Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Nuts · Salad · Vegetable-related

Jennifer Aniston’s “Friends” daily salad

Apparently this is the salad Jennifer Aniston ate every day (!!) on the set of “Friends” for 10 year. Hmmm…maybe

1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups water (I would use vegetable or chicken broth for more flavor)
1 15oz can of chickpeas, drained
1 cup roasted pistachios, chopped
1 1/4 cup cucumbers, diced 1/2 cup (I would seed the cucumbers first, or it’ll get too watery)
3/4 cup red onion, diced
3/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
3/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped
3/4 cup Greek feta, crumbled
2 lemons, juiced
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

Place the quinoa and water (broth) into a medium sized pot and place over high heat. Once boil has been reached, reduce heat to low and place a cover on the pot. Allow quinoa to simmer for 15 minutes and then turn off the heat. Leave the cover on for 5-10 minutes and then remove and fluff with a fork. Pour quinoa into large bowl.

Now add in rinsed and drained chickpeas, pistachios, cucumbers, onion, mint, parsley, crumbled feta, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt and pepper.

Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Vegetable-related

Gorgonzola Polenta

Polenta—the Italian cornmeal dish that bears more than a passing resemblance to grits—is made even more delicious here with a combination of three different kinds of cheese, including plenty of tangy blue Gorgonzola. This recipe originally appears in Anna Stockwell’s For the Table: Easy, Adaptable, Crowd-Pleasing Recipes.

Serves up to 8

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups coarse polenta
1 cup Half and half or whole milk
2 oz good Parmesan, grated (about 3/4 cup)
4 oz Gorgonzola dolce, broken into 1/2-inch pieces
4 oz Fontina cheese, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

In a large pot, bring 5 cups lightly salted water to a boil. Add polenta, and whisk to combine. Lower heat to the lowest setting and cook, stirring often, until all the water has absorbed and the polenta is very thick, 7 to 10 minutes. Stir in milk and cook, stirring often, until thick, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and season with pepper.

Transfer to a 1.5- to 2-quart baking or gratin dish and smooth top. Cool until cool enough to stick a finger into, then scatter the Gorgonzola and Fontina pieces over top. Press cheese into the polenta with your fingers. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours and up to 2 days.

Remove polenta from fridge and let sit at room temperature while oven is heating.
Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in the top position. Bake, uncovered, until bubbling and golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.
Note: The seasoned cooking water and Parmesan add plenty of salt to the polenta, but be sure to give it a taste test before transferring it to the baking dish. Add a few pinches of salt, if needed.

Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Salad · Vegetable-related

Greek Potato salad

This Greek potato salad recipe by food blog “Foodiecrush” is a tangy spin on the traditional potato salad, with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, feta cheese and a zesty Greek dressing that brings big, bold flavor.

Serves 10

2lbs petite white or red potatoes
1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
7 oz oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
4 oz capers, drain and reserve brine
1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Greek Salad Dressing
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp dry mustard
2 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Add the potatoes to a medium pot and fill with enough water to cover the potatoes by 1 inch, then bring to a boil. Add 1-2 teaspoons of kosher salt, reduce to a rolling simmer, and cook until tender or when the potatoes can be pierced with a fork or skewer, about 15 minutes.

While the potatoes are cooking, make the dressing.
To a jar fitted with a lid, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, dry mustard, oregano, thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Top with lid, shake well, and set aside.

The potatoes are done cooking when they can be easily pierced with a sharp knife or skewer. Drain them. Then when the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them in half or into bite-sized chunks, depending on how big they are. While they’re still warm, drizzle with the reserved caper brine, toss, and set aside to cool.

Add the kalamata olives, red onion, capers, sun dried tomatoes, and dill. Gently toss with the dressing. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper to taste, then top with the feta cheese.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled. This salad is best served at least an hour after cooking so the potatoes absorb the dressing and flavor. Keeps in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Appetizer Vegetarian · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Salad · Vegetable-related

Hot & sticky eggplant salad

A simple, delicious crowd pleaser for summer from Willow Crossley

Serve 4-6

1 large plump eggplant, cut into 3-inch wedges
2 tbsp date syrup
1 tbsp honey
1 garlic clove, slice thinly
4oz goats cheese,crumbled
2 tbsp yoghurt
½ tbsp coriander seeds
1 lemon, zest and juice
A small bunch cilantro, save some leaves for topping
1 green chili
olive oil
1 tbsp toasted pine nuts
1 tbsp pomegranate seeds

Preheat oven to 425F/220C. Line a baking tray with baking paper and lay your eggplant out and sprinkle with olive oil and salt.
Roast for 10-15 mins, turning once, until golden brown. Toss in a bowl with the date syrup and honey.
Place back on the tray and put the garlic chips on top. Lower the temperature to 350F/180C and cook for a further 10 mins
Dry roast the coriander seeds and crush in a pestle and mortar.
Add to a bowl with the goat’s cheese, yoghurt and lemon zest. Season to taste.

Blitz your cilantro bunch (stalks and all) in a blender (if you don’t have one then in a pestle and mortar),
with the lemon juice, green chili and a good glug of olive oil. Season to taste.

Lay the eggplant on a serving dish (holding back the garlic chips for the top).
Dollop the goats cheese mixture, then green salsa, then sprinkle the pine nuts, pomegranate seeds and add the remaining cilantro leaves and garlic chips.

Enjoy!

Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Vegan · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related

Roast potatoes with green sauce and tahini

Recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi

Serves 4-6
1.5kg Yukon Gold potatoes (or other floury, golden potato), peeled and cut into 5 cm (1.5″) chunks
20g parsley, leaves picked
10g basil, leaves picked
10g mint, leaves picked
1 garlic clove, peeled and finely grated
180ml olive oil
1 tbsp capers
1 tsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
55g tahini
1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted, lightly crushed in a pestle and mortar
Fine sea salt

Preheat the oven to 220C (425F)
Bring a medium pot of well salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and cook for 6 minutes, just until the outsides have softened but are not cooked through the centre.
Meanwhile, place 80 ml of oil in a large 40 x 30cm (11″ by 15″) shallow roasting tray and put in the oven to heat up.
Once the potatoes are ready, strain them through a colander in the sink. Transfer the potatoes into the saucepan and wait 30 seconds for the moisture to evaporate, then shake the saucepan to fluff up the potatoes.

Using a kitchen cloth carefully remove the roasting tray from the oven and place on a flat heat proof surface, then transfer the potatoes onto the tray with the hot oil. Spread the potatoes evenly on the tray, making sure they do not touch, then roast for 30-40 minutes. Using tongs, turn the potatoes every 10 minutes until they turn golden and crispy all over.
Meanwhile, place the herbs and garlic in a food processor and blend until finely chopped, then slowly pour in the remaining 100 ml of oil. Once combined, add the capers, mustard, vinegar and ¼ teaspoon salt and pulse to combine.
Next make the tahini sauce by whisking the tahini, 3 tablespoons of water and ¼ teaspoon of salt. The sauce will seize up at first, keep whisking until it relaxes and becomes light and fluffy. Add more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if necessary; you want it smooth and pourable. You can add cumin or garlic to this if you want more flavor.

Once the potatoes are roasted, transfer them to a medium mixing bowl, leaving behind any roasting oil in the tray, and toss with 3 tablespoons of the green sauce.
To serve, transfer the potatoes onto a lipped serving platter. Drizzle the remaining green sauce over the top, and the tahini sauce, then sprinkle the cumin over the top.

Gluten Free · Vegetable-related

Garlicky roast potatoes with oregano and feta

A super recipe by Nigella Lawson

Serves 4-6
2¾ pounds potatoes (unpeeled and cut into 1 inch cubes)
¼ cup (60ml) regular olive oil
6 fat cloves garlic (peeled and minced)
2½ teaspoons dried oregano
4 oz Greek block feta cheese (crumbled)
TO SERVE
fresh oregano

Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/425°F and tumble the potatoes into a shallow roasting tin or tins, large enough for the potatoes to sit in one layer.
Toss in the oil, followed by the garlic and dried oregano, and roast in the oven for 50–60 minutes until crisp and golden, and cooked through.
Transfer to a serving bowl and toss with most of the feta, then sprinkle the remaining feta crumbles on top. If you have any fresh oregano to hand, strew away.

Appetizer Vegetarian · Gluten Free · Vegetable-related

Asparagus with labneh, brown butter and burnt lemon

Ottolenghi’s super recipe.

It’s no secret that asparagus enjoys a good soak in the old brown-butter (bubble) bath, which we’ve generously accommodated for. There are so many textures going on here, from tender asparagus to creamy labneh and hints of burnt lemon. The burnt lemon is a clever way to use up excess lemon peel by roasting it on a high heat until nicely charred. The result: a fragrant, bitter and intense condiment to sprinkle on to both sweet and savory dishes. Plan ahead by making the labneh the night before or, alternatively, use store-bought labneh or some thick-set Greek yoghurt.

Serves 4

900g thick-stemmed asparagus (2–3 bunches), woody ends trimmed (450g)
3 tbsp olive oil
70g unsalted butter
2 sprigs of thyme, plus 1 tsp picked leaves
1 tsp light soft brown sugar
salt and black pepper

Labneh:
650g Greek-style yoghurt
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed

Burnt lemon:
2 unwaxed lemons

1. Make the labneh by putting the yoghurt and ½ teaspoon of salt into a bowl and mixing well to combine. Line a medium sieve with a piece of cheesecloth or a clean tea towel, with plenty of cloth hanging over the sides. Add the yoghurt, using the overhanging cloth to completely encase it, then set the sieve over a clean bowl and place a weight on top (a couple of tins will do). Refrigerate overnight. When the labneh is ready, discard the liquid collected and transfer the labneh to a clean bowl. You’ll make about 300g of labneh. Stir in the garlic and set aside.

2. Preheat the oven to 220°C.

3. Make the burnt lemon. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the lemons into long strips – don’t worry if you get some of the pith. You want 30g in total. Set aside a couple of strips and put the remainder on a small baking parchment-lined baking tray. Bake for 9–12 minutes, until completely dry and mostly blackened (they’ll shrivel up significantly). Finely grind with a pestle and mortar, then pass through a sieve, to catch any large pieces (discard these). Set the burnt lemon powder aside. Scrape away any pith from the reserved strips, and very finely julienne them. Set aside.

4. Reset the oven to a high grill setting. Put the asparagus, oil, ¾ teaspoon of salt and a good grind of pepper on a large baking tray lined with foil, give everything a good mix, then arrange the spears so they’re not overlapping. Grill on the highest shelf for 8–10 minutes, until tender and nicely browned. Ovens can vary, so check at the 6-minute mark.

5. Meanwhile, make the browned butter by first putting the butter into a small saucepan and placing it on a medium-high heat. Once melted, continue to cook for a further 3–4 minutes, swirling the pan occasionally, until nicely browned and smelling nutty. Add the thyme sprigs (careful, the fat will spit!), then stir in the brown sugar, ¾ teaspoon of the burnt lemon powder and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. Set aside to cool down slightly, about 5 minutes.

6. While the butter is cooling, segment one of the peeled lemons. Use a small sharp knife to trim away any excess pith, then cut between the membranes to release the segments and roughly chop each into 3–4 pieces. Juice the remaining lemon to give you 4 teaspoons of juice. Add the juice and all the segments to the browned butter mixture.

7. Spread the labneh out on a platter or plate, and top with the asparagus, so that the spears are all facing in the same direction. Pour over the browned butter, then scatter over the picked thyme. Lastly, sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon of the burnt lemon powder and the lemon strips.

Do-ahead · Grains · Salad · Vegetable-related

Farro Waldorf Salad

A really super salad

For the dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup buttermilk
3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 scallion, sliced
3 tbsp chopped fresh dill

For the Salad
2 1/2 Granny Smith apples, chopped, but not peeled
1 cup farro
1 1/2 cups halved, seedless red grapes
5 stalks celery, peeled and sliced, plus 1 cup
chopped celery leaves
1 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1/2 cup golden raisins
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 cup chopped fresh parsley

An optional extra
Crumbled blue cheese

Cook the farro as the label directs but use a good strong flavor stock or broth to give it more taste, then spread on a baking sheet and let cool.
Make the dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, vinegar, scallion and dill in a large bowl.
Add the apples, grapes, celery, walnuts, raisins and farro to the bowl with the dressing; toss. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the parsley and celery leaves.

Gluten Free · Salad · Vegetable-related

Quinoa Salad

This quinoa salad is all about the ginger-curry dressing. The dressing is flavor-packed and can be made up to a few days ahead of time. It is also a great spread on sandwiches, and drizzled over grilled vegetables or bruschetta.
This salad is even better on the second day. Re-toss with a bit of extra dressing and you’re good to go

Recipe by Heidi Swanson

Serves 4-6
For The Ginger Curry Dressing:
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
3 medium cloves garlic, peeled
2 tablespoons grated ginger, peeled
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
1 tablespoon sugar or honey
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

For The Salad:
2 cups cooked quinoa
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
2 cups arugula or spinach
2/3 cups toasted cashews, chopped
1 medium cucumber, seeded, cut into 1/4 moons
1 14- ounce can chickpeas, drained
3 ounces / 2/3 cup Greek feta, crumbled
For serving: 1 cup fresh herbs – torn basil, minced chives, torn mint, etc.


Make the Ginger Curry Dressing:

Use a blender or food processor to combine all the ingredients except the olive oil. Slowly drizzle the olive oil in as you’re blending until the dressing emulsifies and becomes creamy in appearance. Taste, adjust with more salt and/or vinegar and set aside.

Assemble The Salad:
Combine the quinoa, red onion, arugula, cashews, cucumber, and chickpeas in a large bowl. Drizzle with about 1/2 cup of the ginger-curry dressing. Toss well, and then toss more. Sprinkle the feta across the salad and gently toss to distribute throughout. Serve at room temperature with fresh herbs added at the last minute.

Rice · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related

Crispy green rice pilaf

Recipe from Bon Appetite magazine
You need day-old rice to make this vibrant, springy pilaf recipe, but it’s worth planning ahead. The precooked rice gets super crisp before it’s tossed with soft feta, crunchy pistachios and snap peas, and jammy golden raisins. It’s a true study in textures.

Serves 4–6

½ cup raw pistachios
4 cups cilantro, mint, basil, and/or dill
1 (or up to 3) Serrano chili, stems removed, split lengthwise
¼ cup fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp. white miso
½ tsp. kosher salt, plus more
⅓ cup plus 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 cups cooked white rice, chilled overnight
6 oz. sugar snap peas
3 scallions
¾ cup crumbled feta
½ cup golden raisins
1 cup shelled fresh peas (from about 1 lb. pods) or frozen peas, thawed

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Toast pistachios on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 5–8 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop.

Step 2
Meanwhile, blend herbs, one of the chiles, lime juice, miso, ½ tsp. salt, and 2 Tbsp. water in a blender on high speed until well combined. Drizzle in ⅓ cup oil and continue to blend until sauce is very smooth. Taste sauce for heat; if it seems mild, add another chile or two. It should be slightly spicier than you’re comfortable with since it’s going to get mellowed out by everything that it’s tossed with. Season with salt if needed.

Step 3
Heat remaining 3 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high until very hot. Add rice, pressing down with a spatula in a single layer to create as much contact with surface of pan as possible. Reduce heat to medium and cook, undisturbed, until rice is deep golden brown underneath, 6–8 minutes. Season with salt.

Step 4
While rice cooks, thinly slice snap peas and scallions on a long diagonal and transfer to a medium bowl. Add pistachios, feta, and raisins and toss to combine.

Step 5
Add fresh peas to rice and continue to cook over medium heat, tossing often, until peas are just cooked through, about 2 minutes.

Step 6
Transfer rice mixture to bowl with vegetables and toss to combine. Drizzle in herb sauce, tossing again to coat well. Taste and season with salt if needed.