Category Archives: appetizer

Honey Sriracha

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

Posted by in appetizer, dips, DIY, dressing, gluten-free, homemade gifts

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DSCN3853Food:

Honey Sriracha– makes about 2 ½ c.

Inspired and Adapted from bon appétit

1 lb Fresno chile (red jalapeno)

3 garlic cloves

1 T. real salt

1/4c. apple cider vinegar

1/4c. fresh lime juice

2 tsp. local honey

Plus 1/2c. local honey

Directions:

1. Pulse chilies, garlic, and salt in the food processor to a fine paste. Transfer to a half pint mason jar, cover with cheesecloth and secure with a rubber band. Let sit at room temperature at least 2 days (I think mine sat out for 3 or 4!)

2. Transfer chile mixture to the blender, add fresh lime juice, apple cider vinegar and 2 tsp. local honey, blend until smooth. Transfer to a clean pint Mason jar and cover with cheesecloth again, let sit at room temp for 1-2 more days. After those two days, add remaining 1/2c. local honey. Mix well and store the fridge for at least a day. Eat!

DSCN3827DSCN3832DSCN3837DSCN3840Nutrition:

Usually during the summer time I take a break from this section of my blog, mainly so I can spend more time with friends in the sunshine. I hope you are doing the same.

Love:

I’ve been struggling between two areas of my life lately, my work life and my home life. Last year I worked my toosh off and my sweet house, my sweet husband and my well-being got no love. So this year I vowed to work a little less and spend a little more time on my personal space, but as you know things don’t always go as planned. The first part of this year was a mixed bag of stuff, some good -10 year anniversary trip, having friends in town, exciting work projects, some not so good- very sick (expensive) kitty and losing my wonderful grandpa (still can’t fully grasp this). I know we all have stuff, but February, March and April kicked my butt and here we are half way through the year!

I needed a break. So needless to say I took no extra jobs or worked on my blog last month but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t still playing in the kitchen (and around the house!).

I’m a sucker for spicy food and the balance of sweet and spicy in this Honey Sriracha is out of this world! There is nothing like homemade hot sauce, the flavor is so fresh and this recipe is ridiculously easy. I have served it on eggs, over rice and veggies and like pictured above on apples/cheese and crackers, holy yum!

In order to self preserve and spend more time with my sweetie working on our love shack my post might be a little farther in between, they might. I’m planning on only attending the farmers market every other week (trust me this will be hard for me) this season and investing in a CSA with BUG Farms. Some times taking a step back and slowing down can be a good thing. ENJOY!

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White Girl Kimchi

24 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by in appetizer, DIY, gluten-free, Side dish

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DSCN3806Food:

Disclaimer- the title of this post is not intended to offend or be disrespectful.

White Girl Kimchi made 1 quart & 1 pint

2-2 1/2 lb head of cabbage, I used Napa cabbage

1 bunch scallions, ends trimmed, cut into 3/4 inch pieces

1 T. chopped garlic

1 T. grated ginger

3 T. korean chili

3 T. korean fish sauce

1 T. plus 2 tsp. local honey

coarse sea salt

DSCN3785Directions:

1. Start by placing two colanders in your sink. Next cut the cabbage in half, cut out the core and then cut the cabbage into 1 inch chunks. Divide the cabbage between the two colanders.

2. Sprinkle 1 T. of coarse sea salt over each colander filled with cabbage. Toss the cabbage with your hands to disperse the salt. Let the cabbage sit for thirty minutes.

DSCN37863. The cabbage should be wilted and reduced in volume. Place the cabbage in a bowl and fill with cold water, swish the cabbage around in the cold water. Drain and rinse two more times (taste it, it should taste seasoned but not overly salty) . Drain well and set aside.

DSCN37954. In a large bowl mix together the garlic, ginger, scallions, korean chili, korean fish sauce and the honey.

DSCN3788DSCN3792DSCN37935. GENTLY squeeze the cabbage to drain, just a little! Add the drained seasoned cabbage to the ginger/chili bowl and toss well to coat all of the cabbage (taste it and adjust seasoning). Pack the cabbage into glass mason jars being sure to leave a little head room, place a tight-fitting lid on the jar. Place the jars in a cool dark place, I place mine in the cabinet above my fridge. Let the kimchi sit for about three days and then place it in the fridge. I like to unscrew the lids and push the kimchi down and release some kimchi gases before storing in the fridge.

DSCN3797DSCN3807Love:

This is how I knew my kimchi was ready to go in the fridge- my husband came up from downstairs and said “what stinks?!” I said “kimchi is ready!” I have loved kimchi ever since I was a kid, I often wonder what my parents thought about their child asking for kimchi at the grocery store. My parents where both great cooks but we certainly didn’t eat kimchi at our dinner table. I have bought many different kinds of kimchi searching for the one that most reminded me of being a kid, failing to find the one. I have also attempted many times to make it myself, failed again! It wasn’t until I begged my friend Vanessa Chang to “please” come over and show me the mastery of this ancient food that I got a first hand look at how this special Korean condiment is made. The first time we made it she demonstrated and I watched, the second time I demonstrated and she watched, the third time I went solo and VIOLA, White Girl Kimchi was achieved! I lovely call it that because I am no way a master of kimchi, I’m still learning but I am so proud of myself for learning how to make something new that I have loved all my life. The salty, spicy, acidity that this kimchi has is just what I’ve been looking, and now a forever staple in the Cosmo Hippie Chef kitchen, even if my husband thinks it stinks! (Remember that’s how you know you did it right!) Enjoy!

Nutrition:

Probiotic- Bacteria, bacteria, bacteria! Kimchi is fermented therefore FULL of probiotics, aka good gut bacteria. Kimchi is full of vitamin A and C which are great for the immune system, 70% of our immune system happens in the gut. Our guts are so advanced it should actually have its own brain! With all the processed foods, stress and environmental toxins we are exposed to on a daily basis it is important to maintain healthy gut flora. Foods like kimchi can help, miso, sauerkraut and kombucha are also great probiotic foods.

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Ginger Tofu Miso Ranch- Turmeric Mint Lime Vinaigrette

31 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in appetizer, dips, DIY, dressing, gluten-free, salad, vegan

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DSCN3759Food:

Ginger Tofu Miso Ranch

inspired by Bon Appetit

4oz silken tofu (I have made this with sprouted firm tofu, sprouted is better for you but it makes the dressing gritty. I like the silken better.) If you don’t eat any soy sub with 4oz of hemp seeds

3 T. miso (I change-up my miso all the time, for this recipe I used Cold Mountain organic unpasteurized red miso)

1 lemon, juice and zest

1 inch ginger, peeled and grated

2 tsp. apple cider vinegar or Honey Wine Vinegar (local)

1/2 c. Drake Family Farm Goat Yogurt

1 T. cilantro, chopped

2 T. chives, chopped

1 T. heaping homemade dry ranch mix (2T. dried parsley, 1t. dried dill, 1t. garlic powder, 1t. onion powder, 1/2t. dried basil, 1/2t. pepper, make a double batch and store in a glass container with a tight fitting lid)

salt and pepper to taste

DSCN3752Directions:

1. Place the tofu, miso, ginger, vinegar, lemon juice, zest and dry ranch into the food processor and mix well. Drizzle in the goat yogurt while the motor is running. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides, add in the chives and cilantro and pulse just to incorporate. Taste for salt and pepper and adjust seasoning.

2. Store in a glass container with a tight fitting lid and place in the fridge and let the flavors meld together for at least an hour. Eat!

We will be enjoying this dressing on my Spinach, Beet Quinoa Salad for dinners this week!

DSCN3754Turmeric Mint Lime Vinaigrette

inspired by Food Matters

1/4 c. olive oil

1/3 c. fresh lime juice (this was 4 limes for me)

zest from 2 limes

1/4 c. water

2 T. almond butter

1/4 c. tamari (organic gluten-free soy sauce)

2 tsp. dry kelp seasoning

2 small garlic cloves, chopped

1 tsp. grated fresh ginger

1 tsp. grated fresh turmeric

2 T. fresh mint

DSCN3747Directions:

1. All of the ingredients go into the food processor except the olive oil and mint, mix well. Next drizzle in the olive oil with the motor running. Stop the machine, scrape down the sides and add the mint, pulse just to combine.

2. Store in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid and place in the fridge for the flavors to meld together for at least an hour. Eat!

I think this dressing would be killer on my “SLO” Salad.

DSCN3757Nutrition:

Tofu- In my opinion soy gets a bad wrap, maybe because we are using soy in everything and all soy isn’t created equal. I suggest you stick to sprouted tofu (sprouted anything is always better and easier to digest), tempeh, miso (which are fermented and fermented means good gut bacteria and better digestion), and edamame. Always look for Non-GMO! Silken tofu if a great veggie/plant based protein to add to your smoothies.

Miso- Miso is full of good bacteria, best when eaten raw like in this dressing to maximize all it has to offer. Can be added to soup, just remember to add it to the soup after it has been taken off the heat so you don’t kill the living bacteria. I LOVE MISO!

Turmeric- The list a benefits for turmeric is a mile long, most notable is that it is a big cancer fighter and a anti-inflammatory. I dare say that this will be the year of turmeric. Spicy like ginger, add it to soups, dressing, stir-fry’s and even juice it or add it to smoothies!

Kelp- One of the benefits for kelp is that its abundance of vitamins and minerals that promote healthy hair and skin. Kelp is mostly taken for its naturally high iodine content, which helps the functioning of the thyroid gland. Iodine is essential for the formation of thyroid hormones, which regulate the body’s energy production, promote growth and development, and help burn excess fat. It also adds a nice salty taste without actually adding salt, great sprinkled on eggs, veggies and grains.

Love:

These two wonderful tasty dressings have been on my “to-do” list for about a month! My friend Kim who runs the Downtown SLC Farmers Market asked me to come up with some fun dressings that would get you all excited for spring greens that will be popping up at future farmers market. Well, finally I am ready to share these dressings, I have made them a few different ways, photographed them twice and they are getting checked off my list today!

I am very picky about salad dressings, probably because I grew up eating my salads with vinegar and oil just like my grandpa. We loved vinegar and oil so much that when we were done with our salads if any dressing remained we slurped it up! That’s right we drank our leftover vinegar and oil! My grandpa and I also shared a love of mashed potatoes and gravy and though I didn’t share his passion for root beer floats I was always in charge of making them for him at family get togethers. Sadly my grandpa passed away two weeks ago, this is one of the reason’s I have been MIA on my blog. I am doing my best to keep up with life and it’s demands but when someone who has been a constant figure in your life passes away everything else seems to stand still, at least for me. I miss him terribly and I am trying to find peace in knowing (trusting) that him and my grandma are together and all is right in their world, whatever that may be. Sometimes the “to-do” list can wait, it is important to me that what I share with you is the best it can possibly be and from time to time that may take me just a little longer.

I love these two new dressings and I think you will to, they are very different and should get you excited about a new season of bounty headed our way. ENJOY!

 

 

 

 

 

Broccoli Chop Salad- Take Two

16 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in appetizer, gluten-free, salad, Snack

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DSCN3663Food:

Broccoli Chop Salad serves 8

1lb broccoli florets

1lb romanesco, chopped

16oz bag of shelled edamame/ or peas

2 c. celery, chopped

2 green apples, chopped (farmers market)

1 c. tart dried cherries (farmers market)

1/4 large purple onion, chopped (farmers market)

1 c. cilantro/parsley/mint (you decide) leaves, lightly packed

1 c. sunflower seeds, shelled

Dressing:

1 c. goat yogurt (farmers market, you could sub with veganaise or your favorite yogurt)

1/4 c. rice vinegar

1-2 T. pure maple syrup

salt and pepper

*optional- Stilton Blue Cheese (this is a great addition if you are making this salad for a party or get together, no one minds eating all these veggies when cheese is involved!)

DSCN3649Directions:

1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, also place a large bowl of water and ice in the sink to blanch the veggies. When the water comes to a boil drop the broccoli and romanesco into the water for about two minutes or just until their color brightens. Ladle the veggies out of the boiling water and plunge them into the cold ice bath. Drain veggies, set them aside and prepare another ice bath for the edamame, cook edamame according to the directions on the package. Then plunge them into an ice bath. Drain and set aside.

DSCN3652DSCN3654DSCN36552. In a large bowl mix the dressing ingredients, taste and season with salt and pepper. Add in the onions, apples, cherries and celery. Then add the blanched broccoli, romanesco and edamame, toss to coat. Lightly fold in the cilantro.

3. Toast the sunflowers seed in a dry saute pan until fragrant and slightly toasted. Toss them over the salad. EAT!

Nutrition:

Broccoli/romanesco- Broccoli is one of the most nutrient dense foods and is super low in calories! It is especially rich in vitamin C and 1 cup has about the same amount of protein as a cup of corn or rice but less than on third amount of calories. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamins K, C and A, as well as folic acid and fiber. It also contains phytochemicals with tremendous anticancer effects.

Apples- Apples are very high in pectin, a soluble fiber that has been shown to exert many beneficial effects. Because of its gel-forming fiber, pectin can lower cholesterol levels as well as improve the intestinal muscle’s ability to push waste through the gastrointestinal tract. Basically apples will help you poop like a rockstar!

Sunflower seeds- Studies have shown that the American diet is deficient of vital nutrients such as selenium which can be found in sunflower seeds. This particular mineral has anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antialler-genic properties. Sunflower seeds are also a wonderful source of protein, vitamin E, magnesium, vitamins B1,5 and 6, phosphorus, copper, iron, folic acid and fiber.

(Above nutrition tid bits came from The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods)

Love:

This recipe is an oldie but a goodie, I posted the original version almost 4 years ago! I can’t speak for all bloggers but sometimes it’s good to go back and revisit some of your old recipes and update them. I start to crave this recipe during this time of year because I am looking for a little crunch in my diet. After indulging in all the wonder slow cooked foods from the holidays this girl needs some fresh flavors and I just love the color and textures of this salad! I also love it with a little good quality blue cheese such as Stilton, but if you are trying to clean up your diet after the holidays just leave it out. If you want another fresh crunchy seasonal salad check this one out from last year. I hope these recipe finds you happy and healthy in this new year. ENJOY!

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Holiday Cobb

01 Sunday Dec 2013

Posted by in appetizer, dressing, gluten-free, salad, Side dish

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DSCN3623Food:

Holiday Cobb- serves 6 as a starter or 12 at a party

For the salad:

1 medium winter squash (I use kabocha), butternut, pumpkin

6 slices of bacon (I use Clifford Farms)

heaping 1/2-3/4 c. tart dried cherries, lightly chopped (I use local ones but you can find in the bulk section of most grocery stores)

4oz-6oz blue cheese, cut into small cubes (I use Snowy Mountain Creamery Delano, you find this at the downtown market, Caputo’s or Liberty Heights Fresh, maybe Harmon’s)

2 heads of lettuce, I use one head of red leaf romaine and one head of butter leaf lettuce

1 c. spiced pistachios, recipe to follow

1/2 lemon

salt and pepper

fennel blossom (find at Caputo’s, not crucial)

For the dressing:

2 T. mustard, spicy or Dijon

3 T. apple cider vinegar

3 T. Honey Wine Vinegar, can be found at local retailers (if you can’t find this sub with your favorite vinegar, preferably one that has a little sweetness)

2 T. pure maple syrup

3/4 c. olive oil

salt and pepper

DSCN3621Directions:

-Pre heat oven to 400 degrees

-Squash of choice: peel if needed, scoop out seeds and cut into one inch chunks. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and drizzle with a little olive oil, salt, pepper and fennel blossom if using. Bake until knife tender, 30 min or more.

DSCN3605-Bacon: line a baking sheet with parchment, if you have one, place a cooling rack over the lined baking sheet and then lay the bacon in a single layer on the cooling rack. Bake 15-20 min flipping once. Best to cook this with the squash. Let cool, chop and set aside.

DSCN3606-Lettuce: wash, spin/dry and tear into bite size pieces and lay out on big platter. Squeeze the lemon over the lettuce and lightly season with salt and pepper. Set aside.

DSCN3607-Spiced pistachios: place 2 cups of raw pistachios in a mixing bowl and season with, 1 1/2 T. melted butter or olive oil, 2 t. Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 t. real salt, 1/4 t. garlic salt, 1/4 t. cumin, 1/4 t. paprika, chili powder, 1/8 t. cayenne pepper. Toss and place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 275 degrees for 30 min, toss a few times while cooking. Let cool and set aside.

DSCN3618–Dressing: all of the ingredients go into a jar, shake, shake, shake. Season with salt and pepper to taste, set aside.

-Put it all together: you can lay the ingredients in a row like I did above or you can scatter the ingredients over the lettuce anyway you see fit. Salad can be served cold or at room temperature. The salad will last about 3-4 days UNDRESSED (no dressing) in the fridge. Weather at home or at a party I keep the dressing in a separate container and let my friends dress their own portions. EAT!

Love:

I love this salad, I have made this for two different occasions and both times it was a hit, it is a flavor explosion in your mouth! This time of year we need a few interesting recipe that are easy to throw together and will blow your friends and family away. This salad uses both local and seasonal ingredients which are pretty easy to find and can also be made vegan or vegetarian to suit your guests. Also, if you have any leftover dressing use it to season some veggies you might be roasting, like Brussels sprouts. I have family coming in this weekend and I can’t wait to make this for them. I hope this salad makes you look like a rockstar at your next get together. Happy Holidays and ENJOY!

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EASY End of Summer Salsa

11 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in appetizer, dips, DIY, gluten-free, seasonal, Side dish, Snack, vegan

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DSCN3262

Food:

Easy Summer Salsa

(measurements are adjustable and not exact, trust yourself!)

1 large pint of your favorite local cherry tomatoes (I used purple cherry tomatoes from Kenyon Organics)

1/2 large onion (Farmers Market)

1 small green pepper, you could also use a jalapeno or your favorite chile (Farmers Market)

garlic (Farmers Market)

handful of cilantro (Farmers Market)

lime

Celtic salt

DSCN3254Directions:

1. You will need your food processor or blender. Cut the onion in half, peel it and chop into large pieces, add to the processor. Save the other half of the onion for another recipe. Cut the pepper or chile in half, remove seeds and cut into pieces, add to the processor. Smash and peel the garlic and add it to the processor with a large pinch of gray/Celtic salt. Pulse to break down the pieces.

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2. Next cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add then to the food processor, add the cilantro and squeeze in the lime juice. Pulse everything together until you get the desired consistency. I like mine chopped pretty fine but not completely liquid. Use your judgement and no need to worry about messing this recipe up. Taste it, does it need more salt? lime? you decide. If it is to spicy add a teaspoon of honey. Feel free to add any spices you may like.

3. You can spoon the salsa into your favorite class container and refrigerate or grab a bag of chips and start ENJOYING!

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Love:

If you give me a choice between a cookie or chips and salsa, guess which one wins? CHIPS and SALSA of course! I love salty spicy treats.

This salsa has saved my behind more than once when I have been invited to a last-minute get together and all I have to do is walk out to the garden or use what is hanging around from the farmers market. It is ridiculously easy to throw together!

I hate to call this “End of Summer Salsa” but it’s been so hot here in Salt Lake that the tomatoes are just about done in my garden. This change of season is so bitter-sweet, we suffered through an outrageously snowy winter, a short spring and a sweltering hot summer. I will miss the long nights, backyard hangouts, rained out summer weddings, early mornings at the farmers market and swinging in my hammock. Most of all I will miss the fresh local produce overflowing on my kitchen counter. I am doing everything I can to soak up the last of those summer flavors before I move on to new ones, this salsa is pure summer in a jar. Oh I’ll make salsa in the winter with my canned tomatoes but it just isn’t the same, so hurry up and whip a batch of this “End of Summer Salsa” and don’t forget the close your eyes and play back all your summer adventures with each bite. Long live summer.

Beans & Greens

26 Friday Jul 2013

Posted by in appetizer, beans, gluten-free, salad, seasonal

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Food:

Beans & Greens– serves 6-8

2 c. dry beans (I used Adzuki beans I get at the farmers market, Borski Farms)

1 large cucumber, peeled, seeds remove and diced (farmers market)

1/2 c. parsley, chopped (my garden)

1/4- 1/2 c. cilantro, chopped (farmers market)

1 purple onion, chopped (farmers market)

3 lemons, zest and juice

a couple of garlic cloves, chopped (farmers market, Borski Farms)

lots of greens, kale and swiss chard, chopped (farmers market, Borski Farms)

olive oil

Celtic salt and pepper

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Directions:

For the beans:

1. Place the dry beans in a large bowl and cover with water, soak overnight. Drain, rinse and place beans in a larger pot. Cover with water again, maybe one inch above the beans. Turn stove to high, when the beans come to a boil let them boil for five minutes skimming off the foam. Add a piece of kombu (Kombu is a sea vegetable that adds minerals and helps tenderize the beans and reduces their gas effect!), place the lid on the pot and turn the temperature to medium-low and simmer until done. Check at 45 minutes, and then every 10 minutes till they are tender but not mushy.

2. When done, drain and set aside until ready to use.

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For the greens:

1. In a large bowl, add the lemon juice and lemon zest and six turns of olive oil. Next add the cucumber, onion, and herbs. Toss. Add greens, toss again. Then add the beans, toss one more time and adjust seasoning. EAT!

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A few ways to EAT:

1. Spoon some into your favorite wrap with some good quality cheese, tomatoes and avocado.

2. Pair with your favorite rice, preferably wild or brown rice and season with tamari (soy sauce), sesame oil and a squeeze of lime.

3. Top with a poached egg, drizzle with olive oil and your favorite seasoning.

Love:

There is a saying in Italian that goes “Quanta Basta!”, “a little of this, a little of that!”. Beans & Greens is just that, you can make this dish to suit your taste buds, it is just a blue print, a road map to other meals. I packaged mine all up in lunch containers, topped it with tomatoes, avocado and extra drizzle of olive oil and a slice of lemon. It would also be great left in a big bowl in the fridge and then eaten each night for dinner the ways I have listed above. It is hearty but light and is perfect in this hot weather, whip up a batch and add “Quanta Basta”. Happy Summer y’all.

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Local Trout and Chickpea Salad

01 Monday Jul 2013

Posted by in appetizer, beans, Fish, gluten-free, seasonal, Side dish

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DSCN3085Food:

Local Trout and Chickpea Salad serves 6

1- 1 1/2 lb local Koosharem Trout (Farmers Market)

1 c. dry chickpeas (soaked overnight, drain, cook and drain again= 3 c. cooked, you can use canned if you don’t want to start with dry beans) (Click here and scroll down for a basic bean cooking recipe)

1 c. Yee Haw No Frill Dill Pickles, chopped (local,Farmers Market, Whole Foods)

2 c. celery, chopped (Farmers Market)

1/4-1/2 of a whole purple onion, chopped (Farmers Market)

1/2 c. parsley, chopped (I got to use some from my garden!)

1 T. fresh dill, chopped plus a few sprig for the fish (Farmers Market)

2 lemons, plus 1 more for garnish

1 T. dry lavender (Farmers Market)

2 T. pickle juice

2 T. Dijon mustard (they have a new mustard booth at the Farmers Market but they are only there every other week, I haven’t been able to try them yet.)

1/4 c. olive oil, more for garnish

salt and pepper

Sunbridge Sunflower Sprouts (local, Whole Foods or Good Earth)

Directions:

For the fish-

1. Pre heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil. Place a cooling rack over the lined baking sheet, place the fish on top of the cooling rack and season with salt and pepper, sprinkle on the lavender (this trick came right from the Koosharem fisherman themselves!) and lay the sprigs of dill over the fish. Last, slice one of the lemons into rounds and lay this over the seasoned fish. Place the fish in the oven, before you close the door, pour some water into the bottom of the baking sheet. This will keep the fish moist while cooking. Cook for 20 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 125.

DSCN3069DSCN3071When the fish is cooked pull out of the oven and let is cool while you get the other ingredients ready.

For the salad-

1. In a large mixing bowl whisk the pickle juice, olive oil and Dijon mustard together. Add the juice and zest of the other lemon and whisk again. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Next add the celery, pickles, purple onion, parsley, dill and the chickpeas. Fold all the ingredients together with the dressing until well mixed. Next break up the cooked trout gently and add it to the other ingredients, fold together gently.

DSCN3079DSCN3080DSCN30833. Place the salad in the fridge to let the flavors develop, check for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if necessary. When ready to serve, scoop some of the salad into your favorite bowls or plates, drizzle with olive oil and top with a handful of sunflowers sprouts, garnish with a wedge of lemon. EAT! (Or do what I did and serve this in individual lunch containers and have it for lunch all week!)

DSCN3084Love:

This recipe is for my sweetie (wait, aren’t they all?!), he loves tuna salad but I don’t like buying canned tuna. It would take too long to explain and then you would think I’m crazier than I appear, just trust me fresh is where it is at. So imagine my excitement the first week of the downtown farmer’s market when I saw the Koosharem Steelhead booth! I was first attracted to the booth because I spotted two red heads, I kind of have a thing for red heads, red headed cat, red-headed friends, I digress. Any who, I went over and checked out what they had to offer, they were so friendly and their fish looked beautiful and no trace of fishy smells, this equals fresh. We chatted for a while about their practices, read more about that here, and I bought some with this recipe in mind. I couldn’t be happier with this recipe turned out and it made my sweetie very happy (as usual!), I can’t wait to make it again for our next Red Butte Concert with our friends. The Koosharem boys are located at the north-east corner of the farmers market, and they are only there every other week. Look for them this weekend July 6, but you’ll have to push me out of line to get some! Enjoy!

Tamari Glazed Bok Choy

18 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by in appetizer, seasonal, Side dish, vegan

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Food:

Tamari Glazed Bok Choy– serves 2

2 large or 4 medium baby bok choy, cut into quarters

2 small garlic cloves, chopped

1 inch ginger, peeled and grated

2 T. mirin

2 T. organic tamari (gluten-free)

1 T. pure maple syrup/ local honey

1 tsp. sesame oil

1 tsp. ume vinegar or rice wine vinegar

1 tsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. coconut oil

Cilantro and scallions- garnish

Directions:

1. Start by heating a heavy bottom pot over medium heat, add the coconut oil and let it melt. While you are waiting for the oil to melt combine the garlic, ginger, mirin, tamari, maple syrup, sesame oil, vinegar and cornstarch in a bowl, mix and set aside.

2. When oil has melted place the bok choy cut side down in the oil and cook for three minutes. Turn and brown on the other cut side for another three minutes. Rotate one more time and cook for another three minutes.

3. At the end of those last three minutes pour the sauce over the bok choy and let the sauce simmer and get thick, just a few minutes. Once the sauce is thick pull of the heat.  Serve immediately!!!

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Love:

I have made this dish more times than I can count. The first time I made this for Billy he thought it was the best thing he had ever eaten! It was a cold snowy day and I needed something warm to hold us over until dinner, I served it over rice and it warmed us from the inside out. Now he request this dish all the time, it surprises me what dishes he’ll like and I was shocked by this one, but happy it was a hit. This is a great dish to try bok choy if you have never tried it before. Serve it with brown rice, quinoa, fish, chicken the possibilities are endless. Also, right now it the perfect time to start seeds for bok choy in the house to transplant into the garden come May! I got seeds for bok choy at the Downtown Pop Up Farmers Market this weekend, I can’t wait to have some growing in my garden this year. ENJOY!

Nutrition:

Bok Choy- Cabbage is a nutrient dense, low-calorie food providing an excellent source of many nutrients especially vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, vitamin B6, biotin, calcium, magnesium and manganese. The cabbage family of vegetables contains more phytochemicals with demonstrable anticancer properties than any other vegetable family. Consistently the higher the intake of cabbage-family vegetables the lower the rates of cancer, particularly colon, prostate, lung and breast cancer.

For another fabulous, nutrient dense, powerhouse of a recipe try my Roasted Brussels Sprout and Romanesco Soup

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Hummus Bruschetta- A Quick Eat and Food for Thought

07 Thursday Mar 2013

Posted by in appetizer, beans, Snack

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Love:

I had a conversation last week that really has me thinking about comparisons. Comparing ourselves to others, comparing our current selves to our past or future selves, comparing our friends with one another, etc. This all started when a client compared how I currently spend my time devoted to food now as a married woman without children versus how I would spend my time (or lack thereof) if I were to have a child in the future.

I was raised in a household with two parents who loved to cook, but they both had full-time jobs, so during the week we ate dinners that were quick and easy to throw together and on the weekend they had more time to play in the kitchen. I have a very busy life myself and my week’s closely reflect the same type of time that my parents had to devout to preparing meals. The hope is that I will be able to do the same if and when I have a family because I make sure that eating healthy is a priority in my life. If you develop healthy eating habits and routines it will become an automatic practice in your life no matter how much time you have.

This recipe is an example of needing to get something on the table during the week when I am busy. Lucky for me I had all of these ingredients but the bread, and lucky for me I was at Harmon’s when my friend Moudi gave me the idea for this dinner. Some of the best dinners are quick and easy to throw together with a little help from your friends. Do what feels best to you, no need to compare. Enjoy!

Food:

Hummus Bruschetta serves 2

Harmon’s Sourdough Bread, sliced and toasted (4 slices)

Laziz Hummus (Harmon’s, Liberty Heights Fresh)

1 onion, sautéed slowly in a little ghee until caramelized, season with salt and pepper

2 handfuls arugula, I throw this in with the onions at the end and the residual heat wilt them

Sunbridge Sunflower Sprouts (Whole Foods, Good Earth)

sliced avocado (optional)

your favorite balsamic vinegar, we have some we brought back from Italy that is thick and syrupy

Assemble:

1. Slather the toasted bread with hummus, lay avocado slices (if using) on top of hummus

2. Divide the onion and arugula mixture among the hummus slathered bread

3. Top with sunflower sprouts and drizzle with balsamic vinegar

4. EAT!

Nutrition:

What we think is just as important as what we eat- Food for Thought

1. Be impeccable with you word, 2. Don’t take anything personally, 3. Don’t make assumptions, 4. Always do your best (Thank you Don Miguel Ruiz)

“Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy” Theodore Roosevelt (Thank you Joslyn for posting this, Billy and I loved it)

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