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

Salad-e Shirazi (Persian Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad)

July 29, 2021

Salad-e Shirazi - Persian Cucumber, Tomato & Onion Salad

This refreshing salad comes from Samin Nosrat, writer of a James Beard award-winning New York Times best selling cookbook, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat.  We watched a documentary on Netflix featuring Ms. Nosrat a few years ago and really enjoyed it.  I love the simplicity of this recipe.  It has just a few ingredients but it packs loads of flavor.  It’s the perfect summer salad.

Diced Cucumber, Red Onion, Green Onion, Tomato & Fresh Herbs

The cucumbers and onions are crispy, the tomatoes are sweet, and the fresh herbs add life to this wonderful salad.

Italian Parsley in the Garden

Our herbs do quite well in our hot climate.  Italian parsley is an herb that we always have in our garden.

Salad-e Shirazi - Persian Cucumber, Tomato & Onion Salad

This salad is delightful on its own, but pair it with grilled chicken and tahdig, and you’re in for a real treat.

Salad-e Shirazi - Persian Cucumber, Tomato & Onion Salad with Grilled Chicken and Tahdig

Salad-e Shirazi (Persian Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad)
 
Adapted from Samin Nosrat's recipe
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces Persian or Japanese cucumber
  • 3 tablespoons diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons any combination of finely chopped Italian parsley, basil, dill or cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh mint
  • 1 tablespoon diced green onion
  • 8 ounces diced grape or cherry tomatoes
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
  1. Remove alternating stripes of peel on the cucumbers and trim ends. Dice cucumbers into ¼-inch pieces and place in a large bowl with onion and fresh herbs including mint. Cut grape or cherry tomatoes into quarters, about ¼-inch pieces.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup lime juice, olive oil, ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Just before serving, dress vegetables with some of the vinaigrette and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and more dressing. Serve slightly chilled with your favorite grilled chicken, tahdig or buttered rice. Leftover salad can be refrigerated for 1 day.

 

 

Dessert, French, Fruit, Jams & Jellies, Lactose Free, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Strawberry Galette

July 21, 2021

Strawberry Galette

One of my favorite fruits to use in a galette is mango.  During the summer months our two trees produce a good harvest of fruit that we use in all sorts of recipes.  But not everyone has access to mangos so any number of other seasonal fruits or berries are suitable.  I particularly like strawberries.  They make a gorgeous galette that bakes up beautifully.  The crust holds up well and leftovers, if any, are a real treat with coffee the following morning.

Fresh Strawberries

The strawberries found in the markets can vary in sweetness.  It’s a good idea to buy ones that are ripe and juicy in appearance but not at all soft.  Strawberries are quite perishable so plan on making the galette within a day or two of buying your strawberries.

Weighing Flour

The crust for this galette is excellent. It holds up well to the juicy strawberry filling and does not become soggy even if you have leftovers the following day.

Chilled Earth Balance Buttery Stick Cubes

I used Earth Balance Buttery Sticks (vegan and lactose free) but feel free to use regular unsalted butter as the original recipe calls for.   Whatever you choose to use, make sure it does not sit out on the counter and is well chilled.  Buttery Sticks are not as firm as regular butter so I freeze the cubes for 15-30 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.

Galette Dough

If I am short on time I freeze the wrapped dough for 30 minutes instead of chilling it in the refrigerator for a few hours.

Sliced Strawberries

Strawberries & Sugar

A little sugar is stirred into the berries which will give them a bit of sweetness, but not too much.

Strawberries & Sugar

Strawberry Jam & Cornstarch Mixture

The strawberries are gently tossed into a mixture of strawberry jam that is mixed with cornstarch and a pinch of salt.  

Rolled Out Dough

Roll the dough out on parchment paper.  Transfer the rolled out dough to your rimmed baking sheet and continue with the recipe.  

Strawberries on Galette Dough

Leave a 2-inch border (sometimes I end up with 1 1/2-inches!) to fold over the filling.  The original recipe calls for brushing the edges of the galette with some of the reserved strawberry juice and sprinkling sugar over the edges before baking.  Try not to apply too much of the juice as it is quite thin and will drip down the sides of the crust.  You can brush the crust with a bit of lactose free half and half or whole milk instead, then sprinkle with sparkling sugar.  The coarse-grained sugar adds a beautiful sparkle and sweet crunch to each slice of the baked galette.

Strawberries in Galette Dough

The dough is pleated every 2 inches to shape the galette and keep the strawberries the center of attention.

Strawberry Galette

I brush a bit of warmed strawberry jam over the strawberries once the galette is done baking. It gives the galette extra flavor and a beautiful sheen.

Strawberry Galette with Ice Cream

Strawberry Galette
 
Adapted from Cook's Country
Author:
Serves: 10
Ingredients
  • Dough:
  • 1½ cups (7½ ounces) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt (1/2 teaspoon if using unsalted butter)
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 10 tablespoons Earth Balance Buttery Sticks cut into ½-inch cubes and frozen for 15 - 30 minutes (or unsalted butter well chilled)
  • 6 tablespoons ice water
  • Filling:
  • 1½ pounds strawberries, hulled, halved if small or quartered if large (about 5 cups)
  • ¼ cup (1¾ ounces) granulated sugar + 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
  • ⅓ cup strawberry jam + 1 tablespoon, divided
  • 1½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon coarse sparkling sugar
Preparation
  1. For the dough: Process flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor until combined, about 4 pulses. Scatter Buttery Sticks cubes over the top and pulse until mixture resembles coarse sand and butter pieces are the size of small peas, about 10-12 pulses. Add ice water to flour mixture and pulse until dough begins to form small curds and holds together when pinched with your fingers, about 5 pulses.
  2. Transfer mixture to a lightly floured counter. Gather dough into a rough rectangular mound about 8 inches long and 4 inches wide. Starting at the farthest end, use the heel of your hand to smear a small amount of dough against the counter, pushing firmly down and away from you. Continue doing this while turning the dough as you go. Continue until all the dough has been worked, about 8 times. This is a process of working the crumbles of flour, butter, and water together into a dough by smearing them against the counter, making for a sturdy, flaky crust. Form dough into a 6-inch disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or freeze (if short on time) for 30 minutes. The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
  3. For the filling: One hour before rolling out the dough, toss strawberries with ¼ cup sugar in a medium bowl. Set aside for 1 hour. Reserve 1 tablespoon strawberry juice (if using for crust). Drain strawberries in colander while rolling out dough.
  4. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough into 12-inch circle on parchment paper. Transfer dough on parchment paper to rimmed baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.
  5. Whisk jam, cornstarch, and salt in a large bowl. Add drained strawberries and toss gently to coat. Remove dough from refrigerator (I transfer to dough to a second rimmed baking sheet that hasn't been chilled) and mound fruit in center, leaving a 2-inch border. Grasp one edge of dough and fold up 2-inches over fruit. Repeat around circumference of galette, overlapping dough every 2-inches. Firmly pinch pleated dough to secure. Sprinkle reserved 1 tablespoon of sugar over the strawberries. Brush top edges of dough with reserved strawberry juice, half and half or whole milk and sprinkle with sparkling sugar.
  6. Bake until crust is deep golden brown and fruit is bubbling, about 1 hour 5 minutes. Let galette cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Warm reserved tablespoon of jam. Brush jam over the berries. Let cool for 15 minutes. Using parchment, carefully slide galette onto serving plate. Serve warm or at room temperature.

 

Dinner, Eggs, Japanese, Lactose Free, Pasta, Recipes, Vegetarian

Life Changing Udon

July 10, 2021

Life-Changing Udon with Soft Boiled Egg and Fresno Pepper

In the May issue of Food & Wine magazine, Hetty McKinnon (cookbook and food writer) tells the story of her visit to Tokyo and how a simple bowl of udon became life-changing.  The noodles were toothsome, served with a perfectly cooked jammy egg, green onions and a bit of flavorful broth.  It was served with a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper scattered over the top which paired perfectly with the udon.  After reading the article, I was determined to prepare this noodle dish.  Now, more than a month has gone by and I’ve made it at least three times, and every bowl has been as delightful as the last.  

Life-Changing Udon with Soft Boiled Egg

Fresh Udon

Sun Noodle sells fresh udon at Island Grocery market in Kahului.  I will go out of my way to pick up a package of their excellent udon and ramen even if they are the only items I’ll buy that day.

Fresh Eggs

I just love eggs, especially ones with soft yolks.  The eggs I made for this dish are boiled for exactly six minutes and 50 seconds.  They are quickly transferred to an ice bath to stop the cooking.  You can use them as is, or make soy sauce eggs if you have extra time. Either way, the egg turns out perfectly with jammy centers and fully cooked whites.

Green Onions & Soy Sauce Eggs

It’s such a simple recipe with easy to find ingredients.  The baby bok choy adds color and crunch, but it is optional.  Don’t skip the green onions, egg, and pepper. Sometimes I will sprinkle shichimi togarashi pepper over the noodles to add a bit of spice to the dish.  This recipe does not have a lot of broth.  If you prefer more, increase that part of the recipe. However, I find that there is just enough to keep the udon hot, and the soup gets slurped up when the bowl is empty of noodles.  

Life-Changing Udon with Soft Boiled Eggs

Life Changing Udon
 
Adapted from Hetty McKinnon's recipe
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 3 tablespoons less sodium soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons mirin
  • 1½ pounds (24 ounces) fresh udon noodles
  • 4 tablespoons Buttery Sticks, divided (or regular unsalted butter)
  • ½ cup finely sliced green onions, green and white tender stems
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • flaky sea salt for the eggs
  • shichimi togarashi Japanese pepper, optional
Preparation
  1. Fill a small saucepan with water; bring to a boil over high heat. Gently lower eggs into boiling water. Set timer for 6 minutes and 50 seconds. Once water returns to boiling, lower the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil. Meanwhile, fill a medium bowl with ice water. Once the eggs have cooked, transfer to the ice water bath immediately. Let cool for a few minutes before peeling.
  2. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, stir together the vegetable stock, soy sauce, and mirin in a small saucepan. Cook over low, stirring occasionally, until hot, about 6 minutes. Add noodles to boiling water and cook according to package directions for al dente. Drain noodles, and divide evenly among 4 bowls.
  3. Pour hot soy sauce broth over each bowl of noodles. Add a tablespoon of butter to each bowl and allow to melt into the noodles and broth. Halve the eggs and top each bowl with 2 egg halves. Sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt and black pepper over the eggs. Add the green onions and scatter a generous amount of freshly ground black pepper over the noodles. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil before serving. Serve with shichimi togarashi pepper (optional).

 

Beans, Dinner, Lactose Free, Recipes, Side Dishes, Smoker

Smoked Baked Beans

June 27, 2021

Smoked Baked Beans

There is a myriad of ready-to-eat canned beans that are great for a quick meal. However, if you are looking for baked beans that are over the top, you will fall in love with these smoky, sweet, and tangy beans with bacon.  They are a delicious side dish for grilled or fried chicken, barbecue ribs or anything from the grill for that matter, including burgers.  The subtle smoky flavor is one you can’t get from canned beans.  The recipe calls for a smoker, so if you have one, you’ll be delighted with the final result.  

Onion, Poblano Pepper, Garlic

This recipe is made with canned pinto and white beans which simplifies this terrific dish.  Feel free to switch out the beans with others that you may have on hand, such as cannellini beans, black beans, or use all pinto beans.  The aromatics are garlic, onion and a bit of poblano pepper.  The flavorful sauce includes cider vinegar, molasses, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, tomato paste, chili powder, and barbecue sauce.  

Preparing Beans for the Smoker

Smoked Baked Beans

The beans will spend a few hours in the smoker.   All you need to do is give them a stir now and then which will ensure that smoky, savory flavor you’re looking for.

Smoked Baked Beans

Smoked Baked Beans with Fried Chicken & Coleslaw

Serve the beans with your favorite meals. One of ours is extra crispy fried chicken tenders and coleslaw.  

Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon

Smoked Baked Beans
 
Author:
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 4 slices medium thick bacon, chopped into ½-inch pieces
  • 2 cups sweet or yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ small poblano, seeded and diced (about ⅓ cup)
  • 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 15-ounce cans small white beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons mild chili powder
  • 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
  1. Preheat smoker to 225 degrees
  2. In a large Dutch oven (I use my 5½ quart) sauté bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, leaving behind the rendered bacon fat. Add onions and poblano pepper to the pan and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, stir for another minute.
  3. Add drained beans and the rest of the ingredients (except cooked bacon). Stir to combine. Bring to a boil then carefully transfer to a medium sized disposable aluminum pan. Place pan, uncovered, directly on smoker grates. Smoke for about 3 hours, stirring beans every 30 minutes. During the last hour of cooking add ¼ - ½ cup of water to moisten the beans (these beans are meant to be thick and savory, without a lot of liquid). Stir in crispy bacon bits just before serving the beans.

 

Chicken, Dinner, Lactose Free, Recipes

Ina Garten’s Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken

June 17, 2021

Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken

Nothing quite whets my appetite like roasted chicken. It’s one of the most simple yet satisfying meals I can think of.  I’m sure we all agree that Ina Garten has created some of the best recipes for home cooks.  The ingredients are accessible, presentation is beautiful and the food is delicious.  This particular roasted chicken recipe is just delightful.  The chicken is butterflied which means it cooks evenly and fast.  Dinner can be ready in short order.

Lemon, Thyme, Garlic, Fennel Seeds

Pepper, Thyme, Fennel, Kosher Salt

The seasoning for the chicken includes lots of fresh thyme, fennel seeds, salt, pepper, and olive oil.  

Butterflied Chicken with Herb Mixture

What lies beneath our bird?  Sliced onions, lemon, and garlic.  These aromatics along with a splash of wine and the juices from the chicken will turn into a luxurious pan sauce.
Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken

Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with Roasted Potatoes & Yellow Beans

Serve the chicken with your favorite side dishes.  You can’t go wrong with roasted potatoes and beans or asparagus.  

Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken with Roasted Potatoes & Yellow Beans

Ina Garten's Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken
 
Adapted from Ina Garten's recipe
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup good olive oil
  • 1 lemon, halved and sliced ⅓-inch thick
  • 1 sweet onion, halved and sliced ⅓-inch thick
  • 2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1 4-pound chicken, backbone removed and butterflied
  • ½ cup dry white wine
Preparation
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees (I used convection roast setting)
  2. Place thyme, fennel seeds, 1 tablespoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a mini food processor (or use a mortar and pestle) and process until ground. Pour olive oil into a small glass measuring cup, stir in herb mixture, and set aside.
  3. Distribute the lemon slices in a 12-inch cast iron skillet and distribute the onion and garlic on top. Place the chicken, skin side down, on top of the onion and brush with half of the oil and herb mixture. Turn chicken skin side up, pat it dry with paper towels (very important!) and brush it all over with the rest of the oil and herb mixture.
  4. Roast the chicken for 30 minutes. Pour the wine into the pan (not on the chicken) and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast registers 155 - 160 degrees.
  5. Remove chicken from the oven and allow to rest for a few minutes. Cut the chicken into quarters or eighths, sprinkle with flaky salt, and serve hot with pan juices, cooked lemon, and onion.
  6. Make Ahead: Assemble the chicken in the pan and refrigerate for a few hours before roasting.

 

Appetizers, Dinner, Lactose Free, Mexican, Recipes, Sauces, Vegan, Vegetarian

Roasted Salsa Verde

June 6, 2021

Roasted Salsa Verde

This tomatillo based salsa is delicious and because it’s homemade, it tastes far better than any jarred salsa found on the grocery store shelves.  I find that store-bought salsas tend to be quite salty so making my own allows me to add just the right amount of seasoning and heat from the peppers.  It’s very easy to make and can be eaten with tortilla chips or served with your favorite Mexican dishes.

Cilantro, Tomatillos, Onion, Garlic, Serrano, Poblano

I made a small batch that was just the right amount for four meals, but feel free to double the recipe if you are serving more than two people.  Broiling the tomatillos, peppers, onion and garlic add an extra depth of flavor. Peppers can vary in heat.  Buy a couple of serrano peppers just in case using one is too mild for your taste.  

Roasted Salsa Ingredients

Instead of turning on my oven broiler, I use my Breville toaster oven which saves me from heating up the house during these hot summer days.

Roasted Salsa Ingredients + Cilantro

After the the tomatillos, peppers, onion and garlic are broiled, everything gets blended into a thick salsa with the immersion blender.  Do you have one of these gadgets?  It definitely comes in handy when you don’t want to drag out the big blender for a small project like this.  

Roasted Salsa Verde with Tlacoyos

I usually chill the salsa a bit before serving it so plan ahead if you want to do the same.  Otherwise serve it at room temperature with crispy tortilla chips, tacos and burritos, or our new favorite Mexican dish: Tlacoyos.  It’s delicious on scrambled eggs scooped into warm corn tortillas.  

Roasted Salsa Verde

Roasted Salsa Verde
 
Author:
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
  • ¾ pound tomatillos, husked, washed and cut in half
  • 1 small garlic clove, peeled
  • ¼ small onion, cut into wedges
  • 1-2 serrano peppers
  • 3 strips of poblano pepper
  • ½ cup lightly packed cilantro, finely chopped (reserve 2 tablespoons)
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon sugar
  • fresh lime juice
Preparation
  1. On a foil lined broiler pan, lay tomatillos cut side down, along with the garlic, onion and peppers. Broil for 10-15 minutes or until nicely charred (remove garlic clove earlier to avoid burning). Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
  2. Carefully lift foil and pour ingredients into immersion cup or food processor (including juices from tomatillos). Add cilantro, salt, sugar and a few squeezes of fresh lime juice. Blend or pulse just until ingredients are thoroughly combined and have a thick consistency. Remove to a serving bowl. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and lime juice. Stir in reserved 2 tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro.

 

 

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