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Veggies

Dinner, Lactose Free, Potato Salad, Recipes, Salad, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggies

Mustardy Fried Potato Salad

April 1, 2014

Potato Salad with Whole Grain Mustard and Upland CressWho knew that making your own mustard could be so simple?  Pour a few ingredients into a jar, let it sit for 5 days, then add a few more ingredients and let it sit for another 5 days.  Puree in a blender and voila!  You now have a fantastic whole grain mustard that’s far superior (and fresher) than store-bought varieties.  Simply dressed with a combination of whole grain mustard, red wine vinegar and shallots, this potato salad shines.

Yukon GoldsYukon Golds are my favorite potatoes. With thin skins, moist and sweet interiors, these potatoes hold their shape well and are equally good roasted, baked, boiled, grilled and fried.

Fresh Thyme

Fried Yukon GoldsThe cooked potatoes are fried for a short time until they become golden and crispy.

Whole Grain Mustard Dressing

Whole Grain Mustard DressingThis dressing couldn’t be simpler to make.  If I have leftovers I mix a bit with mayonnaise and slather it on good bread for ham or pastrami sandwiches.

Mustardy Fried Potato Salad

Mustardy Fried Potato Salad 

Adapted from Suzanne Goin ~ Food & Wine Magazine

Serves 6 – 8

Ingredients

2 1/4 pounds medium Yukon Gold potatoes (try to buy potatoes that are the same size)

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 1/2 tablespoons finely diced shallot

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons whole grain mustard (preferably homemade!)

1/4 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (1/4 cup for dressing, 1 1/2 tablespoons for frying the potatoes)

salt and pepper to taste

upland cress (optional)

Preparation

In a pot of salted boiling water, cook the potatoes until just tender (test with a thin knife) about 25 – 30 minutes.  Drain and let cool slightly.

Meanwhile, place the shallots and vinegar in a bowl and set aside for 10 minutes.  Whisk in Dijon, whole grain mustard, 1/4 c olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.  Set aside.

Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, slip off their skins.  Cut potatoes into fairly large chunks, about 1 1/2 inch pieces.  In a large non-stick skillet, heat the remaining 1 1/2  tablespoons olive. Add the potatoes and thyme and season with salt and pepper. Cook, over moderately high heat, turning, until golden and crisp, about 6 – 7 minutes. Place warm potatoes in a large shallow bowl and drizzle some of the mustard dressing over the potatoes using as much as you like.  Toss gently.  Sprinkle upland watercress over the salad if using. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

Dinner, Lactose Free, Recipes, Salad, Sauces, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggies

Asian Kale Salad

March 26, 2014

Asian Kale Salad with OnigiriThere is beautiful kale everywhere! I went to a farmers market upcountry in Kula and was surprised to see that so many of the vendors were selling some variety or other of kale.  That being said, I came home with a big bunch of kale along with some other delightful vegetables.

Tuscan KaleI am partial to Tuscan kale (also known as Dinosaur kale and Lacinto kale).  Their tall, slender, deep blue-green color is gorgeous and their hearty leaves retain their texture once cooked.  It’s just perfect for a tasty side dish.

Chopped Tuscan Kale

Asian Dressing for Kale SaladKorean chili pepper flakes are a mainstay in my pantry.  They have a vibrant red color, a bit of heat but not too much, and a hint of sweetness.  I am very happy with the quality of the Korean chili flakes I purchase from Whole Spice.

Asian Kale Salad with Onigiri

 Asian Kale

2 servings

Ingredients

1 pound Tuscan kale, ribs removed, leaves coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon canola oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon minced ginger

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon Korean chili flakes

2 teaspoons roasted sesame seeds

Preparation

Blanch kale in boiling salted water for 3 minutes.  Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the kale from cooking further.  Pat dry between paper towels.  Gently fluff the kale and place in a  small serving dish.

In a small skillet heat 1 teaspoon canola oil over medium low heat.  Add garlic, and sauté, stirring often for about 3 minutes.  Turn down the heat if necessary so the garlic doesn’t burn and turn bitter.  Remove from the heat and stir in the ginger, soy sauce, water, sesame oil, Korean chili pepper flakes and sesame seeds.  Stir to combine.  Drizzle sauce over kale before serving.

Fruit, Gardening, Lactose Free, Recipes, Salad, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggies

Lilikoi Vinaigrette

March 19, 2014

Lilikoi VinaigretteNow that the weather has turned a bit cooler, we have been enjoying Manoa and butter lettuce from the garden. During the summer it is impossible to grow lettuce in Kihei, it’s just too hot.  We also planted radishes that turned out to be a tasty addition to our salads.

Garden Radishes

Lilikoi Flower in BloomOur new lilikoi (the most fragrant of tropical fruits) are doing well.  Their vigorous vines quickly claimed the fence as their home with their tendrils grabbing on to anything within reach.  We even caught one reaching up to the sky and fastening itself to a mango branch.  Our first season of growing lilikoi yielded a small, healthy, crop of fruit that we quickly used to make the best jelly ever.  Lilikoi vinaigrette came to mind when I was picking those tender lettuce leaves from the garden.  So with the few fruits left on the vines, the juice was frozen in small containers and will be enjoyed throughout the next few months.

Lilikoi Tendril

Fresh Lilikoi from the GardenLilikoi makes everything better.

Collecting Lilikoi JuicePress the pulp to extract the precious juice.

Lilikoi Shells and Juice

Garden Salad with FetaManoa and butter lettuce with cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, avocado and feta.

Garden Salad with Lilikoi Vinaigrette and Whole Grain Bread

Lilikoi Vinaigrette

Makes about 3/4 cup

1/2 cup fresh lilikoi juice

1/4 cup canola oil

2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons rice vinegar (not seasoned)

2 teaspoons honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon finely minced shallot

kosher salt and pepper

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a jar, shake well.

 

Japanese, Lactose Free, Recipes, Salad, Vegetarian, Veggies

Miso Carrot & Sesame Dressing

March 13, 2014

Miso Dressing with Watercress SaladThis quick salad dressing tastes so good I can eat it alone by the spoonful.  The mellow white miso with its savory flavor is lightly sweetened with grated carrot and honey.  Fresh ginger gives the dressing a little kick and roasted sesame seeds add crunch. Serve with peppery, crisp, watercress. Very refreshing!

Grated Carrot & Ginger

Miso Carrot & Sesame DressingThe original recipe mentions the dressing can be made up to two days in advance of serving, however, I’ve kept it for up to four days and it was just fine.

Miso Dressing with Watercress Salad

Miso, Carrot & Sesame Dressing

Adapted from Bon Appetit

Makes about 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

1/2 cup (scant) white miso

5 tablespoons canola oil

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup (packed) finely grated peeled carrot

2 tablespoons finely grated ginger

3 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar

2 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil

2 1/2 teaspoons honey

4 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Preparation

Place all ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously or alternatively place in a bowl and whisk until combined.

*If the dressing seems too thick add a teaspoon or so of water to thin it out.

 

Appetizers, Mexican, Recipes, Vegetarian, Veggies

Tomatillo Salsa with Avocado

February 24, 2014

Tomatillo Salsa with Avocado & FetaI’m still sifting through the recipes in the “Mexico” Issue of Saveur magazine. This is one of my all time favorite Saveur publications.  Equally excellent is the Everything You Need To Know About Filet Mignon issue (that is another story altogether).

Fresh TomatillosDiana Kennedy, originally from the UK moved to Mexico in 1957 with her husband Paul Kennedy. Often referred to as the Julia Child of Mexico, Diana is considered the leading researcher, teacher, and writer on the regional foods of Mexico, and for good reason.  Here  I adapted her simple, delicious, salsa recipe that anyone can make at home with ingredients that are easy to find at your market.

Serranos, Onion, Cilantro

Tomatillo Salsa with Avocado & Feta

Tomatillo Salsa with Avocado ~ Salsa de Albañil

Adapted from Saveur Magazine – The Mexico Issue

Serves 4

Ingredients

8 oz. tomatillos, husks removed, rinsed

1/3 cup roughly chopped cilantro

1/4 cup minced, white onion

2 serrano chiles, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

Kosher salt to taste

2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled (or queso fresco)

1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and cut into slices

tortilla chips or warm tortillas for serving

Preparation

Bring tomatillos and 4 cups water to a boil in a 4-quart saucepan; cook until tomatillos are just soft, 4 – 5 minutes.  Drain and set aside to cool.

Place tomatillos, 1/3 cup cilantro, 2 tablespoons onion, chiles, garlic and salt in a blender or food processor, pulse until slightly chunky.  Pour salsa into a serving dish and layer avocado slices over salsa.  Sprinkle on feta and remaining cilantro and onion.  Serve with tortilla chips, warm tortillas, quesadillas or burritos.

 

Chicken, Dinner, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Veggies

Green Bean Stew with Roasted Chicken

January 30, 2014

Green Bean Stew (no chicken)One of my favorite dishes is beans slowly cooked in tomato sauce and spices served with a scoop of brown rice and tender lettuces dressed in lemon juice and olive oil.  This particular recipe is adapted from  Turmeric & Saffrons Khoresh-e-Loobia Sabz – Persian Green Bean Stew with Chicken.  It’s very satisfying and leftovers are perfect for a work lunch.

Green Bean Stew with Chicken

Spices for Green Bean StewMy interest in Persian cuisine first developed when I came across a recipe for Jeweled Rice, a beautiful dish that includes ingredients such as cinnamon, cumin and turmeric, spices I love to cook with.  I also found another fantastic Persian rice recipe from Shanna at Curls and Carrots.  I’ve made Tah Dig many times now and it’s one of my favorite ways to prepare basmati rice.

Green Bean Stew IngredientsWith a very short list of ingredients, this green bean stew is delicious with or without chicken.  I found that using the tender meat from a good, supermarket roasted chicken works so well I now use it instead of cooking my own chicken.

Green Bean Stew

Green Bean Stew with Roasted Chicken

Adapted from Turmeric & Saffron blog

Serves 6

Ingredients  

1 pound green beans, washed, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

3 small garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 cup chopped tomato, peeled and seeded

1 1/4 cup tomato sauce

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

2 cups rotisserie chicken breast, torn into large pieces

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

Preparation

Trim the green beans, rinse in a colander and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and sauté until soft and golden, about 6 minutes.  Add minced garlic and sauté for another minute.

Add the turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and pepper flakes.  Coat the onion mixture with the spices.  Add the green beans, chopped tomato, tomato sauce, and enough water to just cover the beans.  Add the salt and a few grinds of pepper.  Stir to combine all of the ingredients.  Cover the pan and simmer the beans for about 40 minutes, or until the beans are very tender.  Add the chicken to the pan and stir gently to combine.  Once the chicken is warm, taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed.  Stir in lime juice and serve.

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