For as long as I can remember, falafel has been one of my favorite Middle Eastern creations. They are pure comfort food really. For those that are unfamiliar with these deep fried savory balls or patties, they are comprised of a blend of fava beans or chickpeas, onion, garlic, herbs, and spices, and are commonly served as a street food in the Middle East with chopped vegetables or pickles and hummus or a tahini sauce. Over recent decades, falafel has also become quite popular in the West, especially but not strictly with vegetarians. Though I have successfully baked falafel on many occasions using cooked chickpeas, this time I have opted for an authentic version grinding soaked uncooked chickpeas and deep frying them for the whole flavor experience.

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Whether you observe Christmas or another religious or cultural holiday, or just an opportunity to take some time off work, this is a season for celebrating family, friends and — of course — food. With cherished traditional recipes and tantalizing displays of elegant dishes and treats, food plays an important role in our observance of Christmas, from a special family breakfast through to the snacks passed around during the day, and finally to a memorable dinner.

Over the years I've created treats and meals for my own loved ones at Christmas, and I'm so happy that they have become as cherished to themselves as to me. Friends and families of vegetarians such as myself often have to forgo or add to earlier Christmas food traditions out of necessity, but one of the purposes of my cooking for friends and family has been to show them that vegetarian food can be just as rewarding an experience on special occasions as it is for everyday eating. One of my greatest rewards is to find that they themselves have discovered that Christmas traditions can grow and change through time without any loss of flavor or delight.

I cannot serve my treats and dishes to you, my readers, as much as I would like to. But I hope that sharing the recipes with you will provide you with inspirations and ideas that will add to your own Christmas eating and entertaining experiences, and make your holidays a time of sharing wonderful food as much as sharing time with the most important people in your life. Most of all, I hope that each and everyone one of you have a very warm and blessed Christmas.

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Christmas is a busy time for many, especially for those providing the lion's share of the nourishment. Sweet indulgences of course occupy a central role at this time of year and must be taken into account. Thankfully many treats can be prepared ahead of time and offered up when needed. The recipes presented here are not only easy to make and enjoyable year-round, but also good for you while satisfying a seemingly insatiable craving for sweetness. Additionally, all of the recipes are vegan-friendly, and that's another bonus because you'll be able to cater to a wider variety of tastes and preferences.

Check out these and other Christmas treat ideas on

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A south Indian delicacy, savory dosas are thin savory pancakes made with a fermented batter of lentils and rice. These light and airy crêpes are silky smooth and delightfully thin, with a irresistible crispness on the outside. The light flavor of these crêpes are enhanced by the easy fermentation process, which gives the batter a heavenly sourdough-like sour and tangy flavor. Dosas are an ideal accompaniment to any variety of south Indian meals, and are often stuffed with potatoes or other vegetables, but they also can be served as they are with fresh chutney.

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