Spring and summer time meals are all about optimizing convenience. Minimal time prepping and cooking, maximum time enjoying the outdoors - Aperol Spritz or Rosé in hand. Grain salads are always my go-to vehicle for utilizing seasonal produce and making a meal earlier in the day (i.e. nap time) and enjoying it for dinner or lunch the next day. This grain salad formula is adaptable to what you have on hand or what you can snag at the greenmarket. If you can’t find or want asparagus or peas, try string beans, radish, grilled zucchini, fresh or oven roasted tomatoes or even corn. The options are yours! If you are gluten-free swap in brown rice in place of the farro and if you are dairy-free, consider kite hill ricotta as a vegan cheese alternative.
Read morebarley and roasted carrot salad with crispy chickpeas
I made this hearty grain salad on whim based on what I happened to have in my pantry one lazy Sunday afternoon. After demonstrating the steps on my instagram stories, I received a lot of positive feedback requesting the complete recipe. It is always such a nice reminder of the incredible community that instagram has fostered. I am so happy to have the continued inspiration and support that encourages me to keep providing nutritious and simple recipes.
Grain salads are always a staple in my cooking repertoire. They are easy to make, versatile, and provide fantastic leftovers. Since produce is currently a little slim at the greenmarket, this grain salad is full of roasted carrots, herbs, crispy chickpeas, crunchy cucumbers, and finished with a dijon sherry vinaigrette. Once the gorgeous produce of spring and summer come in, carrots can easily be joined by fava beans, asparagus, or peas, and fresh arugula can be tossed in at the very end for a punchy and vibrant finish.
Read morewarm bulgur wheat salad with broccoli rabe + roasted lemons + za'atar tomatoes
Robust and pleasantly bitter, broccoli rabe is one of my "go-to" tender and crunchy vegetables. This brassiceae holds up well as a simple side dish when sautéed with garlic, chili flakes, and olive oil or as a pleasant addition to grain salads. In this recipe, the broccoli rabe is cut with sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, roasted garlic dressing, and zesty roasted lemon. Hot, cold, side dish, or main, this grain salad is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Read moreWhat the F is a Mung Bean?
Every year a hot new food item emerges that is touted to make you feel better and look better. But maybe this trend setting food has been around all along. Mung beans have been praised for their nutrient properties by health-minded individuals and holistic practitioners for years and, most recently, they have started making their way into the mainstream dining arena. So what exactly are mung beans, and once you find them, what the heck do you do with them?
Read moreNext Stop-Spice Town
Looking for an alternative to stuffing or basic roasted vegetables this Thanksgiving? Take a flavor-driven trip to India with this Curry Cauliflower Quinoa Salad oozing with the ideal balance of spicy and sweet. This flavorful powerhouse salad is light and satisfying with additional immune boosting antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties from the curry and the turmeric. Think outside the box this holiday and start a new tradition with this curried cauliflower crunch fest.
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