Meet Alex Caspero
Alex Caspero is a Registered Dietitian, New York Times Bestselling Plant-Based Chef and mom of two. She aims to cut through the nutrition noise by providing real-life, nourishing tips for body and mind. Learn more about Alex.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I seriously can’t believe that I’ve flipped my calendar to November and we’ve only got a few short weeks until holiday madness galore. Besides the first few days of summer, these moments, right here, are my favorite of the year. Fall is in full-force in St. Louis and I’m loving every second of it. California is amazing, but seasons it did not have. Currently, the trees look like they are on fire, with brilliant streaks of amber, gold and cranberry red. The air has just enough chill in it that soup is finally a welcome dinner and I don’t have to plan my runs before the heat of the day sets in.
The fact that it’s November also means my b.i.g. trip is officially over. With it comes a crazy mix of joy, contentment and letdown that the thing you’ve been planning for months and months and months is finally over. Glad that it happened, sad that it’s finished. That’s the state of mind I’ve been in for the last few days. Still half-drunk on jetlag and not enough sleep, but so excited to get back into the swing of things that I can’t be stopped. Half-asleep cooking may just be where I do my best work.
I’m also welcoming back the vegetables in full-force! After non-stop pizza, gelato and pasta the last few weeks (❤︎), I’m in desperate need of some greens and superfoods. Cranberries, to the rescue. I love fresh cranberries so much; I stock up on them now to freeze for use throughout the year. You don’t even have to prep them, just stick a bag (or 10) in the freezer in the package you bought them on. They are so incredibly refreshing in my healing smoothie and a must for my cranberry-orange ginger bread. I made that bread almost weekly last holiday season and I have a feeling my next batch is going to happen in the next few days. Seriously, you know it’s Fall when a loaf of quick-bread is cooling on the counter.
I cannot stop roasting fruit. Every time I think I’m going to do something different, I find myself throwing fresh fruit into the roasting pan, ready to be caramelized to perfection. These roasted cranberries are like candy; beautifully tart on this kale salad and just as yummy eaten by the handful (or stirred into vodka for a cocktail that is 👌).
This fall cranberry salad is a must for holiday gatherings. Though I won’t be cooking for our actual Thanksgiving, I plan on having a few casual Friendsgivings over the next month or two. Yup, even when Thanksgiving is done and over- you can still have a Friendsgiving. As I’ve mentioned a gazillion times before, there is nothing I love more than cooking for those I love. And really, isn’t that what Friendsgiving is all about?
My cranberry friends want you to celebrate with friends too! If you make this salad (or any cranberry creation), snap a photo and post it on social with #FriendsgivingCranberryContest. You can enter to win one of eight $500 prizes! (For full contest rules, head here). Prizes and food!? It’s the perfect holiday combo.
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
PrintRoasted Cranberry, Wild Rice and Kale Salad! The perfect salad for the holiday season. Roasted thyme cranberries with wild rice, toasted almonds, wild rice and maple-shallot dressing. Vegan and Gluten-Free.
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(14 comments) leave a comment
These photos are gorgeous!
Thanks Marisa! xo
I’m so excited it’s fresh cranberry season! This salad is so pretty, but what I think I want most is that dressing! YUM!
Thanks Jessica, it’s a good one! Perfect for almost any type of salad.
Beautiful!! I agree, I love fall in the Midwest. Just puts me in a good mood the second I walk on crunchy leaves and look at the pretty trees. xo!…. And I must make this salad!
Yes! Totally loving this weather right now. We need a girls get together ASAP.
Saw this when I was laying in bed this morning and only wished I had the ingredient to make for lunch!
You are the sweetest. xo
Gorgeous Alex!
Thanks Regan!
This sounds wonderful! I actually just roasted some wild rice with cranberries in it two days ago (with butternut squash too!)…the flavor combo was insane. Gotta try this salad now!
OMG- that sounds amazing! Need to try that one. Love the combo idea with butternut squash.
Looks delicious! I always feel like a salad won’t fill me up, but add rice and I think I’m in!