The combination of black pepper and sharp extra-old Cheddar cheese make these savory muffin-type dinner rolls a particularly flavorful addition to any winter meal. I made a batch to go along with Christmas dinner. The vegetarians at the table enjoyed these alongside sour chickpeas, brown rice and millet and some vegetables. Though not a traditional Christmas meal, it was a very satisfying and warming vegetarian alternative. I'm reposting this recipe with updated photos, and because I made it again and remembered how easy and good these muffins are for any occasion.

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Thanksgiving Day is almost upon us again. First set aside in North America to celebrate the harvest bounty of the New World, Thanksgiving is a useful reminder for those of us modern-day urban-dwellers accustomed to enormous supermarkets that shelves and shelves of inexpensive food couldn't always be so easily taken for granted … it may be especially appropriate for us to remember this year. It seems appropriate that as we give thanks for being able to spend a day with family and friends, we celebrate with food … and usually plenty of it!

These are some of my favorite fall entertaining ideas from the hundreds of recipes I've published over the years. From breakfast or brunch through to snacks and appetizers, dinner ideas, soups, salads and side dishes, and — of course — treats and desserts, there's something for every vegetarian or any family with vegetarians to feed at Thanksgiving. There are even some ideas in there for vegans or those who want to try an Indian-themed Thanksgiving dinner for a different experience. Your family and friends just might be giving thanks for your cooking at the end of the day!

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Assuming you can resist the urge to consume too many of these raw little bites, there is nothing to feel guilty about when you enjoy one or two of these chocolate peanut butter cups. Made with whole and healthy ingredients, they are so rich and tasty you would think they must be bad for you. And they are incredibly easy to make too, with no cooking—you'll only need to melt the coconut oil, and mix everything together in a medium bowl before pouring the mixture into a mini muffin tray and then freezing.

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As we move into autumn, many of us start to crave comfort food, and this oven-baked rice dish from Ottolenghi Comfort certainly is just that. This layered creation features rice infused with aromatic spices and lemon, and combines a mulitude of flavors ranging from tart, tangy, spicy to aromatic. Delectable cheese balls made with four different cheeses are layered on top, and the whole mixture is finished with a rich and vibrant chili butter. There are a few steps involved here, but it really comes together in very little time at all because none of the steps are time-intensive and most of the cooking time is hands off with most of the time spend waiting for the rice to bake.

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Many years ago I gave up store-bought breakfast or energy bars once I realized how easy it is to make my own far healthier options in which I control the quality of ingredients. These are my latest favorite breakfast bars, which also serve quite nicely as a snack anytime of day. Packed full of protein with seeds and nut butter, not to mention a wonderful flavor and enjoyable texture from a wide variety of healthy ingredients, you'll likely find yourself making up a batch often, as I do, once you try these. No cooking is required, just a small saucepan to heat the rice syrup or honey and nut butter of your choice. Mix it all together, press into a pan, let set in the refrigerator, then cut and keep on hand in the refrigerator for a tasty bite when the craving hits.

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I've been challenged by loved ones for years to come up with a vegetarian moussaka to replicate or improve the classic Greek experience without the meat. I finally gave into their demands, and everyone could agree that this vegetarian version exceeded their expectations. Although there are many variations on the famous Greek casserole, layers of eggplant and spiced ground meat—usually beef or lamb—and usually a layer of potatoes covered with a creamy béchamel sauce are common. Being a vegetarian, I of course left out the meat and substituted brown lentils instead.

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Hot summer temptatures call for simpler meal solutions, and that often means salads and dips. Although this recipe was originally prepared as part of a New Year's eve spread, it is well suited for a summer meal along with plenty of chopped up vegetables and some crackers or bread crisps. No heat is required to make this easy and "cheesy" dip—just a food processor, a cutting board, and a knife.

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Biscuits are surely at the top of the comfort food list for many cooks and appreciative diners. A classic biscuit is not only enjoyable with a pat of butter or your favorite jam, but also an ideal way to fill out a meal — any meal! Sour cream and, of course butter features here in this delightfully flaky, all-purpose biscuit. Anytime you have some sour cream to use up, do consider whipping up a batch of these.

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Indian flatbreads appear regularly in my household as they are a traditional and ideal accompaniment to a wide variety of Indian meals. Crêpe-like flatbreads such as dosas are easier to make, but when I have the time and inclination, I will go to the effort of preparing breads that require a bit care and attention for a treat. One such treat is these slighty bitter and earthy, thin and flaky flatbreads made with chopped fresh methi or fenugreek leaves.

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This colorful Basque-style cheesecake is made in a loaf pan without the fuss—indeed, it's so easy to make that all you need is a food processor, a loaf pan, and an oven, and the preparation takes hardly any time at all. Everything gets whizzed up, poured into the pan, and then baked until browned on top. Basque cheesecakes are crustless with a creamy, custard-like interior and a caramelized surface, but this loaf version is made with fewer eggs than traditional recipes, and it yields a perfect size cheesecake for a dinner.

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I think that everyone who's tried Indian food love pakoras, those little golden-brown fried vegetable fritters that can be found in any Indian restaurant and are usually served with a chutney. Pakoras are usually considered to be street food but here they're elevated to elegant cuisine by serving them in a thick and tangy spiced golden cream sauce called "kadhi."

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Dandelions are too frequently treated as a pesky weed, casting a shadow on their great nutritional value. The entire plant may be used—for example, the flowers can be turned into wine, tea or oils, and of course, there are the greens, which I've included in this delicious and nutrient packed salad. High in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, dandelion is also valued for stimulating digestive function and has purify properties.

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Rice is commonly featured on the menu at Lisa's Kitchen, but wishing for a change from my usual repetoire of recipes, and due also to a slightly weakness for fried patties and savory cakes, I came up with a simple way to use leftover rice to fill out a meal. These crispy shallow fried cakes are easy to make and remind me somewhat of arancini balls because of the addition of grated Parmesan cheese, but with much less fuss. I served with these with homemade tomato chutney, but they also make a nice addition to your favorite curries, or for any meal for that matter, or simply serve as an appetizer.

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One can never have enough recipes for vegetable side dishes, and this nutriient-packed Indian themed creation is a fine choice to fill out a meal. Here carrots and broccoli shine, dressed up with tempering spices, and simmered in an aromatically spiced tomato base with a bit of heat. Easy to prepare, with little fuss, for a reward of earthy and fresh flavors. Serve over a hot bed of fresh cooked white basmati rice for added flair and flavor.

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The toppings for this pizza are a tantalizing mix of tart, smoky and tangy, the main focus here being marinated sun-dried tomatoes. Sprinkled with shredded mozarella and fresh basil and a few dashes of red pepper flakes, the flavors here are basic, but at the same time combining for a complexity of flavors that qualifies this as a gourmet pizza with little fuss.

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Craving a chocolate chip cookie but one with a little less sugar than more traditional versions, I came up with this recipe that includes chunks of fine dark chocolate. It's a snap to whip up a batch, and though I have multiple recipes for this classic, ever-popular cookie, this recipe is now one of my favorites. Applesauce is used here in place of eggs. Chewy and soft, these cookies will keep in a well-sealed container for up to a week.

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A popular Indian steet food, aloo chaat is a wonderful medley of flavors with cooked potatoes tossed with sweet and sour spicy chutneys—often a green cilantro or mint chutney and a tamarind chutney—seasoned with crunchy chickpea flour noodles and pomegranate seeds. The combination of tastes and textures makes aloo chaat a well known snack but it is also a refreshing accompaniment to a North Indian meal. The cooked potatoes absorb the striking contrast of flavors present in this dish, and the chickpea flour noodles provide a pleasing crunch that complements the fresh burst of the pomegranate seeds.

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I consider myself a mushoom aficionado, so when I had an opportunity to receive a complimentary copy of Mushroom Gastronomy by Krista Town I was more than happy to accept. Within the covers are recipes for each and every mushroom variety that you can think of and some you didn't even know of. Beautifully presented with plenty of mouthwatering photos, the book begins with mushroom cooking and preservation tips, and then is arranged in a series of chapters devoted to each variety of mushroom, complete with relevant nutritional and cooking tips and a selection of recipes for the featured mushroom.

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Since eggplant is always a favorite in my kitchen, next to this classic red lentil wot, this Ethiopian eggplant wot is one that also features frequently when African fare is on the menu. Wot is an extraordinary gem of Ethiopian cuisine. Meaning stew, wot varies in texture from thin to thick, and also ranges from spicy hot to mild on the heat spectrum. The spicy sauce for wot, known as kulet, is generally made first and then followed by the addition of the main ingredients for the stew, and this is all simmered together until thickened and cooked throughout. The main features of the kulet are onions or shallots, oil, and seasonings. Red wot gets is color from the addition of berbere, a spice blend featuring red chili peppers and a variety of other spices.

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No gathering is complete without some appetizer nibbles. Previously I suggested some make-ahead vegan-friendly sweets to please everyone with a sweet tooth, and now it's time for some savory bites to make the occasion extra special, no matter how small or large the affair. Whether you are looking for starters for a meal or little bites for appetizer trays and spreads to serve at parties or for afternoon or evening hangouts, you'll want to consider these straightforward but especially satisfying ideas.

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