It's the gorgeous Holidays.. my favorite time of the year.. huge family and friends gatherings, yummy food and beautiful winter happiness feeling, and I was thinking to create some dinner ideas for you to share with your family & friends during your holiday dinner & winter gatherings.
I call it "Whole Foods Shopping and Cooking Up A Holiday/Winter Dinner (Ideas and Recipes By Simi)".
Growing up, I have been to many holiday parties and they all served so much meat products, but being a vegetarian it was a bit tricky for vegetarian options, now I'm all about hosting gatherings for the holidays fit well for both meat eaters and vegetarians. Also I know I adore children but also know how picky they can be around the dinner table so, all these meal options are ALL CHILDREN approved! :)
I took to shopping at my favorite grocery store.. Whole Foods. Because it has all the ingredients and products that I love and adore. I also really adore their beautiful selection of decorations and random items for my parties. I like their instore setup of how easy it is to shop around and browse though their lovely products available.
I have 12 ideas and recipes by me Simi! to share with you all today, filled with gorgeous products all available at Whole Foods. Also because I do love beauty products too! I picked up a yummy holiday scented beauty product item that you all will adore. :)
I hope you enjoy reading and it inspires you to check out your local Whole Foods and the wonderful holiday/winter products they have to offer.
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| 1. White Kisses Peppermint Mocha (a addictive drink that gets you into the Winter Wonderland spirit) |
* 1/4 Cup of 365 Whole Foods 2% Partly Skimmed Organic Milk
* 2 Drops of Simply Organic Peppermint Flavor
* 2 Pieces of Green & Blacks White Chocolate
* Dollop some "Isigny Ste Mere Creme a la Vanilla de Madagascar Whipped Cream" in a beautiful spin around
* Then finish off with some shavings of Chocolate from Green & Blacks Bars (White + Mint).
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| 2. Minty Orange Dream Hot Chocolate (mint and orange goes so well together, I adore this yummy-full drink) |
* 2 Heaping teaspoons of Silly Cow Farms Hot Chocolate Mix in flavor "Chocolate"
* 2 Drops of Simply Organic Orange Flavor
* 2 Pieces of Green & Blacks Mint Chocolate
* Dollop some "Isigny Ste Mere Creme a la Vanilla de Madagascar Whipped Cream" in a beautiful spin around
* Then finish off with some Mint Chocolate Chips and Zest of Fresh Orange.
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| 3. Let It Snow Spiced Hot Chocolate (a very snowy winter feel, perfect for sitting by the window on a cold snowy day!) |
* 1 Cup of Warmed up Milk (I used Whole Foods 365 Brand 2% Partly Skimmed Organic Milk)
* 2 Heaping teaspoons of Silly Cow Farms Hot Chocolate Mix in flavor "Marshmallow Swirl"
* 2 Drops of Simply Organic Vanilla Extract
* 2 Pieces of Green & Blacks White Chocolate
* 1 Teaspoon Of Frontier Cocoa Powder
* Dollop some "Isigny Ste Mere Creme a la Vanilla de Madagascar Whipped Cream" in a beautiful spin around
* Dust with some "Frontier All Spice Powder" and "Frontier Cinnamon Powder"
* Then finish off with some White Chocolate Chips
* And for a pretty decoration add a "Frontier Natural Product Co-op" cinnamon stick on the side of the whipped cream.
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| 4. Chocolate Cupcakes with White Chocolate Center & White Chocolate Peppermint Icing (so moist and addictive! no eggs too, I love these!) |
* 1 Cup Water
Cook for 18 - 23 minutes checking carefully and test with a toothpick to insure fully cooked and then take out from oven and let sit for 15minutes and you can start on the "White Chocolate Icing".
White Chocolate Icing:
* White Chocolate (I like Green & Blacks White Chocolate!), melted on stovetop for a couple minutes on very low, do not burn!
* then take off burner and add 3 drops of Simply Organic Vanilla Extract to Melted White Chocolate, then decorate cupcakes! add some crushed peppermint candy canes for a festive fun look! :)
* 1/2 "Lactantia" Butter, Softened
* 1 Cup Packed "Wholesome Sweeteners" Brown Sugar
* 1/3 Cup Ghirardelli Cocoa
* 2 Teaspoons Whole Foods 365 Baking Soda
* 1 Teaspoon Salt
* For "2 Eggs" I used 2 Teaspoons of "Orgran Gluten Free No Egg" with 4 Tablespoons of water (mix them together well before adding in mixture)
* 1/2 Stick "Lactantia" Butter, Softened
* 1 - 1/2 Teaspoon Simply Organic Vanilla Extract
* Then once poured into the baking cups put, 1 Lindt White Chocolate Ball in each middle of Cupcake.
Cook for 18 - 23 minutes checking carefully and test with a toothpick to insure fully cooked and then take out from oven and let sit for 15minutes and you can start on the "White Chocolate Icing".
White Chocolate Icing:
* White Chocolate (I like Green & Blacks White Chocolate!), melted on stovetop for a couple minutes on very low, do not burn!
* then take off burner and add 3 drops of Simply Organic Vanilla Extract to Melted White Chocolate, then decorate cupcakes! add some crushed peppermint candy canes for a festive fun look! :)
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| 5. Gingerbread Men & Friends (sooo good with a drink from one of my three recipes above!) |
* 1/2 Cup "Wholesome Sweeteners" Brown Sugar
* 1/2 Cup "Wholesome Sweeteners" Molasses
* 1/3 Cup Water
* 3 + 1/2 Cup Whole Foods 365 All Purpose Flour
* 2 Teaspoons Whole Foods 365 Baking Soda
* 2 Teaspoons "Gathering Place" Ground Ginger
* 1/2 Teaspoon "Olive Grand" Ground All Spice
* 1/2 Teaspoon Frontier Ground Cinnamon
* 1/4 Simply Organic Ground Cloves
* 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
(I love them plain just without any icing and such dunked into a hot chocolate or warm drink, but also sometimes I do enjoy a little white chocolate icing on top of them!)
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| 6. Chocolate Banana Bread (a treat that everyone is sure to love!) |
* 1/4 Cup Whole Foods 365 Organic 2% Partly Skimmed Milk
* 1/2 Cup Butter Softened
* 1/3 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
* 2 "Eggs" is equal to I used 2 Teaspoons of "Orgran Gluten Free No Egg" with 4 Tablespoons of water (mix them together well before adding in mixture)
* 1/2 Cup Mashed Ripe Bananas
* 2 Tablespoons of Unsweetened Applesauce
* 1/2 Teaspoon Simply Organic Vanilla Extract
* 1 cup (250 mL) Chocolate Chips
* 1/2 Teaspoon Whole Foods 365 Brand Baking Soda
* Pinch of Salt, Cinnamon, & Nutmeg
In large bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and spices; add chocolate chips. In separate bowl, whisk together bananas, butter, milk, applesauce, vanilla extract and egg replacer mixture; pour over flour mixture and stir just until blended. Spread in greased loaf pan.
Bake in centre of 350°F (180°C) oven for 25- 35 minutes or until cake tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool in pan on rack for 15 minutes. Turn out onto rack; let cool completely.
For a pretty topping Dollop some "Isigny Ste Mere Creme a la Vanilla de Madagascar Whipped Cream" in a beautiful spin around and sprinkle some white and mint chocolate chips around & add some festively yummy, "Divine" Chocolate in their limited edition bar "Milk Chocolate with Spiced Cookies". = YUM!
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| 7. Vegetarian Lasagna & Cheesy Baked Potato with Vegetarian Gravy & Green Beans (both vegetarians and non vegetarians will gobble this dish up like there's no tomorrow! :) |
Vegetarian Lasagna:
* Box of Tinkyada Rice Lasagna Pasta
* Box of Tinkyada Rice Lasagna Pasta
* 1 Tin of Crushed Tomatoes (Makes it nice and thick!)
* Half a tin of Canned Tomato Sauce
* Veggies (Spinach Broccoli & Carrots)
* Marble Cheese on each layer + Sprinkled on top of Lasagna!
Bake for 45-minutes - 1hour and then let sit for 15minutes, then serve up!
Baked Potato with Vegetarian Gravy & Green Beans:
* Bake a Potato then serve with Cheese sprinkled on top (once popped back in oven for a minute of two) and then pour Vegetarian Gravy on top.
* Bake a Potato then serve with Cheese sprinkled on top (once popped back in oven for a minute of two) and then pour Vegetarian Gravy on top.
* Fried Onions, Garlic and Salt (Brown the onions so the gravy is more brown!)
* Whole Foods 365 Brand Flour
* Organic Valley Cream Cheese
* Pacific Foods Vegetable Broth
Dish up with a side of some freshly steamed Green Beans! mmm.. :)
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| 8. Roasted Holiday Peppers with Tzatziki (mmm.. very flavorful and colorful served with a fresh tzatziki, which finishes it beautifully!) |
* Red & Green Peppers enough for one or two per guest at your party
* Fry up a vegetable mixture of your choice "Broccoli, Spinach, Brussels Sprouts, & Carrots
* Rice can be added too! though for this time I didn't use any rice
Bake in oven at 375F for 45min - 1hour (depending on pepper size). Then let sit for 5minutes before serving. Dish up with a side of freshly made Tzatziki.. (Organic Organic Yogurt, Garlic, and Shredded Cucumber & some freshly squeezed Lemon. I love Red & Green Roasted Peppers for the holidays, so very festive and tasty! "Roasted Holiday Peppers with Tzatziki" are everyones love!
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| 9. Italian Creamy Pasta with Artisan Ciabatta Baguette (so creamy and tasty and very italian!) |
* Then when cooked drain pasta and put in some chopped garlic & some "Organic Valley Cream Cheese" also add..
* a bit of Whole Foods 365 Organic 2% Partly Skimmed Milk to make nice and creamy/milky cook for a few minutes till milk and cream cheese is nicely warmed up & creamy/milky.
Serve with some Steamed Broccoli & side of a few slices of Artisan Ciabatta Baguette from the "The Artisan Bake Shoppe".
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| 10. Polenta topped with Avocado and Mozzarella Cheese and Garlic Bread (I love love love polenta it so delicious with the avocado and cheese and garlic bread!) |
* Add some Broccoli for Taste and top with some chopped Avocado and Sprinkle some L'Ancetre Mozzarella Cheese, serves well with a few slices of Garlic Bread, made with "The Artisan Bake Shoppe" Ciabatta Baguette & fresh garlic butter!
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| 11. Focaccia Bread with Winter Soup & Havarti Cheese (I adore soups, especially this winter soup, because of all the winter veggies and yummy brown lentils!)
* Focaccia Bread (Terra Bread Brand) + "Dofino Havarti Cheese"
* To make the winter soup bring to a boil
Pacific Foods Vegetable Broth and
your favorite winter veggies and spices, I love Carrots, Butternut Squash, Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste, Celery, Spinach, Onions, Parsley & Brown Lentils, also Spices to taste. Then cook till preferred taste and dish up with the Bread and Cheese! A perfect winter dish, will keep you warm on those cold wintery nights!
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| 12. Hugo Naturals Artisan Soap "Peppermint" (I have been loving Hugo Naturals soaps from a little while now and I really adore this holiday "Peppermint" scented soap. Its so super yummy!) |
* Hugo Naturals - Artisan Soap "Peppermint" Scented. (This is my favorite soap at the moment and most favorite right now for the holidays!) Pick some Hugo Naturals Soaps and products up at your local Whole Foods Market! :)
Overall..
I hope you all enjoyed reading this post and I had so much fun doing it for you all.
Be sure to go to the WholeFoodsMarket.com site to see where nearest location is to you.
Whole Foods has a amazing selection of goodies for your holiday and winter parties,
They have a lovely selection of holiday decoration, bakery goodies, gifts, and many more treats!
For more detailed information of any of the ideas and recipes I posted or to ask me any questions about this post, be sure to email me at my fan mail email:
simisodapopquestions@hotmail.com
I always LOVE hearing from you! :)
I have been getting some very early requests to do some Valentines & Easter Drinks & Baking recipes and posts, I think thats a wonderful idea and I'll hopefully do that for you all in the next coming months in time for those lovely celebrations!
So be sure to be on the lookout for those posts in the early 2012 year! :)
But for now.. I hope you have a warm and lovely Holidays & New Years with your friends and family! & I'll talk to you soon!
FTC Disclaimer:
I'm working with Whole Foods on this lovely Holiday/Winter post, I put most of my own money into this purchase and post's ingredients from Whole Foods, They also sent me a small gift card to help a bit with the purchasing of the products. :)
I adore shopping at Whole Foods, I love to do all my big grocery shopping for all my holiday parties and such at Whole Foods, because they seem to have everything I like and need, It's a perfect one stop for all items shop.
Be sure to also check out their very nice selection of food gift baskets, to save some time for your party, also fruit, cheese and veggie platters, and gorgeous flower arrangements at: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/shop/index.php
& All ideas and recipes are FULLY MY OWN.
All Opinions are my own.
Happy Holidays!
xoxo
Simi
Overall..
I hope you all enjoyed reading this post and I had so much fun doing it for you all.
Be sure to go to the WholeFoodsMarket.com site to see where nearest location is to you.
Whole Foods has a amazing selection of goodies for your holiday and winter parties,
They have a lovely selection of holiday decoration, bakery goodies, gifts, and many more treats!
For more detailed information of any of the ideas and recipes I posted or to ask me any questions about this post, be sure to email me at my fan mail email:
simisodapopquestions@hotmail.com
I always LOVE hearing from you! :)
I have been getting some very early requests to do some Valentines & Easter Drinks & Baking recipes and posts, I think thats a wonderful idea and I'll hopefully do that for you all in the next coming months in time for those lovely celebrations!
So be sure to be on the lookout for those posts in the early 2012 year! :)
But for now.. I hope you have a warm and lovely Holidays & New Years with your friends and family! & I'll talk to you soon!
FTC Disclaimer:
I'm working with Whole Foods on this lovely Holiday/Winter post, I put most of my own money into this purchase and post's ingredients from Whole Foods, They also sent me a small gift card to help a bit with the purchasing of the products. :)
I adore shopping at Whole Foods, I love to do all my big grocery shopping for all my holiday parties and such at Whole Foods, because they seem to have everything I like and need, It's a perfect one stop for all items shop.
Be sure to also check out their very nice selection of food gift baskets, to save some time for your party, also fruit, cheese and veggie platters, and gorgeous flower arrangements at: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/shop/index.php
& All ideas and recipes are FULLY MY OWN.
All Opinions are my own.
Happy Holidays!
xoxo
Simi
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