get your yummy back

musings from a health supportive culinary artist

Lentils with Lemon, Herbs, and Feta March 29, 2010

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 5:47 pm
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I like to make side dishes to have around for the week, typically rice, bean, or vegetable salads. It just makes things so much easier at dinner or lunch time when you have at least one hearty, healthy dish ready to go. 

This weekend, I was craving Tabouli. What’s not to love about hearty whole grains, citrus, and fresh herbs? When I turned to the cupboards to see whether I had bulgur for the Tabouli, I found that I did not, but I did have lentils. So, I decided to modify my Tabouli plan and see what I could stir up using ingredients I had on hand. 

As a result, I give you Lentils with Lemon, Herbs, and Feta. It’s a delightful little dish. Lentils are teamed with minced ginger, garlic, lemon, olive oil, parsley, mint, and feta cheese. Packed with fiber and protein, it doesn’t take much to fill you up and keep you satisfied.

Lentils come in a variety of sizes and colors ranging from green to yellow to red. They do not require soaking before cooking. This recipe calls for yellow or brown lentils, which cook al dente in about 20 minutes. Green lentils take a bit longer to cook and tend to maintain their shape better than other varieties. If you like lentils, you will also want to try this (non-traditional) recipe for Dal - it’s delicious!

 

Small Indulgence: Pavlova with Berries March 25, 2010

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 9:41 am
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I was looking for a spring-like small indulgence and this Pavlova with Berries did quite nicely.

Pavlova is a traditional dessert native to New Zealand. Usually it’s a large meringue topped with whipped cream, kiwi, and berries. With many possible variations, it’s dramatic and delightful!

With this recipe, I made small, individual pavlovas. They look a little bit like nests filled with yummy berries. I used lemon curd as a filling instead of the traditional whipped cream. To make them extra special, garnish them with sprigs of mint or edible flowers.

Keeping some simple guidelines in mind, making meringues is easy – really. Yes, it can be tough to do on a really humid day, as the water in the air will prevent the egg foam from developing. Also, egg yolk will ruin a meringue, so separate your eggs carefully. It’s easiest to work with eggs that are room temperature. Use a clean, dry, stainless steel or glass bowl and add the sugar towards the end, or else you will lengthen the time required to develop the foam. Most importantly - be open to trying new things and have fun with it!

 

Chicken with Dijon, Sage, and Parmesan March 21, 2010

Filed under: how to make it,where to get it — chezdesblog @ 10:33 pm
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mustard flowers in bloom

I’ve been out of town for a while, so tonight was the first night my husband and I have shared a home cooked meal in weeks. Given the special occasion, I asked my husband what he would like for dinner. He said, “How about that chicken?” I knew what he meant immediately. I make this Chicken with Dijon, Sage, and Parmesan and it’s totally yummy.

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are covered in a Dijon mustard sauce. Then they are dredged in a toasted bread crumb mixture that includes sage and finely grated Parmesan cheese. I use Panko bread crumbs, which are the Japanese version of bread crumbs, because they are crisp, light, and flaky.

Dijon mustard is one of those condiments I use a lot for adding bold flavor. Other easy, go-to items for flavor include capers, olives, citrus juice, citrus zest, fresh herbs, garlic, fresh ground pepper, and of course, salt. I use sea salt to avoid chemical additives and processing. Maldon is some of the best. I also use Celtic Sea Salt, which comes in both coarse and fine grains. Both can be found on the Internet or in gourmet grocery stores.

 

Moroccan Halibut with Carrots March 17, 2010

Filed under: how to make it,where to get it — chezdesblog @ 7:25 pm
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I admit it. I’m on a bit of a carrot kick. I snapped this picture at the farmer’s market in Santa Barbara, California last weekend. Farm-fresh carrots are sweet, crunchy, and a great source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They come in hues of orange, yellow, and even red. I’ve been enjoying them for days.

My next stop was the fish market. I relied on my trusty pocket guide from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch to help me make a healthy, sustainable choice. Have you seen this? It’s a great little guide that steers you towards the best seafood choices. There is a hard-copy pocket guide (by region) and a mobile guide. Check it out.

Anyway, I picked up some Alaskan Halibut and went to town on this Moroccan Halibut with Carrots.  The cinnamon and cayenne highlight the natural sweetness of the carrots while adding a little heat. Fresh mint and lemon finish the dish with light and lovely notes. Healthy, delicious, and not at all fussy. It’s a keeper!

 

Go Green for St. Patty’s Day March 15, 2010

Filed under: how to make it,where to see it — chezdesblog @ 12:12 am
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I have an idea…how about we all skip the green food dye and go for some real green on St. Patty’s Day?

It could be kind of fun to pull together a meal with a “green” theme. How about making Pesto? Toss it with pasta, fresh tomatoes, and parmesan; add some chicken or spicy sausage if you like. Pesto is also nice stirred into brown rice. Don’t worry if it’s not basil season, arugula makes a delicious substitute. Go ahead and make a full batch. Freeze the extra in an ice-cube tray for future use.

You could make Green Chile Pork Posole, Split Pea Soup, or Brown Rice and Chicken Stir-Fry with Edamame and WalnutsAsparagus, Peas, and Basil makes a nice green side dish, or try Broccoli Apple Salad. For another “green” side, you could also saute some red onion in olive oil, add some cooked shelled edamame, and then toss in some fresh chopped mint at the end. Mmmm.

While we’re on the subject, be on the lookout for green garlic. I spotted some at the farmer’s market yesterday. You can use it like you would scallions, however, it resembles scallions in looks only. The taste is lovely, soft and subtlety garlic. Delicious – and green!

 

Asparagus, Peas, and Basil March 10, 2010

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 12:32 am
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The other day, I was grocery shopping and signs of spring were everywhere. The produce aisles were teaming with color and character. Bowls of baby cauliflower in purple, white, and yellow. Baskets of English peas. Stacks of asparagus. Fresh basil in bulk. Yes, as in, I could buy basil by the ounce. I’ve never seen that before. I felt like I’d been under some rock for the winter. I was inspired.

I went home and made a plan for dinner that included Asparagus, Peas, and Basil. If you haven’t shelled fresh peas before, you will notice that there are two seams to every pea pod. To shell peas, break one of the tips and tear down the sturdier, indented side. I consider it the “inside” of the curve of the pea pod.

Of course, you can use frozen peas in a pinch, but I encourage you to try the fresh peas. Shelling peas can actually be somewhat meditative, sort of like kneading bread. You can prepare them a day in advance if you like; just store them in the refrigerator. Same goes for the asparagus. It’s your meal – get into it!

 

Small Plates With Big Taste March 5, 2010

Filed under: how to make it — chezdesblog @ 2:15 am
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Tonight was a bit of a special occasion. My nephew is home for spring break, friends were over, and we were all gathering for dinner. It’s time for a little dinner party…

My brother-in-law was in charge of the grill and I was in charge of the sides. I have been wanting to experiment with several tapas recipes and this turned out to be the perfect occasion. Tapas, or small plates, make perfect side dishes and are a fun way to try new things. Yippee!

I started with Roasted Vidalia Onions. Roasting them brings out their sweet, mellow flavor. Topped with Gorgonzola cheese, pine nuts, and chives, these onions practically melt in your mouth. They are a wonderful accompaniment to grilled meat. 

Traditional Garlic Shrimp is a very simple dish that packs big flavor. It comes together in minutes. Spinach, Catalan-style was also a big hit. Apples, pine nuts, and raisins are tossed with sautéed spinach making it anything other than typical. I like the idea of using small plates as a way to add big taste to family meals – hopefully you will too!

 

 
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