Category Archives: Salads

Crazy For Kale Launch Party, and a Lemony Kale Salad with Candied Black Walnuts

Today is the official release day for Hallie Klecker’s (author of the blog Daily Bites and of two amazing books, The Pure Kitchen and Super Healthy Cookies) newest creation – the Crazy For Kale e-book! This e-book contains 40 recipes using kale in everything from salads to main dishes to snacks, and yes, even sweet treats.

It’s really no secret that I adore kale. I use it in my green juice. I make salads with it. I even have some growing in my garden. But for those of you who are new to kale, or even seasoned kale veterans looking for some new kale inspiration, this e-book is definitely handy to have in your arsenal.

This book, which will have 40 recipes (33 are Paleo/grain-free, 31 are vegan or have vegan alternatives) includes recipes such as:

Orange Greensicle Smoothie

Tropical Asian Fusion Salad

Kale in Almond Cream Sauce

Burgers with Avocado Kale Slaw

Green Goddess Tart

And much more! This e-book goes for only $5.99, so purchase your copy today!

Of course, in honor of this release, I’m sharing a kale recipe that’s fast and easy to make – Lemony Kale Salad with Candied Black Walnuts. This is something you could throw together to serve alongside any meal. It would pair perfectly with a soup for a light lunch, or could accompany a simple seared fillet of salmon, and everything in between. I couldn’t get enough of it, personally!

Print Recipe

Lemony Kale Salad with Candied Black Walnuts (gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar-free)

5 oz of baby kale (I used Earthbound Organic’s Mixed Baby Kales, but you could substitute 1 bunch of any variety of kale and tear the leaves from the stem into bite-sized pieces)

juice of 1/2 lemon

1 T extra virgin olive oil

salt to taste

1/4 c black walnut pieces

2 T coconut palm sugar

1 t water

Place the kale in a large bowl and drizzle over the lemon juice and olive oil. Sprinkle with a bit of salt. Gently massage the leaves, tossing, until the lemon juice and olive oil coat them all. Massaging the leaves will make them more tender. Set aside.

In a small nonstick skillet, add the black walnut pieces and heat to medium heat. Stir the walnuts and allow to toast for a minute, and then add the coconut palm sugar and water. Keep stirring until the sugar melts and clings to the nuts. Remove from heat and allow the nuts to cool and for the sugar to crisp up. Break into smaller pieces if needed.

Add the candied nuts to the salad, toss, and serve immediately. Serves 3-4 as a side salad.

To purchase your copy of Crazy For Kale, visit here!

This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays over at Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free.

posted on Monday, April 1st, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Appetizers,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Grain-Free,Healthy Meals,Paleo/Primal,Quick and Easy,Refined Sugar-Free,Salads,Vegan,Vegetables,Vegetarian 16 Comments

Balsamic Lamb Heart Salad with Creamy Vinaigrette

Hold on, hold on…hear me out. I know that titling a blog post with “lamb heart” is likely to instill fear in many readers, or at the very least, cause them to leave and hope that more Ding Dong recipes come their way soon. I promise, I’ll be sure to share more desserts again shortly. I can’t stay away from them for long.

But for now, let’s talk about lamb heart.

Still with me?

Okay.

Heart, along with many other offal (organ) meats, are quite nutritious. Over at Mark’s Daily Apple, he discusses the benefits of eating all sorts of offal. Heart in particular is an excellent source of lean protein, thiamin, folate, selenium, phosphorus, zinc, CoQ10, and several B vitamins. I’m no stranger to offal, and I’ve posted about making barbacoa and liver and onions before. We eat liver and onions fairly often at our home, and it’s one of my husband’s favorite dishes. Lamb heart (or the more easy-to-find beef heart) is not as common, but after this salad, it very will could be.

As far as the flavor of heart is concerned, it’s definitely more approachable than many other cuts of offal. Many newbies to organ meats try it by grinding it along with ground beef and serving it in hamburgers, thus “disguising” it. I promise you, heart is so mild, if you wanted to start by taking that route (use a 1:4 ratio of heart to ground beef), you’d never notice you were eating it. To me, though, eating heart even in this salad isn’t too “weird”. Heart is tender when cooked quickly and left at a medium or medium-rare temperature, and nearly has the taste and texture of a super-lean steak. There is no “livery” taste or texture to it, which is what tends to turn people off to much offal. And when combined with some strongly flavored greens, spicy radishes, and a creamy vinaigrette, it’s simply heaven. This is the kind of thing I could eat every day – no joke.

I opted for lamb hearts because that was what was easy for me to obtain from my local farmer, and honestly, I find lamb heart and lamb liver to be milder in flavor when compared to beef. You could certainly substitute beef for the lamb in this recipe and it would be delicious as well.

The list of ingredients might seem a tad long on this recipe, as you’re making a marinade, a dressing, and a salad, but in all honesty, it doesn’t take long to come together. The marinade takes moments to make, as does the dressing and the salad. The last time I made this, it was on a weeknight and I served it with sweet potato and rosemary flatbread. It was an easy and delicious dinner. In fact, as we were starting to eat, my husband confided to me that he’d been looking forward to it ever since the previous time I’d made it. (He also mentioned that he preferred this vinaigrette over ranch dressing, which in my book is a definite WIN.) I think it’s time to order more lamb heart, so we can experience it one more time.

Print Recipe

Balsamic Lamb Heart Salad with Creamy Vinaigrette (gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, sugar-free)

For the lamb:

1 lb lamb hearts, trimmed and cut into 3/4 inch cubes (can substitute beef heart)

2 T balsamic vinegar

1 t kosher salt

1/2 t ground black pepper

1 t freshly picked thyme leaves

Combine all of the ingredients in a plastic zip-top bag and toss to coat evenly. Allow to marinate, refrigerated for at least 8 hours.

For the dressing:

1/2 c mayonnaise (I love to make my own using this recipe)

1/4 c extra virgin olive oil

juice of 1 lemon

1 t honey

1 t sherry vinegar (can substitute white wine vinegar)

1 1/2 t Dijon mustard

salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until creamy.

For the salad:

1 head of green leaf lettuce

1 bunch watercress

1 c flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked

1 c celery leaves

A handful or two of alfalfa sprouts (or your favorite sprout)

1 bunch red radishes, sliced

Tear the lettuce leaves into small pieces and divide among 3-4 salad plates. Top each plate with watercress, parsley leaves, celery leaves, sprouts, and radishes.

When the dressing and salads are ready, remove the lamb from the marinade, lay it out on a plate, and pat dry with paper towels. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium high heat and add a bit of coconut oil, rendered lard, or your favorite cooking oil and swirl about. Add the lamb, spreading out into a single layer, and allow to brown for a minute or two. Toss and allow to brown on the other sides for another minute, and then remove. Divide among the plated salads and drizzle with dressing. Serves 3-4.

Do you eat offal/organ meats? Chime in on this topic (and more) at Udi’s Gluten-Free Living Community!

posted on Thursday, March 21st, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Appetizers,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Grain-Free,Healthy Meals,Lamb,Main Dishes,Paleo/Primal,Quick and Easy,Refined Sugar-Free,Salads 5 Comments

Turnip “No Potato” Salad with Grainy Mustard, Bacon, and Pickled Red Onions

Potato salad is a staple side dish in just about any household. I’ve had many versions – salads heavy on the mayonnaise, versions with a ton of pickles and yellow mustard (like my Mom’s recipe), German-style potato salad, and I’ve even made a dill and caper salad for a Daring Cooks’ challenge. I imagine that there are as many recipes for potato salad as there are summer barbecues in the United States.

But what if you are trying to stay away from potatoes? Many people on gluten-free diets also steer clear of nightshades as well in order to keep inflammation down. Many people following a paleo diet also stay away from potatoes. In those cases, how do you satisfy that potato salad craving? If you’re like me and a) have several turnips lying around from your local box and b) are looking for a unique twist on this traditional comfort food, this might just be the answer to a “no potato/faux-tato” salad!

I’ve used turnips before as stand-ins for traditional potato dishes, like in this turnip-rutabaga mash. They’re a great budget-friendly root vegetable, and one that stands up to longer-term storage quite well. They’re tasty in pickles and are lovely roasted. But I do believe that this salad has become my new favorite way to enjoy them.

Of course, part of what makes this salad so bright and fresh (even when it’s still winter, and bright and fresh aren’t descriptors for much of our food this time of year) are the pickled red onions. Many times, I forget how a simple pickle can transform a creamy, heavier dish into something that really pops. The tart, sour taste of the pickle balances out the fat in a creamy sauce so perfectly. Such is the case with these simple pickled red onions. They’re not just good for this salad, though – I enjoyed them on top of some pork carnitas the other day, and I can imagine they’d be wonderful on a burger or to garnish a pot roast. The recipe makes plenty, so you’ll have some for enjoyment on all sorts of dishes.

But back to this salad. It’s a relatively simple mix of some of my favorites – a good, grainy mustard, homemade mayonnaise, bacon, and the red onions. You get a mouthful of creamy, salty, piquant, sweet and sour, all in one bite. Pair this with some barbecue, with roast beef, or with a good soup, and you have a delicious, simple comfort food. In fact, this is my contribution to this month’s Go Ahead Honey, It’s Gluten Free! – Comfort Foods. (It’s not too late to join us, either! Just check out how to participate here.) This salad will definitely show up at a future barbecue around these parts, as I gear up for spring and break out my smoker!

Print Recipe

Turnip Salad with Grainy Mustard, Bacon and Pickled Red Onions (gluten-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly)

4 c diced turnips

3 slices bacon, diced

¼ c mayonnaise (I used homemade, based on this recipe)

¼ c coarse/grainy mustard

½ t freshly ground black pepper

Salt to taste

3 T diced pickled red onions (recipe below)

¼ c chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add turnips and reduce to medium-high heat. Boil until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain turnips and allow to cool.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet to medium heat and add bacon. Cook bacon, stirring every minute or so, until crisp. Remove and set on paper towels to drain.

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, and black pepper. Add the turnips and bacon and toss well to combine. Add salt if needed and toss again. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 2-3 hours.

Once chilled, add the pickled red onions and parsley and toss again. Serve.

Serves 4-6.

 

(This recipe makes a lot more pickled onions than are needed for this salad. Enjoy these onions on burgers, in other salads, on tacos, or as a garnish on top of rich, heavier dishes such as pot roast or chili.)

Pickled Red Onions (gluten-free, vegan)

¾ c apple cider vinegar

¼ c red wine vinegar

2 T lime juice

1 T natural cane sugar (for vegan) or honey

1 T kosher salt

1 bay leaf

½ t black peppercorns

½ t cumin seed

½ t coriander seeds

½ t whole allspice

1 large or 2 medium red onions, sliced thinly

Combine everything but the onions in a medium saucepan and whisk together. Add the onions and bring to a light boil over medium-high heat. (It’s okay if the onions aren’t covered by the liquid at first. They’ll cook down.) Reduce to low and partially cover. Allow to simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft but not falling apart. Transfer the onions and liquid to a glass lidded container or a jar and allow to cool completely. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

 

posted on Wednesday, February 20th, 2013 by altawrites Posted in Appetizers,Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Grain-Free,Healthy Meals,Paleo/Primal,Refined Sugar-Free,Salads,Side Dishes 14 Comments

BELA Sardines: Sardine And Wilted Mustard Greens Salad (And A Giveaway!)

This giveaway is now closed. Renata, commenter #3, is the winner of the gift box of BELA sardines! Congratulations, Renata!

An alternative title to this post could be “How To Make A Healthy Meal in 10 Minutes Or Less.” Because truly, this meal took about 5 minutes to make. That’s it. It’s a perfect mix of nutrient-rich vegetables and quality protein, not to mention the excellent dose of omega-3 fatty acids and calcium. The fact that the colors and flavors are so vibrant certainly doesn’t hurt matters either. It’s pleasing to the eyes and the taste buds!

This dish originated from a combination of sources. One, it was late and I didn’t have much time to prepare a meal. Two, I was about to head out of town, and didn’t have much in the way of groceries, save a few veggies (These gorgeous purple mustard greens, and a tomato) I needed to use up from my CSA share before I left. Three, I was contacted several weeks back and was asked to review these BELA Sardines. So I took this as an opportunity to compose a healthy, quick meal, and it turned out to be quite the success.

I opted to cook the mustard greens slightly to temper their spice. This left them with plenty of peppery bite, which played well with the briny capers, the sweet tomato and onion, and the bright and fresh lemon and basil. Of course, the sardines truly were the star of the show. I used the ones lightly smoked in tomato sauce (in keeping with the Mediterranean-style theme), and the slightly smoky flavor was intensely satisfying! I’d definitely make this quickie meal again.

I’m sure that many of you reading this post are stuck on the whole “sardine” thing. It seems a lot of people are turned off by the little fishes in a can. I’m here to tell you – the BELA sardines are quality stuff. If you are a sardine newbie, or if you’ve previously tried them and didn’t like them, try these. They’re fresh-tasting, and they offer several flavors (like tomato sauce or lemon) that can help ease you into the world of sardines.

After all, sardines are so good for you. They’re high in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, and are a great lean source of protein. Since they are a smaller fish, they’re more sustainable, and they are also lower in mercury and other contaminants. They’re also much less expensive than other omega-3-rich fish such as salmon and tuna. I love to keep a few cans stashed in my pantry for quick meals like this, or for when I’m packing my lunch at the last possible second. It gives me peace of mind knowing I have something on hand when I’m rushed that nourishes my body, rather than the typical junk food that’s so easy to reach for.

Would you be interested in winning a sampler pack of BELA Sardines? Yes? Well, today is your lucky day! I’m giving away a pack of assorted flavors to one of my readers! All you have to do is leave me a comment below telling me how you’d like to enjoy your sardines.

One winner will be chosen at random at the close of the contest, which will end at 11:59PM Saturday, October 6, 2012. Winner must be at least 18 years of age.

And now, onto the “Healthy Meal In 10 Minutes or Less” recipe!

Print Recipe

Sardine and Wilted Mustard Greens Salad (gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo)

1 t olive oil

1 bunch mustard greens (I used these purple mustard greens, which are a tad milder than regular), chopped if desired

1/4 c thinly sliced red onion

1 t capers

Salt and pepper to taste

1 small tomato, cut into wedges

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1/2 tin BELA sardines in tomato sauce

1 T chopped fresh basil

In a large skillet, add the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the mustard greens, onion, and capers and saute for 2-3 minutes, or just until the greens have wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from skillet and set on plate. Top with tomato and sprinkle with lemon juice. Top with sardines and garnish with basil.

Serves 1.

What are some ways you make sure you get your dairy-free calcium? Join in the conversation over at Udi’s Gluten-Free Living Community!

posted on Tuesday, October 2nd, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Appetizers,Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Grain-Free,Healthy Meals,Main Dishes,Paleo/Primal,Quick and Easy,Refined Sugar-Free,Salads,Seafood,Vegetables 16 Comments

Adopt A Gluten-Free Blogger: Beyond The Peel

It’s time for another rendition of Adopt A Gluten-Free Blogger! This month is being hosted by Sunny of And Love It Too - and there’s still time to sign up – deadline is tomorrow, July 28th – so if you want to participate, leave Sunny a comment on her sign-up post and you’re in! If you are interested in signing up for August, check back here – I’ll be hosting!

This month I decided to adopt France and Joshua from Beyond The Peel. Their blog, videos, and book all focus on providing easy ways for you to fit delicious, healthy, whole foods meals into your life. If you’re a frequent reader of my blog, you’ll know I’m a big fan of delicious, healthy, and whole foods – and easy is always a goal! Needless to say, this is my kind of blog. While all of their recipes are not gluten-free, many are (you can check out the gluten-free selection here). And just as promised, many are easy and have short ingredient lists. (Like 5-minute 4-ingredient protein bars – how awesome is that?) Even more, they all look absolutely terrific.

I opted to make her Chipotle Corn and Zucchini Salad, since corn and zucchini are everywhere at the farmer’s market right now. And because chipotle is one of my most favorite ingredients ever. This salad is fresh-and-bright meets smoky-and-spicy, a.k.a. a southwestern party of flavors. Sweet corn, fresh mint, crunchy celery, tender zucchini, and lime juice brought a lovely summer flair, and that chipotle oil really sealed the deal with a touch of heat. (While I know I’m a bit of a chile-head, the heat level in this salad is mild enough for even the most timid.) I made it to accompany grilled chicken one night for dinner, and happily munched on leftovers throughout the next few days.

Also on my menu for this weekend – these pork and kale tacos with cherry-cilantro salsa. I just scored some organic cherries yesterday, and the photo was so enticing, I just knew this dish was in my future. I’m sure there will be very few leftovers on this one!

And if I need a sweet treat, I definitely think this almond butter banana fudge is on order. Anytime something healthy can satisfy my sweet tooth, it’s a win-win!

Beyond the Peel is another excellent resource for healthy, whole foods cooking, so definitely check it out!

 

posted on Friday, July 27th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Quick and Easy,Refined Sugar-Free,Salads,Vegan,Vegetables,Vegetarian 6 Comments

Raw Summer Beet Slaw

I mentioned before that we’ve gotten quite a few beets in our CSA share – we get a bunch each week. I love beets, but I’ve been running out of ways to prepare them. I’ve made lacto-fermented beets, I’ve roasted them, I’ve thrown them in salads, I’ve made truffles with them, and I’m even trying to figure out how to bake with them. But still, there are more beets.

Did you know that beets are a wonderful powerhouse of nutrition? According to The World’s Healthiest Foods, beets are a great source of betalains, which provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. They also are a great source of folate, manganese, and fiber, as well as other vitamins. I personally love them for this, but more importantly, for their flavor.

I didn’t always enjoy beets though, and I know there are many out there in the “eww, beets” camp. My experiences with beets as a child were rare, but when I did encounter them, they were canned. Blah. When I became an adult, however, I tried them again, and found that fresh beets are sweet and bursting with flavor. They also taste much different when roasted vs. steamed, and again are entirely different raw. If you’ve been a beet-hater most of your life, I encourage you to try them again – you might find there is a way you can really enjoy these beautiful veggies.

This simple slaw is one unique way to try them again. I’m not sure if you can call this a “slaw” – the ingredient list is much shorter than traditional slaws, and the only resemblance to a slaw ultimately is the fact that the beets are shredded. But I’m calling it a slaw, so it’s a slaw.

Even though the ingredient list is short, the flavors are full, fresh, and bright. The lovely part about this slaw is that those other ingredients transform the beet flavor into something less “earthy” – an attribute some beet-aphobes dislike about beets. The beets are a bit sweet, the lime a bit tart, and the pepper brings a bit of heat. I personally love the cilantro, which really bumps that “ooh, it’s summer!” freshness factor. If you’re anti-cilantro, you could opt to replace it with parsley or maybe even some mint. Basil might even play nicely.

This little slaw is delicious on its own, but I personally enjoyed it on top of my salads throughout the week. It was easy to throw together and lasted for several days, making it a convenient way to get more nutritious raw veggies into my diet. I might just make it again, seeing as how there are still beets to be had in my refrigerator, and it’s getting too hot to turn the oven on!

Raw Summer Beet Slaw (gluten-free, vegan)

2-3 large beets, peeled and shredded

1/4 c thinly sliced red onion

2 Anaheim chiles, seeded and diced (can substitute other chiles, just be mindful of the heat if you use jalapenos or serranos)

1/3 c chopped fresh cilantro

Juice of 1 lime

Salt to taste

Toss together all ingredients and season to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Will keep for a few days in the refrigerator.

 

Have other ideas on how to keep the kitchen cool while making a healthy meal? Share at Udi’s Gluten-Free Living Community!

posted on Monday, June 18th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Appetizers,Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Grain-Free,Healthy Meals,Paleo/Primal,Quick and Easy,Refined Sugar-Free,Salads,Side Dishes,Vegan,Vegetables,Vegetarian 8 Comments

25 Gluten-Free Recipes for your Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend will be a time for many Americans to honor and remember those who have fought and given their lives defending our great country, and we’ll likely do so in American fashion – by playing outdoors, barbecueing, enjoying the freshness of late spring/early summer produce, and enjoying a refreshing beverage with family and friends.

I’m all for that. This weekend, we’ll be celebrating with some crawfish and barbecue, family and friends at the Tasty Eats At Home household.

If you’re looking for that perfect gluten-free recipe for your barbecue, picnic or party, look no further! I’m sharing a smattering of recipes – all gluten-free, most dairy-free, some even vegan - to help you organize your weekend and ensure it’s full of delicious, gluten-free fun.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, folks!

Salads:

Southwestern Coleslaw from Tasty Eats At Home

Old Reliables: Salads You Can Count On from Diet, Dessert and Dogs

Cucumber Herb Salad from Tasty Eats At Home

Kale Waldorf with Grilled Apples from Tasty Eats At Home

Black Bean Mango Quinoa Salad from Cara’s Cravings

Dips and Starters:

Smoky Eggplant Guacamole from Cara’s Cravings

Green Pea Hummus from Tasty Eats At Home

Wild Plum Salsa from Beyond the Peel

Savory “Wine and Cheese” Charlotte from Diet, Dessert and Dogs

Peach Salsa from Tasty Eats At Home

Mains/Entrees:

Moist and Herb-y Turkey Burgers from Tasty Eats At Home

Pulled Barbecue Chicken Sandwich from Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free

Spicy Mango Black Bean Turkey Burgers from Cara’s Cravings

Smokin’ BBQ Portobello Sandwiches from Go Dairy Free

Peach BBQ Chicken from Tasty Eats At Home

Smoked Pork Ribs, Pork Shoulder, Brisket from Tasty Eats At Home

Sides:

Dill and Caper Red Potato Salad from Tasty Eats At Home

Perfect Corn on the Cob from The Balanced Platter

Cucumber Chickpea Bruschetta from Gluten-Free Easily

Spring Potato Salad from Wheat Free Meat Free

Desserts:

Peach Cupcakes with Peachy Cream Frosting from Tasty Eats At Home

Organic Red, White and Blue Popsicles from Cook It Allergy Free

Farm-Fresh Strawberry Gelato from Tasty Eats At Home

Vegan Raspberry Streusel Bars from Elana’s Pantry

Blueberry Buckle from She Let Them Eat Cake

 

More fun gluten-free Memorial Day Round-Ups (with more drool-worthy recipes!)

Top 10 Memorial Day Recipes from Daily Bites (I’m going to borrow Hallie’s idea and make beet stars for a salad this weekend!)

Memorial Day BBQ Menu from Lexie’s Kitchen (You HAVE to try those jalapeno poppers – they’re awesome.)

posted on Thursday, May 24th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Appetizers,Dairy-Free,Desserts,Gluten-Free,Salads 6 Comments

Expanding My Grilling Horizons (Kale Waldorf Salad with Grilled Apples)


I love to grill. It’s a great thing that I live in Texas, where I can practically break out the grill year-round. But when the days get longer and we all long to be outdoors, that’s when our grill really pays for its place on our back patio. Any night of the week, I can throw a few steaks, some chicken breasts, or even a burger or two on the grill, and with a quick salad, we have a delicious meal. Less fuss and fewer dishes. It’s my kind of cooking!

But this year, I’m going to expand my grilling horizons. Far too often I reserve the grill for cooking meat. Sometimes, I’ll throw a portobello mushroom or two on there, but generally, all of the side dishes are prepared indoors. Well, friends, no more! I’ve decided that nothing is off-limits when it comes to the grill. Vegetables, desserts, salads – they’re all fair game. Okay, beverages might be difficult…but never say never, right?

(Okay, I don’t think my glass of ice water will be used for anything except possibly putting OUT fires on the grill…)

To get this project off on the right foot today, I decided to start with a salad. Since our kale is still growing in full force in the garden, I opted to use it. (A side note: I do love grilling because it reminds me to water the garden in the evenings – the garden is lucky I opted to grill today!) Since I had some apples and grapes that were longing to be used, I thought a waldorf-inspired salad was in order. I made up a quick dressing (using my homemade mayonnaise I made following this recipe) and tossed together the kale, some walnuts, grapes, and celery. And grilled apples.

Yes. I grilled the apples. Ever had a grilled apple? It’s essentially all of the deliciousness of a baked apple, only in a fraction of the time and with the added fun of being outdoors. And it’s a perfect addition to a salad.

That’s it! A super-easy salad that involves no grilling of any meat whatsoever. I’m feeling like my horizons are expanded already, and it’s not even summer!

Kale Waldorf Salad with Grilled Apples

1 large apple, cored and sliced ¼ inch thick

juice of 1 lemon, divided

1 T honey

1 T mayonnaise

1 t Dijon mustard

Pinch salt and pepper

1 large bunch kale, leaves torn

1/3 c sliced celery

¼ c toasted, chopped walnuts

¼ c grapes, sliced in half

Heat the grill to high heat. Meanwhile, brush the apple slices with half of the lemon juice and lightly brush with honey. When the grill is hot, oil the grates and grill the apple slices just until they have grill marks but retain some firmness, about a minute on each side. Remove and set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together any remaining honey, the other half of the lemon juice, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and salt and pepper. Toss the kale leaves with the dressing and coat well – massage with your fingers to really soften up the kale leaves. Add the celery, walnuts, grapes, and apple slices (cut into smaller pieces if you desire) and toss again.

Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes before serving. Salad will last a day or two in the fridge.

Want to win a $25 Sears gift card? For your chance to win, tell me why, aside from the food (which is my favorite part, but not killing the garden comes in pretty close), you love to grill?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sears. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

posted on Thursday, April 26th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Appetizers,Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Grain-Free,Healthy Meals,Paleo/Primal,Quick and Easy,Refined Sugar-Free,Salads,Vegetarian 11 Comments

Giveaway: Pure Alaska Salmon Company (Cilantro-Lime Salmon Salad in Avocado Cups)

Disclaimer: I received a sample of Pure Alaska Salmon Company’s products for free in exchange for a review. This in no way influenced my review.

This giveaway has ended! Congratulations to commenter #85, Kathleen Conner!

Salmon is a favorite in our home. We don’t eat it as often as we should, because honestly, it’s not inexpensive. We live in the landlocked Dallas area, far, far away from the Pacific Northwest, where healthy, nourishing salmon is abundant. So while I know we’re supposed to get a healthy dose of those fatty acids found in oily fish such as salmon, we generally only end up eating it about once or twice a month.

We do try to eat some other canned oily fish as well, namely tuna (the no-salt-added, soy-free varieties), and I am a fan of kippers and sardines. They make good last-minute sources of protein and pack well in a lunch. But until now, I’ve shunned canned salmon. I didn’t like the smell or the texture (and I’m definitely NOT a picky eater). So when Shirley of Pure Alaska Salmon Company contacted me about her canned salmon, I was up front with her about my opinions. She called me her “challenge”. I was willing to try the salmon out – after all, it was supposed to be a high-quality, straight-forward product. Nowadays, I’m limiting my reviews of products to only those I feel positive about, those that fit into our diet and healthier way of eating. Since the ingredients in Pure Alaska Salmon Company’s products are only salmon and salt (in the salt-added varieties), this fit the bill nicely. I was game. Of course, I arranged to get some samples to give to you as well, but we’ll get to that in a moment.

Pure Alaska Salmon Company is owned by the Zuanich family, who resides in Alaska and has been in the fishing industry for generations. Their company is committed to bringing consumers sustainably harvested, healthy, delicious wild salmon. Wild salmon is preferred to farmed salmon because of its superior nutritional content and sustainable, eco-friendly harvesting practices. Also – did you know they dye farmed salmon pink with artificial coloring? Only wild salmon is naturally pink because of their diet. Wild-caught Alaskan salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D, and calcium, as well as a great source of protein. Mercury levels are also very low in wild Alaskan salmon, so it’s a safer choice.

I was delighted to see that the samples sent to me included a dozen cans of various types of wild Alaskan salmon, both “red” (sockeye) and “pink”. I couldn’t wait to try them out. Even though my previous experiences with canned salmon were less than ideal, I love trying new things!

Needless to say, my opinions have changed. The first can I opened was the ThinkPink salmon, which is a pink Alaskan salmon that has a milder taste and can be substituted for canned tuna in just about any recipe. The texture is excellent – there are large chunks and fillets in the can (not like the mushy, near-shredded texture I associate with canned salmon). I was happy just to take bites of salmon straight from the can.

But then, after eyeing the avocados that needed to be eaten, an idea struck me. What if I used the avocados as a cup for a salad? Then you could enjoy a creamy bite with the salmon salad, without a ton of mayonnaise or other heavy dressing so often found in traditional seafood salads. And just like that, as I pulled the rest of the ingredients from the refrigerator, this salad was born.

It’s a great, super-speedy appetizer salad, perfect for a first course or a light lunch. I opted to eat it along with a bunch of mixed salad greens for dinner the other night, and it was lovely, fresh and bright.

Cilantro-Lime Salmon Salad in Avocado Cups (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

1 7.5 oz can of Pure Alaska Salmon Co. salmon (I used their ThinkPink Wild Alaskan Pink Salmon)

Juice of 1/2 lime

1/2 t olive oil

1/2 green apple, diced

1 T green onion, minced

1 T cilantro, chopped

1/2 t fresh serrano pepper, minced

1/8 t ground cumin

Pinch or two of smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

2 avocados, sliced in half, pits removed

In a medium bowl, gently toss the salmon, lime juice, olive oil, apple, green onion, cilantro, serrano, cumin and paprika until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss again.

Scoop salmon salad into the “cup” made by the removal of the pit in each avocado half. Serve with additional smoked paprika sprinkled on top, if desired.

Makes 4 appetizer-sized servings.

photo courtesy of Pure Alaska Salmon Company

Oh, yes, the giveaway. Don’t think I forgot about you. Pure Alaska Salmon Company has agreed to give one of my lucky readers a sampler pack, which includes a dozen cans of their Redhead and ThinkPink canned salmon. What a great way to stock your pantry with some healthy, easy, delicious options. How do you enter? Here’s how:

  • You get one entry by leaving me a comment below telling me what you’d like to make with canned salmon.

You can get additional entries by doing the following:

  • “Like” Pure Alaska Salmon Company on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did so,
  • “Follow” Pure Alaska Salmon Company on Twitter and leave me a comment telling me you did so,
  • “Like” Tasty Eats At Home on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did  so,
  • “Follow” Tasty Eats At Home on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did so,
  • Post an update on Facebook or Tweet about this giveaway, tagging Pure Alaska Salmon Company and Tasty Eats At Home.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM CDT on Sunday, March 25, 2012, so act quickly! No purchase necessary – just your comments, and bonus likes and follows!

Best of luck to you!

 

posted on Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Appetizers,Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Quick and Easy,Salads,Seafood 98 Comments

Spicy Raw Greens with Raisins

Yes, it’s me again, with yet another recipe for greens. I adore greens, as evidenced by these collard greens with smoked sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms, this raw kale and grapefruit salad, and another spicy kale combo, this kale salad with tomatoes and chiles. I also throw them in smoothies all the time (spinach, blueberries and mint is only one of many endless combinations that end up in my blender). What can I say? I have a bit of a “greens” addiction. I figure there are worse things.

This easy little dish is light, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. With the sweet note of raisins and the hit from the crushed red pepper, these are certainly not an afterthought on your dinner plate. I enjoyed them alongside a version of this rutabaga soup (I threw in half rutabaga, half turnip) for dinner last night. It was light, fresh, and delicious.

Spicy Raw Greens with Raisins (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

1 clove garlic, minced

3 T apple cider vinegar

1 1/2 T olive oil

3/4 t crushed red pepper flakes

3/4 t kosher salt or to taste

1/2 t freshly ground black pepper or to taste

1/4 c raisins

1 bunch turnip or mustard greens, chopped

In a large bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Add raisins and greens and toss well with your hands or a spoon.  Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.

Serves 2-4.

This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays at Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free.

posted on Tuesday, March 6th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Grain-Free,Healthy Meals,Paleo/Primal,Quick and Easy,Refined Sugar-Free,Salads,Vegan,Vegetables,Vegetarian 4 Comments

after