Food

This plate of pasta gets an extra kick from ponzu sauce. Ponzu is soy sauce seasoned with citrus, and it adds a delicious blend of flavours to many dishes. It is available in grocery stores in the Asian foods section. Some ponzu is gluten free; however, if you have difficulty finding this type, you can make your own using the recipe included below. If you don’t have a spiralizer to turn the squash into noodles, cut squash using a mandoline fitted with a julienne blade. Julienned squash may need a couple of extra minutes of baking time. Noodle Dish 1 medium butternut squash 2 Tbsp (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil, divided Freshly ground black pepper 1/2 small red onion, diced 2 1/4 cups (540 mL) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 bunch fresh kale, stems removed, washed, and coarsely chopped 1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped Italian parsley 2 Tbsp (30 mL) ponzu sauce 1/3 cup (80 mL) toasted pumpkin seeds Gluten-Free Ponzu (optional) 1/4 cup (60 mL) orange juice 1/4 cup (60 mL) lemon juice 1/3 cup (80 mL) gluten-free soy sauce 2 Tbsp (30 mL) rice vinegar 2 Tbsp (30 mL) mirin Organic brown sugar, to taste Crushed hot chilies, to taste Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut off bulbous end of squash. Place in reusable container and refrigerate for another use. Trim end off remaining piece of squash and peel. Cut in half to make 2 pieces about 3 in (8 cm) long. Process 1 piece through spiralizer or mandoline, cutting squash into long, thin noodles. Repeat with remaining piece of squash. You may need to separate noodles using your fingers. Toss squash noodles with 1 Tbsp (15 mL) olive oil and spread out in single layer on baking sheet. Season lightly with pepper. Add a little more oil if noodles appear too dry. Bake for 5 minutes, or until squash is tender but still firm when pierced with a fork. Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 Tbsp (15 mL) olive oil in large, heavy saucepan or deep frying pan. Add onion and sauté just until soft. Add chickpeas and stir. Remove from heat. If making your own ponzu, pour liquid ingredients into small bowl and whisk to blend. Add brown sugar and hot crushed chilies to taste. When squash is ready, gently fold into chickpea mixture along with kale and return to burner. Gently toss over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until kale wilts and ingredients are piping hot. Fold in parsley. Spoon into heated serving bowls, drizzle with a little ponzu sauce, and sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds. Serves 6. Each serving contains: 243 calories; 11 g protein; 11 g total fat (2 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 29 g total carbohydrates (4 g sugars, 6 g fibre); 366 mg sodium source: "Veggie Noodles", alive #390, April 2015

This interesting slant on Greek salad will have all ages clamouring for seconds. Serve as a main course or as a side salad with grilled chicken kebabs.

This colourful little carrot pasta dish is excellent all by itself for a fresh lunchtime salad. Alternatively, serve as a side dish with grilled chicken or turkey meatballs seasoned with sage and pine nuts.

People usually envision Pad Thai as rice noodles glazed with a creamy peanut sauce and topped with a smattering of vegetables. Our version is made with zucchini noodles (“zoodles”) and oodles of colour thanks to red pepper and green onions.

Exotic seasonings combined with a hint of ginger and a squeeze of lime deliver myriad tastes to the palate. You can serve this as a side or as a stand-alone dish with yogurt or feta.

Sometimes the perfect side dish doesn’t need to be any more complicated than shaving vegetables into long, thin strips and tossing with a few seasonings for a vegetable noodle salad.

Winter vegetables get a vibrant makeover with a Moroccan spin. Sweet, sour, salty, and savoury tastes perk up the palate after last season’s richer comfort-food sides.

Reminiscent of stir-fry (without standing over a hot stove), this make-ahead slaw will satisfy your takeout cravings. To round out the meal, serve with chewy brown rice and miso soup.

The secret to creamy Caesar dressing without mayonnaise is in the unassuming chickpea. Along with adding body, chickpeas deliver protein, fibre, and iron. This dressing can be prepared up to one week in advance. Crispy croutons made with new potatoes deliver that stock Caesar crunch. Whenever possible, choose organic ingredients. Croutons 1/2 lb (225 g) new potatoes 2 Tbsp (30 mL) butter or coconut oil 1/2 tsp (2 mL) dried dill 1/4 tsp (1 mL) sea salt Dressing 1 cup (250 mL) cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed if using canned 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 cup (60 mL) lemon juice 1/4 cup (60 mL) grated Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast (for dairy-free) 1/3 cup (80 mL) extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 tsp (1 mL) sea salt 1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground black pepper 1/2 cup (125 mL) water, to thin (you may not use full amount) Slaw 1 bunch kale, de-stemmed and sliced into thin ribbons Preheat oven to 300 F (150 C). Fill medium pot halfway with water and bring to boil. Place potatoes in steamer basket over boiling water. Steam until slightly tender but not fully cooked (do not overcook or they’ll crumble). Allow to cool slightly. Warm oil or butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add steamed potatoes and sprinkle dill and salt evenly over potatoes. Sauté for 5 to 10 minutes, until potatoes are starting to brown and crisp. Transfer to large baking sheet and keep warm in oven while preparing slaw. Place all dressing ingredients except water in blender or food processor. Purée until creamy. Slowly add water until dressing is thin enough to toss with kale (depends on whether you prefer a thicker or thinner Caesar dressing). In large bowl, toss shredded kale with enough dressing to coat (it’s possible you won’t use all dressing). Refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes. Divide salad among serving bowls and top with potato croutons. Serve immediately. Dressed slaw can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Keep potato croutons in separate container, reheating in oven and topping slaw just before serving. Serves 6. Each serving contains: 285 calories; 7 g protein; 19 g total fat (7 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 24 g total carbohydrates (2 g sugars, 4 g fibre); 296 mg sodium source: "Spring Slaws", alive #390, April 2015

Soft licorice notes from the fennel make this refreshing, sweet, and savoury side something special. Serve on a bed of cooked quinoa, or in butter lettuce leaves for a wrap.

This is a tangle you’ll be glad you’re in. A spiral slicer is handy, but not required, as a vegetable peeler can easily make the long strands you’re after. The slaw and dressing can be prepared and kept separately, covered in the refrigerator, up to two days in advance.

Serves 4

Serves 4

Serves 4

Serves 4

Serves 4

Serves 4

Serves 4

Serves 4

Serves 4

Serves 5

Here’s how to transform a vegetable into a show-stopping main dish. Slabs of cauliflower are blasted in the oven for a roasty, caramelized flavour, then placed on a bed of garlicky cauliflower purée. The high amount of pectin—the compound that thickens jams—gives cooked and blended cauliflower its velvety texture.

Puréed cooked cauliflower has a velvety texture that produces deliciously creamy soups. This Asian-influenced version is sure to leave bowls empty quickly. The cilantro oil adds restaurant-worthy visual appeal. For a splash of added colour and extra flavour, use orange cauliflower if available.

When blitzed in a food processor, cauliflower becomes surprisingly grainlike and can be transformed into a lower-calorie version of couscous or rice. This highly textured salad can be made up to four days in advance, so use it to jazz up workday lunches. 1 head cauliflower, roughly chopped 2 cups (500 mL) halved cherry tomatoes 1/2 cup (125 mL) roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley 1/3 cup (80 mL) roughly chopped fresh mint 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1/3 cup (80 mL) pitted, sliced kalamata olives 3 oz (85 g) feta cheese, diced 1/2 cup (125 mL) golden raisins 1/3 cup (80 mL) unsalted pistachios 1 Tbsp (15 mL) capers, drained (optional) 3 Tbsp (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil or camelina oil Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 garlic clove, minced 1 Tbsp (15 mL) za’atar spice mix 1/4 tsp (1 mL) black pepper In food processor, pulse cauliflower florets until they resemble couscous in size. Do this in batches if necessary and be careful not to process cauliflower to the point where it becomes mushy. Place cauliflower in large bowl and toss with tomatoes, parsley, mint, green onions, olives, feta, raisins, pistachios, and capers (if using). In small bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, za’atar, and pepper. Toss dressing with salad. Serves 5. Each serving contains: 271 calories; 8 g protein; 17 g total fat (4 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 27 g total carbohydrates (15 g sugars, 5 g fibre); 313 mg sodium source: "Cauliflower", alive #389, March 2015