warm barley salad

Barley is one of those staple grains that sit in my pantry for the longest time and then, without rhyme or reason, I go on a barley binge!  I usually throw barley in soups or stews but recent years have seen me use it as a substitute for rice, mixed in with roasted vegetables and…

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pasta salad with roasted chickpeas

I’ve had this package of multicolor farfalle (Italian for butterfly) pasta for weeks now and every time I open the pantry door, there it is, waiting for me to do something with it.  The colors of the butterfly pasta are all natural using beetroot, spinach, turmeric, paprika and black squid ink.  I wanted something special…

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wild rice salad

A rice salad is so versatile and using wild rice is a healthier option.  Wild rice is a grass and can be as long as one-inch and range in color from brown to black.  I prefer a wild rice mix which is a combination of brown basmati and wild rice.  A salad of your own…

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Grilled Pepper Salad

Simple ingredients mingling together to pull off an out-of-this-world taste! If you’ve never had grilled peppers then you are in for one heck of a treat!  Grilling or roasting brings out their natural sweetness making them so good on their own and they really don’t need much attention to shine, so keep the ingredients simple. …

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bulgur and black bean salad

Summer always means a change in cooking gears.  The oven gets used less, our barbeque more, and food prep becomes simple.  Spending as much time outdoors is key and my energy is focused on leaving kitchen time down to a minimum.  I think we eat better during the summer with fresh, local produce available at…

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Salade Niçoise – slightly deconstructed

Fresh and simple best defines my style of cooking.  When I’m pondering what to make for dinner, I look for dishes that look pretty (eye candy), have a nutritional benefit (help sustain a healthy body), and take little time or effort to make.  Salade Niçoise (knee-swahz) is a classic example of making a harmonious dish…

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Micro Greens, Avocado and Strawberries

Micro greens are sprouting up everywhere (pardon the pun) from local farmers’ markets to specialized food shops.  What are they, you ask?  Think of tiny seedlings bursting into young greens from vegetables and herbs.  Micro greens are typically one-inch to two-inches in height.  Although little in size, they tout an intense flavor but not as…

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Brussels Sprout Salad

Salads take on many forms from the traditional and the not-so-traditional like the one posted here. Brussels sprouts are not every persons cup of tea but I’ll bet if you try it as a salad with the following delicious ingredients, I think you just might be pleasantly surprised.  Brussels sprout salad not only is esthetically…

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Chicken, Peach and Quinoa Salad

As much as I like cooking a whole chicken, I can’t seem pass by a grocery store rotisserie chicken without stopping to inhale its amazing aromas.  And, how is it they’re cheaper than buying a raw one?  I bought a 4 lb. rotisserie chicken for $7.99 whereas an uncooked 4 lb. one was nearly $11.00. …

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Fennel, Grapefruit and Feta Salad

Last weekend we entertained our friends from New Brunswick.  It was a weekend getaway for Ralph and Michelle.  They arrived Thursday afternoon and for the next 48 hours it was full-on chatting, catching up, laughing, eating and drinking.  Because Michelle and I are both foodies and write our own food blogs, my goal was to…

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