Tag Archive: Salad

Roasted Baby vegetables with Honey Balsamic Glaze

September 26, 2013

Inspired by dinner at Xocolat – Posh Mexican Cuisine in Calgary, Alberta        We had dinner in Calgary the other day at a fabulous restaurant serving Mexican food. Don’t jump into conclusions too fast. This is not the place to go for a quick taco and refried beans under a sombrero with a Mariachi band playing Besame Mucho in the corner. As it’s name suggests Xocolat Posh Mexican Cuisine serves traditional Mexican foods but with a modern high end flare. The result is gorgeous... View Article

Roasted cauliflower and couscous with tomatoes, olive oil, lemon and garlic

September 25, 2013

Couscous is a useful grain, lending itself as a base to many vegetables and legumes or good on its own with tomatoes, herbs and lemony-garlicy dressing. Couscous has mediterranean origin,  made from semolina, a product of cracked durum wheat. The type available here is mostly the instant couscous, grains that have been previously steamed and dried. You add the couscous to boiling water to which a little oil and salt have been added, then remove... View Article

Yellow Beets and Radicchio Salad with Walnut Vinaigrette

September 15, 2013

Beets are abundant n the markets right now and I have been taking advantage of this and buying them in red, yellow, pinkish and the striped varieties. (It’s kind of like buying clothes I like, give me one in very colour:). I roast them, make them into a chilled soup, add them to salads, pickle them or shred them and bake in foil with a pat of butter, salt and pepper. Summer beets Pickled beets... View Article

Late Summer Roasted Carrots and Pomegranate Salad with Orange-Cumin Dressing

September 5, 2013

Pomegranates in the stores means that fall is on its way. I am excited about the change of season and the new fruits and vegetables it brings to the markets but of course I am sad to see the summer coming to an end. Spring, summer and fall seem to be so short here in Canada and the winter sooo looong. Early fall is an interesting season, where summer merges into fall. We still get... View Article

Tartine with Ricotta, Heirloom Tomatoes and Parsley Pesto

September 4, 2013

I like simple foods but the food needs to taste good and look pretty. Tartines lend themselves to all these requirements: they are simple to prepare, flavourful and look so beautiful. Tartine is a perfect lunch. You can add a bowl of soup or pair it with a salad for lunch or serve it by itself as a lunch, light dinner or even a snack. I love tartines so much that I have a special... View Article

Broccoli Salad

August 8, 2013

Broccoli salads were not part of my cooking repertoire until recently. I don’t know why I never made them before. Maybe it is because of  the mushy broccoli salads on buffet tables, I have seen too many of those. Once I started making them though I cannot seem to stop. Broccoli can make a beautiful crunchy salad that is full of flavour and family and friends seem to enjoy it. There are never any leftovers.... View Article

Potato-Vegetable Salad with Pea Shoots and Champagne Vinaigrette

July 11, 2013

Here is the recipe for the potato vegetable salad that I prepared for the Diner en Blanc the other day. As far as I am concerned it’s a full meal deal but also makes a nice substantial salad to serve alongside other foods. Make it with small new potatoes cut in half or quartered and add corn, green peas, green beans, radishes, green onion, shredded radicchio and whatever else strike your fancy. I like adding... View Article

Shredded Cabbage with Lemon Vinaigrette

July 5, 2013

Simple yet delicious crisp salad made of shredded cabbage, chopped parsley and vinaigrette. As far as I am concerned simple is often the best, in almost everything. Instead of the usual coleslaw with mayo, why not try something light and refreshing? Toasted pumpkin seeds or chopped peanuts also enhance this salad. Of course you can elaborate, add red cabbage, shredded carrots, thinly slice onion, even apple.  Go ahead, make my day. No, just kidding, I won’t... View Article

Potato, Radicchio and Green Bean Salad with Fresh Peas and Sherry Vinaigrette

July 3, 2013

Potato salads are a regular feature in my summer kitchen. They are easy to make, satisfying and flavourful and I like them combined with other summer vegetables and dressed with a tangy vinaigrette. I noticed that I have been making more and more potato salads with vinaigrettes and less with mayo based dressing. This salad was made with waxy yellow skinned, golden fleshed potatoes that keep their shape when they cook. I steamed them over... View Article

Radicchio and Endive Salad with Gorgonzola and Honey Vinaigrette

June 25, 2013

Radicchio and endive are slightly bitter salad greens (or reds) that combine wonderfully with the creamy gorgonzola. To bridge the flavours I like it with honey vinaigrette and a scattering of crunchy walnuts. It’s truly a treat. When making this salad I prefer to chop both radicchio and endive with a knife into ribbons. I find that it’s easier to eat this way and with every forkful you get some of each of the leaves,... View Article

Pear and Roasted Beets Salad with Goat Cheese

October 8, 2012

I am excited about this salad (I must live a sheltered life). What a beautiful combination of flavours and textures: roasted beets, juicy pears, balsamic vinegar, honey, candied walnuts and goat cheese. It doesn’t get much better than that. I bought a bag of small little beets at the market a few days ago and finally got around to recruit them for dinner today. I wrapped them in a foil packet with a little water... View Article

Pomegranates

October 6, 2012

If I had to be a fruit I’d be a pomegranate. What a beauty! Exotic and elegant, sweet and mysterious, with layers of treasures hidden inside for those who dare to venture, wrapped in protective layers of soft golden skin. Yes, I’d be a pomegranate. This beauty is in season during fall and early winter and my kitchen counter is piled with mounds of this versatile fruit. I break it open, release the seeds, toss... View Article