Wakame Salad

YOU NEED:

3/4 ounce dried wakame seaweed

3 tablespoons rice vinegar 

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon sugar

red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon finely grated ginger

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

2 scallions, thinly sliced

1/4 cup shredded carrot

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon sesame seed, toasted

toss and serve 

Cheesy Spaetzle [Kaesespaetzle]

This german cooking is making me miss germany, a lot. 

YOU NEED

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
 3/4 teaspoon salt
 1/8 teaspoon pepper
 3 eggs
 3/8 cup 2% milk
 3 tablespoons butter
 1 onion, sliced
 1 1/2 cups shredded Emmentaler cheese, or cheddar, or swiss, or gruyere, or just a good mix.

TO MAKE:



Sift together flour, nutmeg, salt and pepper
. Beat eggs in a medium bowl.
Alternately mix in milk and the flour mixture until smooth. Let stand for 30 minutes.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.
Press batter through a spaetzle press into the water. You may also use a potato ricer, colander, or a cheese grater.
When the spaetzle has floated to the top of the water, remove it to a bowl with a slotted spoon. Mix in 1 cup of the cheese.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and cook until golden.
Stir in spaetzle and remaining cheese until well blended.
Remove from heat, and serve immediately.

Schnitzel with Jager Sauce

Schnitzel itself is rather easy to make. This is how you make delicious and creamy jagersauce, my way!

SCHNITZEL:

1. get a cutlet of pork, veal, or chicken and pound with a meat pounder until thinner and tenderized. 

2. coat in flour, then egg, then panko breakdcrumbs.

3. heat canola or vegetable oil [because who has lard] and fry schnitzel until golden on both sides.

4, keep in oven on low temp to keep warm while you make the rest, and the sauce.

JAGERSAUCE: 

1 tablespoon butter

1 clove munced garlic

1/2 a chopped onion

a package of mushrooms, sliced

1 cup beef broth

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup sour cream or heavy cream [for a creamy version]

salt and ground black pepper to taste

a bit of paprika, chives, or parsley to garnish. 

1. fry mushrooms and onions in butter and garlic until soft.

2. mix beef broth with flour, add in and simmer until a bit thicker.

3. add in cream if using, stir until mixed, and finally taste, season, and serve over schnitzel.

4. garnish. great with spaetzle or fries!

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

Ingredients

you need:

4 bacon slices 

4 tablespoons minced shallot

2 tablespoons minced garlic

3 tablespoons brown sugar

6 tablespoons orange juice $

5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons coarse grained mustard

1/3 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat 8 to 10 minutes or until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 Tbsp. drippings in skillet. 

Crumble bacon. add to salad [baby spinach, onion, egg and crouton optional]

2. Cook shallots and garlic in hot drippings over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes or until tender. Add brown sugar, and cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute or until sugar is dissolved.

3. Process garlic mixture, orange juice, and next 4 ingredients in a blender until combined.

4. toss with salad and serve!

German Style Crepes

These are fluffier, thicker,  and less sweet than french crepes. They're also known as german pancakes. 

In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup all purpose flour [or half whole wheat] flour with 2 eggs until combined. 

Add in half a cup milk, 1/2 a cup water, and 2 tablespoons melted butter. add a bit of salt, just a pinch.

NOTE: for a slightly sweeter crepe, add in 2 tablespoons or more sugar, and some vanilla extract, but not much. 

Grease a pan, pour in about 1/4 cup worth at a time, cooking on one side for 2 mins until browned,  then flipping. This should make 8-10 crepes. 

If you're eating them right away, add ingredients to the cooked side, like cheese, ham, etc. But I prefer just making the whole batch and warming them up later with whatever ingredients I want. 

Ideas?

SAVOURY:

Gruyere & Ham [or swiss, or emmantal]

Aged Cheddar & Apple

Bacon, Cheddar & Mushrooms

Sausage, Mozzarella & Peppers

Egg, Asparagus, Goat Cheese

Spinach, Feta

Croque Monsieur: Ham, Gruyere or Emmental, Tomato, cover in Bechamel [add a fried egg for madame]

Chicken, Peas, Mushroom, Cheddar

Squash & Boursin

SWEET?

Butter & Brown Sugar, plain and simple.... mmm. guilty pleasure.

Maple Syrup! of course.

Strawberries & Whipped Cream

Banana & Peanut Butter & Marshmallow

Banana and Nutella, of course

Orange Liqueur and Peaches

Chocolate & Raspberry Puree

Blueberries & Cream

Apples & Cinnamon Sugar

Cream Cheese & Apple Sauce

Ice Cream

Caramel 

Vicky's Spicy Puttanesca

a twist on my classic spaghetti sauce.

1. boil pasta, drain.

2. in a pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil, fry up 4 cloves minced garlic and meat [i find lamb works best with this] and drain fat. 

3. add in 1 can crushed tomatoes, some pitted kalamata olives, mushrooms and other veggies optional. flavour with a bit of anchovy paste and chili powder for spice, or red pepper flakes.

4. simmer until thick and ready.

5. serve with pasta and cheese!

Vicky's Famous Spaghetti Bolognese Sauce

Make a BIG batch and keep for leftovers!

This is my basic meaty and vegetably sauce.

YOU NEED:

1 tablespoon olive oil

500 grams ground beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, or pork. [i usually go with turkey or chicken as it's the leanest]

1 bottle tomato sauce, i usually go with roasted garlic or basil, with NO SUGAR ADDED. organic if you can get it. 

5 or so large mushrooms, sliced

1 small zucchini, diced

1 small green or red pepper, diced

1 smallish red or white onion, diced

1 tablespoon dijon mustard

1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon oregano

1 teaspoon thyme

a bit of fresh basil

3 cloves minced garlic

pasta OR spaghetti squash

1. in a pan, heat a bit of olive oil. toss in minced garlic, meat. fry until cooked.

2. add in vegetables, add in dijon and worcestershire sauce.

3. add in tomato sauce. simmer for a good 20 mins on low. add in herbs. 

4. hope you've boiled the pasta at this point.

5. top pasta with sauce and parmesan!

Sauteed Garlic Shrimp & Spinach

Garlic! Easy and delicious. 

YOU NEED:

1 bag washed baby spinach

5 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper

500 grams peeled and deveined shrimp

1. heat 1 tbs olive oil. add in 5 cloves minced garlic and spinach, and sautee until limp. 

2. add in shrimp, cook until pink, and lemon juice.

3. season with salt and pepper.

4. toss with other tablespoon olive oil before serving. 

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

\\Yummy spinach. Bacon as a guilty pleasure!

1. wash and toss spinach.

2. boil eggs, hard.

3. thinly slice some red onion.

4. dressing: fry a few strips of bacon, drain and cool, crumble into small pieces. mix with 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, salt and pepper. warm for 20 seconds in microwave.

5. toss salad and serve. 

Bearnaise Sauce

YOU NEED:

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter

4 shallots, finely chopped

2 tablespoons fresh tarragon leaves

4 white peppercorns, crushed

1/4 cup white wine vinegar

1/3 cup dry white wine

4 large egg yolks

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch of cayenne

MAKE:  

Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat just to melt. Boil shallots, tarragon, and peppercorns in vinegar and wine in a nonreactive medium-size saucepan over medium heat until reduced to about 1/4 cup. Strain into the top of a double boiler. Whisk in the egg yolks. Place the top over the bottom of the double boiler containing simmering water. Make sure that the top of the water is below the bottom of the upper part of the double boiler. Whisk constantly. The second that the yolk mixture begins to thicken slightly, remove the top of the double boiler from above the hot water and continue whisking. Turn off the heat. Add four ice cubes to the bottom of the double boiler to cool the hot water a little. Put the pan of yolks back above the hot water. Whisk in the melted butter, drizzling it in very slowly. If at any time the sauce looks as if it is about to break, remove the top and continue whisking to cool it down or whisk in 1 teaspoon cold water. With constant whisking, whisk in the salt and cayenne. When all the butter is incorporated, taste and add more salt or cayenne as needed. 

serve over steak, vegetables, asparagus, whatever. 

Burgers with Boursin & Basil

WARNING: garlicky. and cheesy. why are you complaing, though?

PATTIES:

500 grams ground chicken, turkey, pork, beef, or a mix

1 clove minced garlic [large]

1 egg

3 tablespoons breadcrumbs

salt and pepper

1 small finely chopped onion

1 few leaves finely chopped basil

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

TOPPINGS: 

gsarlic and herb boursin cheese

tomatoes

as condiment, try an herb aioli or creamy mustard. 

Sriracha Burgers!

Gotta love that rooster sauce. so versatile!

YOU NEED: 

500 grams ground beef, chicken, pork, or a mix

1 tbs soy sauce

1 clove minced garlic

4 tbs sriracha [this will be moderately spicy. reduce or add more, as you wish]

1 tbs breadcrumbs

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

TOPPINGS: 

4 slices bacon[optional]

1 large sweet onion

3/4 cup blue cheese dressing/aioli [optional]

4 buns

4 slices Swiss cheese, or sharp cheddar

1 tomato, sliced

arugula or lettuce

1. form patties. refrigerate. 

2. fry up bacon, drain. using bacon grease, fry onions. 

3. grill, bake, or fry burgers

4. you can mix blue cheese dressing with sriracha to create a delicious condiment. 

5. toast buns if you want.

ASSEMBLE!

Mushroom Cream Sauce

A versatile sauce for meat or pasta.

1. chop mushrooms, cremini, brown, or white. 

2. heat a bit of olive oil in a saucepan, add mushrooms, 2 cloves minced garlic, salt, pepper.

3. add in 1/4 cup sour cream. 1/4 cup chicken broth or veggie broth, simmer until thick. 

4. add parsley.

5. serve on whatever. 

Greek Rice with Feta & Pine Nuts

Greek rice, so good as a side. 

1. boil rice, basmati or long-grain or wild. 1 cup.

2. once done, toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 cloves minced garlic, salt, pepper, fresh thyme and oregano.

3. top wth feta cheese and pine nuts and serve immediately. 

Stuffed Roasted Jalapenos

oh yum. 

1. slice jalapenos in half, seed them.

2. preheat oven to 375 F.

3. fill with your choice of : rice, tomato rice, refried beans, taco meat

4. top with a mix of cheese, pimento, mozzarella, cheddar, or monterey jack

5. bake for 30 mins until brown and bubbling. 

Salad with Refried Beans & Rice

If you;ve gotta have those refried beans.... yes, i love them too. 

1. for convenience sake, just get a can of refried beans. cook, dressing them up with onions and even a jalapeno for spice. 

2. lay out some lettuce [romaine] and top with tomatoes, cucumber, and cooked rice. top with the beans. 

3. optionally add cheese, sour cream, and green onions. yum! cilantro is a great garnish as well. 

Shredded Chicken Tacos

Very quick and easy. Personally I used a leftover BBQ chicken [rotisserie chicken] that i had bought at the groceries, and pulled off the leftover meat from the bones.

1. get chicken. you can easily braise or cook up a breast and shred it. 

2. in a pan, heat some olive oil. simply throw in the chicken, with taco seasoning and water or chicken broth. Simmer until very tender. [you can fry up some onions or peppers before throwing the chicken in if you want, too.]

3. assemble tacos, soft or hard. great with feta cheese actually....

Fattoush Salad with Pomegranate & Feta

a new and improved fafftoush!!!

FATTOUSH DRESSING: 1/5 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon red wine inegar, 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup, 2 large cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, salt, pepper, a bit of cumin and sumac. 

FATTOUSH CHIPS:

Toss pita slices in olive oil, place on a baking sheet with some sumac and bake for 10 minutes until crispy.

SALAD: toss chopped romaine, cucumber, tomato, red onion, parsley with dressing. top with chips, pomegranate seeds, and crumbled feta. 

Cheesy Baked Penne with Butternut Squash

A yummy and cheesy way to use this fall's produce. Squash!

1. Boil pasta, drain.

2. preheat oven to 400 F. 

3. puree together 1 cup butternut squash, cooked. add 2 cloes minced garlic, 1/4 cup milk or cream, some chopped fresh parsley and simmer until thick in a saucpan on low heat. i like to add ground turkey to the recipe. 

4. put in a greased baking dish with pasta, top with a layer of mozzarella, goat cheese or a mix of cheeses. 

5. bake until cheese is brown and bubbly. 

Spasagna

Lasagna or spaghetti?no need to choose!!

1. boil pasta, drain.

2. preheat oven to 350 F.

3. place a layer of spaghetti in the bottom of a greased baking dish, then layer with tomato sauce [herb or bolognese] and cheese [ricotta or mozzarella works fine] and optionally add spinach, mushrooms, peppers, or any other vegetable.

4. do this 3 times to make layers, then finally top with cheese [some parmesan too] and some crackersor bread for a crispy topping.

5. bake for 20 minutes coered in foil, then another 10 without to brown the top. 

Tarator

Tarator is a middle-eastern sauce made with nuts. for this one, I use walnuts. 

Blend together, in a food processor:

1 clove garlic

1⁄2 cup  walnuts

1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs

1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1⁄4 cup low-fat greek yogurt

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

3-4 tablespoons white wine vinegar

VARIATIONS? 

With cucumber and dill weed

pistachio and honey

parsley and cracked wheat instead of breadcrumbs

almond & feta cheese

pecan & pomegranate

Pasta with Spinach & Goat Cheese

1. boil pasta, drain.

2. in a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oilive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, salt, and peper, then sautee spinach.

3. add pasta and immediately add 1/4 cup sour cream [low fat] and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. 

4. simmer until flavours incorporated, add salt and pepper if needed. 

5. serve, with a bit of lemon. 

Pizza Grilled Cheese

The grilled cheese of the day!

1. Get slices of bread, slather outsides with butter. 

2. fill with slices of buffalo mozzarella, pepperoni, basil, and tomato sauce. 

3. grill as you would a grilled cheese.

YUM!

Herbed Pita Chips

1. slice pita into chunks. 

2. toss in olive oil.

3. place on a baking sheet, preheat oven to 375 F

4. sprinkle with sea salt, sumac, cumin, oregano and parsley

Fattoush Salad with Pomegranate

A delicious salad for your middle-eastern cravings, oh yes!

YOU NEED:
pita chips [bake old pita to make crispy, with olive oil. works too.]

romaine lettuce, choppede

1 pomegranate, seeded

cucumber, red onion

parsley, tomato, feta, and nuts are optional.

dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic or red wine vinegar

1tablespoon lemon  juice

a pinch of cumin

salt and pepper

a large clove minced garlic

toss salad and serve, adding pita chips last as to not get soggy. 

Za'atar

The middle-eastern spice mix of choice. Great to rub on meats, or on bread, and you can store the spice mix for up to 6 months. 

YOU NEED:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup sumac

2 tablespoons thyme

1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds

2 tablespoons marjoram

2 tablespoons oregano

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

For example, mix with garlic and butter and spread on a pita or naan, and bake. delicious!

Panini of the Day: Bacon, Mozzarella, & Basil Pesto

1. get yourself a thin bread or flatbread.

2. slather on basil pesto.

3. fry bacon, drain excess oil and fat.

4. add mozzarella, sliced thinly. also good? tomato and lots of ground black pepper.

5. sandwich, put in a panini press until done.

6. yum!

Smoked Salmon Rolls

YOU NEED:

smoked salmon

chopped chives & chopped green onions

lemon juice

low fat cream cheese

1. mix together 1/2cup low fat cream cheese with 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped chives and 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onion

2. wrap cheese mixture in smoked salmon. 

Breakfast of the Day: Peanut Butter & Banana Toasty

Here's a breakfast idea. 

YOU NEED:

healthy bread.

a bit of butter of margarine.

a firmish banana.

unsweetenedm organic peanut butter

a bit of cinnamon sugar

1. spread a bit of butter on outside of bread.

2. slice banana slices, put on one side, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

3. on other bread, spread a thin amount of PB. 

4. fry in pan until bread is browned. 

Greek Chicken Thighs

*for Greek seasoning, see previous post. 

1. de-bone and slice in half chicken thighs, with skin on.

2. throrougly rub Greek seasoning onto thighs.

3. brown chicken in olive oil in a frying pan.

4. add lemon juice, bake, covered with tin foil, for 25-35 mins at 350 F. 

Greek Seasoning

Use this to coat any meats, or add to marinades for that greek flavour!

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

 1 teaspoon dried thyme

 1/2 teaspoon dried basil

 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram

 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dry rosemary

TIP: mix with breadcrumbs for a nice, breaded coating.

Basil & Smoked Salmon Fettucine Alfredo

A delicious spin on fettucine alfredo.

1. boil pasta, drain.

2. in a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter. add in 3 cloves minced garlic, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup milk or half half cream thickened with flour, and 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese. 

3. add sauce to pasta, add lots of ground black pepper. taste, adjust. 

4. serve, topped with smoked salmon and fresh basil, parmesan cheese, ground pepper. 

Spinach Salad with Feta & Toasted Hazelnuts

A simple salad and very nutritious. 

ASIAN SALAD DRESSING: 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 clove minced garlic, 1 teaspoon horseradish mustard, sesame seeds, salt, pepper, a bit of grated ginger

TOASTED HAZELNUTS: briefly fried in a bit of sesame oil.

Toss spinach with dressing and hazenuts. add some chopped red onion, and feta cheese. 

Smoked Salmon Caesar Salad

The classic caesar compliments smoked salmon like nothing else.

1. toss together romaine or mixed greens.

2. make caesar dressing: 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon anchovy paste, salt and pepper.

3. toss salad with dressing, top with capers, smoked salmon, and lots of parmesan and ground black pepper. 

Egg & Noodle Cold Roll

A twist on the classic cold roll.

You know the drill, dampen rice papers with damp cloth to make pliable.

Get stir fry ingredients ready: eggs, carrots, peppers, mushrooms, bean sprouts, green onion, even pork or chicken if you really want. of tofu. 

Boil thin egg noodles or vermicelli until semi-soft. 

Heat a wok or pan with 1 tablespoon sesame oil. fry vegetables quickly, and meat. 

add in a bit of garlic and chili paste if you so desire.

next, add in eggs and let cook until semi-hard. finally, add in noodles and mix around like crazy.

when done, let the noodle stir fry cool off.

wrap in rice paper rolls. you can also include lettuce, thai basil, or even some peanuts. 

Creamy Lemon Fettucine with Smoked Salmon

A perfect blend of flavours!

1. in a saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter. add in 2 cloves minced garlic to fry. 

2. next, add in 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup sour cream or half/half cream. thicken with a bit of flour. 

3. season with lots of ground black fresh pepper, and salt if necessary.

4. add in green peas as a nice touch, colourful too.

5. don't forget to boil pasta. turn sauce down to low heat, and simmer.

6. toss pasta with sauce, top with smoked salmon, lemon zest, and maybe some parmesan. 

Foil Mushroom Medley with Nuts & Goat Cheese

Simply season and wrap in foil before baking or barbequeing.

1. slice a mix of portobello, cremini, shiitake, oyster, whatever mushrooms you fancy.

2. toss in olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. 

3. add in some hazelnuts, pine nuts, or walnuts.

4. sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese [although gorgonzola, or feta also works quite well]

5. BBQ or bake in foil, wrapped up for 10 mins on each side. open and check doneness, cook more if needed. 

Great as burger topping, side to steak, sandwhiches, even salad toppings!

Penne with Roasted Tomatoes and Basil Mozzarella Meatballs

This is a quick pasta to whip up and great for leftovers!

BASIL MOZZARELLA MEATBALLS

500 grams ground chicken or turkey

a handful fresh, finely chopped basil 

1 egg

1.4 cup breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated firm mozzarella

salt and pepper

a bit of worcestershire sauce

Mix and form into balls. Bake for 25 mins, flip, another 10 minutes. 

ROASTED TOMATOES:

Halve tomatoes,drizzle with olive oil and minced garlic, salt and pepper,  bake in oven for 25 mins until browned. 

1. Make meatballs, bake in oven for 25 mins at 375 F. 

2. after 25 mins, flip, put in the tomatoes. 

3. don't forget to boil and drain penne pasta.

4. once everything is done, slice or mush up tomatoes, adding to pasta. top with meatballs, and some extra parmesan cheese. 

Mexican Rice and Vegetable Casserole

You can have mexican without loading up on fat and carbs [ahem, tortillas]

1. prepare basmati, long-grain or wild rice [healthier the better]

2. preheat oven to 350 F.

3. in a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. add in 2 cloves garlic, chopped tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, black beans, olives, and whatever. add a packet of taco or fajita seasoning. 

4. mix rice with 1/4 cup tomato sauce.

5. in a greased baking dish, add rice, and mix in vegetables. 

6. sprinkle with grated cheese, cheddar, monterey jack or pimento, or a tex-mex mix.

7. bake for 25-30 mins.

OPTIONAL:

crumble some tortilla chips on top for crunch.

meat can be used if you want. try a tiny bit of chorizo.

you can serve with cool avocado or salsa on top, sour cream is always welcome, and some fresh cilantro. 

Smoked Salmon Salad with Lemon, Parmesan & Capers

A delicious and filling, healthy salad.

YOU NEED:

some spinach or romaine or any lettuce.

slices of smoked salmon

a few capers

juice of 1 lemon

olive oil

grated parmesan

OPTIONAL: slivered onions, garlic, cream cheese to creamify dressing

1. toss lettuce, chopped, with onions.

2. make dressing.

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper

OR... creamy dressing:

1 tablespoons softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 tablespoons olive oil, salt and pepper

* optionally add a bit of garlic powder or minced garlic.

3. toss salad with dressing. top with capers, smoked salmon, parmesan cheese. ground pepper, too. 

Mango, Pomegranate & Chickpea Salad

1. Chop into chunks:

1 firm green mango

cucumber

tomato

2. add: pomegranate seeds and 1 can drained chickpeas

3. toss with vinaigtrette: 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt, pepper, green onions, cumin, and sumac.

4. top with: fresh mint or cilantro. 

Broccoli, Feta & Chickpea Salad with Sunflower Seeds

This is such a good power salad. Healthiness aplenty.

YOU NEED:

1 head broccoli, chopped into florets and boiled until tender but still firm [optionally fry instead, in heart-healthy olive oil]

1 can chickpeas, drained

a handful sunflower seeds

crumbled feta

OPTIONAL: avocado for creamy. 

1. toss.

2. make dressing:

1 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 small cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar. 

Kale Caesar Salad

Oh, the benefits of Kale.

YOU NEED:

Kale, chopped

Croutons, buy or make

Dressing:

1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil OR low-fat mayo, 1 teaspoon anchovy paste [optional] or 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, 4 cloves minced garlic, 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese [powdered or finely grated], lots of ground pepper, salt if needed.

1. toss kale with croutons and dressing.

2. bacon bits, capers, chicken, extra cheese is optional. 

Sesame Ginger Noodle Slaw

YOU NEED:

prepared rice or glass noodles or vermicelli.

1 small head chopped cabbage

chopped bok choy or lettuce

1 small slivered onion

 couple of slivered carrot

DRESSING:

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 teaspoon lime juice

1 inch piece of grated ginger

a handful of sesame seeds

1 tablespoon peanut butter for creaminess

2 teaspoons brown sugar

salt and pepper if needed

Combine, serve. top with cilntro and green onions. 

Pomegranate & Pecan Salsa

This is great on bread, burgers, salads, whatever.

1. seed a pomegranate, reserving juice.

2. crush 1/4 cup pecans

3. mix with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and leftover pomegranate juice. 

4. add a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey, fresh parsley.

5. mix and serve 

GREAT WITH

feta cheese. 

lamb.

avocado. 

so, very versatile.