Wordless Wednesday- Sesame Place

Sesame Place is located in Bucks County , Pennsylvania 

about 1/2 hour from Philadelphia and 2 hours from NYC

The fall flowers and decorations are beautiful..

Plant-based Lentil, Leek, and Potato Soup-Hearty Fall Recipe

Looking for a healthy fall dinner idea? 

This delicious plant-based  Lentil, Leek & Potato Soup is wholesome, comforting, hearty and of course naturally gluten-free.

Lentils, leeks, and potatoes are the key players in this tasty autumn soup.

Although the warm weather is refusing to leave, it is the end of September, and technically it is officially fall!

With s few of the evenings feeling a tad nippy,  I've started to dream about soup!

Waldorf Kale Salad with an Apple and Honey Citrus Dressing

This beautiful kale Waldorf super salad brings together apples and honey just in time for Rosh Hashanah- the Jewish New Year!

Kale is still plentiful and local apples are just beginning to show their faces in the farmer's markets ( I live in Pennsylvania) .

On Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year which begins Wednesday evening through Friday evening, it is traditional to dip apples in honey to welcome in a sweet new year. In addition, we keep our menus on the sweet side serving sweet kugels, sweet potato tzimmis, apple cakes, etc.

This year I decided to serve a salad recipe for our celebration dinner that incorporates our holiday theme. I've added chopped apples, walnuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, dried cranberries, grated carrots, and celery to curly fall kale and dressed it with my slightly sweet apple and honey citrus dressing.

                                        sweet apple and honey citrus dressing.

Holiday recipes are notorious for depending on rich heavy ingredients that although tasty, are caloric and not so healthy. My super salad is delicious, festive, and brings a balance of tradition and nutrition to the holiday table.

Kale is rich in nutrients, helps the body detoxify, and gives the salad a base.
The carrots, celery, and apple add flavor and crunch, while the nuts and seeds add some protein and healthy fat.

This is a holiday recipe you can enjoy and still feel good serving it at Rosh Hashanah or any
occasion.

Ingredients: 

2 cups of chopped kale ( de ribbed) 
2 cups of grated carrot
1/2 cup of chopped celery
1 cup of chopped organic apple ( with skin)
1/2 cup of organic raisins or dried cranberries or both
1/2 cup of chopped walnuts
1/4 cup of raw sunflower seeds


Directions:  

In a large bowl mix all ingredients and toss well in  honey citrus dressing.

Shared on Beth Fish Reads Weekend Cooking where anyone can share a food related post. 

and also on Deb's Souper Sunday where anyone can share a soup, salad, or sammie recipe

Apple and Honey Citrus Dressing for Rosh Hashanah

How sweet it is to dip apples into honey in celebration of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year). 

This year I expanded the traditional custom by also making a special apple and honey salad dressing to dress our salad at our Rosh Hashanah holiday dinner. 

After a few interesting attempts, I was delighted with the outcome of this oil-free, gluten-free, vegetarian dressing.  The dressing is sweet, yet tangy and tastes amazing on my fabulous (link to recipes) Israeli dried apricot and carrot salad  , mango coleslaw, Kohlrabi and carrot slaw, shredded carrot salad, Waldorf salad or even a fruit salad. 

It looks creamy and delicious with just a hint of red specks from the apple. 

Since I use organic apples, I leave on the skin and even use the seeds ( which are good for you) . 

Why Apples Must Be Organic

Apples are one of the fruits on the dirty dozen list published each year from EWG which lists fruits and vegetables that contain the highest concentration of pesticides. 

Since apples are one of the fruits that contain the highest amount of pesticides, I always buy organic. I can usually pick up a 3 pound bag that runs about $1.99 pound- or a bag at Trader Joes which is usually  even more reasonable. 

I will be serving this dressing tonight for our Rosh Hashanah holiday meal on my delicious Kale Super Salad. 

If you are looking for vegan or vegetarian and gluten free Jewish holiday ideas see my previous Rosh Hashanah round ups! 

I've converted some traditional foods such as (link) vegan chopped liver, vegetarian gluten free matzo balls, vegetarian 1 hour gluten free challah, and vegan un-chicken soup. 

This Incredible Salad Dressing Recipe

Ingredients: 

Juice of one large organic lime or lemon

1 large organic apple, cored and diced 

1 heaping tablespoon of raw honey (vegans substitute maple syrup)1 organic red apple, sliced

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

optional: 1/2 teaspoon of zest from an organic lime

Directions: 

Using a Vitamix or other very strong blender, whiz all ingredients together until well mixed and perfectly smooth. Serve on carrot salad, fruit salad, or as the dressing on a Waldorf salad.

My Notes: 
This dressing will last in the refrigerator for 5 days and still taste great!!