Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts

Sunday, October 6, 2013

AUTUMN SALAD WITH CRISPY KALE AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH







kale might really throw some people off because it's course and
lacking in flavour.

however, this recipe will turn kale haters into kale lovers.

serve this dish on a chilly fall day,
and it will warm the heart and soul since it is just 
THAT delicious. 
i kid you not.
my friend leah and i couldn't get over how amazing this dish turned out to be.

i gotta credit www.halfbakedharvest.com
for this fantastic recipe.

leah and i actually ended up omitting some steps to the original recipe to keep it more simple, and it still turned out great.

here's our take on the:
AUTUMN SALAD WITH CRISPY KALE AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH 

ingredients:

-1 small butternut squash

-2 small gala apples 
(or any apple that floats your boat)

-1/3 cup pecans

-1 tsp chili powder

-1 tsp brown sugar

-0.5 tsp cinnamon

-0.5 tsp cayenne pepper

-0.5 tsp salt

-0.5 tsp pepper

-1 large bunch of kale

-4 tbs olive oil

-2 tbs grated parmesan cheese

-2 slices of whole wheat bread

-4 slices of brie cheese

-1 tbs of butter or margarine

optional dressing:

-2 tbs olive oil

-1 tbs balsamic creme or vinegar

-1 tsp honey

-0.5 tbs soy sauce

-0.5 tsp of pepper



how to's:

1. in a small dish combine the chili powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, cayenne, salt, and pepper


2. preheat the oven to 400 F


3. remove the stems and roughly chop the kale
(the more the merrier)


4. put the kale in a separate large bowl and add 2 tbs of olive oil, all the parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
mix together with your hards for 2 minutes.

spread on a baking sheet and cook in the 
oven for around 15 minutes. 
(make sure to keep a steady eye on the kale and toss at least once since it can burn easily)


5. once the kale is in the oven, 
peel and seed the butternut squash and cut into cubes
(there should be approx 4 cups).


6. peel and seed the apples and cut into cubes and set aside with the pecans for now.


7. spread just the squash cubes on a baking sheet 
and drizzle 2 tbs of olive oil 
and sprinkle half of the spice mixture from step 1.

mix together on baking sheet.


 8. bake squash for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and then add the chopped apples, pecans and the rest of the seasoning and then toss it all together. 

bake for another 15-25 minutes, or until the squash and apples are tender.


9. while that is cooking in the oven, 
heat a skillet on medium heat, 
butter the outsides of the 2 slices of bread, 
and sandwich the the brie between the slices of bread. 

add the sandwiches to the skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on both sides or until the bread is toasted and the brie is melted.

 remove and let sit a couple minutes and then chop into cubes.


10. plate the kale and add the butternut squash, apples, pecan, and croutons on top.
(drizzle on optional dressing if you please)


11. DIG IN!


hope you enjoy

:)


Monday, July 15, 2013

CANDIED PECANS + SUMMER GREENS





my friend nasim and i love preparing and eating 
yummy meals together.

this time we decided to make a 
candied pecan + summer greens salad

all you need is:
-any type of green salad
-1/2 an avocado
-4 strawberries
-handfull of blueberries
-1 cup of cooked quinoa
-1/4 cup fetta cheese
-2 dried dates
-1/4 cup candied pecans
-any type of dressing you wish to drizzle

1. cut up the avocado, strawberries, and dated into
bite-size pieces.

3. cut feta into sprinkle-able pieces

2. put all ingredients into a large bowl.

4. serve!


we attempted in trying to make our own candied pecans.
all we used was:
-1/3 cup pecans
-tsp of butter
-1 tbs white sugar
-1 tbs water

1. put heat on medium

2. cook sugar, butter, and water until it turns to liquid.

3. add pecans

4. cook until liquid covers the pecans and 
sugar starts to solidify.

5. voila!


for our salad we used a refreshing 
balsamic olive oil dressing:
-2 tbs olive oil
-1 tbs sweet soy sauce
-1 tbs raspberry balsamic vinegar
-1 tsp course black pepper

1. mix together and drizzle onto salad

enjoy this salad on a clear blue day!
  
:)


also check out my friend nasim's blog at:
s

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

THAI PEANUT DRESSING SUMMER SALAD





it finally feels like summer in vancouver!

to kick-start the sunny weather the right way, 
why not enjoy a crisp and dreamy salad?

THAI PEANUT DRESSING SUMMER SALAD

recipe for two

salad:
1/4 of whole cabbage
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups of water
1/3 cup of shell-less edamame
1/3 cup dried mango 
1/3 stick of carrot

1. cook quinoa - bring quinoa and water to a boil, 
after it has come to a boil, cover, and cook for 10 minutes at low heat (between the 2 and 3 on your stove dial).
quinoa is ready once all the water has been soaked up.

2. dice cabbage (look at first picture as an example) 

3. cook edamame

4. cut dried mango into little bits

5. grate carrot


dressing:
1 tsp honey
2 tbs peanut butter
1 tbs sweet soy sauce
1 tsp grated ginger
3 tbs water (more if you like dressing thinner)
1 tsp sesame oil

1. heat up honey and peanut butter in microwave for 10 seconds
so that mixing is easier

2. add in rest of the ingredients

3. stir stir mix

4. put dressing on the salad

and voila
you have your summery and fantastic salad!

enjoy

:)





Wednesday, December 5, 2012

WHOLESOME GOODNESS




had a delicious lunch with my friend at whole foods!
they have a large selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, and wraps to choose from.
we decided to try some of the curried tofu, chili lime tofo, 
and greek orzo.
was yum yum yum.

:)