Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Sweet 'N' Spicy Pecans
A delicious menu idea for your Thanksgiving table.Ingredients
Serves 8
20 Brussels sprouts, halved
¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp (15 ml) nutritional yeast
½ cup (125 ml) maple syrup
¼ tsp (1 ml) cayenne pepper
⅛ tsp (0.5 ml) salt
½ cup (125 ml) chopped pecans
Instructions
- To make Sweet 'N' Spicy Pecans, Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C) and adjust rack to upper third of oven. In a large bowl, combine maple syrup, cayenne and salt. Toss in pecans. Spread pecan mixture on baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully stir pecans to coat with caramelized maple. Set aside to cool completely. Using a spatula, scrape up pecans when cooled and store in an airtight container in a cool dark place for up to 1 week.
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
- In a large bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt and pepper, to coat.
- Spread on a baking sheet or shallow baking dish cut-side down in single layer. Bake until tops of Brussels sprouts start to turn golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with nutritional yeast. Transfer to serving bowl.
- Top with Sweet 'n' Spicy Pecans.
Drink Pairings
KIMCHI POTATO SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 6
¼ cup (60 ml) dark brown sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice
¼ cup (60 ml) fish sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) water
¼ cup (60 ml) dry white wine
1 garlic clove, minced
2 red Thai chilies, minced, with or without seeds
1 ½ cups (375 ml) kimchi, homemade or store-bought, divided
1½ lbs (750 g) sweet potato scrubbed, cut into ¾-in (2 cm) chunks
1½ lbs (750 g) small new potatoes, halved
1½ cups (375 ml) celery chopped crosswise into ¼-in (0.5 cm) crescents
½ cup (125 ml) diced red onion
½ cup (125 ml) chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Instructions
- To make dressing, in a blender, mix brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, ¼ cup (60 ml) water, wine, garlic and chilies until sugar has dissolved. Add ½ cup (125 ml) kimchi and blend until well combined and smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Roughly chop remaining 1 cup (250 ml) kimchi and stir into dressing. Set aside.
- To prepare potatoes, set a steamer basket over a large saucepan filled with just enough water to touch bottom of basket. Add potatoes, cover and bring to a hard simmer over medium-high heat. Cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer potatoes in a single layer to a baking tray and let cool for at least 5 minutes. Alternatively, if you don’t have a steamer basket, place potatoes in a large saucepan, add cold water to cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and transfer in a single layer to a baking tray and let cool for at least 5 minutes.
- To large bowl with dressing add celery, onion, cilantro and mix well. Add potatoes and gently fold into dressing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until you are ready to enjoy. Potato salad will keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Drink Pairings
BARBECUED PINEAPPLE & CHICKEN NACHOS
Ingredients
Serves 4-6
1-in (2.5 cm) fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
2 cups (500 ml) pineapple juice
½ cup (125 ml) low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) granulated sugar
1/3 cup (75 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) toasted sesame oil
1 lb (500 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
½ medium pineapple, skin removed, cored and cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) rings
2 fresh jalapeños, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) grapeseed oil
1 x 12 oz (340 g) bag tortilla chips
2 cups (500 ml) shredded jack cheese
1 large tomato, diced
½ medium red onion, diced
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
2 radishes, thinly sliced into rounds, for garnish
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
1 lime, cut into wedges, to serve
Instructions
- To make marinade, in a large bowl, whisk together ginger, pineapple juice, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar and sesame oil. Whisk until sugar is dissolved and marinade is well incorporated. Set aside.
- Using paper towels, thoroughly pat chicken dry. Place chicken in a single layer on a cutting board and pound to an even thickness of about ½-in (1.25 cm). With a fork, pierce chicken throughout before lightly sprinkling with salt. Add chicken to marinade, ensuring all pieces are completely immersed (turn halfway through marinating time if unable to immerse completely). Cover and chill for at least 8 hours or up to overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high.
- Brush pineapple and 1 jalapeño with oil. Place on grill and cook until slightly charred, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Set aside.
- Remove chicken from marinade and place on grill. Discard remaining marinade. Grill chicken, turning occasionally, until cooked through, about 5 minutes total. Set aside.
- To assemble nachos, dice grilled pineapple and jalapeño. Dice or shred chicken and thinly slice remaining fresh jalapeño. On a foil-lined baking tray that will fit onto grill, layer chips, cheese, diced grilled pineapple, fresh and grilled jalapeño, chicken, tomato and onion. Cook on grill until warmed and cheese has melted, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- To serve, arrange nachos on a platter. Garnish with diced avocado, radish slices, fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges. Serve while warm.
Drink Pairings
Creamed Peas
Ingredients
Serves 6
¼ cup (60 ml) butter, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped onion
Pinch ground nutmeg
¾ tsp (4 ml) kosher salt
3 tbsp (45 ml) flour
2 cups (500 ml) whole milk, warmed
1 lb (500 g) frozen peas
Chopped green herbs, such as parsley, mint and/or chives, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, melt 3 tbsp (45 ml) butter then stir in onion, nutmeg and salt. Add flour, stirring until no lumps remain.
- Whisk in milk in small additions, whisking after each addition to prevent lumps. Once all milk has been added, bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, or until thickened. Set aside but keep warm.
- In a large sauté pan, heat remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter over medium heat. Add peas and stir to coat. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, or until heated through, stirring occasionally.
- Mix sauce into peas, then taste and adjust seasoning, as desired.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with chopped herbs.
Drink Pairings
Brown Butter & Brown Sugar Carrots
Ingredients
Serves 6
¼ cup (60 ml) butter
1 garlic clove, minced
8 large carrots, peeled and cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) slices on the bias
2 tbsp (30 ml) brown sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
½ tsp (2.5 ml) Champagne vinegar
1 sprig thyme
chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a large sauté pan, melt butter over medium-high heat, then continue cooking until butter is a medium brown colour and smells nutty. Watch carefully, stirring occasionally; timing will vary depending on stove. Remove from heat, add garlic and let sit for 10 to 15 seconds, or until fragrant.
- Add remaining ingredients, except parsley, and toss to coat. Cover and cook over low heat, tossing occasionally, for 25 to 30 minutes, until carrots are just tender. Remove lid and increase heat to medium-high. Reduce any liquid until it reaches a glaze consistency, tossing to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning, as desired. Remove from heat and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley.
Drink Pairings
Herb Parmesan Scones
Ingredients
Serves 15 scones
1¼ cups (310 ml) spelt flour
1¼ cups (310 ml) all-purpose flour, plus extra as needed
1½ tsp (7 ml) fine sea salt
1 tbsp (15 ml) baking powder
½ cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, chilled, cut into cubes
1⅓ cups (325 ml) plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp (30 ml) finely chopped fresh chives
1 tbsp (15 ml) finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves
¼ cup (60 ml) finely grated Parmesan, divided
butter or clotted cream, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 F (230 C). Place an ungreased baking sheet in oven while it is preheating.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flours, salt and baking powder. Add butter and rub it into flour mixture using fingertips, two butter knives or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal and butter is pea-sized
- In a glass measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together yogurt, chives, tarragon and 2 tbsp (30 ml) Parmesan. Add yogurt mixture to flour and butter mixture and stir with a fork until a shaggy dough forms. Take care not to overmix; it is fine if there are a few patches of flour mixture remaining.
- Turn dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and gently knead together about 4 or 5 times until dough comes together.
- Press dough into a 1-in (2.5 cm) thick square then cut in half and stack one half on top of the other. Repeat twice more. Pat dough into a rectangle about ¾-in (2 cm) thick, then cut into 15 squares, each about 1½-in (3.75 cm) across.
- Transfer biscuits to preheated baking sheet, leaving about ½-in (1.25 cm) between each. Sprinkle tops of scones with remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) Parmesan. Bake, rotating pan halfway through cooking time, until bottoms are deeply golden brown and baked through, about 10 to 13 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature the same day with butter or clotted cream, if desired.
Drink Pairings
Parker House Rolls served with Honey Butter
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
2 cups (500 ml) whole milk, warmed
¼ cup (60 ml) sugar
2 x ¼ oz (7 g) envelopes instant yeast
½ cup plus 3 tbsp (125 + 45 ml) unsalted butter, melted, divided
2 large eggs
6 cups (1.5 L) all-purpose flour
1 tbsp (15 ml) kosher salt
2 tsp (10 ml) flaky sea salt
1 tsp (5 ml) thyme leaves
Honey Butter, recipe follows, to serve
½ cup (125 ml) honey
1 cup (250 ml butter, softened
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
Instructions
- In bowl of a stand mixer, combine milk, sugar and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes, or until yeast has dissolved and is bubbly.
- Add ½ cup (125 ml) butter, eggs, flour and kosher salt. Mix with a dough hook until smooth and elastic, about 3 to 5 minutes. If you do not have a mixer, mix and knead by hand until smooth and elastic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Transfer dough to a clean bowl and cover with a damp towel. Let rise at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour, depending on temperature of room. Or, place in refrigerator and let rise overnight.
- Grease a 9 x 11-in (23 x 28 cm) oven-safe casserole or baking dish. Roll dough out to 1-in (2.5 cm) thick and cut into rounds with a 3-in (8 cm) biscuit cutter. Fold each round in half like a taco and stand the “tacos” in casserole, open side facing up. Re-roll and cut excess dough and repeat.
- Cover with a damp towel and let proof until doubled in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Transfer rolls to oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked all the way through.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes. While rolls are still warm, brush with remaining 3 tbsp (45 ml) melted butter and sprinkle with flaky salt and thyme. Serve with Honey Butter.
- TO MAKE THE HONEY BUTTER: Mix all ingredients together until combined, then transfer to a serving dish. Makes 1½ cups (325 ml)
Drink Pairings
Roasted Artichokes served with Garlic Aioli
Ingredients
Serves 4 - 6
FOR THE GARLIC AIOLI:
¾ cup (180 ml) best-quality mayonnaise
1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
2 tbsp (30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium garlic clove, finely grated
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
FOR THE ARTICHOKES:
4 large artichokes, rinsed and trimmed
½ lemon
8 whole garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 tbsp (30 ml) salted butter, cut into 8 cubes
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup (125 ml) dry white wine
Instructions
- To make Garlic Aioli, in a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Mix well to combine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a serving dish, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- To make artichokes, bring a large, deep saucepan of well-salted water to a boil. Add artichokes and lemon half and bring back to a moderate boil. Cover saucepan partially and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Add garlic and continue cooking for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until bases of artichokes can be pierced with point of a knife. Remove artichokes, lemon and garlic from water and set aside to cool.
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Cut each artichoke in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, remove and discard hairy chokes from centres and peel off and discard any loose leaves. Arrange artichokes cut side up in an ovenproof ceramic or glass baking dish; they should fit snugly. Slice lemon into 8 pieces. Peel garlic and place 1 clove and 1 lemon piece into centre of each artichoke half. Top each with a cube of butter, drizzle olive oil over everything and season well with salt and pepper. Pour wine into bottom of baking dish, cover tightly with foil and transfer to oven. Roast for 15 minutes, then remove foil and continue roasting for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until there is no liquid left in bottom of dish.
- To serve, place artichokes cut side up on a platter. Dollop about 1 tbsp (15 ml) Garlic Aioli into centre of artichoke alongside garlic and lemon and serve remaining aioli on the side.
Drink Pairings
Salt-Crusted Potatoes served with Soft Herb Salsa
Ingredients
Serves 4 - 6
2 lbs (1 kg) small, equal-sized unpeeled potatoes (such as creamers), scrubbed
1½ tbsp (22 ml) fine sea salt
FOR THE SOFT HERB SALSA:
1 medium green jalapeño pepper, seeded, coarsely chopped, or to taste
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup (250 ml) tightly packed cilantro leaves
1 cup (250 ml) tightly packed tarragon leaves
1 cup (250 ml) tightly packed flat leaf parsley leaves
1 white anchovy fillet (optional)
¼ cup (60 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus extra to taste
⅔ cup (150 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) red wine vinegar, plus extra to taste
2 tsp (10 ml) ground cumin, toasted
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place potatoes in a large, shallow pan that will accommodate them in a single, even layer. Add salt and 4 generous cups (just over 1 L) cold water. Bring water to a boil over medium-high heat and boil until water has evaporated and potatoes are fully cooked, about 12 to 15 minutes. Decrease heat to low and continue to cook for a few minutes, shaking pan until potatoes are dry and skins are covered with a thin crust of salt.
- Meanwhile, make Soft Herb Salsa. In bowl of a food processor, combine jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, tarragon, parsley and anchovy, if using. Pulse until chopped, then add lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar, cumin and salt and pepper to taste, being aware that potatoes are already salted. Process until smooth and taste for seasoning, adding a little extra lemon juice or vinegar if needed. Transfer to a serving dish.
- To serve, pile potatoes onto a serving platter and serve salsa on the side.
Drink Pairings
Croissant & Mushroom Stuffing
Ingredients
Serves 8-10
¼ cup (60 ml) butter, divided
2 cups (500 ml) sliced mushrooms
20 croissants, left uncovered for 3 days to become stale
1 cup (250 ml) half-and-half cream
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
4 eggs
1 tbsp (15 ml) grainy mustard
3 sprigs thyme, leaves picked and roughly chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
10 oz (283 g) Gruyère cheese, sliced
Instructions
- Butter a 9 x 11-in (23 x 28 cm) casserole dish with 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter.
- In a large frying pan, sauté mushrooms in remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) butter over medium heat until cooked through and slightly browned, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Slice each croissant into 3 chunks.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together cream, chicken stock, eggs, mustard and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place croissants in casserole dish. Tuck a slice of cheese and some mushrooms in between each croissant piece. Pour egg mixture over and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). Transfer casserole to oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until liquid has set and a knife comes out clean. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.