Blueprint thanksgiving recipe guide
Written by Bryan Johnson • 11.26.2024
Hi Friend,
Here is a Thanksgiving meal guide that will:
+ slow your speed of aging
+ increase your energy
+ improve your sleep
+ leave you feeling proud of yourself
🍞Cauliflower Lentil Loaf
🍄Mushroom Walnut Stuffed Acorn Squash
🌿Herb Seasoned Cauliflower ‘Turkey’ With Sweet Potato And Blanched Green Beans
🍊Fennel, Radicchio, And Citrus Salad
Mushroom and Walnut Stuffed Acorn Squash
For the Squash:
- 2 medium acorn squash, halved and seeds removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Filling:
-1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
-16 oz crimini mushrooms
-4 tbs chopped walnuts
-4 tbs unsweetened dried cranberries
-1 tbs honey
-1/2 tbs of cinnamon
Instructions
1. Roast the Squash:
- Preheat the oven to 425F (204°C).
- Place the acorn squash halves on a baking tray. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil each half, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Roast in the oven for approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the squash is caramelized and fork-tender.
2. Prepare the Mushroom mix:
- While the squash is roasting, heat a stainless steel pan on medium high heat.
- Add the olive oil and chopped mushrooms.
- Sauté until the mushrooms are softened and the extra liquid from mushrooms has evaporated.
- Remove from heat and add mushrooms to a mixing bowl.
- Add the walnuts, honey, cranberries and cinnamon to the mushrooms.
- Give everything a mix and set aside.
3. Assemble the Dish:
- Remove the roasted squash from the oven. Fill each half with the mushroom mix.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze or honey over the stuffed squash before serving.
Herb-Seasoned Cauliflower "Turkey" with Sweet Potato Mash and Blanched Green Beans
For the Herb-Seasoned Cauliflower "Turkey":
- 1 large head of cauliflower (about 900 grams)
- 30 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 10 g garlic powder
- 10 g onion powder
- 10 g smoked paprika
- 5 g dried thyme
- 5 g dried rosemary
- 15 g nutritional yeast
- 100 ml vegetable broth (for basting)
For the Sweet Potato Mash:
- 800 grams sweet potatoes
- 30-60 ml almond milk (or any plant-based milk)
- 5 g garlic powder
- 5 g ground cinnamon
For the Blanched Green Beans:
- 400 grams green beans, trimmed
- Ice water (for blanching)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cauliflower "Turkey":
- Preheat your oven to 425F
- Remove the leaves and stem from the cauliflower; slice in thick slices.
- In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary, black pepper, salt, and nutritional yeast.
- Brush the marinade all over the cauliflower and place it in a baking dish.
- Roast for 30 minutes, baste with vegetable broth, and roast uncovered for another 20 minutes.
2. Prepare the Sweet Potato Mash:
- While the cauliflower is roasting, peel and cut the sweet potatoes into chunks.
- Boil in a large pot of salted water for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.
- Drain and return to the pot. Add almond milk, garlic powder, and cinnamon. Mash until smooth and creamy.
3. Blanch the Green Beans:
- Bring the pot of water to a boil.
- Add the trimmed green beans and boil for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. After a few minutes, drain again and set aside.
4. Serve:
- Slice the roasted cauliflower and serve it alongside the sweet potato mash and blanched green beans.
- Garnish the mash and green beans with fresh herbs if desired.
Vegan Cauliflower Lentil Loaf
Ingredients:
- 200 grams cooked brown lentils (about 100 grams dry lentils)
- 300 grams raw riced cauliflower
- 150 grams chopped sweet onion
- 8 oz of chopped mushrooms
- 30 grams nutritional yeast
- 5 grams minced garlic
- 5 grams Dijon mustard
- 2.5 grams smoked paprika
- 2.5 grams cumin
- 1.5 grams black pepper
- 1.5 grams chipotle powder
Glaze:
- 80 ml unsweetened ketchup
- 5 ml liquid smoke
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425F
2. Prep the Vegetables:
- In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion and mushrooms for about 5 minutes.
3. Rice the Cauliflower:
- Pulse the cauliflower until it resembles rice.
- Squeeze to remove excess moisture.
4. Cook the Lentils:
- Cook the lentils according to package instructions and let them cool down.
5. Combine Ingredients:
- Combine all ingredients in food processor and pulse until textured.
6. Prepare the Loaf Pan:
- Line loaf pan and press mixture firmly.
7. Prepare the Glaze:
- Mix ketchup and liquid smoke and spread over loaf.
8. Bake the Loaf:
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until set and golden.
9. Cool and Serve:
- Let cool 10 minutes, slice and serve warm.
Fennel, Radicchio, and Citrus Salad
- 2 small bulbs fennel
- 1 small head radicchio
- 140 grams arugula
- 1 orange
- 1 pink grapefruit
For the Fennel Vinaigrette:
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 30 ml champagne vinegar
- 30 ml fresh lemon juice
- 5 grams honey Dijon mustard
- 1 handful of fennel fronds
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Fennel:
- Trim stalks and slice thinly.
- Reserve fronds.
- Place in lemon water to prevent browning.
2. Prepare the Radicchio:
- Remove core and slice thinly.
3. Prepare the Citrus:
- Peel and segment the orange and grapefruit.
4. Assemble the Salad:
- Arrange radicchio, fennel, and citrus on platter.
5. Make the Dressing:
- Blend all dressing ingredients until smooth.
6. Dress the Salad:
- Drizzle dressing, season, and garnish.
I am grateful for existence. Wishing you a happy holiday.
Enjoy,
Bryan