As the cold weather settles in, cooking has been known to warm the soul.
We tend to turn to flavourful spices, creamy sauces, and hearty root vegetables.
For an even more inviting fall, gather with family and friends for a 3-course meal! Savour the late-season harvest, which can be transformed into a fun and unforgettable feast!
Here’s a vegetarian menu for your next get-together:
(Because you don’t need meat to make a hearty and comforting meal!)
Appetizer:
Were you lucky enough to get your hands on the season’s last local eggplant available at Rachelle? My favourite way to eat eggplant is cooked in the oven with parmesan and tomato sauce!
Cut your eggplant into round slices, add some garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and as much parmesan as you want. Cook in the oven at 205°C (400°F) for 15 to 18 minutes, then top with tomato sauce (why not use Stefano Faita’s?).
Main course:
Nothing says fall like a hearty meat stew, right? The problem is I don’t cook or eat meat! So, what do I make to feed my guests during the colder months? Well, a tofu and lentil stew always does the trick! Don’t panic . . . it’s better than you think ;)
For a comforting vegetarian main, place torn chunks of tofu in the slow cooker (don’t chop your tofu; torn tofu absorbs sauce better!). Add potatoes, turnip, carrots, celery, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic (you can find all your local and organic veggies at Rachelle!), lentils, broth, and the herbs of your choice (think oregano and thyme). Let simmer for 6 hours or so while you enjoy a board game and a glass of wine!
Dessert:
I find that apple pie is the perfect dessert to make as a group. While someone rolls the crust, others can peel and chop the apples, which, let’s face it, is a long and tedious task!
If you don’t have any apples left from your trip to the apple orchard, Rachelle Béry has a multitude of Quebec apples to choose from—both organic and not!
