{Green Goodness}: Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Now that September is here, there is an obvious (if not annoying) pull by merchandisers, social media--everyone, it seems--to forget about the remaining weeks of Summer. And being one who is resistant, if not defiant, to give into the pumpkin spice spell before its time, I'm continuing my summer-ing ways until the very end. But that doesn't mean I won't give a slight nod to my favorite season in time for its arrival.

Here enters a fresh, good-to-you, good-for-you, kale salad that keeps on the light side of things (summer vibes, indeed), while showcasing crisp, green apples that point the way to the autumn eats just around the corner.  Crowned (or garnished) with freshly grated pecorino romano shavings and dressed with a punchy lemon vinaigrette, this salad is a veritable ode to the best of both seasons.

I whipped it up in sheer minutes last night and it seemed to be all gone in just as many minutes following.  It seemed to be, but not quite :), however there were no leftovers to relish today, so I'll absolutely be doing a "make, eat, repeat" until I can't anymore.  I think you'll feel the same once you make it--and who can blame us?

So go ahead and live out your remaining Summer days with a wink at Fall that makes for...

Happy Eating!

Kale and Apple Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Ingredients:
Fresh kale greens
1 Granny Smith apple (or apple of choice), sliced
1/3 cup of freshly grated pecorino romano (plus more for extra garnish)
1 large lemon
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
Kosher salt 
Freshly ground black pepper

Method:
Place greens in a large bowl, layer in apple slices and dress with vinaigrette (recipe to follow) and toss together to combine.  Sprinkle in cheese and toss again.  Serve on individual platings and finish with a final garnish of cheese.  Enjoy!

Lemon Vinaigrette
Add the juice of the lemon, dijon, honey, and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl and whisk together.  In a slow stream, whisk in the olive oil until fully combined.  Enjoy. (Cook's Note: Vinaigrette can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week.)


  
 

Mixed Fruit Green Smoothie Bowl

I'm back on my smoothie craze these days, after an unintentional hiatus.  Ever since I began making smoothies years ago, I've been relatively constant about indulging--especially during the Summer months when my frothy, icy concoctions bring a much needed (and healthier) cool down.  I can rely on them to give me a semblance of the tasty goodness that ahem, a milkshake, might otherwise offer.

I also happen to be intentionally focusing on 'cleaner' eating these days, and smoothies are an easy go-to for loading fruits, vegetables, and added nutrients into your eating regimen.  My current favorite is a mixture of fruit and greens--with all the same good to you, good for you, scrumptious-ness that I love.

And while I'm talking cleaner eating, my newest star ingredient is a Coconut-Almond Milk blend that I discovered at the market recently.  It's everything (cue: diary free, gluten free, soy free, non-gmo and sugar free).  Everything, right?  Annnd.... it's only 45 calories per serving and provides the perfect creamy, sweet goodness as the base of my smoothie.  I'll admit that I was dubious about displacing my usual juice + coconut water base, but this was love at first sip.

So in the spirit of sharing and caring, I'm sharing my easy, good to the last drop smoothie recipe-turned-smoothie bowl.  About the bowl effect, I love it because it allows me to layer in more goodness with the toppings of my choice (fruits, toasted coconut chips, and whatever else your heart and taste buds desire.)  Smoothie bowls also happen to be all the rave right now, so I had to jump in on the fun.

Here's to more healthy, yummy goodness in your breakfast and snack routines and always to...

Happy Eating!

Mixed Fruit Green Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients:
1 cup Coconut-Almond Milk Blend (or Almond Milk, if you can't find the blend)
3/4 cup frozen mixed fruit
1/2 banana
1 cup fresh baby kale mix (or other greens of choice)
1 tsp honey
Fresh berries, coconut chips to garnish (optional)

Method:
Add milk, frozen fruit, banana, greens and honey to a blender and blend to desired consistency.  (Note: if smoothie mixture needs extra liquid, add in a little water and continue to blend.)  Pour smoothie into a bowl, garnish with toppings and enjoy!

 

Whole Roasted Branzino + The Fixins'

Food memories can be some of the sweetest to recall, transporting you back to times, places, scenes--and tastes--that make life special for all the right reasons.   One such memory recently came to mind, as I recalled a scrumptious Whole Roasted Branzino that I had enjoyed at the Italian food emporium, Eataly, during one of my jaunts to NYC.

A simple, yet elegant, preparation served up amazingly moist and succulent fish, with a crispy skin to match, for one of the best seafood bites I had enjoyed to date.  And with that delicious memory now back in view, I set out to bring the same delectable bite to my kitchen. 

My first time preparing a whole fish, rather than fillets, I was excited as much by the presentation of the dish, as I was the preparation.  I decided to stuff the fish with the wonderful flavors of citrus, onion and herbs, with an outcome that was as delicious as what I recalled at the restaurant.  I added to the decadence with a creamy parsnip puree and crispy, roasted kale to round out one amazing meal—and another delectable memory.

Happy Eating!

Whole Roasted Branzino

Ingredients:

2 Whole Branzino, cleaned, with head and tail intact (tip: get your fishmonger to do this)

Fresh thyme sprigs

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice and lemon slices for stuffing

Onion slices

Kosher Salt

Flaked Sea Salt, optional

Freshly ground black pepper

Olive oil

1/4 cup dry white wine 

1/4 cup water 

Method: 

Preheat oven to 350°F. 

Sprinkle fish inside and out with kosher salt and pepper. Stuff each with thyme sprigs, onion and lemon slices. Arrange fish in 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Pour in wine, 1/4 cup water, and lemon juice. Drizzle with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil.

Roast fish 35 minutes. Remove from oven and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of sea salt, if using.

Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit

Roasted Kale   

Ingredients:

Kale, chopped or torn into leaves

Olive oil

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Method:
Arrange kale on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and season liberally with salt and pepper.  Toss to combine and place in preheated 350 F oven.  Roast for 25-30 minutes, or until preferred crispness. 

 

 

Potato and Kale Cakes

Potato and Kale Cakes

I started the New Year off with some specific intentions about food.  For the month of January, I have fasted from meats, sweets and bread.  And while this commitment required some adjustment, it was definitely made easier as I came across a great recipe or inspiration, like this one for Potato and Kale Cakes from Bon Appetit.

The promise of a crispy exterior married to a creamy interior, while delivering a delicious flavor profile of hearty greens, potato, herbs and spices, drew me in.  I had little doubt that this recipe would be a keeper.  And so it turned out to be.  I served them for dinner, but they could be equally great served as a lunch entree or appetizer course. 

Yes there are a few extra pans to wash now, but a satisfying bite in keeping with my "meatless-sweetless-breadless" January fare, is worth it.

Happy Eating!

Potato and Kale Cakes

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds unpeeled russet potatoes, scrubbed,
cut into 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) unsalted butter
1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt, divided
3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 cup chopped onion
1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
1/2 pound kale, center rib and stem cut from
each leaf, leaves coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg


Cook potatoes in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water until tender, about 25 minutes.  Drain; return potatoes to same saucepan.  Add milk and butter.  Mash potatoes (with peel) until smooth.  Season with 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.  Transfer 3 cups mashed potatoes to large bowl and cool (reserve any remaining potatoes for another use).

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in large deep skillet over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic.  Saute until onion softens, about 5 minutes.  Increase heat to medium-high.  Add kale and thyme.  Toss until kale wilts, about 5 minutes.  Add kale mixture, 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and nutmeg to potatoes; blend.  Cool potato mixture 30 minutes.

Shape potato mixture by 1/4 cupfuls into 1/2-inch-thick patties.  Arrange on rimmed baking sheet.  [Do Ahead: Can be made up to 2 hours ahead.  Let stand at room temperature.]

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add cakes and cook, without moving, until cakes are brown and crispy on bottom, 3 to 4 minutes.  Carefully turn cakes over.  Cook until brown on bottom, 2 to 3 minutes longer.  Transfer to plates, serve and enjoy.