Frisee, Orange, and Toasted Hazelnut Salad

Lyn showed me this recipe, I think it was planned because she bought a head of Frisee when we went shopping. She also had Maria grab a few oranges while she was out, Then left the recipe out. It was very good in fact with the left over she added some Anise, and Red Grapefruit chunks instead of the orange. Both were good.

The hazelnuts add crunch to this citrusy salad.

Servings: 4 Martha Stewart

Frisee, Orange, and Toasted Hazelnut Salad

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 seedless oranges, pith and peel removed
  • 1 medium head frisee
  • 1/4 cup toasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped

Directions

Instructions Checklist

  • Step 1In a medium bowl, whisk together orange juice, vinegar, zest, cardamom, ginger, mustard seeds, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil until combined, and set aside.
  • Step 2Slice oranges thinly, crosswise, and arrange slices on 4 salad plates; set aside. Place frisee in a large bowl, and toss with the dressing. Divide frisee among 4 salad plates, and sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts. Serve immediately.

Cook’s Notes

To remove the pith and peel from an orange, first slice off the stem and flower end. Place the orange cut-side down,

Creamy Greek Dressing

Creamy Greek Dressing

Creamy Greek dressing about (about ⅔ cup)

INGREDIENTS

½ cup olive oil
3 tbsp red or white wine vinegar
2 medium garlic cloves, crushed or minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
1 tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender.
  2. Blend using an dressing setting until smooth and creamy.
Red Lentil Pasta Salad with Creamy Greek Dressing

Red Lentil Pasta Salad with Creamy Greek Dressing

We have recently gone to trying each weekday is a specific dinner topic. Monday is meatless, Tuesday is taco, which brings us to Wednesday salad day. I open the fridge and look there was fresh picked mixed greens from the salad bowel I have growing on the deck and some crunchy lettuce that Lyn likes. this was not going to cut it to boring so I went to the pantry and spotted the half box of red lentil pasta. I quickly googles and got some ideas. this is what I came up with.

INGREDIENTS

4-5 oz of red lentil penne or rotini pasta 
1 medium zucchini (about 1 lb) quartered then cut into 1/2″ pieces
1 pint cherry tomatoes – halved
1 red, orange or yellow bell pepper cut into 1/2 ” pieces (or some of each)
⅔ cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
1 or 2 mini cucumbers cut in 1/2″ pieces
1 – 7 oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 oz thinly sliced red or sweet Vidalia onions
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper (to taste)
1 recipe homemade creamy Greek dressing about (about ⅔ cup)
chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

  1. Preheat the oven to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the zucchini lengthwise into long quarters and then slice into a ½ pieces. In a large bowl toss zucchini pieces in 1 tablespoon olive oil and dried oregano. Add the bell pepper and mix. Season with salt and pepper and arrange on a baking sheet in one layer. Bake for 20-25 minutes until soft and lightly browned on the edges. Take out of the oven and let cool while you are preparing the salad.
  2. Slice onions, place in a small bowl and cover with cold water. Let the onions soak for at least 15 minutes to get rid of the harsh onion flavor.
  3. Cook the pasta according to instructions on the package. Drain on a colander, run cold water over it and set aside to cool and drain completely.
  4. Make the dressing according to my Homemade Creamy Greek Dressing recipe.
  5. Cut cherry tomatoes and pitted kalamata olives into halves, chop cucumbers into thick quarter slices and roughly chop pickled roasted red peppers.
  6. Assemble the salad. Place the cooked, drained and cooled red lentil pasta in a large mixing bowl. Add rinsed and drained canned chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, soaked and drained red onion slices, kalamata olives, pickled red peppers and now cool roasted zucchini.
  7. Pour ⅔ of the Greek dressing in and toss the salad together. If it looks like it could use more dressing, add more to your own preferences.
  8. Garnish with freshly chopped basil or parsley and serve right away at room temperature or chill in the fridge and enjoy later.

Creamy Greek dressing about (about ⅔ cup)

INGREDIENTS

½ cup olive oil
3 tbsp red or white wine vinegar
2 medium garlic cloves, crushed or minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
1 tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Place all ingredients in a blender.
  2. Blend using an dressing setting until smooth and creamy.
Red Cabbage Slaw with Cilantro and Citrus

Red Cabbage Slaw with Cilantro and Citrus

I had some red cabbage from Misfits and wanted to do something different I found this refreshing idea.

Our cilantro was starting to go to seed thanks to the 5 day heat wave so this worked perfectly.

But I did add some apple cider vinegar it jsut needed something to kick it up a notch.

INGREDIENTS

  • ½ head red cabbage, cored and finely shredded
  • 1 large carrot, cut into fine julienne
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) chopped cilantro leaves
  • 1 bunch green onions, diced
  • 1 Tbsp lime juice
  • 1 Tbsp orange juice
  • ½ tsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp white pepper
  • My optional 1 to 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Added a little kick in my opinion

How

  • In a salad bowl, toss together cabbage, carrots, cilantro, and green onions. In a small bowl, whisk together remainder of ingredients to make a light dressing. Toss cabbage mixture with dressing. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Collard Green Slaw Recipe

Collard Green Slaw Recipe

Lyn came over a little while ago and said do you think…. We use Misfit Market for our veggies, well for most. They now allow you to choose which you want rather than the surprise package both have their benefits. Coming up with recipes for stuff you normally would not get and now especially these days ordering stuff you really need. Well last week we choose to get some collard greens which Lyn likes to use as wraps but I challenged her to find something different. After making what she came up with this morning I can’t wait until lunch.

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch collard greens, stems removed and shredded (about 8 cups)
  • 1 cup thinly sliced radish
    • I made sticks instead of slices
  • 1⁄2 cup matchstick carrot
  • 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
  • 1⁄2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1⁄4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons celery seeds
  • 1 1⁄2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon ground dry mustard
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • 1 In a large bowl, combine greens, radish, carrot, and shallot. Set aside.
Please note: Do to the current shopping situations we did not have a lot of radishes so I made sticks rather than slices to stretch it out.
  • 2 In a small saucepan, stir together vinegar, sugar, canola oil, celery seeds, salt, mustard, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat. Pour over collard mixture, stirring to combine.
  • Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. Store, covered, in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

From: taste of the south https://www.tasteofthesouthmagazine.com/

Orange Juice and Honey Salad Dressing

Orange Juice and Honey Salad Dressing

Lyn found this online @ behealthful so I made a batch this morning and now I can’t wait until lunch.

What and How

Ingredient

  • 1/3 cup Orange Juice
  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 Tbsp Raw Honey
  • 1 Tbsp Apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Online it said to add to a jar and then shake like heck. we prefer the blender on dressing setting. it takes a while to settle but think it blends the flavors better. I made a double batch.

Now I watch the clock until Lunch!

Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing

Here is another poppy seed dressing I’ve been making.

A sweet Poppy Seed Dressing
Perfect for fruit and vegetable salads, this makes any side dish taste like dessert!
Was great drizzled on Chicken
 Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil or light olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt

How

In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine oil, vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, mustard, and salt. Shake vigorously and allow flavors to blend at room temperature, at least 30 minutes.

This can also be put in a blender

Lemon Ginger Poppyseed Salad Dressing

Lemon Ginger Poppyseed Salad Dressing

Lyn was going through a poppy seed dressing thing for a short while I found the store bought just too sweet and figured it could make it at home cheaper also.

I tried a few and will post separately  since this is my cook book so to speak.

this one was from “The cafe sucre farine” and I borrowed their picture

 

Ingredients
3 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 ½ teaspoons poppy seeds

How

This is a hard one

Place all ingredient in jar and shake well. Alternatively place in a blender and give it a few spurts. this come out a more creamy dressing.

I had and my 3 year old niece would say a situation  here with the last batch I made. I was making a double batch and the container I like very much broke. I’ll write them and they should replace, they are very good about that this is not my first time I guess I’m rough on them. I held back the tears and dumped it into the blender as Lyn suggested.

 

Chef’n Emulstir Salad Dressing Mixer

 Then got replaced with lets see what they send next

 

 

Pineapple Cilantro Napa Cabbage Slaw

Pineapple Cilantro Napa Cabbage Slaw

We went to the mountains to find our Zen and get medical, metaphysical and general outlook on health enlightening, Canyon ranch highly recommended. The fist night we went to dinner the service was great the food excellent and the servings were perfect size, maybe small to some but  a good reminder of what it really should be. Concepts like changing back our  focus from what for dinner well lets see steak maybe chicken and some vegetables to lets make some roasted veggies and maybe steaks for the side. Did that for a long time can’t remember how we slipped away. Anyway I took a lot of hands on cooking classes and they always had a lunch and learn demo where you sit, listen learn make a few new friends as you eat some great food. I sharpened my knife skills, diced, minced and nibbled oh sorry chef’s treats, and thoroughly enjoyed my self. Maggie the Demo chef was great, open and warm after the week she got to know me and we compared notes mostly me stealing some of her ideas.

Anyway home and trying out a few things.

Grab

Ingredients

  • 1 small head Napa cabbage, about 1 pound shredded
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced  ( if this is too string for you try scallions they are milder
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 3/4 cup diced pineapple – fresh is best, in a pinch like today canned
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 table spoons pineapple juice concentrate.

How

Combine all  vegetables and in large bowl and toss.

Combine mustard, honey, pineapple and pineapple juice concentrate. Pour over vegetables and mix well.

I believe this will be better later in day or tomorrow, my general rule, taught by Mom .

 

 

SHAWARMA-SPICED GRILLED CHICKEN WITH GARLIC YOGURT

SHAWARMA-SPICED GRILLED CHICKEN WITH GARLIC YOGURT

Lyn and I both agreed that the combination of spice was pretty darn good. I added some diced cucumbers in the sauce.  Easy to prepare cooks in no time.

 

 

Cook Time: 15 minutes

An easy, grilled chicken version of the classic Turkish street food which is usually cooked on a rotating spit. It is perfect served over couscous with yogurt and cucumbers as I did here, or try it with rice pilaf, or on a pita.  Other sides that would work are tomatoes, tahini, olives, feta, or hummus. Harissa would also work great to add some spice!

INGREDIENTS:

CHICKEN:

  • 1 pound (2) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
  • 1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Juice from 1 medium lemon
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ teaspoon curry powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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GARLIC YOGURT SAUCE:

  • 1 (7-ounce) container 2% Greek yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/8 tsp kosher salt
  • Chopped parsley (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Place the chicken breasts, 1 at a time, in a Ziploc bag.
  • Pound each breast to an even thickness, about ½-inch thick, being careful not to puncture the bag.
  • Place pounded chicken breasts back into bag and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine olive oil and lemon juice.  Whisk until combined.
  • Add the garlic, cumin, paprika, turmeric, curry powder, cinnamon, red pepper, salt and black pepper and whisk again.
  • Pour the marinade into the bag with the chicken, massaging it to evenly coat.
  • Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour, up to overnight.
  • In a small bowl (or right in the container), combine the yogurt, garlic, lemon juice and salt.
  • Stir to combine and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Over medium-high heat, grill the chicken for 3 minutes or until it no longer sticks to the grill.
  • Turn the chicken and grill an additional 3-4 minutes.
  • Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes then slice it thinly, across the grain.
  • Top each breast with 2 tablespoons sauce and a sprinkle of parsley.

Serve.

I put mine in a roll up with arugula and Lyn chopped her breast then added to some chopped arugula salad.

it was protein day so no veggies in this, arugula is a spice not a veggie, so on protein day we eat a lot of arugula.

Arugula, also known as salad or garden rocket, is one of the nutritious green-leafy vegetable of Mediterranean origin. It is a small, low growing annual herb featuring dandelion like succulent, elongated, lobular leaves with green-veins.

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