It’s the first full week of January so it’s time to put down those Christmas cookies and return to healthier eating habits. Quick and easy, this salad of crisp tender broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes is a good way to incorporate some great tasting vegetables into your dinner and diet. Broccoli is low in calories(30 calories in a cup) and high in fiber, potassium and iron. It is an excellentsource of vitamin C and a good source of vitamins A and B6.
To blanch or not to blanch broccoli is a personal choice. I am not a fan of raw broccoliin a salad ( or anywhere for that matter) so I prefer the quickest blanching possible. I blanch broccoli for less than minute and immediately after draining, transfer to an ice bath to chill. The broccoli turns a bright green and will leave it crisp-tender without the harshness of raw broccoli. To prevent a soggy salad, dry the broccoli well, give the broccoli florets a spin in a salad spinner, then blot dry with a clean kitchen towel.
I chose an easy lemon tahini dressing for the salad. Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds and oil. In the jar they separate, leaving a very thick paste on the bottom and the oil rises to the top. Use a small whisk or a spoon to recombine the paste and oil.Now you can combine all the ingredients for the dressing. The mixture will thicken, don’t worry about this. Add the water, a tablespoon at a time and whisking well after each addition until desired consistency. Drizzle dressing over the ingredients, and toss to coat. Salad will be best if allowed to rest for at least an hour. Store leftovers in fridge.
Before blanching.After a one minute blanch.
Broccoli Salad with Sun Dried Tomatoes and Feta
Serves four
Ingredients for Salad
6-8 cups of broccoli florets raw or blanched, cut into bite-sized pieces
½c chopped sun-dried tomatoes
½c crumbled feta cheese
¼c toasted pine nuts (can substitute walnuts)
Tahini dressing (recipe follows)
Tahini Dressing
Ingredients for dressing
¼ c tahini
2 T to ¼ c water (to thin out dressing)
2 T fresh lemon juice
1 T honey
¼ t smoked paprika (more if desired)
½ t cumin
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions for the tahini dressing and salad assembly
Add tahini to a medium bowl along with lemon juice, honey, smoked paprika and cumin. Whisk together until combined. Taste and add salt and pepper. Thin the dressing out to a pouring consistency.
In a medium bowl combine the broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, feta and pine nuts. Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss well.
Let the salad rest for an hour to combine flavors. Store leftovers in the fridge.
Fall is just flying by. Especially for me. I have spent the last few months off my feet recuperating from a fractured pelvis. I missed the last steps coming down from the bedroom while holding on to my coffee mug. Sad to say the mug didn’t fare well either. Now that I am back on my feet, it’s time to get back in the kitchen.
First on the agenda, a seasonal salad for Thanksgiving dinner. Most autumns we are enjoying green salads to the end of September, kale even later in the season. Too much rain this summer put an end to garden salads much too early.
Joe doesn’t like raw kale in salads, so I chose a combination of spinach and arugula as the base to the salad. The next ingredient came from the garden, butternut squash. I peel the squash and cube it into 1 ½”inch pieces. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and place on a baking sheet. Roast for about 20 minutes, tossing the squash halfway through the cooking time and rotating the baking sheet. The amount of squash may seem like a lot, but roasting condenses their size and concentrates their flavor.
Speaking of concentrated flavor, if you have never tried roasted grapes, you will be in for a real treat. Like roasted vegetables, roasted grapes have a deeper richer flavor. Roasted grapes can be added to a cheese tray, salads or to chicken and pork dishes. Just rinse and pat dry, removing any damaged grapes. Toss grapes with a little olive oil, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Roast on a sheet pan at 425° F for about 30 minutes. Shake the pan halfway through to ensure even baking.
If you are going to roast butternut squash, why not save the seeds? Peel the squash, cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. I use a grapefruit spoon with its serrated edges to help the process along. I put all the seeds in a bowl of water, they aren’t as slippery and it’s easier to separate the seeds from the membrane. Drain the seeds in a colander, then lay out on paper towels cover with another towel. If you have the time, lay them out overnight to make them as dry as possible. Place seeds on a baking sheet and roast until they begin to pop and turn a light brown in color. Having a second larger baking sheet on the bottom shelf catches most of the ones that pop off the baking sheet. Alternately, use raw pumpkin seeds and follow the same procedure.
I dressed my salad with an easy to make maple balsamic dressing. A sprinkling of cheese is always nice, feta or blue works well here. For Thanksgiving I used cubed cheddar for something a little different. Different components of the salad, roasted grapes, the dressing, butternut squash cubes and roasted seeds can be made several days in advance. Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a nice lunch or light supper.
Roasted Grape and Butternut Squash Salad with Maple Balsamic Dressing
Serves four
Ingredients for the roasted grapes
3-4 cups of either red or black seedless grapes
Extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Directions for the roasted grapes
Preheat oven to 425°. Destem the grapes, wash and pat dry.
Place the grapes in a bowl. sprinkle lightly with olive oil and kosher salt.
Transfer grapes to a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes. Shake pan and move front to back halfway through the baking process. Store in an airtight container if not using right away.
Ingredients for roasted squash
1 medium butternut squash 3-4 lb
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Fresh ground pepper
Directions for roasted squash
Peel, halve and seed the squash, cut it into 1 inch cubes. In a large bowl toss the squash with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Roast until golden brown, about 20 minutes, at the halfway point carefully move the cubes around on the sheet to ensure even browning. Set cubes aside to cool. You will have enough for several days worth of salads.
Ingredients for toasted squash seeds
Peeled and halved butternut squash from the previous step.
Directions for roasted squash seeds
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Use a spoon ( a grapefruit spoon works well) to remove the seeds and pulp. Use your fingers to separate the seeds from the pulp. Put the seeds in a small bowl of water. I find this makes it easier to separate any stubborn pulp from the seeds. Transfer the seeds to a colander and rinse.
Put squash seeds on a layer of paper towels and pat them as dry as possible.
Toss seeds with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Place seeds on a dry baking sheet in a single layer.
Roast for about 15-20 minutes, stirring a few times, . Keep a close eye on them as they can burn easily.
Cool before using, 5 to 10 minutes, the seeds will become crisper as they cool.
Store in an airtight container.
Ingredients for Maple Balsamic Dressing
1 T pure maple syrup
½ c mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
¼ c balsamic vinegar (I used pomegranate balsamic)
½ t fresh lemon juice
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
Directions for Maple Balsamic Dressing
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl . Whisk until smooth.
Ingredients for Salad Assembly
Baby spinach and arugula
Roasted grapes
Roasted butternut squash
Roasted squash seeds
Crumbled feta
Maple balsamic dressing
Directions for Salad Assembly
Place greens in a large salad bowl, toss lightly with dressing. Add grapes, butternut squash seeds and feta, toss again. Using tongs, transfer salad to individual salad plates. Pass freshly ground pepper and additional dressing.
When the invitation says the party is a potluck, it’s time to pull out your favorite crowd pleasing dishes. Joe is most likely to bring his delicious baby back ribs or his mouth-watering prime rib roast. Sometimes both! As for me, I’m the designated salad queen. My end of summer salads usually include juicy ripe tomatoes and salad greens. Not this year, an exceptionally rainy and hot summer brought an early end to the tomatoes. Joe usually plants a nice variety of lettuces and greens at the end of August, for the same reason that didn’t happen either.
Not giving up on making a salad, I chose a vegetable that we did have in abundance, eggplant. Joe grows a wide variety; every color, from pure white to dark purple, globe shaped, plump Italian, long slender Asian varieties. The salad can be made with any variety of eggplant. Peel the eggplant, leaving strips of skin and cut into 1″ cubes and place into a large bowl. Sprinkle eggplant lightly with kosher salt, this helps bring out excess moisture.
Set the eggplant aside while you make the vinaigrette. Whisk together oil and vinegar, honey, smoked paprika and cumin. Blot the water off the eggplant and toss with the vinaigrette.
If you don’t already have it, smoked paprika is a great addition to your spice rack Smoked paprika can be made with either sweet or hot peppers that are dried and smoked over an oak fire. When purchasing smoked paprika, if the label doesn’t specifically say it’s hot, it is sweet, with a deep rich smoky flavor. Cumin is one my favorite spices, it adds a warm, nutty flavor and aroma to this dish.
Preheat oven to 375°F with the rack in the middle position Spread the eggplant cubes evenly over a large parchment lined baking sheet. Roast until eggplant is softened and browned. Every fifteen minutes stir the cubes during the baking process to ensure even browning. The entire cooking process takes about 35-40 minutes.
While you are waiting for the eggplant to cook, whisk together the lemon juice and soy sauce. Return the cooked eggplant to the large bowl and toss with the soy-lemon mixture. Stir in chopped parsley, nuts and most of the crumbled goat cheese. Top salad with remaining cheese and chopped scallions.
Late summer harvest of eggplants.
Late summer harvest of eggplants.
Ready to toss with vinaigrette.
Roasted Eggplant Salad
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 lbs eggplant
Kosher salt
1/3c olive oil
2T apple cider vinegar
1T honey
1T smoked paprika
½t cumin
4 garlic cloves, chopped
2 T fresh lemon juice
1 T soy sauce
1 c roughly chopped parsley
½ c roughly chopped smoked almonds
2 oz goat cheese crumbled
¼ c finely chopped scallions
Directions .
Preheat oven to 375° Cut the eggplant into 1″cubes and place in a large bowl. Sprinkle lightly with kosher salt and set aside.
Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, smoked paprika and cumin. Blot excess liquid from the eggplant, toss with the vinaigrette. Stir in the chopped garlic.
Spread the eggplant out on a large parchment lined baking sheet and place on the middle rack of the oven. Roast until softened and lightly browned, stirring every 15 minutes, eggplant should be done in 35-40 minutes.
Whisk together the lemon juice and soy sauce. Return the eggplant to the bowl and toss with the lemon juice mixture. Stir in the parsley, almonds and most of the goat cheese, reserving a little.
Place the finished salad in a serving bowl and sprinkle scallions and reserved goat cheese on top
The next time you are weeding, take a second look, you may be unintentionally pulling out the most nutritious green in your garden. Purslane, also known as duckweed, fat weed, little hogweed and pursley, is the only weed that can claim “superfood” status. Purslane is a rare plant source of omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish and flax seeds. It is also a good source of vitamins A, C and B, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron. Did I mention it’s low in calories and a good source of fiber? Not bad for a plant that is an uninvited guest everywhere from fertile garden soil to the cracks in your driveway.
Purslane looks a bit like a miniature jade plant with small oval-shaped fleshy leaves that grow on thick succulent stems. Early season purslane leaves and stems are tender and edible, snip branchlets from heavier stems. The plant produces yellow flowers that will eventually produce tiny black seeds. Later in the summer separate larger leaves from mature stems. Most important, be sure you are harvesting purslane from areas that are not treated with herbicides. When in doubt, don’t pick!
Purslane is native to India and Persia and is widely used in both cuisines. In Mexico purslane is known as verdolagas where it is combined with pork to make a classic stew. Purslane’s succulent-like leaves have a refreshingly crisp texture with a slightly tart finish. You can use it raw in salads or cooked as a side dish.
Purslane is abundant in our garden this year. I am using it as a “transitional green” between the greens we harvested for salads in the spring and the new crop that will be ready to pick soon. I harvest it daily but it can be kept in the refrigerator for several days. Since purslane grows so close to the ground it should be rinsed very well in several changes of water. I fill a sink with cold water and submerge the purslane and swish it around to loosen the dirt that may be attached to it. The purslane floats and the dirt (most of it) sinks to the bottom. At this point you can remove any bruised or damaged leaves. Then I lift it out and give it a second quick soak it in the salad spinner. now it is ready to spin.
In this salad, purslane is combined with a little flat leaf parsley, baby arugula (ours will be ready soon) and cucumbers and sweet Sungold tomatoes from our garden. Walnuts add a little crunch, garnish with edible nasturtium blossoms for additional color.
Purslane has popped up next to the cucumbers.My daily purslane harvest.Up close and personal for better identification.
Purslane Salad
Serves two
Ingredients
2 c purslane leaves and tender stems
½ c Italian parsley leaves
2 c baby arugula
1 medium cucumber, peeled, quartered lengthwise, seeds removed, cut into 1″ pieces
1 dozen small tomatoes like Sungold, cut in half
1/3 c chopped walnuts
lemon juice or a light vinegar
Extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Nasturtium blossoms for garnish.
Directions
Combine greens, cucumber, tomatoes and walnuts in a large bowl. Sprinkle with some kosher salt and toss.
Add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar and a tablespoon or so of olive oil and toss. Taste a leaf and correct seasoning as needed.
Divide on two plates and season with fresh ground pepper. Garnish with nasturtium blossoms and serve.
With temperatures consistently in the eighties and more than our share of rain, it was time to do a final harvest of the spring vegetables. The heat, rain and deer damage sadly ruined our edible pod pea crop. On the positive side we have enjoyed a variety of lettuces, spinach, radishes and small white Japanese turnips. Also in the harvest, those funny looking space alien looking vegetables, kohlrabi.
Translated from the German, cabbage turnip, it is the bulbous above ground stem that gives the “turnip” name to the crispy green and sometimes purple vegetable. Oddly enough, it doesn’t taste like cabbage or turnips. When young, about the size of a tennis ball, it is thin-skinned, sweet and juicy with a mild flavor reminiscent of broccoli stems. Older, larger kohlrabi should be peeled, and the flavor is still sweet but a bit peppery.
Kohlrabi is a natural shredded or julienned in a slaw. This time I combined it with another ugly ducking vegetable, jicama. “HEE-kah-mah” is the edible tuberous root of a vine native to Mexico. Resembling a round potato, the papery brown skin needs to be peeled away before eating. The texture of the flesh is similar to an apple or a pear with a flavor that is mild and slightly sweet.
You can either shred or julienne the vegetables. Since the kohlrabi I used was on the small side, I shredded it in the food processor. The kohlrabi were still young and tender, so there was no need to peel, preserving the purple color. Larger kohlrabi with thicker skin should be peeled.
I was looking for a new twist on dressing the slaw so I turned to The Flavor Bible for some inspiration. I saw that both mustard and lemon were compatible flavors so I thought a honey whole grain mustard dressing would add the right texture and tang to the recipe. A little juice from one of our Ponderosa lemons gave the dressing brightness.
This simple slaw is a great addition to any buffet or picnic because it stays crisp long after it is dressed.
Kohlrabi ready to pick from the garden.Just picked kohlrabi, love that purple color!Jicama surrounded with purple kohlrabiThe kohlrabi need to be trimmed before they are shredded.A recent harvest of Ponderosa lemons.Nicknamed the “five pound lemon” they usually weigh two to four pounds. Ponderosa lemon is a citrus hybrid of a pomelo and a citron.
Kohlrabi Slaw
Serves 4-6
Ingredients for slaw
3-4 small or 1 large kohlrabi
1 small jicama
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Honey Lemon Mustard Dressing
Ingredients for dressing
2 T honey
2 T whole grain mustard (can add another T if desired)
3 T olive oil
¼ c freshly squeezed lemon juice
pinch of salt
Directions for dressing
Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.
Directions for slaw
To prepare the kohlrabi, trim the root stem to the base. Cut the leaf stems from the globes. Wash leaves if using in another preparation. If the kohlrabi is mature, peel, if smaller leave skin on.
To prepare the jicama, peel.
Grate kohlrabi and jicama in a food processor or on a box grater. Squeeze out any excess water with your hands. You should have about 6 cups total.
Place shredded vegetables in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss to combine. Season to taste with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper.
With three nor’easters bringing snow, rain and high winds over the last week or so and two more anticipated this week, it’s hard to believe that the first day of spring is tomorrow. We are months away from the heart of the summer produce season but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a delicious fresh salad. Using this formula for a roasted vegetable salad from Fine Cooking magazine is just what you need to stimulate your cooking creativity and beat the winter blahs.
Hearty greens like spinach, arugula and radicchio form the base of this salad. Other choices could include baby greens like kale, collards and chard. I must emphasize baby (immature), because the mature greens are quite toothsome and should be used in recipes where they are cooked. This is a good time to experiment with bitter greens like escarole, endive and radicchio. They contrast nicely with sweetness of the roasted vegetables.
Roasted vegetables give the salad substance and a lot of deep rich flavor. Root vegetables, potatoes and winter squash are great for roasting, you can even add apple and pear wedges. Cut the vegetables into fairly even sized pieces so they cook evenly. Toss the vegetables with olive oil and some kosher salt. If you are using red beets, toss and roast on a separate pan. Otherwise the beets will discolor the other vegetables on the baking sheet. Roast about 20 minutes, tossing veggies halfway and rotating the baking sheet. The amount of vegetables may seem like a lot but roasting condenses them in size and concentrates their sweet flavor. I used golden beets, rainbow carrots, butternut squash and apple, all items I had in my pantry. So for me it was a “clean out your fridge” recipe.
The salad is accented with cheese and nuts that add contrasting flavors and textures. Aged Gouda brings a sharp, sweet flavor reminiscent of butterscotch and toasted slivered almonds add a wonderful aroma and crunch. An optional sprinkling of dried fruit, raisins, dried cranberries, figs give a nice touch as well.
A slightly tart white balsamic lime vinaigrette is a pleasing contrast to the sweetness of the roasted vegetables. I chose this recipe because Joe picked a large yellow, very fragrant lime from our Persian lime tree. This vinaigrette calls for an oil you may not be familiar with. High in polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E, grape seed oil is extracted from the seeds of grapes. Its flavor is neutral allowing the infused flavors of shallots and ginger to shine through.
White balsamic vinegar is made from the same variety of white grapes as dark balsamic . While the dark balsamic is simmered for hours and aged in barrels for years, white balsamic is slow cooked to avoid caramelization and is not aged. White balsamic vinegar is a good choice when you don’t want to darken the appearance of your final dish.
Toss the greens in a large bowl with a drizzle of the warm vinaigrette. Distribute the greens on two plates. Next, gently toss the roasted vegetables with some of the remaining vinaigrette. Distribute the vegetables over the plates, along with the nuts, cheese and optional fruit.
This would be a nice vegetarian lunch or dinner. Add chicken or thinly sliced flank steak if you need to include meat. The formula gives you the chance to be creative and make your own unique and delicious salad.
Butternut Squash, Golden Beet, Carrot and Apple Salad
Serves 2
Ingredients for the roasted vegetables
6-7 c mixed vegetables and fruit, I used butternut squash, rainbow carrots, golden beets and apple, trimmed and peeled.
2 T extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
Directions for the roasted vegetables
Position oven rack in the center and preheat oven to 450°F.
Trim vegetables into 1-inch dice or wedges.
In a large bowl, combine the vegetables and fruits with the oil and 1 t salt.
Toss well and transfer to a large rimmed heavy-duty baking sheet.
Spread the vegetables evenly on the baking sheet.
Roast. flipping the vegetables halfway through the baking time and rotating the baking sheet.
Cook until the vegetables are browned and tender, 20-25 minutes.
Let cool and transfer to a large bowl.
Toss the vegetables with olive oil and salt.Spread out evenly on a baking sheet.
Ingredients for the white balsamic lime vinaigrette
¼ c grape seed oil
1/3 c thinly sliced shallots
kosher salt
1 t chopped fresh ginger
2 T white balsamic vinegar
1 T maple syrup or honey
1 T fresh lime juice (more to taste)
1 t grated lime zest
1 t fine minced parsley
1 t Dijon mustard
Freshly ground black pepper
Despite the color, this is a lime, very fragrant and juicy from Joe’s citrus trees.Infusing grape seed oil with shallots and ginger.
Directions for the white balsamic lime vinaigrette
Heat the oil in an 8-inch skillet, over medium heat. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt and cook for 2-4 minutes, shallots should be softened and slightly browned.
Add chopped ginger and cook until fragrant until softened and fragrant, 15 seconds. Take infused oil off the heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.
While the oil is cooling, to a heat proof metal bowl add the vinegar, maple syrup, juice, zest, mustard, ¼ t salt and a few grinds of pepper.
Whisk the warm oil into the vinegar mixture until emulsified. Taste vinaigrette and season to taste with additional salt, pepper or citrus juice.
Ingredients for assembling the salad
5-6 cups of sturdy greens, torn into bite sized pieces if needed
Kosher salt
Roasted vegetables from step one
¼ c toasted slivered almonds
½ c cubed aged Gouda
Directions for assembling the salad
In a large bowl, lightly salt greens and toss with a drizzle of the warm vinaigrette. Taste a green and add a little more dressing if necessary. Arrange the greens on a platter or two plates.
Season the vegetables with a pinch of salt and dress them lightly with 1-2 T of the remaining vinaigrette.
Spread the vegetables evenly over the greens, then top with the almonds and Gouda. Serve immediately, passing the remaining dressing at the table.
A few weeks ago we took a much needed vacation to visit close friends in south Florida. When traveling we enjoy seeking out the most interesting (at least to us) restaurants a city has to offer. I have learned that you won’t necessarily find what you are looking for by Googling for the results, any restaurant can tout itself as “the best”. Checking Trip Advisor or Open Table may not produce the results you are looking for either.The Trip Advisor number one restaurant in Fort Lauderdale is a hoagie place! I have found the most reliable results come from our destination’s city or regional magazine. They supply the most critical (good and bad) reviews, plus information about restaurants that have just opened and are not under the culinary radar yet.
Over the years, one of our favorite finds in Fort Lauderdale is, or should I say was, Market 17. Located at the Portside Yachting Center, Market 17 served delicious and creative food and was one of the first true farm to table restaurants we experienced. We have enjoyed dining there many times during our visits to Florida. Sadly, we learned that the building that houses the restaurant is going to be demolished due to the expansion of the convention center. So for one last time we “ate the menu”, appetizers, tasting portions of the entrées and dessert split between six of us, with wine to accompany the meal.
According to their website Market 17 will have a new concept in early 2019, so in tribute to this fine restaurant I have reinterpreted their local farm green salad. The menu describes it as a salad of greens, rainbow carrots, apples, cucumber, radish, candied pecans topped with a white balsamic vinaigrette.
Start with the freshest greens you can find. We are not in season for our own garden produce so our salad greens come from our local supermarkets. The greens I buy for the most part are in a plastic clamshell container. Even though they are labeled “triple washed” there are always some spoiled leaves that are never missed by the disdainful eye of Joe. So I still soak them in a sink filled with cold water with an eye to remove any bad or discolored leaves. It is important to spin the greens dry, excess water will dilute your dressing. For this salad I chose baby spinach and bibb leaves, the leaves are bite sized so there is no need to tear them. I store washed greens in gallon twist tie bags with a paper towel inside to absorb any excess moisture.
Rainbow carrots add color and crunch to everyday salads. They can range in color from deep purple, crimson red, white and bright yellow. Originally carrots were mostly purple and white. Orange carrots are a strain developed by 17th century Dutch farmers and contain more beta Carotene than other varieties. I cut my carrots into matchstick julienne, if this is too fussy for you, cut into thin slices.
Radishes bring color, crunch and a little spiciness. Cucumbers and apples give a crisp and juicy element. I like to peel the cucumbers, just leaving strips of green peel for color. I used a mandolin to slice the radishes and cucumber very thinly. Choose a sweet tart apple variety like Granny Smith or Sweet Tango.
Place your greens in a large bowl, this gives you space to dress the salad without compressing the ingredients. A white balsamic dressing adds flavor but not the dark color that can muddy an otherwise bright, colorful salad plate. The finishing touch, candied pecans that are quick and easy to make. A delicious salad that brings back great memories.
Market 17 Green Salad
Serves two
Ingredients
4-5 generous handfuls of baby romaine, spring mix etc
1 Persian cucumber
2 radishes
3 rainbow carrots-yellow, purple and orange
1 small apple (I used Sweet Tango)
candied pecans (recipe follows)
white balsamic vinaigrette (recipe follows)
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Rainbow carrots are readily available in most supermarkets.
Directions
Rinse lettuce and spin dry, removing any spoiled leaves. Place in a large bowl.
Peel cucumber, leaving only thin strips of skin. Slice thinly with a mandoline or a knife
Trim root ends off radishes, slice thinly.
Peel carrots and cut into matchstick pieces, you will need about two cups.
Cut the apple into thin slices, peel if desired (I didn’t)
Shake vinaigrette to combine ingredients, taste and adjust for balance and drizzle some over the salad greens. Toss lightly.
Add the cucumber, radishes, carrots and apple to the bowl. Toss with additional dressing and add salt and pepper to taste.
Use tongs to plate individual salads and top with candied pecans.
White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
¾ c extra virgin olive oil
¼ c white balsamic vinegar
2-3 T honey
½ t kosher salt
¼ t fresh ground black pepper
¼ t dried oregano
Directions
In a medium bowl, whisk all ingredients together until well blended.
Candied Pecans
Ingredients
½ c brown sugar
½ t sea salt
¼ t ground cumin
2 T water
1 c pecans
Directions
In a medium non stick skillet, combine all the ingredients except the pecans. Cook over medium heat for a few minutes, until the sugar dissolves and mixture is bubbling.
Add in the pecans, stirring to coat all surfaces in the glaze, 3-5 minutes.
Remove pan from the heat and spread the pecan out on a parchment lined baking sheet. Let cool completely. Break apart into individual pieces. Store in an airtight container.
The vegetable garden doesn’t end at our house just because summer is over. Joe’s new crop of salad greens, planted in the greenhouse are ready to be harvested. I typically use a variety of greens in our salad but this time I let arugula take the starring role. Nutty and just slightly peppery arugula is combined with a finely sliced Chiogga beet also courtesy of the fall garden, creamy blue cheese, walnuts and some of the Asian pear slices that I made in the last post.
Fall is a good time to get in another crop of some root crops like radishes, turnips and beets. Along with the salad greens, the root vegetables prefer cooler temperatures. This year has been tough, summer like heat and humidity has stayed around well into October (I’m not complaining) and it has affected the plantings, especially the radishes. I’ve started to harvest some beets while they are still small and sweet for salads.
I especially like the Chiogga (kee-OH-gee-uh) beet for its deep pink and white spirals, it adds a pretty pop of color to an otherwise dull salad. I like them raw, shaved as thinly as possible on a mandolin. The sweet earthy flavor contrasts nicely with the arugula. Blue cheese and toasted walnuts are always a natural with arugula. I chose a buttermilk blue that is described as tangy yet mellow. It has a creamy taste and texture and doesn’t overwhelm the other elements of the salad.
The dehydrated Asian pear slices I made in the last post are great for snacking, and for a bite of fruity sweetness in salads like this one. Dehydrating intensified the already sweet pears.The pears resemble mushroom slices so they would be quite a surprise for an unaware diner biting into one. If you didn’t make the dehydrated pear slices, substitute a thinly slice fresh Asian pear.
I dressed this salad with a simple vinaigrette using a Tubby Olive Gravenstein apple white balsamic vinegar with a good extra virgin olive oil with just a touch of walnut oil. You could substitute a white balsamic vinegar with just a touch of honey.
Arugula Salad with Pears, Beets, Blue Cheese and Walnuts
Serves two
Ingredients
2 T white balsamic vinegar or Gravenstine apple balsamic
1 t Dijon mustard
½ t honey (not needed if using apple balsamic)
4 T extra virgin olive oil
1 T walnut oil
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
4 large handfuls arugula (about 12 ounces)
¼ c dried Asian pear pieces or 1 ripe pear, cored and sliced thin
1 small beet, scrubbed and trimmed, sliced very thinly on a mandolin
3 ounces soft blue cheese, crumbled
Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, mustard, and honey. Gradually pour in the olive and walnut oils, and continue whisking until the dressing has emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
Divide the arugula between plates. Top with the beet slices, walnuts, sliced pear and blue cheese, then drizzle with vinaigrette.
Whether you call them snap beans, green beans or string beans, our garden has produced a steady stream since early July. Joe plants both bush and pole beans and not just green beans. We grow purple beans that look pretty on the vine but as soon as you plunk them in a pot of boiling water, they turn a dark green color. This is due to a plant pigment, anthocyanin, that deteriorates in high temperatures. If you want to preserve the bean’s purple color, choose a crisp young bean that doesn’t require cooking.
Yellow or wax beans also add color to the garden. According to Cook’s Illustrated, yellow beans are just green beans bred to have none of the chlorophyll pigment that gives the green bean its color.
Snap beans are low in calories, a good source of fiber and vitamins A and C. Their grassy, nutty flavor is appealing to just about everyone. In the cooler months we are most likely to do a warm preparation of beans with garlic and thyme. In the summer I like to blanch them and make a green bean salad. This combination is a creation of my own and a dish I have made countless times this summer.
I start with approximately a pound of beans. I wash and stem the beans and sort out any that are significantly fatter and or older. Bring a large pot of water that has been well salted to the boil and add the large beans first. I give them an extra minute or two to cook. Then I add the rest of the beans and start my timer at a generous four minutes. I taste (careful, it will be hot) one bean, and if I can bite through with no resistance, they are done. If not, set the timer for another minute, then taste again. Drain the beans in a colander and rinse with cool water. Spread the beans out on dish towels to let the excess moisture evaporate.
In a large bowl combine the beans, chopped parsley and tomatoes. A bite-sized cherry tomato works best here, cutting them in half makes them easier to eat. I have used different varieties over the summer. On this particular day I used a white cherry tomato. They aren’t really white but a very pale yellow. Toss the ingredients with the vinegar and oil. Next add the feta and tamari almonds. My preference is French feta, it is milder (less salty) in flavor and creamier in texture. Tamari almonds bring a umami flavor and a pleasant crunch. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, leftovers taste great the next day.
Green Bean Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta and Parsley
Serves four
Ingredients
1 lb green beans, washed, stemmed and trimmed into 2-3 inch pieces, can be wax or purple beans also
15-20 small tomatoes, halved
1/3 c finely chopped parsley
1/3 c crumbled feta (I prefer French feta in this salad)
1/3 c tamari almonds
3 T grapefruit or another light balsamic vinegar
6 T olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the beans, bring back to the boil and turn back the heat to a simmer and cook beans for 4 ½ minutes. Test one bean to be sure they are tender. Drain in a colander and rinse with cool water.
In a bowl large enough to toss the ingredients comfortably, add the beans, tomatoes and chopped parsley. Toss with the oil and vinegar. Add feta and tamari almonds and toss again. Season well with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
I couldn’t bear to do it, smash the cucumbers and green beans as called for in this recipe that is. This very easy and flavorful dish from the June issue of Bon Appetit uses a technique popular in many Asian countries. Smashing the cukes and beans with a cleaver or a rolling pin tenderizes them and makes lots of nooks and crannies for the dressing to permeate. But not with the first green beans and cucumbers from the garden this season. Maybe in a week or two but for now I will use a more traditional approach. This recipe is quite similar to pau huang gua, a Sichuan cucumber salad, typically served with rich spicy food.
Start the recipe by peeling the cucumber, I like to leave a small strip of skin for color contrast. Chop into bite sized pieces and toss with a little salt to draw out excess moisture. The beans were an interesting addition, the original recipe in Bon Appetit didn’t call for cooking them, I presume they thought dressing them would do the job of tenderizing them. I chose to blanch the beans for just a few minutes to make them crisp-tender and ready to absorb the dressing.
The dressing couldn’t be easier, the ginger, garlic and serrano pepper are all grated, a Microplane makes quick work of that. Combine these ingredients with white miso, rice vinegar, olive and sesame oil. Miso is a fermented soybean paste traditionally used in Japanese cooking. White miso will provide a more delicate flavor, switch in a red miso for a stronger and saltier flavor. You will find miso in the refrigerated section of Asian grocery and health food stores.
Place the well-drained cucumbers and green beans in a bowl and toss with some of the dressing, just enough to coat the vegetables. You will have more than enough, which is a good thing. Toss sautéed eggplant and zucchini with halved cherry tomatoes with the dressing for another version of this dish.
Cucumber vines in the greenhouse, circa 2015.Joe is growing both bush and pole beans.
Green Beans and Cucumbers with Miso Dressing
Serves 4
Ingredients
3 Persian cucumbers or 1 English hothouse cucumber
Kosher salt
1 lb green beans, stems trimmed
1 1½ piece ginger, peeled and finely grated
1 serrano or Fresno chile, finely grated
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1/3 c unseasoned rice vinegar
¼ c white miso
¼ c olive oil
½ t toasted sesame oil
Toasted sesame seeds and scallions or thinly sliced shallots for serving
Directions
Peel cucumbers and chop into bite-sized pieces. Toss with a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Let sit to allow salt to penetrate.
Bring a medium sized pan of water to a boil with a pinch of salt. Add beans and cook until just tender, 3-4 minutes. Drain beans in a colander.
Whisk ginger, chile, garlic, vinegar, miso, olive and sesame oils in a medium bowl until smooth.
Transfer the beans to a bowl for serving and toss with the dressing. Drain cucumbers well and add to the bowl, toss again. Top beans and cucumbers with toasted sesame seeds and scallions.
Toss cucumber chunks with a pinch of salt to extract excess water.The beans I used were just picked, blanching them for a few minutes tenderizes them and brings out their flavor.The original recipe used scallions, I used shallots from our garden.
