De Ma Cuisine

Gluten Free Archive

Thursday

4

December 2014

0

COMMENTS

How to Make Pesto – Part 3 – Mint Pesto

Written by , Posted in Condiments, Dairy-Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, How To, Quick and Easy, Sauces, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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It’s time for another pesto installment. I still can’t believe that I hadn’t made pesto before I tried my hand at Basil Pesto, the more traditional pesto. Then came the Kale Pesto, a bright, green tasting treasure.

But, recently, I’ve been loving mint. I love mint so much that I stuck a few sprigs in some dirt to see if they’d grow.

They did!

I have more mint growing outside than I know what to do with. And I’m fine with that.

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I thought I’d highlight the cool mint flavor with just a few ingredients. No nuts or cheese this time. Just some lemon, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, and olive oil. (But, if you wanted to add nuts, almonds, pine nuts, pistachios, or cashews would be a great choice.)

Simple.

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Since I have a tiny food processor-like attachment to my hand blender, I just put everything in at the same time and blend. You could also stream the olive oil in as you blend, if you have a blender or regular food processor. I think it worked just fine the way I did it though.

You could adjust the amount of liquid (or add more mint) if this isn’t thick enough for you. But, I liked the way it turned out.

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I have so much pesto in my freezer that I’m going to have to start including it in my weekly menu, every week.

What a problem to have, right?!

I’m going to eat it with a baguette that’s topped with feta. Yes. I’m gonna do that. I’m going to drizzle it over roasted green beans and peas. I might toss it with pasta or rice (hello risotto!), with grilled eggplant, steamed carrots, or fresh tomatoes. I might make it into a salad dressing, add it to hummus, or use it to top soup. Or, like I did today, I may add it to a Greek Pasta Salad that’s got chickpeas, veggies, and feta.

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Happy Eating!

Mint Pesto

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Mint Pesto

Ingredients

  • 1 - 1 1/2 C packed mint (about 1 bunch)
  • 1/4 C olive oil
  • 1-2 cloves garlic
  • 1 T lemon juice
  • 1/2 to 1 t lemon zest
  • 1 T balsamic vinegar
  • to taste salt

Instructions

  1. Blend all ingredients for about 60 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the blender, taste and adjust seasoning if desired, and blend for about 30 seconds more.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/how-to-make-pesto-part-3-mint-pesto/

Monday

1

December 2014

0

COMMENTS

Sautéed Persimmons with Bacon

Written by , Posted in Breakfast, Brunch, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fruit, Gluten Free, Lunch, Meat, Pork, Quick and Easy, Sides

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Sometimes inspiration just hits. Something pops into my brain, like, “I wonder if spaghetti would taste good served in a roasted butternut squash” (we will find out at dinner tonight), or “persimmons and bacon… why haven’t I tried this before…”

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I should have done this a long time ago. I mean, bacon pairs well with sweet things. The salty goodness compliments a hint of sweetness so nicely.

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The recipe calls for 2-4 slices of bacon. Since I knew I’d be the only one eating this at lunch today, I just made two. Which was definitely just enough for one (barely, ’cause I hadn’t figured in pieces sneaked off the plate, testing to make sure this new brand of bacon was actually good, shoving whole pieces into my face…)

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If possibly, peel persimmons in one long curly strip. Just because it’s fun. If you want to entice the kids to help, maybe they’d want to try this.

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I like to cook these over a bit higher heat (just medium, rather than medium-low), so they get a bit more color.

Speaking of color, notice those tomatoes?! From my garden, finally!

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After the persimmons are cooked, they’re tossed with all of the bacon (that you didn’t already eat), and some lemon juice, for brightness.

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And just like that, you have a fabulous side.

You could eat it for breakfast alongside some Sweet and Savory Cornmeal Pancakes (hello double bacon!).

You could add some butter lettuce, almonds, and feta, and whisk up a lemon vinaigrette for a quick lunch.

Maybe you’d like to serve it alongside a roast chicken or pork, with a simple salad.

Want to change up your holiday dinner? Swap out your traditional sweet potato dish for these persimmons for an easy side.

Or, you might be like me, and just want to eat it on its own, picking out all the bacon for yourself.

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Happy Eating!

Sautéed Persimmons with Bacon

Sautéed Persimmons with Bacon

Ingredients

  • 2-4 slices bacon
  • 1 t olive oil
  • 3-4 fuyu persimmons, peeled, sliced, and halved
  • pinch salt
  • pinch pepper
  • 1-2 T lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Place bacon in a cold skillet. Turn on heat and cook until crispy. Remove from pan and drain on a paper towel lined plate. Wipe out the pan (leaving a bit of grease is fine).
  2. Add olive oil to the pan. Add persimmons, salt, and pepper. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp with nice color.
  3. Toss with bacon and lemon juice and serve immediately.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/sauteed-persimmons-with-bacon/

Thursday

6

November 2014

0

COMMENTS

How to Make Pesto – Part 2 – Kale Pesto

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Condiments, Fruit, Gluten Free, How To, Quick and Easy, Sauces, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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Kale is one of my favorite greens. No offense to spinach, chard, and collards. I just extra love kale. I love that it’s sturdy enough to be turned into chips, but that it’s softness can be brought out in a Massaged Kale Salad.

Plus, it’s an awesome shade of green. I love green.

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This pesto comes together so quickly. I changed things up a bit from the Basil Pesto in part one of the pesto series. But, if you wanted to, you could just sub the kale for the basil in that recipe.

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The main difference with the Kale Pesto is I omitted the nuts. Nothing wrong with nuts, just wanted to try something different. I also added some lemon (zest and juice) and some spices.

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Other than those changes, the rest is the same. Lots of garlic, some parmesan, and olive oil.

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I like to use my awesome KitchenAid hand blender, but a food processor or regular blender would work just fine.

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It made enough to overflow this little jar, so I used a few scoops on the Spicy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes that I’d made the same day.

Do this. Today.

You’re welcome.

Other ways to use your pesto could be:

Roasted Chicken and some Crispy Potatoes (or hello, with the Spicy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes!).

Cheddar and Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich and dip it into some Roasted Tomato Soup. (Shoot! I’ve already eaten lunch! Why didn’t I make this?!)

Kidney Bean and Kale Chili (with plenty of spicy chile peppers) – serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt, a spoonful of pesto, and a slice of lemon for squeezing over the top.

Sauté mushrooms and onions and top with pesto once cooked.

Roasted Pesto Topped Potatoes (new potatoes, or larger potatoes cut into bigger chunks, tossed with olive oil, salt, pepper, cayenne, and chili powder, roasted until crispy outside, tender inside – 350F, 25-40 minutes, depending on the size of the chunks, serve topped with pesto).

Happy Eating!

Kale Pesto

Kale Pesto

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch kale, washed well and stripped from stems (save stems for stock)
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/4 C olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • 1/4 C parmesan cheese
  • dash cayenne or red pepper flakes
  • pinch lemon zest
  • pinch ginger
  • 1 lemon, juiced

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a blending apparatus. Blend for at least 60 seconds, stopping and scraping down the sides if needed.
  2. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/how-to-make-pesto-part-2-kale-pesto/

Monday

3

November 2014

2

COMMENTS

Spicy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Written by , Posted in Cheese, Dinner, Gluten Free, Herbs, Holiday, Lunch, Potatoes, Roasting, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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I’m thinking about the upcoming holidays. I’m making lists of gifts to buy for others, things I’d love to have (not that I need anything else), and recipes to make while we’re with family. A few weeks ago I was talking with my brother, Josh. We really like food, so that’s usually part of any conversation. We decided that at Christmas we’re going to make Duck Tourtière, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans with Bacon and Almonds, and a Butter Lettuce Salad with Pine Nuts, Pumpkin Seeds, and Cranberries.

I may try to sneak these Spicy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes in to the mix. Or I might see if I can add them to the Thanksgiving dinner menu… Whenever it happens, I’ve got to eat these again.

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They start out simple – some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Then in to the oven.

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While they roast away, cilantro is washed and chopped.

Confession: I didn’t think I liked cilantro. I’m still not sure that I do. But, I’ve heard that you either love it or hate it, and if you hate it, you think it tastes like soap. I don’t think it tastes like soap, so I must love it.

I’m learning to, in any case.

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The cilantro is mixed with a bit of spicy chile pepper (cayenne would work too), garlic, and cheese. Once the sweet potatoes are finished with their oven time, the flesh gets scooped out and mixed in too.

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Mash it up and make it as creamy as you’d like. I like a few lumps left in there for texture.

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They get to roast for a little while longer while the toppings are prepared. More cilantro, some Greek yogurt, and some Kale Pesto (Basil Pesto would be great too!).

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I sprinkled them with some coarse sea salt before they went in to the oven. I didn’t add any more cheese to the top. You could do the opposite if you’d prefer.

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A good dollop of Greek yogurt goes on top, cilantro is sprinkled, and pesto waits to adorn.

Happy Eating!

Spicy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Yield: 2

Serving Size: Half of a sweet potato.

Spicy Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients

  • 1 medium sized sweet potato, halved
  • 1 t olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1 T fresh cilantro, chopped, divided
  • 1/2 T unsalted butter
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1/4 C cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/2 chile pepper, ribs and seeds removed, minced (or pinch cayenne)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • coarse sea salt, for topping (optional)
  • Greek yogurt, for topping
  • kale (or basil) pesto, for topping

Instructions

  1. Brush both sides of the sweet potato with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place cut side down on a baking sheet. Pierce a few times with a fork. Bake at 350F for 45-50 minutes, or until the flesh is tender.
  2. Scoop out the flesh and mix with cilantro through garlic. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Return the filling to the skins and top with sea salt. Return to the oven and bake for about 10-15 minutes more.
  3. Serve topped with yogurt, pesto, and reserved cilantro.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/spicy-twice-baked-sweet-potatoes/

 

Monday

29

September 2014

0

COMMENTS

Creamy Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Written by , Posted in Appetizers, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Lunch, Quick and Easy, Salads, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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Creamy dreamy salad. Perfect for these last days of summer. The tomato is ripe and sweet, the cucumber crisp and cool, the dressing bright and herb-filled. It’s one of my favorite ways to eat salad.

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A couple of months ago, I planted a sprig of mint in the dirt. No roots, just thought I’d try it and see if anything happened.

It grew.

I have more mint than I know what to do with. And I’m not complaining.

It adds a wonderful refreshing taste to this dish.

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I’m also growing some parsley and basil in my garden. I can never have enough of these fresh herbs. When they come in our Abundant Harvest Organics box, sometimes they’re gone in a day (like when I made Basil Pesto). I love being able to step just outside the door and snip off whatever I need for a dish.

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Those fresh herbs are the highlight to an easy dressing. I’ve also added some Greek yogurt, fresh onion and garlic (just a bit), some balsamic vinegar, and some olive oil for flavor. The herbs might be the star, but those flavors all go so well together.

Also, raw onion, I know… But, try it – it’s not too much, and when it’s minced and mixed in with all those other flavors, it’s not overpowering. If you don’t feel like braving onion breath, just leave it out, or use some chives. They’ll work just fine.

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I thought I’d peel the cucumbers. Not a requirement. But, I thought it would be nice. It’s one of the few veggies that I do peel.

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Tomatoes are sliced, not too thick, not too thin.

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And just like that, dressing is drizzled over and you have a great side.

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You could make double the dressing and save it so you can eat this salad every day. It could be used as a dip for carrots and celery, you could dip a Grilled Cheese into it, you could dip pretzels, crackers, or sesame sticks in it.

But, the best way to eat it, I think, is to use it on this salad, and to pair it with the Fish Wellingtons that I made the other week. I’d definitely suggest making both, then inviting a good friend over for lunch.

Happy Eating!

Creamy Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Recipe Type: Salad, Side, Lunch, Vegetarian, Quick and Easy
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 2-4
Ingredients
  • Dressing: 1/2 C Greek yogurt
  • 1 T fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 T fresh mint, chopped
  • 1 T fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 T onion or shallot, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 T olive oil
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • splash balsamic vinegar
  • Salad: 1-2 cucumber, peeled and sliced into rounds
  • 2-3 tomatoes, sliced into rounds
Instructions
  1. Whisk together dressing ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  2. Place cucumber and tomato on plates, alternating slices of each. Top with dressing.