From fish to dark leafy greens, our spin on a light Japanese lunch is loaded with brainy ingredients. Sprinkle with peanuts—another smart food—and you’ll love the added crunch.
Blanching green veggies in heavily salted water retains their colour. Don’t worry about the accumulated sodium in this method, as it is drained and rinsed then squeezed, leaving you with a beautiful deep rich green gomae—without the salt—to offset the colours in the dish.
Per serving:
In small saucepan, heat water, vinegar, sugar, and salt, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour into large glass canning jar. Add carrot and radish and press into liquid until covered. Set aside for 1 hour at room temperature. Then cover and store in fridge for up to 3 weeks.
In medium bowl, make peanut sauce by combining coconut cream, peanut butter, garlic, gingerroot, tamari, vinegar, sugar, and crushed red pepper flakes. Whisk to blend. Add a splash of water if a thinner consistency is desired. Add more seasonings, to taste. Transfer to glass jar, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use. Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Cut ribs from chard and reserve for another dish. Chop chard leaves into bite-sized pieces. You should have about 12 cups (3 L). Fill large bowl with ice water ready to shock the chard following cooking.
Bring large stockpot filled with generously salted water to a boil. Add chard and boil for 1 minute or just until wilted. Drain and plunge chard into ice water. Stir to cool. Thoroughly drain. Gently squeeze chard with your hands to remove as much water as possible. Place on cutting board and chop into slivers. In medium bowl, add half the peanut sauce, then add chopped chard, folding in until lightly coated. Set aside.
In large nonstick frying pan, add grapeseed oil and butter over high heat. Tilt pan to spread evenly. Just as it begins to smoke, add fish fillets in single layer. Cook until seared on bottom, about 3 minutes, then gently flip fillets and sear other side, about 3 more minutes. Reduce heat to medium and cook for a minute longer, depending on thickness of fillets. Cook only until centre of fillets are just opaque and fish flakes easily.
Serve fish on single-serve dishes with a scoop of chard gomae and some pickled carrot salad. Drizzle fish with a little peanut sauce and sprinkle with some toasted sesame seeds, if using. Add salt and pepper to taste, if you wish. Garnish further with chives or cilantro as desired.
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.