COLD SOBA NOODLE SALAD WITH HOT-SMOKED SALMON
Ingredients
Serves 4
SOBA NOODLE SALAD:
12 oz (340 g) soba noodles
1/3 cup (75 ml) fresh mint leaves, whole or coarsely chopped
1/3 cup (75 ml) fresh basil leaves, whole or coarsely chopped
1/3 (75 ml) fresh cilantro leaves, whole or coarsely chopped
½ cup (125 ml) finely sliced green onion
½ cup (125 ml) finely shaved red cabbage
¼ cup (60 ml) toasted sesame seeds
2 tbsp (30 ml) poppy seeds
8 oz (250 g) hot-smoked salmon
PICKLED CUCUMBER:
½ cup (125 ml) rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp (30 ml) granulated sugar
1 medium English cucumber, thinly sliced
1 lime, zest and juice
½ tsp (2.5 ml) chili flakes, or to taste
DRESSING:
¼ cup (60 ml) mirin
¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) grated ginger
1 garlic clove, grated
black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook noodles according to package instructions until just al dente, then drain and rinse under cold running water. Shake off excess water and place noodles in a serving bowl.
- Stir prepared dressing through noodles to coat. Add mint, basil, cilantro, green onion, cabbage, sesame seeds, poppy seeds and pickled cucumber. Toss to combine and top with flakes of smoked salmon. Serve immediately or chill for up to 2 hours, covered.
- PICKLED CUCUMBER: In a small saucepan, combine rice wine vinegar and sugar. Simmer over medium heat until sugar is dissolved. Remove saucepan from heat and refrigerate until cool, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine cucumber, lime zest and juice and chili flakes.
- Pour cooled syrup over cucumbers and mix well to combine. Set aside. Can be made up to 1 day in advance and kept in refrigerator.
- DRESSING: In a medium bowl, whisk together mirin, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, ginger and garlic. Season with black pepper. Set aside. Will keep for up to 3 days in refrigerator.
Drink Pairings
Grilled Stone Fruit Salad
Ingredients
Serves 4
8 plums, mix of red and yellow
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
1 lemon, zest only
1 small orange, zest and juice
½ cup (125 ml) shaved Pecorino cheese
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped toasted hazelnuts
salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high. Halve plums and remove pits. Grease barbecue and grill plums, flesh side down, for 1 minute, until grill marks are achieved but plums are not cooked through. Remove from heat and cut each half into 3 wedges.
- In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, lemon zest and orange zest and juice. Pour over plums and top with Pecorino and hazelnuts. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve right away or chill for up to an hour. If making in advance, refrain from adding cheese and nuts until right before serving.
Drink Pairings
Mexican Shrimp-Stuffed Avocados
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lime, zest and juice
1 tsp (5 ml) ground cumin
1 tbsp (15 ml) sunflower oil
¾ lb (340 g) large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
salt and pepper, to taste
½ jalapeño, diced, or to taste
¼ cup (60 ml) diced red onion
¼ cup (60 ml) diced red pepper
4 large avocados
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped cilantro leaves
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped chives
4 lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high.
- In a small bowl, mix together garlic, lime zest, cumin and oil. Add shrimp and stir to coat. Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper and refrigerate for 15 to 20 minutes.
- In another bowl, combine jalapeño, onion and red pepper. Set aside.
- Slice into avocados lengthways from each side until knife hits the pit. Twist halves apart and gently remove pits. Using a small spoon, scoop out about 1 tbsp (15 ml) avocado where the pit was to create a slightly larger hollow. Chop excess avocado and add to jalapeño mixture, if desired, or enjoy as a snack while cooking!
- Lightly grease barbecue, then grill shrimp until opaque (about 2 minutes per side). Remove from heat and set aside. Grill avocados (with skins still on), flesh side down, for 1 to 2 minutes (on flesh side only), until grill marks are achieved. Remove from heat.
- Cut shrimp into bite-size pieces and add to jalapeño mixture along with lime juice and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Scoop a heaping spoonful into each avocado, sprinkle with chives and serve with lime wedges on the side.
Drink Pairings
VEGETABLE CARPACCIO WITH BURRATA
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 medium yellow beets
2 medium zucchinis
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp (30 ml) sunflower oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) capers
4 tbsp (60 ml) olive oil, divided
1 small baguette, sliced
8 oz (250 g) burrata cheese
1 tbsp (15 ml) balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F (175 C). Wrap beets in foil and roast for about 90 minutes, or until fork-tender (will vary depending on size). Set aside and allow to cool.
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high. Slice zucchini diagonally into ½-in (1.25 cm) rounds and season both sides with salt and pepper. Grease barbecue, then grill zucchini for 6 to 8 minutes per side with the lid closed, until cooked through but not soggy. Remove from grill and set aside to cool.
- In a small skillet, heat sunflower oil over medium-high heat. Pat capers dry with paper towel and fry for 5 to 8 minutes, or until they begin to open up like flowers. Remove with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate, set aside.
- Brush 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil onto the baguette slices. Grill for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove from grill and set aside.
- Peel cooled beets, then slice into rounds. On a platter, layer beets and zucchini. Place burrata on top, dress with remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil, balsamic and fried capers and season with salt and pepper to taste. To serve, spread burrata onto grilled baguette slices and top with vegetables.
Drink Pairings
Chicken Satay and Pineapple Salad
Ingredients
Serves 4
6 to 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped ginger
½ cup (125 ml) peanut butter
1 tsp (5 ml) fish sauce
2 tbsp (30 ml) soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup
1 tsp (5 ml) Sriracha
1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
1 pinch white pepper
1 lime, juice only, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) water
4 slices pineapple, cut into ¼-in (0.5 cm) rounds
5 to 6 cups (1.25 to 1.5 L) mixed greens
1 medium carrot, ribboned or julienned
1 English cucumber, sliced
¼ cup (60 ml) thinly sliced red onion
1 cup (250 ml) each basil, cilantro and mint leaves, or to taste
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped roasted peanuts
1 lime, cut into wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Place chicken into a large plastic freezer bag.
- In bowl of a small food processor, pulse garlic and ginger until fine. Add peanut butter, fish sauce, soy sauce, maple syrup, Sriracha, oil, pepper, juice of half a lime and water and process until smooth. Pour half the peanut sauce into freezer bag and marinate chicken in refrigerator for at least 1 hour, up to 8 hours. Set remaining peanut sauce aside to dress salad.
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high. Lightly grease barbecue and grill pineapple for 1 minute per side, until grill marks are achieved. Cut into bite-sized pieces and set aside to cool. Grill chicken for 6 to 8 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C). Cut cooked chicken into 1-in (2.5 cm) cubes and set aside until ready to serve.
- In a large bowl, toss together greens, carrot, cucumber, red onion and fresh herbs. Thin out peanut sauce with juice from remaining half lime and dress salad, as desired (you may not need all the dressing).
- Finish salad with grilled pineapple and chicken pieces, sprinkle with roasted peanuts and serve with lime wedges on the side.
Drink Pairings
Burrata and Prosciutto Salad
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
6 cups (1.5 L) salad greens, such as watercress or arugula
½ cup (125 ml) fresh peas, blanched
1 tbsp (15 ml) pistachio oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) champagne vinegar
salt and black pepper, to taste
8 oz (500 g) burrata cheese
5 oz (140 g) prosciutto
2 tbsp (30 ml) roughly chopped shelled pistachios
bread, for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, dress greens and peas with pistachio oil, 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil, champagne vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a large serving bowl.
- Nestle burrata in middle of greens, then arrange around with prosciutto.
- Drizzle remaining olive oil over burrata, then sprinkle with pistachios and black pepper. Serve with a loaf of fresh bread.
Drink Pairings
Warm Asparagus Salad
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 heads red and green butter lettuce
20 medium spears asparagus, ends trimmed
3½ tbsp (55 ml) white balsamic vinegar, divided
¼ cup (60 ml) golden raisins
1 garlic clove
3 tbsp (45 ml) capers, drained and rinsed
¾ cup (175 ml) packed Italian parsley leaves
⅓ cup (75 ml) light olive oil
sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp (30 ml) butter
¼ cup (60 ml) coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts
Instructions
- Trim lettuce and choose only the tender inner leaves. Wash, dry and carefully wrap in a clean kitchen towel. Refrigerate to crisp.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add asparagus and return to a boil. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until just tender but still al dente. Immediately drain in a colander and run under very cold water to stop cooking. Pat dry and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp (30 ml) white balsamic, 2 tbsp (30 ml) water and raisins and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- Place garlic into a mini food processor and pulse to mince. Add capers and parsley and process to a coarse paste. Add raisin and balsamic mixture and pulse until blended. Add oil and salt and pepper to taste and pulse to combine, keeping mixture somewhat coarse. Season to taste and transfer to a small jar.
- Divide chilled lettuce between 4 salad plates.
- Heat a large heavy saucepan over medium heat. Melt butter, swirling pan occasionally, watching until it begins to turn a medium brown with a nutty aroma, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately stir in 1½ tbsp (22 ml) white balsamic. Place asparagus in a single layer on bottom of pan and toss to coat until just heated through. Season to taste and plate bundles of asparagus alongside lettuce.
- Spoon vinaigrette over lettuce and asparagus. Drizzle any remaining balsamic butter from the pan over salads and top with hazelnuts. Season to taste and serve immediately with remaining dressing on side.
Drink Pairings
Thai Steak Salad
Ingredients
Serves 2 to 4
2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) minced garlic
1 to 2 Thai chilies, thinly sliced, or to taste
2 tsp (10 ml) minced cilantro stems
3 tbsp (45 ml) lime juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) orange juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce
3 tsp (15 ml) vegetable oil, divided
8 oz (250 g) flank or skirt steak
2 baby cucumbers, cut into chunks
¼ red onion, sliced
2 cups (500 ml) mixed greens
3 oz (90 g) pea shoots
1 small handful cilantro leaves
1 small handful mint
2 radishes, thinly sliced
lime wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Using a mortar and pestle, small blender or mini food processor, crush or blend sugar, garlic, chili and cilantro stems into a paste. Mix in lime juice, orange juice, fish sauce, 1 tbsp (15 ml) water and 2 tsp (10 ml) vegetable oil.
- Marinate steak in half of the fish sauce mixture (set other half aside to dress salad) for at least an hour, and up to overnight, in refrigerator. The longer you marinate, the more flavourful and tender your steak will be.
- Remove steak from marinade and pat dry. Allow to sit at room temperature for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
- Heat remaining 1 tsp (5 ml) oil in a grill pan, or heavy-bottomed ovenproof frying pan, over medium-high heat. Sear steak for about 2 minutes per side, then transfer to oven. Roast for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 130 F (54 C). Remove steak from oven and allow to rest on a plate for 10 minutes. Slice thinly against the grain.
- In a bowl, toss remaining ingredients together and arrange on side of a serving platter. Lay steak on other side. Drizzle with dressing and serve with additional dressing on side.
Drink Pairings
Sesame Chicken Zucchini Noodle Salad
Ingredients
Serves 2 to 4
2 tbsp (30 ml) cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
2 tsp (10 ml) dried goji berries
1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
2 tsp (10 ml) soy sauce
2 tsp (10 ml) rice vinegar
1 tsp (5 ml) honey
½ tsp (2.5 ml) white sesame seeds
½ tsp (2.5 ml) black sesame seeds
1 pinch chili flakes or chopped fresh chili, or to taste
8 oz (250 g) cooked chicken breast, shredded
1 medium zucchini, spiralized
1 small carrot, peeled and julienned
½ cup (125 ml) shredded red cabbage
¼ cup (60 ml) edamame beans, blanched
2 tbsp (30 ml) roasted cashews, roughly chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- To make dressing, whisk first 9 ingredients together in a bowl.
- In a large bowl, mix remaining ingredients together, toss with dressing and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
Avocado Toast Salad
Ingredients
Serves 2 to 4
1 small loaf focaccia bread, cut into 2-in (5 cm) cubes
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
salt and pepper, to taste
4 cups (1 L) Little Gem lettuce
1 large avocado, cut into large chunks
4 semi-dried sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
2 tbsp (30 ml) pickled red onion, make ahead, recipe follows
4 radishes, cut into wedges
1 tbsp (15 ml) sweet pickled baby peppers
4 chives, cut into 1-in (2.5 cm) pieces
½ lemon, cut into wedges
1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
FOR PICKLED RED ONION:
¾ cup (175 ml) white wine vinegar
3 tbsp (45 ml) sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) salt
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
- Toss focaccia cubes with 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. They should still be soft in middle. Allow to cool.
- Arrange focaccia cubes, lettuce, avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, radish, peppers, chives and lemon wedges on a platter.
- Whisk together lemon juice and remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil with salt and pepper, to taste. Dress salad with vinaigrette right before serving.
- To make Picked Red Onion, in a small saucepan, bring vinegar, 3 tbsp (45 ml) water, sugar and salt to a boil and simmer until sugar and salt have dissolved. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Put onions in a glass container. Pour vinegar mixture over onions and cover with a lid. Allow to sit in refrigerator overnight. Makes 2 cups (500 ml).