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Kale Stir-fry and Thanksgiving: A Love Story

a close up shot of roasted veggies with feta on top of it

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Even though I am from New Zealand, I love American Thanksgiving. It is a holiday dedicated to gratefulness, family, and of course, delicious food. But for vegetarians, choosing recipes for our Thanksgiving meal can be tricky. One way I create hearty veggie-friendly meals is by stir-frying my favorite vegetables. And king kale is certainly my favorite veggie to toss in the pan! 

Will you be skipping the turkey this year? You and your dinner guests will love this vegetarian Holiday Kale and Cranberry Stir-fry recipe:

Holiday Kale and Cranberry Stir-Fry 

(Remember to choose certified organic when possible.)

  • Kale: 1 bunch
  • Asparagus: 1 bunch
  • Cranberries:* 1 cup
  • Crushed walnuts: 1/2 cup
  • Goat cheese: 1/3 cup
  • Extra virgin olive oil: 2 tablespoons or enough to coat your pan
  • Nutmeg Myristica fragrans essence (see recipe in my eBook here): 1 tablespoon**
  • Chopped thyme Thymus vulgaris: 1 tablespoon 
  • Crushed black pepper Piper nigrum: 2 teaspoons
  • Sea salt: 1 pinch

Prepare kale by chopping leaves into 4×2 inch pieces.

Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet or stir-fry pan on medium-high heat. Add asparagus, cranberries, thyme, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Cook about 3-5 minutes, tossing frequently.

Add kale. Stir occasionally for about 6-8 minutes or until both kale and asparagus are tender but firm.

Add nutmeg essence and walnuts, toss for about 1 minute.

Remove from heat and allow to cool for 2 minutes. Place into a serving bowl or dish. Sprinkle goat cheese over top.

Serves 4.

What recipes will you be whipping up this holiday? Share your favorites in the comments.
 


This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine. 

*Use dried cranberries instead of fresh if you prefer a sweeter, less tart flavor.

**Note: this is not pure essential oil. To make a nutmeg essence, see the recipe on page 12 of our eBook: Top 10 Culinary Essential Oils.

Editors Note: This blog post was originally published in November 2014 and has been updated for accuracy. (November 2016)

 
Dorene Petersen

Dorene Petersen

Dorene is the Founding President of the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS). She has over 50 years of clinical teaching and lecturing experience in aromatherapy and other holistic health subjects. She has presented papers on essential oils and clinical aromatherapy at the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades Annual Conference (IFEAT) in California, USA; the Aroma Environment Association of Japan (AEAJ) in Tokyo, Japan; the Asian Aroma Ingredients Congress (AAIC) and Expo in Bali, Indonesia; the International Center of Advanced Aromatherapy (ICAA) at the WonGwang Digital University in Seoul, Korea; as well as the AAIC Expo in Kunming, Yunnan, China. Dorene is a founding member of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) and served as its chair until 2023. Dorene is also involved in the distance education community and has served as a volunteer, committee member, and standards evaluator for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Dorene is a travel junkie, and has led ACHS Study Abroad programs to India, Indonesia, Greece, and Hawaii! Founding President Dorene Petersen holds a BA in Archaeology and Anthropology from Otago University, New Zealand, a Diploma in Natural Therapeutics from the South Pacific College of Natural Therapies in Auckland, New Zealand, and completed specialized training in Chinese herbal medicine and moxibustion. She has also completed part one of the Advanced International Training Program in essential oils at Purdue University. In addition to her work as Founding President of the College, Dorene teaches courses for ACHS and leads the ACHS study abroad programs to Greece, India, and Indonesia, which explore holistic health, holistic nutrition, and therapeutic aromatherapy and distillation, among other topics.

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