Seasonal Recipes

Free Seasonal Recipes

With her commitment to following a seasonal whole foods diet, each new season Chef Laura offers a free to download, seasonally appropriate recipe. In the colder months, warming foods fashioned from local seeds, nuts, whole grains, root vegetables and hardy greens seasoned with stimulating herbs provide long burning complex carbs that help keep us warm during hibernation months. Warmer months make local fruits and berries available, and these fresh & juicy offerings provide quick energy and nutrients for higher activity levels. Summer greens and grains are best served with cooling dressings and herbs. Look to what is available during the transition months, and season according to the weather.

Moroccan Hazelnut & Carrot Pate

Intensely delicious and nutritious, this Moroccan Hazelnut Carrot Pate is fragrant, hearty and satisfying, and loaded with whole foods ingredients. Being gluten-free and vegan, it is great for most every diet. Try it out as a wholesome way to nurture your friends and family this winter season.

Moroccan Hazelnut Carrot Pate, for 8-12 persons

Cook until tender: 3 cups Carrots, peeled & chopped; then drain and cool to lukewarm.
Saute together: 1/2 medium White or Yellow Onion, diced, in 1 Tbs. Vegetable oil. Add 1 stalk Celery, diced; and cook for 5-6 minutes, or until onions golden and sweet. Now season with 2 tsp Cinnamon, and 1 tsp of each: Nutmeg, Savory OR Thyme, Lemon Pepper and Sea Salt, Cook another 2-3 minutes to awaken the flavors, then remove from heat and cool. Once mixture is lukewarm, transfer to blender or food processor.
Puree the cooked and drained carrot, and the seasoning blend, until smooth, then turn out into mixing bowl. FOLD in: 1 cup Hazelnut, finely ground; and 3-4 Tbs Lime Juice until even consistency reached. Pack firmly into one medium-size parchment-lined loaf pan, bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, or until browned and center set.
Cool until lukewarm, invert onto serving tray, serve warm with 2 or 3 types whole grain crackers, and/or sliced Wildfire bread. Garnish: 1/2 cup mix of grated carrot, minced parsley, and hemp hearts, mixed together and sprinkled over top.

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“As the end of my maternity leave grew closer, I worried how my family would cope with my going back to work. I was plagued by \'what\'s for dinner?\' anxiety, and wondered how I would be able to spend quality time with my son while trying to cook dinner every day. Chef Laura\'s services were exactly what we needed to ease this transition. A well-stocked freezer of lovingly prepared, delicious and nutritious food put my mind at ease that at the end of the day my family would always be well fed.”

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