Food

Arame is a dark brown Japanese sea veg sold as long, wiry strands that are rich in dietary fiber. Its mild flavor makes arame one of the most versatile seaweeds and a great addition to salads and soups, as it won’t overpower other ingredients. If you don’t have arame, rehydrated and chopped kombu or wakame can be used in this recipe. You can also use cranberry, kidney, cannellini or orca beans if you’re adzuki bean-less. Whichever ingredient combo you use, each spoonful of this nourishing minestrone is like a liquid hug.

They’ve bean everywhere

Also called alaria and resembling pappardelle pasta noodles when rehydrated, lightly vegetal wakame is what you’re most likely to find floating in miso soup. It can also be the starring green in a riff on pesto. Slather the pesto between slabs of tofu and you’ve got a hearty vegan main. This briny pesto can also be dolloped on grain bowls!

Allowing this chutney to ferment gives it a more complex flavour that would be perfect to accompany any holiday meal.

Tip

This fermented vegetable medley is bursting with healthy goodness. After fermentation, the vegetables are still crisp yet have a nice tang that goes great with cheese, on a sandwich, as a garnish for soup, or tossed in a salad.

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These spice-kissed breakfast cookies are a perfect way to start your morning. By giving them, you’ll ensure your host also has a sunny start to their day. Oats and quinoa both provide a good amount of dietary fibre, which helps you feel satiated until your next meal.

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This indulgent treat is chock full of good-for-you ingredients. Both goji berries and cacao nibs are excellent sources of antioxidants, almonds contain a good dose of potassium which is essential for good heart health, and hemp hearts are a great source of plant-based protein. If you’re going to multiple holiday parties, this recipe doubles beautifully.

Tip

Healthy eating can be tricky come the holidays: temptation is everywhere. Give your host the gift of an easy, filling, and nutritionally satisfying meal with this delicious soup jar.

Tips

• Take the time to pick through your lentils, as occasionally you may find small stones.
• Jazz up this soup with additional vegetables or proteins. Chopped carrot, chopped celery, baby spinach, or shredded chicken added during the cooking process will add body and richness, making for a more filling meal.

Remoulade is a delicious cool and crisp side dish—perfect for everyday or special occasions. To the French it’s an elegant coleslaw made with a homemade mayonnaise. We’ve lightened it up without sacrificing flavour.

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A simple dinner to satisfy the day. For thousands of years, black rice was only available to Chinese royalty. Hence the name forbidden, perhaps? Given its reputation of being more impressive with higher nutrients than other rice grains, it’s popping up in mainstream stores and health food shops everywhere.

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Beautiful black pasta with a hint of squid—a delicious and visual dish perfect for a celebration meal. The flavour of salty anchovy coupled with fresh lemon is a taste explosion. This dish can be further jazzed up with some seared cherry tomatoes and broccolini!

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Have your cake and vegetable too! No need to turn on the oven for this delicious chocolate tart; it’s quick to assemble and satisfyingly rich. Plus, the added black beans make for a nutrient-dense dessert with healthy protein-rich carbs.

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Pretty tough to beat this delicious vegan steak. Cauliflower lends itself to so many flavours. We’ve paired our vegan cauliflower steak with a South American twist—chimichurri sauce. The combination of flavours coupled with the beautiful green sauce is perfect for the season.

Tip

Chicken soup is comfort in a bowl. And making it from scratch gives your broth oodles of healthy bone nutrients. Coupled with white lentils, it’s meal-worthy. Store in the freezer in handy single-serve containers for lunches or for giving when someone you know needs a hug.

Tips

• Switch out white lentils for red, beluga, or French lentils, if you wish. Jazz it up with a little fresh kale stirred in.
• If time is not on your side, use prepared low-sodium chicken stock. Add 3/4 lb (350 g) boneless, skinless chicken pieces along with lentils and simmer until both are cooked. Remove chicken and shred. Return to stock and stir in parsley and serve.

Cook the sweet potato the day before to speed up the process on Christmas Day. Light and savory—these make a great sharing breakfast.

Well, it wouldn’t be a vegan Christmas without a nut roast! Roasted in a wreath tin and topped with my cranberry sauce, it’s the perfect Christmas centerpiece.

Sage wisdom

Holiday feasts just don’t seem complete without the presence of a heaping bowlful of stuffing. This easy from-scratch version ditches the soggy white bread for much healthier quinoa and packs in plenty of satisfying herby flavor. Roasted sweet potatoes add creamy texture, and chunks of pear deliver seasonal sweetness to please a crowd. Nobody will be tempted to drown this stuffing in gravy.

Hot stuff

Sometimes you need a holiday from the holidays! Enter this fuss-free, nutrient-filled smoothie, with a chocolate flavor to take you away.

The classic Linzer torte will often be featured on the tables of Austrian households during the holidays. Made with a hazelnut or almond pastry, the torte is filled with a layer of red currant or raspberry jam. It’s traditionally topped with a decorative lattice of pastry. Taking inspiration from this decadent treat, this smoothie will cleverly curb your pastry cravings.

Be fancy free

I love creamy pastas like fettuccine Alfredo, but I also love the spices and flavors of Asian cuisine. I decided to meld my two loves into one creamy and comforting yet bold and spicy dish that revolves around my greatest love of all—matcha!

Im-press-ive tofu

A daring combination of parsnip and vanilla that I came up with during my time at Le Gallois restaurant. The vanilla works so well with the earthy creaminess of the parsnip.

The pretty pink color of this pasta is mesmerizing. It’s almost too pretty to eat . . . almost. Pro tip: Don’t throw out the beet greens! They are softer than kale but sturdier than spinach. I like to sauté them to add to my pasta for a more nutritious and complete meal.

Make-ahead tip

This one is a no-brainer! Add it to everything and live a happy life. I especially love adding this to quinoa Greek salad or anything with kale or loads of greens like cucumber and parsley! This dressing is on the thicker side, so if you add it to salads and know you usually fancy a lighter dressing, just add more water until you reach your preferred consistency! I suggest doubling the recipe if you want to have more for later. This will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days!

An essential condiment to spruce up your Christmas meal. [callout]

Nothing quite compares to the warm and spicy aroma of freshly baked gingerbread. This smoothie delivers all of gingerbread’s comfort in mere minutes. The kefir gives a good dose of probiotics to keep your tummy happy, and the pumpkin puree and rolled oats provide fiber to keep you feeling satisfied.

Squash those doubts