Syrian-Style Chopped Salad: An Easy Beat-the-Heat Dish!

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Deliciously fresh and cool and perfect for a summer lunch or dinner!

Inspired by some Syrian-Canadian friends, I made a Syrian-Style Chopped Salad this weekend! This is the perfect dish to make with all the fresh produce available in summer. The primary ingredients are cucumbers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs, and it’s so refreshing to eat chilled for dinner on a hot summer’s day!

There is one less common ingredient: zaatar. Zaatar is an Arabic spice, and used in Middle Eastern cooking. I’ve used it before, as I grew up with it, and while I didn’t have it in my pantry, I asked my dad to borrow (er, have) a few tablespoons worth. You can probably find it at a local bulk store in a large city, or at a speciality food store. I believe my father buys it from a Middle Eastern grocery store, but even the local discount grocery stores have ‘exotic’ spices in their aisles these days, so I’d suggest looking there first.

My backyard tomatoes aren’t red yet, so I did have to use store-bought, but as any good foodie knows, home-grown tomatoes are THE. BEST! I did pick the parsley, mint, and radishes from my garden, though! (Am very proud of my densely grown balcony garden. The DH calls it ‘Las Amazonas’, so you know it’s pretty intense!)

Have I made it sound appetizing enough yet? Then let’s get cooking!

 

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SYRIAN-STYLE CHOPPED SALAD

This is an easy, beat-the-heat dish to make from fresh garden produce! Can be adapted to add grains or protein. 

Servings 3 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cucumber, finely chopped
  • 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 1/3-1/2 c. parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp. fresh mint, finely chopped (can use dried if that's what you have)
  • 1 tbsp. radish, sliced or diced
  • 2 tbsp. zaatar (Arabic spice)
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and stir. 

  2. Chill for half an hour or until serving. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

You can add in couscous or bulgar to make this a heftier salad; just add in a bit more lemon juice and oil. Alternatively, you can add in feta cheese, cubed & fried tofu, or even cooked chicken for some protein. Make it your own! 

By the way, this salad is so delicious that even my meat-a-tarian DH, who usually gamely eats whatever vegetarian dish I gave him but doesn’t choose vegetarian food if he has a choice, ACTUALLY ATE SECONDS OF THIS SALAD! Of his own volition! So yes, I will be making this a lot!

Although I’ve classified this salad as a vegetarian side dish, you could easily make it a main dish by adding in couscous or bulgar (cracked wheat), and adding in some crumbled or cubed feta cheese. And as I (the Queen of Substitutions) always encourages, make it your own by using whatever fresh produce you have in your garden or available at the local stores!

Next Post: I’m thinking the Shake n’ Bake tofu that I mentioned in a previous post. So many ways to use this versatile (and UBER-delicious protein)! And I’m not generally a tofu fan, so you KNOW it must be good! 

Linking Up at Meal Plan Monday! And at Happiness is Homemade!

Easiest Ever Orange Crush Slushy: A Summertime Treat!

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So very refreshing! (And embarrassingly easy to make!)

I was on vacation last week, and tried an Apple Cider Slushy for the first time. It. Was. Delicious! And slightly more adult than the classic neon coloured slushies that one finds at the corner store. But there’s a time and a place for everything, including the classic Orange Crush Slushy, so that’s what I’m going to show you how to make this week!

Making a slushy is almost embarrassingly easy. You basically just need a very watery drink, and an ice-cream maker. I use my Kitchen-Aid Mixer with an Ice Cream attachment, and I love it as I can easily make delicious ice creams like Gluten-Free Chunks O’ Brownie Ice Cream, or even healthier desserts like my Strawberry Fro-Yo. But I think any electric ice cream maker would work, paired with a delicious watery drink.

 

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ORANGE CRUSH SLUSHY

This childhood-inspired summertime treat is just the thing on a hot and steamy day. And even better, it takes about two minutes to make! 

Servings 1 serving

Ingredients

  • 1 can Orange Crush pop

Instructions

  1. Pour 1 can of pop into the ice cream maker, and run it for 2-5 minutes (depending on how frozen you like your slushy). 

  2. Pour into a chilled glass, and...enjoy!

Recipe Notes

I mention this in the post, but you can easily substitute the Orange Crush for another flavour of pop, or even another water-based drink. The possibilities are as wide as your imagination! 

The possibilities for different flavours of slushies are endless! Do you like the Grape or Watermelon-flavoured slushies from your childhood? Buy a package of Kool-Aid in the flavour you like, add in the appropriate amount of sugar and water as directed on the package, and toss it in the ice cream maker!

If you’re watching your weight, you could even try a strongly-flavoured version of Crystal Light. Yes, it’s not the healthiest of summertime treats, but…everything in moderation, right? Sometimes when it’s hot and humid outside, you just want a freezing cold slushy.

If you make this slushy, tell me what flavour you used! Cola? Orange Crush? Kool-Aid? Crystal Light? Share your version with us!

Next Post: Either Shake-and-Bake Tofu (seriously!) or Syrian Vegetable Salad. I’m craving both, and they’re both heathy, so why not? Any votes for which one I should post next? 

Linking Up at Happiness is Homemade! And at Meal Plan Monday! Plus at the Clever Chicks Blog Hop!

Super-Easy & Cheesy Pizza Scrolls: An Easy Snack, Appetizer, or Light Lunch!

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Ooey gooey cheesiness, oh yeah!

I’ve been lurking on Instagram lately, trying to learn the ins and outs of successful IG accounts, before launching my own account shortly. I’ve learnt some interesting things, including different foods from around the world. Case in point, have you ever heard of scrolls? I’ve never heard of them before, but they’re sort of like if a mini cinnamon bun met a savoury pastry. Apparently very popular in Australia, where marmite scrolls are a handy item to stash in a child’s lunchbox. Naturally, I decided to make my own version: Super-Easy & Cheesy Pizza Scrolls!

That’s right — think pizza rolls, but suuuuuper easy to make, and they make even an amateur baker look like a very experienced one. And who would complain about kudos for something that you just dashed together? I think they’d be great to bring to potlucks and get-togethers. Make them smaller for appetizers, or bigger for lunches.

Let’s get to making some!

 

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CHEESY PIZZA SCROLLS

These pizza roll-ups are great to snack on or to throw in a lunch bag. They also freeze and reheat well!

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 1 batch pizza dough (http://approachingfood.com/easiest-pizza-dough-ever/)
  • 3/4 c. cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/2 c. pizza sauce

Instructions

  1. Make pizza dough. For fluffier scrolls, let dough rise for 1 hour before punching down to get rid of excess air bubbles.

  2. Roll dough into rectangle.

  3. Spread sauce on top of rectangle, and sprinkle cheese on top.

  4. Roll up the pizza dough, long side to long side. If you roll up short side to short side, you'll have many fewer scrolls, and they'll be ginormous.

  5. Using a dough cutter (or just a sharp knife), slice the rolled up dough into slices, about 1 - 1 1/2 inch across.

  6. Place on non-stick baking tray, or on top of a silicone mat on a baking tray and bake for 1/2 hour at 425 degrees Fahrenheit, or until golden brown on top.

  7. Let cool and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

You can make your own basic pizza sauce by adding dried oregano to plain tomato sauce. Super-easy! 

To make mini scrolls, make the dough rectangle significantly wider than long. And to make fatter scrolls, make a dough square!

The trick to making really good scrolls is not to over-stuff them (I definitely overstuffed my first version!) so that you can roll them up verrrry tightly. And, if you like harder sides on your baked goods, set them by themselves on the baking tray. If you like soft-sided baked goods, make sure the sides are slightly touching. And, you’re good to go!

These scrolls are easy to customize with your favourite fillings. Why not some mini goat cheese and red pepper jelly scrolls for some fancy-pants appetizers? Or perhaps mini pesto scrolls for a switch-up? You could go authentic Australian with marmite ones, or just toss in some grated cheese and whatever finely chopped veggies are in your fridge. If you make these, let me know what fillings you used!

Next Post: Something fruity, I think. I am eating fruit like it’s going out of fashion! Perhaps with a custardy sauce. Mmm…fruit and custard — so deliciously summery! Or maybe a vegetarian version of Chicken Tortilla Soup? Chickpea Tortilla Soup!

Linking Up at Happiness is Homemade! And at Meal Plan Monday!

CREAMY Fire and Ice Salad, Plus My Veggies For The Week

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Creamy and cool and perfect for summer!

Fire and Ice Salad often contains some sort of pepper (cayenne or jalapeno) to create fiery heat, and then combined that with super-crisp and thoroughly chilled cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions, to create a super-refreshing salad that both teases and cools the palate. I decided to take that concept, mix it up with the concept of a cucumber raita (a yoghurt and cucumber condiment/salad used to cool the palate in between hot curries) and make it my own!

Hence, I present…CREAMY Fire and Ice Salad!

I make my own preservative-free ranch dressing mix, and I used that as a base for the dressing, mixing it with sour cream, yoghurt, mayo, and a dash of lemon juice, for a refreshing salad that makes the perfect accompaniment to any summer meal.

This can easily be thrown together in 5 minutes, and then set in the fridge to chill until the rest of the dinner is ready. If you don’t want to make your own ranch dressing mix, you can definitely replace it with a store-bought package. You do you, boo!

 

5 from 1 vote
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CREAMY FIRE & ICE SALAD

A deliciously cool and creamy salad, perfect to serve alongside BBQ during the summer months!

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  • 3 tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 English cucumber, chopped
  • 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp. ranch dressing mix
  • 1/2 c. sour cream
  • 1/2 c. yoghurt
  • 2 tbsp. mayo
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Mix sour cream, lemon juice, mayo, yoghurt, and dressing mix together.

  2. Toss with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion.

  3. Chill and serve!

I mentioned my veggies for the week in the title to this post. I tend to buy whatever is on sale and whatever looks especially good. I just finished my weekly shop, so this week’s veggies are sweet potatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh spinach, and sweet peppers. I’m making Sweet Potato and Hummus soup, garnished with avocado and sour cream; Coleslaw, using my mum’s recipe (oil and vinegar based); Spinach Salad (IF the strawberries that I’m growing on my balcony ripen in time); and of course, today’s recipe, CREAMY Fire and Ice Salad. Given that I’m cooking for two but using family-sized recipes, I’ll have lots of delicious and nutrient-filled veggie dishes for the week!

Next Post: Probably something veggie-filled. Although I’m also craving some fruit. Watermelon smoothies, anyone? 

Linking Up at Meal Plan Monday, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, and Happiness is Homemade!

Green Apple & Kale Smoothie: Nutritional Dreams are Made of This

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Such a lovely pale, summery colour!

I’ve been dreaming of green apples lately. Crisp, tangy Granny Smith apples, that one bites into with a snap and that lovely sweet and sour taste that makes you pucker up and want to eat more. I’m guessing it’s a pregnancy craving, as at the same time that I’m craving lemonade and green apples, I’m also becoming slightly turned off sweets. I KNOW. WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING! But I believe in listening to my body, and apparently baby likes her fruits and veggies. All fruits. All veggies. All. The. Time. So, today’s recipe is a new smoothie recipe, that combines fruits and veggies for a healthy meal replacement that is perfect for the summer heat that has just arrived: Green Apple & Kale Smoothie!

Frozen banana gives it a creamy, milkshake consistency, and sweetens it up naturally, while green apple and kale give it a lovely fresh green colour while cramming in the nutrients. Plus, a little yoghurt and milk adds some calcium & protein. You could add some almond butter in for a proper serving of protein, but I prefer the fresh taste of the smoothie as is.

You know you’re feeding your body healthily when you drink this smoothie! 3-4 servings of fruits and veggies are packed into this smoothie, and it still feels like you’re giving yourself a treat. There’s nothing like sitting outside in the sun on your porch, deck, or balcony, enjoying the weather, while keeping cool drinking this whole food smoothie. Yum, yum!

Let’s get to making one!

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GREEN APPLE & KALE SMOOTHIE

This deliciously creamy smoothie is also packed full of good nutrition! A great way to get your nutrients on the go.

Servings 1 person

Ingredients

  • 1 c. kale, frozen
  • 1 banana, frozen
  • 1 Granny Smith apple
  • 1/2 c. yoghurt (can be replaced with coconut yoghurt)
  • 1/2 c. milk (can be replaced with nut milk)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in the blender and...liquefy! 

  2. Serve in a chilled glass for maximum yumminess!

By the way, you can make this a vegan smoothie by using coconut yoghurt instead of dairy yoghurt, or simply replacing the yoghurt with the nut milk of your choice. I personally find that homemade cashew milk is a great way to increase the protein and nutrients in this smoothie.

Next Post: Not entirely sure. Probably something with fruit and veggies because this gestating woman has got CRAVINGS! 

Linking Up at Meal Plan Monday!  And also at the Clever Chicks Blog Hop, and Happiness is Homemade!