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Summertime Meal

Dinner, Lactose Free, Recipes, Salad, Summertime Meal, Vegetarian, Veggies

Wedge Salad with Sour Cream Dressing

September 11, 2022

There’s nothing like biting into a crispy iceberg lettuce salad. Cutting it into wedges intensifies that desirable crisp factor. This wedge salad with sour cream dressing reminds me of summer, however, by all means make it all year long.

When shopping for iceberg lettuce I try to select one that is not too heavy. My thought is that a medium to light weight head of iceberg has more of those delightful wavy interiors between each leaf and that means extra crispy. If the lettuce is heavy the leaves tend to be very compact (like cabbage) and I find that indicates denser lettuce with less crunch.

Avocado adds a bit of richness to this wedge salad and radishes add color and more crunch. Slicing the radishes in thin rounds and soaking them in an ice water bath transforms them into radish chips. The dressing for this salad can be made in a jiffy. You can even make it a day in advance if you prefer. Bon appetit!

Wedge Salad with Sour Cream Dressing

Recipe by Kiyo
Servings

4

servings

Adapted from Bon Appetit magazine

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup sour cream (I use Green Valley lactose free)

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise

  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated (microplane works great)

  • 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper + more for serving

  • 1 head iceberg lettuce (about 1 pound)

  • 2 small avocados, halved and diced (large dice)

  • 2 medium radishes, sliced very thin, chilled in ice water bath for 5 minutes (optional)

  • 2 tablespoons minced chives

Directions

  • Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add more salt and pepper to taste. Dressing can be made 1 day ahead, cover and chill.
  • Trim root end of lettuce; discard any wilted outer leaves. Cut into quarters lengthwise, then cut each quarter into 3-inch pieces being careful not to separate the wedges into leaves. Transfer to a large platter. Tuck avocado pieces and radish slices if using, among the lettuce.
  • Spoon half of the dressing over the salad and top with chives; season with pepper. Serve with remaining dressing alongside.
Lactose Free, Pickles, Recipes, Summertime Meal, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggies

Quick Dill Pickle Chips

May 28, 2022

Quick Dill Pickle Chips

Crispy, tangy and refreshing quick dill pickle chips are so easy to make and perfect for your summer picnics. We love pickles and always have an assortment in our refrigerator to serve with sandwiches or for a quick snack.  These dill chips are ready in just a few hours.  

Quick Dill Pickle Chips on Grilled Hot Dog

Quick Dill Pickle Chips Ingredients

Kirby cucumbers are typically used for pickles but are rarely found here on Maui.  Our locally grown Keiki Cukes are the perfect substitution.  They are small and crispy with very few seeds.  We have successfully used these for canning whole dill pickles as well as spears.  They are sold at all of our local markets as well as Costco.

Sliced Keiki Cukes

This crinkle cutter gives the cucumber slices scalloped edges which is sort of fun but of course is optional.

Quick Dill Pickle Chips Brine

The brine for the pickles couldn’t be easier.  The ingredients go into a pot until the mixture simmers, then poured over the sliced cucumbers.  That’s it!

Quick Dill Pickle Chips

Use a large bowl or mason jars to brine the cucumber slices.  This recipe makes enough pickles for three pint jars.  Surprise your neighbor with a jar of these crunchy pickles.

Quick Dill Pickle Chips

Quick Dill Pickle Chips on Grilled Hot Dog

The dill pickle chips are best eaten once they have been chilled thoroughly.  Pile them on hotdogs, sandwiches, burgers or chop finely and mix into potato salads.

Quick Dill Pickle Chips

Quick Dill Pickle Chips
 
Adapted from Serious Eats
Author:
Serves: 3 pint jars
Ingredients
  • 1½ pounds Keiki Cukes (or Kirby cucumbers), thinly sliced
  • 3 cups water
  • 3 cups distilled white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt (I use Diamond Crystal)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
  • 2 tablespoons mustard seeds
  • 10 sprigs fresh dill
Preparation
  1. Place cucumber slices in a large bowl or pack in mason jars.
  2. Heat water, vinegar salt, sugar, red pepper flakes, garlic, black peppercorns, mustard seeds, and dill in a large pot over high heat until salt has dissolved and the mixture is simmering. Immediately pour brine over the cucumbers, making sure they are submerged in the brine. Let cool for 30 minutes. Cover the bowl or jars, and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Store for up to a month.

 

 

Lactose Free, Pasta, Recipes, Side Dishes, Summertime Meal

Tuna Macaroni Salad

April 21, 2022

Tuna Macaroni Salad

This tuna macaroni salad is delicious and quick to make with ingredients you already have in your pantry.  It makes the perfect side dish for sandwiches, grilled chicken, tofu, pork or any of your favorite grilled foods.  Include it as part of your bento lunch along with a spam musubi or katsu sando.

Tuna Macaroni Salad Ingredients

I love crispy bits of celery in my salads though you can leave it out if it’s not your thing.  That goes for the onion as well.  When using them raw, I go for sweet onions that have a more subtle flavor than their yellow or red counterparts. 

Sweet Onion, Celery, Chopped Bread & Butter Pickles

You may use sweet relish right out of the jar or chop bread and butter pickles for a chunkier, crisper texture.

Tuna Macaroni Salad & Roast Beef Sandwiches

Serve the salad after it has chilled for at least 3 hours.  Everyone will enjoy this summertime side dish. 

Tuna Macaroni Salad

Tuna Macaroni Salad
 
Adapted from NYT Cooking
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces elbow macaroni
  • 1 can (5 ounce) tuna in water, drained
  • 1 hard boiled egg, peeled and smashed with a fork
  • ¾ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup chopped bread and butter pickle chips or sweet relish
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup chopped celery
  • 2 tablespoons sweet onion, finely chopped
  • paprika for garnish
Preparation
  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to package instructions. For this salad you don't want the pasta to be al dente, but fully cooked. Drain, rinse with cold water until the pasta is cool. Pour pasta onto a clean kitchen towel or a few stacks of paper towels to dry thoroughly.
  2. Meanwhile, mix the mayonnaise with the chopped pickles or sweet relish, Dijon mustard, onion powder, and pepper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni with the tuna, egg, celery and onion. Fold in the mayonnaise dressing until macaroni is evenly coated.
  3. Taste and add kosher salt and more mayonnaise as needed. Cover and refrigerate for a least 3 hours until well chilled. Sprinkle with paprika before serving.
  4. Notes: Salad can be made 1 day in advance (keeps well for 3 days). Double the recipe to feed a larger crowd.

 

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