It’s the ultimate foodie day: Thanksgiving! But here’s something we’re not thankful for: Many traditional Thanksgiving staples, such as cranberries, green beans, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, rank among the top foods at risk for toxic pesticide residue, according to The Organic Center's new Dietary Risk Index. Make this year’s Thanksgiving your healthiest yet with organic foods, free from pesticides, GMOs, hormones, and antibiotics.
“The only real way to protect your family from [the risk of toxic pesticide residue] is to purchase organic foods, particularly those fruits and vegetables that pose the greatest risk," says The Organic Center board member Sara Snow. “The Dietary Risk Index makes it easy by clearly listing which foods those are.”
Show your love by buying as many organic ingredients as you can and using them in these delectable recipes. “By preparing an organic Thanksgiving, you’ll be providing your family with nutritious food that’s both good for you and for the planet,” says Snow.
Roast Turkey with Sage
A gorgeous centerpiece entree (see full turkey on previous frame). Look for organic and heritage turkeys, which are raised without hormones, antibiotics, or additives. View recipe.
Herbed Bread and Vegetable Stuffing
This vegetable-studded stuffing adds flavor and nutrients to a typically bread-heavy dish. Use organic, sprouted bread for even more texture. View recipe.
Fresh Spinach-Artichoke Baked Dip
Enjoy this lightened version of the classic artichoke dip appetizer—and be sure to use organic spinach. View recipe.
Goat Cheese Tart with Marinated Beets and Arugula
Conventionally grown beets are often genetically modified (GMO); avoid this by buying organic beets for this lovely, light appetizer or starter course. View recipe.
Parsnip and Fennel Puree
It's not Thanksgiving without some version of mashed potatoes! This sophisticated version adds natural sweetness with organic parsnips and fennel. View recipe.
Kibbeh with Apples, Walnuts, and Feta
This vegetarian, Mediterranean-inspired entree will please everyone at the table; you can also make it one day ahead. To avoid rBGH, use organic yogurt for the delicious, dill-infused sauce. View recipe.
Cranberry-Pomegranate Relish
Easy and tangy, this refreshing cranberry relish features organic orange peel for a bright finish. View recipe.
Apple-Cranberry Lattice Pie
Organic apples, an early symbol of the organic movement, combine beautifully with lemon and cranberries in this seasonal dessert. View recipe.
Fig Pie
This novel, savory-sweet dessert features juicy, fresh figs; it's wonderful paired with fresh goat cheese. View recipe.
Cranberry Squash Pie
An Ayurvedic-inspired finale to your organic feast; the ingredients promote peacefulness because they're free of caffeine and strong spices. View recipe.
Falling for autumn we are; the cozy, warm harvest comes as a welcome reprise from the fruity wiles of summer. Crisp red apples, hearty sundry squashes, hot spices and comforting soups, what a celebratory time of plenty filled with gratitude for the fruitfulness of life and deliciousness wafting in the wind.
Here are our chosen autumnal evening snack recipes, designed to give you the sustained energy you need to take care of yourself, your family and your work – with some left over for playing in the leaves.
1. Apple Cranberry Baked Brie
Slice a wheel of Brie cheese (with rind) in half. Top the bottom half of the circle (sliced edge up) with a mixture of 2 tablespoons maple syrup, one tablespoon unsalted melted butter, one small chopped apple, ⅓ cup sliced natural almonds and ⅓ cup dried cranberries, saving a bit of the mix to go on top as garnish. Put the top section of Brie back on and bake at 350°F for 7 minutes. Garnish with the remaining fruit and nut mixture and serve with table-water crackers.
This easy and delicious soup is a great appetizer at an autumn dinner or on its own for a filling afternoon snack. Puree 2 cups of cooked pumpkin (or you can used canned) along with 4 cups vegetable stock, ½ cup milk, one tablespoon butter, one tablespoon Bragg’s seasoning and ¼ cup dry milk. Heat until boiling, and enjoy!
3. Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal Deluxe
Cook steel-cut oats according to package directions, then add any (or all!) of the following for a warm autumn snack that will keep you going for hours: butter, cream, brown sugar or maple syrup, chopped apples or applesauce, roasted nuts, raisins or dried fruit, plus a dash of cinnamon and salt.
4. Baked Squash Rings
Cut an acorn squash (any color) into ½” rings, discarding the seeds and membrane. Arrange slices in large baking dish, pour ½ cup of orange juice over the rings, cover with them loosely with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. While the rings are baking, combine ¼ cup brown sugar and 2 tablespoons each maple syrup and butter in a saucepan. Bring it to boil and simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Brush this mixture over the squash slices and continue to bake, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the squash is tender and lightly browned.
5. Harvest Salad
Top your favorite greens with half of a chopped Granny Smith apple and ¼ cup each of dried sweetened cranberries and roasted walnuts. Crumble 1-2 ounces of blue cheese on the salad, and then finish it off with creamy balsamic vinaigrette for a delicious salad that is bursting with different fall flavors.
6. Apple Dip
This easy dip is great for apples or any kind of fruit. Combine one 8-ounce carton of sour cream with two tablespoons brown sugar and a half-teaspoon of cinnamon. Stir in ½ cup of toasted pecans or walnuts, and enjoy with your favorite kind of apple!
Pumpkin is packed with nutrients, and these yummy pancakes are super moist and perfect for a leisurely brunch. Prepare pancake batter as usual. Add half a can of pumpkin-pie mix to the batter for each four servings of pancakes you are making. Top with maple syrup plus a handful of roasted pecans. Great for breakfast, an afternoon treat or a dinnertime dessert!
After you carve a pumpkin, don’t throw out the seeds! Instead, rinse them and cook on a greased baking sheet for 25-35 minutes at 325°F, stirring about every five minutes. Flavor simply with salt and pepper or get creative with other spices like cayenne, cumin and chili powder.
Roast 8 ounces of pecan halves in 350°F oven for 4 minutes; stir, then roast for another 4 minutes (you can brush the pecans with butter before you roast them for added flavor). Cool completely, then salt the nuts lightly and combine with 4 ounces of dried, sweetened cranberries and 4 ounces of dried, sweetened apples. If you have a sweet tooth, you can add Reese’s pieces, candy corn or autumn-colored M&Ms.
10. Baked Apples with Cranberry Sauce
Preheat oven to 350°. Core four Granny Smith apples to within ½” of the bottom. Mix together ¼ cup whole-berry cranberry sauce or relish, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and then stuff into the apples. Put apples in baking dish and cover with foil. Bake in middle of oven until very tender when pierced and still intact, 1 to 1 1/4 hours (start checking apples for doneness at 45 minutes). Serve alone or topped with vanilla ice cream and a handful of toasted walnuts.
