Party Nuts à la Spicy, Salty, and Sweet!

Teat your guest to some holiday nuts or just have them around when you like a snake.

Serves 16

Preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC)

1 cup (455 g) each organic: walnut and pecan halves; unsalted almonds and cashews

1/4 tsp. (1,2 g) cumin and cayenne pepper

1/2 cup (65 g) organic sugar

1/4 cup (60 ml) water

1 Tbs. (15 g) butter

1 tsp. (4 g) Himalayan salt

1/2 tsp. (2 g) black pepper

1. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking oil.

2. Mix all the nuts in a bowl.

3. Toss with the spices.

4. Heat the sugar, water, and butter over medium heat. Cook about a minute.

5. Pour over the nuts and stir to coat.

6. Transfer to the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.

7. Stir nuts with the syrup and spread out in a single layer.

8. Bake for about 6 more minutes.

9. Cool before serving.

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Stuff Peppers with Bison and Beans

Bison has less fat than beef. Feel free to substitute with your favorite organic ground meat. 

Serve 4

Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200ºC)

Adjust the spices to taste.

1 Tbs. (15 ml) avocado oil 

1 cup (130 g) organic: chopped onion and canned black beans (rinsed and drained)

1 Tbs. (15 g) organic tomato paste

minced organic garlic

1 pound (455 g) ground, grass feed bison

14 1/2 ounce can (400 g) organic diced tomatoes

1 Tbs. (6 g) each: chili powder and oregano

1 tsp. (2 g) ground cumin

4 large organic bell peppers

1/2 cup (65 g) (dairy-free) crumble cheese

chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

1. Heat the oil over medium heat.

2. Sauté the onions for 5 minutes.

3. Stir in the tomato paste and garlic. Cook about 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Add the meat and brown.

5. Add the diced tomatoes and black beans.

6. Season with the spices.

7. Remove from the stove.

8. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise.

9. Scoop out the core and seeds.

10. Place on a baking sheet, cut side up.

11. Spoon the mixture into the peppers. Cover with foil.

12. Bake for about 25 minutes.

13. Remove and top with cheese.

14. Return to the oven and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes.

15. Remove and garnish the tops.

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Wild Rice Pilaf

Pilaf (aka pilav or pilau) is a rice dish, usually sautéed, or in some regions, a wheat dish. It is cooked in stock or broth, add regional spices and vegetables or meat. It is a stable dish found nearly all parts of the world: from the Middle East to Central Asia and South Africa to Latin America, even in the Caribbean. 

Bite of history: Alexander the Great, early 4th century BCE, brought pilaf back to Macedonia (Greece) from ancient Iran. 

(Persian) پلو وحشی برنج

/plo vahshi baranj/

Serves 3-4

1 cup (130 g) each organic chopped, onion, celery, and bell pepper

1 cup (130 g) organic wild rice, rinse well and drain

3 cups (720 ml) organic vegetable broth

1 Tbs. (15 ml) avocado oil

1/2 cup (65 g) organic chopped carrot

2 slices of chopped ham

1/2 Tbs. (7 g) soy sauce or gluten-free liquid aminos or tamari 

یک /yek/ ١  Bring the broth to a boil.

دو /do/ ۲ Add the rice, return to boiling, and cover. 

سه  /se/ ۳ Turn the heat to medium-low, keeping rice at a gentile simmer.

چهار /chahār/ ۴ Check the rice after 40 minutes for desired texture.

پنج /panj/ ۵ In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high.

شش /shesh/ ۶ Sauté the onions, celery, peppers, and carrots about 5 minutes. Add a 1 Tbs. (15 ml) of water, add a lid and steam if y0u want softer vegetables.

 

هفت /haft/ ۷  Move the vegetables to the side of the skillet and add the chopped ham. Cook a few minutes.

هشت /hasht/ ۸ Mix the vegetables and ham. Then add the rice and the soy sauce/liquid aminos/tamari.

نه /noh/ ۹ Stir about 2 minutes. Serve hot or room temperature.

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Tropical Roasted Sweet Potatoes

Bite of History:

The sweet potato (also called yams in North America) is native to present-day Ecuador. It was domesticated in either Central or South America nearly 5 000 years ago! But is was grown in Polynesia from vine cuttings from sailors who went to South America and returned, spreading the seeds from Polynesia to Easter Island, Hawaii, and New Zealand. In the 11th century, sweet potatoes were being grown in Cook Island.

Patatas dulces asadas tropicales (Spanish)

Serves 4-6

Preheat the oven to 425F (22C)

2 pounds/ (910 g) organic sweet potatoes, peeled or not, cut into bite-size chunks

1/4 cup (60 ml) coconut oil

3 Tbs. (45 ml) organic lime juice

organic lime zest

4 organic scallions, thinly sliced (separate the green and white parts of the scallions)

dash of cayenne pepper to taste

uno 1. Toss the sweet potatoes with the oil in a bowl. Save the oil.

dos 2. Lay the chunks on a backing sheet in even layers.

tres 3. Roast without stirring until they are lightly brown, about 18-20 minutes.

cuatro 4. Add to the bowl with the oil, stir in the lime juice, zest, white scallions, and cayenne pepper.

cinco 5. Transfer the sweet potatoes to the bowl. Toss a few time while they set for 15 minutes.

seis 6. Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with the green scallions.

PS "Tropical?" Well the coconut oil and lime juice

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Turkey Chili

Turkey is a traditonal dish in Mexico for the winter holidays. What a better way to use leftover turkey than with a hot chili dish.

Chile de pavo (Spanish)

Serve 8

1 pound (455 g) ground or shredded turkey

1 diced organic onion

1 jalapeño seeded and finely diced or small can of green chili

4 minced organic garlic

1 Tbs. (6 g) chili powder, or more to taste

1 tsp. (2 g) cumin 

1 diced organic bell pepper

3 Tbs. (45 ml) organic lime juice

14 1/2 ounces (625 g) organic crushed tomatoes and its juice 

1 Tbs. (15 g) organic tomato paste

15 1/2 ounces (625 g) organic kidney beans, drained and rinsed

optional broth and/or beer depending on how "watery" you want

optional toppings:

• (dairy-free) cheese
• organic green onions
• cilantro or parsley
• (dairy-free) yogurt
• sliced organic avocado

uno 1. Reheat the turkey or cook the ground turkey in a skillet with the chili powder, onions, japlapeño/green chili, and garlic.

dos 2. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.

tres 3. Reduce to simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes or until the chili has the thickness you want. Add broth and/or beer for a less thickness.

cuatro 4 Top with cheese, green onions, cilantro/parsley, avocado, and/or yogurt. 

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