Put a twist on a traditional Thanksgiving

Fill the season of festivities with food that brings people together. If you’re invited to a party or getting together with family and friends, think about bringing little bites filled with big flavor without having to turn on your oven. I recommend raw vegan pie tarts and filled peppers for a sweet or savory experience.
Raw Vegan Pies
I know what you’re thinking, what does raw vegan mean? No, we are not making a salad, but it just means we are using ingredients that are plant-based, like fruits, nuts and vegetables. The raw part means we are not cooking anything, but we will be using a food processor or blender for creating smooth consistencies. Also, don’t be scared of foreign ingredients like Medjool dates or coconut oil, you can usually find them at your local supermarket.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Crust
Ingredients
2 Cups of Walnuts
1 Cup of Pitted Medjool Dates
Start creating your crust by placing walnuts into the food processor along with pitted Medjool dates. Medjool dates are great as sweeteners and they have a complex, caramel-like flavor to them. Pulse the mixture until everything is finely chopped and it should be firm, sticky and workable. Take your mixture and press it against your mini aluminum cups or a mini cupcake tin to create 12 mini pie crusts.
Pumpkin Pie Tarts Filling
1 Can of Pumpkin Puree
¾ Cup of Pitted Medjool Dates
2 Tablespoons of Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
Dump the pumpkin, vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice into the food processor. Blend until smooth and fill your mini pie tart crusts. Freeze the pie tarts in the until firm and they are ready to be served.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Chocolate Pie Tarts Filling
3 Ripe Avocadoes
1 Cup Honey (Or use Maple Syrup, Pitted Medjool Dates or Agave Nectar)
¾ Cup Cocoa Powder
½ Cup Coconut Oil
2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
½ Teaspoon Salt
Place your avocadoes in the food processor. Drop in honey, cocoa powder, coconut oil, vanilla extract and salt. Blend the ingredients until smooth. Spoon the mixture into the pie crusts and freeze until firm.
Filled Peppers
For the savory selection, filled peppers are mouth-watering and tender. For those who love meat or want something heartier, these peppers are a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
1 Pound of Ground Pork
6 Green Peppers
2 Green Onions
2 Garlic Cloves
2 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce
1 Tablespoon of White Pepper
First, combine the ground pork with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and let the meat marinate for 10 minutes. Halve and de-stem the peppers. Mince your garlic and chop your green onions.
Add green onions, garlic and white pepper into the meat and mix. Fill in each pepper and coat the pan with oil. Brown the peppers on each side and drizzle soy sauce around the peppers. Finally, add in ½ cup of water, let it cook for about 15 minutes and you’re done.
With these new recipes, don’t be afraid of potlucks or dinner parties. Simply whip up one of these healthy treats and surprise your family and friends.