June 1, 2019

Putting up some kilometers for this week’s cross-guild mini challenge.

Summer Sunshine Salad

Another potluck, another veg (pescatarian)-friendly salad. The tastes are great here, but I would caution to know your audience – I saw a couple plates of beetroot floating around after all was said and done. I loved it, though, and so did my veggie-heavy friends!

If you can find them, add toasted unsweetened coconut shavings – I think they’d add a nice subtly sweet crunch here, but couldn’t find them anywhere. If you’re in the States, Trader Joes & Whole Foods usually carry them.

gluten-free, pescatarian, paleo

Summer Sunshine Salad

2 grapefruits, cut into supremes – reserve 2 Tbsp. of the juice for the dressing
1 kohlrabi, shredded (I ribboned, but this would have been better julienned like the beets)
400g prawns, sauteed and chopped in half
250g cherry tomatoes, halved
2 avocados, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, julienned
2 scallions, sliced
1 c. beetroot, julienned
2 c. red cabbage, ribboned
Hand full of mint, chopped
1 Tbsp. tamarind paste
1 Tbsp. lime juice
3 Tbsp. olive oil
Salt & pepper

Chuck all the non-wet ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk all the wet ingredients and pour over top. Toss again. Taste, hit with salt + pepper if needed.

If you have toasted coconut, top with that – pepitas would also be nice.

Serves a party 

May 31, 2019

May 30, 2019

Handsome boy waiting for a ball toss.

May 29, 2019

May 28, 2019

Who, us?

May 27, 2019

Someone has found a new perch

May 26, 2019

May 25, 2019

Liberation Tower, Kuwait

Eggplant Soba

This recipe is the first stab at recreating a bread spread I had at lunch one day that was so magical I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what it was. I thought some form of mustard with cardamom, but no – hidden veggies! Yay, hidden veggies!

This version isn’t half bad. It isn’t quite there, so expect to see more attempts this summer – but it’s good. And it was delicious swirled into some leftover buckwheat noodles with nice crunchy radishes on top.

gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan

Eggplant Soba

4 small Italian eggplants
10 garlic cloves, halved
Neutral oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
2 tsp, fresh ginger, minced
1 Tbsp. ground cumin
3 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. ground cardamom
2 tsp. cayenne powder
2 tsp. lemon powder
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
Salt & pepper
1 stack soba noodles per person to serve
2 – 4 thinly sliced radishes per person to serve
1 green onion, thinly sliced to serve

Halve your eggplants lengthwise and cross-hatch score. Salt, and lay face down on a cooling rack to drain for 10 minutes.

When your eggplants have drained, pat dry and preheat your oven to 200 – 220C. Line a baking sheet with foil or a silpat.

Fill the scores of the eggplants with the garlic halves. Drizzle some oil over top and sear in a large pan 3 – 5 minutes or until you get some color. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet face side up.

Roast eggplants 20 – 30 minutes or until softened and cooked through. Pull from the oven and set aside until cool enough to handle.

This is a good time to make the soba according to package directions.

When your eggplant is cooled, scoop the flesh into a blender or food processor.

In your searing pan, toast the onion and spices in 2 Tbsp. oil over medium-high heat until the spices are fragrant and the onions are beginning to go translucent. Add the mixture to the eggplant and blitz. Taste, add the vinegar (if desired) and salt and pepper to taste.

Serve tangled into the buckwheat noodles and topped with the green onions and radish if desired.

Makes enough sauce to feed 4