Archive for ‘Vegetarian’

April 29th, 2013

Orange Ginger Cauliflower {with Carrot Ribbons}

by Chrissy

Cauliflower is making a comeback. It’s becoming a hip veggie to cook up, I promise.

Orange Ginger Cauliflower_LYK1

In the LYK, we’ve made “rice” with it, mashed it up with goat cheese to sub as a suitable mashed potatoes replacement, and roasted it with a savory lemon-tahini topping.

Point and case, you can get really creative with this mild-flavored vegetable.

Orange Ginger Cauliflower_LYK2

Since we have been loaded down with oranges, and had two heads of cauliflower in the fridge, it was time to try out a combo of the two things.

Orange Ginger Cauliflower_LYK3

When I casually say, “loaded down with oranges”, I’m being modest. It quite literally means that our kitchen is bursting at the seams with navels, valencia and blood oranges.

Lauren can attest to my orange obsession.

When I go grocery shopping and pick up oranges, it’s not like I can ever grab just a couple. It’s gotta be like at least 10 lbs. Then they don’t fit in the fruit bowl or anywhere really, except for on the kitchen floor. But hey, we’re all caught up on our Vitamin C and calcium. Yea, I just learned that oranges have a good amount of calcium, too. Score.

Orange Ginger Cauliflower_LYK6

This is a great recipe to zest up your veggies. Even if you are trying to eat healthy and light, there’s no reason to skimp on the flavor.

This orange juice in this recipe helps to cook and steam the veggies without needing a ton of olive oil, as found in most veggie sautés.

Orange Ginger Cauliflower_LYK4

This dish serves as a tasty side-dish to chicken or fish. It’s also a great food item to help keep you fuller longer, so if you are watching your figure before beach season hits, I’d recommend serving this up on the regular.

Orange Ginger Cauliflower_LYK5

 

 

Orange Ginger Cauliflower {with Carrot Ribbons}

Print Recipe!

Serves 4-5 as a side

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Olive oil

1 shallot, minced (about 1/4 cup)

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 1/2 Tbsps fresh ginger, minced

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets

6 oz fresh orange juice

1 1/2 tsps orange zest

2 tsps low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 tsp salt, or to taste

1/4 tsp pepper

1 large carrot, cut with peeler in thin strips & roughly chopped

Orange wedges, for garnish

Dash of Sriracha, optional

 

Directions:

Heat olive oil in pan, over medium-high heat, add shallots and cook for 1 minute. Add garlic and ginger and cook for another 30 minutes, stirring frequently.

Add the cauliflower florets and cook, stirring occasionally for 2-3 minutes. Add the orange juice, orange zest, soy sauce, salt and pepper, to taste.

Cover with lid and cook until cauliflower has softened, but still has a slight crunch to it, about 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. In the last minute or so, add the carrot peels. Garnish with orange wedges and serve.

From the Little Yellow Kitchen,

Chrissy

April 1st, 2013

Quinoa Salad and a Baby Shower

by Chrissy

Roasted Tomato and Arugula Quinoa Salad_LYK3

This past weekend I had the great honor of hosting my older sister’s baby shower. If you haven’t guessed it already, the LYK catered the food. It was pretty much the one requirement I was given when planning the shower. Everything else was free-reign.

Curry Chicken Salad_LYK1

For two days, my momma’s kitchen was turned into a massive food prep zone. It probably should have been taped off as a “caution-zone”, while food filled every nook and cranny and knives were flying to and fro.

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK4

But don’t worry there were no casualties. And anything that ended up on the floor, my dear little pup, Kona, had no problem cleaning up.

Lauren, my sister Sarah, and I were a great team on the day of, as everything came together beautifully. Although some things were a little quacky. We made duck-shaped cucumber sandwiches. Get it?

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK2

The guests absolutely loved the food, desserts, and beautiful baby shower ambiance. I could not have been more grateful for my group of helpers, nor could I have pulled it off without them. So, thanks!

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK5

This was the menu:

Cucumber Cream Cheese Sandwich

Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich

Gorgonzola, Date, Walnut & Honey Open-faced Sandwich

Lemon Dressed Quinoa Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Arugula & Feta

Deviled Eggs

Veggie spread with homemade Ranch dip

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK1

and for the desserts

Mini Chocolate Chip Scones, w/ Jam & Fresh Whipped Cream

Mini Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Lemon Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Shortbread Wedges

and the best cake in the world from Breadbasket Bakery.

 

Side-note about this cake: if you are ever up in my neck of the woods, this cake is a must. Best cake ever. Hands down.

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK9

Kona was guarding these all day.

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK3

All the day long, I tell you. And look just how weary that task can make a little pup feel at the end of the day.

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK10

Did I mention that it was a tea party? Such a classy affair, sipping out of delicate china cups.

Pinky out, of course.

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK7

Lauren, my prego sister Jen, and I , were posing for the paparazzi, when we realized that we were both decked in navy stripes. I swear Lauren and I didn’t mean to match. It just happens.

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK6

My sister-in-law, (also named) Lauren, helped spruce the place up with darling hand-made décor.

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK12

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK8

Since the quinoa salad was the first thing finished, I know it was a guest favorite.

So, due to popular demand, I’ll share this recipe first.

Roasted Tomato and Arugula Quinoa Salad_LYK2 Slow roasted tomatoes, caramelized onions, chunks of feta, handfuls of crisp arugula, it’s the perfect combination with cooked quinoa, especially when dressed with a fresh lemon vinaigrette.

Roasted Tomato and Arugula Quinoa Salad_LYK1

We had such a lovely day and we are all SO excited to welcome this new little baby into our lives! It’s about time I’m an Auntie Smile.

Baby Shower Tea Spread_LYK11

 

 

Lemon Dressed Quinoa Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Arugula & Feta

Print Recipe!

Serves 10-12, as a side

Ingredients:

3 cups cooked quinoa

1 pint grape tomatoes

3 cups fresh arugula

6 oz. light feta cheese, crumbled

3 garlic cloves, smashed

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp butter

4 Tbsp olive oil

salt

 

Lemon vinaigrette:

1/3 cup Meyer lemon juice

1/3 cup olive oil

1 small garlic clove, minced

1/2 tsp honey

1/2 tsp salt, or more to taste

pinch of black pepper

 

Directions:

On a foil-lined baking sheet, toss the pint of grape tomatoes with 2-3 Tbsp olive oil, a pinch of salt and smashed garlic cloves. Place in the oven to roast at 350 for about 1 hour, or until tomatoes have burst and have cooked down in size. The garlic cloves should be tender and golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool. Chop the garlic cloves and set the roasted garlic and tomatoes aside.

Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 Tbsp butter in a large skillet and caramelized onions over low heat for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside, and coarsely chop when they have cooled.

Make the vinaigrette by whisking the dressing ingredients together, well.

Toss the cooked quinoa with the roasted tomatoes, roasted chopped garlic, chopped caramelized onions, and crumbled feta. If preparing ahead of time, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, add the arugula, lemon vinaigrette and toss to combine. Serve and enjoy!

From the Little Yellow Kitchen,

Chrissy

March 25th, 2013

Coconut & Sage Sweet Potato Chips

by Chrissy

Coconut Sage Sweet Potato Chips_LYK4

Well, these didn’t last long.

Coconut Sage Sweet Potato Chips_LYK6

They are such a great thing to snack on, while dinner is cooking or perhaps during the day when you are contemplating digging into the pantry to get into things you know you shouldn’t be, including but not limited to: Teddy grams, Parmesan pita chips, a whole bag of Pirate’s Booty, Oreos, Chex Mix, thin mints…etc).

{brb – running to the pantry to snack on those aforementioned items}

Coconut Sage Sweet Potato Chips_LYK5

These crispy treasures are delish as is, but you could totally dip them in ketchup or honey mustard…or ranch dip. Mmmm that’s a guilty pleasure for sure.

When slicing the potatoes, try your best to slice to the same thickness so the cooking time is the same for all chips. Using a mandolin is a great way to ensure equal thickness, but you don’t need one.

Coconut Sage Sweet Potato Chips_LYK2

Here’s what you gotta do to get these tasty morsels, baking. Snag some fresh sage and coconut oil.

This is about to get real. Real tasty.

Coconut Sage Sweet Potato Chips_LYK3

Toss the sage and coconut oil in with the sweet potato round and a pinch of salt; message the flavors together.

Coconut Sage Sweet Potato Chips_LYK1

Lay out in an even layer on foil-lined baking sheets and bake until crisp.

Cococnut Sage Sweet Potato Chips_LYK8

If you sliced the potatoes by hand, chances are some will be a teensy bit thinner than the rest of the batch and will cook much quicker. If some chips look like they are getting a little too dark and crispy, feel free to pull them off and eat them before they go much further and turn to a charred pile of ash.

No chip left behind. I take that motto seriously.

Coconut Sage Sweet Potato Chips_LYK7

 

Here are a few other alternative baked veggie chips:

Rosemary Turnip & Candy-striped Beet Chips

Rosemary Parmesan Kale Chips

Taco-licious Roasted Chickpeas

They are all packed with nutrients, totally tasty, and just way better than a bag of the usual junk food. Try them!

 

Coconut & Sage Sweet Potato Chips

Print Recipe!

Serves 2-3

Ingredients:

2 small sweet potatoes, thinly sliced into even 1/8-inch rounds
2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
2 1/2 Tbsp fresh sage, chopped
Salt
Pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425.

In a large bowl toss sliced sweet potatoes in melted coconut oil, chopped fresh sage and about a 1/4 tsp salt.

Transfer to two foil-lined baking sheets, and spread the potato rounds evenly between both sheets, in one layer. Sprinkle with pepper and another big pinch of salt over the potatoes. Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning over halfway through. Chips should be crispy. They are best enjoyed while warm, or if storing them, allow to fully cool, before placing in an airtight container.

From the Little Yellow Kitchen,

Chrissy

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