vegetarian

Harissa roasted carrots with chickpeas and labneh

January 14, 2020 by vytran24 2 Comments

Sweet, caramelized carrots with a subtle note of heat, crispy chickpeas, tangy labneh, crunchy pistachios and pomegranate arils, and refreshing mint make for a delicious, nourishing, and healthy meal. This harissa roasted carrot dish is perfect as a main or can be scaled up to feed a crowd. Thank you to Filippo Berio for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Beyond Sweet and Savory possible.

How is the start of 2020 going for you? For me I’m slowly easing into it and focusing on bringing joy back to home cooking. I’m so excited to partner with Filippo Berio to show you how delicious, nourishing, and healthy food can be. Good food doesn’t have to be complicated or time consuming. I want to introduce you to simple dishes with big flavors using quality ingredients like a good organic olive oil and farmers market produce. For the first recipe of this new series, I’m sharing one of my go to carrot dishes, harissa roasted carrots with chickpeas and labneh.

I can eat carrots every week and never get tired of them. With their crisp crunch, bright flavor, and natural sweetness, they’re a wonderful fridge staple. Roasting is one of my favorite ways to eat root vegetables. Carrots are sweet enough that they don’t need much. For this dish, just toss them in a quality organic olive oil, harissa, and a touch of honey. I love using Filippo Berio organic extra virgin olive oil since their fresh, fruity notes complement the flavors of carrots and harissa. Filippo Berio has been making olive oils since 1867 and committed to producing the highest quality olive oils. I love their range of quality olive oils that’s perfect for cooking, roasting, salad dressing, or as a drizzle over soup and veggies.

How to prepare carrots for roasting

To prepare the carrots, simply chop off the green parts, wash them under cold water, and gently scrub them using a brush to remove as much dirt as possible. Organic grown carrots can be eaten unpeeled. If you’re short on time, peeling the skin is more efficient than scrubbing them.

Once the carrots are prepped, I tossed them in a mixture of organic extra virgin olive oil, harissa, honey, salt, and pepper. If you haven’t used harissa before, it’s a popular North African and Middle Eastern staple made of chilies and spices. For those who can’t handle the heat fear not! Harissa has a mild heat that lends richness and depth to your veggies unlike the fiery habanero.

I prefer harissa paste over powder since it does a much better job of imparting flavor. A little goes a long way and you can find it at many Middle Eastern supermarkets. Once the carrots are well coated, lay them in a single layer on a roasting pan and roast them for 25-30 minutes until tender. To check if they are ready, pierce the carrots using the tip of a knife. If it goes in and out easily, they’re done cooking. If not, let them roast for a few more minutes and check again.

While the carrots are in oven, you can prep the chickpeas for roasting. Simply toss them in organic extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper and roast them for 20-25 minutes in a separate roasting pan along with the carrots until crispy. I love the chickpeas in this dish because they lend an additional protein source and bump up the texture.

What to pair roasted carrots with

Roasting carrots will caramelize them and impart a flavorful texture on the outside without sacrificing their snappy texture. I love adding labneh to this dish because it absorbs flavors very well, especially spices like harissa. If you haven’t heard of labneh before, it’s a soft cheese made from strained yogurt that’s quite popular in Middle Eastern cuisine. It picks up and mellows out the heat in the harissa and complements the natural sweetness of carrots. If you can’t find labneh, a Greek yogurt, crumbled feta, or goats’ cheese works really well too.

This delicious harissa roasted carrot dish works as a main course and not just a supporting side dish. Sweet, caramelized carrots with a subtle note of heat, crispy chickpeas, tangy labneh, crunchy pistachios and pomegranate arils, and refreshing mint make for a delicious, nourishing, and healthy meal. I love how everything comes together in less than 60 minutes including prep and roasting.

If you want additional greens, spinach, kale, or arugula would go well with this dish. For a side, this makes a generous quantity and any leftovers keep well in the fridge for the next day. You can also chop up any leftover carrots and mix with cooked lentils or your favorite grain and have another delicious meal for the next day!

This harissa roasted carrots with chickpeas and labneh dish transforms the humble carrots into a delicious, flavorful, and nourishing meal that will become your family staple.

For more vegetarian inspiration, check out these recipes: roasted hasselback butternut squash, zaatar roasted romanesco steaks, roasted carrots and beets.

If you try this recipe, please let us know how you like it! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #beyondsweetandsavory on Instagram. We truly appreciate your feedback and incorporate them to continually improve our recipes.

5 from 2 votes

Harissa roasted carrots with chickpeas and labneh

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

30 mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American, Middle Eastern

Keyword: chickpeas, feta labneh dip, harissa, roasted carrots

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

Harissa roasted carrots

2 pounds small rainbow carrots, tops trimmed to about 1⁄2 inch, scrubbed, and skin peeled
1/4 cup Filippo Berio organic extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp harissa paste
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup labneh
1/4 cup pistachios, toasted and roughly chopped
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
2 tbsps chopped mint leaves
extra Filippo Berio organic extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Roasted chickpeas

1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 tbsps Filippo Berio organic extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
In a bowl whisk together organic extra virgin olive oil, harissa, honey, salt, and pepper. Add carrots; toss until well coated.
Transfer the carrots to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and lay them in a single layer. Roast until caramelized, about 25-30 minutes, turning once during roasting.
Place the chickpeas, organic extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper on a separate oven tray and toss to combine. Place in the oven and roast, stirring halfway for 20-25 minutes, or until crisp.
Spread the labneh on a serving plate, top with roasted carrots, chickpeas, pistachios, pomegranate seeds, and mint leaves.
Drizzle with organic extra virgin olive oil and serve immediately.

Honey roasted hasselback butternut squash with gorgonzola and sage

October 3, 2019 by vytran24 Leave a Comment

This post has been sponsored by Stella® Cheese. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Beyond Sweet and Savory possible. This honey roasted hasselback butternut squash makes an elegant and delicious holiday side dish. In one bite you get you get caramelized squash, creamy gorgonzola, and nutty walnuts.

As October arrives, I get really excited about menu planning for the upcoming holidays. It’s never too early to start thinking about Thanksgiving and Christmas! To get you ready for the holidays, I’m thrilled to partner with Stella® Cheese to put together a gourmet worthy dish! I have taken my classic roasted butternut squash up a notch and created a show-stopping side dish of honey roasted hasselback butternut squash with gorgonzola and walnuts. The butternut squash is hasselbacked and roasted to perfection—topped with Gorgonzola Stella® Cheese, herby sage, and toasted walnuts.

To make this dish, you only need a handful of ingredients: butternut squash, salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil, honey, sage leaves, Stella® Gorgonzola Cheese, and walnuts.

Butternut squash is readily available most times of the year and can be found at your local grocery stores. Prepping the butternut squash is quite easy and only takes a few steps. After peeling the skin off with a sharp knife, cut it in half and scoop out the seeds.

To hasselback the squash, line a chopstick alongside the long edge of the squash and make regular cuts at ¼ inch intervals. Having the chopstick prevents the knife from cutting all the way through so the slices will hold together at the bottom.

Once you’re done hasselbacking the squash halves, place them in a roasting tray, brush with olive oil and honey, season with salt and pepper, and roast in the oven for 50 minutes.

After 50 minutes in the oven, mix the sage leaves with the remaining EVOO, place them in the incisions, scatter some in the pan, and roast for another 10 minutes until the squash becomes tender, browned at the edges, and the sage leaves are crisp. Once roasted, the caramelized squash becomes sweet and buttery and the sage leaves add a nice herby kick.

When ready for serving, just transfer the squash halves to a platter and top with toasted walnuts and crumbled gorgonzola. I bought a wedge of Stella® Gorgonzola Cheese and crumbled it myself, but they sell Stella® Gorgonzola crumbled cups in the Deli, too! Gorgonzola Cheese is an Italian-style cheese named after the town of Gorgonzola located in the Po Valley near Milan, Italy. . With its pleasantly mellow and tangy flavor, gorgonzola perfectly complements the earthy, sweet squash. In one bite, you get caramelized squash, creamy gorgonzola, and nutty walnuts.

For the past few years, this honey roasted hasselback butternut squash dish has graced our holiday dinner table and remained a firm favorite. While I regularly roast butternut squash, hasselbacking it adds an elegant touch and makes it a holiday worthy side dish. This side is a stunner, simple to make, so delicious, and the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meals—whether it’s Thanksgiving, a fall dinner party, or Christmas! Have a gourmet holiday with Stella® Cheese!

For more holiday inspiration: you might like these recipes: zaatar roasted romanesco steaks, Jerusalem artichoke soup, dairy free kabocha squash soup.

5 from 4 votes

Honey roasted hasselback butternut squash with gorgonzola and walnuts

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

1 hr

This honey roasted hasselback butternut squash makes an elegant and delicious holiday side dish. In one bite you get you get caramelized squash, creamy gorgonzola, and nutty walnuts.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: butternut squash, hasselback squash

Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

1 2-pound butternut squash, peeled, halved lengthwise, and seeds removed
5 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsps honey, extra for drizzling
Salt and freshly ground pepper
24 sage leaves
1/2 cup Stella® Cheese Gorgonzola wedge, crumbled
1/2 cup toasted walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
Place half the squash, cut side down, on a chopping board. Align a chopstick lengthwise on one side of the squash. Using a very sharp knife, carefully slice through the squash to the chopstick at ¼ inch intervals. Repeat with the remaining squash half.
In a small bowl, whisk together 4 tbsps of olive oil and honey until combined.
Place the squash halves on the tray—cut side down—drizzle with olive oil-honey combo, and season with salt and pepper. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and roast for 50 minutes.
Mix the sage leaves with the final tablespoon of olive oil.
Remove the tray from the oven, place the sage leaves in the incisions, and scatter some on the pan. Roast the squash for 10 minutes or until tender and golden.
When ready to serve, transfer the squash and sage leaves to a serving platter, scatter toasted walnuts and crumbled gorgonzola over the top, and drizzle with extra honey.

Pear radicchio fennel walnut goat cheese salad

June 27, 2019 by vytran24 Leave a Comment

This post was sponsored by Montchevre®. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Beyond Sweet and Savory possible.

This salad is a stunning addition to any table with vibrant bursts of colors from the Castelfranco radicchio next to the darker Chiogga radicchio, peppered with crisp fennel, sweet pears, toasty walnuts, and an out of this world Montchevre® Truffle Goat Cheese log. With only a handful ingredients, this salad brings all the favors–bitter, sweet, tangy, and truffle!

With summer weather in full force, salads become the main draw for our dinner parties. I am so excited to partner with Montchevre® to share one of my favorite salads with pear, radicchio, fennel, walnut, and Montchevre® Truffle Goat Cheese log. The Montchevre® original, honey, garlic and herb cheese logs are staples for our salads, frittatas, bruschetta, and savory tarts but we reserve the truffle goat cheese for special occasions like dinner parties and holiday entertaining.

For the salad, I used two firm Bartlett pears but Anjou or Bosc also work well. After halving and coring the pears, I cut them lengthwise into thin slices with a mandoline. If you don’t have a mandoline, a very sharp knife will work as well. The pear slices are placed in a bowl of water with lemon juice to prevent them from browning.

To prep the radicchio, remove and discard any brown or wilted leaves, then separate the leaves from the head. Toss the torn leaves in a bowl filled with cold water so they can perk up. Drain and pat them dry with paper towel when you are ready to make the salad. For larger radicchio leaves, chop them in half lengthwise, and half again.

For the fennel, trim the bulbs of their tops and stem end. Reserve the fennel fronds for topping the salad. Cut each bulb in half lengthwise then thinly slice it using a mandoline. Add the fennel to a bowl of cold water to keep them crisp.

Once the prep for all the component is done, I put everything in a large bowl and toss them with the salad dressing. Bitter and sweet play well together in this salad of radicchio with pear and anise-flavored fennel with the goat cheese adding the tangy richness of fresh goat milk flavor with a rich truffle undertone. The dressing is just a simple one of good quality olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey while the walnuts bring crunch and a nuttiness.

This is no ordinary salad! Your guests will remember this distinctive grown-up salad for years to come. And don’t skim on the truffle goat cheese because it’s the hero that gives the salad that extra oomph and makes it unforgettable. We love that Montchevre® Goat Cheese Logs are non-GMO and aged to perfection with a delicious, smooth, creamy, and tangy flavor. When it comes to salads, it’s all about using the best ingredients. This recipe can be scaled up to serve a crowd for your dinner party or down to make a delicious dinner for one. More to love at Montchevre.com!

If you like salads, you might like these recipes: fig watercress goat cheese salad, tomato fig peach prosciutto and burrata salad, and watermelon radish carpaccio and arugula salad.

4.2 from 5 votes

Pear radicchio fennel goat cheese salad

Prep Time

15 mins

This salad is a stunning addition to any table, with vibrant bursts of colors from the Castelfranco radicchio next to the darker Chiogga radicchio and peppered with crisp fennel, sweet pears, toasty walnuts, and an out-of-this-world Montchevre® T ruffle Goat Cheese Log.

Course: Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Fennel salad, Pear salad, Radicchio salad, Truffle goat cheese

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

2 firm pears (Anjou, Bartlett, or Bosc variety), cored and thinly sliced
1 small head of Castelfranco radicchio, leaves torn
1 small head of Chiogga radicchio, leaves torn
4 ounces Montchevre® Truffle Goat Cheese Log, crumbled
1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced, fronds reserved
Juice of 1 lemon

Salad dressing

1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsps honey
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 325° F. Scatter walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, roast for 7–10 minutes, tossing once, until golden brown. Let cool, then chop.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Place the pear, fennel, and radicchio in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss until coated.
Top with chopped walnuts, fennel fronds, and crumbled goat cheese.
Serve immediately.

Avocado caprese salad

June 19, 2019 by vytran24 Leave a Comment

This avocado caprese salad doesn’t get any more delicious with peak season heirloom tomatoes, buffalo milk mozzarella, creamy avocado, heady basil, and a tangy balsamic dressing.

Every summer I look forward to the arrival of sweet, juicy heirloom tomatoes. Lucky for us, beautiful heirloom tomatoes from Cherokee Purple to Costoluto Genovese arrived in droves late spring at the farmers market. Without fail the first salad that I always make is a classic caprese. This classic summer salad is my go to for lunch and dinner when I don’t feel like cooking. To make it more filling, I added avocado for a complete meal. This avocado caprese salad doesn’t get any more delicious with peak season heirloom tomatoes, creamy buffalo milk mozzarella, creamy avocado, heady basil, and a tangy balsamic dressing.

For the salad, use different in season heirloom tomatoes for the best taste. I slice them to about ¼ of an inch so they’re not too thick to bite into. The buffalo mozzarella are also sliced to the same thickness and arranged on a platter overlapping with the tomatoes and basil leaves. Everything is lightly seasoned with salt and let stand for about 15 minutes to let the flavors meld and juice released from the tomatoes and mozzarella.

Right before serving, the avocado slices go right in the middle of the platter and a tangy balsamic vinegar is drizzled on top. This avocado caprese salad is a terrific first dish for a dinner party or a light meal served with crusty bread and can be scaled to feed a large crowd or a meal for one. Sweet heirloom tomatoes, herby basil, creamy mozzarella, and delicious avocado make this dish a real summer treat.

If you like salad, check out these recipes: tomato fig peach salad, fig watercress goat cheese salad, and cherry tomato salad.

5 from 5 votes

Avocado caprese salad

Prep Time

10 mins

This avocado caprese salad doesn’t get any more delicious with peak season heirloom tomatoes, buffalo milk mozzarella, creamy avocado, heady basil, and a tangy balsamic dressing.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: avocado salad, caprese salad, heirloom tomatoes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 pound heirloom tomatoes
8 ounces buffalo mozzarella, room temperature
2 Hass avocados, pitted and sliced
1/2 cup basil leaves
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsbp aged balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey
1/4 tsp Flaky sea salt
1/8 tsp Freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Slice mozzarella into ¼ inch slices. Lay them on a plate and let them sit loosely cover to room temp.
Slice the tomatoes into ¼ inch slices.
On a serving platter, arrange the mozzarella, tomato slices, and whole basil leaves so they overlap. Sprinkle with salt and let them sit at room temp for 15 minutes.
To prepare the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and pepper.
Slice the avocados lengthwise and set them in the middle of the platter.
When ready to serve, drizzle with balsamic dressing.

Recipe Notes

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Fig watercress goat cheese salad

July 30, 2018 by vytran24 Leave a Comment

This fig watercress goat cheese salad will take you from summer to fall. It takes 15 minutes to throw together and can be served as a stand alone meal with toasted sourdough or as a starter for a heavier main.

fig watercress goat cheese salad

As much as I love figs in desserts, I also love figs unequivocally in savory dishes. They tend to go into a lot of salads. Pick figs that are ripe, soft, and almost jammy. There’s something about their sweetness that offsets stronger tasting greens. Some of my favorite figs to use in salads are panache, black Mission, and St John Adriatic. One of my favorite salads on regular rotation from summer to fall is fig, watercress, and goat cheese with a simple balsamic dressing. Goat cheese pairs well with figs while the peppery taste of watercress lends a nice contrast to their sweetness. Arugula is great substitute for watercress if you can’t find watercress. Hazelnuts and pomegranate seeds add texture and everything is brought together by a sharp balsamic dressing. This fig watercress and goat cheese salad can be a stand along meal with a slice of toasted sourdough or a perfect starter for a heavier main.

fig watercress goat cheese salad

If you like figs, check out these savory recipes: tomato fig peach salad, honey roasted figs with goat cheese and Serrano ham.

4.89 from 9 votes

Fig watercress goat cheese salad

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

15 mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Keyword: fig, goat cheese, salad, watercress

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 bunch of watercress, 8-10 oz
1 pint of figs
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
4 oz goat cheese
2 tbsps roasted hazelnuts, roughly chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Toast the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet for 5 minutes, or until golden and fragrant. Place the roasted nuts on a kitchen towel and rub them against one another to remove the skin then roughly chop the nuts.
In a small prep bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey and season with salt and pepper. Set the salad dressing aside.
To prep the watercress, discard any woody stalks. Wash and rinse them. Divide the watercress between four plates.
Quarter the figs and scatter them over the watercress.
Crumble the goat cheese and scatter the cheese, pomegranate seeds, and chopped hazelnuts over the watercress.
When ready to serve drizzle the balsamic dressing over the salad and serve immediately.

Fresh corn polenta with crispy fried eggs

July 21, 2018 by vytran24 Leave a Comment

Fresh corn polenta paired with fried eggs is the perfect summer breakfast or lunch. The texture is identical to polenta but tastes so much more flavorful.

fresh corns for fresh corn polenta

Let’s talk about polenta, and not the stuff from the box but polenta made with fresh corn! I recently discovered this recipe while browsing through Taste and Techniques by Chef Naomi Pomeroy which has become one of my go to cookbooks when I need to look for the best technique to prep or cook a dish.

fresh corn polenta

Fresh corn polenta is made straight from the cob. Ears of sweet summer corn are grated using a box grater to capture all the juices and starches to help emulsify the kernels. Grating fresh corn does require a bit of elbow grease but the result in incredibly delicious. The texture is identical to polenta but tastes so much more flavorful. I added in a bit of mascarpone for a little creaminess but you can also add in any cheeses and herbs you fancy.

fresh corn polenta

To make it a complete meal, a fried egg is served along the fresh corn polenta but you can pair it with tomato confit, roasted veggies, or a protein of choice. This fresh corn polenta is so good that I have been making it weekly and will make it for the rest of the summer while fresh corns are in season.

fresh corn polenta

If you like polenta, check out this recipe: truffled polenta with mushroom ragu.

5 from 8 votes

Fresh corn polenta with fried eggs

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

30 mins

Fresh corn polenta is made with grated fresh corns. The texture is identical to polenta but tastes so much more flavorful.

Course: Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Keyword: fresh corn polenta, polenta

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 ears of bicolor corns
2 tbsps unsalted butter, room temp
2 tbsps mascarpone
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
4 medium organic eggs
2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper for serving
2 tbsps chopped chives for serving

Instructions

Put two pieces of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Shuck the corn and remove any silk.
Snap each ear in half. Use the largest holes of a box grater, grate the corn to the cob over the parchment to capture all of the kernels and corn juices. Carefully lift the paper and pour everything into a bowl.
Over medium-low heat, in a saucepan, add the butter. Add the corn and its juices, the salt, and the pepper and cook, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes.
Don’t add any liquid unless you really have to, but if the corn sticks and looks very dry, add 1 tablespoon of water. Stir and taste often until no liquid is left and none of the corn tastes raw.
Turn off the heat and stir in the mascarpone. Divide the corn among four plates.
Heat nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and heat until the surface is rippling slightly but not smoking.
Crack the egg into the hot pool of oil. If the oil is hot enough, the white should spread only a little. Use a spoon to quickly baste the hot oil onto the egg white, being careful to avoid the yolk. Continue spooning the hot oil onto the white until the white is almost set, about 45 seconds.
When the white is opaque, use a spatula to transfer the egg directly on top of the polenta.
Repeat with the remaining eggs, adding more olive oil as necessary, then garnish each plate with chives, additional salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.

Ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart

April 23, 2018 by vytran24 Leave a Comment

This ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart is about all the beautiful, barely cooked spring vegetables and fresh eggs.

ingredients for ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart

After a winter hiatus, I look forward to the return of my favorite spring veggies like ramps, fava beans, sugar snap peas, and artichokes. The farmers markets didn’t disappoint this weekend and were buzzing with all my favorite veggies. Even the beautiful blue and green eggs from my favorite egg farmer made their appearance, a sign of the weather warming up and the hens laying again. I’m so excited to share the first spring recipe for meatless Monday, a ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart.

unbaked ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart

The heroes of this spring tart are the ramps and fresh eggs. Ramps, or wild garlic, have an earthy, beautiful garlic kick that adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the fava beans and peas. Their appearance is fleeting so spring onions or young spring garlic makes a delicious substitute if you can’t find ramps.

baked ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart

For the tart base, I used a good store bought puff pastry but you’re more than welcome to make your own. Don’t skim on an all butter puff pastry so you can enjoy those delicious buttery, flaky layers of dough similar to a pie crust. A layer of homemade ricotta cheese was used to add a subtle richness to the tart but you can also use goat cheese if you want a little more tang. To make this tart complete, I added those blue eggs to show off their sunny yolked glory.

baked ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart

This ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart is about all the beautiful, barely cooked spring vegetables and fresh eggs. While I chose ramps, fava beans, peas, and young sugar snap pea shoots for this tart, there are endless seasonal variations that you can play with–asparagus, baby leeks, garlic scapes, spring garlic, and spring onions.

baked ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart

Although this recipe does seem involved, the result is a delicious medley of green goodness to showcase spring’s glory and marks the beginning of good things to come. This tart is best eaten while still warm from the oven with a scatter of chive blossoms, micro greens, and toasted hazelnuts. For a completely meal, serve it with a crisp salad.

If you like ramps, check out these recipes: ramp and pistachio pesto, ramp and hazelnut pesto, and ramp pesto pizza with asparagus and peas.

5 from 8 votes

Ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

40 mins

Inactive time

15 mins

Total Time

1 hr 10 mins

This ramp fava bean pea and egg spring tart is about all the beautiful, barely cooked spring vegetables and fresh eggs.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Ingredients

1 sheet of frozen butter puff pastry, 10x13 inches
6 organic eggs
1/2 cup fresh ricotta cheese
2 tbsps heavy cream
1/4 tsp salt
8-10 both leaves and bulbs
1/2 cup double podded fava beans
1/4 cup young pea shoots, save a few sprigs for garnish
1/4 cup peas
Freshly ground pepper and salt to taste
1/4 cup toasted hazelnut, roughly chopped
1/4 cup microgreens and young pea shoots
2 tbsps chive blossoms

Instructions

In a small bowl, add a pinch of salt and a cracked egg and whisk until frothy. Set aside.
Thaw the puff pastry according to the package directions. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the puff pastry on the baking sheet.
Fold over half an inch on each edge of and press down to form a rim. Use a fork and prick inside the rim of the pastry to prevent the center from puffing up while baking.
Egg wash the top of the pastry and freeze it for 15 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Bake the puff pastry base for 22-25 minutes until the pastry is golden and crisp.
While the puff pastry is baking, prepare the fava beans. Snap off a tip of each pod and squeeze out the beans.
Bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the fava beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes depending on their size. Drain and set them aside to cool.
Once they are cool enough to handle, peel the tough outer, bitter skins from each one unless they are small and sweet.
Once the puff pastry is done baking, press down the middle of the rectangular base.
In a small bowl, mix the ricotta, heavy cream, and salt and spread it over the inside border of the crispy pastry.
Arrange the ramps, fava beans, peas, and pea shoots over the ricotta mixture and make 5 little spaces for the egg yolks.
Crack each egg and pour the egg into your cupped hand with your fingers closed and let the white drain into a small bowl. Gently place the egg yolk in one of the spaces. Repeat until you’re done with the eggs.
Return the pastry to the oven and bake for 15 minutes on the bottom rack until the yolks are set but still a little soft.
Remove the tart from the oven, top with microgreens and chopped hazelnuts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Blood orange halloumi quinoa salad

April 3, 2018 by vytran24 Leave a Comment

This blood orange halloumi quinoa salad was full of flavor and so nutritious.

plate of blood orange halloumi quinoa salad

By now you’re probably sick of seeing another blood orange salad! But I’m secretly hoping that you’re not because this salad is delicious and has a different flavor profile from the last one. I had some leftover blood oranges from making a blood orange sorbet, a near expiring log of halloumi cheese, and a languishing pomegranate hidden in the back of the fridge that were begging for salvation. After a quick scan of my pantry, I found freekeh, millet, lentil, and quinoa and decided the quinoa would provide the perfect backdrop for these beautiful ingredients. This blood orange halloumi quinoa salad was a clean out the fridge kind of salad that ended up working very well.

plate of blood orange halloumi quinoa salad with fork

The heroes of this salad are the blood oranges and halloumi cheese. The sweet tart flavor of the oranges was heightened by the saltiness of the halloumi. If you haven’t had halloumi, you’ll have to try it once. Halloumi cheese originated from the island of Cyprus and is made traditionally with sheep’s milk and goat’s milk. Dubbed as the “Grilling Cheese” due to its unique ability to withstand high temperature, halloumi can be grilled, broiled, or pan-fried to a delicious crispy exterior and soft gooey center. With its chewy and meaty texture, halloumi is one of my favorite cheeses to use in salad.

plate of blood orange halloumi quinoa salad with fork

Quinoa was the perfect base for the blood oranges and halloumi given its fluffy and slightly crunchy texture. It’s an energy-rich food that adds lots of fiber and protein. To bring everything together, I made a simple olive oil citrus dressing and tossed in some mint leaves from the garden. For a clean out the fridge kind of dish, this blood orange halloumi quinoa salad was full of flavor and so nutritious.

If you want more citrus salad inspiration, check out these recipes: blood orange and roasted beet salad, burrata blood orange and fennel salad, and seared scallops grapefruit and shaved fennel salad.

5 from 8 votes

Blood orange halloumi quinoa salad

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

This blood orange halloumi quinoa salad was full of flavor and so nutritious.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Vegetarian

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

1/2 cup organic quinoa
1 1/2 cup water
4 slices of ¼ inch thick halloumi, more if you like
4 small blood oranges
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
2 tbsps mint leaves
3 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsps freshly squeezed lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tbsps hazelnuts, toasted

Instructions

Add the water and quinoa to a sauce pan and bring it to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes until most of the water has been absorbed. Add more water if needed while cooking.
When the quinoa is ready, the curly grain will have been released from the seed. Drain off any excess water and set aside.
Preheat the over to 350 degrees F.
Toast the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet for 5 minutes, or until they’re golden and fragrant. Place the toasted nuts on a kitchen towel and rub them against one another to remove the skins then roughly chop the nuts.
To cook the halloumi, place a large cast-iron pan or grill pan over high heat. Turn the heat down to medium and add one tablespoon of olive oil into the pan swirling it to coat the bottom evenly. Add the cheese slices into a single layer.
When the underside is golden brown, about 1 minute, flip the slices and cook on the other side for another minute until golden brown. Remove the cheese slices and place them on a prep plate.
Cut a slice off the top and bottom of each orange so they have a flat bottom to sit on. Use a sharp knife to cut the peel and remove as much of the pith from the oranges as you can. Slice the oranges into ¼ inch rounds and use the tip of your knife to pick out any seeds. Set the cut orange slices aside on a prep plate.
To make the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep in mind that the halloumi will be salty so you don’t need to add as much salt.
When ready to serve, divide the quinoa between two plates. Add the blood orange slices and halloumi slices. Top with pomegranate seeds, chopped hazelnuts, and mint leaves and drizzle the dressing over the salad.

Blood orange and roasted beet salad

March 19, 2018 by vytran24 Leave a Comment

This blood orange and roasted beet salad is complex in flavor with the sweetness of the beets providing a nice contrast with the tangy yogurt and sweet tart flavor of the blood oranges.

ingredients for blood orange and roasted beet salad

And we’re back for meatless Monday! We had planned on posting a recipe every Monday but it’s been challenging with our schedule, the baby’s unpredictable nap times or rather lack of naps, and the weather not cooperating. We’re aiming for every other Monday for the time being. Today I’m sharing a recipe for a blood orange and roasted beets salad with yogurt, mint, and hazelnut from Athena Calderone’s Cook Beautiful cookbook. The original recipe called for taragon but mine had wilted by the time I got around to making the recipe so I plucked some mint from my garden and threw it in the salad. The switch worked well and I will use mint again.

plate of blood orange and roasted beet salad

Cook Beautiful is one of my favorite cookbooks published this year besides The Lost Kitchen and the Book of Greens, all of which are James Beard Foundation book nominees. The recipes are divided by the season and the photography is absolutely stunning. Given my obsession with blood orange, it was a no brainer to try this recipe. The sweetness of the beets provided a nice contrast with the tangy yogurt and sweet tart flavor of the blood oranges. It tasted almost like a dessert but the olive oil and dressing tipped the scale right back to the savory side.

plate of blood orange and roasted beet salad

This blood orange and roasted beet salad is a breeze to throw together, and its complex flavor makes it a perfect complement to your heavier mains. I have made this salad a few times and can’t say I’m tired of it yet. With the first official day of spring arriving tomorrow, I’m going to share a few more citrus recipes before spring goes into full spring and citrus disappears from the farmers market.

plate of blood orange and roasted beet salad

If you want more salad inspiration, check out these recipes: burrata blood orange and fennel salad, seared scallops grapefruit and shaved fennel salad, watermelon radish carpaccio with arugula salad, and za’atar roasted radishes and lentil salad.

5 from 6 votes

Blood orange and roasted beet salad

Prep Time

20 mins

Cook Time

50 mins

Total Time

1 hr 10 mins

This blood orange and roasted beet salad is adapted from Cook Beautiful by Athena Calderone

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

6 medium organic golden beets
2 tbsps extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
salt and freshly cracked pepper
1/4 cup hazelnuts
4 blood oranges
1 small shallot, finely chopped
2 tbsps red wine vinegar
1 cup 2% Greek yogurt
a few sprigs of mint leaves

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220 ̊C)
Place beets in the center of a large piece of foil. Drizzle them with oil and season with salt and pepper. Tightly seal the foil around the beets to make a packet. Place the packets on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until the beets are tender when pierced with a knife, about 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size of your beets.
Unwrap the beets and let them cool slightly. Remove the skin by peeling it off with your fingers or knife.
While the beets are roasting, toast the hazelnuts on a rimmed baking sheet for 5 minutes, or until they’re golden and fragrant.
Place the toasted nuts on a kitchen towel and rub them against one another to remove the skins then roughly chop the nuts.
Cut a slice off the top and bottom of each orange so they have a flat bottom to sit on. Use a sharp knife to cut the peel and remove as much of the pith from the oranges as you can. Slice the oranges into ¼ inch rounds and use the tip of your knife to pick out any seeds. Set the cut orange slices aside on a prep plate.
To make the dressing, squeeze the juice from half of an orange into a medium bowl. Add the shallot and vinegar. Whisk in the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cut the beets into wedges and toss them with some of the dressing,
Just before serving, divide the yogurt among the plates. Arrange the orange slices and beet wedges over the yogurt, spooning some of the dressing over the top. Sprinkle with the chopped hazelnuts and garnish with mint leaves.

Burrata blood orange and fennel salad

March 6, 2018 by vytran24 Leave a Comment

This burrata, blood orange, and fennel salad is vibrant, full of flavor, and delicious.

ingredients

I’ve been on a citrus kick lately. Grapefruits and oranges take center stage in many salads while Meyer lemons are the heroes in lemon bars, bostocks, this yogurt cake, and that poppy seed cake. With spring fast approaching, I’m trying to enjoy as much of winter’s bounties, especially blood oranges, before the season is over. I’m excited to share the recipe for a delicious burrata, blood orange, and fennel salad for meatless Monday.

two plates of burrata blood orange and fennel salad

This burrata, blood orange, and fennel salad is inspired by a recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi’s NOPI cookbook. The original recipe calls for burrata, blood orange, coriander seeds, and lavender oil but lavender flavored food is not my cup of tea. A quality olive oil is the perfect substitute for the lavender oil.

two plates of burrata blood orange and fennel salad

While burrata is commonly paired with tomatoes, peaches, and figs in the summer, blood orange is the perfect winter substitute. Burrata is hands down one of my favorite cheeses and I gravitate toward burrata when I want a little fancier salad. Burrata is a fresh cheese with an outer shell made of pure mozzarella and the softer inside a mixture of mozzarella and cream. Most supermarkets carry burrata but mozzarella tastes just as delicious if you can’t find burrata.

two plates of burrata blood orange and fennel salad

Three different types of blood oranges, Moro, Tarocco, and Sanguinello were used to bring contrast in color and taste. Blood oranges have a lovely sweet tart flavor that cuts through the creaminess of burrata wile the fennel slices lend their crispiness and crunch. You don’t need a dressing since the orange juice and olive oil mixed together form a dressing on their own. Sprinkle some salt and freshly ground pepper and you can dive right in. I love how vibrant, fresh, and delicious this salad is. This burrata, blood orange, and fennel salad can be a meal on its own for the vegetarian in your family or you can serve it as a starter salad to lighten up the heavier dishes for the omnivore.

two plates of burrata blood orange and fennel salad

If you want more salad inspiration, check out these recipes: seared scallops grapefruit and shaved fennel salad, watermelon radish carpaccio with arugula salad, and za’atar roasted radishes and lentil salad.

4.72 from 14 votes

Burrata blood orange and fennel salad

Prep Time

25 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

30 mins

This burrata, blood orange, and fennel salad is vibrant, refreshing, and delicious.

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Vegetarian

Servings: 2 servings

Ingredients

4 blood oranges, use a mixture of Moro, Tarocco, and Sanguinello
1 large fennel bulb, fronds reserved
2 4 oz burrata cheeses
2 tbsps hazelnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil, use the the fruity type
salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
On a baking sheet, toast the hazelnuts for 5 minutes until they’re golden and fragrant. Place the toasted hazelnuts on a kitchen towel and rub them against each other to remove the skins. Roughly chop them.
To make the salad, wash the fennel and discard the tough outer bulb. Reserve some feathery leaves or fennel fronds for garnish.
Cut the bulb in half and use a mandoline to thinly shave the fennel and place in a bowl with cold water.
Cut a slice off the top and bottom of each orange so they have a flat bottom to sit on. Use a sharp knife to cut the peel and remove as much of the pith from the oranges as you can. Slice the oranges into ¼ inch rounds and use the tip of your knife to pick out any seeds.
When ready to serve, drain the burrata cheeses and place them on the plate. Add the fennel and orange slices. Top with toasted hazelnuts. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fennel fronds. Serve immediately.