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Maple Roasted Squash and Figs
Celebrating the naturally sweet notes of fall ingredients, balanced with tangy cheese and peppery microgreens, this recipe makes a meal seem decadent. Best of all, this decadence comes together on a sheet pan, which makes for easy cleanup. Certainly, if you’re already thinking ahead to Thanksgiving, consider serving this as the sweeter offering on the table. When fresh figs are unavailable, dried can be used by simply rehydrating then roasting them for a shorter period. With just a few ingredients, the timing of each is important for the final result. Always use your best judgment as to when the squash has reached your preferred level of doneness. Slices can be…
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Carrot and Cabbage Slaw
Light and bright with just enough sweetness, this carrot and cabbage slaw is practically designed for outdoor dining. As an accompaniment to the main dish, it makes a plate more beautiful and lends some tang. Include it in a picnic spread, and it livens up the rest of the offerings. For subtle variations in raw carrot flavor and the most gorgeous assemblage of vegetables, opt for a bunch of rainbow carrots or make your own mix with varieties such as atomic red (my favorite), solar yellow, and cosmic purple. In place of the raisins which often appear in a carrot slaw, this recipe includes chopped pitted dates for a more…
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Root Vegetable Gratin
Spiraled in a baking dish, root vegetables form the base of a delicious gratin that can be served as fittingly for Thanksgiving or any holiday as it can be for an indulgent weeknight dinner. Potatoes give a familiar and comforting flavor while beets, turnips, rutabaga, and other varieties lend a bit more interest, with the choice of customization completely yours. Red beets are particularly delicious, though they do cause the entire dish to become quite tinged with their color. For this reason, you may wish to opt for the golden variety. As a holiday dish, this one disappears quickly and can take the place of mashed potatoes if you are…
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Roasted Carrot Soup
When carrots are roasted, their natural flavor intensifies and carries a savory soup in a way I love even more than butternut squash. Try this recipe if you enjoy roasted vegetables, hearty soups, or are looking for a plant-based dish for lunch or dinner. Traditional or vegan grilled cheese croutons or sandwiches served on the side make this the coziest meal. Even though the heat stayed with us well into September, there were breaks when cool days called me to make a pot of soup, dream of crispness in the air, and even think a bit ahead to the Thanksgiving holiday. Fortunately carrots develop more sweetness as we head toward…
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Potato Salad with Crispy Shallots and Red Wine Vinaigrette
Topped with crispy shallots and dressed with red wine vinaigrette, this potato salad is destined for picnics and patio tables though it also lends that summery feel to a weeknight dinner. Scatter the shallots so each scoop includes them or serve on the side and allow everyone to top their own portion. The method for making the crispy shallots is simple and reliable, requiring mainly a watchful eye so they are removed when sweet and golden. A combination of petite yellow and red potatoes mix with roasted bell pepper and plenty of herbs to keep the flavor bright. For the best homemade potato salad, I pick small baby potatoes, peewee…
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