Grateful Prix-Fixe 2024: A High-Raw Holiday Celebration
- plant five method
- Nov 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 28, 2025
The holidays often bring us to the table to share meals, connect, reflect, and express gratitude. This year, The Plant Five presents our Grateful Prix-Fixe—a thoughtfully crafted high-raw feast blending traditional inspirations with innovative flavors. Each dish tells a story, honoring personal memories, shared experiences, and the beauty of intentional, compassionate living.
From vibrant greens to bold, hearty mains and sweet, citrus-infused finales, this delectable menu is a testament to how food can nourish our bodies and spirits. Whether you're hosting, seeking inspiration, or looking to choose the perfect offering, these beloved dishes are designed to celebrate abundance in all its forms—without compromise.
Each course or offering feels like a mini-legacy unto itself. I am happy to share a story about each and hope you will enjoy one, a few, or all this season. Click the links to discover the complete recipe cards...
The heart of this salad is rooted in community and our first days in our new home. Inspired by the fresh, vibrant produce from Costa Rican markets, it's a simple reminder of how local crops and shared efforts can create something extraordinary. This dish reflects the beauty of connection—both to the earth and one another.
Mixed lettuces, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and red onion come alive with the vibrant pop of tangy limón mandarina segments. A sprinkle of hemp seeds, almonds, and broccoli sprouts adds a delightful texture and satisfying crunch. Tossed with a simple rice vinegar and chili powder dressing, this salad is a symphony of fresh flavors that sets the tone for a truly vibrant meal.
My first garden was planted with my grandfather, a man I looked to as an example and gave me roots in every sense of the word. Together, we planted sunflowers and vegetables, and I learned that tending to a garden is an act of patience, care, and gratitude. Those moments shaped my love for fresh, simple ingredients and the pleasure of growing the food that nourishes you.
The Baby Garden Caps reflect the earthy flavors my grandfather loved and the connection we shared in those early planting days. These mushrooms, filled with a savory veggie blend, evoke the simplicity and fulfillment of working with nature and sharing what it offers.
Natalie and I still laugh about the time she ordered poutine at Champ's Diner, one of her favorite dishes. As she went to add ketchup, the lid popped off, covering her instantly. Moments later, the same thing happened to the guy sitting next to us—though he didn’t quite see the humor we did!
The Bushwick Gravy channels the warmth and depth of shared laughter and memories. Made with mushrooms, coconut milk, and a blend of dried herbs, it pairs perfectly with the 2nd Avenue Mash, Ain't Grandma's Stuffing, and the Mid-Century Loaf. It’s rooted in the reality that even a little mess can bring lasting joy.
Our journey as a couple began on wet, busy 2nd Avenue in the East Village, where we shared our first date at Matthew Kenney's Sestina. That night, as sure as I loved every bite—I knew I would love Jason forever. From that moment on, every meal and memory together has deepened that certainty.
The 2nd Avenue Mash captures the warmth and love of that first dinner. Creamy cauliflower is blended with coconut milk, gluten-free soy sauce, and a touch of rosemary and thyme, reflecting the comforting elegance of Italian-inspired flavors. Topped with fresh basil and cracked pepper, it’s a celebration of connection and the meals that bring us closer.
My grandma didn’t always understand what I was doing in the kitchen, but she always supported me. Her laughter and curiosity were constants, even when my culinary experiments were far from her comfort zone. Those moments taught me to love creating new things while honoring tradition.
Ain’t Grandma’s Stuffing reimagines a classic holiday favorite with bold, fresh flavors. Made with walnuts, almonds, and finely chopped vegetables, it’s brought to life oregano, thyme, and sage. Brightened with a touch of rice vinegar and a pinch of pink salt, this stuffing is a high-raw nod to my grandma—who’d be looking for the oil and wondering why the oven isn’t turned on.
Growing up in our mid-century home, I loved every detail—the warm woodwork, the colored glass in the bathrooms, the pocket doors, and the circular stone table that brought us together. It was a space that sparked my love for design and the timeless works of Paul Revere Williams, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Eames.
But what mattered most was sitting across that table from my mom. Those moments, sharing meals and conversations, taught me that the real beauty of a home is the connection it nurtures. The Mid-Century Loaf is a plant-based love letter to those times—made with earthy walnuts, savory mushrooms, marinated eggplant, and a hint of jalapeño for warmth. Balanced with carrots, celery, and red onion, this loaf is comforting and unifying—a dish made to bring people together.
My great-grandmother, G.G., was the healthiest person in our family, long before wellness became a trend. She taught me to love nuts and seeds, embrace the goodness of others, and find joy in the little things—like a good glass of prune juice! Her presence was grounding and wise, and her influence is a big part of who I am today.
G.G.’s Pecan Pie reflects her legacy. With an almond-date crust and a spiced filling of pecans, dates, and a hint of prune juice, it’s rich, warm, and full of nostalgia. This pie celebrates her lessons in health and simplicity while adding just the right sweetness to the end of any meal.
My mom had a way of making everyone feel seen and loved. She believed in my creativity, even when it meant stepping into uncharted territory. I hear her trying this pie and saying, “Boy, you put your foot in this one!”
Her Lime Pie is a vibrant tribute to her spirit and a sweet way to honor her memory. With a creamy walnut and coconut base, the bold, tangy flavor of limón mandarina, and a hint of cardamom, it’s a dessert as refreshing as it is heartfelt. I think she would have loved the warmth of the cardamom, just as she loved our time together over the years. It’s a bright and joyful finale to any celebration—a reflection of the light she brought to my life.
The Mandarina Sparkler is a celebration of the newness of our life here, bubbling over with joy and excitement about what’s to come. It reflects the vibrant, fresh start we’ve embraced and the simple beauty of living intentionally in this lush, abundant place.
With the bright tang of limón mandarina, the subtle warmth of fresh ginger, and the effervescence of sparkling water, this mocktail is a toast to the future. Whether you’re enjoying it as you prepare these recipes or raising a glass to those gathered at your table, it’s the perfect way to toast to connection, gratitude, and the start of something beautiful.
Thank you...
The Plant Five Grateful Prix-Fixe is more than a menu—it's a celebration of the bonds, life experiences, and stories that shape us. Each dish carries a memory, a lesson, and a reflection of the love and gratitude we hold for the people and places that inspire us. Whether you’re recreating one recipe or the entire experience, we hope this menu brings joy to your table and sparks meaningful moments with those you hold dear. Here’s to a season of abundance, compassion, and vibrant living—cheers to the journey ahead!
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