Holidays are a time for family and friends to gather for mouthwatering meals, but catering to every guest’s dietary requirements can be a challenge. The menus in The Healthy Hedonist Holidays will entice every guest - vegetarian, semi-vegetarian, carnivores, omnivores who can’t eat dairy, and people who just love good food with delicious, satisfying “flexitarian” meals. Each menu offers both a vegetarian and fish or poultry main course, and a range of side dishes, appetizers, and desserts that can be used in any combination to accommodate individual tastes. The recipes honor America’s diverse cultural and ethnic heritage: Kwanzaa features an Ethiopian-style feast, and Easter pays homage to Greek heritage. The traditional flavors of Thanksgiving take on a distinctly Southwestern flair with a maple sugar brined turkey accompanied by Mole Gravy with Dried Plums and Ancho Chiles as well as a Three Sister’s Polenta Casserole with Pumpkin Seed Pesto. A meal celebrating the Feast of Eid Al Fitr, the end of Ramadam, explores the flavors of Turkey and Morocco with Roasted Red Pepper Pesto with Almonds and Sesame Seeds,

Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Onions, Cinnamon, Almonds, and Cherries, and Semolina Walnut Cake with Macerated Oranges. No need to limit these innovative feasts to holidays; these menus make great dinner party or exciting everyday fare. With sections on ingredients, techniques, and a cooking plan for each menu The Healthy Hedonist Holidays is a book to use, to give, and to savor, over and over again.

From Publishers Weekly
Kornfeld (The Voluptuous Vegan) focuses on holidays reflecting America's multicultural society. For each celebration Kornfeld offers a vegetarian entree, a fish or poultry dish, numerous sides and dessert, all designed to leave us feeling energetic and nourished after the meal as well as delighted during the experience. The Hanukkah menu turns traditional potato pancakes into light, full-flavored Celery Root–Apple Latkes with Sage. For Kwanzaa, Ethiopian cuisine contributes the spicy warmth of Doro We't (Chicken Stew). Chinese New Year features Sesame Noodles with Wilted Napa Cabbage, with long noodles to bring long life. Dessert for a sumptuous Valentine's Day is Fallen Lemon Ricotta Souffles, and for a Greek inspired Easter, Baklava Cups with Almond-Vanilla Tapioca Pudding and Strawberry Rhubarb Compote. Kornfeld's directions are easy to follow, and her multiday time lines for each holiday feast help to create a more relaxed experience in the kitchen. These unique and inspiring recipes make it easy to infuse your food with intention and cook joyfully. (Nov.)
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