-
Chickpea Salad with Fresh Herbs
For a light and easy salad this summer, I highly recommend trying out my tasty Chickpea Salad with Fresh Herbs. This salad is so easy to prepare and is a fresh accompaniment to a variety of dishes. It can be served on its own for a light lunch or it can be a fabulous side dish for your next picnic or barbecue. The best part about this recipe is that you can make it your own – feel free to add your favorite crisp vegetables or leave out those you don’t care for as much. If you have an herb garden this summer you are in luck because you can snip and chop any of your favorite herbs and add them to your salad as you wish. You can also double this recipe for a large group or party. Enjoy!
-
Cauliflower “Mac & Cheese”
Macaroni and Cheese is the ultimate comfort food, but if you are like me, you may try to save it for only for those times when you really want to indulge. I wanted a way to enjoy the flavors of Macaroni & Cheese without all of the carbs and fat, so I found this tasty recipe for Cauliflower “Mac & Cheese.” Although this recipe is no substitute for the original, rich version, it is creamy and satisfying. This dish uses cauliflower in place of macaroni, and a blend of low-fat cheeses in place of the full-fat varieties. Once the cauliflower florets and homemade cheese sauce is tossed together, you add fresh breadcrumbs over everything to create a crunchy topping. I served my Cauliflower “Mac & Cheese” with a fresh side salad, but feel free to get creative and serve as a side with your next meal!
-
Chili Lime Sweet Potato Salad
A little healthier than traditional potato salad and a lot more flavorful, Chili Lime Sweet Potato Salad is an easy and fun side. You start out by roasting sweet potatoes in the oven until crisp and then toss them with a homemade dressing made of garlic, onion, fresh lime juice, cumin, chili powder and cilantro. When the warm sweet potatoes are tossed with the dressing, they become beautifully coated and all of the flavor absorbs into the potatoes. It’s a colorful and fresh dish (with a kick!) that I highly recommend adding to your summer cooking repertoire.
-
Zucchini Chive Fritters
In the summer, there is always plenty of zucchini around, so what better way to make the most of it then cook up some Zucchini Chive Fritters. These sautéed veggie cakes are made with freshly grated zucchini, herbs, Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, and flour, and then finished with lemon slices, chopped fresh chives and more Greek yogurt for a tangy topping. The fritters make for a wonderful side dish or a light dinner accompanied by a Greek salad (recipe coming soon…). A perfect excuse to head on over to your farmer’s market this weekend…
-
Cumin Roasted Carrot & Avocado Salad
My favorite dish at popular NYC eatery ABC Kitchen is without a doubt their Cumin Roasted Carrot & Avocado Salad. This light yet satisfying starter is a diverse combination of bright colors, contrasting textures and bold flavors. The carrots are roasted in the oven with a spicy blend of cumin, garlic and fresh herbs and then plated with slices of fresh, ripe avocado. All of it is pulled together by a tangy drizzle of fresh orange and lemon juice. The finishing touch is a refreshing dollop of sour cream (I used plain Greek yogurt in my recipe) and a sprinkling of toasted sunflower seeds. I decided to recreate this masterpiece at home and am proud to share this memorable recipe. I made a few changes from the original to keep it healthy and use the ingredients I had on hand in my kitchen. Enjoy this little taste of NYC’s ABC Kitchen in your own kitchen!