Grilling veggies or fruit on a cedar plank emits a lovely smoked overtone and adds a mouth-watering appeal to this salad.
Orange Citrus Dressing
1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh orange juice
1 garlic clove, mashed and minced
Generous pinch of cloves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Finely grated zest from 1 lemon
3 Tbsp (45 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
Apple and Arugula Salad
Untreated cedar plank about 7 x 12 in (18 x 30 cm), soaked for a minimum of 1 hour
2 firm Honeycrisp apples, cored and cut into 8 wedges
1/4 red onion, very thinly sliced
4 cups (1 L) baby arugula, washed and spun dry
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped cilantro
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped mint leaves
1/4 cup (60 mL) chopped pecans, toasted
To make dressing, combine orange juice, garlic, seasonings, and zest in small deep bowl. Whisk vigorously to blend. Gradually whisk in olive oil until emulsified. Pour into 9 in (23 cm) shallow dish. Set aside.
Preheat barbecue. Rinse soaked plank and place on grill. Have a spray bottle with water handy in case wood flares up during grilling. Close lid and heat plank for about 4 minutes or until it begins to smoke and you can hear the wood beginning to crackle. Reduce barbecue heat to medium-low.
Place apple slices on plank along with red onion separated into rings and cook for about 10 minutes, or until apple slices begin to turn golden on the edges but are still relatively firm and onion rings soften. Remove from grill and place apple slices in dish containing citrus dressing. Turn slices in dressing to coat evenly, and refrigerate mixture until chilled, about 1 hour. Set onion rings aside to cool.
Combine arugula, cilantro, and mint in large bowl. Drain citrus dressing from apples over top and gently toss. Divide salad equally among 4 plates. Scatter with grilled apple slices, onion rings, and toasted pecans.
Serves 4.
Each serving contains: 202 calories; 2 g protein; 16 g total fat (2 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 16 g total carbohydrates (11 g sugars, 3 g fibre); 12 mg sodium
source: "Vegan Barbecue Feast", alive #380, June 2014
Refreshing flavours with a spicy zing—and, at 15 g per serving, a whopping load of protein—come together in this classic ceviche. Rockfish, often sold under the name Pacific snapper, is high in selenium—an 85 g serving provides 44 percent of the recommended daily value of the mineral, which has a role in preventing infection and cell damage, as well as in the proper functioning of the thyroid. Rockfish is also a good source of healthy omega-3 and omega-6 fats. Ceviche tips Keep an eye on the fish while it is “cooking” in the lime/lemon juice; 30 minutes is usually optimum to achieve a “just cooked” texture. You can extend that to an hour or more, but after about 2 hours, you’ll find that the texture will change and become “overcooked.” Waiting to add the tomatoes and avocado just at serving time keeps flavours fresh and distinct.
Crunchy, with sharp and satisfying flavour, this hearty salad is a great accompaniment to tacos (including the ones in the next recipe). Cabbage is high in fibre and vitamins C and K. Higher consumption of cruciferous vegetables such as radishes and cabbage is linked to lower rates of cancer. Make ahead Unlike a typical green salad, this one can stand up to an hour or two in the fridge, so if you want to make it ahead of time, go for it. The cabbage will soften up and some water will be released; just drain any excess before serving.
These taco-inspired lettuce wraps are full of vibrant flavour tempered by subtle heat, all topped off with a zingy tomatillo salsa. Shredding the chicken helps to make a small quantity of chicken feed a crowd, and the texture pairs well with the light wrapper. The bright salsa features heart-healthy tomatillos, which contain phytochemicals called withanolides, which studies have found can help inhibit cancer cell growth. Quick shred If you have a kitchen mixer with a paddle attachment, you can use it to quickly and easily shred chicken for taco lettuce wraps. After chicken has rested, add it to the bowl of a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Reserve any pan juices that may have accumulated in the baking dish. Turn mixer on to a low-to-medium speed and process the chicken for 30 seconds to 1 minute, so that chicken is just separated, being careful not to overprocess. Add in cooking juices and mix through with spoon. To shred chicken by hand, use two forks to gently pull meat apart before combining with pan juices.
This rich bean dip is delicious warm or cold. It’s also a good source of protein, iron, and potassium. A single serving of this dip will help Dad get 19 percent of the recommended daily value of dietary fibre. Dried pasilla peppers impart a smoky, earthy fruitiness balanced with mild spice from a hint of hot paprika and cayenne. And those canned tomatoes add a nice hit of lycopene to an already healthy dish. Epazote (Eh-pah-zo-tay) Epazote has a history of use as a medicinal herb throughout Latin America and is a frequent ingredient in bean dishes because of its antiflatulent properties as well as its pleasant aromatic taste. Its flavour has no direct comparison but is reminiscent of oregano, tarragon, or licorice. There is a pungency to the scent, which some have described as having notes of kerosene, but it imparts a pleasing, earthy, and herbal quality to dishes. Dried epazote added to beans can help reduce their gas-causing properties. Epazote contains saponins, which can be toxic in copious quantities, so sparing use is recommended. Look out for it at specialty culinary stores. If you can’t find it, try cilantro, fennel, or oregano.