Kale salad with sharp cheddar, apples and pine nuts

I haven’t always been a fan of kale. But this salad has been my go-to lunch lately. This combination is super flavorful and healthy. Sometimes I eat it with a baked sweet potato and it’s literally the tastiest lunch... it definitely beats eating cold gluten-free macaroni and cheese and half chewed strawberries from my daughters plate!

The coolest thing is that you can put the dressing on in the morning and by lunch you have the best dressed kale and it is not soggy. Even after 24 hours it still will not be soggy. It’s a great salad for traveling, to-go lunches or just about anytime! I  generally follow the recipe from The NY Times  except I substitute the sliced almonds for pine nuts. Almonds will work well or any nuts of your choice.

Kale salad with sharp cheddar, apples and pine nuts

Ingredients:

4 cups very finely chopped or slivered curly kale or Russian kale (large stems removed)
3 tbs pine nuts (optional, toasted)
1 apple, sliced thinly or diced (I use gala or honey crisp)
2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut in 1/4-inch dice or grated
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt to taste
1 very small garlic clove, puréed
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan

Directions: 

Whisk together the lemon juice, salt, garlic and olive oil. In a large bowl, add dressing to the kale and toss well. Set aside in fridge until ready to serve (at least 15 minutes and up to 24 hrs).

When ready to eat, top salad with apples, pine nuts, cheddar cheese, sprinkle with Parmesan and serve up!

Fresh Herb Potato and Green Bean Salad for a Gluten Free Soiree

Sip and See Soiree!

I didn't want to have a traditional baby shower for a second baby so instead opted for a meet the baby brunch (a so called "sip and see"). My Little one is 10 weeks old and such a happy baby! The party was very small and only included a few of my friends from high school and college and my mom and sister. It was very low-key and relaxing.

I feel very busy and a tad bit tired these days, so I didn't want to do much cooking. The menu needed to be easy, look appealing, taste delicious and of course gluten free! Here's a sample of the offerings :)

• GF Chocolate cupcakes (trader joes)
• Salami, roasted turkey breast and black forest ham (boars head brand)
• Herbed goat cheese, semi-soft fontina, aged cheddar cheese with peppercorns and a sliced mild cheddar cheese
• Grapes and apricots
• Mixed Olives
• A Mimosa bar! Peach juice, French Lemonade, and mango juice paired with sparkling wine and a variety of fresh fruits to garnish
• Bread! Fresh baked brioche and multi grain bread from Revolution Bakery (100% gf bakery in Santa Fe)
• Fresh Vegetable plate with hummus (trader joes)
• Herbed Potato salad adapted from Cooking Light (recipe below)
• A few decorations including fresh flowers and a name banner

herbed potato salad 

cheese plate

chocolate cupcakes 

mimosa bar

bowl of fresh apricots

a personal name banner

beautiful peonies from the garden. classy. 

Herbed Potato and Green Bean Salad

Ingredients:

3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes
1 cup french green beans (blanched and cut in ½" pieces)
1 cup dry white wine
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup thinly sliced chives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill

Directions:

Place potatoes into a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until tender. Drain, and cool for 10 minutes. Cut potatoes into about ½" pieces. Place potato slices in a large bowl and add green beans.

Place wine in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 6 minutes). Transfer wine to a bowl. Add vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic; stir with a whisk until well combined. Drizzle wine mixture over potatoes/green beans; sprinkle with chives, parsley, and dill. Toss gently to combine. Serve salad warm or chilled.

xo 

L

Vegetable and Noodle Salad with Thai Peanut Sauce

This salad is an easy summer lunch or dinner. It's refreshing, colorful and pretty simple to put together, especially since I "cheat" and use Annie Chun's gluten free Thai Peanut Sauce!

                                      Vegetable and Noodle Salad with Thai Peanut Sauce

Ingredients:
1 package 100% Buckwheat Soba Noodles (if you can't find these, rice noodles will work just fine)
1 tbs olive oil
1-2 carrots, shredded
2 cups mixed greens or lettuce of your choice, chopped
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 cup cucumber, chopped
2 cups cooked chicken, shrimp or tofu
2 tbs cilantro
1/2 cup to 1 cup gluten free Thai Peanut Sauce (depending on how much dressing you like)
Siracha sauce (optional for the extra kick!)

Directions:
Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and toss with 1 tbs olive oil. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add carrots, lettuce, bell pepper, cucumber, chicken and cilantro together. Toss gently. Add noodles and peanut sauce to the vegetables and mix together until coated. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Serve with extra cilantro and Siracha sauce for spice. Enjoy!

Berry and Pine Nut Salad with Balsamic Orange Vinaigrette

                                     Berry Pine Nut Salad with Balsamic Orange Vinaigrette 

4 cups mixed baby greens

1/4 cup raspberries

1/4 cup blackberries

3 strawberries, sliced

handful of golden raisins

1 oz white cheddar cheese, diced

handful of pine nuts

Toss salad ingredients together in a large bowl and top with the amount of vinaigrette to your liking!

Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette (from Vegetarian.About)

2 tbs balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil 

juice of 1 orange

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Combine all ingredients except oil in small bowl. While whisking quickly, add oil and combine well. Store unused dressing in a mason jar for a few days! 

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza

I recently made this pizza recipe for my friends at the one and only Gluten Free Bistro, but it turned out so delicious I thought others should know about it. The original recipe was featured in the Pizza on Grill 2012 magazine (from the publishers of Fine Cooking). The pizza crust from the Gluten Free Bistro (order it here) cooks up so nicely on the BBQ grill, I sometimes forget I even have an oven. Enjoy!

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad Pizza 

Ingredients: 

1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast- grilled

olive oil

sea salt and black pepper

1 Gluten Free Bistro Pizza Crust

1/4 cup Roasted Garlic Paste (recipe to follow)

1 cup fontina cheese, shredded

1 heart of romaine, cut crosswise into 1/2" wide ribbons

2 tbs gluten-free caesar salad dressing (such as Organicville, Annie's or Newmans Own)

2 tbs fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions:

Preheat your BBQ grill to medium heat.

Brush chicken breast with 1 tbs olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place chicken on the cooking grate directly over the heat and grill until no longer pink in the middle (about 10-12 minutes).  Set aside and when almost ready to use, slice into 1/4 inch strips. 

Spread garlic paste on GF pizza crust, then top with chicken and sprinkle with Fontina cheese. 

Grill pizza for approximately 10 minutes on low to medium heat (careful to not let the bottom burn). Grill until bottom is crispy and cheese is melted and bubbly. Just before the pizza is done, toss the romaine lettuce with the dressing and 1 tbs of Parmigiano cheese in a medium bowl. 

Remove pizza from grill and immediately top with romaine mixture. Sprinkle remaining Parmiagano cheese on top, season with salt and pepper. Slice and serve immediately. ENJOY! 

Roasted Garlic Paste

Ingredients:

3 heads garlic

3 tbs olive oil, plus more for drizzling 

Kosher salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F

Remove the first layer of papery skin from the garlic. Slice off 1/4 inch from the pointy top. Place each head on a sheet of aluminum foil, cut side up. Drizzle with the oil and season with salt. Wrap each head in the foil and roast until the cloves are golden brown and soft, about 1 hour. Remove from the heat and let cool. (You can also do this on the grill, cooking over indirect heat.) 

Remove the roasted cloves from their skins. The most efficient way to do this is to squeeze the whole head from the bottom. Using a fork, vigorously mix the garlic and oil together. Add a pinch of salt. (If your recipe calls just for a clove or two of roasted garlic, you can remove it from the skin using a small escargot-style fork.)
This will keep, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

before grilling

caesar salad mix

after grilling

salad and pizza in one!  

Caprese Quinoa Salad

I love summer meals because they can be created so easily with fresh flavorful ingredients. Quinoa is so good for you and takes on whatever flavors you want, be it southwest or italian style. This recipe is inspired by Megan's Cookin.  I hope you enjoy this healthy and delicious take on the italian caprese salad!

Caprese Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked quinoa
1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
8 oz fresh mozzarella (use mozzarella pearls or cut into small slices)
15 large basil leaves, sliced into ribbons
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp fresh black pepper
2 to 3 tbs extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
1. Cook quinoa according to package directions and let cool completely.
2. Once cool, add tomatoes, cheese basil, salt and pepper to quinoa.
3. Drizzle olive oil on top and toss gently.
4. Serve immediately or refrigerate to allow flavors to meld together.

ENJOY!

Asian Noodle Salad with Grilled Chicken

Asian Noodle Salad with Grilled Chicken

Vinaigrette:
1 cup orange juice
1 tsp allspice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 tbs honey or agave
2 tbs sesame oil
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp sea salt

Reduce orange juice with allspice to 1/2 cup over medium heat. Then whisk in vinegar, honey, salt and sesame oil. Slowly whisk in olive-oil. Remove from heat and set aside.

Salad:
10-12 cups baby greens
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (grilled with olive oil and salt and pepper)
8oz package 100% buckwheat soba noodles (cooked according to package directions)
1/4 cup scallions, sliced
1/2 cup carrots, julienned
1/2 cup sunflower sprouts
1/4 to 1/2 cup roasted peanuts

Mix all the ingredients, except chicken, together.  Add desired amount of vinaigrette and toss gently. Divide evenly among 4 to 6 plates and top with grilled chicken and extra peanuts and sprouts.

(I didn't have sunflower sprouts, so I used fresh peas for the photo)

Grilled Marinated Flank Steak Salad with Cilantro Dressing

Good friends, good weather, good food. Thank you Allison and Mo for spending a weekend in Boulder! I must say it feels a little strange to relax at the kitchen table, sipping a glass of wine while my sweet friends cook for me. I spend so much time in the kitchen, that I often forget what it's like to be on the other side...it was wonderful! I am forever grateful to eat so well and be healthy. I didn't help make this meal, but I did devour it. (Recipe inspiration comes from Diabetic Living Magazine)

Ingredients:
8oz beef flank steak
2 yellow or red bell peppers, sliced
8 asparagus stalks, trimmed
2 green onions, trimmed
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and sliced
2-3 cups torn romaine lettuce
fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish
Cilantro Dressing (recipe follows)


Cilantro Dressing: 
Lime juice
shallot
cilantro
olive oil
honey
garlic clove
red chile powder
water 
salt
ground cumin


Directions:
In a blender or food processor, combine 3 tablespoons lime juice; 2 tablespoons chopped shallot; 2 tablespoons snipped cilantro; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon water; 2 teaspoons honey; 1 large clove garlic, quartered; 1/2 teaspoon red chile powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; and 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin. Cover and blend or process until combined.
Divide Cilantro Dressing into two portions.


Trim fat from steak. Score both sides of steak in a diamond pattern by making shallow diagonal cuts at 1-inch intervals. Place steak in a resealable plastic bag. Pour one portion of the Cilantro Dressing over steak in bag; set remaining dressing portion aside. Seal bag; turn to coat steak. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.


Drizzle peppers, green onions and asparagus with olive oil. For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place meat and, later, vegetables on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill. For steak, allow 17 to 21 minutes for medium rare (145 degrees F) to medium (160 degrees F). Add pepper and asparagus to the grill for the last 8 minutes of grilling and green onions to the grill for the last 4 minutes grilling, turning frequently. For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place meat and, later, vegetables on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill. 

Thinly slice meat against the grain. Serve meat, vegetables, tomatoes, and, avocado slices over romaine lettuce. Drizzle with the reserved portion of the Cilantro Dressing. Garnish with cilantro sprigs. Makes 2 servings 

Poached Salmon Nicoise Salad

Ingredients:

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon kosher salt

10 black peppercorns

2 cups white wine

2 pounds skin-on wild salmon fillet pieces (1 to 1 1/2 in. thick)

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

5 tablespoons Champagne vinegar

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

2 tablespoons chopped basil

Sea salt to taste

6 cups mixed greens

10 small yellow-skinned new potatoes, boiled until tender and cut in half

4 hard-cooked eggs, cut into quarters

1/4 pound haricots verts (French green beans) or regular green beans, trimmed and boiled until tender-crisp

1/2 cup pitted Niçoise olives

3 Roma tomatoes, cut into lengthwise wedges

• • Directions:
  • To a large roasting pan, add bay leaves, kosher salt, peppercorns, and wine. Add salmon and enough water to cover.
  • Remove salmon and set aside; bring liquid to a boil, covered. Reduce to a simmer, then gently slide salmon into liquid and simmer 10 to 15 minutes, covered, until salmon is just opaque.
  • While salmon is cooking, make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, mustard, and vinegar. Gradually whisk in oil until dressing is emulsified. Whisk in herbs and season with sea salt.
  • Using 2 spatulas, remove salmon, place on a cooling rack set on a sheet pan, and chill 10 minutes, loosely covered with foil. Discard poaching liquid.
  • Remove salmon from refrigerator and break into large pieces, discarding skin. On a very large serving platter, top watercress with pieces of fish, potatoes, eggs, green beans, olives, and tomatoes. Drizzle dressing over everything. 
  
  
  
  Recipe adapted from Sunset Magazine
  
  
  
  

Citrus Salad

                                                                     Citrus Salad

Ingredients 

1 grapefruit

1 tangelo 

1 navel orange

1 blood orange

2 clementines 

fresh mint, chopped

sea salt

olive-oil 

Peel and slice all fruit. Spread on serving dish, sprinkle with sea-salt, mint and a drizzle of olive-oil. Enjoy this perfect winter citrus salad while dreaming of summer!