I discovered this simple, yet so delicious, salad while visiting Crete several years ago. I knew right away I would be making it when I got home. It’s a beautiful salad to make in the summer when tomatoes are bursting with flavor. The base of the salad is a thick, crunchy barley bread called rusks….
Category: Salads
Sensational Summer Salads
The heat is on so why turn on the heat in your kitchen. Summer is the perfect season to lighten-up your meals with fresh and seasonal fruit and vegetable salads. A healthy template for a nutritionally balanced salad is one that includes lean protein, healthy fat, some whole grain fiber and of course, lots of…
Herby Meatballs with Pickle Rice
Another thank you to Molly Baz, author of Cook this Book and More is More for creating this punchy recipe with herb-packed meatballs, salsa and pickle rice. I love recipes that use the same ingredient in several different ways. It’s an easy trick to layer lots of flavor, especially when cooking with healthier ingredients. In…
Whipped Parsnips (instead of potatoes)
For a delicious twist on mashed potatoes use parsnips instead. Parsnips are in the carrot family and have a slightly sweet, spicy carrot flavor. I think of them as an old fashioned root vegetable but I would love to see them make their way on more dinner plates. Best when cooked, use them in soups,…
Pasta Salad with a Twist
Full admission, whenever I make pasta salad, it’s always “just okay”. Not flavorful enough, too many ingredients, occasionally soggy pasta. Alison Roman nailed it with this updated version of pasta salad using fresh and sundried tomatoes and sauteing a host of flavorful ingredients before tossing them with the warm pasta. This will be a huge…
Spiced Chicken with Dates in Lettuce Cups
Ground chicken or turkey gets a knockout punch of flavor from red curry paste, ginger, and garlic and a subtle sweetness from chopped dates. Serve this in lettuce cups or nappa cabbage leaves topped with fresh mint for a light, summer meal. I didn’t have the right type of lettuce for serving in cups so…
Beets and Chickpeas with Yogurt
This flavorful side dish or salad is similar to a raita which is a traditional Indian sauce or side. I based this recipe off a traditional raita but because I didn’t have all of the ingredients, I had to make some swaps. I used a thicker Skyr type yogurt, swapped parsley for cilantro and since…
Roasted Curried Cauliflower and Egg Salad
If you’re getting bored with typical salads, try this flavorful combination of roasted cauliflower, hard boiled eggs in a curried yogurt dressing. It’s another winner from Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbook, Ottolenghi Simple.
Watermelon Pizza
Nothing is more refreshing than a wedge of juicy watermelon on a hot summer day. For a fun little twist, add some yogurt and fruit and call it pizza. Set out a toppings bar and have your kids make their own. It’s a perfect little treat for your Labor Day celebration!
Kale Salad with Fresh Strawberries, Feta and Pistachios
Even though you might be getting tired of hearing about kale, this is still my “go-to” summer salad. It’s fast and easy with only 4 ingredients and each ingredient compliments one another. The salty feta, with the sweet and juicy strawberries and the slightly bitter kale, and the added texture from the crunchy pistachios. We…
Melon and Avocado Salad with Fennel Dust
This is an impressive salad that’s easy to assemble with few ingredients. You want to be sure the melon is ripe and sweet because it’s the balance of the sweetness from the melon that works so well with the other ingredients. Just scoop out the melon and avocado into the bowl and top with the…
Baked Salmon with Dill and Ginger Citrus Salad
Fresh dill with salmon is a beautiful combo. Add the sweet and sour zing of ginger and citrus and you’ve got a winning dish. Baking the salmon at a low temperature allows time for the flavor of the dill to infuse into the salmon and keeps the salmon moist and flakey. Serve the salmon alongside…