thanksgiving

KABOCHA SQUASH, FENNEL & RED LENTIL SOUP (FROM LIVING AYURVEDA) by Lindsey | Dolly and Oatmeal


since autumn began, it took me a while to warm up to winter squash. but now that the temperatures have finally dipped in southern cailfornia, i’m in the winter-squash-zone. and as you can probably tell from the recipes from these past couple weeks, kabaocha squash is my absolute favorite. it’s flavor is mellow - it’s not overly sweet like butternut squash, nor is it too earthy. it hits somewhere in the middle which when combined with its fluffy velvety texture, makes this squash my forever go-to. especially for soup.

personally, i feel like soup kind of gets neglected in the thanksgiving hub-bub. maybe i’m the only one, but i feel like a good soup deserves a place at the holiday table, for sure. i typically make a apple-butternut soup (it’s an old recipe a former co-worker gave me back in the day, and it never disappoints), or my kabocha squash soup with spicy coconut cream from a few years back. but this year i’m switching it up with this kabocha squash, fennel and red lentil soup.

this beautiful recipe comes from my pal, claire’s upcoming book, living ayurveda. i love the simple approach to this one pot soup. there’s no roasting involved either. all the ingredients and flavors get stewed together, developing a really wonderful flavor. the lentils, which get blended into the soup after they’ve cooked, add a hearty note while providing a good bit of protein. claire calls for spices like: ground cumin, and coriander, and ground fenugreek, giving this soup a robust flavor, which is perfect for this time of year, especially when it seems like were all going to hunkering down once again.

if there ever was a time for claire’s book, living ayurveda, i think we are definitely living through it. i got to know claire years ago, and what i’ve always admired about her approach to self-care/balance/well-being, is that nothing is a one-size-fits-all. that there is no single diet or lifestyle approach that is meant for each person. she carries this powerful notion throughout her book and guides you through various ways to nourish yourself - in depth yoga and breathing sequences, an array of vegetarian recipes (not all gluten-free) that are meant to balance your body through the seasons. it’s one of those books you can read again and again, and still take away so much.

wishing all my stateside friends a safe and socially distant holiday, big love! xo



kabocha squash, fennel & red lentil soup | gf

recipe from Living Ayurveda by Claire Ragozzino

PRINT THE RECIPE

| 4-6 servings |

ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons ghee or olive oil

  • 1 small fennel bulb, trimmed and sliced thinly, fronds reserved for garnish

  • 1 tablespoon minced or grated fresh ginger

  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric

  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek

  • 3 cups cubed kabocha squash, peeled and deseeded

  • 1 cup red lentils, rinsed well

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 5-6 cups water

  • 1 tablespoon white miso paste (i used a gluten-free miso)

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • plain yogurt, for serving (i used a plant-based yogurt)

method

  1. in a pot, heat the ghee (or live oil) on medium-low heat. add the fennel and saute until tender. add the ginger and cook another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. add the apices and stir to coat the fennel. add the kabocha squash, stir to coat, and cook another 3-4 minutes. last, add the red lentils, salt, and water. cover and cook on medium heat for 40 minutes. stir occasionally, adding more water, if needed.

  2. once the lentils and squash are tender, almost mushy, remove from heat and in the miso paste and lemon juice. transfer to a blender and puree until creamy. taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

  3. serve hot with a swirl of yogurt and fennel fronds on top.


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9 (GLUTEN-FREE & VEGAN) POTATO RECIPES FOR YOUR HOLIDAY TABLE by Lindsey | Dolly and Oatmeal

coming in at the last minute with some of my favorite back pocket potato recipes that are perfect for your thanksgiving table. and instead of the ubiquitous mashed potato recipe, we’ve got roasted, smashed, garlicky, salty, creamy, accordion-style; and my favorite: a vegan potato and shallot gratin! you kind of can’t go wrong with any of these, and the best part is they’re all gluten-free and vegan. so no worries when you have a guest with a specific dietary restriction. i hope these bring you some last minute inspiration.

wishing you all a most wonderful thanksgiving ❤️

PEREFECTLY ROASTED POTATOES, EVERYTIME

this is my go-to roasted potato technique each and every time. it’s a no-fail kind of deal that’s perfect for any kind of occasion - whether that’s a typical weeknight dinner, or a holiday feast. you can dress them up as you like, or leave them as is and finish with some flaky sea salt. i personally love a traditional tuscan-style seasoning.

CRISPY SMASHED POTATOES W/ GARLICKY-YOGURT VINAIGRETTE & PICKLED RED ONIONS

you can never go wrong with smashed potatoes - velvety, fluffy insides, and crisp, golden exterior. add an almost drinkable garlicky-yogurt vinaigrette and you’re good to go. while this takes a couple extra steps, each one is intentional and takes this dish up a notch. crowd-pleaser for sure.

WARM FINGERLING POTATOES W/ GARLIC-TURMERIC SAUCE

a site-favorite for years. this warm potato dish with a creamy turmeric-garlic sauce is classic through and through. it’s what we call a “flavor bomb”. earthy turmeric, mixed with some pungent minced garlic, creamy yogurt, and nutty tahini paste. easy to put together, and visually pleasing for your holiday table.

SALTY SMASHED POTATOES W/ HARISSA YOGURT

more smashed potatoes, because one recipe isn’t enough! this one is a little lighter on the ingredient list, but no less flavorful. again, we par-boil, smash, oil, bake, and let the potatoes get nice and crispy. we serve it with a spicy, yet cooling yogurt dipping sauce, and it makes the most delicious little dish.

HASSELBACK POTATO & SHALLOT GRATIN

this is mother os all holiday potato dishes, and therefore it deserves a little more time to put it together. if you have a mandolin you’re going to want to bust it out, because we’re slicing almost a dozen potatoes, and about a half dozen of shallots. the cheesy sauce relies on cashews and store-bought vegan mozzarella, and it bakes up perfectly browned and creamy, your guests will never know they’re not eating dairy.

TWICE-BAKED SWEET POTATOES W/ PUMPKIN SEED DUKKAH

a slightly healthier version of your dairy/cream-laden twice baked potatoes, this recipe uses garnet yams (sweet potatoes), and vegan cream cheese and butter. the dukkah on top though is the icing on the cake, and offers what is already a delicious potato dish, even more flavor. plus, i love these because they’re an easy make-ahead dish that just needs to be warmed the day of.

ROASTED FINGERLING POTATOES W/ ROMESCO SAUCE & HERBY BLACK QUINOA

i love a perfectly rounded dish, and this one is just that. warm roasted potatoes, freshly cooked quinoa, and a creamy romesco sauce. not a typical thanksgiving dish, but one that will certainly please the folks around your table.

ROASTED SWEET POTATO WEDGES W/ GREEN YOGURT DIP

now that i have children (one of them being a picky toddler), i’m always thinking of options that are kid-friendly. this one surely checks that box. at our house we call these wedges “big orange fries”, and i serve them with some sort dipping sauce, in this case a green yogurt (hidden with all sorts of leafy greens). it’s the kind of side that pleases kids and adults alike - win, win.



GARLICKY ACCORDIAN POTATOES

this is one of the oldest dishes on my site (we’re talking 2013, here!), and it still stands the test of time. if you’re a garlic lover, this one’s for you (and if you’re not, you could easily substitute the garlic with sliced shallots). i also love accordion potatoes because they’re visually pleasing and sure to impress whoever you serve them to. i use sweet potatoes here, but feel free to use your preferred spud :)


"CHEESY" SPINACH & BUTTERNUT BAKED SHELLS | V & GF by Lindsey | Dolly and Oatmeal


we’re coming in to the homestretch of the year, and with that brings all the holidays. my aim this holiday season is to create simple recipes to ring in the holiday season, that are approachable, allergen-friendly, and (importantly) delicious. first up, is this creamy pasta bake that my family adores. this is the kind of dish that pleases just about any customer. #1: there’s pasta involved, and who doesn’t love a chewy, warm carb? #2: the creamy “cheesy” sauce will make you think you’re eating a traditional mac ‘n cheese drowning in dairy, when you’re actually not. #3: it’s kid-friendly! amesy, who doesn’t like pasta, will eat this dish with actual glee. so i’m quite sure any other child out there (picky or not) will love it as well. and lastly #4: it’s super easy to put together (you could actually make the sauce and cracker crust ahead of time) and makes a bunch of leftovers (especially if you’re single or a small family). have i convinced you to make this yet?

the sauce is butternut squash-based which gives it that nostalgic mac ‘n cheese color, while also providing flavor and nutrients (yay!). instead of flavoring the sauce with pantry items to make it taste cheesy, i actually add a good bit of plant-based cheese to really give it the depth of cheesy flavor we want in a baked pasta situation. and i can’t overstate how much i love Thrive algae oil here as well. i use it in the sauce and the cracker crust. with the highest level of good-for-you, heat-stable monounsaturated fats and the lowest level of bad fats of any cooking oil, it provides everything we need, without affecting the “cheese” vibe one bit - it’s completely neutral in flavor, despite what you might assume about algae! plus, it gives the sauce that lush and velvety texture that’s so satisfying. (i also love that it’s so widely found in grocery stores across the US, and easily accessible online as well.)

my intention for sharing this recipe is that it makes for a great weeknight meal of course, but that it’s also reliable and sturdy enough to serve alongside your thanksgiving staples as a vegan AND gluten-free option for guests that lean that way. but i’m also sure that folks around the table that don’t have a specific dietary restriction will love it all the same! and can i say that this makes for a healthy-ish dish too? i use chickpea pasta here (protein), the butternut squash sauce is mixed together with a healthy amount of fresh spinach (fiber), and the sauce is also mixed with algae oil replacing saturated fats found in other cooking oils with
all those good monounsaturated fats our bodies need and love. it’s a well-rounded meal without even really trying to be. aren’t dishes like that the best? i hope you love this one as much as my family and i do :)

xo!

this post was created in partnership with Thrive Algae Oil. all opinions, as always, are my own. thank you for supporting the sponsors that keep dolly and oatmeal running.



cheesy spinach & butternut baked shells | gf & v

| serves 4-6 |

butternut sauce

  • 1 1/2 cups butternut squash puree

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

  • 1/4 cup thrive algae oil

  • 4 ounces vegan mozzarella

  • 2 cloves garlic

  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt

  • 3/4 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

cheesy cracker crust

  • 2/3 cup gluten-free cracker crumbs

  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 2-3 tablespoons thrive algae oil

  • leaves from 4 sprigs fresh thyme

pasta bake

  • 1 pound gluten free pasta shells

  • kosher salt

  • 2 1/2 cups spinach, roughly chopped

  • fresh herbs (i like sage and thyme), to garnish



method

  1. preheat oven to 425°F, and oil a 10-inch baking dish.

  2. make the cracker crust. combine the cracker crumbs, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and thyme in the container of a blender and pulse everything together until combined. transfer to a mixing bowl, and use a fork to mix in the oil until the mixture looks wet and sandy. set aside and wipe out the blender container.

  3. make the butternut sauce. in your blender container, combine the butternut squash puree, milk, oil, cheese, garlic, salt, onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. whiz everything together on high, stopping to scrape down the sides, until the sauce is smooth and creamy. taste and adjust, adding more seasonings, if needed. (add the additional 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes if you prefer more heat, if not, leave as is.) set the sauce aside.

  4. cook the pasta and spinach. fill a large pot with water, add 2 tablespoons salt and bring to a boil. add the pasta and cook until al dente (it’s going to cook later on, so don’t overcook it. i usually cook it 2 minutes less than what the package instructs). 1 minute before the pasta is finished cooking, add the spinach. drain the pasta and spinach.

  5. to your prepared baking dish, add the pasta and spinach. pour over the sauce and use a spoon to mix it together. use your fingers to evenly sprinkle the cracker crust over top.

  6. bake in the center of your oven for 10-12 minutes, until golden and bubbly. cool 5-10 minutes, then serve.


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vegan alfredo w/ caramelized shallots & kale

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butternut squash chili w/ cilantro yogurt

butternut squash chili w/ cilantro yogurt