Green Christmas 2018 – Vegan Edition.

Stuffed Cabbage Parcels
Makes 8 parcels
These pretty little parcels are stuffed with rice, lentils, walnuts and raisins and cooked in a holiday spiced tomato broth. They are a little fiddly to make but super flavorful and well worth the effort. This recipe is vegan but you could also add feta cheese to the parcels if you feel like it.

1. Rinse rice and lentils in a sieve under running water.
2. Transfer to a saucepan and add water and salt. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and let simmer until tender, for about 35 minutes or according to the time on the package.
3. Place another sauce pan with the Tomato Broth ingredients on the stove, bring to a boil and then turn the heat down and let it slowly simmer under a lid for 20 minutes on low heat.
4. Meanwhile, add oil to a large skillet and sauté onion and garlic for 10 minutes on medium heat or until soft and translucent.
5. Transfer the onion to a bowl and wipe out the pan (you will use it to fry and cook the parcels in later on).
6. Drain any excess water from the rice and lentils. Add the onion and garlic, walnuts, raisins, lemon juice and parsley and stir to combine.
7. Carefully break off 8 leaves of the savoy cabbage. Trim off the thickest part of the stalk.
8. Blanch the savoy cabbage leaves in a sauce pan with salted boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Drain and lay out on a tea towel.
9. Spoon 3 tablespoons of filling into the center of each cabbage leaf. Fold up and tie with the string. Repeat with the remaining seven.
10. Place all parcels in a heated skillet with a little oil added. Fry on both sides until browned.
11. Pour the broth into the pan with the cabbage parcels (the pan should be half filled). Put a lid on and let simmer for about 30 minutesor until the cabbage feels soft and tender (you can cook the parcels for a shorter time if you prefer them a little crunchier).
12. Serve the parcels with a little broth poured on top. Remove the strings before eating ;)

Note – We cook the rice and lentils for the filling together, just make sure that they have similar cooking times. If not, start with the one with the longest time and then add the other accordingly. Or cook in separate pans.  

Smashed Balsamic Potatoes
Serves 4 as a side
This rustic potato recipe combine three different potato methods into one – boiled, mashed and roasted. They are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside with a sweet tanginess added from balsamic vinegar.

1. Set the oven to 225°C / 450°F.
2. Wash the potatoes (keep the skin on) and place in a large sauce pan.
3. Cover with water and add 1 tsp salt. Cook for about 20 minutes (longer if you use bigger potatoes) or until easily pierced with a fork.
4. Drain the water and leave to cool for a bit.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the potatoes on it.
6. Smash the potatoes by pressing down on them using the backside of a glass.
7. Whisk together oil, balsamic vinegar and garlic.
9. Drizzle generously over the potatoes, making sure that you get it into all the nooks and crannies. You can use a brush for this as well.
10. Sprinkle with salt and thyme leaves.
11. Place in the oven and roast for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are crispy and golden brown.

Tip – This is perfect as a side for 4 persons but you can easily double the recipe if you are cooking for a crowd. Just use two baking sheets and set the oven to fan mode and lower the temp slightly for more evenly distributed heat.

Mustard Roasted Roots
Serves 4 as a side
We love a good tray of roasted roots. Here we have coated the roots in cinnamon, grainy mustard, a little vinegar and maple syrup and roasted them until they start to caramelize. We serve these with a saffron sauce which basically is this turmeric tahini sauce but with saffron instead of turmeric. But a simple yogurt based sauce could be great too.

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C / 375°F.
2. Peel the roots and chop into batons (roughly 10 cm long and 1,5 cm thick).
3. Stir together the dressing ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
4. Add the roots and toss until all are covered.
5. Tip out on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and spread out in an even layer.
6. Place in the oven and roast for 20 minutes. Give the sheet a toss, then crank up the heat to 225°C / 450°F and bake for 20 minutes more or until golden and slightly charred.
7. Transfer the roots to a serving platter and sprinkle with hemp seeds.

Tips – This is perfect as a side for 4 persons but you can easily double the recipe if you are cooking for a crowd. Just use two baking sheets and set the oven to fan mode for more evenly distributed heat. – You can use any root for this but swede, carrots, sweet potato and parsnips are our favorites.

Crispy Celery and Orange Salad
Serves 4
1. Rinse the lettuce in water and chop into 2 inch / 5 cm large pieces, discarding the stem.
2. Thinly slice the celery stalks (or mandolin the fennel of using).
3. Peel the oranges and cut in halves and thinly slice each half.
4. Place all prepped ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
5. Whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients in a small separate bowl.
6. Gently toss the dressing with the salad ingredients.
7. Chop the toasted hazelnuts.
8. Transfer to a serving bowl and scatter with hazelnuts. Serve!