Green Salad (Cucumber, Zucchini, Avocado) with Plum Sweet & Spicy Dressing

The spring is finally here and I feel like eating more vegetables, fresh fruits and berries. I start mornings with a glass of freshly made juice and my lunch becomes lighter and healthier. I present this special salad which is good for any diet. It has few ingredients but many flavors. I use all organic vegetables and highly recommend the same in your cooking. The dressing is slightly sweet with a touch of cayenne pepper, but you may change your ingredients if you’d like. My husband had this salad with broiled salmon for dinner and he was very pleased. Enjoy these simple, but nutritious recipes.

Food Blog Forum - Part 2: Highland Brewing Company & Harvest Cake with Apple Cider Frosting

Before posting second story from my Food Blog Forum trip, I would like to share with you the recipe for this moist and colorful cake, which I find perfectly fitting beginning of September. If you like carrot cake, this one would also match your taste. Don't be afraid to use too many vegetables, they all blend together beautifully. Let's celebrate first day of the harvest season with this cake (please scroll down for the recipe).

Pea Shoots & Asparagus, Lemony Spring Soup

Asparagus is part of a springtime triumvirate, joining sweet peas and fresh mint as cherished sign of the season. Pea Shoots & Asparagus spring soup can be served hot or cold. Lemon zest is tasty flavor accent with asparagus. I ladle the soup into small cups for a refreshing start to a meal.

Zucchini Apple Muffins

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma

Zucchini-Apple Muffins

Note: Before using the zucchini in this recipe, rinse and dry, then cut off the stem end before shredding onto layers of paper towels to absorb some of the excess moisture.

Zucchini Walnut Fritters with Lemon - Mint Yogurt Sauce

These crunchy fritters have chopped walnuts and a lot of herbs. Can be served as a side dish with salmon or roasted chicken.



This Yogurt with Lemon and Mint sauce cools the heat from fiery curries, and adds richness to Zucchini Pancakes. You also can serve it on the salad.



Ingredients:

• 3 cups coarsely grated zucchini
• salt and freshly ground pepper as needed
• 1 cup chopped scallions
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup oat bran
• 1/3 cup chopped dill
• 1/3 cup chopped parsley
• 2 Tbsp. chopped basil
• 2/3 cup chopped, toasted walnuts
• olive oil for pan
• capers for serving (optional)

For the sauce:

• 2 cups of yogurt 
• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup mint, minced
• 2 Tbsp. flat-leaf parsley, minced
• salt and freshly ground pepper as needed

Directions:

For the sauce: Combine the yogurt with all ingredients in a food processor and puree until smooth. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Place the grated zucchini in the bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let stand for 30 minutes. Squeeze the zucchini to remove as much liquid as possible. In a large bowl, combine the zucchini, scallions, eggs, oat bran, dill, parsley, basil, salt and pepper until evenly blended. Fold the walnuts into the zucchini mixture.

Add the oil to a skillet and heat over medium-high until the surface of the oil  shimmers. Working in batches, drop heaping tablespoons of zucchini mixture into the hot oil. Fry until the fritters are golden brown and cooked through, about 3 - 4 minutes per side. Serve immediately with yogurt lemon sauce and capers.

Minty Sweet Pea and Zucchini Soup with Garlic Shrimp

MINT Symbol of Hospitality from The Spice Cookbook, 1964

"One of Ovid's tales of godsend goddesses, written years ago, was inspired by mint-symbol of hospitality. Philemon and Baucis, man and wife, were living in Phrygia, a country in Asia Minor. The land was so poor, this couple had scarcely sufficient food to keep them alive. One day two strangers knocked at their door, asking to be fed. Despite their poverty, Philemon and Baucis were delighted to have guests, and prepared the best meal possible from their meager supplies. Wanting to fill their humble home with an inviting fragrance, they rubbed their table with mint leaves. At that point their anxieties were past - the guests proved to be Zeus and Hermes, incognito. The hovel was soon transformed into temple, and priests ministered to all the needs of Philemon and Baucis for duration of their lives.



Mint, plant historians claim, came originally from the Mediterranean shores. Mythology offers a far more romantic story: mint was once the nymph Mentha, unfortunate to have attracted the eye of Pluto. Persephone, his jealous wife, pursued Mentha, and trod her ferociously underfoot. Pluto, unable to control his wife's fury, changed Mentha into a delightful herb, ever after sacred to this god of the underworld.



Mint was well known and highly esteemed in the ancient world. We read in Bible that the Pharisees paid tithes of mint, anise, and cumin. In Greece, crushed mint leaves where used as perfume for the arms and to scent the bath".



Fresh sweet peas and garlic shrimp make a simple, but delicious combination of flavors. The aroma of mint is ideal complement to the sweetness of cooked vegetables. You may serve this soup hot or cold. If you've never served a chilled soup before, this is the one to try. Fresh and light, it's perfect way to celebrate summer.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 cup sweet peas, if you don't have fresh ones, use frozen
• 1 medium zucchini, trimmed and chopped
• 1 potato, peeled and chopped
• 4-5 scallions, rinsed well and chopped
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh mint
• 4 cups vegetable broth or water
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tsp finely minced garlic
• 1 Tbs. olive oil
• 1/2 tsp ground mustard seeds

Directions:

In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, combine the sweet peas, zucchini, potato, chopped scallions and broth or water. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the vegetables are tender, 15 minutes. Add mint. Stir in the cream. Working in batches, puree the soup in a food processor until smooth. Heat the soup, stirring occasionally for a few more minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

In a large sauté pan over high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the shrimp and garlic to the pan and season with some of the salt, pepper and ground mustard seeds. Cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp turn pink and are opaque throughout, about 2-3 minutes. Season the shrimp with more of the salt and pepper mixture.

Ladle the soup into warmed bowls, add cooked shrimp, garnish with the mint and serve.

Perfect for Spring Vegetable Soup with Purple Potato Chips, Something Green for Good Luck and an Exciting Announcement - or two!:))

I have a great news, something I just have to share with you my dear friends!

First, I'll be attending the Food Blog Forum in sunny Orlando, at Walt Disney World the weekend of March 17th! I feel honored that I was invited to be there with some of the top food bloggers, food photographers, cookbook authors, web designers and others. This is a first time for me and I am very excited about it. I promise to bring back a lot of pictures and great story. Can't wait to meet all the wonderful people from everywhere.



Second, I've got featured with my photo of Baked Scallops with Cheese and Wine Sauce on The FoodPornDaily. And this is my 7th time, I am so happy!!!!

I have many pictures for you today and the lovely spring soup recipe with purple potato chips.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I'll be back on Monday -))




Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 leeks, white parts only, thinly sliced
• 2 1⁄2 cups green beans cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2 1⁄2 cups small broccoli florets
• 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
• 5 cups vegetable stock (or water)
• Salt and freshly ground pepper 
• 4 tablespoons minced cilantro
• 3 purple potatoes, thinly sliced
• olive oil to fry

Directions:

Warm the oil in a pot over medium heat, and cook the leeks for a few minutes. Add the green beans and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the broccoli, zucchini and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.



In the meantime, slice the purple potato with a mandolin or a super sharp knife (mandolin works best). heat the olive oil and fry the potatoes for about 1 minute until they crisp up. Drain them on paper towels and season with salt.



When the vegetables are tender, puree in batches in a food processor or blender or put through a vegetable mill.



Return the milled vegetables to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste cook, stirring, over medium heat for 5 minutes more. Sprinkle with cilantro, and serve with chips and Irish soda bread.



As I mentioned, Something Green for Good Luck!:)

Sautéed Zucchini, Mushrooms and Tomatoes with Curry Sauce

In this recipe Sautéed Zucchini, Mushrooms and Tomatoes with Curry Sauce the vegetables are cooked separately and then combined just before serving. This helps them to cook evenly and retain their color and texture. Serve this flavorful dish with curry sauce for a meatless entrée or as a side dish with roasted meats or poultry.



Serving: 2-4

Ingredients:

• 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
• 3 plum  tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
• 1/2 lb mushrooms of your chose, brushed clean
• 2 garlic cloves, halved crosswise
• 6 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 2 Tbs. minced fresh cilantro

For curry sauce:

• 14 oz coconut milk
• 3 T curry powder
• 3 T honey
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. chili garlic sauce

Directions:

Make curry sauce. Combine coconut milk, 3 T curry powder, honey, and chili garlic sauce in a medium saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 20 minutes or until it thickens to a gravy-like consistency.

In a large saute pan over medium heat warm 2 Tbsp. olive oil.  Add the zucchini and cook until the zucchini rounds are tender, 3 to 4 minutes per side. During the last minute of cooking season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a platter.

Return the saute pan to medium heat and warm 2 Tbsp. of the oil. Add the tomatoes and repeat the cooking process. Transfer the tomatoes to the platter with the zucchini rounds.

Return the pot to medium heat and warm 2 pof the oil. Add the mushrooms and garlic, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to caramelize, 7 to 8 minutes. During the last minute of cooking, add minced fresh cilantro and season with salt and pepper. Transfer the mushrooms and garlic to the plate with the other vegetables.  Serve with curry sauce immediately.

Baked Tomatoes and Zucchini with Peach Salsa

Look for plum tomatoes and zucchini with similar diameters so that you have uniform slices to arrange attractively atop the sautéed red onions that form an aromatic base for this Mediterranean-inspired side dish.

Ingredients for Baked Tomatoes and Zucchini:

• 2 Tbs. olive oil 
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste 
• 3/4 lb. plum tomatoes, sliced 
• 2 small zucchini, about 3/4 lb. total, sliced 
• 1 Tbs. minced fresh dill 
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 
• 1/4 cup water or chicken broth
• 2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled  
• 2 Tbs.fine bread crumbs ( I like to use fresh bread crumbs) 

Ingredients for the Peach Salsa:

• 1 cup chopped peaches 
• 1 red yellow bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped 
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped 
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion 
• 1 to 2 jalapeno chilies, seeded and finely chopped 
• 3 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro  
• 1 tsp. grated lime zest or lemon zest
• 2 Tbs. fresh lime/lemon juice 
• Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

To make the peach salsa, in a bowl, combine the peaches, bell pepper, onion, chilies, cilantro, lime zest and lime juice and toss gently to mix. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Butter or oil a shallow baking dish.

In a fry pan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and sauté slowly until very soft and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer the onion slices to the prepared baking dish, spreading them evenly over the bottom. Season with salt and pepper. 

Arrange the tomato slices and zucchini slices over minced fresh garlic in alternate rows. Sprinkle with the dill, goat cheese and bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Pour the water evenly over the vegetables.

Cover and bake until the vegetables are bubbling and tender, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover and serve hot directly from the dish. 

Serves 4 .