Monday, November 14, 2011

Measurments =

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Mache and Persimmon Salad | seasonal recipes for everyone



Mache and Persimmon Salad
Serves 4
2 small shallots
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon sugar (or stevia)
½ teapoon kosher salt
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil (or HCT oil)
2 Fuyu persimmons
4 oz. piece of Parmigiano Reggiano
8 oz. mache
freshly ground pepper
To make the dressing, whisk the shallots, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, sugar and salt together. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly to make an emulsified dressing. Set aside.
Cut the ends off each persimmon. With a paring knife, slice off the skin, removing as little flesh as possible. Using a mandoline, cut each persimmon into thin slices. (Alternatively, slice thinly using a sharp knife.) Set aside
Using a peeler or a knife, shave thin long strips off the block of Parmigiano. Set aside.
Place greens in a bowl and toss lightly with the vinaigrette. Divide the slices of persimmon evenly among the plates. Top each with a generous handful of greens. Top with the cheese shavings. Crack pepper over each salad and serve.

Found on:
Mache and Persimmon Salad | alexandra's kitchen — seasonal recipes for everyone

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Black Bean Salad with Corn, Red Peppers, Avocado & Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette

Black bean salad 1


This recipe was inspired by one of my readers, who sent me a fabulous Mexican Bean Salad recipe. Thank you, Ellen! It's perfect for entertaining because it's festive and you can make it ahead of time -- in fact, you should because it gets better and better the longer it sits. I made it last weekend when we had friends over for a cookout...everyone loved it.


Black bean salad 10

I'll be honest with you, this salad involves a fair amount of chopping and fussing -- nothing difficult but it does take some time to put together. Please don't let that discourage you! It makes such a large amount, you'll be eating it for days, and it's incredibly substantial -- you won't need to serve much else with it. I made it with grilled chicken and roasted sweet potato wedges.

Black bean salad 9

For the beans, make life easy on yourself and use canned. You could certainly buy them dried and soak them overnight but I don't think it's worth the time or trouble here. Just be sure to rinse and drain them well.

Summer bean salad 3

But since you're saving time on the beans, definitely opt for fresh corn. Canned is awful and frozen won't give you the crunch you need.

Black bean salad 11

Fresh lime juice is also a must. If you don't already have one, get yourself an inexpensive citrus juicer like this one from OXO...it makes life in the kitchen soo much easier.

Black bean salad 15

When you make this salad, you have to wait a while for the flavors to meld together. At first, it may taste a little too acidic...but give it a few hours in the fridge and the sharpness will mellow out.

Black bean salad 12

Mark my words, this salad will keep you coming back for seconds and thirds -- it's addictive -- but everything in it's so good for you, I don't think you'll mind.

Black bean salad 13



Black Bean Salad with Corn, Red Peppers, Avocado & Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
Printable Recipe

Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients

2 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
3 ears fresh corn, cooked, cooled and kernels cut off the cob
2 red bell peppers, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced shallots (you'll need one medium shallot)
2 teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons sugar
9 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (I like Colavita)
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon lime zest (be sure to zest limes before juicing them)
½ cup chopped cilantro, plus more to garnish
2 Hass avocados, diced

Directions


Combine all ingredients except avocados in a large bowl and mix well. Cover and chill for a few hours or overnight. Right before serving, add avocados and mix gently, being careful not to mash avocados. Garnish with a few springs of freshly chopped cilantro if desired. Serve at room temperature.

Found on:
Black Bean Salad with Corn, Red Peppers, Avocado & Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette - Once Upon A Chef

cook it up: kale chips


I love potato chips. I don’t love going to the gym. My answer to this dilemma is kale chips.
It makes sense in my head. See, kale chips are such an awesome substitute to the beloved potato chip I almost can’t tell the difference. And I figure if I have one instead of the other, I can save valuable minutes at the gym and get off of the elliptical trainer way earlier than if I was having potato chips with my lunch. Get it?! Brilliant!

In any case, here’s what you do. Prep your kale by tearing it into pieces and arranging it in a single layer on a baking sheet (don’t use the stems). Drizzle with olive oil (MCT oil for HCG) and sprinkle with sea salt & any other seasoning you might like (I used some garlic powder). Preheat your oven to 375 and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the kale gets slightly brown and crispy. Take it out. Eat it and then don’t go to the gym. xoxo





Found on:
cook it up: kale chips | lovely indeed!
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