Food

Snack Pack and Kozy Shack chocolate pudding flavor profile, texture, and mouthfeel were our inspiration and what we were after with this recipe. Our challenge was to seamlessly integrate the essential nutrients for growing brains and remove the nasties lurking in conventional puddings (that make them so darn creamy and delicious). We think we’ve done it: This recipe has been kid-approved in our test kitchen! We love this pudding so much that we recommend it to the young at heart too for a decadent, brain-healthy breakfast, snack, or dessert.

I love this dish for its great flavor, but also for its visual impact on the table. It is a perfect example of the senses working in union. You can’t hide the wonderful visual effect of the dish and then the joy of eating the textural contrast between the pieces of beetroot and the smooth yogurt. The chili provides a background lift, while the toasted caraway provides a second tier of bready flavor over the beetroot’s earthy sweetness. This recipe was extracted from Cooking for the Senses: Vegan Neurogastronomy by Jennifer Peace Rhind and Gregor Law, published by Singing Dragon. Order your copy at singingdragon.com.

This soothing winter dish will satisfy all ages with its smooth comforting flavours. We added frozen peas for colourful fibre, but you can also use other favourites such as broccoli florets, sugar snap peas, or spinach.

Looking for an easy meal? Waffles lend themselves as a base for every meal of the day. Breakfast? Dessert? Lunch? Even dinner. In our version, we’ve covered breakfast, lunch, and dessert, serving this recipe with dried fruit compote. But there are also savoury toppings and more ideas to dress up a waffle. Make a big batch and freeze; they’re easy to heat up for any meal.

Grains and cabbage are in this season. We’ve paired spelt berries with cabbage and toasted quinoa for a surprisingly upscale result. For this recipe, bypass the packaged shredded cabbage—it just won’t have the same results, or the price value. The trick? Buy a half or quarter head of cabbage and shave it ultra thin on a mandoline.  

The beauty of this sweet little treat is that it’s a recipe you can make from a well-stocked pantry. And even better: you can easily substitute with other pantry ingredients. For example, no dates in your pantry? How about dried figs? Or use your own homemade jam or compote. Just make sure your fruit filling is very, very thick and pastelike before assembling.

This salad is amazingly versatile—and delicious. It’s all about the dressing, and knowing what to pull together to complement the dressing is simple. Start with a benign base such as couscous, rice, or orzo pasta; add some greens such as spinach, kale, chard, or collards; and sprinkle with a combination of toppings from your pantry. Drizzle with delicious creamy tahini dressing, and it all comes together—tastefully and beautifully.

This is arguably one of the most comforting winter soups to savour. It’s simple to make and full of flavour, and it’s practically a meal in a bowl. Throw in some toasted pepitas  for a little added crunch and protein.

This deeply spiced take on chili con carne awakens taste buds with its punchy flavors. It’s made with highly digestible cooked vegetables and vegan proteins, along with a unique spice blend for warmth and nourishment.

Harissa is a North African spice paste that’s now readily available in stores, but it’s so easy and much more affordable to make at home. It’s commonly stirred into stews, soups, and the like, but it shines when turned into a sauce for pasta.

Cut and Paste

Bold flavors, adaptable add-ins, and irresistible comfort food appeal make this a winter weeknight winner. Warming curry powder, chili, turmeric, and ginger add depth to seasonal vegetables and legumes for a stew that’s delicious over rice or served in a bowl with naan for dipping (or both!). Leftovers can be packed up and enjoyed for tomorrow’s lunch.  

Ayurveda focuses on balance, and there’s no better way to eat in equilibrium than with this warming blend of textures and flavors. Here, roasting brings out the naturally sweet qualities in carrots and asparagus, both served up with warm grains and tamarind-infused chickpeas.

You Do You

Saag paneer is a heady stewed spinach dish flecked with cubes of squeaky fresh cheese. This interpretation skips the cream, butter, and cheese while amping up the spices for an Ayurvedic and vegan-friendly comfort food dinner.

Fire cider is a powerful botanical concoction that combines a host of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients marinated for several weeks in ACV. It can be used as a potent cold and flu buster or for digestive support. Make it extra special by adding a couple of tablespoons of goji berries to the marinating mix. Tip! For added heat, use in any recipe that calls for apple cider vinegar.

Roasted veggies are the quintessential warming dish for a cold night. We chose cauliflower to embellish the delicious ACV-laced sauce. But any roasted root and/or toasted grain will complement the sumptuous apple cider vinegar tahini drizzle.

Probiotics are an essential element to a healthy-gut meal. We’ve tossed our healthy cabbage salad together with a dressing of probiotic apple cider vinegar. ACV keeps your digestive system running smoothly and maintains the healthy bacteria in the gut. TIP: For a delicious added heat, use Fire Cider Vinegar.

After a full meal, just a little decadence is required. This creamy, egg-free, dairy-free mousse is the perfect ending. We used fortified oat milk with its healthy nutrients that include 50 percent of your daily vitamin B12 recommended dietary allowance. To make this mousse completely vegan, be sure to use vegan dark chocolate.

This recipe captures all the bright and fresh appeal of a salad in a pretty, portable bite. If you’d like to keep this appetizer vegetarian, simply forgo the salmon and stir in 1 1/2 cups (350 mL) cooked chickpeas or white beans. Pair with Pear and Thyme Fizz!

Lentils are so versatile that they can play a starring role in a wide variety of dishes. With this recipe, they can be considered a main course, since the recipe contains a delicious combination of ingredients that fills all the requirements for a balanced dish. Tip: We chose red Russian garlic for this recipe because it has big, juicy cloves. But any fresh garlic will do. Every region has their specialty cultivars.

This not-too-sweet cocktail or mocktail will be the toast of your holiday gathering. If you like your cocktail a little sweeter, consider rimming half the serving glass with a mixture of coconut sugar and cinnamon. Tip: For an equally delicious take on this mocktail, replace pears with apples. Pair with Salmon Salad Boats!

This refreshingly rosy drink pairs well with spicy and savoury flavours of Sesame-Soy Party Mix. Tip: Not a fan of cranberry? This mocktail is also delicious using 100% pomegranate juice in place of cranberry juice. Pair with Sesame-Soy Party Mix!

With just a few ingredients and a blast of heat, a standard block of feta cheese is transformed into an unexpectedly luscious and creamy spread for pita wedges and vegetables. Tip: As this appetizer sits at room temperature, it will eventually firm up again. A quick return to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes should soften it up once more. Pair with Rosemary and Clementine Sparkler!

Given that wild rice is an iconic product grown in Manitoba, pulling it into a festive menu was simply too important not to include. Plus, the nutritional benefits outweigh many alternatives—especially with the addition of turmeric. This delicious rice is nutty, a bit sweet, a bit savoury, and a bit tart; paired with high-in-antioxidant berries and a delicious lacing of fresh herbs, this is a perfect side dish for the Three-Way Mixed Holiday Grill. Tip: Locally grown turmeric? Although turmeric originated in India, it’s widely cultivated around the world in mostly tropical and subtropical regions. But industrious farm hobbyists are beginning to successfully grow turmeric in Canada. With the right climate and proper care, it’s showing some success in areas where climate is warmer.

The elegance of this appetizer lies in its simplicity. Sweet, salty, spicy, and slightly smoky, it’s everything you want to have while sipping a cocktail this holiday season.