- Pecan Citrus Green Salad

PECAN CITRUS GREEN SALAD


Dressing:

6 T safflower or olive oil
4 T freshly squeezed orange juice
Grated zest of ½ a lime
2 T freshly squeezed lime juice
1 T (real) maple syrup
½ small shallot, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper

In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients and set aside (can be stored in the fridge for up to 1 week).

Salad

6 c torn mixed greens or romaine lettuce
¾ c pecans halves
½ c dried cranberries

Place greens in a large salad bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Sprinkle with pecans and cranberries.

- Coconut Mango Rice

COCONUT MANGO RICE


1½ basmati rice
2 T butter
1 small onion – finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 T minced gingerroot
1 T Madras curry powder
1 can (14 oz/400 mL) coconut milk
2½ c water
4 green onions, chopped
1 mango, peeled and chopped
½ c packed fresh parsley (or cilantro)
¼ c sliced almonds, toasted

Rinse rice in several changes of cold water and drain thoroughly; set aside. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté onion and red pepper for about 5 minutes or until softened. Add garlic and ginger; sauté for 15 seconds or until fragrant. Add rice and curry powder, stirring to coat rice. Add coconut milk and water; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork, stirring in green onions, mango, parsley and almonds.

Serves 6

- Spicy Noodle Salad

SPICY NOODLE SALAD


Dressing:
1/3 c soy sauce
¼ c white wine vinegar
2 T sweet chili sauce
2 T white sugar
2 T sesame oil
1 inch chunk of fresh ginger, peeled and minced or grated
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp chili flakes
Freshly ground black pepper
¼ c vegetable oil


450 g vermicelli (based on my using ½ a 900 g package)
1 c grated carrots
3 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal


In a medium bowl (or jar), whisk together all of the sauce ingredients except for the oil. Gradually whisk in vegetable oil in a thin stream. Refrigerate until ready to use (can be made up to one week in advance). Whisk again (or if using a jar, shake vigorously) just before using.

Toss with cooked pasta, carrots and green onions.

Notes:

1. I like to mix the salad together about 3 hours before serving and leave it in the fridge until ready to serve.
2. Leftovers store very well in the fridge.

- Lifesaver Punch

LIFESAVER PUNCH


2 x 250 ml can frozen strawberry daiquiri mix
2 x 355 ml can frozen pink lemonade
4 l club soda
Lots of ice
Fresh or frozen strawberries or raspberries
Vodka, optional (depending on how your day is going)

Thaw and combine daiquiri mix and lemonade. Add soda water and ice. Float strawberry slices on top.

Notes:

1. I recently made the non-alcohol version of this for a shower and everyone loved it.