Leftover Local Turkey, Apple, Potato and Smoked Gouda Salad w/Cranberry Mustard Vinaigrette

04 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by cosmohippiechef in chicken, dinner, dressing, gluten-free, lunch, salad, seasonal, Side dish

Tags

apples, cheese, fruit, gluten free, local, potatoes, salad, seasonal

Love:

So I might be a bit late on a “leftover” recipe from Thanksgiving but, I figure you can really make this salad anytime using roast chicken, or even some poached eggs. I was even thinking leftover ham from Christmas dinner would work too. Needless to say I have made many variations of this salad over the last couple months but this version just happened to work out perfect this week for lunches using what I had on hand.

I know we are all moving on from Thanksgiving onto Christmas and all the ridiculous cookies that come with, just promise me you’ll eat some salads in between all those cookies. Enjoy!

Food:

Leftover Local Turkey, Apple, Potato and Smoked Gouda Salad w/Cranberry Mustard Vinaigrette makes 6 (could make 8)

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped, rinsed and spun dry

1 head butter leaf lettuce, torn, rinsed and spun dry

1 small container baby arugula

4-6oz leftover local turkey for each salad

3 small-medium local Yukon potatoes, cubed

3 local honey crisp apples, cubed

6-8oz smoked gouda, cubed

Dressing:

2 T. Wicked Wilson Mustard (local)

2 T. leftover cranberry sauce (I used homemade)

3 T. apple cider vinegar

1 T. red wine vinegar

1/2 c. olive oil

salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Start by placing 6 containers with their lids out so they are ready to be filled assembly style. Process the lettuce, chop, tear, rinse and spin dry. Distribute the lettuces evenly between each container, next add the turkey, I split one apple between two salads. Next add the cheese.

2. Cook the potatoes: Start by placing a saute pan on the stove over slightly hotter than medium heat, melt 1 T. ghee. Add the potatoes and season well with salt and pepper, toss. Take your time with the potatoes, make sure they brown evenly on all sides so toss often. When browned on each side use a lid that is just big enough to cover the potatoes, turn the heat down just a notch below medium and place the lid over the potatoes and let them steam. Take lid off and toss, place lid back on and steam until cooked through. When the potatoes are cool add them to the salad. This may seem a bit involved but the result is perfect potatoes, I cook mine like this all the time.

3. For the dressing: All the vinaigrette ingredients can be measured into a jar with a tight-fitting lid, shake well.

Cherry, Quinoa, Goat Cheese Salad w/Honey Wine Shallot Mustard Vinaigrette

27 Friday Jun 2014

Posted by cosmohippiechef in dressing, gluten-free, lunch, quinoa, salad, seasonal

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

cheese, cherries, fruit, gluten free, goat cheese, lettuce, local, mustard, nuts, parsley, salad, seasonal, shallots, walnuts

Food:

Cherry, Quinoa, Goat Cheese Salads w/Honey Wine Shallot Mustard Vinaigrette serves 2

For the salad:

1/2 c. cherries, cut in half and remove pit, set aside

4 c. mixed baby greens, washed and spun dry, set aside

1/2 c. dry quinoa, soaked overnight, drained and rinse, cooked and cooled- set aside (if I have soaked my quinoa I use a little less water when I cook it, so for this I use 3/4c. water to my 1/2c. soaked quinoa and cooked it over medium heat, uncovered for 15 mins)

8 tsp. local goat cheese (I use Drake Family Farms), roll each tsp. of goat cheese into little balls and set aside

2 T. chopped fresh parsley

1/2 c. walnuts, toasted in a dry saute pan, chopped, set aside

For the dressing:

1 shallot, peeled and finely chopped

2 T. honey wine vinegar (local)

1 T. Wilson’s Wicked Mustard (local)

1 T. olive oil

salt and pepper, season to taste

-Place all of the dressing ingredients in a small jar with a lid and shake to mix. Store in the fridge until ready use.

Directions:

1. Mix the chopped walnuts and parsley together, once you have formed your goat cheese balls roll them in the walnut and parsley mixture. Press lightly to make sure the walnuts and parsley stick to the cheese, save any remaining nut mixture and scatter over the salads or use for something else. Set aside.

2. Assemble your salads- scatter your greens between two plates, season your greens with a little salt and pepper. Next divide the cooked, cooled quinoa between the two salads (you don’t have to use all of it), then add your halved cherries and goat cheese balls. Use the rest of the nut mixture if you want.

3. Pour on the dressing and EAT!

Love:

It’s cherry season y’all and almost every ingredient for this salad can be found at our local Downtown SLC Farmers Market, need I say more?!! Get out there and eat the bounty. Next week I’ll have another recipe using local tart dried cherries. Until then… ENJOY!

Ginger Tofu Miso Ranch- Turmeric Mint Lime Vinaigrette

31 Monday Mar 2014

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cilantro, garlic, ginger, gluten free, lemon, miso, salad, tofu, turmeric

Food:

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

Directions:

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!

Turmeric 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

Directions:

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.

Nutrition:

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 cosmohippiechef in appetizer, gluten-free, salad, Snack

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

broccoli, cilantro, gluten free, onions, peas, salad, vegetables

Food:

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!)

Directions:

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.

2. 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!

Holiday Cobb

01 Sunday Dec 2013

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

cheese, gluten free, lemon, local, nuts, salad, seasonal

Food:

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

Directions:

-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.

-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.

-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.

-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.

–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!

Local Trout and Chickpea Salad

01 Monday Jul 2013

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

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Tags

beans, fish, gluten free, lemon, local, parsley, salad, seasonal

Food:

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.

When 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.

3. 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!)

Love:

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!

Easy Pea-sy Farmers Market Salad w/ Basil Miso Dressing and Rhubarb Granita

14 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by cosmohippiechef in dessert, dressing, gluten-free, salad, seasonal, vegan

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

asparagus, beans, cheese, gluten free, local, miso, peas, salad, seasonal, vegan, vegetables

Food:

Easy Pea-sy Farmers Market Salad w/ Basil Miso Dressing– serves 6

For the salads-

6 c. spinach, 1 c. for each (FM)

1 1/2 avocado’s, 1/4 for each

1 container of Sunbridge pea greens, divided (local, find at Whole Foods or Good Earth)

1 lb. snap peas, shelled and steamed, 1/4 c. for each (FM)

4 oz. Drake Family Farms goat cheese, divided (FM)

1 1/2 c. crispy garbanzo beans, 1/4 c. for each

1/2 asparagus, trimmed and steamed, divided (FM)

Lemons, salt and pepper

(FM)= Find at Farmers Market

Directions:

1. Divide all the ingredients into 6 glass containers, bowls or Tupperware with lids. (I made these for our lunches this week). Season with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

2. Place containers in fridge and they are ready for lunches during the week!

Basil Miso Dressing- enough for 6 salads (2 T. each)

1/4 c. olive oil

1/4 c. apple cider vinegar or Slide Ridge Honey Vinegar (FM)

1/4 c. miso paste (I like chickpea miso)

2 T. water

2 T. Clifford Family Farm honey (FM)

1 T. fresh chives or spring onions,chopped (I used some from my garden)

1/4 c. fresh basil (garden or FM)

Directions:

1. Everything but the onion and the olive oil in the blender or food processor.Blend well, then stream in the olive oil and blend again. Add in onions. Refrigerate, divide into 6 containers to go with the salads. Enjoy!

Food:

Rhubarb Granita- makes 3 c.

Adapted from Sunset Magazine June 2013

4 c. roughly chopped rhubarb (FM)

1 c. Clifford Family Farm honey

1/2 tsp. Real Salt

Directions:

1. In a wide pot, cook rhubarb, honey, salt and 2 1/2 c. water over medium heat, stirring often and mashing with a spoon if needed, until rhubarb turns to mush.

2. Pour mixture through a strainer into a bowl and rub with the back of a ladle to push through as mush rhubarb as possible.

3. Transfer to a shallow Pyrex dish and freeze until firm, stirring and scraping with a fork every hour if possible, about 4 hours total (stirring the mixture occasionally as it freezes creates large, slow melting ice crystals you want in a granita). Scrape up the granita with fork and spoon into bowls or your favorite vintage glasses. Eat!

Love:

This time of the year I let the Farmers Market dictate the menu at our house. My Easy Pea-sy Farmers Market Salad worked out perfect for our lunches and the Rhubarb Granita was just what the doctor ordered for dessert at the end of these hot days we’ve been having. Every Saturday is an adventure at the market to see what’s new and there is nothing better than having fresh, local seasonal food to play with in the kitchen. Can’t wait to see what will be on the menu next week, until then. Enjoy!

Tabouli- Friend-ly Food

24 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by cosmohippiechef in beans, quinoa, salad, Side dish, vegan

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

beans, gluten free, lemon, mint, parsley, salad, tomatoes, vegan

Love:

Two weeks ago my girlfriends (the TBC’s- tall bitches club) were in town. When we all lived in SLC we got together every Friday morning for ‘Coffee Tawk’ or cocktail night with the husbands and kids a few times a month. Now days that is much harder considering one of us lives in France one lives in California and two of us live here. When I found out that this little reunion was going to happen I wanted to have the girls to my place for nibbles and cocktails, and I knew exactly what was going to be on the menu, my friend Moudi and Derek’s Tabouli. Moudi and Derek are the bad asses behind Laziz Foods, they make Hummus, Muhammara and Toum (a garlic spread) and periodically Moudi will share recipes for his favorite Lebanese dishes on their Facebook page, this Tabouli is one of them. I have made it a handful of times and everyone loves it!

I don’t know about you but within my circle of friends I have friends that are vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free/Paleo and some that are just fine with anything I make. I am picky myself so I don’t mind the challenge of coming up with menu’s that appeal to everyone. The food pictured above I have served at my last two cocktail nights to some of my friends who fall under one of these labels and needless to say there was something for everyone. I have a feeling these dishes will show up a lot during the summer when we can get everything fresh at the Farmers Market. Cheers to friends and cocktail night- Enjoy!

Food:

Tabouli- recipe straight from Laziz

3 bunches of flat Italian parsley ~ roughly 5 cups of parsley leaves (packed really well)

1/2 cup of lightly packed mint leaves

1 bunch green onions (5-6 sticks)

2 medium tomatoes

1/4 cup bulgur (check the bottom of the recipe for a gluten-free alternative)

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper

Pluck the parsley leaves and discard the stems. Chop the leaves very finely, spending a good 5-7 minutes (you could use a food processor to ease the process if you are inclined).

Similarly, chop the mint leaves and green onions very finely, although the green onions may be a bit harder, and I find running them through a processor helps the process a lot.

Chop up the tomatoes very finely as well, and mix in the bowl with the parsley, mint, and green onions.

Soak the bulgur in hot water till puffed up (5 minutes), and discard of any excess water. Mix in with the salad.

Mix the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and mix well throughout.

Serve with lettuce or just eat it with a fork.

NOTE: This will not keep in the fridge with good flavor past two days, so keep the dressing aside if you must, and mix as needed.

NOTE: for a gluten-free alternative to bulgur, cook 1/4 cup of quinoa and use instead. This does alter the taste a bit though.

Also pictured above:

Laziz Hummus drizzled with olive oil and garnished with a sprinkling of salt and pepper

Crackers with Beehive Cheese and Muhammara

Carrots

ChickPea Flatbread (new recipe for me, I love it! My TBC Kim in France shared the recipe with me)

Nutrition:

Parsley: One of my favorite recipes using parsley

Mint: Fun Spring recipe using mint

Chickpeas: This recipe uses ground chickpeas and Laziz

Cheese: Check out these recipes using Beehive cheese

Sometimes the best nutrition is hanging with your friends.

Monday Housewife Day Roundup

17 Monday Sep 2012

Posted by cosmohippiechef in breakfast, DIY, quinoa, Snack

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

gluten free, quinoa, salad, seasonal, tofu

Love:

I posted the picture above on Instagram with a caption that read “I can’t tell you how many dishes I wash on Monday’s!” I lovingly refer to Monday’s as ‘Monday Housewife Day’ and this day is by far the busiest day in my kitchen. Most weeks I feel lucky to have a day that is dedicated to the prep of our meals, other weeks I feel like a slave to my kitchen. Today was one of those days that I just wanted to bust out of here and get lost in Lululemon (which I actually did but quickly got my butt home and back to work!). Our weeks tend to be busy and having breakfast, lunch and dinner prepped makes things a whole lot easier. Even though it’s sometimes a struggle to get through all the recipes I have for myself, I’m always thankful the rest of the week is easy in the kitchen department. I thought I would share the recipes I am using this week to make my life a little easier. Who know’s maybe one of these ideas with help make your life in the kitchen a little easier.

Food:

Here’s what I have going on in the fridge-

1. DIY Coconut Granola: Breakfast is organic plain yogurt, blueberries (farmers market) and granola topped with chia seeds and Dandy Tea to drink. *I should mention that I like to pre-portion out the blueberries into conatiners so in the morning all I have to do is add the yogurt, granola and chia seeds. This makes them portable, which is great when your sweetie is running out the door!

2. Lunch: Brown rice, steamed broccoli (farmers market) and sautéed Bok choy (farmers market) and Caramel Cooked Tofu.

3. Dinner: tonight is Toasted Millet Salad, this is a new favorite in our house. I made it last Thursday and made extra which is what we ate tonight. BUT, we will probably be having it again this week! Easy and super delish.

4. Dinner for tomorrow (I made this ahead because I have a very long work day tomorrow) and leftovers for lunch later in the week: Roasted Potato Onion and Rosemary Crustless Quiche. I thought I could just warm it up when I get home and serve it with a quick arugula salad. (We had a little slice with our Toasted Millet Salad tonight and it was very delicious.)

5. I make a batch of Gluten Free-Vegan Zucchini Muffins for my clients this week, as well as DIY Almond Butter to dip my apple slices in!

6. Snack: last but not least I made Pan-Fried Quinoa Cakes that I found in the Oprah Magazine at work (shh… don’t tell them it was me who ripped out that page!). I actually baked mine @375 degrees for 35 minutes. I had to eat one to make sure they were okay and they were fabulous and will make a great snack on the go.

Well, that just a taste of what it looked like today in my kitchen on Monday Housewife Day. Hope you all enjoy these new recipes as much as me.

Summer Sides- Potato Zucchini Bake & Raw Corn Salad

30 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by cosmohippiechef in salad, seasonal, Side dish

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Tags

cheese, corn, garlic, gluten free, herbs, local, potatoes, salad, seasonal, squash, tomatoes, vegetables

Food:

Potato Zucchini Bake 6-9 servings

2 c. cubed red potatoes (farmers market)

2 c. cubed zucchini (farmers market)

4 small shallots, chopped (Big Papa’s garden)

1/4- 1/2 c. chopped parsley (my garden)

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

6 oz Aggiano Beehive Cheese, cubed (farmers market)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 365 degrees. In a large bowl mix the potatoes, zucchini, shallots, cheese, mint and parsley. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Toss again.

2. Pour the mixture into your favorite medium size baking dish. Press the mixture into the dish to even it out and compact it just a bit.

3. Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is slightly brown and the cheese is super melty. Cool just a minute and serve warm.

Raw Corn Salad serves 6

6 ears of raw corn, cut the kernels from the cob (farmers market)

1- 1 1/2 c. cherry tomatoes, halved (my garden)

1 cucumber, peeled, seeds removed and diced (farmers market)

1-2 garlic cloves, minced (farmers market)

1/4 c. chopped basil (my garden)

2 T. Slide Ridge Honey Vinegar

1 T. olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1. Place the raw corn kernels, tomatoes, cucumber, garlic and chopped basil in a bowl. Toss lightly.

2. In a separate bowl mix together the vinegar and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

3. Drizzle the vinegar/olive oil mixture over the corn mixture and toss lightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and serve chilled.

Love:

Pictured above is the two summer sides and McDowell Family Farm grilled chicken. Does summer get any better than this? I don’t think so. We also had a High West Vodka Lemonade- yum! Summer is all about fresh local ingredients and these side dishes are full of just that. The Raw Corn Salad is fresh and sweet, the Potato Zucchini Bake is full flavored and comforting, perfect with grilled chicken. I hope one of these dishes shows up at your next get together.