Dada Thanksgiving: Savory
exciting vegetarian contributions to your thanksgiving table, pt.1
It’s that time of year again…if you can believe it. The holidays, a real reason to wear a sweater, cuffing season (or whatever), and Thanksgiving. As it pertains to your Thanksgiving dinner, I have a hypothesis that there is a chance you may fall into one of four categories.
1) you plan your Thanksgiving menu on a spreadsheet weeks before the day
2) you make your grandmother’s casserole every year so why would this year be any different
3) you have no clue what you’re doing anywhere from now until right up to the big day
4) (and perhaps the most dreaded of them all from an outside perspective……) you’re vegetarian.
whether or not you choose to partake in turkey, I think it’s basically illegal to not have some great vegetarian dishes on the table.
No, god, please - I am not talking about your precious canned cranberry sauce which for the record, I will not touch. I’m talking, vegetarian dishes that make even the turkey-eaters go back for seconds (and not for the turkey, thank you very much).
welcome to my two-part thanksgiving series where I share some plant-based dishes that are perfect for your Thanksgiving table. first up, the savory items. in the next letter, you will be served dessert.
I hope you enjoy these recipes and I can’t wait to see them on your holiday tables. These are SO delicious and I know you’re going to love them as much as I do. I will be in New Zealand for Thanksgiving so while I will not be cooking myself, I am making sure you are fed (literally). So please, do this for me!!!
Sweet Potato Miso-Tahini Dip
I’m obsessed with this appetizer. It’s simple, delicious, and truly the perfect fall dip. It’s slightly sweet from the potato, but grounded and complemented by the savory tahini and umami miso. I love pairing this dip with crackers (I love the Simple Mills seed or almond flour varieties), but you can use your favorite — it’s a because it’s such an easy way to use sweet potatoes and create a dip that’s a true standout.
Massaged Kale Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Dates, and Mustard-Tahini Dressing
Ugh, the idea of a side salad makes me sick. Like, literally. Can we officially abolish salads that are sad and relegated to the “side” section of the menu? Let’s put some respect on salad’s name. Okay? Okay. This fall salad has everything you love about a salad (crunch, tang, chew, and more) and can stand up to the main dishes on your table as its own, or work to complement them beautifully. You won’t regret putting this one on your table. Did I mention there are dates in there? Now you know…
Crispy Oyster Mushrooms with Herby Sauce
In the quest to create a vegetarian large plate that would have a chance against your aunt’s turkey, but also make her a little jealous, I present to you these crispy oyster mushrooms with an herby tahini. Don’t say I didn’t tell her so. The oyster mushrooms are meaty and hearty, with a rich sauce that’s creamy yet of course, totally plant-based. This is not a side, it is a main attraction.
Rosemary-Turmeric Cornbread with Hot Honey
I know you’re going to raise your eyebrows when I tell you what I did with this cornbread but here goes, I made it gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free lol. And yet…it’s crumbly, perfect, addictive, graced with a hint of rosemary and just divine served warm with a hit of hot honey on top. Enjoy…
Charred Brussels Sprouts in Honey-Lime Tahini & Toasted Breadcrumbs
There is something so hot to me about a charred Bsprout. If I see a Brussels in its actual form, either steamed or with no golden color on it, I don’t want it anywhere near me. This is my favorite preparation of Brussels sprouts because it’s got that golden crisp but is then tossed in a dressing that you will want to put on everything. It’s creamy, tangy, sweet — all made better by a topping of breadcrumbs for crunch and texture. It is truly a pleasure to eat this dish…if I do say so myself.
I hope you love these recipes and can’t wait to see them on your Thanksgiving table. If you need anything or just want to say hi, hit me at samah@dadaeats.com.
HAPPY COOKING!
xx Samah