​This recipe is written to be prepared in an air fryer. You can prepare the tomatoes in the oven or fried in oil if you prefer. See notes below.

Serves 2-4

2-3 medium green tomatoes (unripe, cut into 1/4 inch slices)
2 eggs
½ cup flour
1 cup Panko crumbs
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt-sea salt, mineral salt 
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½  teaspoon garlic powder
½  teaspoon onion powder
Avocado oil spray (or other non-seed oil spray)

1. Pre-heat air fryer to 400ºF.
2. In a medium bowl whisk the eggs. Place the flour on a plate.
3. In a wide shallow container, combine the Panko crumbs, cornmeal, and the seasoning.
4. Sprinkle the tomatoes with a little salt. Dip the tomato slices in the flour, dip in egg mixture, and then press Panko crumb mixture into both sides. Sprinkle a little more salt on them.
5. Spray the air fryer basket generously with avocado spray, and place as many coated tomatoes in the basket that will fit with plenty of space in between. Spray coated tomatoes with additional avocado spray to lightly coat.
6. Cook for 10 minutes or until browned and crispy. 
7. Repeat with remaining tomatoes.
8. Serve hot.

 
Serving suggestions:
Serve with a dipping sauce. Serve in a sandwich. Top with fried or poached eggs. 
To fry: In a deep 12-inch skillet heat 1 inch avocado oil to 350-360°F. Fry in batches to avoid over crowding the pan. Fry for 4-5 minutes total, gently turning as needed until golden.
To oven cook: Heat oven to 400 degrees. Cook coated tomatoes for 20 minutes, If you have a convection setting, be sure to use it!

I enjoy creating delicious recipes to share with my students, but when I discover a recipe by another chef I never hesitate to share it. And, when that chef has cookbook that I love, you know I'm going to share that too. Joshua McFadden's book Six Seasons-A New Way with Vegetables has become a favorite, seasonal cookbook for me. You MUST get this book! McFadden has opened my mind and my pallet to so many new flavor combinations and wonderful ways to prepare vegetables seasonally. This recipe is a wonderful example of an easy, beautiful, and delicious recipe I use often. Enjoy!

Kosher salt, to taste
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
2 cloves garlic, smashed flat and peeled
1 pound kale, thick ribs removed (dark green, curly kale)
 Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
½ pound pasta, like pappardelle or rigatoni
¾ cup coarsely grated Parmigiano- Reggiano

1. Put a large pot of generously salted water over high heat, and bring to a boil. 
2. In a small skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and garlic, and cook until the garlic begins to sizzle. Reduce heat to low, and cook very gently until garlic is soft and begins to turn light gold, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. When water is boiling, add kale leaves, and cook until tender, but not mushy, about 5 minutes. Pull out the hot, dripping kale leaves with tongs, and put directly into a blender. (Don’t drain the pot; you’ll use that same boiling water to cook the pasta.) 
4. Add garlic and its oil to the blender, along with a splash of hot water from the pot if you need some more liquid to get the blender going. Blend into a fine, thick green purée. Taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, then blend again.
5. Add the pasta to the still-boiling water, and cook according to directions on the package. Ladle out about a cup of the water to save for finishing the dish, then drain the pasta and return it to the dry pot. Add the kale purée, about 3/4 of the grated cheese and a splash of the reserved pasta water. Toss until all the pasta is well coated and bright green, adding another splash of pasta water if needed so that the sauce is loose and almost creamy in texture. Serve in bowls right away, and top with an extra drizzle of olive oil and the rest of the grated cheese.

​

I prepared this delicious, easy, and quick meal for my class "15-Minute Meals". For that class I added 1/2 of a yellow onion and 1/2 of a large delicata squash. No need to peel this squash which is a real time saver. Both additions were perfect!

Serve 4
12 oz smoked sausage, sliced into 2 inch pieces-Kielbasa or other precooked sausage is fine
kale-6-8 large leaves, spines removed, leaves ripped into large pieces
½  cup water
salt and pepper
 
Place all ingredients into an 8-quart stock pot over medium high heat. Cover and cook for 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide between 2 plates and serve.

​Alternatives: Green cabbage or any other hardy green can be used instead of kale. 
You can add additional vegetables such as sliced onions, garlic, small butternut squash cubes to pot. Choose vegetables that won't overcook in 8 minutes.

I couldn't wait to leave the theatre after I watched the movie "Julie and Julia". I couldn't wait to get home and make Julia Child's mouth watering bruschetta. This is by far my favorite way to eat summer tomatoes. I am now adding Ina Garten's Homemade Ricotta. Combining recipes from two of my favorite chef's makes the perfect dish. Give it a try!

1 loaf artisan bread(baguette, ciabatta, crusty boule) cut into eight 1/2 inch slices 
1 pound assorted heirloom tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)chopped small
Fruity extra virgin olive oil
1 large clove garlic, peeled and halved
sea salt or kosher salt
8 basil leaves, cut into thin strips

1. Toss tomatoes with 1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil and about 1 tsp salt.
   
   
2. Fry bread in 2-3 Tbs extra virgin olive oil in skillet, browning on each side, and adding 1 more Tbs oil if necessary.
   
   
3. Rub the cut half of garlic over 1 side of fried bread.
   
   
4. Spoon the tomatoes (with oil and accumulated juices) over bread. Top with chopped basil.

​2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup soy sauce or Bragg’s Aminos
3 tablespoons Rice Vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
2 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each
For the Green Beans
2 cups green beans, trimmed
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
Kosher Salt
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted

1. For the fish: In a small bowl whisk together garlic, ginger, lemon zest and juice, soy sauce, vinegar, and oil. Remove half of the marinade and reserve. Place salmon in a gallon-size resealable bag. Pour remaining half of marinade over salmon. Seal and massage to coat. Allow to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Place salmon in air fryer basket. Set fryer to 400°F for 12 minutes.
3. For the beans: Brush with sesame oil and season lightly with salt. 
4. After the salmon has cooked for 6 minutes, add the beans around salmon in the air fryer basket. Continue cooking for remaining 6 minutes. Remove from the air fryer and divide between two plates.
5. To serve, drizzle the salmon with some of the reserved marinade and sprinkle the sesame seeds over everything.

 

Serves 4
​1 lb cucumbers, peeled, seeds scooped out, and sliced ¼ inch thick
1 small handful mint leaves, roughly chopped
3 scallions, sliced on the diagonal into long, thin slices
1 Kosher or sea salt & lots of freshly cracked pepper
¼  cup white wine vinegar
¼  cup walnuts, almonds, or pecans, lightly toasted
½  cup yogurt, plain-whole fat
1 tiny handful rose petals
½  tsp rose water
 
1.Place the cucumber slices into a colander or strainer and toss with 1 teaspoon of salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to allow the salt to draw out the excess moisture. Blot the cucumbers dry with a paper towel. Transfer to a large bowl.
2.Mix the rose water and vinegar together, add to the cucumbers and toss. Add the yogurt and toss again. Add the scallions, nuts, mint, and cracked pepper and toss again. Taste and adjust with more vinegar, salt, or pepper.  Serve soon.

Serves 4 as a side dish 
​
2 cups radishes cut in half or in quarters depending on their size. 
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ tsp kosher salt
2 grinds of fresh black peppercorns
2 tablespoons mint, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

1. In a bowl, toss the radishes with the olive oil and salt and pepper.
   
   
2. Place the seasoned radishes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400F for 7-10 minutes. Check to ensure the radishes are fork tender. 
3. Place the radishes into a serving bowl and toss with the fresh mint. Serve hot.

If cooking in an oven, heat the oven to 400F and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the radishes are fork tender.

This recipe can be made in your air fryer, oven, on the grill, and with steamed corn. 

Serves 4 
4 tablespoon butter
3 cloves garlic, chopped
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
4 ears of corn-medium sized to fit in air fryer
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 cup shredded Queso blanco cheese or parmesan cheese
1 lime, cut into 4 wedges   

1. Place the butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes into a 7-inch round baking pan and place into the basket of your air fryer. Cook at 350 degrees for 6 minutes. Remove the pan and set aside.
   
   
2. Brush some of the melted butter mixture onto each piece of corn to lightly coat. Place corn into the basket of the air fryer and cook at 350 degrees for 5 minutes. 
   
   
3. Remove the corn from the air fryer and place onto a serving platter. Drizzle the corn with the remaining butter mixture, sprinkle with the cheese and chopped cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges.

Options:
Herbs: If you are not a fan of cilantro, use chopped parsley and/or basil. 

Cheese: Ricotta salata, mozzarella, parmesan, and sharp cheddar are all delicious alternatives.

Serves 2-4
2-4 tbs Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil or other high heat oil
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 large red pepper, sliced
5 cloves garlic, chopped
2- inch piece fresh ginger, chopped

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 lb fresh broccoli, cut into florets
1/3 lb snow peas, cut thinly
3-4 Tbs Soy Sauce

1-2 Tbs Toasted Sesame Oil
1 bunch cilantro (a handful with stems) or flat leafed parsley- chopped
Optional: Cooked rice, or noodles
 

1. Heat your pan over high heat. When hot, but not smoking, add the oil, onions and red pepper and cook, stirring with tongs for about 2 minutes.

1. Add the garlic, ginger, and broccoli florets with ¼ cup of water and cover immediately. Steam for 3 minutes. 
2. Remove the cover, add the snow peas and continue cooking, uncovered for two more minutes. 
3. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil 
   stirring to coat the vegetables with the sauce. Serve the stir-fry vegetables sprinkled with cilantro or parsley. Serve alone or over cooked rice or noodles.

Low-Carb Noodle Option: Shirataki noodles are a low- carb alternative to rice and pasta. To prepare: Rinse the noodles well and drain. Heat a large sauté pan. “Dry fry” (no oil) the noodles while moving them about with tongs or large fork for about 3 minutes to dry off excess water. Serve hot with stir-fried vegetables.

Serves 4

​1 pound fiddle head ferns, trimmed and washed
2 Tbs unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, sliced thinly
Kosher salt and pepper

1. If the fiddleheads are clean, you can move to step 2 and sauté them with the butter and garlic. If the fiddleheads have brown fronds in the center, blanch in boiling water. Bring 2 quarts water and 1 tsp salt to a boil. Drop the fiddleheads into the pot of boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Skim any brown “fuzz” from the water.  Drain the fiddleheads in a colander and rinse with cold water. 


2. Place the butter, garlic, and fiddleheads in a large sauté pan and heat over medium-low heat. Cook for 5 minutes or until the fiddleheads are just fork tender. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.  


Additions:
Lemon zest
Orange zest
Feta, parmesan, or goat cheese
Garlic scapes- sauté with fiddleheads

My husband has the steak thing down! His plate was so beautiful I had to take the picture. This is a perfect dinner featuring t-bone steak cooked in the Airfryer, my salmon Gravlax (see recipe posted), and my Southwest coleslaw. This coleslaw recipe is one of my "go to " recipes for any occasion. The dressing is great on sandwiches, veggie salads, and as a sauce for chicken or fish. Make extra of the Southwest seasoning and keep it on hand for meats, poultry, fish, and veggies. Enjoy!

Serves 8-10
4 cups red cabbage, shaved thin
1 small red pepper, sliced thinly
½ cup cilantro, chopped
¼ cup onion, minced or thinly sliced (or sliced scallions)
1 cup mayonnaise (choose Sir Kensington's avocado mayonaise or make your own using avocado oil or olive oil)
3 Tbs cider vinegar
1 Tbs honey
2 tsp Southwest seasoning-see below
Fresh ground pepper
 
1. Combine the cabbage, peppers, and cilantro in a large bowl.
2.  In a small bowl combine the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
3.  Toss the cabbage mixture with ¾ to 1 cup of the dressing (save the rest for another salad).  Season with fresh ground pepper and kosher salt as needed.
 
Southwest Seasoning   
Makes ½ cup
¼ cup smoked paprika- I get mine at Homegoods!
2  tsp chipotle power or ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 Tbs granulated garlic
1 Tbs ground coriander
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp Kosher salt
 
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
 
Baja Chicken Tacos: Buy small corn or flour tortillas and a roasted chicken and shred the meat. Line the tortillas with Southwest coleslaw and top with shredded chicken. Substitute the chicken with broiled white fish to make fish tacos.

Here is a favorite low-carb side dish you should be enjoying. It is the perfect low-carb substitute for the high carb mac & cheese. As a bonus, the cheese sauce can be enjoyed with many other vegetables. 

Cauliflower with Cheese Sauce
 
Serves 6
1 large head of cauliflower
8 oz heavy cream
8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
2 oz cream cheese
1 pinch cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
 

1. Cut cauliflower into 1″ pieces. Steam for 4-5 minutes until just tender. Remove from heat and drain well. Set aside.
   
   
2. While your cauliflower is cooking, combine the heavy cream, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and cayenne pepper in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth.
   
   
3. Pour the cheese sauce over the cooked cauliflower and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve as is or pour into baking dish and brown under the broiler.

 
 
Crispy pork rind topping: Instead of breadcrumbs, put 1 cup of pork rinds in a food processor and process until fine. Sprinkle on top of cauliflower and cheese and brown under broiler.
 
Make it a Meal!
Additions: Stir in cooked chicken, cooked shrimp, cooked ground beef, or lobster.

Buttered Cabbage with Ground Beef
Serves 4-6
 
8 ounces butter, unsalted, grass fed
2 pounds cabbage, about ½ large head-shredded
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh
8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced    
1 pound ground beef
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup assorted greens-baby spinach, flat-leafed parsley, baby arugula-chopped
1 lemon, zested and juiced
½ cup heavy cream
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
 

1. Melt 4 ounces of butter in a large saute pan over a medium- high heat.  Add the garlic, ground beef, and pepper flakes. Cook until the beef is browned and the garlic is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
   
   
2. Add the shredded cabbage and thyme. Cover and cook until the cabbage is wilted and is bright green, 3-5 minutes.
   
   
3. Add the chopped herbs, lemon zest and juice, and the heavy cream. Toss the ingredients gently to coat. Simmer for 3 minutes to heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Optional: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh, chopped ginger with the garlic

Air Fryer Roasted Radishes
serves 4-6

2 cups radishes cut in half or in quarters depending on their size. 
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ tsp kosher salt
2 grinds of fresh black peppercorns
2 tablespoons mint, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

1. In a bowl, toss the radishes with the olive oil and salt and pepper.
   
   
2. Place the seasoned radishes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400F for 7-10 minutes. Check to ensure the radishes are fork tender. Serve hot.

If cooking in an oven, heat the oven to 400F and cook for 10-12 minutes or until fork tender.

Today I'll be cooking on WMUR's Cook's Corner and I've invited my trainer, Beth Civiello from Orange Theory Fitness to join me...hence the orange theme to my Thanksgiving side dish selections. I have been working out at Orange Theory in Nashua, NH for two years now and I absolutely love it! Over the years I have combined walking, running, and weight lifting as part of my workout routine. Two years ago I decided I needed someone to lead me through a routine that would challenge me and move me beyond my comfort zone. Orange Theory trainers and routines do just that. With the workouts and healthy food in mind, I chose these recipes to feature for my Thanksgiving feast. I hope you enjoy my Orange!

Check out the video here:     Cook's Corner

Adapted from a recipe by:
​Ana Sortun "Spice Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean”

Serves 4
 
4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced on the bias, about 3 cups
3 Tbs butter
½ vanilla bean (or ½ tsp vanilla extract)
1 Tbs lemon juice

1. Melt the butter in a medium sized saucepan. 
2. Slit the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape the seeds with a knife into the melting butter.  If using extract, add it to the butter. 
3. Add the carrots to the pan.
4. Cook the carrots over medium heat until they soften and become lightly glazed, about 10-15 minutes. Add the lemon juice and stir.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This recipe is a variation of my "Gremolata Stacked Potatoes" from my cookbook "Beautifully Delicious". I simply substituted sweet potatoes. Easy and delicious!

Gremolata is a traditional Italian herb paste that is a simple combination of five ingredients: parsley, garlic, lemon, Parmesan, and extra virgin olive oil. With its bright, citrusy flavor, gremolata transforms ho-hum recipes into amazing dishes! Here I’ve combined gremolata with thinly sliced sweet potatoes and roasted them to create a tasty side dish. It’s simple, delicious, and gorgeous!   
Serves 6
 
½ cup loosely packed chopped flat-leaf parsley
Zest of 1 lemon
2 small minced garlic cloves
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
1 pinch pepper, freshly ground
4 medium sweet potatoes (I try to buy longer, thinner potatoes to fit niceley into the muffin tins when sliced and stacked)
 
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray 12 standard muffin cups generously with nonstick cooking spray or, if you don't have muffin tins, line a baking pan with foil.

To make the gremolata, combine the parsley, lemon zest, garlic, Parmesan, oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl and set aside. 

Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly (about ⅛ of an inch) using a sharp knife or mandolin. Add the potato slices to the gremolata and toss to coat. I use my hands to be sure to coat the potatoes evenly. Stack the potatoes to fill each muffin cup over the rim by about ½ inch (if you are not using a muffin tin, place the stacks on you foil lined baking pan). Press the stacked potatoes down firmly. Bake until the tops and edges of the potatoes are browned and the centers are tender when pierced with a fork, about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oven. Cut around each stack with a sharp knife and remove them with a spoon. Serve hot. These can be made one to two days in advance and reheated, covered, in a 300 degree oven for 20 minutes, or until heated through. Serve two or three stacks per person.

Serves 6

2 pink grapefruit
3 oranges
10 mint leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil-I used a basil infused olive oil I bought at Whole Foods
Freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt

1. Cut the rind off of the grapefruit and oranges being certain to remove all of the white pith from the fruit. Slice each into 1/8" thin, round slices. Place decoratively onto a platter.
2. Sprinkle with the mint and drizzle with the olive oil. Finish with a few grinds of pepper and two pinches of salt. 

This is a great "last minute" veggie that is ease to prepare. A new favorite at our house!

Serves 6

1 poud butternut squash spirals
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 sage leaves, chopped
Freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt

1. Melt the butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the chopped sage and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the butternut squash spirals to the pan.
2. Cook, stirring occasionionlly to coat the squash with the sage butter for 5 minutes. The squash should be softened but still have a little "bite" to it when tasted. Season with pepper and salt to taste. Serve immediately.

​
​

I don't know about you, but I had to learn how to like kale. The texture is tough, the flavor is bitter, and until it was promoted as "the BEST, HEALTHIEST, vegetable EVER!" I rarely encountered it beyond a garnish on a plate and in the seafood case at my local grocery store. Like many of you, I climbed on board the kale band wagon and started working it into my recipe rotation. 
A few years ago I discovered Trader Joe's Spinach & Kale Bites. They sounded delicious so I took the idea and created my own version of their recipe. They are so versitile. I use a small cookie scoop to create meatball sized bites and a larger scoop to make larger "patties" that I recently used as "buns" for an edible flower sandwich I recently featured at a cooking demonstration. They are easy to make and can be cooked and frozen with great results. Give these a try!

​Makes 24 1 ounce portions

1 small onion, diced, about ½ cup
2 Tbs olive oil
4 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
2 cups (packed) with fresh kale, spine removed
2 eggs
1/3 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
dash of cayenne pepper
½ cup fresh flat leafed parsley leaves
½ cup fresh basil leaves
½ tsp Kosher salt
¼ tsp freshly ground pepper
4 tsp unsalted butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and brush a baking pan lightly with olive oil. 
   
   
2. In a medium sauté pan place the olive oil and diced onion and cook over low heat until soft and translucent, about 5-8 minutes. 

 

1. Using a food processor, combine the eggs and cream cheese and blend until smooth.  Add the spinach, kale and herbs and process until smooth.  Add the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasoning to the kale mixture and mix again. 

 

1. Using a 1 ounce cookie scoop, portion the mixture onto a baking pan.  Flatten each slightly and brush with melted butter.  Bake until firm, about 10 minutes.   Serve hot or at room temperature.  Refrigerate or freeze for later use.

 
Ways to serve:  Serve as a side dish, hors d’oeurves, or with sauce as a vegetarian alternative to meatballs.  Use a larger scoop to make larger patties to use in place of bread for a sandwich.

Makes 12 servings
​
8 Cups of de-veined and chopped Kale 
¼ cup red onion, diced
1 glove of garlic
½-inch piece of ginger root
1/3 cup olive oil or avocado oil
1 -2 tbsp Braggs Liquid Aminos or soy sauce
1/2 cup water
¼ cup lemon juice
1/4 tsp Kosher salt
Pinch or two of cayenne 

1.  Place the chopped kale and red onion in a large bowl.
2. Using a blender, combine the remaining ingredients to create a marinade. Toss the kale with the marinade. You can eat your dressed kale immediately or refrigerate to let the kale soften. This salad can be stored in the refrigerator and eaten for up to 5 days.

Additions: cooked shrimp, chicken, beef, pork, or tofu
Grilled peaches, sliced plums, black berries, raisins, craisins-any fruit is tasty!
Feta cheese, Queso Fresco, ricotta salata, mozzarella 
Pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds.
 

This recipe will turn a pea hater into a pea lover.  Honest!   Frozen petite peas that have been thawed combined with the sweet and savory mint vinaigrette is a winning combination.  It is the perfect sidedish to bring to a dinner party.  Add steamed sugar snap peas, asparagus, or cauliflower for variety.  Dress the peas with half of the vinaigrette about one hour before serving,  Save the rest for another day.  Season with salt and pepper and serve cold or at room temperature.  You'll love it.  Honest!
​

Serves 6-8
1 pound frozen petite peas, thawed
1/2 pound of sugar snap peas, steamed for 2 minutes, then cooled
2 tablespoons red onion, chive or scallion, chopped
¾ cup avocado oil or olive oil
¼ cup rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
1 teaspoon sugar
½ cup mint, chopped
½ cup flat leafed parsley, chopped
Kosher salt and ground pepper
Edible flower petals for garnish: pansy, bachelor buttons, dianthus, etc.
 
Optional: Add ½ pound sugar snap peas that have been steamed for 30 seconds then cooled in cold water.

1. Place the thawed peas, sugar snap peas, and red onion in a medium bowl. 
2. In a blender, combine the oil, vinegar, and sugar with the chopped herbs and pulse until the ingredients are pureed. 
3. Dress the salad with enough dressing to lightly coat the peas.   Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Save remaining dressing for another salad.

 
* Keep remaining dressing for another salad or to serve with vegetables, salad, fish, lamb, or chicken.  

I recently featured this recipe on WMUR's Cook's Corner.  Click here to see the segment.

Makes 1 ½ cups
Zest of 2 lemons, chopped
4 small garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ cups fresh Italian flat-leafed parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
 
Combine all ingredients in small bowl.
 
How to serve your gremolata:

• Toss with 1 pound of hot linguini or fettucine
• Serve with cooked green beans
• Stir 1 spoonful into a bowl of lamb stew or ossobucco
• Serve with roasted or seared chicken
• Serve with grilled fish

Cherry tomatoes are in season and if your plants are like mine, suddenly masses of cherry tomatoes are ripening all at one time.  I'll make gazpacho, tomato and basil salad, tomato and watermelon salad, tomato and corn sauce, scrambled eggs with sliced cherry tomatoes on the side, and finally...pasta with cherry tomato sauce.

Makes 2-3 cups

 2 Tbs olive oil
1lb. cherry tomatoes(or grape tomatoes)cut in half lengthwise
6 large cloves of garlic, cut into thin slivers
5 large fresh basil leaves, sliced into strips
1 pinch crushed red pepper
4 Tbs unsalted butter, COLD
Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground pepper  

1. In a large sauté pan, heat the oil and the slivered garlic over low heat.  Cook until the garlic begins to brown, about 3 minutes. 
2. Add the crushed red pepper, basil and cherry tomatoes. Raise the heat to medium high. Sauté gently until the tomatoes begin to breakdown give up their juices, about 5- 8 minutes.  If a wetter sauce is desired, add ½ cup water.
3. To finish the sauce turn of the heat and slowly stir in the cold butter 1 tablespoon at a time.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve over pasta, rice, shirataki noodles, or lightly cooked zucchini spirals. 

Additions:
Add fresh corn. Cut the corn off the cob and add to the kernels to the tomatoes after they have cooked for 4 minutes. 
Cooked shrimp, chicken, pork, or sirloin. 

Sometimes its just too hot to cook.  This vegetable spring roll recipe is so easy to prepare.  If its your first time using the delicate spring roll wrappers don't worry, the packages have plenty to practice with.  If you would like to make rolls that are more filling, add soaked rice noodles to your rolls.  Sliced turkey, sliced roast beef and cooked shrimp can be easily added if you like.  
The coconut peanut sauce is my new favorite.  I discovered a delicious peanut sauce recipe at greencitygrowers.com.  I made a few changes and added a can of coconut milk to their recipe to create a version that I use with so many recipes.  Massage it into chopped kale, drizzle it over chicken and rice, and serve it with steamed broccoli.   Enjoy!

Makes 8-10 appetizer rolls
Spring Rolls
1 package 8 ½ inch rice spring roll wrappers
2 large carrots, shredded
½ head of red cabbage, shredded
1 red pepper, chopped thinly
3 scallions, sliced thinly
2 Tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped roughly
2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips (Thai basil or sweet basil)
2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped roughly
Optional: soaked rice noodles can be added to filling

Spring Rolls
1. To soften the rice papers pour 2 cups of cool water into a pie plate. 
2. Put one piece of rice paper in the water and turn over until soft and pliable.  Place the rice paper out onto a clean cutting board. 
3. Place a small amount of the cooled noodles on the rice paper in the center.  Sprinkle some of the carrot, red cabbage, red pepper, and herb mixture onto the noodles. 
4.  Lift the edge of the paper closest to you over the top of the rice.  Fold up each side and then roll the rice into a tight log.  Set aside and repeat.
5.    Serve with dipping sauces.
 

Tea Dipping Sauce
1 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1 pinch crushed red pepper
1 Tbs loose leafed flavored tea (jasmine, raspberry, orange spice)

1. Combine the vinegar, sugar, red pepper, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2.  Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
3.  Remove the sauce from the heat and add the tealeaves to steep for 5 minutes.  Strain the tea leaves cool to serve.

Coconut Peanut Sauce
4 cloves of garlic
½ cup soy sauce
1/3 cup toasted sesame oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/3 cup peanut oil
1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter (unsweetened)
1/3 cup honey
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper
1 14 ounce can coconut milk
Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.  Store in refrigerator until ready to use.

 

Watch my fiddlehead cooking demo on WMUR Cook's Corner  Video

Serves 4
1 pound fiddle head ferns, trimmed and washed
2 Tbs unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
Kosher salt and pepper
 

1. Bring 2 quarts water and 1 Tbs salt to a boil. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Drop the fiddleheads into the pot of boiling water and cook for 5 minutes. Skim any brown “fuzz” from the water.  Drain the fiddleheads in a colander and rinse with cold water. Submerge the rinsed fiddleheads in the ice water until completely cool.
   
   
2. Place the butter and garlic in a large sauté pan and heat over medium-low heat until the the garlic begins to turn golden.
   
   
3. Add the fiddleheads and toss gently as they heat through.  Season with salt and pepper. 
   
   

Don't be afraid that this recipe makes too much.  You will love this recipe so much that you will be eating it morning, noon, and night!  The beauty of marinating your kale is that it will taste better as time passes.  Keep your kale salad refrigerated for up to 5 days!  Each day add something different to your salad...diced tofu, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, cold shrimp, cold chicken...anything you like!

Makes 12 servings
8 Cups of de-veined and chopped Kale 
¼ cup red onion, diced
1 glove of garlic
½-inch piece of ginger root
1/3 cup olive oil
1 -2 tbsp Braggs Liquid Aminos
1/2 cup of water
¼ cup lemon juice
1/4 tsp Kosher salt
Pinch or two of cayenne 

1.  Place the chopped kale and red onion in a large bowl.
2.  Using a blender, combine the remaining ingredients to create a marinade.  Toss the kale with the marinade.  You can eat your dressed kale immediately, but this is best when refrigerated for 4-5 hours before eating. 
This salad can be stored in the refrigerator and eaten for up to 5 days.
Additions: Shredded zucchini or carrots, and/or diced tofu.   Cooked shrimp, shredded chicken, pork, or beef can also be added.  

1 pound frozen petite peas, thawed
3 Tbs cider or red wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/2 cup olive oil
½ tsp fresh thyme
1 Tbs flat leafed parsley, chopped
1 egg hard cooked, chopped
1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
1 Tbs  capers, drained
Salt and freshly ground pepper

1.    Place the thawed petite peas in a medium serving bowl. 
2.    In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, oil, thyme, parsley, egg, onion, and capers, and salt and pepper to taste.  Drizzle half of the vinaigrette over the peas and toss.  Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.  Keep remaining vinaigrette refrigerated for up to 5 days.  Use on salads, boiled potatoes, or on top of cooked chicken or fish.

Optional vegetables:
Asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, and sugar snap peas make wonderful additions or substitutions.  Steam until just cooked but still crisp and cool before adding marinade.

Zucchini "Pasta"
Serves 4
3 medium zucchini
Use the attachment with the smaller holes to produce a thin spaghetti like result.  The machine will produce one long, long, long strand.  Be sure to cut the zucchini strand in a few places to make them easier to serve.
Dress with herb pesto.

Herb Pesto
Makes about 1 ½ cups
½ cup olive oil
2 cups fresh baby spinach or arugula, roughly chopped
1 cup fresh flat leafed parsley, stems removed, roughly chopped
6 Tbs mayonnaise
1 Tbs fresh rosemary, roughly chopped
3 Tbs fresh mint, roughly chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
¼ cup cold water
Optional:  Add 1/3 cup toasted almonds, pine nuts, or roasted sunflower seeds w/oil, spinach

1.  Place the oil into the blender or food processor.  

2.  Add the spinach or arugula, parsley, mayonnaise, rosemary, mint, garlic, and Parmesan cheese (nuts too if using).  Process until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula as necessary.  Continue to process until smooth adding the water if a smoother consistency is desired.  

3. Toss with hot or room temperature pasta and serve hot or cold.
Tip:  If using spiralized summer squash or zucchini instead of pasta…no need to cook the squash.  The raw squash will stay firm and hold up to the pesto better if left uncooked.  Heat dressed squash in microwave for 2 ½ minutes if you’d like to serve it warm or hot.

 

 

Serves 6 as a side dish  

1 pound bag frozen Petite Peas (these are the sweetest), thawed
2 Tbs unsalted butter
¼ cup red onion, chopped
3 Tbs fresh mint, chopped
2 Tbs fresh flat leafed parsley, chopped
Kosher salt and Pepper

1.  Heat a small sauté pan with the butter over low heat.  Add the chopped onion and cook until just soft, about 3 minutes.
2. Add the thawed peas and fresh herbs to the cooked onions.  Heat just until the peas are warmed through, about 2 minutes.  Season with salt and pepper to tastes.  Serve hot or room temperature.

 
Additions:
Add ½ pound thin asparagus, cut into 1”pieces and lightly steamed.
Add ½ pound sugar snap peas, steamed for 3 minutes.  


To make minted sweet pea puree:  Place the completed pea recipe into a food processor and process until smooth.  Serve warm or room temperature on a cracker or crostini.  Top with shaved parmesan.


To make minted sweet pea soup:  Heat 4 cups of chicken stock.  Add the completed pea recipe.  Process in a blender in 2 batches until smooth.  Add heavy cream to taste if you like a creamier soup.  Season with kosher salt and pepper.