Caesar Salad

If there’s any recipe that’ll convince someone that they love salad, it’s this Caesar salad recipe. Its base is chopped romaine lettuce and crisp veggies, but shaved cheese, homemade croutons, and a bold, creamy dressing fill it with …


If there’s any recipe that’ll convince someone that they love salad, it’s this Caesar salad recipe. Its base is chopped romaine lettuce and crisp veggies, but shaved cheese, homemade croutons, and a bold, creamy dressing fill it with so much flavor and texture that it hardly feels like you’re eating a plate full of vegetables! This Caesar salad recipe would be a fantastic side dish for a holiday dinner party, but, lately, we’ve even been loving it as a meal on its own. It’s the perfect fresh, yet still satisfying, break from the holiday rotation of appetizers and sweets. Pretty, […]

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Creamy Potato Soup

We’re obsessed with this potato soup recipe! It’s lusciously creamy and filled with bold, smoky, tangy flavor. If you have any leftovers, it tastes even better on the second day, but in our house, a pot of this soup never lasts long. In my …


We’re obsessed with this potato soup recipe! It’s lusciously creamy and filled with bold, smoky, tangy flavor. If you have any leftovers, it tastes even better on the second day, but in our house, a pot of this soup never lasts long. In my book, this potato soup recipe is perfect for the holiday season. The weather outside is frightful, so comfort food is what I’m craving. But in between all the cookies and holiday appetizers, I want to sneak in as many healthy meals as I can. That’s where this potato soup recipe comes in. Creamy and richly flavorful, […]

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challah stuffing

Thirty-six hours before the cooking-est day of the year in America is as good time as any to for us to talk about some hard-won cooking truths: There’s the idea of the perfect menu (all of my favorite recipe darlings in one place) and th…

Thirty-six hours before the cooking-est day of the year in America is as good time as any to for us to talk about some hard-won cooking truths: There’s the idea of the perfect menu (all of my favorite recipe darlings in one place) and then there’s the actually perfect menu (the one you can pull off in a reasonable amount of time with as little stress as possible; darlings, murdered.) This is the kind of recipe we use when we come to our senses.

celeryleeksherbsin buttercook the leeks and celeryready to assemble

The reasoning is deliciously selfish: I’m not throwing feasts to miss them. I want to be wedged on the sofa between friends I never see enough of with a cocktail in my hand, telling terrible stories, not sweating in the kitchen because I forgot to wash the thyme leaves before stripping them and now my fingertips are worrisomely gray? (This is highly specific because it happens all the time.) Nobody I know or care to hang out with is going to care if I chuck the thyme in the trash and move on. The way I want to cook is — excuse the crushing earnestness here — the way I want to live; little extraneous noise in my recipes, lots of noise in the living room. Repeat after me: The time for the 4-process side dish is when it’s the only thing you’re making.

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Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts & Smoky Olives

Come Christmas or Thanksgiving, these crisp, golden Brussels sprouts will always be a favourite. My mum used to make sauteed brussels sprouts with chestnuts, juniper and bacon when I was growing up. The pairing of sprouts and chestnuts is so classic and for good reason – the sweet, creamy chestnuts match perfectly with the earthy sprouts. I pan roast my sprouts here so they get golden and caramelised but still have bite to them (NO soggy sprouts allowed!!!). Instead of bacon, I opted for a salty olive to offset the sweetness, cooked in a smoky, spicy chipotle paste for that almost meaty flavour. I do love a Nocellara olive for their sweet, buttery flavour but you can also use a more bitter, black olive (like I’ve done here with Moroccan dried olives) or even capers if that’s your jam.

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Close up of pan roasted Brussels Sprouts with chestnuts and smoky olives

Come Christmas or Thanksgiving, these crisp, golden Brussels sprouts will always be a favourite.

My mum used to make sauteed brussels sprouts with chestnuts, juniper and bacon when I was growing up. The pairing of sprouts and chestnuts is so classic and for good reason – the sweet, creamy chestnuts match perfectly with the earthy sprouts.

A bowl of roasted Brussels Sprouts with chestnuts and smoky olives on a table

I pan roast my sprouts here so they get golden and caramelised but still have bite to them (NO soggy sprouts allowed!!!). Instead of bacon, I opted for a salty olive to offset the sweetness, cooked in a smoky, spicy chipotle paste for that almost meaty flavour. I do love a Nocellara olive for their sweet, buttery flavour but you can also use a more bitter, black olive (like I’ve done here with Moroccan dried olives) or even capers if that’s your jam.

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts & Smoky Olives

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts & Smoky Olives

Yield: serves 4 to 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 500g (1lb 2 ounces) Brussels sprouts
  • 2 tbsp refined olive oil
  • salt
  • 100g (heaped 1/2 cup) cooked, peeled chestnuts
  • 50g (heaped 1/4 cup) your favourite olives, pits removed, roughly torn (see notes)
  • 1 tsp chipotle chilli paste (I use Gran Luchito) (see notes)

Instructions

  1. Trim the bases off the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half. Remove any gross outer leaves.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a large frying pan (I like to use cast iron here) over a medium-low heat. Add the Brussels sprouts in a single layer, cut side down - you'll probably need to do cook them in two batches. Let them sit, undisturbed, until golden underneath (about 5 minutes). Flip and let cook until tender (roughly a further 5 minutes). If they still seem too crisp, cover with a lid and let cook on low for another 1-2 minutes to soften. Tip into the serving dish.
  3. Return the pan to the heat, add the remaining olive oil and cook the rest of the sprouts, as before adding them to the serving dish too.
  4. Return the pan to the heat and add the cooked chestnuts. Cook on high for a minute or so just to warm through, then scatter over the sprouts in the serving dish.
  5. Return the pan to the heat. Add the torn olives and the chipotle paste and cook, stirring constantly, until coated and hot. Scatter over the sprouts in the serving dish and serve.

Notes

- For the olives, I really like Nocellara olives as they are juicy, sweet & buttery. If you prefer something deeper, try using 'dried' olives - they usually come in a jar without brine/oil and look slightly wrinkled. They have a more bitter flavour and chewier texture to them.

- An alternative to the chilli paste is 1 tsp smoked paprika.

Have you made this recipe?
I’d love to see how it went! Tag me on instagram @izyhossack and hashtag it #topwithcinnamon so I can have a look & reshare in my stories!

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Simple Garlicky Vegan Sourdough Stuffing

Stuffing is always a popular Thanksgiving side dish, isn’t it? Basically just crispy pieces of bread intertwined with chunks of delicious veg. Almost like a warm panzanella! This vegan version is just as good – I cook down leeks and garlic until soft and sweet to fold into the crusty sourdough chunks. Then the whole thing is covered with herby broth and dotted with salty soy-coated mushrooms for those who you know might miss the meat! Other than that it’s a simple affair as that helps it pair really well with all the other side dishes you have at a roast (and definitely goes well with gravy!). The most extravagant part really is the decent amount of garlic I add whiiiich basically makes it into a big ol tray of garlic bread. Other vegan Thanksgiving recipes Vegan Pecan Pie Vegan Cauliflower Cheese Gratin Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts & Smoky Olives Hassleback Squash with Garlic-Sage Butter

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A close up of a dish of vegan sourdough stuffing with leeks and soy-sauce mushrooms

Stuffing is always a popular Thanksgiving side dish, isn’t it? Basically just crispy pieces of bread intertwined with chunks of delicious veg. Almost like a warm panzanella!

A dish of sourdough vegan stuffing on a table

This vegan version is just as good – I cook down leeks and garlic until soft and sweet to fold into the crusty sourdough chunks. Then the whole thing is covered with herby broth and dotted with salty soy-coated mushrooms for those who you know might miss the meat! Other than that it’s a simple affair as that helps it pair really well with all the other side dishes you have at a roast (and definitely goes well with gravy!). The most extravagant part really is the decent amount of garlic I add whiiiich basically makes it into a big ol tray of garlic bread.

Other vegan Thanksgiving recipes

Simple Vegan Garlicky Sourdough Stuffing

Simple Vegan Garlicky Sourdough Stuffing

Yield: serves 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp olive oil, divided (plus extra for greasing + drizzling)
  • 1 large leek, cleaned, sliced into 1 cm (1/2 inch) coins
  • 5 large (or 7-10 medium/small) cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 200g (7 ounces) shiitake or chestnut mushrooms, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 tsp ground white pepper
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce or tamari
  • 250ml (1 cup) hot vegetable stock/broth
  • 1 sprig rosemary, leaves picked and finely chopped
  • 3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked
  • 7 cups (300g) sourdough bread, cut into 3cm (1 inch) cubes

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C (400F) and grease a medium roasting dish (around 1.5 litre capacity) with a bit of extra olive oil.
  2. Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the coins of sliced leek and season with a pinch of salt. Stir to coat with oil and turn the heat to low. Leave to cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring every now and then, until soft. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 more minute. Tip the cooked leeks and garlic into a large bowl.
  3. Place the frying pan back on the heat and add the mushrooms to the pan with a pinch of salt. Allow to cook, stirring often, until most of the water has been drawn out and evaporated from the mushrooms. Once you see them start to brown, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, the white pepper and soy sauce and let cook until reduced and dry. Set aside to cool.
  4. To the bowl of leeks add the vegetable broth, rosemary, thyme and bread cubes. Stir to allow the bread to soak up the liquid. Tip into the prepared roasting dish. Dot with spoonfuls of the soy sauce mushrooms. Drizzle with a bit of extra olive oil.
  5. Bake for 25-35 minutes until the top is crisp and starting to brown. Serve hot.

Notes

To make ahead:

Prepare up until just before you bake it. Cover the dish (I just use a baking sheet to cover it) and place in the fridge for up to 2 days. Uncover and bake straight from the fridge, no need to bring to room temperature.

Have you made this recipe?
I’d love to see how it went! Tag me on instagram @izyhossack and hashtag it #topwithcinnamon so I can have a look & reshare in my stories!

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Delicata Squash Salad

Delicata squash salad is a perfect fall or winter side dish! This one features caramelized roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and a tangy vinaigrette. Looking for a stunning fall or winter side dish? Enter: delicata squash salad! This is no ordinary green side salad. This is something special, a hearty and healthy salad perfect for entertaining. Then again, you could easily whip it up to make a filling meal out of a weeknight soup. It stars Alex and my very favorite squash: the delicata, which is brilliantly sweet and has edible skin (no peeling necessary!). Roast up that squash in just 20 minutes, and in the meantime prep those refreshing pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and tangy honey mustard dressing. Yep, it’s a stunner. Ready to get cooking? Tips on making delicata squash salad This delicata squash salad is all about contrasts, from the caramelized squash to the crisp baby greens, the pop of the pomegranate and the creamy goat cheese dollops. It’s perfect for an occasion like Thanksgiving or Christmas. But now that we have this in our arsenal, Alex and I love the idea of using it in a simpler weeknight dinner too. Here are a few notes on making […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

Delicata squash salad is a perfect fall or winter side dish! This one features caramelized roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and a tangy vinaigrette.

Delicata Squash Salad

Looking for a stunning fall or winter side dish? Enter: delicata squash salad! This is no ordinary green side salad. This is something special, a hearty and healthy salad perfect for entertaining. Then again, you could easily whip it up to make a filling meal out of a weeknight soup. It stars Alex and my very favorite squash: the delicata, which is brilliantly sweet and has edible skin (no peeling necessary!). Roast up that squash in just 20 minutes, and in the meantime prep those refreshing pomegranate seeds, crunchy pistachios, and tangy honey mustard dressing. Yep, it’s a stunner. Ready to get cooking?

Delicata squash salad

Tips on making delicata squash salad

This delicata squash salad is all about contrasts, from the caramelized squash to the crisp baby greens, the pop of the pomegranate and the creamy goat cheese dollops. It’s perfect for an occasion like Thanksgiving or Christmas. But now that we have this in our arsenal, Alex and I love the idea of using it in a simpler weeknight dinner too. Here are a few notes on making this healthy salad, and how to speed up prep:

  • Squash takes about 30 minutes total to roast (see below). This is the longest lead time item of the salad, so make sure to get this going right away! Or to make it ahead, you can roast the squash ahead of time. Just store it refrigerated and reheat in a 400 degree oven until it’s warm (5 to 10 minutes).
  • Buy pomegranate seeds to speed up prep. Usually we buy a pomegranate, but this time Alex and I were able to find pomegranate seeds at the grocery and it was super speedy.
  • Homemade dressing is a must. Whatever you do, don’t skimp on the homemade dressing! This one uses our easy Honey Mustard Dressing, which is simple to memorize. Another great option is this Best Balsamic Dressing.
Roasted delicata squash

How to roast delicata squash

Once you’ve learned the main steps on how to roast delicata squash, you’ll be able to do it by memory! It’s so simple, and you can also serve it on its own as delicata squash “fries”. Here’s how to roast delicata squash:

  • Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  • Slice the squash in half and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Slice it into 1/2-inch half moon shapes. We like using 2 medium to large squash, about 2 pounds, which fits comfortably on one baking sheet.
  • Mix with olive oil and kosher salt (1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt per 2 pounds).
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until tender — no need to stir!
Delicata squash salad

How to seed a pomegranate

If you can find pomegranate seeds at the grocery, buy them! It’s a nice time saver in this delicata squash salad recipe. But if you can only find a whole pomegranate, that works too! It does take a little time to seed them, but the advantage is that seeds from a fresh pomegranate do stay fresher longer. Here’s how to seed a pomegranate:

  • Cut the pomegranate in quarters and place them in a large bowl of water.
  • Under the water, start to gently pull out the seeds with your fingers. Eventually you’ll be able to turn the peel inside out to extract the seeds closest to the outer skin.
  • As you work, the pomegranate seeds will sink to the bottom, while the white pith from the fruit will float to the top.
  • When all of the seeds are extracted, skim off the white pith and strain out the water.
Salad with delicata squash

Variations on this delicata squash salad

There are a few ways to change up this delicata squash salad to make it fit your tastes! Here are some suggestions:

Delicata squash

Delicata squash nutrition

Lastly…what’s the nutrition in delicata squash? As you might guess, it’s full of nutrients. Per Harvard School of Public Health, squash is full of beta carotene, protein, Vitamin C & B6, potassium, and fiber.

There are no studies to cite on specific health benefits of squash, but here’s what we can say! A diet rich in vegetables and fruits can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, prevent some types of cancer, and have a positive effect on blood sugar to keep your appetite in check. So: this delicata squash salad is part of a healthy diet!

This delicata squash salad is…

Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, omit the goat cheese and use maple syrup in the dressing.

Print

Delicata Squash Salad


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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 to 6

Description

Delicata squash salad is a perfect fall or winter side dish! This one features caramelized roasted squash, pomegranate seeds, and a tangy vinaigrette.


Ingredients

  • 1 recipe Roasted Delicata Squash
  • 1 large shallot
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios
  • 5 ounces baby mixed greens (about 5 cups)
  • 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 2 tablespoons roasted salted pepitas
  • 2 ounces soft goat cheese (omit for vegan)
  • Honey Mustard Dressing (use maple syrup for vegan)

Instructions

  1. Make the Roasted Delicata Squash. (This takes about 25 to 30 minutes total; finish the remaining prep while the squash roasts. Or you can roast it in advance, store refrigerated, and reheat in a 400 degree oven until it’s warm, about 5 to 10 minutes.)
  2. Make the Honey Mustard Dressing
  3. Thinly slice the shallot. If needed, chop the pistachios. 
  4. To serve, place the greens on a serving plate. Top with roasted delicata squash, shallot, pistachios, pomegranate seeds, pepitas, and goat cheese dollops. Drizzle with Honey Mustard Dressing and serve. 

  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Roasted
  • Cuisine: Vegetarian

Keywords: Delicata Squash Salad, Squash Salad

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

Oven Roasted Potatoes

Today, I’m making the case for roasted potatoes. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it seems like mashed potatoes and potato gratin are all the rage. Sure, these classic potato recipes are tasty, but oven roasted potatoes offer something …


Today, I’m making the case for roasted potatoes. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it seems like mashed potatoes and potato gratin are all the rage. Sure, these classic potato recipes are tasty, but oven roasted potatoes offer something totally different and equally delicious. If you’re looking for a last-minute holiday side dish that your guests will love, this recipe is the one for you. Here’s why: Crispy potato skins. Is there anything better than crisp, puffy potato skins straight out of the oven? Creamy middles. Those crave-able, golden brown edges give way to super creamy centers, so each bite […]

The post Oven Roasted Potatoes appeared first on Love and Lemons.

Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Arils

How pretty is this rice pilaf? If you’re looking for an easy holiday side dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor, this recipe is just the thing for you. It’s simple, you can prep most of it ahead of time, and it’s richly flavorful. A…


How pretty is this rice pilaf? If you’re looking for an easy holiday side dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor, this recipe is just the thing for you. It’s simple, you can prep most of it ahead of time, and it’s richly flavorful. A spiced citrus dressing coats the hearty rice, nuts add crunch, and herbs give it fresh, aromatic flavor. Last but not least, a sprinkle of pomegranate arils takes it over the top! Today, we’re partnering with POM Wonderful because Jack and I love pomegranates! He likes to snack on them (especially out of the convenient POM POMS […]

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Lemon Herb Steamed Cauliflower

Here’s an easy way to cook cauliflower: steamed! This herb and lemon steamed cauliflower cooks in minutes and is so tasty, you won’t want to stop eating it. Did you know steamed cauliflower can taste incredible? Until very recently, we didn’t! Yes, Alex and I have been making cauliflower roasted for years. It comes out lightly charred with a sweet, almost caramelized flavor. The problem is, it takes about 40 minutes to roast: and that doesn’t work for a quick weeknight meal. Enter: steamed cauliflower! This easy side dish cooks in just 10 minutes. Mixed with savory Italian seasoning and bright lemon zest, the flavor was so good we couldn’t stop eating it. This one’s a winner! (Our toddler even was impressed.) How to make the best steamed cauliflower Making steamed cauliflower is seriously easy: all you need is a steamer basket and a covered pot or deep skillet. It cooks up in about 10 minutes. You’ll want to make sure not to overcook it, or it gets pretty mushy. The goal here is crisp tender: so make sure to taste it to assess whether it’s done! Here are all our secrets on the very best steamed cauliflower that we […]

A Couple Cooks – Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

Here’s an easy way to cook cauliflower: steamed! This herb and lemon steamed cauliflower cooks in minutes and is so tasty, you won’t want to stop eating it.

Steamed cauliflower

Did you know steamed cauliflower can taste incredible? Until very recently, we didn’t! Yes, Alex and I have been making cauliflower roasted for years. It comes out lightly charred with a sweet, almost caramelized flavor. The problem is, it takes about 40 minutes to roast: and that doesn’t work for a quick weeknight meal. Enter: steamed cauliflower! This easy side dish cooks in just 10 minutes. Mixed with savory Italian seasoning and bright lemon zest, the flavor was so good we couldn’t stop eating it. This one’s a winner! (Our toddler even was impressed.)

How to make the best steamed cauliflower

Making steamed cauliflower is seriously easy: all you need is a steamer basket and a covered pot or deep skillet. It cooks up in about 10 minutes. You’ll want to make sure not to overcook it, or it gets pretty mushy. The goal here is crisp tender: so make sure to taste it to assess whether it’s done! Here are all our secrets on the very best steamed cauliflower that we know you’ll fall in love with.

Gear required: You’ll need a steamer basket or steamer pan to make this recipe. Here’s a steamer basket you can buy online.

Step 1: Chop the cauliflower into florets.

Chop the cauliflower into bite-sized florets. If you’re not sure the best method, Alex and I have a way to easily cut it without ending up with crumbles all over the counter! Go to How to Cut Cauliflower or see the video below.

Step 2: Bring water to a boil.

Rule number one of steaming vegetables: bring the water to a boil first! It might seem intuitive to put everything in the steamer and bring the water to a boil: but this results in irregular cooking. Boil the water first, then add the steamer basket.

Steamed cauliflower

Step 3: Steam for 10 to 12 minutes.

Once boiling, add the cauliflower in the steamer basket and cover the pot with a lid. Steam with the lid on 10 to 12 minutes until just tender. Taste test a piece with a fork to assess doneness. The cook time will be slightly different every time based on the freshness of the cauliflower and thickness of the pieces.

How to steam cauliflower

Step 4: Drain and season.

Carefully remove the cauliflower to a bowl. Now here’s where the magic begins! Season with olive oil, sat and pepper, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest. Then give it a taste! We hope you’ll love this steamed cauliflower as much as we do.

Steamed cauliflower

Ways to season steamed cauliflower

The best way to season steamed cauliflower is the example in this recipe (we think!): olive oil, Italian seasoning, and lemon zest! But if you’re looking for other options, here are a few ideas for add ons:

  • Grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
  • Drizzle of balsamic reduction
  • Slivered toasted almonds or pinenuts and raisins
  • Goat cheese or feta crumbles
  • Minced garlic
  • Panko and dried herbs
  • Green onion or chopped chives
  • Fresh dill, oregano or thyme
Steamed cauliflower

Our favorite ways to serve it!

Alex and I have made this steamed cauliflower several times already. In particular our son Larson loves to gobble it up. Here are a few ways we’ve served it that we’ve enjoyed:

  1. As a side. It’s a great side along with baked salmon, sauteed shrimp or pasta.
  2. As a snack. Leftovers for us have become a snack, right out of the dish! Serve with Homemade Ranch for a dipping sauce.
  3. With gravy. Might sound odd, but it’s a great low carb version of mashed potatoes and gravy. (We had a bit of our easy vegan gravy left over and accidentally found out it was delicious!)
  4. In a bowl meal. This steamed cauliflower would be perfect in a grain bowl! Make a big pot of brown rice, quinoa, or farro, then top with chickpeas or lentils, baby greens, and our Best Tahini Sauce.
  5. As mac and cheese. Top with your favorite mac and cheese sauce for a cheesy version of your favorite pasta. Make a double recipe of cauliflower, and try our Pesto Mac and Cheese or Best Gouda Mac and Cheese.

This steamed cauliflower recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.

Print
Steamed cauliflower

Herb & Lemon Steamed Cauliflower


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  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4

Description

Here’s an easy way to cook cauliflower: steamed! This herb and lemon steamed cauliflower cooks in minutes and is so tasty, you won’t want to stop eating it.


Ingredients

  • 1 small head cauliflower (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (zest from 1/2 lemon)

Instructions

  1. Chop the cauliflower into florets.
  2. Place 1 1/2 cups water into a saucepan or pot and bring it to a boil.
  3. Once boiling, add the cauliflower in the steamer basket. Steam with the lid on 10 to 12 minutes until just tender (test with a fork).
  4. Carefully remove the cauliflower to a bowl, draining any excess liquid. Toss with the remaining ingredients and serve. (Store leftovers refrigerated.)

  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Steamed
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: Steamed Cauliflower

A Couple Cooks - Healthy, Whole Food, Vegetarian Recipes

Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing

My philosophy on Thanksgiving is to keep it simple. Simple is elegant, simple is cost effective, and simple is easy (because hey, the cook wants to enjoy the day, too). I like to take super simple recipes and add just a little somethin-somethin’ to make them special, without making them overly complicated or expensive. For this […]

The post Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing appeared first on Budget Bytes.

My philosophy on Thanksgiving is to keep it simple. Simple is elegant, simple is cost effective, and simple is easy (because hey, the cook wants to enjoy the day, too). I like to take super simple recipes and add just a little somethin-somethin’ to make them special, without making them overly complicated or expensive. For this Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing, I’ve transformed a simple box of cornbread stuffing mix into a vibrant and flavorful Thanksgiving side dish with just a few fresh and affordable ingredients.

This post is sponsored by ALDI—my “secret weapon” for keeping this year’s Thanksgiving feast easy and super affordable, without sacrificing quality or flavor.

Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing

A pot full of Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing with the ingredients scattered all around

Keep Your Costs in Check

While sticking to simple recipes with basic ingredients helps keep my Thanksgiving budget in check, sometimes I still want to include a few special ingredients, like pecans, that could easily spoil my budget. This is where shopping at ALDI really saves the day. In just 4-5 aisles, they have all the basics I needed for my Thanksgiving dinner, plus some fancier fun ingredients at seriously reasonable prices (have you seen their wine and cheese selection??).

I don’t know how ALDI works their magic, but their prices always come in substantially lower than the other national chains, without sacrificing quality or standards (tons of organic options!). Their cornbread stuffing mix alone was 70% less than the generic brand at the national chain grocery store across the street. Savings like that add up fast, especially when you’re cooking an enormous feast. And that is how I can afford to add the little luxury ingredients, like pecans. :)

So if you haven’t yet, click here to find your nearest ALDI store, and do a little cost comparison before you begin planning your Thanksgiving menu. You might be able to add a few more goodies to the lineup this year! And let me know how it turned out! I love hearing and sharing ALDI #wins with fellow ALDI fans. :)

Thanksgiving side dishes on a table from above

It’s Okay to Take Shortcuts

It’s 100% okay to not make everything from scratch on Thanksgiving. It’s practically impossible to do, unless you have six sets of helping hands and multiple ovens, luxuries I do not have. Boxed stuffing mix is a shortcut that I like to use to my full advantage. It’s nothing more than dried bread, seasoning, and bouillon, all of which I would have added to my stuffing anyway, so I’m all about having done and ready to go. But I still want it to be special, so…

How to Fancy Up Your Stuffing Mix

There are a lot of ways that you can make a 69 cent boxed stuffing mix look and taste like a million bucks, but here is what I did today:

  • Use fresh onion and celery. Two super inexpensive ingredients that will add a LOT of flavor to the “broth” in your stuffing, not to mention color and texture throughout.
  • Roasted apples and cranberries. Nothing says fall like apples and cranberries. Roasting them in the oven first softens the cranberries and sweetens up their naturally pucker-inducing tart flavor, with a little help from the sweet apples and brown sugar.
  • Pecans. Pecans are the little bit of luxury that take this Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing over the top.

Can I Make This Cornbread Stuffing Ahead?

Absolutely! Since it’s nearly impossible to cook everything for Thanksgiving dinner on the day of, this Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing can be made entirely or in part the day before. Here are a couple of options:

  • Roast the Apples and Cranberries, and chop the celery and onion the day before. The day of, just sauté the celery and onion, and assemble the rest of the recipe (5-10 minutes).
  • Make the entire recipe the day before, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Reheat in the oven the next day in a covered casserole dish, at 350ºF for about 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165ºF.

Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing on a Thanksgiving table with other dishes in the background

 

Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing

A few fresh ingredients added to a simple box of cornbread stuffing mix makes this vibrant and flavorful Thanksgiving side dish.

  • 12 oz. fresh cranberries ($1.09)
  • 2 apples* ($0.50)
  • 2 Tbsp Baker's Corner Brown Sugar ($0.08)
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.01)
  • 4 Tbsp Countryside Creamery Salted Butter ($0.39)
  • 1 yellow onion ($0.28)
  • 3 ribs celery ($0.37)
  • 3 cups water ($0.00)
  • 2 6 oz. boxes Chef's Cupboard Cornbread Stuffing Mix ($1.38)
  • 1/2 cup Southern Grove Pecan Halves ($1.76**)
  1. Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Core and dice the apples. Add the apples, cranberries, brown sugar, and salt to a large baking dish. Stir until the apples and cranberries are evenly coated in sugar. Transfer to the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Stir the apples and cranberries, return them to the oven and roast for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cranberries have burst and appear wrinkled.

  2. Meanwhile, dice the celery and onion. Add the butter, celery and onion to a large pot. Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft and translucent. Chop the pecans.

  3. Add 3 cups water to the pot with the celery and onion, place a lid on top, turn the heat up to high, and bring the water up to a boil. Once boiling, add the cornbread stuffing mix and stir briefly to combine. Turn off the heat, place the lid on top and let the stuffing rest for 5 minutes to absorb the liquid.

  4. After the stuffing has rested, add the roasted apples and cranberries and chopped pecans. Fold them into the stuffing. Serve immediately, or transfer to a baking dish and bake for about 15 minutes at 350ºF to make the top crispy.

*Use a sweet-tart variety of apple, like Gala or Honeycrisp.

**Prices may vary by store location.

Scroll down for the step by step photos!

A full Thanksgiving dinner plate on a table with other Thanksgiving dishes

 

How to Make Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing – Step by Step Photos

Chopped apples, cranberries, and brown sugar in baking dish

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Core and dice two apples. Add the apples, 12 oz. cranberries, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt to a large baking dish. Stir until the apples and cranberries are evenly coated in sugar.

Roasted Apples and Cranberries in baking dish

Roast the apples and cranberries in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, then stir. Return the apples and cranberries to the oven and roast for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until all of the cranberries have burst and they look shriveled.

Diced onion and celery

Meanwhile, dice three ribs of celery and one yellow onion.

Chopped pecans

Chop 1/2 cup pecans.

Water being poured into a pot with sautéed onion and celery

Add the diced onion and celery to a large pot with 4 Tbsp butter. Sauté for about five minutes, or until the onions are soft and translucent. Add 3 cups water to the pot. Place a lid on top, turn the heat up to high and bring the water to a boil.

Cornbread stuffing mix being poured into the pot of boiling water

Once boiling, add two 6 oz. boxes of cornbread stuffing mix. Stir briefly to combine, then turn off the heat, place the lid on top and let it rest for about 5 minutes so the bread can absorb the liquid.

Roasted apples and cranberries being folded into the pot of stuffing

Fold the roasted apples and cranberries and chopped pecans into the cornbread stuffing.

Finished Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing in the pot

Either serve the Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing as is, or transfer to a casserole dish and bake for about 15 minutes at 350ºF to make the top crispy!

Side view of the Roasted Apple Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing in the pot

That whole pot of fancy Thanksgiving goodness for only $5.86! With ALDI, you can totally SLAY Thanksgiving dinner without killing your budget. :)

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