Sweet & Spicy Broccoli Tender Stems with Cashew Crumble

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Happy New Year!

I have been quiet here lately. The reason for that, is because we are happily expecting another baby. For the past few months food wasn’t the top thing on my agenda but now I’m feeling good (and hungry) again and I am ready for 2021. I hope 2021 treats you and your family well.

If you care to, please share your creations of my recipes by using the hashtag #milkandmarigolds or tag your post on Instagram @milkandmarigolds

I would love to see your creations!

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes          Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes (if roasted)
Author: Milk & Marigolds     Serves: 4 as a side (easily scalable)

Ingredients:

• 400 g sweet broccoli tender stems or broccolini
• 3 tbsp Tamari or other GF soy sauce
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp finely minced ginger
• 4 tsp honey or maple syrup
• 2 packed tsp chopped cilantro or parsley
• 3/4 cup crushed salted & roasted cashews
• zest of 1 lime
• 3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• a few pickled hot banana pepper rings roughly chopped

Instructions:

1. Decide on whether to steam or roast your broccolini. Make rice if desired.
2. While preheating the oven or preparing to steam the broccolini, prepare the sauce:
3. Begin by zesting one of the limes with a microplane, juice the lime(s), mince the ginger, chop your herbs and the hot peppers. Crush the cashews and set them aside. Combine all but the cashews to make the sauce. Whisk ingredients together until well combined.
4. Steam the broccolini until just tender or heat the oven to 425 F. Prepare a pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, add a little olive oil and toss in the raw broccolini to cover it lightly. Spread the broccolini out on the pan so it is’t crowded. Roast for 5-6 minutes and then flip. Cook for another 5-6 minutes. Remove from the heat.
5. Plate the broccolini on a serving platter. Dress the broccolini with the sauce and sprinkle the cashews on top. Serve with rice or alone.

Copyright 2014 – 2021 © Milk & Marigolds

Refreshing Watermelon Salad with a Twist

Sweet, spicy & aromatic, this watermelon salad is light and refreshing and pairs perfectly with a hot summer’s day. The favours were inspired by a delicious watermelon cocktail I had that was served with lime and spicy jalapeño.

If you care to, please share your creations of my recipes by using the hashtag #milkandmarigolds or tag your post on Instagram @milkandmarigolds

I would love to see your creations!

Watermelon Salad Served with Spicy Jalapeños, Lime & Feta

Prep Time: 10 minutes        Author: Milk & Marigolds.      Serves: 2

Ingredients:
1/2 a small watermelon cut into slices or chunks
1/2 to 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced with or without seeds (depending on how much spice you like)
1 lime, zested and half juiced (zest before juicing)
1 small handful of fresh cilantro and mint
1 small pint of blackberries
1/3 cup feta, crumbled
drizzle of olive oil
salt and pepper from a height to liking

Add as little/as much of the ingredients as you’d like. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Drizzle over olive oil and lime juice right before serving.

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds

 

Carrot Noodles with Peanut Chili Sauce & Crispy Tofu

Carrot noodles served with crispy golden brown tofu makes for a perfect summer meal while upping your veggie intake. I recommend investing in a spiralizer if you are looking to make your own vegetable noodles. Pressed for time? Most grocery stores conveniently sell fresh or frozen spiralled noodles.

If you care to, please share your creations with me by using the hashtag #milkandmarigolds or tag your post on Instagram @milkandmarigolds

Prep Time: 30 minutes            Total Time (including marinade): 1 hour + 15 minutes 
Author: Milk & Marigolds.      Serves: 2 large or 3 small

Noodle Sauce Ingredients:
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
1/3 cup natural peanut butter
2 tsp chilli garlic sauce (I used the brand: Huy Fong Chili Garlic Sauce)
1 tsp of minced ginger root
(2 limes) 2 tbsp of lime juice, reserve the remainder of the lime for wedges
1/3 cup water

Tofu Marinade Ingredients:
400 g extra firm tofu (vacuum-sealed without water if available), cubed
4 tbsp tamari (g-free soy sauce)
3 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup water

Salad Ingredients:
5-6  (2 lb (900 g) large carrots, thinly spiralized
2 scallions, sliced thinly on a diagonal  
1/3 cup roughly chopped cilantro (stems and leaves)

Garnish Suggestions:
crushed peanuts or cashews
lime zest
cilantro or thai basil
roasted sesame seeds
chillies or red Thai peppers

Equipment:
A spiralizer (or store-bought spiralized noodles)
Whisk
Container to hold tofu marinade
Measuring cup
Zester or microplane 
Large non-stick frying pan
Tongs or two wooden spoons

1.Begin by prepping your tofu and any other protein of choice. The tofu should be marinated for at least an hour. Cut the tofu into about 1 inch or smaller cubes. Whisk the marinade ingredients together and combine with the tofu in a container that allows the tofu to be submerged as much as possible.

2.In the meantime, wash and prep your produce. Sprialize the carrots or buy them spiralized if available. Then, thinly slice the scallions on a diagonal, mince the ginger root, zest half of the lime while reserving the other half for wedges. Juice the zested lime (you need 2 tbsp amount) and prep any desired garnishes. Set prepped ingredients aside.

3.Next, prepare the sauce for the carrot noodles. Combine all of the ingredients listed above under “Noodle Sauce”. Whisk until smooth. This sauce will yield more than enough and can be kept in the fridge for up to a week for any leftovers. Set aside.

4.Once the tofu is ready, remove it from the marinade and prepare a large frying pan by setting it to a medium heat. Place a tablespoon or more of oil (I used canola). Once hot, add the tofu and cook for about 4 – 5 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Once the tofu is cooked, add the spiralled carrots to the pan and sauté for just a couple minutes to just slightly soften the carrot noodles. 

5.Then pour over some (not all) of the noodle sauce and gently combine. Add sliced scallions, freshly chopped herbs and garnishes. Enjoy warm or cold. Add more sauce as needed.  

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds

Chimichurri Crispy Potatoes

Is there anything more comforting than roasted potatoes? My recipe for crispy, yet soft on the inside potatoes is savoury and comforting. Add a little chimichurri and you’ll be in crispy potato heaven.

If you care to, please share your creations with me by using the hashtag #milkandmarigolds or tag your post on Instagram @milkandmarigolds

Prep Time: 20 minutes          Cooking Time: 1 hour + 15 minutes
Author: Milk & Marigolds     Serves: 4 as a side (easily scalable)

Ingredients:
6 large Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into approx. 11/2 inch cubes
1/3 cup canola oil
Kosher salt

Chimichurri Ingredients: (yields about 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup (packed) fresh parsley (leaves and the thinner stems), chopped
1/2 cup (packed) fresh cilantro (leaves and stems), chopped (or basil if you’re not a cilantro fan)
2 tbsp lemon or lime juice (I used lemon)
2 tbsp white wine vinegar (cider vinegar if you don’t have w.w.v)
1/2 small garlic clove,  very finely grated
1/2 tsp kosher salt (1/4 if using table salt)
1 heaping tsp minced shallot
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
A couple turns of black pepper
Optional: 1/2 tsp chili pepper flakes

Suggested Garnish:
Fresh herbs of choice
Spring onion
Chives
Lemon zest
Parmagam cheese (or vegan alternative)

Equipment:
Large cooking pot
2 sheet pans (I used non-stick)
Measuring cup
Food processor (but can be done without one)
Fine grater or microplane grater
Kitchen scissors or sharp knife
Spatula

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, the potatoes will need to cook on the middle rack. Cut the potatoes into equal pieces that are approximately 11/2 inch cubes. In a large pot, add water and the peeled/cut potatoes once the water starts to boil. Boil for no more than 10 minutes and then drain well and toss.

2. Divide a 1/3 cup of canola oil between two sheet pans (I used nonstick). Then, equally disperse the drained potatoes so they are well spaced and not crowding one another. Use a fork to scrape the surface of the potatoes so more crispy bits form while cooking in the oven.

3. Once the oven is ready, put both trays in and cook for 35 – 40 minutes. Then, flip the potatoes and use a fork to gently smash them down (this is optional but creates more crunch). Bake for another 20 – 25 minutes. Peek in occasionally. In the meantime, prep the Chimichurri sauce.

4. Wash and throughly drain your produce. Roughly chop your fresh herbs, juice your citrus, mince the shallot and garlic.

5. In a food processor, begin by adding the shallot, garlic, white wine vinegar, juice, salt, black pepper and pepper flakes and pulse a few times. If you don’t have a processor, this can be done by hand, it just means you need to chop everything much more finely and whisk by hand.

6. Then, add in the chopped herbs and pulse a few more times until the ingredients are well dispersed and so that the herbs are more finely chopped. Next, slowly add in the olive oil as you pulse the processor. Set aside. The Chimichurri will keep in the refrigerator for about 4 – 5 days in an airtight jar.

7. Once the potatoes are crispy and ready to serve, lightly pour the Chimichurri over the potatoes and garnish to your liking. Salt and pepper from a height.

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds

Salmon Ceviche Sushi Bowl with San J Tamari

Whether you like it raw, well done or something in-between, this recipe is adaptable to your personal taste. Simply add or edit the toppings to make yourself the perfect bowl. I have included a recipe for sushi rice and for salmon ceviche but feel free to grill it, bake it, eat it as is or use a protein alternative.

Ceviche is a prepared combination of citrus, salt and chillies. I also like to add a little San J Tamari. These ingredients are used to cure and ‘cook’ the raw fish without using any heat. The longer you let the fish sit in this acidic dressing, the more cooked it will become. Just let the refrigerator and acid do all the work.

I recommend using frozen salmon and a glass bowl or glass Tupperware to cure the fish in. Avoid using metal bowls as it may leave a metallic taste.

If you care to, please share your creations with me by using the hashtag #milkandmarigolds or tag your post on Instagram @milkandmarigolds

Salmon Ceviche Sushi Bowl

Prep Time: 40 minutes       Waiting Time: 2 + hours/overnight (depending on preference)    Author: Milk & Marigolds    Serves: 2 large (easily scalable)

Rice:
1 cup sushi rice
1 1/2 cups water
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp white granulated sugar
1/4 tsp kosher salt (use half if using table salt)

(Optional) Ceviche:
400 g (short of 1 pound) frozen salmon (deboned & skin removed), cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/4 cup lime juice (2 -3 limes)
1/4 cup lemon juice (about 1 -2 lemons)
zest from one lime
1/2 teaspoon San J Tamari
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced
sprinkle of cayenne

Bowl Ingredients: 
1 avocado, sliced
2 baby cucumbers, sliced based on preference
3/4 cup frozen edamame, steamed
1 carrot, grated
2 radishes, thinly sliced 
1 sheet of roasted seaweed (Nori)
1 tsp roasted sesame seeds
pickled ginger 
San J Tamari (g-free soy sauce) for dipping

Spicy Mayo:
3 tbsp mayo
Sriracha (amount depends on preference. I used 1/2 tbsp)

Equipment:
measuring cup
A large glass bowl or a large glass Tupperware container 
mandolin or a sharp knife
cutting board
fine grater/zester or microplane
fine-mesh strainer for rinsing rice
measuring cup
wooden spoon 
whisk

Instructions:

* * *If you plan to cook your fish or use another protein altogether, then skip steps 1-3 and prepare the rice first * * *

1.Begin by preparing the ceviche. Take your fish out of the freezer and allow it to defrost. If you like your fish medium/rare, then I recommend leaving the fish in the acid bath for about 2 hours. Prefer it well done? Then allow the fish to ‘cook’ in the refrigerator overnight.

2. Into a glass tupperware or glass bowl, zest one lime. Then juice your lemon and limes, San J Tamari, add the salt, cayenne and the thinly-sliced red onion. Mix the ingredients well.

3. Cut the salmon into 1/2 inch (or smaller) cubes. The smaller the cubes, the faster the salmon will cure. Add the salmon into the acid bath and combine. Try to cover all of the fish with the acidic liquid. Cover and place the ceviche in the refrigerator for 1 hour and then mix well again. In the meantime, prepare the rice.

4. Prepare the rice by first rinsing it if time allows. Rinse the rice with cold water and then allow it to drain for 30 minutes before cooking. While the rice is cooking (follow manufacturer’s instructions), whisk the rice vinegar, salt and sugar together and pour it over the rice once it has cooled down a bit. Gently fold the rice with a large wooden spoon a few times to evenly distribute the vinegar mixture. The rice can be covered with a clean kitchen cloth and kept on the counter until you are ready to serve it.

5. While waiting for the rice to cool to room temperature, prepare your bowl toppings. Cook the edamame for a few minutes (I usually steam it for 3-4 minutes in the microwave). Grate the carrot, cut up the seaweed sheets (Nori) into small bite-sized pieces, and prepare your spicy mayo. All these ingredients can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you are ready to eat. I recommend waiting to slice the cucumber and avocado until you are ready to serve the meal.

6. Once your ceviche or alternative protein is ready, arrange all desired ingredients on top of the rice. Discard any of the left over ‘acid’ liquid. Garnish the toppings with sesame seeds and enjoy!

Milk & Marigolds © Copyright 2015