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1 large butternut squash (approximately 3 lbs.)
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces*
Fresh sage or oregano leaves, about 6 sage leaves or oregano leaves from 2 stems (can substitute with 1 teaspoon dry herbs)
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Cut neck off from squash.
Peel squash.
Resting squash on its base, may have to slice 1/2 inch off bottom, cut squash lengthwise in half, creating two steaks.
Heat oil in large heavy skillet (cast iron is great) over medium heat.
Cook squash steaks, turning every 3 minutes, until browned on both sides and fork-tender, approximately 15 minutes.
Add butter, herbs and garlic, tilting pan to pool the butter on one side.
Use large spoon to continually baste steaks with butter.
Baste until butter is no longer bubbling, approximately 1 minute.
Remove from heat.
Stir in lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.

Serves 2
*Note: can substitute with non-dairy butter
Inspired by a recipe from Bon Appetit

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4 Japanese Eggplants, cut in half lengthwise
1/4 cup good quality olive oil, divided
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3/4 – 1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup tortilla chips, finely crushed
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Torn fresh basil leaves, garnish

Preheat oven to 400°

On a rimmed baking sheet fitted with parchment paper, place the halved eggplants cut side up.
Rub them with 2 tablespoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper.
Roast them for approximately 15 minutes, or until tender.
Remove eggplants from the oven.
Divide marinara sauce evenly over each eggplant half.
Sprinkle with feta cheese.
In a small bowl, mix together crushed tortilla chips, Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Top eggplant halves with the crumb mixture.
Return to oven and bake for approximately 12-15 minutes, until brown and bubbly.
Garnish with basil leaves.

Serves 2-4

For Vegans, substitute the cheese for non-dairy cheese

Inspired by a recipe from Giada De Laurentiis

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1/2 cup non-dairy butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar (plus more for topping)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 1/2  cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 Tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, grate fresh, if available
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 Tablespoon unsweetened almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)

Preheat oven to 350°

Add softened butter to food processor; blend until smooth.
Add sugar, brown sugar and vanilla and blend until fully incorporated.
Add pumpkin and mix.
Sift dry ingredients into a mixing bowl.
Add to pumpkin mixture.
Mix until incorporated, being careful not to over mix.
Add almond milk and mix until a soft dough is formed.
Freeze dough for 15 minutes, or refrigerate for 30 minutes (or chill overnight).
Scoop out heaping 1 Tbsp amounts of dough and roll into balls.
Place on a baking sheet, fitted with parchment paper, 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
Dip a glass into sugar and then gently smash the cookie ball down into a disc.
Bake on the center rack for 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden brown.
Let rest on pan for a few minutes.
Then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Makes 22 cookies

Inspired by the Minimalist Baker

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3 or 4 scallions, or 1 or 2 shallots
1 cucumber peeled and seeded
16 oz. can beets, whole, sliced, or julienned or 3 cups roasted beets (3-4 beets)
1 jar bottled beet borscht
1 cup vegetable broth
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

With an electric blender or food processor, first chop the scallions.
Add the rest of the solid ingredients with just enough of the liquids to blend (do not pureé).
Mix beet borsht through vinegar or lemon juice in a large bowl or 5 quart saucepan.
Add vegetable mixture.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Chill several hours.

Serves 4

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10-12 medium lemons
2 cups sugar
4 cups cold-brewed tea

Bring lemons to room temperature.
Roll lemons against counter to soften rinds.
Halve and juice the lemons.
Pour juice in a covered container and refrigerate.
Cut lemon rinds into 1-inch chunks.
Toss with sugar in a non-reactive mixing bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap.
Let stand at room temperature, stirring  once every 45 minutes, until sugar is completely dissolved, approximately 3 hours.
Add 1 cup of reserved lemon juice to the rind mixture.
Stir well, then strain through a non-reactive strainer or piece of cheesecloth into a glass container.
The lemonade mixture can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
To serve, pour concentrated lemonade and cold-brewed tea into a pitcher, stir.
Serve in glasses filled with ice.
So refreshing!

Serves 6

Note: Left over fresh lemon juice can be reserved for another use.

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1/2 cup almond milk, or more
4 ounces non-dairy yogurt
1 tablespoon almond butter
1/4 cup fresh strawberries
1/4 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 ripe avocado, sliced
1 brownie (your favorite), divided

Place all the ingredients in a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Add more milk, if too thick.
Garnish with other brownie half.

Serves 1

Note: Make your own Chocolate Brownies

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1 pound sweet potatoes
1 pound Idaho potatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon organic no-salt seasoning
1/2 teaspoon sweet Hungarian paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or tajin powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin

Preheat oven to 450°F

Slice potatoes into 1/2 inch thick rounds.
Spread in a single layer in parchment fitted baking sheets.
In a small bowl, mix olive through cumin.
Brush oil mixture on the potato rounds.
Bake until tender and slightly crisp, about 25-30 minutes.
Transfer to a serving platter.

Serves 8

Inspired by a recipe from Siriously Delicious by Siri Daly

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1 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sea salt to taste
2 cups red or green cabbage, thinly sliced (approximately 1/2 small head)
2 carrots, shredded
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
juice of 1/2 lemon
16 ounce can black beans, drained
12 soft tortillas, warmed

Preheat oven to 400°F
Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
Remove ends from Brussels sprouts and cut in half.
Transfer Brussels sprouts to baking sheet.
Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Roast in oven for 15 – 20 minutes, until lightly browned.
Combine red cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.
Add apple cider vinegar, sprinkle with salt and toss to combine.
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, chili powder and lemon juice.
Stir until smooth.
Warm black beans in a small saucepan on stove, or in a microwavable bowl in the microwave until warm.
Mash beans slightly.
Spread on warmed tortillas.
Top with cabbage mixture and Brussels sprouts.
Drizzle with mayonnaise mixture.

Serves 6
Note: Can substitute thinly sliced lettuce for the cabbage. May use vegetarian black refried beans instead of the black beans.

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8 ounces tempeh
15 ounce can black beans, drained
1/2 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning
3 tablespoons water
Corn tortillas
Topping choices: chopped lettuce, salsa, diced avocado, etc.

Taco Seasoning
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
3 teaspoons Kirkland no-salt seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Crumble tempeh in large bowl.
Mix 2 tablespoons of the taco seasonings with 3 tablespoons water.
Add to tempeh.
Stir to combine.
In a large pan over medium heat sauté onions and tempeh mixture for 8-10 minutes, or until onions have softened.
Add minced garlic and cook 30 seconds.
Add black beans and cook about 3 minutes, or until heated through.

Assemble tacos
Warm tortillas, if desired, and add tempeh mixture and toppings.

Makes 6-8 tacos