“Make this holiday season your most delicious one yet with these easy-to-follow festive recipes.”

-Rose Caiola

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Perfect party dishes for the season

Unsure what food to prepare for your guests at the upcoming holiday party? Not to worry! I’ve selected three great nutritious recipes to keep you happy and healthy this holiday season.

Curried Pumpkin Pear Soup

INGREDIENTS:
SERVINGS: 8

• 1 small pumpkin, de-seeded, cut into chunks
• 1 large pear, sliced without seeds
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled, whole
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small bunch flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• water
• salt, to taste
• fresh ground pepper, to taste

METHOD:

In a large pot, combine all ingredients with water – enough water to cover by 2 inches. Cover pot and cook on medium low for 20 minutes – until pumpkin is tender.

Let cool, then ladle ingredients into blender and purée until creamy. Salt and pepper to taste.

Baby Fruit Mince Pies

Makes:  12 – 24 baby pies, depending on size of muffin tin.

Crust

• 2 cups almonds / cashews – or use coconut to make nut-free
• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
• 1 1/2 cups OG medjool dates
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Himalayan salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

STEPS

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until mixed (tip: blend the cashews first for 30 seconds)
2. Grease the tray with a little coconut oil to prevent from sticking or use cupcake holders. Press the mixture into muffin tray, and then place in the freezer to set for 30 minutes.

 For the filling

• 3 grated apples or pears
• 1 cup OG Medjool dates – make sure to remove the stone!
• 1/4 cup orange juice – add lots of zest for extra oomph!
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 pinch Himalayan salt
• 1 cup raisins
• Lemon rind
• 1 thump of ginger (or 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder)

STEPS

1. Set aside in a bowl to marinade for 2-4 hours (OPTIONAL)
2. Grind all ingredients until they form a paste in your food processor.
3. Fill each muffin case with a little of the mixture, then top with the cashew icing and garnish!

 For the cashew icing

• 1 1/2 cups cashews
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice and zest
• Pinch of Himalayan salt
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

STEPS

1. Blend all ingredients in a high-speed blender until completely smooth.
2. Garnish with goji berries, lemon rind or nutmeg (or all three!why not?)

Classic Holiday Cookies (from the Caiola Family)

These are very simple and basic cookies. They can be made into any shape or can be made into a rolled, stuffed cookie by adding any filling you want: chopped nuts, Nutella, jam, etc.

INGREDIENTS

• 6 eggs
• 2 cups/1pound of flour
• 2 cups of sugar
• Rind of ½ of a lemon
• 1 cup of butter
• 1 teaspoon lemon and vanilla extract
• 6 teaspoons of baking powder

STEPS

1. Beat eggs and sugar together until frothy.
2. Add butter, extracts and lemon rind – mix until well combined.
3. Add baking powder to flour, and then add to wet mixture a little at a time.
4. Combine all ingredients and continue to mix until you reach a soft consistency. Don’t over mix because dough will be too firm. Cookie dough should be soft and easy to work with.
5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown.

 

Rose Caiola
Inspired. Rewired.