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Thursday, November 4, 2010

November-The Vegan Month of Food!

Dennis' Brussels 2

Oh My Dearies, how I have missed you!

Well, my lovelies, it's November. And though I very much dislike leaving the enchanted month of October, I must admit that this new month has its redeeming qualities-especially in the realm of all things culinary. Yes, November brings us turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and an array of delicious sweets from cranberry sauce to pumpkin and sweet potato pie (my favorite;)!

That all being said, this month is also a special time for our vegan lovelies, as it is The Vegan Month of Food! Though I am not a true vegan, I like to consider myself a part-time vegan. Plus, I just want to be supportive of my favorite vegan elves and their cuisine, which I must say is quite underrated. Me thinks at least...

To get the month started, I have a line up of some of the vegan foods I made this week-a couple of which came from two of my favorite blogs. First...

Chef Dennis of More Than A Mount Full's delicious and super healthful Roasted Brussels. I loved these roasted sprouts next to a bed of mashed potatoes and beans. The outside is crisp and crunchy with a soft, earthy interior.

I prepared the sprouts just as Dennis instructed by tossing them in a touch of olive oil and then sprinkling with salt and pepper to my liking. Whole garlic cloves were also added to the mix for flavor. I then placed the sprouts in a baking pan and roasted them at 375 degrees for 30-40 minutes depending on sprout size.

This post also has a recipe for cranberry beans, candied acorn squash, and a wicked looking cranberry relish that are all vegan!

I also made a pesto with my radish tops that I pulled from the garden. I must say that it is all gone within a day, and I'm craving more due to it being so aromatic and healthful. Here's the recipe:

Radish Top Pesto
3 Cups Washed Radish Tops (Greens)*
1 Hefty Handful Basil Leaves
2/3 Cup Raw Sunflower Seeds (Toasted)
2 Garlic Cloves
5-6 Olive Oil packed Sun Dried Tomatoes
1/8 Tsp. Black Pepper
1/8 Tsp. Salt
Olive Oil
*Make sure it's three full cups-even when you push down on the greens.

On a stove top, bring a pan to medium low heat and place the raw sunflower seeds in it. Allow to toast for about 4-5 minutes stirring the seeds at least once to make sure they are evenly toasted.

In a food processor, place the seeds and pulse for just about 3 seconds. Then place the radish tops, basil, garlic, tomatoes, salt and pepper inside and pulse till fully combined (about 10 seconds). Pour the olive oil through the top and pulse. Pour the oil in till you reach your desired consistency. I used about 1/4 cup +/-, but you may want more or less.

Salt & Pepper to taste. Enjoy!















Lastly, we enjoyed this soup from Quickies on the Dinner Table. It is a super simple vegan soup that is full of protein, and I must say that soups like this are so warm and relaxing. Does anyone else feel like soup relaxes?

The soup also happens to be delicious and velvety smooth. Denise uses classic European herbs in this recipe, which keep it simple. In fact, the Chick Pea, Garlic, & Bread Soup has only 5 ingredients to make the actual soup. Then bread, lemon, and parsley are added for extra heartiness...



















I hope you all have a relaxing weekend, My Lovelies!

72 comments:

  1. Stella-it all looks good, but I'm especially intrigued by the radish top pesto. It's sort of like "nose to tail" eating for vegans! :)

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  2. Oh dear, another great post.
    I would eat it all and lick the bowl clean ♥

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  3. Stella, your radish top pesto sounds delicious! I love, love, love radishes! It's hard to find recipes to use them in, so I can't wait to try this. And yes, you somehow manage to make Brussels sprouts look appealing. Wow. :-)

    Thanks for yet another feast for the eyes.

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  4. Please don't think I am dumb but you use radish tops?! I always throw them away. I guess that's like me finding out that the stalk of broccoli is filled with vitamins. I love pestos of all sorts..I must try this one. Sounds too good!

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  5. ok this is totally a "eudaemonic" post for me. i most likely used the word wrong, but i know what it means thanks to a very kind witch ;-)
    when i saw the picture of those brussels sprouts, my eye lit up. ever since trying roasted brussels sprout with balsamic vinegar, i've been obsessed. it's so funny cause i was just asking Valerie how she cooks hers. i knew how you do yours from your last post and how chef dennis does his but i needed to know how Valerie did hers. she's another wizard in the kicthen whom i totally respect. and Denise, if you're reading this....yup, you're next...lol. ok maybe i'll save her my stalking email and just post it as a question on my next post.

    this is why i love blogging so much, you get to try out other people's recipes and share your own. your pesto sounds awesome, Stella. i've never used radish tops before, what a great way not to waste that part. and your pesto turned out such a great colour.

    Denise has so many wonderful recipes that i want to try. another genius in the kitchen. great post, Stella. i'm sure you had a huge smile on your face while enjoying these goodies, i know i would.

    lastly, you definitely produce happiness and well being in the blogosphere, dear. there's no doubt about that. so please keep blogging the way you blog. i always leave with a smile on my face.....see? :-D

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  6. Wow this is amazingly healthy will have to dig deeper into understanding the many things you turn into fabulous works of art! love soup, love the brussel sprouts lovely post!

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  7. That radish-top pesto sounds delightful, though I'm sure the handful of basil contributes to the flavour as well :) Have fun in your November eatings!

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  8. I just recently learned to love brussels sprouts, so this recipe looks really good to me now. By the way, I'm holding a CSN giveaway on my blog and you're welcome to come by and enter. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2010/11/45-csn-giveaway.html

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  9. Thank you for the shout out Stella - I am so pleased that you like the soup, simple though it is :) I must try Dennis's way with brussel sprouts. The only ones I've ever eaten were boiled then buttered and were pretty awful but I like the looks of his recipe. I can't find radishes with their tops still on, but if I ever get my hands on any, guess what I'm going to do with them? ;)

    LeQuan said it best - keep blogging and keep us smiling!

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  10. Stella, it has never occurred to me to eat the greens off my radishes. I feel like someone has played a cruel trick on me, not telling me they are edible! What will I learn here next I wonder???

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  11. Woo...you know I love brussel sprouts. And I like that you use the radish tops for pesto. I can use that for my daikon leaves next time. So you may like to sprinkle roughly chopped radish tops (the leaves) after you make your vegetable soup. They add the finishing touch to a vegetarian soup. :D

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  12. I love brussels sprouts!!! But why anyone boils them is beyond me. They are so good roasted. I always cut mine in half and roast for 20 mins at 450 and 10 at 500 but I like extremely roasty/burnt veggies :)

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  13. my boyfriend is obsessed with brussel sprouts! i have been contemplating roasting some for him and now i have a recipe! much thanks!

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  14. The pesto sounds really interesting and the brussel sprouts sound delicious. I usually eat mine with pine nuts, and roasted of course. SO much better.
    And regarding vegetarianism - I've been a 'strict vegetarian' for the past two weeks (no eggs). I really enjoy it because it makes you think more creatively in the kitchen. I've been making veggie broth and discovered roasted Cinderella pumpkins - so good.

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  15. Oh, Stella thanks for featuring Brussels Sprouts. Once I understood how to cook them, I have come to love these little lovelies.

    Dan and I are part-time vegetarians. I always feel better when I eat this way. I think that humans evolved in an environment where meat was rare, and that is what our bodies function best on.

    Happy November!

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  16. Yummy looking food! That peasto must be delicious.

    Happy Vegan Month!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  17. I love brussels roasted with olive oil, sea salt and pepper. I enjoyed them the other night in a dish with pumpkin ravioli. I also like the pesto and soup- it all looks delicious, healthy and as always inspirational, thanks Stella:) Nice mentions of your fellow foodies and their healthy presentations!

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  18. absolutely love brussels sprouts! despite of their bad reputation.
    Thank you so much for the nice comment at Chef Dennis' blog. I look forward to reading more of your delicious posts. Have a great weekend. Michael

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  19. Radish pesto, wow...STELLA, you are a creative kitchen witch! Time for some brussels sprouts!

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  20. I love your pictures! I've come across a few recipes for brussel sprouts in the past couple days and yours look amazing. I've never made them before because I always thought they were bitter and gross, but I'm told that roasting them solves that bitterness issue. Thanks for the recipes!

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  21. This month is vegan month?! I have no idea! haha.
    I like when you said you were a part-time vegan hehe. Then, I can be a part-time vegetarian(?) :D

    You did a great job on making those Brussels from Dennis's recipe and the soup from Denise's! I also like your pesto. It's so green goddess! I'm surprised it doesn't have any red shine.

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  22. I'm growing lots of radishes, Stella, and had no idea the tops were edible. I love that I can use everything! I bet's that 3 fairly packed cups?

    I want to see the bread you told me about!! I'm sure it's great but not up to your own standard.

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  23. Both of the dishes are great finds, thanks for sharing them with us Stella. I heard of the Vegan Month, even though I'm not one I will try to make more vegan dishes as my way of participating. Your pesto is just divine! I love the ingredients, they sound like they came together perfectly. I can't wait to see what you will be cooking for Thanksgiving, especially the sweet potato pie. ( I've never tried it) Have a fabulous weekend Stella.

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  24. I am a part time vegan as well! Happy Vegan month of food to you :)! Your pesto sounds awesome!

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  25. What a lovley November post. All those orginla recipes sound wonderful. And yes! I do find soup relaxes me; it seems to make the world a better place.
    Rita

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  26. What a wonderful celebration of vegan food! I love all of these recipes, but especially am enamored by that soup. I can almost taste the deliciousness from here...

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  27. These dishes look wonderful, Stella! :)

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  28. Really unusual pesto, Stella! Can't wait to try it. Going off to check out all the links!

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  29. Unfortunately I love my meat too much to become a vegatarian...BUT I do love ALL my veggies!! And especially these sprouts in winter! All of these veggies you give us here is a feast for the palate...and eye! Enjoy your month of veagn delicacies...I'll enjoy along..
    bisous
    Ronelle

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  30. Vegan month, you say? Well, you've inspired me to get back to work on some vegan goodies. Radish top pesto sounds like a wonderful treat, if only those radishes in my garden would grow!

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  31. I am not even sure where to start I want to eat is all!!

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  32. I'm a big fan of the Brussel Sprout. These looks gorgeous as does that radish top pesto! I would love to to give both of these recipes a try.

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  33. Where do you come up with these amazing ideas? I haven't ever purchased a radish, nevermind thought of making a pesto with them. I am suddenly inspired to locate radishes in the grocery store...

    And a 5 ingredient soup sounds great to me! I am off to check out the link.

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  34. I've been wondering what I could do with those radish tops! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  35. Well even though I do eat meat I have MANY vegan days, and they are just as rich and flavorful as my carnivorous ones. I love Brussels sprouts so much, and yours have me so worked up that I bought a whole fresh stalk at the farmers market today. I can't WAIT to eat it with some of your lovely mashies. MMMMM.

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  36. Hello dearie Stella!
    You will make me try these brussels sprouts soon!! It's been over 15 years i have not eaten them...
    I will start by this lovely radish pesto, though...

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  37. I am not even a part-time vegan, but all of these look delicious to me. I am especially enamoured of the soup. I'd love to try the brussel sprouts but my husband detests them. Might have to give them a go anyway and tell him to cook his own darned dinner! I did love your guest post on Dennis's blog!

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  38. What a great selection of vegan dishes! Love them!

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  39. Nice little collection of vegan dishes Stella. Have tried Chef Dennis's roasted brussels, normally not a fan of the old brussel sprouts, but I have to admit I did like his recipe.

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  40. Hey, Stella! :)

    Your sprouts and pesto look great. I've never had radish tops, though. For some reason I imagine they're a bit bitter like arugula... am I close?

    Hope you're well and having fun with the Vegan Month of Food! :D

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  41. Delicious! I love brussels sprouts!

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  42. Both dishes sound fantastic! Soups are especially good for this time of the year as it is getting cold....

    Sorry for not coming round more, but my PC troubles got the better of me. Now that the PC is well again, the owner is coming down with a bug...sigh

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  43. I'm not too sure about the brussel sprouts, but I'm definitely going to try the pesto and the soup! They sound delicious!

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  44. Hi Stella

    Thanks so much for the mention!! Your Brussels Sprouts look delicious!! But what really caught my attention was that radish top pesto!!! that is certainly a wow, what a great idea!! I am soooo tired coming back from San Fran, but what a great bunch of foodies, we had a blast! I wish you could have been there, your name was mentioned more than once!!
    Cheers
    Dennis

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  45. All these recipes look absolutely delicious, Stella! I will have one of each, please!

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  46. I missed you alot! Stella! this look really tasty and yummy! x gloria

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  47. Stella, your version of pesto sounds and looks fabulous...I have to try more veggie dishes :-)

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  48. Radish top pesto?! Sounds lovely! Delish dish!

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  49. Brussel sprouts are one of my favorite autumn veggies! I've never roasted them whole, I shall try that next time. Also the radish top pesto looks very good!

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  50. My Stellita,

    Some day, you will have to give me an intensive course to teach me to make all these lovely AND healthy dishes...a private course...you know my Italian background makes me unbearably possessive ;D LOL
    Excelente trabajo!
    Besitos, Cristina

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  51. stella! always a pleasure to read your entries! You know whats funny? I dont think I've ever tasted brussel sprouts before. haha

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  52. Happy Vegan month !!! what a great way to kick off the occasion, I drooled over denise's soup and glad you featured it, how beautiful your pics are in your new place, I hope all is well with your new job, but then again who would fall right under your witchy spell? take care and thanks for the commnent on chuls dip, she was overly excited for it to be featured..

    sweetlife

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  53. Oh, then I should cook more meatless meal in this November. :)

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  54. Oh they all look divine. But the pesto!!! The pesto is a stroke of brilliance! well done.

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
    www.mawhats4dinner.com

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  55. All three recipes look completely delicious! We do a similar recipe for Brussels sprouts but we chop them in half and grill them on the stove. I agree with you - that recipe would go good with the other yummies you have listed to. Can't wait to try your other recipes. Yumm!

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  56. ur pesto sounds amazing! i'm not a vegan, but i just made some awesome hummus the other day..would go great with that pesto

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  57. Delightful round up of recipes here...they are all great!
    Beautiful pesto, love the use of radish tops...lovely :)

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  58. Radish Top pesto sounds so practical and smart and delicious. I have saved it to make next summer when I have some tops.!
    :)
    Valerie

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  59. oh my gosh YUM, i just had dinner and now im hungry again hahahhah :)

    Zoe
    blessed bee apothecary

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  60. Radish top pesto sounds and looks amazing! Would love to spread some on a newly baked bread now.

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  61. Vegan appreciation month! It is about time. How I missed your creative writings.

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  62. Great veggie dishes! I'm especially intrigued by the radish top pesto, definitely would love to give that a try!

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  63. Stella!! How are you?!? Oh, how I've missed reading your blog, and now that I finally have some time to catch up on my reading I see why. Your photos are stunning and all your recipes look soooo good. The brussel sprouts look perfect for a T-giving side dish. And the radish top pesto sounds really interesting. I have a bunch of radish tops that I are getting a bit funky in the fridge...this would be a great save for them. I really admire your efforts to eat vegan. I have been a vegetarian for a long time now, but veganism always seems like such a challenge for me since I LOVE cheese, butter, milk, and eggs. Your vegan recipes look great and are very inspiring. :)

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  64. your sprouts encouraged me to try sprouts... check it out!

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  65. That is some good lookin' pesto most definitely packed with delicious flavors!

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  66. Wow, I'm usually pretty adventurous with pestos but radish tops??? Nice one! Very clever.

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  67. Just the sight of brussel sprouts sends me sinning! We love them at our house.... love the vegan theme - xoxo Megan

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  68. Check out my blog I passed on a blog award to you!

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Please do comment, Dearies!