We’re just over a month away from Christmas and with the festive period comes a whole heap of great flavours to start experimenting with in the kitchen. 

This inforgraphic from Just Ingredients offers up a Christmas guide to the best herbs and slices to use when cooking over the holidays. 

There’s 10 different ingredients listed on the guide such as cinnamon sticks and an interesting suggestions for basil salt. 

The best thing is that each ingredient is coupled with tips and suggestions on exactly what they’re best used for. 

With these vegan Thanksgiving recipes you'll be able to prepare a feast that'll be remembered for years. No one will be able to resist a creamy vegan risotto with pears and a succulent Tofurky roll as a main dish. Boldly flavored side dishes and a dessert with a spicy kick complete this extraordinary vegan menu. Here's what to make for Thanksgiving:

WILD MUSHROOM TERRINE

Kick off your Thanksgiving spread with this gourmet wild mushroom terrine^[1] flavored with smoked tofu and walnut oil. It's great slathered on crackers or on crusty French bread.

TOFURKEY ROLL WITH MUSHROOMS

Sautéed mushrooms add umami to this delicious tofurkey roll^[2] wrapped in a pastry dough. It's a hearty main course that will be the centerpiece of your vegan Thanksgiving menu.

MEXICAN CORN AND BEAN SALAD

This Mexican corn and black bean salad^[3] makes a great holiday side. Garlic, herbs and sherry vinegar add lots of flavor while keeping the dish healthy.

RISOTTO WITH PEARS

Here's a vegan Thanksgiving recipe^[4] that will knock everyone's socks off. A creamy risotto is paired with white wine and pears in this luxurious first course.

SICHUAN BEANS WITH GARLIC

Holiday dishes don't get any easier than these tasty Sichuan beans with garlic^[5], chili paste and ginger. It's a delicious vegan recipe that can be served as an appetizer or side.

CRANBERRY SAUCE

Four ingredients is all you'll need to make this Thanksgiving classic that is naturally vegan. This cranberry sauce^[6] is the perfect way to add a little zing to your holiday menu. 

SPICY CHOCOLATE VEGAN CUPCAKES

Indulge your sweet tooth in these sweet and spicy cupcakes created with chocoholics in mind. Get the recipe for spicy chocolate vegan cupcakes^[7] now.

References

1. ^{^} gourmet wild mushroom terrine (www.finedininglovers.com)
2. ^{^} tofurkey roll (www.finedininglovers.com)
3. ^{^} Mexican corn and black bean salad (www.finedininglovers.com)
4. ^{^} vegan Thanksgiving recipe (www.finedininglovers.com)
5. ^{^} Sichuan beans with garlic (www.finedininglovers.com)
6. ^{^} cranberry sauce (www.finedininglovers.com)
7. ^{^} spicy chocolate vegan cupcakes (www.finedininglovers.com)

PBS have released another great clip The Mind of a Chef episode with the Swedish chef Magnus Nilsson.^[1][2]

We’ve already brought a large part of the episode ^[3]where Nilsson takes the crew through some of the hardcore preparation he must go through to stock up on ingredients during Sweden’s harsh winters.

In the latest clip the chef goes Umami mad with a dish that’s created specifically to show off a wonderful piece of aged beef.

The ribeye, aged for five months, is served with sugar kelp which is dipped in a thickened stock, alongside Nilsson’s ‘tasty paste’ - something he describes as pure umami - a sprinkling of mushroom powder, a kelp reduction and a healthy chunk of butter.

Enjoy but be warned, you’ll surely be craving meat after seeing it.

References

1. ^{^} The Mind of a Chef (www.pbs.org)
2. ^{^} Magnus Nilsson. (www.finedininglovers.com)
3. ^{^} large part of the episode (www.finedininglovers.com)

Put the pears into a pan and cover with 600ml water.

Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes to soften the fruit.

Turn off the heat and leave for 10 minutes.

Pour the pears and juice into a blender and whiz together until the mixture is completely smooth.

Pour the pear juice through a sieve into a jug.

Squeeze the oranges and mix the orange juice with the runny honey and pear juice.

Pour into a bottle or carton and chill for 30 minutes.

Shake to serve.

Summer isn't over just yet so make the most of the last peaches of the season. What can you make with this beloved summer fruit? Well, these delicious peach recipes prove that cobbler is just the tip of the iceberg. Why not bake a crumble instead? Or how about some peachy ice pops? Or maple-infused peaches? Find more great recipe ideas below:

Peach Profiteroles

Make your own cream puffs at home with these easy recipe for elegant peach profiteroles^[1] (pictured above). Don't have fresh peaches on hand? Use canned instead.

Frozen Yogurt and Peach Pops

Five ingredients is all it takes to make this refreshing peach recipe^[2] infused with honey and cream.

Peaches with Brandy and Maple Syrup

These brandy-infused peaches^[3] are the ultimate topping for a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Great served warm or cold.

Peach Crumble

You'll love this cinnamon-spiked peach crumble^[4]. It's egg free and not as heavy as traditional cobbler.

Peach Melba

Say goodbye to summer with a Peach Melba^[5], a classic French recipe featuring raspberries, peaches and vanilla ice cream.

References

1. ^{^} elegant peach profiteroles (www.finedininglovers.com)
2. ^{^} refreshing peach recipe (www.finedininglovers.com)
3. ^{^} brandy-infused peaches (www.finedininglovers.com)
4. ^{^} cinnamon-spiked peach crumble (www.finedininglovers.com)
5. ^{^} Peach Melba (www.finedininglovers.com)