 slices of sourdough boule, cubed (or 3 inch baguette) • 4 garlic cloves, peeled • 1 cup chopped roasted tomatoes, canned and drained • 1 small roasted organic bell pepper (instructions below) • 2 tablespoon Sherry vinegar • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika • ½ cup organic extra virgin olive oil • pink or smoked sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste • cayenne, harissa or hot smoked paprika to taste, optional In a food processor, coarsely chop together the almonds, bread and garlic. Add tomatoes, roasted pepper, vinegar and smoked paprika, pureeing all together until smooth. With the food processor running, slowly and gradually pour in the oil until well blended. Adjust seasoning, adding sea salt, black pepper and cayenne if needed. Allow to rest at room temperature (you can cover with a cloth) before serving, or refrigerate if needed for later. NOTES:
HOW TO ROAST BELL PEPERS: Wash, dry and roast your bell pepper over an open flame, safely turning with tongs to get all sides charred. Remove from heat and let it rest in a bowl, covering with a cloth or plastic wrap so it sweats and peels easily. Once cool enough to handle, peel of the burnt skin, remove and discard stems and seeds and cut up pepper in small pieces. An alternative way of roasting peppers if you don’t have a gas stovetop at home is to do it in the oven or grill. Slice the washed raw pepper in half, remove seeds and stems, brush or drizzle with olive oil and grill or oven roast in high heat until the skin becomes charred and wrinkled.  WHOLE WHEAT PIZZA DOUGH
makes six 10-12 inch pizze
Optional:
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand for about 5 minutes, until it bubbles. Stir in 2 cups of flour (white first, if using) and sea salt. Mix in 2 more cups of flour (whole grain) and the flax seeds. Working one tablespoon at a time, gradually incorporate the remaining ½ cup flour, until dough is still sticky but comes away from the sides of the bowl. Turn dough out on a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic - it should spring back slowly when poked. Trasnfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a clean kitchen towel (or reusable silicone lids) and let it rise at a warm place until it doubles in volume, about 2 ½ hours. Punch dough down and knead 3-4 times. Cut into 6 portions, roll into balls, cover and let rest for 30 more minutes. Stretch each roll into pizza using your hands and/or a rolling pin. You can freeze some of the dough for later use. Baking: Preheat oven to 475-500°F (245-260°C) and place pizza stone on lower or middle rack. Place stretched dough on cornmeal-dusted pizza peel (or a pizza pan, inverted baking sheet) and brush lightly with olive oil or pesto. Add favorite toppings (the one pictured is a cheeseless pizza made with homemade tomato sauce, grilled eggplant, garlic and fresh arugula) and bake for 8-10 minutes. It really depends on how thin your crust is and how hot your oven is, so keep an eye if pizza is cooking too quickly. Transfer to a cutting board, slice and serve immediately with a side salad and a glass of wine. TIP: Did you run out of toppings but still have lots of pizza dough left and hungry guests/kids? You can cut stretched out dough into strips, brush with oil, sprinkle coarse sea salt (I love smoked Maldon flaky salt) and rosemary leaves (for a delicious antioxidant boost) and serve as a simple and yummy pizza bianca. Enjoy! What are you favorite nutrient-rich pizza toppings? Please share in the comments!  Another warming, nourishing and tasty dish for these cooler days - mixed mushroom soup made with nutritious cauliflower and coconut cream as thickening agents. Mushroom is a grounding and nutrient-dense food, rich in fiber, B vitamins (good for energy and brain health), selenium (great antioxidant that protects our body cells from damage and strengthen immunity), potassium, copper and vitamin D. Yessssss, they are a natural vegan source of this very important vitamin (actually a hormone)! Mushrooms also have a umami quality (japanese for “pleasant savory taste,” that add a great depth of flavor to any vegetarian dish. Below is my recipe and I hope you enjoy it. It is a bit of a challenge for me to put together and share a recipe, because I don't usually measure all ingredients, I believe it is paramount to taste as you cook any meal, so you can engage your taste buds and adjust seasonings as you please. Adding the reiki or your homemade mushroom powder (instructions below) is optional, but adds a wonderful nutrition and flavor boost, an explosion of umami in your mouth :-) I recommend using organic and local produce whenever possible, and make sure not to soak your mushrooms when washing them. It is best to clean them using a dampen cloth or paper towel, gently rubbing off any dirt. Mushrooms are like sponges and can get soggy if wet. For this soup it may not make a big difference, but remember this next time you are sautéeing mushrooms and want that little bit of crispness in your dish. Enjoy and please share in the comments any modifications you've made to this recipe!
Ingredients (serves 6-8):
Preheat oven to 400°F. Roughly chop cauliflower into large florets and toss in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, cayenne and/or paprika, if using, to taste. Arrange in an even layer on a baking sheet lined with a reusable silicone mat or unbleached sheet of parchment paper. Roast for 30 minutes and set aside to cool until ready to use. Prepare your “mis-en-place” by cleaning and chopping your vegetables as well as measuring the other ingredients. When ready, warm a tablespoon of oil or ghee in a thick-bottomed pot, such as enameled cast iron on medium-high heat. Add garlic and/or shallots and sauté. Add thyme and your mixed mushrooms and allow them to cook down until they have released most of their liquid. Remove this mixture with the liquid from your pot for later use. Strain and save about a cup for garnishing the soup at the end. Add another tablespoon of oil and the rest of your aromatics – leeks, onions, celery and cook until tender and translucent. Pour wine, if using (or other liquid) and scrape down the yummy browned and caramelized bits in the bottom of your pot (the fond). Add the roasted cauliflower, the reserved mushrooms with their liquid and any remaining liquids (stock, vegan milk or cream and water, if needed) to cover and simmer, uncovered, for about 10-15 minutes. Remove from heat and using an immersion blender (or working in batches with a standing blender), purée the soup until smooth and silky. Return the pot to the stove, adjust the seasoning and add chopped parsley, if using. When ready to serve, ladle soup into individual bowls and garnish with a tablespoon of the reserved cup of sautéed mushroom. If using sage leaves, pan fry them in a little oil, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towel to dry the excess oil, and garnish the soup with a couple of crispy leaves. Bom apetite! MUSHROOM POWDER Grind the dried porcini or shiitake mushrooms in a food processor for about 2-3 minutes, or until finely ground into powder. Strain this wonderful "umami powder" through a fine sieve into a bowl and then transfer the powder to a lided storage container, such as a spice jar. You will be left with a few bigger and harder "chunks" in your strainer which you should definitely save for future use. They are delicious re-hydrated and added to soups, stews, rice or pasta dishes. Store both jars in a cool dry place.
 I love hummus. This healthy Middle Eastern dip is so versatile, delicious and such a good source of plant protein, fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients! Its main ingredient, chickpeas - also known as garbanzo beans -, are nutrition powerhouses. According to Megan Ware, RDN, LD from Medical News Today, "Chickpeas contain vitamin K, folate, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, choline, and selenium. Besides being an excellent vegan and gluten-free source of protein and fiber, chickpeas also contain exceptional levels of iron, vitamin B-6, and magnesium." As tempting as it is to grab prepackaged hummus at your grocery store or deli, I think everyone should learn how to make their own at home, from scratch. The flavor and ease of preparation is unbelievable! You won't go back to buying pre-made. The basics of it is just blending together chickpeas, tahini (sesame paste) and lemon juice, that's it! Plan ahead if you are using dried chickpeas as you will need to soak the dry beans for a few hours or overnight before cooking. A cup dried will yield about 2-3 cups of cooked beans. I like to add a teaspoon of baking soda to the soaking water, then draining and rinsing well before cooking until very tender. If using canned beans, make sure you rinse them really well. Also, look for BPA-free cans and use organic beans if possible. Make sure you save the cooking liquid (or canned liquid if BPA-free and organic), as you will need it for the hummus recipe. And here is a little secret - this golden liquid can also be used as a substitute for egg whites to make vegan meringues, mayonnaise, granola and mousses like this Vegan Cholocate Mousse. Classic Hummus Bi-Tahini (yields 2 cups)
Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and mix until smooth. Add the cooking water (or regular filtered water) as needed. Taste and adjust seasoning. You can also let it rest for about 20 minutes so the flavors can blend and develop a richer, more complex flavor profile before seasoning again. For a more rustic texture, you can mash the chickpeas using a mortar and pestle and gently add the other ingredients one by one. Reserve a cup of this mixture inside the food processor if making the variations below. If ready to eat as is, transfer to a serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with the chosen topping(s), if using. Serve with warm pita bread and raw vegetables.  Beet Hummus
Cut beets in quarters and arrange them inside a piece of aluminum foil, closing the ends to make a small package. Roast at 400-425 F degrees for 30-40 minutes or until tender (pierce with a fork or the tip of a knife to test for softness) and allow it to cool until safe to handle. Keep the nutritious peel on or remove it if using non-organic beets. Go back to your reserved regular hummus in your food processor and add a few beet cubes at a time. Pulse until well chopped and throughly mixed. Adjust seasonings and taste for flavor. Add more beets if needed (the more, the brighter the pink!.) Transfer to a serving dish, drizzle with olive oil and add toppings, if using. Serve with warm pita bread and raw vegetables. Beets are high in flavonoids (known as 'nature's biological response modifiers'), cleanse the blood, are beneficial to eye health and nourish the liver. Enjoy your fun and healthy pink hummus!  Cilantro-Jalapeño Hummus
Bring a cup of the basic hummus back to the food processor and add the cilantro, half of the jalapeño and coriander. Pulse until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, coriander and jalapeño if desired. Transfer to a serving dish, drizzle with olive oil and add toppings, if using. Serve with warm pita bread and raw vegetables. Cilantro aids digestion and calms the immune system. It also lends a fresh and cooling taste to this hummus, while the jalapaño adds a bit of spice and pungency.  "Cinco de Mayo" is well celebrated throughout the United States, with tacos and margaritas getting special attention. In short, it honors Mexico's victory over the French army at the "Battle of Puebla" in 1862 and it is not Mexico's independence day as many believe. Whatever the reason for YOU to celebrate, I invite you to raise a glass and toast to your health with these fresh and tasty versions of the classic Margarita. It features fruits packed with phytonutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. Phytonutrients are chemicals naturally present in plant foods that help protect them from bugs, germs and other threats and can aid in preventing diseases in our bodies as well. Choose your favorite from the recipes below and enjoy responsibly! HEALTHY MARGARITAS Watermelon Margarita (for one) Try to get a nice and fully ripe watermelon for its high antioxidant content and sweetness and you won't need any added sugar in this drink. Watermelons are rich in lycopene and vitamin A and lend a beautiful hue to this margarita.
To prepare serving glasses - rub a small piece of watermelon around the rim of each glass, turn it upside down and dip into a plate with the salt or sugar, if using. Reserve. Combine the four first ingredients (watermelon and lime juices, tequila and triple sec) in a cocktail shaker, add a few ice cubes and shake for about 20 seconds (you can use a whisk if you don't have a shaker.) Add a couple of ice cubes if desired and strain the drink mixture into each glass. Garnish with a watermelon wedge or a slice of lime and enjoy! Blackberry Margarita (for one)
Muddle blackberries (smashing them with a muddler or spoon) in a cocktail shaker. Add tequila, citrus juices, simple syrup and mint if using. Finish with a few ice cubes and shake for abut 30 seconds. Pour over prepared drinking glass (see recipe above on how to prepare the rim) and garnish with blueberries or a slice of lime.
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