idiappam (South Indian rice noodles)

Idiappam: rice noodles fried with mustard seeds, curry leaves, nuts, and other spices, with coconut tomato sauce on the side. From the canteen of the Ganesh Hindu Temple in Flushing, New York City.

sugarplums

Fantastic sugarplums, courtesy of Sandy. Made from chopped dates, dried figs, prunes, dried cherries, raisins, grated coconut, chocolate, and sugar.

Boardwalk Chocolates

Fabulous vegan chocolates from Boardwalk Chocolates in Toronto. Clockwise from top (if I remember correctly): chocolate mint, gingerbread caramel, peanut butter marshmallow, and hazelnut. Thanks Siue!

mango & melon salad

A very festive New Years Eve salad, invented by some Swedish friends. Mango, white melon, onion, tomato, and cucumber over a bed of lettuce, topped with toasted pine nuts and a sweet & peppery vinaigrette. Explosive!

jallab

Jallab: A Middle Eastern drink made from dates, raisins, and rose water, with floating pine nuts. Super sweet and refreshing! From Lebanese Taverna in Baltimore.

smoked almonds

A recent discovery for me- smoked almonds. Smoky, salty, savory, addictive!

Dr. Weil's Fruit & Nut Bars

Five new flavors of Dr. Weil's Fruit & Nut Bars, by Nature's Path: Goji Moji, Chocolate Walnut, Pistachi-Oh!, Chia Razz, and Banana Manna. All the bars are very satisfying and tasty, like dense fig bars, full of all-natural ingredients. Renate and I liked the Pistachio (pistachio chunks and lots of spice) and Chia Razz (sweet raspberry flavor) the best, although the chocolate was also a big hit (rich and coconuty).

raw desserts!

Strawberry mousse (top) and chocolate brownie (bottom) from Leaf Cuisine: raw, vegan, delicious.

mushroom nut bake

mushrooms sauteed with olive oil and thyme, sandwiched between layers of chopped cashews, onions, garlic, and breadcrumbs

mixed nuts

peanuts, cashews, walnuts, roasted pumpkin seeds, and sesame sticks