Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label salad. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

A Cornucopia Of Corn Recipes For Summer



It is Corn Week at Food Network's Summer Soiree, and I thought I would share a bunch recipes to help you use up the overflowing bounty that hits each summer just about now. Cooling corn salads, salsas, grilled corn with toppings, chowder, pizzas, popcorn...even chocolate cake (yes really) are all included. So, pick your favorites and dig in...or just grill and top with butter and salt. Nothing tastes better. Enjoy!

Okay, by now you are probably asking "why is she blathering on about cakes in a corn story?" Trust me; this cake is delicious...and it is only made in summer...because the secret ingredient is pureed fresh white corn.  Yes, corn. If you can have zucchini cakes, and carrot cakes, why not corn? When you puree fresh corn, it becomes this milky, frothy liquid that adds a moistness and a lightness that is hard to describe. I have never had anyone correctly guess the "secret" ingredient...but everyone that has ever tasted it, loves it. I urge you to give it a try and let me know what you think.





Corny Chocolate Cake
cake ingredients

2 cups unbleached flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 eggs
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp instant coffee crystals
1 cup white corn kernels (usually takes corn from 2 cobs)
1 cup dark chocolate chips

chocolate glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp melted butter
3-4 tbsp boiling water
1/8 tsp instant coffee crystals

for cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Grease bundt pan and dust with cocoa powder to prevent sticking
3. Using a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt..set aside.
4. In the bowl of a mixer, beat eggs until a bit frothy. Add olive oil, cocoa powder,
sugars and coffee crystals..beat until thoroughly combined. Meanwhile, in a food processor, add the corn kernels and process until smooth and liquefied. You should not see any kernels.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the mixer and mix just until combined
6. Add the corn mixture and mix until combined
7. Fold in the chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed.
8. Pour into the prepared pan and bake on center rack of oven approx. 50-60 minutes or until a bamboo stick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool, 10-15 minutes on a rack and then remove from pan and let cool on the rack. When completely cool, drizzle with the chocolate glaze if desired or sift powdered sugar over cake top in lieu of glaze.

chocolate glaze
Whisk together all ingredients except water in small bowl. Add 3 tbsp boiling water and whisk until combined. Add the remaining tbsp water if needed. The glaze should be just thin enough to pour easily.
This cake is best eaten the day it is made.






Other corn recipes you may enjoy:





It is "Summer Corn" week at Food Network's Summer Soiree roundup. Do you have a favorite corn recipe to share? Please list (or link) in the comments below. And be sure to check out the other delicious sounding recipes from my blogger friends and Food Network: 

The Lemon Bowl: Pesto Pasta Salad with Green Beans and Corn
Devour: 
Fire Up the Grill for a Mexican Grilled Corn Fiesta
Feed Me Phoebe: 
Sweet and Spicy Gluten-Free Corn Pasta with Ricotta and Chives
Creative Culinary: 
Grilled Corn Salsa with Poblano Chiles, Cilantro and Honey
TasteBook: 
Esquites (Mexican-Style Corn Salad)
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: 
Corn, Pluot and Grape Salad
Napa Farmhouse 1885: 
A Cornucopia of Corn Recipes For Summer
Healthy Eats: 
7 Summer Salads That Put a New Spin on Corn
In Jennie's Kitchen: 
Easy Homemade Creamed Corn
FN Dish: 
If You Cook Any Corn This Summer, Make It One of These 5-Star Recipes


best,
diane


I have started sharing my newest blog "California Girl in Taos."  Please visit and let me know what you think.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Pasta Salad With Arugula, Bell Pepper & Spring Onion


Pasta Salads...love or hate? I fall into both categories depending on how they are prepared. Limp overcooked pasta with soggy vegetables and drenched in dressing? Hate. Perfectly cooked al dente noodles lightly tossed in a delicious fresh vinaigrette with crisp, in-season vegetables? Love.



I feel like I am invited to a potluck lunch or dinner every week and often look to this recipe as my offering. The pasta salad fits the "Love" category and is always a crowd pleaser. Sweet yellow or orange bell pepper, spicy fresh baby arugula and mild spring onion look beautiful and tastes great. It's a keeper. Enjoy!




Pasta Salad With Arugula, Bell Pepper & Spring Onion
(serves 6)

1 lb tubular pasta (any shape you like)
1/4 lb baby arugula
3 spring onions, chopped (white and green parts)
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup toasted pine nuts, divided
1-2 tablespoons chile infused olive oil

Bring a large pot of salted water to a high boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions ensuring you do not overcook noodles. Using a strainer, remove pasta and add to a colander. Rinse pasta in cold water, drain and add to a large bowl. Set aside.

Stir arugula into the bowl with pasta. Add spring onions, bell pepper and garlic.
Toss with 3/4 of the vinaigrette. Chill for 1 hour.

Remove from the fridge, stir in 1/4 cup of the pine nuts and remaining vinaigrette. Taste and add sea salt and pepper to taste. Serve with the chile oil drizzled over the top and the remaining 1/4 cup pine nuts sprinkled over the salad.

Vinaigrette
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 shallot, minced
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper

Place 2/3 cup olive oil, vinegar, mustard, shallot, and a large pinch each salt and pepper in a lidded mason jar. Shake until combined.


It is "Pasta Salad" week at Food Network's Sensational Sides roundup. Do you have a favorite pasta salad recipe to share? Please list (or link) in the comments below. And be sure to check out the other delicious sounding recipes from my blogger friends and Food Network.

The Mom 100: Pasta Salad with Chicken, Picholine Olives and Ramp Vinaigrette
Homemade Delish: 
Spring Orzo Salad
Devour: 
Pasta Salads That Go Beyond Mayonnaise
Napa Farmhouse 1885: 
Pasta Salad with Arugula, Bell Pepper & Spring Onion
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: 
Chicken Pasta Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing
Taste with the Eyes: 
Refreshing Rice Noodle Salad, Lime Ginger Dressing
FN Dish: 
Picnic-Ready Pasta Salads with Hundreds of Sky-High Reviews


best,
diane


I have started sharing my newest blog "California Girl in Taos."  Please visit and let me know what you think.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Five Fast & Fantastic Spring Side Dishes


Wow! My schedule has become super crazy. I am on the board of directors for four nonprofits, am the president of one and the treasurer of another, have my consulting business, my blogs and, since late January, have been creating and filling the position of volunteer coordinator for our local animal shelter. This means that most nights I don't have a moment to breathe much less prepare dinner. So I keep a list of fast and easy side dishes that pair perfectly with a protein. Grill a steak, broil some fish or, even easier, pair with a purchased rotisserie chicken. Dinner is served!

Broccoli Salad
1 head broccoli
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
3/4 cup mayonnaise (or veganaise)
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp agave syrup or honey
1 tsp aglio, olio, peperoncino or red pepper flakes
sea salt
freshly cracked black pepper
1 tbsp Italian parsley

Stem broccoli, break into florets and chop into bite sized pieces. Place in a steamer pot and steam for just a few minutes...until the broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.  (ensure you keep it very crunchy).  Add broccoli, raisins, and onion to a medium sized bowl.  In a small bowl, add the mayo, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, agave syrup or honey, aglio (or red pepper flakes), a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper.  Mix well.  Pour 1/2 of dressing over broccoli mixture and stir to combine.  Taste and add additional dressing as desired. Taste again and adjust seasonings as necessary. Serve as is or, if you have time, Refrigerate for 4 hours.  When ready to serve, garnish with parsley.



Purple Cabbage Slaw
3 cups red cabbage, shredded
1 red delicious apple, cored and diced
2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp honey
pinch sea salt
pinch black pepper
1/4 cup chopped pistachios, optional

Add cabbage and apple to large bowl.  In a jar with tight-fitting lid (I use mason jars for my vinaigrettes) add vinegar, e.v.o.o., honey, salt, and pepper.  Screw on the lid and shake vigorously until combined.  Drizzle half of vinaigrette over cabbage mixture.  Stir to combine.  Add more vinaigrette to your liking.  

This slaw keeps in the refrigerator for a couple of days.




Three more fast and fresh recipes to try:


It is "Quickest Side Dishes Ever" week at Food Network's Sensational Sides roundup. Do you have a favorite quick recipe to share? Please list (or link) in the comments below. And be sure to check out the other delicious sounding recipes from my blogger friends and Food Network.



best,
diane


I have started sharing my newest blog "California Girl in Taos."  Please visit and let me know what you think.