I heart holiday food

This year, I’ll be going to:

3 Thanksgivings
2 Christmases
1 holiday party

Which means my foodie brain has been in overdrive since October. What to make, what to make, hmmm…

Here’s what I look for in a recipe:

Does it call for ingredients I have on hand/use often? (I don’t like buying a rare/expensive item for one recipe that I’ll never use again)
Do I like all the ingredients in the recipe? (Seems obvious)
Will I have to/am I able to make any substitutions? (If a recipe calls for dairy, I can swap that no problem, but some other ingredients may be harder to work around)
Is it simple and straight forward? (I’m lazy, if there are multiple complicated and intricate steps for a certain dish, I’m not going to make it, sorry)
How much does it yield? Will there be too much or not enough? (I don’t want to be eating the same leftovers for weeks, nor do I want to run out before everyone gets a portion)
Do I have all the appliances required? (I have a pretty complete kitchen, but I still check the directions to make sure)
Is it healthy-ish? (I’m not talking about excluding desserts – heaven forbid! – but if something calls for >1 cup of butter and even more sugar, that’s just obscene)
Is it practical? (I could bookmark delicious recipes all day long, but ultimately I have to ask myself, will I really make this?)

So now that you know how I approach recipe hunting, here are the ones that made it through my screening process for the holidays.

Appetizers

garlic pumpkin knots

vegan meatballs

stuffed pizza portabella caps

sundried tomato cashew cheese dip

stuffed mushroom phyllo roll

Mains

seitan with peppercorn crust

roasted butternut lasagna with crispy sage

Sides

vegan buttery biscuits

salt & vinegar kale mashed potatoes

pumpkin biscuits with candied ginger

smoky butternut mac ‘n cheese

stuffing bread

balsamic roasted brussels sprouts

curried carrot & grape slaw

Dessert

tahini almond date bites

almond date truffles

rocky road fudge

quinoa, coconut & salted peanut butter cookie dough

chocolate cake with cookie butter glaze

Yum, right?

Anything you think I should add?

Comments (12)

dorothy November 16, 2012 at 9:10 pm

hi elise! i adore your blog and your whole eating philosophy, your fodmaps post have been especially helpful to me as well so thanks for that 🙂 i was wondering if you can recommend your favorite store-bought crackers or chips or just crunchy snacks that are least processed, higher in protein, just generally healthy and satisfying? thanks!!! hope you’re doing well with the pregnancy

Kristina November 16, 2012 at 9:40 pm

thank you, Elise! I cannot decide which I am more excited about you choosing – the butternut lasagna is one of my new favorites (I am making this weekend!), and my tahini almond date bites? a favorite of many – I hope you make them both!

Cheers to you, happy weekend and happy Thanksgiving!

Katie @ Peace Love & Oats November 16, 2012 at 10:46 pm

Haha I definitely go through some of the same thoughts when looking up recipes, I hate buying random ingredients for one recipe that I won’t use again!

Dholteen November 17, 2012 at 12:13 am

Candied almonds is something mom and I make and I can’t go without over the holidays!

Martyna @ Wholesome Cook November 17, 2012 at 12:57 am

Hi Elise, thank you for linking up to one of my recipes. I love all of those ideas you’ve mentioned and just like you I try to stick to very similar rules when cooking and developing recipes. It’s challenging sometimes but fund at the same time.
PS I have a gluten free vegan no sugar beetroot and cacao cake coming on Monday. Very very good. You might like to add that one to the list. 😀

Izabela (yoginiselfportrayal.wordpress.com) November 17, 2012 at 5:09 am

thanks for sharing; so much to choose from.

Elise (Post author)November 18, 2012 at 9:59 am

im thinking both! the date bites will definitely be at my parents’ holiday party. thanks for all your lovely recipes 🙂

Elise (Post author)November 18, 2012 at 10:00 am

yum. ill definitely be waiting for that one…

Elise (Post author)November 18, 2012 at 10:01 am

im doing candied pecans in a few days for a kale salad im bringing on thursday 🙂

Elise (Post author)November 18, 2012 at 10:09 am

hmmm…ok well in terms of fodmaps friendly snacks, im a fan of food should taste good products. also corn nuts (check out the inka brand of products – they have lots of fodmaps friendly items). and riceworks. and way better chips. theyre not exactly high in protein, but try roasted edamame or soy nuts for that.

also see this post: http://fodmapsdiet.com/2012/02/09/latest-obsessions/

and this one: http://fodmapsdiet.com/2012/03/05/latest-obsessions-ii/