De Ma Cuisine

Daikon Radish Archive

Thursday

15

January 2015

0

COMMENTS

Hearty Winter Salad with Dill Dressing

Written by , Posted in Beans, Eggs, Gluten Free, Herbs, Legumes, Lunch, Main Dishes, Potatoes, Quick and Easy, Salads, Sides, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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Very rarely do I want a break from soup when the weather is cold. But, every once in a while it’s ok to take a breather from a steaming bowl of goodness. And I really do love the crunch of raw veggies. I also like how different a salad looks in the winter, compared to summer.

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This simple meal starts with some hardboiled eggs. If you’re not in the mood for eggs, you could use tuna as an alternative.

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When I was cooking these eggs, I thought I’d try to do them a different way from the way that I always do it, the way that works every time. I’d seen it done differently on TV, or read about it on a blog, or someone said something at some point in life about a different way to hard boil an egg.

Always a sure sign that something will turn out splendidly.

I ended up with soft boiled (aka goopy not fully cooked) eggs. Not at all what I was hoping for. So I returned them to the pot and re-boiled them the way I’d always done it. The way my mom taught me.

They turned out perfectly.

Lesson learned.

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Veggies that I had on hand to go with the eggs: broccoli and radish. You could also use beets, crispy potatoes, peas, carrots, cauliflower, or cabbage.

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Since I’m still obsessed with dill, I made a creamy dill dressing. It’s mostly Greek yogurt, because I was almost out of mayo. But, I’m happy with how it turned out, so I wouldn’t change the recipe. But, if you like a little less tang, switch up the proportions to suit your tastes.

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This salad was seriously filling, with chickpeas and eggs on there. I made it to go along with the Spaghetti Squash au Gratin that I’d made for lunch the same day, but didn’t end up eating it until dinner, since the Gratin was more filling than I’d expected. As a light dinner, it was perfect (for me anyways). (I keep hitting the caps lock key so it looks like I’m screaming half of each word at you. I must have a rogue pinky finger.) A small portion of each would go nicely together.

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So that’s that. Now I can go back to eating soup. 😉

Happy Eating!

Winter Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: Serves 2-4

Winter Salad

Ingredients

  • 4 eggs, hard boiled and chopped (or you could use tuna)
  • 1/2 C Greek yogurt
  • 2 T mayo
  • to taste salt
  • 1 T balsamic vinegar
  • 1 T fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/4 C olive oil
  • greens (lettuce, kale, spinach, chard), torn
  • 1/2 C broccoli, chopped into small pieces
  • 1/4 C radish, very thinly sliced
  • (could also add: grated carrots, chopped cauliflower, shredded cabbage, peas, crispy potatoes, beet chips)
  • 1/4 C chick peas

Instructions

  1. Cook eggs.
  2. Whisk yogurt through dill. Whisk in olive oil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Top greens with veggies, chick peas, hard boiled eggs, and dressing.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/hearty-winter-salad-with-dill-dressing/

Thursday

11

December 2014

0

COMMENTS

Spring Rolls with Spicy Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Written by , Posted in Appetizers, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Fish, Fruit, Gluten Free, Herbs, Lunch, Meat, Nuts, Quick and Easy, Sauces, Sides, Snacks, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

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Today, I was inspired to try something new. Something I’ve never attempted before.

Spring Rolls.

What a fun idea!

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I felt like I was playing as I cut the avocado and veggies into matchsticks.

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And then as I whisked the dip and the emulsion came together, I knew I was on to something. Because honey and mustard compliment each other so well, lemon adds a bright note, and Sriracha brings the spice.

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I just followed the instructions on the back of the rice paper package, which instructed me to soak the paper in warm water for 5 seconds (if your package says something different, by all means, follow those instructions).

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A few long sticks (or many short sticks, depending on the type of radish used) are added to the center of the paper.

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Then the paper is folded in half, keeping the sticks in the center.

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Sides are folded in towards each other, then it’s all rolled up.

I don’t know if this is how an expert would make these. But, it’s how I did it, and they worked just fine.

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After rolling, slice in half on a bias (because it looks fancy).

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You could totally switch up the dip, if you have a favorite Asian dip to use. You could just dip in wasabi and soy sauce too. You could also play with the contents of the rolls. I think that the following would be wonderful additions (maybe not all at the same time though):

– cucumber

– cilantro

– green onions

– bean sprouts

– sugar snap peas

– napa cabbage

– sesame seeds

– almonds

– tofu

– fried tempeh

– salmon

– shrimp

– crab

Obviously, the seafood would make these not vegan. Also, I’d cook any meat I was planning to use as I prefer it that way. If you don’t, and know how to safely prepare sashimi, then go for it.

I served these raw. I liked the crisp veggies in the sticky rice paper with the sweet and spicy dip. But, maybe next time I will try cooking the filling (not the avocado though) and then pan frying for a minute or two. Could be fun. Hmmm… maybe tomorrow.

Happy Eating!

Spring Rolls with Spicy Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Spring Rolls with Spicy Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

  • Dip: 2 T lemon juice
  • 2 T dijon mustard
  • 1 T plus 1 t honey
  • 1 to 1 1/2 t Sriracha (or your favorite hot sauce)
  • 2 t soy sauce
  • to taste salt
  • 3 T olive oil
  • Rolls: 1 small ripe but firm avocado, julienned/cut into 4" matchsticks
  • 1/2 carrot, julienned/cut into 4" matchsticks
  • 2 celery ribs, julienned/cut into 4" matchsticks
  • 4 small radishes, julienned/cut into 1"-4" matchsticks
  • (Other options could include: cucumber, cilantro, green onions, bean sprouts, napa cabbage, sugar snap peas, sesame seeds, almonds, crab, shrimp, salmon, tofu, and fried tempeh.)
  • 10-15 pieces of rice paper
  • warm water

Instructions

  1. Whisk together lemon juice through soy sauce. While whisking, stream in olive oil. Taste and adjust quantities if needed.
  2. Follow rice paper package's instructions for soaking. (Should be around 5 seconds in warm water.) After soaking (one at a time), set on a plate and place about 4 pieces of each: avocado, carrot, celery, and radish (you may need more radishes if they are shorter pieces). Fold the paper in half, keeping the filling in the middle, fold the ends in towards each other, then roll it up. Slice in half.
  3. Serve with sauce for dipping.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/spring-rolls-with-spicy-honey-mustard-dipping-sauce/

Monday

8

December 2014

0

COMMENTS

Cannellini and Beet Green Soup with Feta

Written by , Posted in Beans, Cheese, Dinner, Gluten Free, Herbs, Legumes, Lunch, Main Dishes, One Dish Dinners, Soups, Vegetarian

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Let me tell you how my day was. It was fine. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Nobody made me take a late lunch break. No one threw out the food I’d brought for lunch. I just waited too long to eat all on my own. When it came time to make the soup for this post, I was waaaaay too hungry to wait for it to finish cooking. So I ate a big pile of crackers with peanut butter and jam on them.

And then I made the soup.

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It’s a simple one, made with humble ingredients. Beginning with a mirepoix, which is just a fancy way of saying the traditional French flavor base for many dishes: carrot, celery, and onion. This soup included. Not because it’s a fussy soup. It’s just what I had on hand.

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Veggies sit for a bit in a hot pot (are you saying “hot pot hot pot hot pot hot pot” out loud now too? No? Ok.) with some salt and pepper. They are stirred occasionally. They get all tender and delicious. Garlic is added. Because it always should be. Then a bit of red wine vinegar is used to deglaze the pan.

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I made a zillion cups of veggie stock the other week. I wondered how I’d use it all before I had enough veggie scraps to make more. Then two of the jars cracked in the freezer (which I’d found as I prepared for this soup, oh yay) and I only had half a zillion to use.

I don’t know if the lesson is to not use glass containers for veggie stock in the freezer. It was cold, and I left plenty of room at the top, these ones just expanded sideways for some reason… Bummer.

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The stock was partially frozen still, even after defrosting in the fridge for a day. No big deal if it is. It’ll boil eventually.

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And the house will get all warm and cozy and soup smelling-y.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned yet, in this post, how much I love that it’s finally cold.

Cold being a relative term – I’m talking cold like it’s in the 50’s at night, not cold like my brother, Josh, is experiencing, where it’s -19C/-2F.

But, it still needs to be said.

I love this season.

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I love the root veggies that I’m totally craving. The warm comfort foods that don’t make me sweat while I’m eating. The oven that can be turned on without having the AC on full blast at all.

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This soup would actually work well in the summer months. It feels light, while being full of beany protein, subtle oregano, and bright beet greens. But, let’s forget about summer for now. I’m totally into this chilly, cloudy weather. It makes me want to skip with glee.

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The soup is finished off with a pat of butter. If you’re making this a vegan version, just drizzle some good quality olive oil onto each bowlful as you serve it (and skip the part later on where I talk about cheese… or use your favorite vegan cheeeeeese).

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Butter gives the soup a glossy, creamy feel.

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The last thing you must do before the soup can be eaten: top with a bit of feta. Trust me. This makes the soup. (Vegans, remember your instructions from before?)

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Of course, it might have also been great with a huge stack of crackers for dipping. But, I ate all the crackers at first lunch. It would be wonderful with a freshly made baguette, but we’re fresh out. So, it’s just good on its own, standing at the kitchen island, eating as if I hadn’t just eaten thirty five pb&j crackerwiches.

Happy Eating!

Cannellini and Beet Green Soup with Feta

Cannellini and Beet Green Soup with Feta

Ingredients

  • 2 T olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 celery stalk, chopped
  • 1 carrot, chopped (or mixture of carrot and radish)
  • to taste, salt
  • to taste, pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, chopped
  • 1 T red wine vinegar
  • 4-5 C vegetable stock
  • 1-15 oz. can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 t dried oregano (or 1 T fresh), crushed (could substitute 1 T fresh dill, chopped)
  • 1 C (1 bunch) beet greens (washed well, including stems, to save for stock), chopped (or kale, spinach, or chard)
  • 1/2 T lemon juice
  • 1 t unsalted butter
  • feta, crumbled, for topping

Instructions

  1. Heat a soup pot. Add oil. When oil is hot, add onion through pepper. Cook over medium-low heat for about 9-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add the vinegar and cook for another minute.
  2. Add the stock, beans, and oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the beet greens and cook for 10 minutes more.
  3. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and then lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
  4. Serve topped with feta.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/cannellini-and-beet-green-soup-with-feta/

Monday

27

October 2014

0

COMMENTS

Chicken Pot Pie

Written by , Posted in Baking, Dinner, Herbs, Leftovers, Lunch, Main Dishes, Meat, One Dish Dinners, Potatoes, Poultry, Vegetables

ChickenPotPie-12

Today is one of those fall days where it actually feels like fall. I’m wearing jeans and a sweater and am totally comfortable.

I’m also going through the photos that I took of the Chicken Pot Pie that I made the other week and drooling. We ate the leftovers for dinner last night, otherwise I’d probably be heating them up for lunch right now.

So that’s a little bit about my life.

Fall weather and Chicken Pot Pie make me happy.

So do things like my dog’s whiskers, the way the sky can turn such brilliant shades of orange and pink after the sun’s gone down, and a good Skype conversation with my dad.

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I have to tell you, this particular Chicken Pot Pie recipe is one of my favorites. After tasting the sauce I yelled, “Oh my gosh!”, to no one but myself. So, I just had to share it with you.

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It’s a simple pie with humble ingredients. I make this often enough, and use what I have on hand. So it can range from things like carrots, potatoes, and celery, to parsnips, squash, and peas. It feels like the kind of meal that’s been made for years and years and years, by people who at the end of the day, just want something nourishing and delicious to fill their bellies.

This meal fits that exactly.

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A couple of weeks ago I roasted some chicken. The leftovers and pan drippings were frozen. Saved just for this meal. The bones went into the freezer, for the next time I need to make stock. I defrosted the chicken in the fridge overnight and then shredded it and dropped it into the cooked veggies. 

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I usually use chicken stock for this dish. But, this time I had pan drippings. You can tell the difference by the jiggliness of it. The pan drippings jiggle, while stock is more liquid. The fat will rise to the top of both. I like to scrape it off (and give it to the dog as a treat).

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For this type of dish, I find it a little bit easier to just whisk the thickening agent (flour or cornstarch) together with some of the liquids, and add it to the pan. It thickens nicely once it boils. A traditional roux can be made instead (you know, where you heat some fat, then add an equal amount of flour and cook for about 30-60 seconds, then whisk in the stock and let it thicken), if you prefer.

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After it boils and thickens, the milk is added. I don’t like it when the sauce breaks, so I like to leave the milk out until the end. Then heat it ever so gently, just until steam rises.

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Once the seasoning is checked, the skillet is set on a baking sheet (in case of overflow – I’d rather clean that than the inside of the oven).

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Pie crust is rolled out. I used Alana’s recipe (from her cookbook).  I tried to work quickly, but since the skillet and filling were both so hot, it got a little soft. It didn’t seem to matter in the end though.

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The crust is brushed with egg and sprinkled with some of the sea salt that we brought back from Paris. Just because it feels fancy and I like the crunch.

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And then it bakes and bakes and suddenly it’s done and the air smells like so much goodness that I almost can’t contain myself. I want to devour the entire pie before it’s cooled and before my friend arrives for lunch.

But, I don’t. I restrain myself. I eat a normal sized portion and don’t even yell about how good it is in the middle of our conversation (although she did interrupt us to ask about the pie crust). I like when things get interrupted because something is just too good to keep quiet about.

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Happy Eating!

Chicken Pot Pie

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Yield: 4

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients

  • 2 T olive oil
  • 1 carrot (or parsnip), chopped
  • 2 small potatoes (or combination of 1-1 1/2 C potato, radish, turnip, or rutabaga), chopped
  • 1 small sweet potato (or 1 C peeled acorn or butternut squash), chopped
  • 1 small onion (or 2 shallots), chopped
  • 2 stalks celery (or 1 fennel bulb), chopped
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1 t fresh rosemary (or thyme), chopped
  • 1 small summer squash, (or 1/2 C cauliflower or peas), chopped
  • 1-2 C chicken, cooked and shredded
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 1/2 C chicken (or vegetable) stock or chicken pan drippings
  • 2 T all purpose flour (or 1 T cornstarch)
  • 1/2 C cold water
  • 1/2 C milk
  • 1 pie crust
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • coarse sea salt
  • lemon wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 375F.
  2. Heat an oven proof skillet. Add oil. When oil is hot, add carrot through rosemary. Cook covered, over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add summer squash and chicken and cook for about 3-5 minutes more, or until veggies are tender. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  3. Whisk stock or pan drippings with flour and water. Add to the skillet, turn the heat to high, and bring it to a boil. Let it thicken for about 2-3 minutes. Whisk in the milk, turn heat to medium-low, and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until steam rises, but do not boil. Remove from heat, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set on a baking sheet.
  4. Roll out pie crust. Top the filling with the crust (careful, the skillet is hot!). Make a few air vents with a sharp knife. Brush with the egg and sprinkle with the coarse sea salt. Bake for 22-30 minutes, or until crust is browned and flaky.
http://www.de-ma-cuisine.com/chicken-pot-pie-2/

Thursday

16

October 2014

0

COMMENTS

End of the Week Pasta

Written by , Posted in Dairy-Free, Dinner, Eggs, Fruit, Herbs, Lunch, Main Dishes, Pasta, Quick and Easy, Vegetables, Vegetarian

EndOfTheWeekPasta-7

It’s nearing the end of the week. And the cupboards are a little bare, the pantry is kinda empty, the produce drawers are filled with distant memories (and a few stray veggies).

Sound familiar?

Maybe this only happens at our house.

In any case, I’ve learned to be clever with those final few ingredients before the crisper drawers are re-stocked. Usually, this involves some sort of pasta. Fresh pasta, dried pasta, leftover pasta… just pasta. (Of course you could also use wild rice, quinoa, lentils, or potatoes. They’d all be fabulous!)

The additions change every time though.

Sometimes it’s tuna and peas. It could be artichokes, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Today, it was zucchini, bell pepper, and tomatoes.

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It starts with some oil. For this particular recipe it was olive oil. Butter is also great with pasta. Coconut oil could also work, but make sure you’re ok with a hint of coconut if you go that route.

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Then, you know the drill… some of the veggies are added to the hot oil. They cook for a few minutes with some salt and pepper.

Easy.

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Then things like kale and garlic are added. Kale wilts, garlic smells amazing.

You could use other greens, like chard, mizuna, mustard greens, spinach, or collard greens.

You could add tons more garlic, or use none at all.

I prefer the tons route.

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Pasta is cooked and added. I had some leftovers that I’d frozen, then defrosted in the fridge overnight. Worked just fine. If you’re cooking fresh, reserve a bit of the starchy cooking water to add to the veggies. Helps the sauce to stick to the pasta, but isn’t essential.

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Serve yourself a huge bowlful. Green goodness all around!

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While the pasta hangs out for a minute, fry an egg in the veggie pan. One egg per person. Unless you want two.

Salt the eggs when they’re hot.

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Then slide them onto the pasta. The yolk, if it’s still a bit runny, will add to the sauce.

End of the week fridge situation isn’t so bad after all.

Happy Eating!

End of the Week Pasta
Recipe Type: Main, Pasta, Vegetarian, Vegetables, Quick and Easy
Author: Rachel Oberg – De Ma Cuisine
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • pasta, cooked
  • 2 T olive oil
  • 1 C zucchini/summer squash, chopped (or carrots or radishes, grated)
  • 1 bell pepper, any color, chopped (or broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, green beans, celery, or peas)
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 C kale (chard, spinach, or mizuna would also be great), chopped
  • 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1/2 to 1 C pasta water (optional)
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 1 egg/person
  • to taste salt
  • handful fresh herbs (basil, parsley), chopped, for topping
Instructions
  1. Cook pasta, reserving 1/2 to 1 C pasta water.
  2. Heat skillet. Add olive oil. Add zucchini, bell pepper, and salt. Cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add garlic, kale, and tomatoes. Cook for about 3 minutes more, stirring often.
  4. Add pasta water, if using. Remove from heat, stir in pasta. Pour pasta in a bowl and keep warm.
  5. Add remaining olive oil to skillet. Add egg and cook to desired doneness. Sprinkle with salt.
  6. Divide pasta between bowls. Top each bowl with an egg. Top egg and pasta with fresh herbs.