Produce Candles and Favorite Dinner Recipes • theVintageMixer.com

My Favorite Dinner Recipes + Candle Pairings and GIVEAWAY

Written by Becky

As we finish up 2014 I wanted to go back through my archives to remember what we’ve made throughout the year and to share with you a few of my favorite dinner recipes.  Josh and I have definitely found several staples that we will keep making.  We have cooked a few of these so often that Josh can even make them without me giving him directions from the other room (this cauliflower fried rice is his go-to).

And because this has been the year of pairings (paired up with Josh to write a book, and teamed up with a few friends to open a coffee shop) I thought I’d pair my favorite meals with these amazing candles by Produce Candles.

savory produce candle • theVintageMixer.com #candles

Chicory Produce CandleChickpea and Butternut Squash Stew

Chickpea Butternut Squash Stew Recipe • theVintageMixer.com

The chicory candle puts off smells of nuts and coffee.  This Chickpea and Butternut Squash Stew has charred bread and sautéed fennel which make for a fun match alongside the toasty smell of chicory. I think the chicory candle would also go great with Chestnut Soup, or Brazilian Feijoada.

savory produce candle • theVintageMixer.com #candles

Rosemary Produce CandleSautéed Vegetables with Herbed Ricotta Dumplings

Vegetables and Ricotta Dumplings Recipe • theVintageMixer.com

We have had this candle lit all throughout the Christmas season.  I think it would be the perfect complimenting aroma as I cook up these sautéed vegetables with herbed ricotta dumplings. It also perfectly balances all of the sweets coming out of my oven during the holidays (like this challah bread or these cookies).

savory produce candle • theVintageMixer.com #candles

Beet Produce CandleChicken and Vegetable Pot Pie

Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie Recipe • theVintageMixer.com

We make this easy pot pie often and use whatever vegetables we have on hand. Though I don’t always add beets to the pot pie the flavor coming from the candle would add a nice earthy aroma when the pie is bubbling away in the oven.

honey produce candle • theVintageMixer.com #candles

Honey Produce CandleSweet Potato Spinach and Sausage Soup with Quinoa

Sweet Potato Sausage and Spinach Soup • theVintageMixer.com

This soup is perfectly sweet and spicy all at the same time and a little addition of honey in the air would work just perfectly. We make this one all the time. For Christmas Eve we used farro instead of quinoa for a more hearty and stew like consistency.  This slightly sweet candle would also go great with my Super Food Bowl Salad which is made with a honey lime avocado dressing (& one of my most popular posts to date!).

Super Bowl Salad Recipe • theVintageMixer.com

If you’re interested in teaming up some of your cooking with a new fresh Produce Candle, check out the offerings on their website at ProduceCandles.com. A few tips for candle pairing – use complimenting flavors or flavors that are already in your dish. For example if you’re making Moroccan food, which is usually sweetened with honey, you could try the honey candle or if you’re making a pasta dish with lots of herbs try one of the candles featuring an herb. Try not to overpower the smells coming from your kitchen with a candle but instead partner with them.  Also, bring the candle into your entry way or living room to spread out the good vibes.

GIVEAWAY

I wanted to share the great smells I’ve enjoyed this holiday season so I’m giving away a candle to one of you! Leave a comment with the best dinner you’ve made all year to win.  Winner will be announced on New Years Eve is Debra from Elliot Eats!  For a double entry check out my previous post and add a comment with a challenge you hope to take on this coming year.

Here are some more favorites dinners from this year:

Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe • theVintageMixer.com

Cauliflower Fried Rice  We change this one up a lot adding in different veggies, chicken, and occasionally rice plus cauliflower. The cauliflower perfectly soaks in all of the juicy flavor from the soy sauce and sesame oil!

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Risotto • theVintageMixer.com

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Risotto

Farro with Tomatoes Sausage and Kale • theVintageMixer.com

One Pan Farro with Tomatoes Sausage and Kale

Kale and Black Bean Falafel Recipe • theVintageMixer.com #dinner

Kale and Black Bean Falafel

Cheesy Baked Quinoa with Chicken and Veggies • theVintageMixer.com

Cheesy Baked Quinoa with Chicken and Vegetables

Asparagus and Sun Dried Cherry Risotto • theVintageMixer.com #dinner

Asparagus and Sun Dried Cherry Risotto

Comments (23)

  1. All year I must admit the best dinner I have made was a homemade savory herb & sea salt bread loaf (which was probably also the best thing I’ve ever baked from scratch!) and a lemon and olive oil massaged kale salad with roasted sweet potato, beets and sliced avocado. My tastebuds were in heaven!

  2. Oh my goodness, by far the best dinner I’ve made all year was the feta/sweet corn/tomato/basil salad I made almost weekly during the summer. SO GOOD.

  3. Favorite dinner would have to be the Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas I made a week ago, simply because my kids loved it and so did my husband!

  4. I made a big brunch for friends one Saturday — scones, puff pastry-wrapped asparagus, mojito fruit salad…the works! I just love brunch. 🙂

  5. My best dinner was my “Friendsmas” dinner (Christmas with friends). Duck, pork, chicken and salmon were all on the table, finished off with a Christmas Wreath Pavlova x

  6. My favorite meal this year was easily a bacon and eggs capellini that I threw together in 20 minutes with random leftovers in the fridge. Sometimes the best meals are the ones that stem from being hungry and so inventive with what is around.

  7. The best meal I ever made was a Beef Wellington (with green beans and mashed potatoes). I was so excited that I panicked and called my friend over to make the pastry with me. My hands were shaking. Possibly this was because the meat cost about $90!

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