TATSU BOWLS WITH SPICY TAHINI
Ingredients
Serves 4
TATSU BOWLS:
1½ cups (375 ml) white quinoa
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 cups (500 ml) broccolini spears, trimmed
1 cup (250 ml) baby carrots, thinly sliced
1 cup (250 ml) bean sprouts
1 cup (250 ml) shelled edamame beans
1 cup (250 ml) finely shredded red cabbage
⅓ cup (75 ml) coarsely chopped cilantro, for garnish
8 deep-fried tofu puffs
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
½ cup (125 ml) lightly salted, toasted cashews
lime wedges, for garnish
SPICY TAHINI SAUCE:
¼ cup (60 ml) sesame tahini
¼ cup (60 ml) tamari sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) water or chicken stock
1 lime, juice only
1 tbsp (15 ml) Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
2 tsp (10 ml) finely minced peeled gingerroot
2 tsp (10 ml) sambal oelek
1 garlic clove, smashed and minced
Instructions
- To make TATSU BOWLS: Rinse quinoa thoroughly several times before cooking. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups (500 ml) water, lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, to a boil. Stir in rinsed quinoa and return to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook over medium-low for about 15 minutes or until grains begin to unfurl and water is absorbed. Spread cooked quinoa onto baking sheet to slightly dry while preparing remaining ingredients. Stir often with a fork to separate grains.
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Lightly rub broccolini spears and carrots with oil. Place carrots on one half of a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and bake in oven for 10 minutes. Add broccolini to other half of baking sheet and bake for an additional 5 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs.
- Meanwhile, blanch bean sprouts, drain and plunge into ice water to crisp. Place in a bowl. Repeat with edamame beans.
- Prepare remaining vegetables, shredding cabbage, and chopping cilantro and onions, and set aside. In a frying pan, gently brown tofu puffs with a little olive oil until hot and golden.
- To serve, place scoops of quinoa in bottom of serving bowls, arrange vegetables and tofu puffs on top. Sprinkle with cashews, lime and cilantro. Drizzle bowls with Spicy Tahini.
- To make SPICY TAHINI SAUCE: In a small, deep narrow bowl, whisk together all ingredients until emulsified. Transfer to a squeeze tube with a large spout. Drizzle over Tatsu Bowls before serving. Makes about 1 cup (250 ml)
Drink Pairings
ZUCCHINI AND CARROT SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 zucchini, shaved thinly on a mandolin or with a vegetable peeler
1 carrot, shaved thinly on a mandolin or with a vegetable peeler
pinch of ground cumin, toasted
pinch of preserved lemon, chopped finely
2 black cured olives, chopped roughly
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
pinch freshly ground pepper
1 tbsp (15 ml) pistachio nuts, toasted and chopped roughly
2 tbsp (30 ml) feta cheese, cubed
2 tbsp (30 ml) mint, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Toss all ingredients in a bowl, except for the pistachio, feta and mint. Adjust seasoning to taste. The preserved lemon, olives and feta are all salty, so you may not need salt.
- Garnish the salad with the pistachios, feta, and mint.
Drink Pairings
SUMMER SALAD IN A JAR
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
2 cups (500 ml) mini bocconcini, halved
2 tbsp (30 ml) sundried tomatoes, packed in oil and coarsely chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) sundried tomato oil
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 tsp (5 ml) kosher salt
½ tsp (2 ml) freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh basil, some left whole for garnish, all others shredded
⅓ cup (75 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) balsamic vinegar
2 cups (500 ml) grape tomatoes, halved
6 small cucumbers, thinly sliced
2 large orange or yellow peppers, seeded and cubed
3 cups (750 ml) green lettuce of your choice
⅓ cup (75 ml) pine nuts, lightly toasted
½ cup (125 ml) cooked pancetta, coarsely chopped
Parmesan shavings
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine bocconcini, sundried tomatoes, sundried tomato oil, garlic, salt, pepper and half the shredded basil. Set aside for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare dressing by combining olive oil, balsamic vinegar and remaining shredded basil leaves. Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed.
- To assemble, pour 2 tbsp (30 ml) of dressing into each jar, arrange a layer of grape tomatoes, followed by a layer of bocconcini mixture, a layer of cucumbers, a layer of yellow or orange peppers and repeat until the jar is three quarters full. This will vary depending on size of jar. Add lettuce on top. Garnish with pine nuts, pancetta and Parmesan shavings. Finish with a few small basil leaves.
Drink Pairings
VEGETABLE NOODLES WITH ROASTED RATATOUILLE
Ingredients
Serves 6
1 medium-sized spaghetti squash
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil, divided
4 green zucchini, each 10-in (25 cm) long, divided
1 medium-sized fennel bulb, trimmed, diced
1 large sweet onion, diced
2 red bell peppers, cored and diced
1 yellow bell pepper, cored and diced
1 serrano chile pepper, cored and minced
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
⅓ cup (75 ml) vegetable stock or tomato juice (optional)
1 cup (250 ml) fresh basil leaves, cut into thin julienne strips, divided
½ tsp (2 ml) fennel seed, crushed
2 medium-sized yellow zucchini
2 tomatoes, diced
½ cup (125 ml) shredded Parmesan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F (200 C). Position oven racks in bottom and top third of oven. Cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scrape out seeds. Brush flesh with 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place cut-side up in a roasting pan just large enough to hold them side-by-side. Bake on top rack for 50 minutes or until forktender. Remove from oven and let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes. Scrape flesh with a fork to make long strands. Place strands in a large bowl. Set aside.
- To make ratatouille, lightly oil a large baking sheet and set aside. Dice 2 green zucchini reserving remaining 2 for noodles. In a large bowl, combine diced zucchini with fennel, onion, peppers and garlic. Drizzle with remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil and sprinkle with a little sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss to evenly coat and spread out in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. Bake on bottom rack in preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes. Stir occasionally for even roasting. Ratatouille can be made ahead and refrigerated. It is delicious hot or cold.
- When ratatouille is done, place in a heavy saucepan along with stock, if using, ½ cup (125 ml) fresh basil and all the crushed fennel. Cover and keep warm.
- When ready to serve, cut remaining 2 green zucchini and yellow zucchini into noodles with a spiralizer or julienne using a hand-held cutter. Add to spaghetti squash strands in bowl. Gently toss to blend. (Note: Noodles must be served immediately after cutting as they water out very quickly.) Add a quarter of the ratatouille to noodles, to coat.
- Spoon into serving bowls. Top with additional ladles of ratatouille and scatter with diced tomatoes, remaining basil and fresh Parmesan.
Drink Pairings
SUNCHOKE CONFIT SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4
NASTURTIUM OIL (OPTIONAL):
2 cups (500 ml) nasturtium leaves
½ cup (125 ml) olive oil
SALAD:
1 lb (500 g) sunchokes
1 cup (250 ml) duck fat or olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) white wine vinegar
1 tsp (5 ml) finely minced shallots
¼ cup (60 ml) hazelnut oil
½ cup (125 ml) fresh or frozen, shelled fava beans
1 radish, thinly sliced
2 cups (500 ml) micro greens
½ cup (125 ml) hazelnuts, roasted and skinned
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
edible flowers for garnish
Instructions
- To make NASTURTIUM OIL: Place leaves and oil in a blender and process until smooth. Transfer to a non-reactive container and cover. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- To make SALAD: Peel sunchokes and reserve. Pour duck fat or olive oil into a small saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. When warm, add sunchokes and cook, uncovered, for about 1 to 2 hours over low heat (fat/oil temperature 180 to 190 F), until tender. Remove sunchokes from pan and place on cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain.
- To make vinaigrette, combine white wine vinegar and shallots in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle in hazelnut oil while whisking, until emulsified.
- When sunchokes have cooled, slice and place in a large bowl. Add fava beans, radishes, micro greens and hazelnuts and drizzle with vinaigrette. Toss to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- To serve, divide salad among 4 serving plates, garnish with edible flowers, drizzle a little more dressing around salad and serve. Garnish with dots of Nasturtium Oil.
Drink Pairings
STUFFED PORTOBELLOS
Ingredients
Serves 4
½ small butternut squash
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tsp (10 ml) pure maple syrup
2 tsp (10 ml) finely minced fresh sage
1 small garlic clove
2 tsp (10 ml) freshly minced oregano
4 large portobellos, stems removed, gills scraped out
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh pomegranate seeds
¼ cup (60 ml) panko bread crumbs
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped walnuts, toasted
¼ cup (60 ml) crumbled plain goat’s cheese, plus extra for garnish
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup (250 ml) baby arugula, washed, dried
2 tsp (10 ml) extra-aged balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Peel stem end of squash and cut into ¼-in (0.5 cm) dice. Toss with 2 tsp (10 ml) oil, maple syrup and sage. Spread out onto prepared baking sheet in single layer. Bake in oven for 10 minutes or until cubes are tender but firm when pierced. Remove sheet to cooling rack and set aside. Should yield 2 cups (500 ml) small dice.
- Crush garlic clove and finely mince. Add to small bowl and stir in 1 tsp (5 ml) oil and oregano. Brush insides and outsides of portobellos with garlic-oil mixture. Place stem-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- In a bowl, toss together pomegranate seeds, bread crumbs and toasted walnuts. Add roasted squash and 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil, toss then fill each mushroom cap with mixture. Dollop with crumbled goat’s cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Bake in oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until mushrooms are still somewhat firm but tops are golden
- When ready to serve, dress tops of mushrooms with arugula. Drizzle with balsamic, a little of remaining oil, a few more crumbles of goat’s cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
Drink Pairings
WARM NUGGET AND SMOKED SALMON SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
⅓ cup (75 ml) apple cider vinegar
1½ tsp (7 ml) berry sugar
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt, plus extra
1 small red onion, peeled and thinly sliced
1½ lbs (750 g) red baby potatoes
1 cup (250 ml) snap peas, trimmed
1 cup (250 ml) French beans, trimmed and cut in half on the diagonal
¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
2 tsp (10 ml) Dijon mustard
freshly ground white pepper
1 cup (250 ml) frozen sweet peas, thawed
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped fresh tarragon
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped chervil or parsley leaves
2 tsp (10 ml) chopped fresh dill
¼ lb (125 g) sliced smoked salmon, cut into bite-sized julienne pieces
2 whole green onions, thinly cut on the diagonal, for garnish
lemon wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- In a non-metallic bowl, combine vinegar, sugar and ¼ tsp (1 ml) salt. Stir to dissolve sugar. Add onion and set aside to pickle while preparing remainder of recipe.
- In large saucepan, place potatoes with just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer with lid ajar for 15 minutes, or until tender when pierced.
- About 3 to 5 minutes before potatoes have finished cooking, add snap peas and French beans to saucepan. Cover and continue to cook until potatoes are done as you like and peas and beans are tender but still a little crisp.
- While potatoes are cooking, in a small bowl combine sour cream, oil, lemon juice, and Dijon. Whisk to blend adding fresh pepper to taste. Add a little water if dressing seems too thick. Set aside.
- When potatoes, snap peas and beans are done as preferred, drain thoroughly, shaking off as much water as possible. Place in a large bowl along with thawed sweet peas, tarragon, chervil and dill.
- Drain pickled onions, blot dry and add to bowl, along with smoked salmon. Gently fold together to lightly coat.
- Spoon onto serving plates and scatter green onions over top.
- Give dressing another whisk and drizzle over plates. Add a little more salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Serve warm with lemon wedges.
Drink Pairings
SPRING PEA CARBONARA
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 garlic clove, minced
8 oz (250 g) fresh morel mushrooms, halved or quartered
2 cups (500 ml) packed dandelion greens
salt and pepper, to taste
2 large eggs
1 lb (500 g) dried or fresh Orecchiette Pasta
2 cup (500 ml) fresh shelled peas
1½ cup (375 ml) sugar snap peas
½ cup (375 ml) snow pea pods
½ cup (125 ml) grated Parmesan, divided
1 lemon, zest only, finely grated, for garnish
¼ cup (60 ml) pea shoots, for garnish
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh mint leaves, for garnish
1 ball burrata cheese
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring 4 liters (16 cups) of water and 2 tbsp (30 ml) salt to a boil.
- Meanwhile, in a large frying pan, sauté onion in oil on medium-high until tender. Add garlic and mushrooms, turn down heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and tender, about 8 minutes. Add greens and cook, stirring often, until just wilted. Season to taste with salt and pepper before removing from heat and setting aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together eggs. Set aside.
- When water comes to a boil, add pasta. Turn down heat to medium-low and maintaining a slow boil until pasta is just al dente, about 7 minutes. Ladle out and set aside 1 cup (250 ml) of cooking water. Add peas to water with pasta. Increase heat to high and cook for 1 minute. Drain pasta and vegetables, do not rinse. Return to pot and place on warm stovetop burner that has been turned off. Gradually whisk 3 tbsp (45 ml) reserved hot pasta water into eggs, then pour over pasta, gently stirring with a wooden spoon to coat pasta. Stir in ⅔ of Parmesan, mushroom mixture and enough reserved pasta water to loosen pasta and create a creamy sauce. Season to taste with pepper.
- Serve with a sprinkle of lemon zest, remaining Parmesan, torn mint leaves and dollops of burrata cheese. Serve warm.
Drink Pairings
SIMPLE SAVOURY MUSHROOM AND RADICCHIO TAGLIARINI
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 tbsp (30 ml) unsalted butter
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil, divided, plus extra
2 large shallots, peeled and sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium portobello mushroom, peeled, gills scraped and sliced
1 cup (500 ml) mix of cleaned and sliced chanterelles and shiitakes
10 large fresh sage leaves, cut into thin ribbons
⅓ cup (75 ml) dry white wine
1 lb (500 g) package tagliarini pasta (or pappardelle)
½ cup (125 ml) ricotta or cream cheese, room temperature
2 eggs, whisked
1 small head radicchio, leaves torn into small bite-sized pieces
⅓ cup (75 ml) finely grated Parmesan, plus extra
¼ cup (60 ml) each, coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley and fresh oregano
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter and 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil in a large frying pan. Add shallots and sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes until soft and lightly golden. Add garlic, mushrooms and sage and continue to sauté for 4 or 5 minutes, until mushrooms are pale golden and tender. Add a little more oil if needed. Deglaze pan with white wine and cook until reduced by half. Cover and turn off heat.
- Cook pasta in a large saucepan with lightly salted boiling water for 10 to 12 minutes, or until al dente. Drain well and return to pan. Add ricotta or cream cheese and eggs. Stir vigorously until pasta is coated.
- Fold in mushroom mixture along with radicchio, Parmesan, parsley and oregano. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan, if desired.
Drink Pairings
SPINACH AND RICOTTA GNOCCHI
Ingredients
Serves 6
1 x 1 lb (500 g) package frozen chopped baby spinach, thawed
3 tbsp (45 ml) chopped fresh chives
1½ cups (375 ml) ricotta cheese
½ cup (125 ml) finely grated Romano cheese, plus extra for garnish
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon zest
1¼ cup (300 ml) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
2 large eggs
½ tsp (2 ml) salt, plus extra
5 heirloom tomatoes, sliced
1 cup (250 ml) halved cherry tomatoes
fresh basil, for garnish
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
extra-virgin olive oil, for garnish
Instructions
- Squeeze any excess moisture from spinach and coarsely chop before adding to a large bowl along with chives, ricotta, Romano cheese, lemon zest, flour, eggs and salt. Mix well with hands to form a soft dough. Tip dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into roughly 2 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long rope, about 16-in (40 cm) long, before cutting into 1-in (2.5 cm) pieces. Transfer to a lightly floured baking tray and lightly dust with extra flour. Refrigerate gnocchi until ready to cook.
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to boil over high heat. Cook gnocchi in batches for about 5 minutes or until they float.
- Divide tomatoes and gnocchi among serving plates, top with basil and salt and pepper. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle with Romano cheese.