As autumn transitions into the colder evenings of the winter. We reach out to the coats and prefer hot beverages to keep us warm. The winter season is filled with colorful produce ranging from carrots, beetroot, butternut squash, sweet potato, figs, strawberries, etc. Here are some recipes inspired by holiday season. These recipes are gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian-friendly.
• Holiday Curry
Nothing is heartier than a bowl of warm curry on a chilly winter evening. This squash curry mingles with the flavors of the fall perfectly and is easy to prepare at home. The ultimate comfort food served with steamed basmati rice. Start with sautéing ginger, garlic, and onions in coconut oil. Add a halved cinnamon stick, a sprig of thyme, chopped green chilies, and red curry paste. Add 1 tsp of coriander powder, curry powder, and sweet paprika. Add in the butternut squash and coat it in all the spices. Add salt, pepper to taste and pour in 200 ml of coconut milk. The coconut milk will make the curry creamier. Let it simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes. Add in a handful of peas and kale leaves and gently stir the curry. Finish the curry by adding some chopped cilantro leaves and a splash of lemon juice. Put some steamed brown basmati rice in a bowl and pour over a ladle of curry in the bowl.
• Strawberry & Cream Oats
Winter mornings are meant for heartwarming and delicious breakfasts. This oat bowl is a delicious sweet porridge made with a few simple ingredients. Start with cooking some rolled oats in unsweetened almond milk. Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup to add in some natural sweetness. Once the oats porridge is cooking, stir in ½ cup of coconut cream, and a pinch of cinnamon powder. To make the strawberry compote, just add chopped strawberries to a pan with a splash of orange juice, zest and some coconut sugar. Remove from heat and allow it to cool. Top the oat porridge with the compote and serve hot.
• Beetroot hummus
This recipe beautifully blends in the winter ingredients in a rustic Lebanese classic-Hummus. Start with roasting some beetroot with some coconut oil, a pinch of salt, pepper, and paprika. In a food processor, gently blitz in cooked chickpeas, 1 tablespoon of tahini, 3 cloves of garlic, salt, pepper, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tsp of cumin, 1 whole lemon juice, and the roasted beetroot. Once it’s done, put it in a serving tray. This hummus is best served with falafels and crudités.
• Truffle Risotto
Create this classic Italian dish with healthy brown rice. Sauté a few garlic cloves in olive oil. Add a splash of chardonnay and let it cook the rice. Add almond milk, nutritional yeast, and vegan parmesan and keep stirring till it gets saucy. Add an assortment of cremini, shitake, button and enoki mushroom. Cover and cook the rice for 15-20 minutes. In a separate pan, fry a few sage leaves in olive oil. Serve the risotto in a bowl and shave a bit of truffle.
You will love preparing these comforting dishes during the cold winter months. These dishes does not only taste delicious but also filled with wholesome nutrients.
