Vegan Oven Roasted Pumpkin Wedges With Cranberry Pecan And Chile Pesto Food

PUMPKIN SCONES WITH CRANBERRIES AND PECANS

Steps:

• Place a rack in the top third of the oven and one in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger in a large bowl. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, eggs, 1/2 cup buttermilk, pumpkin puree and vanilla.
• Sprinkle the chilled butter cubes over the flour mixture. Mix with your fingers, pinching the butter into the dough until small crumbles form. Pour the wet mixture into the center of the dry mixture and stir to combine. Add the cranberries and pecans and stir until just incorporated.
• On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough in half and shape into two rounds each about 6 inches in diameter. Cut each round into 6 triangular scones. Pull the scones apart from each other and place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about an inch between each. Brush the scones with the remaining 2 tablespoons of buttermilk and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. If you have the time, refrigerate the scones for 30 minutes.
• Bake the scones until golden brown, puffed and cooked through, 28 to 32 minutes, switching the pans once about halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool until warm or room temperature. Store leftover scones in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

VEGAN OVEN ROASTED PUMPKIN WEDGES WITH CRANBERRY, PECAN AND CHILE PESTO

Steps:

• To make the pesto: Combine cranberries, orange juice and 1/2 cup grapeseed oil in a bowl to soak while you prepare the other components. In a medium skillet, dry roast the pecans over a medium flame until fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to a tray and allow to cool. Gently toast the red chile flakes about 1 minute in the same skillet and remove to a small plate or bowl. Blitz the cranberries and orange juice in a small food processor. Add chile flakes, thyme and three-fourths of the pecans and process until smooth. Add the remaining pecans and pulse one or two times for a chunky consistency. Season with kosher salt to taste, and more red chile flakes if desired. Set the pesto aside or refrigerate.
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice open the pumpkin and remove seeds and fibers. Slice pumpkin into 1¼-inch-thick wedges. Brush all over with 1/2 cup grapeseed oil. Sprinkle with sea salt. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and cover with foil.
• Roast covered for 90 minutes. Remove foil and increase heat to 375 degrees and cook another 20 to 30 minutes, until the edges begin to caramelize. Allow to cool slightly before serving wedges with the pesto.

THANKSGIVING ROASTED ROOT VEGGIES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400.
• Put vegetables (except garlic) in a bowl. Toss with oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika or chile.
• Spread veggies in a roasting pan. (Do not crowd the pieces; use 2 pans if necessary.) Roast, stirring every 15 minutes until tender and evenly browned, 45-50 minutes.
• Add garlic cloves during last 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings.

PUMPKIN & CRANBERRY SPICE CAKE (VEGAN OR NOT)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two round baking pans.
• Combine pumpkin, spices, sugar, melted butter, soy milk and orange juice.
• Mix in flour, baking soda and powder, and salt.
• Cut cranberries in half and then add to mixture, mixing until well combined.
• Pour mixture into the two prepared baking pans and bake for approximately 35 minutes at 350 degrees.
• To make vegan buttercream frosting, mix 1 cup (1 stick) Earth Balance butter with 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/8 to 1/4 cup orange juice.
• Frost when cake is cool.

PECAN PIE TRUFFLES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together pecans, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar and salt until well combined. Add maple syrup, bourbon and vanilla, stirring thoroughly. Use your hands to make sure the mixture becomes fully incorporated.
• Form mixture into walnut-sized balls, then place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours.
• In the top of a double boiler or in a medium stainless steel bowl set over a pot of gently simmering water, melt chocolate (we recommend tempering the chocolate, but if you don't, they'll still be delicious, just a bit messy). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Dip the frozen balls into the melted chocolate, then place onto prepared baking sheet. Let sit for 15 minutes or until firm.