curried rice salad with pine nuts
July 8, 2019
I haven’t posted since 2016 since I’ve been consumed by good work at the Global Alliance for the Future of Food. Given climate change and other critical things we need to be thinking about as individuals, as countries, as a global community – like poverty and food security – I do a lot of reading and discussing about about what we eat and the implications it has on our planet and others around the world. There is one thing that is clear – we have to eat way less meat. I was eating this rice salad inspired by ERINBDM on Food52 while reading one such article and I thought “this is so delicious, and so easy, and so meat-free, and so full of the kinds of things we need to be eating, I MUST post it on v:gourmet.” So here is my one small step, hoping it will help inspire others in turn.
2 cups dry basmati rice
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed stemmed flat leaf parsley or dill or any other green herb on hand
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon maple sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 cup olive oil
1 small red onion, finely chopped and rinsed in cold water
1 cup chopped and pitted kalamata olives
2/3 cup currants
2/3 cup toasted pine nuts
sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds
Prepare rice according to package directions. Transfer to a large bowl.
Blend the garlic, salt, green herb(s), lemon juice, vinegar, curry powder, maple syrup, cumin, pepper, and olive oil.
Pour the dressing over the rice. Stir in onion, olives, currants, and pine nuts. Garnish with more herbs and toasted pumpkin seeds.
noodle veggie salad with mapled tofu
February 27, 2016
This recipe is an adaptation of Sara Forte’s inspired slivered veggie noodle salad from Bowl and Spoon, with adaptation being the operative word. A recipe is ultimately a guide, a pointer, an inspiration to help you find your way. So be inspired by the julienned vegetables, the soy and maple drenched tofu, and the miso, honey, ginger dressing but don’t feel like you have to stay on a strict path … wander off and discover other directions to take it by mixing up the veg, using a different kind of noodle, or playing with your protein. No two versions of this should be the same.
14 ounces extra-firm tofu
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 teaspoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon maple syrup
Freshly ground pepper
1 package soba noodles (the photo shows rice noodles but soba are better for this recipe)
1 red bell pepper
3 carrots
1 zucchini
1/2 red onion
1 bunch of cilantro, coarsely chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
1 large avocado
1 tablespoon yellow miso paste
1 (3-inch) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
1 teaspoon honey
Juice of 2 limes
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce
Drain the tofu and press out the excess liquid between layers of a folded clean dishcloth. In a large skillet, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Chop the tofu into 1/2-inch cubes and add them to the hot pan. Sauté gently until the edges begin to brown. Add the soy sauce, maple syrup, and pepper. Stir and cook for 6 to 8 minutes longer, until the edges are crisp. Set aside to cool.
Cook the noodles until al dente as per directions on the box, rinse with cold water, and drain. Seed and slice the bell pepper into thin strips. Use a julienne peeler or mandolin to make long strips from the carrot, zucchini, and red onion. Put the noodles and prepared vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
For the dressing, whisk together the miso, ginger, honey, lime juice, sesame oil, and Sriracha. This much can be done up to 2 days in advance and kept covered in the fridge.
When ready to serve, pour the dressing over the veggies and noodles, add the chopped cilantro and toss to coat. Top the bowl with the green onions, sesame seeds, and tofu. Serve each portion with a quarter of an avocado.
thai red curry tofu stew
February 5, 2016
I’m on a bit of a lemongrass kick this week. This super food which is known to be antibacterial, anti-fungal and antimicrobial has proven effective in treating type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, stomach disorders, respiratory disorders, insomnia, fevers, rheumatism, infections … shall I go on? It also happens to be tasty and enhances enormously this Thai Red Curry Tofu Stew – deep, soupy, and packed full of flavour.
1 block extra-firm tofu, rinsed and cubed
2 tbsps soy sauce
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks lemon grass, minced
2 tablespoons red curry paste
400 ml can of coconut milk
1 red pepper, cut into slices
1 onion, cut into slices
2 kaffir lime leaves
1 tsp lime juice
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
Thai basil for garnish
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss cubed tofu with soy sauce. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes until tofu is browned, tossing 1/2 through. When it’s done, set aside.
Heat coconut oil in a dutch oven or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic, ginger and lemongrass, and sauté for 6-8 minutes.
Add red curry paste, mix well, and sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes.
Add coconut milk, and whisk to combine with other ingredients.
Add tofu, red pepper, and onion, and mix well. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes. While it simmers, add kaffir lime leaves, soy sauce, and brown sugar and continue to simmer until veggies are soft.
Serve garnished with basil or cilantro over rice.
mustard roasted brussels sprouts
January 31, 2016
We’ve featured brussels sprouts on v:gourmet before. Grilled brussels sprouts with a thyme lemon dipping sauce. Roasted brussels sprouts with shallots and shitake. And we highlight George’s amazing curried brussels sprouts which never fail to please. But these brussels sprouts are my go-to and perhaps my favourite. A little sweet and smokey dijon, finely sliced shallots, roasted pecans and dried cranberries, with a hit of maple syrup and garlic. They roast up amazingly well and defy any brussels sprouts denier.
1 pound brussels sprouts
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tbsps sweet and smokey dijon (Kozlik’s is fabulous if you can find it)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 large shallot, peeled and sliced thinly
1/2 cup pecans, chopped coarsely
1/2 cup dried cranberries
sea salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Trim end off brussels sprouts and cut in half. Place in large mixing bowl.
Place olive oil, mustard, garlic and maple syrup in a small bowl. Mix well and then toss with brussels sprouts so they are all coated evenly.
Add sliced shallots, pecans, and cranberries. Mix well.
Place in a baking dish or on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Put in oven on middle rack and roast for approximately 20 – 25 minutes until they are tender and a little browned. Serve as a fabulous side to rice, nice and spicy marinated tofu, and just about anything else.
smokey za’atar delicata squash
January 23, 2016
Delicata squash, also known as peanut squash, bohemian squash, or sweet potato squash, is a wonderful simple side dish because it is easy to clean, easy to cut, easy to prep, and you can eat the skin. Sprinkled with smoked paprika, and a little za’atar – a middle eastern herb mixture of dried thyme, oregano, marjoram, toasted sesame seeds, salt, and sometimes sumac – and these roasted morsels liven up the plate, the palate, and are pleasing to the eye. Which is important because we eat with our eyes as well as our mouths. So feast on these and watch them become a staple in your kitchen.
1 delicata squash
olive oil
za’atar
smoked paprika
sea salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Wash the delicata squash well. Cut it in half and clean out the seeds from inside. Slide into 1/2 inch slices and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
Brush both sides with olive oil. Sprinkle with za’atar and smoked paprika, sea salt and pepper. Turn over and do the same on the other side.
Bake in the oven for about 20 – 25 minutes, flipping them half way through until tender. Serve hot.
farmhouse vegetable barley soup
January 16, 2016
I’ve quoted Tamar Adler before, author of the highly-recommended An Everlasting Meal. She says of soups that “The best soups are a day old. Soup mustn’t be fresh, but mature. They needn’t taste of their ingredients, but only give their ingredients somewhere to be left off and picked up again. I learned to make soup from my mother, whose potages contained whatever was around, much of it already cooked: roasted root vegetables, boiled potatoes or turnips, an odd handful of herbs.” Adler’s advice seems particularly apropos to this farmhouse vegetable barley soup filled with carrots, celery, potatoes, turnips. They cozy up to hearty barley, and are “picked up” and enhanced by porcini powder giving them a depth and earthiness. If this doesn’t warm you up on a cold January day I don’t know what will.
1/8 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
8 sprigs fresh parsley plus 3 tablespoons chopped
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds leeks, white and light green parts sliced 1/2 inch thick and washed thoroughly
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 celery stalks, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons soy sauce
Salt and pepper
10 cups veggie stock
1/2 cup pearl barley, rinsed
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 turnip, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 cup frozen peas
1 teaspoon lemon juice
sea salt and pepper
Grind porcini with a spice grinder until they resemble fine meal, 10 to 30 seconds. Measure out 2 teaspoons porcini powder. Reserve remainder for other use. Using kitchen twine, tie together parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay leaf.
Heat olive oil in large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks, carrots, celery, wine, soy sauce, and 2 teaspoons of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid has evaporated and vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes.
Add water, broth, barley, porcini powder, herb bundle, and garlic. Increase heat to high and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, partially covered, for 25 minutes.
Add potatoes and turnip. Return to simmer and cook until barley, potatoes and turnip are tender, 18 to 20 minutes.
Remove pot from heat and remove herb bundle. Stir in peas, lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Adapted from America’s Test Kitchen
falafel
January 3, 2016
I have been looking for a good falafel recipe for quite some time now but none have inspired me until I tripped upon Suzy’s on her blog The Mediterranean Dish. What set her recipe apart was its pure list of ingredients, no eggs and flour, and the plethora of herbs and spices. I understand the origin of the falafel is uncertain and “controversial” (how intriguing!) but may go back to Pharaonic Egypt. A good falafel – and this is one – is so elemental, tasty, and nutritious, it’s no wonder they’ve stood the test of time no matter where they are from and when. Try them out in a warmed up pita, with a little tomato, cucumber, lettuce, red onion, and lemon dill tahini sauce and you’ve got one pharaonic lunch.
2 cups dried chickpeas
½ tsp baking soda
1 cup fresh parsley leaves, stems removed
¾ cup fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed
½ cup fresh dill, stems removed
7-8 garlic cloves, peeled
Salt to taste
1 tbsp ground black pepper
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp ground coriander
1 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
1 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Coconut oil for frying*
Place the dried chickpeas and baking soda in a large bowl filled with water. Let the chickpeas soak for 18 hours. When ready, drain the chickpeas completely and pat them dry.
Place the fresh leaves of parsley, cilantro and dill in a large food processor. Pulse to finely chop the herbs. Now add the chickpeas, garlic and spices. Run the food processor 40 seconds at a time until all is well combined forming a smooth falafel mixture.
Transfer the falafel mixture into a container and cover tightly. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to fry (up to one whole night).**
Just before frying, add the baking powder and sesame seeds to the falafel mixture and stir with a spoon. Scoop tablespoonfuls of the falafel mixture and form into patties (1/4 inch in thickness each). It helps to have wet hands as you form the patties.
Fill a medium saucepan 3 inches up with oil. Heat the oil on medium-high until it bubbles softly. Carefully drop the falafel patties in the oil, let them fry for about 3-4 minutes or so until medium brown. Avoid crowding the falafel in the saucepan, fry them in batches if necessary.
Place the fried falafel patties in a colander or plate lined with paper towels to drain. Serve falafel hot next to other small plates; or assemble the falafel patties in pita bread with lettuce, tomato, red onion, cucumbers, and lemon dill tahini sauce.
* Note that you can use different oils for frying but coconut oil has the highest smoke point and is the most stable for heating which is important. You can also skip deep frying altogether and bake these babies if you prefer at 350 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.
** At this stage you can also freeze the falafels for future use. To freeze, prepare the falafel mixture and divide into patties. Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze. When they harden, you can transfer the falafel patties into a freezer bag. They will keep well in the freezer for a month or so.
lemon dill tahini sauce
January 3, 2016
This is a must-have for every refrigerator out there. Make a big batch and keep it handy because it’s fabulous on salads, winter kale, steamed veggies, falafels, sandwiches, or even a dipping sauce for whatever tickles your fancy. Make it a bit thicker and just thin out what you need with a little water for salads when you want to use it as a dressing.
3/4 cup tahini paste
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup dill
sea salt and pepper
In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients. Let it rip until everything is blended well. Adjust taste with salt and pepper if needed. Add a bit more water if it’s too thick. Store in a jar in the fridge and use it liberally whenever the mood strikes.
harissa quinoa salad
November 5, 2015
Adapted from Amy Chaplin’s At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen, this is a quick and easy recipe with a bit of heat and heartiness, that’s highly adaptable to whatever you happen to have in the fridge. Serve with some feta on top or not, a little gremolata, or extra harissa if you like the hit.
1 cup quinoa
1.5 cups water
Sea salt
2 peppers – red, orange or yellow – seeded, grilled, and cut into 1 ½ inch pieces
1/3 cup almonds
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1 red onion, diced
3 tablespoons harissa
Juice of ½ a lemon
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
sea salt and pepper
Goat milk feta
Baby basil, or other, sprouts
Harissa
1 tablespoon cumin seeds
1 tablespoon coriander seeds
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
1 to 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper, depending on how hot you like it
1 clove garlic, crushed
Juice of half a lemon
Large pinch sea salt
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Place quinoa in a pot and cover with water and pinch of sea salt. Cover, place over high heat and bring to a boil. Once boiling, turn heat down to low and simmer until quinoa is cooked, about 15 – 20 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, and set aside to cool.
For the harissa, warm a skillet over a medium flame and add the cumin, coriander and caraway seeds, toast for 3 minutes, shaking pan occasionally. Transfer into a spice grinder and grind until fine. Place ground spices in a bowl and add the cayenne, garlic, lemon juice and salt. Stir and then drizzle in the olive oil, stir until smooth. Set aside.
Meanwhile, brush peppers with olive oil and grill on a BBQ or roast in the oven. Once done, let cool and cut into bite size pieces.
Toast pine nuts and almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until toasty brown and fragrant.
Place quinoa, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, chopped onion, almonds and pine nuts, harissa, lemon juice, and cider vinegar in a bowl. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add additional harissa if you want more kick.
Transfer to a serving bowl; crumble feta, additional pine nuts, and sprouts on top if desired.
borscht
October 17, 2015
For me, borscht conjures images of the Russian steppes, a snappy cold autumn wind, the musty smell of a root cellar, warmth in the belly, and a grandmother’s love. It’s a soup made for this time of year with the sweetness of good hearty vegetables just harvested – cabbage, beets, carrots – and the sourness of apple cider vinegar straight from laden orchards. In fact sweet and sour is one of its signature qualities going back to its slavic origins when it was known as *bŭrščǐ which means hogweed. Hogweed was the soup’s original ingredient before it was replaced with other vegetables and then brought to North America by Yiddish-speaking Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe. I like that the recipe was featured in the Domostroy, a 16th-century Russian compendium of “moral rules and homemaking advice” where it notes, as an essential part of the recipe, “for the Lord’s sake, to share it with those in need.” I got the basis for the version below from Liz at Sugar Ridge Retreat Centre who fortunately took that advice and shared it with me.
3 tbsps olive oil
2 large onions, sliced finely
3 cloves garlic, minced
seasoning – caraway, dill, fennel seeds, myrtle, or whatever tickles your fancy
2 medium carrots, grated
3 large beets, grated
1 small head of red cabbage, sliced finely
sea salt and pepper
6 cups veggie or smoked cabbage stock
2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
In a large dutch oven heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add sliced onions and sauté until soft, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and sauté another 2-3 minutes until garlic is fragrant. Add seasoning – seeds or ground spices. Sauté for a minute or two being careful not to burn them. Add carrots, beets, cabbage and a bit of sea salt and pepper on top. Cover with stock, bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to low. Let simmer until vegetables are tender, 20 – 30 minutes. Add apple cider vinegar and season to taste.
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