Fasting Joy for St. Nicholas! 4 festive spreads!

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✨ Lenten Joy for St. Nicholas ✨
Each of these spreads brings festive color and rich flavor to your table. Perfect for a holiday feast or for moments when you want to treat yourself to something delicious and light.

These recipes combine creamy textures, subtly sweet notes, and fresh hints from herbs and nuts.

🎃 Roasted Pumpkin Spread with Hazelnuts & Warm Spices

A gentle, slightly sweet spread with depth from nuts and subtle warm spices.

Ingredients

• 350 g roasted pumpkin (butternut or muscat)
• 60 g roasted hazelnuts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• Salt, to taste
• Optional: ½ tsp maple syrup or honey

Instructions

1. Cut or peel the pumpkin and roast until soft.
2. Blend all ingredients until creamy. The hazelnuts should remain slightly textured.

Serving & Garnish

• Coarsely chopped hazelnuts on top
• A few drops of olive oil
• Light sprinkle of cinnamon
• Serving suggestion: oat crackers

🍄 Mushroom Spread with Walnuts & Thyme

An intense, earthy spread with a rich texture and deep umami flavor.

Ingredients

• 300 g fresh mushrooms
• 1 small onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 60 g walnuts
• 2–3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp fresh or dried thyme
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari

Instructions

1. Sauté mushrooms and onion until all liquid evaporates.
2. Add garlic and thyme, heat briefly, then cool completely.
3. Blend with walnuts until smooth but still slightly textured.

Serving & Garnish

• Chopped walnuts, fresh thyme, black pepper, and a few drops of olive oil
• Serving suggestion: sourdough slices or dark bread

🥕 Roasted Carrot Spread with Tahini & Cumin

A silky, balanced spread with an oriental character and pleasant freshness.

Ingredients

• 400 g roasted carrots
• 2 heaping tbsp tahini
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Roast the carrots until soft and lightly caramelized.
2. Blend with tahini, lemon juice, cumin, and olive oil until smooth and creamy.
3. Add parsley and, if needed, 1–2 tbsp warm water to reach the desired consistency.

Serving & Garnish

• Sprinkle with sesame and black sesame seeds, and chopped fresh parsley
• Serving suggestion: pita bread

🌿 Beetroot Spread with Walnuts, Fresh Herbs & Cranberries

A creamy and aromatic spread with natural sweetness from beetroot, depth from walnuts, and freshness from herbs.

Ingredients

• 300 g cooked beetroot, cooled
• 60 g walnuts, finely ground (toasted)
• 1 small garlic clove
• 2–3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Cut cooked beetroot into cubes and place in a blender or food processor.
2. Add walnuts, garlic, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil. Blend until creamy.
3. Add fresh herbs, salt, and pepper, and pulse briefly to keep the herbs slightly textured.
4. Optional: add ½ tsp lemon zest for extra freshness.

Serving & Garnish

• Top with cranberries, crushed walnuts, a drizzle of olive oil, and fresh parsley
• Serving suggestion: oat crackers

Place all the spreads on one board, and your Lenten joy for St. Nicholas is ready.

A little magic, a lot of flavor!

Cheers! 🥂

Oat Crackers with Seeds and Thyme!