Early summer potatoes, cooked and grilled, are just the ticket for this fabulous salad. Coupled with lentils, they’re a delicious add-on to any meal plan. This recipe offers an added bonus: it can be made in stages, so you’re not cooking all afternoon.
Best beer? You can’t go wrong serving this dreamy salad with a simple and uncomplicated pale ale.
Potato salad lends itself to any number of variations, and this recipe doesn’t disappoint. Try swapping out microgreens for baby spinach leaves. Another interesting slant: crisp up (optional) prosciutto on the grill before breaking into bite-sized pieces and scattering over the salad.
Per serving:
In medium-sized saucepan, heat oil. Add carrot, celery, and onion, and sauté over medium heat just until onion is soft, about 3 minutes. Add thyme sprig, bay leaf, salt, lentils, and water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until lentils are almost tender but still hold their shape and have a bit of bite to them. Drain well and turn out onto baking sheet to cool. Remove thyme stems and bay leaf and discard. Lentils can be made ahead and stored in a closed container for up to 3 days, if you wish.
Cut potatoes in half. In large saucepan, place potatoes and add enough water to cover by 1 in (2.5 cm). Add a dash of salt, if you wish. Boil gently for 15 minutes or until tender but still firm. Remove. Drain and place in large bowl. Stir broth into bowl with cooked potatoes and set aside. Potatoes will absorb broth; they can be refrigerated in broth overnight if you wish.
In small bowl, combine buttermilk, Dijon, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Vigorously whisk to blend. Add more seasonings, to taste. Dressing can be made ahead and refrigerated in airtight container for a couple of days.
When ready to serve, grease barbecue grate and preheat to 425 F (220 C). Drain any remaining broth from cooked potatoes. Drizzle potatoes with oil and gently toss to coat. Grill potatoes until golden, about 5 to 7 minutes. Turn occasionally. Transfer to large bowl. Add cooked lentils and drizzle with buttermilk dressing. Gently toss to evenly coat. Spoon onto serving platter and scatter with chopped green onions, parsley, and microgreens. Tuck prosciutto in and around, if using. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate for a couple of hours and serve cold.
This simple dessert celebrates the glory that is the summer strawberry. Don’t feel you have to stick to strawberries here; swapping them for ripe peaches would also make for a stunning ending to any meal. What to gild the lily with? Add a dollop of whipped coconut cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Flower power Orange blossom water (also known as orange flower water) is produced by water distillation of the blossoms of a bitter orange tree. Just like rose water, a little goes a long way. So, take care and use just a drop or two, tasting as you go so as not to overwhelm but rather to complement the other flavours in a dish.
Ever thought about making burgers as an appetizer or as a potluck meal for friends and family? Try making your favourite burger into bite-sized portions. They might be small in size, but they won’t be small in flavour. These burgers also pair well with a Greek salad for a delicious mid-week lunch or dinner. Fresh is best Squeeze fresh lemon on patties while cooking to give them the fresh zing of citrus.
What worldwide vacation is complete without a stop in Italy? Dad won’t miss the meat in this flavourful mushroom alternative complete with Italian spices and a zesty vegetable tapenade. Portobellos have a uniquely “meaty” texture and act as a sponge to lock in loads of flavour. This meaty plant-based burger is sure to become a favourite—even with any meat-lovers in your life. Custom-made! Don’t be afraid to customize your burger buns to fit your patties. If your bun’s too big, trim off excess and save the trimmed bits of bread, but don’t discard. Instead, cut into small cubes; drizzle with some olive oil, sea salt, and seasonings of choice; bake at 350 F (180 C) for 10 to 15 minutes, and you’ll have delicious homemade croutons for use in soups and salads throughout the week.
Next stop, Asia! This shrimp burger combines classic Asian flavours with unique toppings for rich umami flavour with the saltiness of the ocean. Whether served on a bun or over rice in a more traditional Asian-style meal, try some unique miso yogurt or wasabi mayo dressing for a fabulous flavour bomb. Keep those burgers juicy Place raw patties on a plate or tray, and cover and freeze or refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to keep them together and to lock in moisture.