serves 4 Polenta strips make an unusual alternative to croutons in this delicious salad that combines the mellow sweetness of pears with the crunch of toasted pecans. Prepared polenta is available in the produce section of many supermarkets. It is sold in a log-shaped…
serves 4 This salad features the diminutive rice-shaped pasta called orzo enhanced by lusty Kalamata olives and crunchy toasted pine nuts. 1½ cups orzo 1 large clove garlic 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon dried marjoram ¼ cup…
serves 4 This colorful and delicious salad is one you’ll make again and again. It is especially quick to assemble if you begin with rice that has been cooked ahead. 1 cup raw quick-cooking brown rice, or 3 cups cooked 1 (16-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1…
Here is a simple, low-fat way to prepare broccoli, and although it has an Asian character I find that it goes well with most entres. You could also mix in sliced carrots for a colorful combination. SERVES 4 1 large bunch broccoli 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 2 teaspoonsВ…
Once you try this treatment of cooking greens, you’ll want to make them a staple in your meal planning. SERVES 4 1ВЅ pounds (weight with stems) greens (either spinach, kale, collards, mustard greens, or escarole), washed, spun dry, and stemmed ВЅ tablespoon…
Sugar snap peas look just like fresh peas in their pods, but they are slightly smaller and more tender, so you can eat the whole thing pod and all. They are sweet and tasty and are also delicious served raw try them on your next crudits platter. If you cannot get…
Chutneys are a type of Indian condiment or relish. They are concentrated in flavor and spicy, and so just a small spoonful on your plate is all that’s needed to add piquancy to your meal. This is my favorite chutney. It has an intense flavor both sweet and…
The cashews in this quick Sri Lanka-style curry become very tender, and the sauce is delicate enough not to overpower their subtle flavor. Raw cashews are the ones to use for this dish. SERVES 4 2 tablespoons oil 1 medium onion, diced ВЅ fresh redВ chileВ pepperimage,…
Wild rice, though very tasty, is also very expensive, so I save it for special occasions and stretch it a bit by cooking it with brown rice. Although this salad does not take a lot of time to prepare, you should cook the rice in the morning or the night before so it…
A luscious fruit salad that develops a beautiful rosy color as it sits. You can improvise, but I have found this to be the best combination of fruits. It is great for dessert, breakfast, or a light lunch. SAUCE 2 cups plain yogurt 3 tablespoons honey Вѕ teaspoon…
Hereвs another cucumber salad; this one goes particularly well with Asian meals. This is a very simple salad with a delicious, piquant sauce. You could improvise by substituting for one of the cucumbers a red bell pepper or some crisp snow peas, if you’d like….
New potatoes are not a variety of potato but are any tiny, waxy potatoes that have been freshly dug. I prefer red-skinned for this salad because of their decorative color, although you could substitute any round white boiling potato with successful results. SERVES 6 3…