Tag Archives: vegan

Strawberry Pomegranate Sauce

May 9, 2013 By in Breakfast, Desserts Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

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The flavors of Springtime…asparagus, artichokes, fava beans, rhubarb, spring onions, new potatoes, garlic scapes, radishes, lettuces, green peas, morel mushrooms, and of course, strawberries. Nothing says spring like strawberries. Remember the rule about strawberries…if they don’t smell wonderful, they won’t taste wonderful. So I get excited at at the farmers market this time of year and invariably end up buying way more fresh, fragrant strawberries than we can actually eat. So here I offer a solution, Strawberry Pomegranate Sauce. It’s a 10-minute, no-cook recipe that you can use swirled into your yogurt at breakfast (as shown above) or as a wonderful topping for ice cream, waffles, angel food or pound cake, etc. Adjust the sweetness based on how you plan to serve it and the sweetness of your berries. Recipe from Fine Cooking May 2013. Enjoy!

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1 lb. strawberries, hulled (about 4 cups)
3 Tbs. agave nectar; more to taste
2 Tbs. pomegranate molasses
1-1/2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. lemon zest

In a blender or food processor, combine the strawberries, agave nectar, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Blend until smooth, 15 to 30 seconds. Season to taste with more agave if you like. Cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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Mediterranean Salad with Chickpeas, Black Beans, Quinoa and a Lemon-Cumin Vinaigrette

April 26, 2013 By in Lunches and Snacks, Salads, Vegetables Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

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I love quinoa most when it is a secondary ingredient so I keep it (cooked) in the refrigerator and toss a few tablespoons in my salad at lunch.   I was pleased to find the recipe for this salad on The Cafe Sucre Farine because it was so chock full of legumes, vegetables and herbs.  I’ve used half regular quinoa and half red quinoa for my salad…you can cook them together and they really taste the same….I just happen to like the color contrast.   This is not only an excellent vegetarian main course, but also the perfect side dish for grilled or roasted meats and seafood.

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For vinaigrette:

1 clove garlic, minced

fine zest of one lemon

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

 For Salad:

2 cups cooked quinoa (according to directions on package)

1 can black beans

1 can chick peas

1/4 cup minced red onion

1 medium red bell pepper, small dice

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

Combine all of the vinaigrette ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well.  Toss all salad ingredients in a large bowl.  Add about 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette to the salad bowl and toss well.  Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.  Reserve any extra vinaigrette.  Can be made ahead and refrigerated….let the salad warm up a bit at room temperature, toss and taste for seasonings before serving.  Serves 6-8

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Overnight Marinated Collard Greens Salad

April 13, 2013 By in Lunches and Snacks, Salads, Vegetables Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

collards to post When I saw how beautiful and tender the collard greens looked in the market this week, I knew it was time to try to make a fresh salad out of them.  Some of the versions that I have had are too sweet…. or too raw tasting.   I fixed that by cutting way back on the sugar and by poring the boiling hot dressing over the vegetables to “cook” them just ever so slightly, then marinating them overnight in a large zip lock bag.  The result is a bright, crunchy, healthy and fresh-tasting salad for your summer repertoire. (inspired by a recipe in Vegetarian Times)

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1/2 pound fresh collard greens, washed

2 cups grated carrots

1 red bell pepper, cored and thinly sliced

1 small onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup rice vinegar

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup light olive oil

1 teaspoon powdered mustard

1 teaspoon celery seed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Cut the thick center vein out of the collard green leaves then stack several leaves together, roll into a cylinder, hold together and thinly slice to make narrow strips.  Repeat with remaining leaves and transfer to a large bowl.  Stir in carrots, bell pepper, and onion. In a small sauce pan, whisk together vinegar,  sugar, oil,  mustard,  celery seed,  salt and pepper and bring to a boil.  Pour the hot dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat well.  Season with salt and pepper if desired.  Transfer to a large zip lock bag and close…sealing out any air.  Refrigerate overnight.  Serves 8

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Asparagus Salad with Arugula, Fennel, Crispy Potato and a Creamy Italian Dressing

March 23, 2013 By in Appetizers, Lunches and Snacks, Salads, Vegetables Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

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In this tasty salad, think of the potatoes as you would croutons….not the main focus of the dish but a wonderful addition taste and texture wise. The real stars of this salad are the arugula, asparagus and fennel.  Put them all together with a light and fresh Italian Herb Dressing and you’ve got a dish that can stand on its own as a vegetarian main course, or compliment any grilled meat, poultry or seafood.  It also holds up well so it might be just the right thing to take to a potluck or picnic.

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1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon minced fresh herbs (parsley, dill, tarragon or thyme)

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 teaspoon honey

6 tablespoons extra vingin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1 bunch asparagus, trimmed

1 small bulb fennel, quartered, cored and cut into thin strips

3 cups fresh baby arugula, stemmed

6 small new potatoes, peeled and diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

For the dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, herbs, sour cream and honey.  Then drizzle in the 6 tablespoons of olive oil slowly and whisk until blended.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

For the salad:

Fill a non-stick skillet with a couple of inches of water and bring to a boil.  Blanch the fennel in this water  for about 3 minutes then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.  Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook until crisp- tender. (the timing will depend upon the size of your asparagus)  Drain and rinse asparagus under cold water to stop the cooking and preserve its nice bright green color. Cut asparagus on the diagonal into 2 inch pieces.

Wipe out your skillet and return to the burner over med-high heat.  Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and swirl around the pan.  Add the diced potatoes to the skillet in one layer and let cook without disturbing until golden brown on one side.  Toss the potatoes, lower the heat to medium and continue cooking 8-10 minutes, occasionally tossing the potatoes, until tender on the inside and golden brown on all sides.  Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Place the arugula in a large bowl, add the asparagus pieces and fennel and toss with about 1/2 of the dressing. Add the crispy diced potatoes and toss again.  Taste and add additional dressing and/or salt and freshly ground black pepper if necessary.

Serves 2-3 as a main course or 4-6 as a side dish.

 

arugula fennel salad to post 2

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Wagamama Ginger Salad Dressing

March 12, 2013 By in Asian, Lunches and Snacks, Salads, Vegetables Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

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Yum, yum, yum….I daydream about ways to use this dressing.  It will turn your basic rabbit food into a plate that you can’t put down. Pick up a roasted chicken, shred the meat and toss with a bit of this dressing for an awesome asian chicken salad. (I’m going to try it with Jumbo Lump Crab next!) The possibilities are endless. It will keep for at least 3 days in the refrigerator. Straight out of the Wagamama Cookbook, by Hugo Arnold. Makes 3/4 to 1 cup dressing.

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2 teaspoons finely chopped shallot

1-inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and grated

1 small garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped

1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 tablespoon tomato ketchup

1 tablespoon water

1/2 cup minus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

3 tablespoons light soy sauce

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.  Done.

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Two Cabbage Slaw with Avocado, Red Onion and a Grapefruit Vinaigrette

January 18, 2013 By in Appetizers, Lunches and Snacks, Salads, Vegetables Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

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This salad has a lot going on…texture, flavor and color…. yet it is quite simple to throw together. The creaminess of the avocado, the crunchiness of the slaw and the juicy grapefruit segments make for a memorable side dish.  You could also add grilled chicken and turn it into the main course.   The grapefruits and avocados in The Fresh Market right now are excellent, by the way. I’ve adapted this recipe from The Culinary Institute of America Vegetables Cookbook.  

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2 pink grapefruits (one juiced, one sectioned)

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

2 teaspoons honey

1 cup light olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

2 cups finely shredded leaf spinach

1 cup finely shredded red cabbage

1 cup finely shredded green cabbage

1/2 cup red onion julienne

1 avocado

coarse ground black pepper

For the vinaigrette, whisk together 1/3 cup of the grapefruit juice, vinegar, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper.  Gradually whisk in the oil until it is smooth and thick. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.  Set aside.

Toss together the spinach, cabbages, red onion and toss with some of the vinaigrette in a salad bowl.

Peel the avocado, cut into cubes and toss gently with a few tablespoons of the vinaigrette.

Arrange the slaw down the middle of a large serving platter.  Surround with fresh grapefruit sections and top with the cubed avocado.

Serves 4-6

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Zesty Black-Eyed Pea Salsa

December 4, 2012 By in Appetizers, Salads, Vegetables Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

This is the best version of marinated black eyed peas, better known as Southern Caviar, that I have ever had.  Simplified slightly from The New Southern Garden Cookbook by Sheri Castle.

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2 cups canned black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup sherry vinegar

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 cup canned fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup corn kernels

1 or 2 finely chopped pickled jalapeños

1 tablespoon canned chopped mild green chiles

1/2 cup finely chopped flat leaf parsley

Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl.  Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours and preferably overnight.  Stir and season with salt and pepper if necessary to taste.  Serve as an appetizer with crackers, or as a salsa with chips, on tacos, fajitas, etc.  This is also a great side dish with fried or grilled chicken.

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Bibb Lettuce with Tarragon Vinaigrette and Toasted Walnuts

November 17, 2012 By in Salads, Vegetables Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment
 This salad works well with big holiday meals as well as casual steak/frites suppers.  It’s nice to have this simple yet elegant item on the buffet table.  This is from Tyler Florence’s book, Dinner at My Place.  The lightly toasted walnuts in the photo are my addition.
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1 small shallot, peeled and minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 lemon, juice only
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 head Bibb lettuce
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon leaves
lightly toasted walnuts
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Combine shallot, mustard, and lemon juice in a large salad bowl.  Slowly drizzle in oil as you constantly whisk to emulsify the dressing.  Once all of the oil has been incorporated, stir in honey and fold in the 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon.  Season with salt and pepper.
Wash the lettuce and separate the leaves.  Smear the dressing up around the insides of the salad bowl and toss the leaves in the bowl.  (By doing this the leaves pick up a light,even coating of the dressing.)  Fold in the 1 tablespoon tarragon leaves and serve.
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“When Life Gives you Avocados” Guacamole

October 26, 2012 By in Appetizers, Lunches and Snacks, Vegetables Tags: , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

When avocados turn up at 10 for $10.00, there’s only one thing to do.  You don’t really need a recipe for guacamole, I know.  It’s one of those dishes thats all about the quality of the ingredients rather than the actual measurements.  But an idea that I read about in Ree Drummond’s, The Pioneer Woman Cooks worked really well for me since I was trying to prepare in advance for a lunch for 25.  She suggests that if you have homemade pico de gallo around, all you have to do if mash a few avocados and stir in a few spoonfuls for the perfect guacamole stat.  You can serve any remaining pico de gallo alongside as well, of course. Here’s the general idea:

You need equal amounts of :

1.  Finely chopped tomatoes

2.  Finely chopped red onion

3.  Coarsely chopped cilantro

4.  One or two fresh jalapeno peppers, stemmed, seeded and minced

Toss this together in a small bowl and squeeze in half a lime a bit of salt and toss again.  Taste and adjust lime and salt if needed.  Set aside.  You can make this a few hours in advance.

When you are ready to serve, slice open several ripe avocados and scoop out the flesh.  Sprinkle with salt and mash it all around a bit with a fork.  Then stir in a few spoonfuls of the pico de gallo that you made earlier.  Taste and adjust with additional lime juice and salt…keeping in mind that if you are serving with chips, that will add salt too.  Or serve with my  Make Ahead Chicken Fajitas.

And here is a link to Ree’s step by step tutorial if you want more direction.  Pioneer Woman Pico de Gallo and Guacamole

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