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Autumn Slaw

This easy, side dish features bright color and flavor and comes together in minutes. It’s also a great make ahead dish, which makes it perfect for your Thanksgiving table!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 bunch Tuscan kale
  • 8 large Brussels sprouts
  • 3 cups shredded red cabbage
  • 1 medium carrot, shredded
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries

Preparation

  1. Tear the leaves of the kale away from the stems. Roll up the stacked leaves, and slice thinly crosswise. Slice Brussels sprouts crosswise thinly. Slice red cabbage in half, and then cut crosswise into thin slices to make three cups. Shred the carrot, and combine all the veggies in a large bowl.
  2. In a cup, combine the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, salt and pepper. Whisk together, then pour over the veggies. Add the dried cranberries, and toss to mix.

Serving Suggestion

This bright, delicious dish makes a fine addition to any Thanksgiving menu. The sturdy kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts make it a great side to your potluck repertoire, too.

Easy Two-Pan Vegetable Radiatori

This is the perfect dish to cozy up to on a crisp fall evening. It is light yet satisfying and full of healthy feel-good veggies. It is sure to please even your toughest critics.

Ingredients

  • 1-pound semonlina radiatori (or choose your favorite pasta)
  • 1-pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 cup sugar snap peas (with the ends removed)
  • 1 delicata squash (peeled and diced ½ inch)
  • ½ bunch dinosaur kale (stems removed and sliced in half long-ways)
  • ½ cup shredded asiago cheese (I used basil olive oil flavored cheese for a fun touch)
  • ½ shallot (minced)
  • ½ tsp garlic
  • 2 tbsp capers (with a lot of the brine)
  • 2 tbsp fresh chopped basil
  • 4 sprigs of thyme (stems removed)
  • Zest and juice of a lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil (approximately 3 tbsp)

Directions

  1. In a large pot, heat salted water to a boil.
  2. Coat a large skillet with olive oil. Add garlic, shallot, and tomatoes and sauté on medium heat for five minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Add squash, snap peas, basil, thyme, and the zest and juice of a lemon to the skillet. Cook covered on medium for five minutes or until squash become al denté. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Cook pasta according to package directions (approximately 6 minutes)
  5. Add kale to the skillet and cook covered for another five minutes or until it has wilted and remove from the heat.
  6. Reserve 1/3 cup of pasta water before draining.
  7. Add drained pasta, reserved water, capers, and the cheese to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir to combine.
  8. Top each serving with extra cheese and fresh herbs and ENJOY!

 

Guest Blogger: James Madison Dietetics
Emily Salvaggio

Whole-Wheat Creamy Pumpkin Pasta with Sausage and Kale

October means fall and fall means everything pumpkin. Add it to pasta in this recipe and enjoy the splendid autumnal combination that is pumpkin, rosemary, andthyme. It is a feel good dish that will leave your belly full and your family happy!

 

Ingredients

1 lb whole wheat chiocciole pasta

1 lb pork sausage without the casing (I used a blend containing rosemary and thyme to mimic other flavors of the dish, but use whatever you prefer!)

1 (15 oz) can pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 ½ tsp minced garlic

1 minced shallot

4 cups lacinato kale (or a variety of your preference)

½ cup chicken broth

½ cup pasta water reserved

3 tbsp non-fat Greek yogurt

½ cup parmesan cheese

1 ½ tsp fresh thyme

1 tsp fresh rosemary

¼ tsp cayenne pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt, Pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat a large pot of salted water to boiling. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil. Sauté the minced garlic and shallot for 1-2 minutes until slightly soft.
  3. Add the sausage to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the sausage is close to done, breaking it apart with a fork or spatula.
  4. Add the kale to the skillet. Cook the kale until just wilted about 2-3 minutes.
  5. To the skillet add the can of pumpkin, chicken broth, thyme, rosemary, cayenne pepper, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Let simmer on low heat until the pasta has finished cooking.
  6. Collect ½ cup of cooking water from the pasta pot and set aside. Drain the pasta and add to the skillet.
  7. Add the pasta water, yogurt, and parmesan cheese to the skillet.
  8. Stir thoroughly to coat.
  9. Top with extra cheese if desired, plate, eat, and enjoy!

 

Guest Bloggers: James Madison Dietetics

Alexandra Balbontin, Taylor Coleman, Julia Danisewicz, Emily Salvaggio, and Taylor Singleton