Summer Brussel Sprout Panzanella

The summer produce in San Francisco is phenomenal. I have mentioned before how I love farmer's markets. I will miss them here but I am looking forward to enjoying what North Carolina has to offer. 


Inspired by some great seasonal produce, I decided to combine apricots, brussel sprouts, red onions, and left-over multigrain loaf to make a summery, light bread salad, known in Italy as a Panzanella. 

Summer Brussel Sprout Panzanella

Ingredients:


1/2 red onion, chopped
1-2 tbsp white wine
1 cup brussell sprouts, chopped
3 small apricots, sliced


Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper
merquen seasoning or garlic-onion powder (optional)


olive oil spray

Recipe:


1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Spray sheet pan with olive oil. Lay apricots and brussel sprouts flat. Roast in the oven for 10-15 min until browned on sides (turn mid-way to brown on each side).
2. Slice multigrain loaf and toast twice to brown on all sides. Chop into cubes.
3. Meanwhile, saute chopped red onions with white wine in a small pan, sprayed with olive oil, until browned or caramelized.

4. Mix the roasted brussel sprouts with the caramelized onions, apricots, and toasted bread cubes.
5. Prepare vinaigarette in small bowl, whisking together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and seasoning.
6. Add vinaigarette to panzanella (bread salad) before serving. 

Spicy White Bean Chili

I recently made a chili for a group of friends. It turned out well so I decided to post the recipe without the picture. But believe me.... If you follow this rough recipe, even with a little extra of this or that, it will come out well. Chili, my friends, is forgiving. That is why I love it.

Spicy White Bean Chili



Seasonings:


1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp malt vinegar
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tbsp barley syrup (I used) or molasses
1 tsp Adobo spice
1 jalapeno chopped with seeds
1 habanero (left intact and removed before serving)
2 cloves garlic, chopped


Base Ingredients:


2 cups water
1 can pinto beans
1/2 container of Great Northern Beans (Trader Joe's)
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 small tomatoes, diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped




Recipe:


(1) Spray a 2 quart pan with olive oil. Add chopped garlic and onions and saute until slightly brown on medium heat.
(2) Add the red and green bell peppers to the mixture. Saute for 3-5 minutes.
(3) Add the beans and tomato sauce to the pan, followed by the jalapeno. Saute for a 2-3 minutes. Add water, spices, malt vinegar, and apple cider vinegar. 
(4) After 30 minutes, lower the heat. Add the habanero and the small tomatoes. Simmer for 1 hour (basically forget about it). 
(5) Remove habanero and serve.


Always with chili, it tastes better after a few hours of letting the flavors meld. I like to make a day in advance but this tastes good right after making.


Either way, enjoy.

Taste test - Nature's Pride Harvest buns and rolls

On a recent trip to North Carolina (my last visit before I completely move there), I had an extra pleasant treat. As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, I received Nature's Pride Premium Harvest buns & rolls. With some proscuitto and melon on hand, I decided to make a quick sandwich and test out both the texture and taste of the Whole Wheat Harvest buns. I was pleasantly surprised that the buns held up to the weight and juiciness of the melon but were also very mild in taste, not to overpower the protein on the bun.

The sandwich was an easy combination of cantelope, proscuitto, mixed salad greens, and dijon mustard. 

Did I mention how much I love the simplicity but also the taste complexity of a sandwich...


My fiancé also recently made a delicious take on a burger: 


Spicy Turkey Burgers with Asparagus


The asparagus is mixed in with the beef. Let me know what combinations you come up with!

Teriyaki Chicken Salad

While I love to cook and plan what I will cook, there are those days where you get so hungry and that you need a quick recipe. Having a few key ingredients on hand and with the help of my friend, Virginia, we cooked a quick meal that was done in 15 min. The "15 minute fix" is an appropriate name, because in a short time you can create a meal that will fill you before you think about eating the plate by itself, which honestly there are days the plate looks appealing.

Teriyaki Chicken Salad
serves 2


Ingredients:


Teriyaki sauce (low-carb):

2 cloves of garlic, finely diced

1/4 cup soy-sauce (preferrably low-sodium)

1/4 cup water

2-3 splenda packets (to taste)

1/4 tsp ginger powder

2 tbsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Protein and Vegetables:
1/2 carrot
baby spinach or mixed field greens
1/4 lb asparagus
white button mushrooms
1/2 bell pepper
cooked, sliced chicken breasts (such as Trader Joe's frozen, grilled chicken breast strips)
Olive-oil cooking spray


Recipe:


1. After finely chopping the garlic, whisk together the teriyaki sauce. Leave aside.
2. Spray a medium sauté pan with olive oil. Sauté sliced vegetables, including the mushrooms, asparagus, and carrots until tender but crisp, approximately 4-6 minutes at medium heat. 
3. Add the cooked chicken strips to the pan with the teriyaki sauce. Saute until heated throughout. 
4. Plate chicken with vegetables on top of a bed of baby spinach or mixed greens (shown here).


Enjoy the food, not the plate.