Serves: 6

• Ingredients

3 small rounds fresh goat cheese, each about 1/4 pound
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups finely dried bread crumbs
4 large handfuls mesclun or mixed salad greens
1 clove garlic, minced
12 walnut halves
Toasts

VINAIGRETTE:
5 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper

• preparation

Whisk together the oil, and two vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in the minced garlic.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut each cheese round horizontally to make 6 rounds.
Place on a plate and drizzle with the olive oil, turning once to lightly coat both sides.
Spread the bread crumbs on a plate. Coat the rounds of goat cheese on both sides with the crumbs and then place well spaced on a baking sheet.
Bake until the cheese rounds are slightly bubbling around the edges, 4-6 minutes.
Drizzle salad greens with the dressing. Toss well and divide the greens evenly among 6 salad plates.
Place a hot cheese round in the center of each mound of greens. Garnish with walnuts and toasts. Serve immediately.

Serves: 4

This salad is perfect to take to parties or get-togethers.

• Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons chili sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
3 cups elbow macaroni, cooked
1/2 cup tomato, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped
3 cups lettuce, shredded
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

• preparation

1. In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients; mix well.
2. Add the macaroni, tomato and onions; toss to coat.
3. Cover and refrigerate.
4. Just before serving, add lettuce and bacon; toss to coat

Serves: 4

Kale is among the most nutrient-dense commonly eaten vegetables.

• Ingredients

4-6 cups kale, loosely packed kale leaves
juice of 1 lemon
3-4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, mashed
1 minced shallot
salt and pepper, to taste
hot red pepper flakes, to taste
2/3 cup grated Pecorino, Asiago or Parmesan

• preparation

Wash and spin dry the kale leaves and chop finely.

Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, shallot, salt, pepper, and a generous pinch of hot red pepper flakes.
Pour over kale in serving bowl and toss well.
Add 2/3 of the cheese and toss again.
Let kale sit for at least 5 minutes. Toss again, and top with remaining cheese.

Serves: 2

It’s hard not to love a latke. The golden-brown potato fritters, which are a hallmark of Hanukkah celebrations and a ubiquitous menu item at Jewish delicatessens, tick all the comfort-food boxes: crunchy, starchy, salty and delicious.

• Ingredients

Latkes
2 pounds baking potatoes
1 medium white onion, grated
2 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon cornstarch
oil for frying

AÏOLI
1/2 cup (125 mL) mayonnaise
1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated lemon zest
1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1 tbsp (15 mL) finely chopped fresh dill
2 tsp (10 mL) capers, drained,
finely chopped
1/2 tsp (2 mL) freshly ground black pepper

6 oz (170 g) smoked salmon, thinly sliced
4 leaves bibb lettuce
4 slices ripe tomato

• preparation

Shred the potato and mix with grated onion. Using a clean kitchen cloth, squeeze the liquid out of the potatoes. Repeat the process until it's mostly drained.
Combine the potato mixture with the beaten eggs, cornstarch, and salt. Microwave for 30 seconds. Drain liquid once more, if needed.
Heat a pan with a small amount of vegetable oil. Working in batches, spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture and form into small patties. Fry on both sides until golden brown.
Drain on a wire rack lined with paper towels. Repeat the process. Try to keep them the same size for even cooking time and presentation.
Remove latkes and pat them dry with paper towels; keep warm.


1. To make aïoli, combine mayonnaise, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, dill, capers and pepper in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

2. Preheat oven to 250°­F (121­°C).

3. Place latkes on a baking tray and heat in oven until warm but not too hot to touch, 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Spread a little aïoli over 4‑latkes. Top 2 with smoked salmon, and 2 with lettuce and tomato. Place lettuce-and-tomato-topped latkes on smoked-salmon-topped latkes. Top with final 2 latkes to make “triple-decker”-style club sandwiches.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

4 large green apples, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups apple cider
1 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated
2 cups shelled walnuts, 1 cup lightly toasted 1 cup ground fine
2 ounces balsamic vinegar
2 ounces olive oil
kosher salt
black pepper
1 pound arugula, washed and trimmed
1/2 pound red seedless grapes
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, soaked in balsamic vinegar
1/2 pound orecciette or shells pasta, cooked, cooled and oiled
4 ounces gorgonzola cheese, crumbled

• preparation

Salad:
Set aside a little more than 1/2 of apples in bowl with water and lemon juice.
Place remaining apples in small saucepan with cider.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until apples are tender. Remove apples from heat, strain (reserving cider) and purée.

Dressing:
Combine 4 ounces of purée with oil and vinegar. Add salt, pepper and about 2 ounces reserved cider to taste.
Drain remaing apples and toss together with walnuts, pasta, grapes, arugula, onions and dressing. Serve salad in baskets and top with gorgonzola.

Baskets:
Place a non-stick 9"sauté pan over low heat. Sprinkle bottom of pan with 1/4 cup Parmigiano to cover surface (cheese will melt), then with 1/4 cup ground walnuts.
When edges of crêpes are golden brown, peel away from pan with rubber spatula and invert slowly into 6-7" bowl to form basket.
If it tears, place back in pan with a bit more cheese to seal. Basket will crisp within seconds. Repeat to make 4 baskets.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

Salad:
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
4 cups mixed baby greens

Pancakes:
2 russet potatoes, peeled, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 ounces soft fresh goat cheese (Montrachet) crumbled
4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives

• preparation

For salad:
whisk vinegar and mustard. Gradually whisk in oil. Mix in chives, shallot and garlic. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
For pancakes:
Place potatoes in dry kitchen towel and squeeze to remove as much moisture as possible. Transfer potatoes to large bowl. Add salt and pepper and toss to combine.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy skillet over medium heat. Mound 1/3 cup potatoes in skillet. Using spatula, flatten to 3-inch round. Repeat 3 times, forming 4 pancakes.
Top each cake with 1/4 of goat cheese. Sprinkle each with 1 teaspoon chives.
Cover each with another 1/3 cup potatoes; press to adhere, enclosing cheese completely and flattening slightly. Cook until bottoms are golden. Add 1/2 tablespoon oil to skillet. Turn pancakes over; cook until golden. Toss green with enough dressing to coat.
Divide salad among plates. Arrange 1 pancake atop each salad.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

8 cups torn leaf lettuce
2 green onions, sliced
2 tbsp drained capers
Dressing:
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp grated lemon rind
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp liquid honey
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/4 tsp each salt and pepper

3 oz (85 g) thinly sliced smoked salmon

• preparation

Dressing: In bowl, whisk together oil, lemon rind and juice, honey, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mince half of the smoked salmon; add to dressing.

In salad bowl, toss together lettuce, onions and dressing until coated. Divide among plates.

Cut remaining salmon into strips; curl into rosettes and arrange on salad. Sprinkle capers over top.

Serves: 8

• Ingredients

for basil dressing:
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves, washed and drained
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 pound smoked salmon, thinly sliced
1 pound mixed baby greens, cleaned and spinned
French bread

• preparation

For the basil dressing: In a blender, combine the basil, olive oil, water, white wine vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. Puree until smooth. Transfer to a bowl. Cover a set aside.
PRESENTATION
Toss the clean salad with the dressing. Divide the salad between the cold plates, and arrange in the center of the plates. Roll slices of smoked salmon.
Divide between the plates and arrange on top of the lettuce. Serve with French bread.

Serves: 6

• Ingredients

Tofu marinade:

5 tablespoons, about 3 lemon grass stalks, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 teaspoons Sambal oelek (chili paste)
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 pound tofu, firm, pressed and drained, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
3 tablespoons soybean oil or olive oil
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced lengthwise
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons chopped roasted peanuts,
2/3 cup Asian basil leaves (halve large leaves)
5 cups cooked farro wheat and brown basmati rice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup sliced Wood ear mushrooms
1 cup sliced brown mushrooms
3 tablespoon shallots, minced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 cups cooked Chinese long beans, cut into 2 inches
salt and pepper to taste


1 cup micro greens (cilantro, baby spinach and arugala)
1/4 cup lemon grass vinaigrette (recipe below)
1/4 cup fried shallots (recipe below)


To serve:
Place a portion of the tofu on top of the rice. Toss the micro greens with the lemon grass vinaigrette. Place on top of the tofu. Garnish with the fried shallots.
Drizzle the dish with a little lemon grass vinaigrette and sprinkle with the remaining peanuts.

Lemongrass Vinaigrette

Yield: 1 cup
8 Lemon grass stalks, fleshy bottom third only, minced
1 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons Thai bird chile, minced
2 tablespoons Fish sauce

Fried Shallots

Yield: 2/3 cup
Ingrediends
1/2 cup shallots, cut crosswise into 1/8 inch thick slices
1 cup vegetable oil

• preparation

Pound the lemon grass and ginger with a mortar and pestle to pulverize. Add the sambal oelek, soy sauce, turmeric, sugar, and salt, and mix well to form a paste. Add the tofu and turn gently to coat evenly. Marinate for 30 minutes or longer.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small sauce pot over low heat. Add the onions and garlic. Season with salt. Let cook covered 1 minute, add 1 tablespoon water, and continue to cook, covered, until the onions are translucent and soft—approximately 5 to 8 minutes. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the marinated tofu (there should be enough room in the pan for all the tofu pieces to be in a single layer). Shake pan slightly and let the tofu brown all over, using chopsticks or a wooden spoon to turn the pieces periodically so they cook evenly. Cook, uncovered, until tofu is lightly browned. Remove from heat and transfer to a heated platter. Set aside.
Add 1 tablespoon oil to frying pan and toss in the onion mixture. Cook over medium heat until onion is tender. Add tofu to warm. Adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt and sugar. Add half of the peanuts and Thai basil leaves. Remove from heat.

For the farro or rice:
Heat a sauté pan over high heat and add oil. When the oil is hot, add the mushrooms and sauté until just tender. Add the garlic, shallots, and long beans, and cook until hot and aromatic. Add the cooked farro or rice to the mushrooms and beans and divide between 6 individual serving plates.

To serve:
Place a portion of the tofu on top of the rice. Toss the micro greens with the lemon grass vinaigrette. Place on top of the tofu. Garnish with the fried shallots.
Drizzle the dish with a little lemon grass vinaigrette and sprinkle with the remaining peanuts.

Lemongrass Vinaigrette

In a small saucepan, bring the lemon grass, vinegar, and sugar to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and boil until the liquid is reduced by about half, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Remove from the heat and strain, discarding the lemon grass. Add the remaining vinaigrette ingredients, mix well, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Note: For a vegetarian version of this sauce, replace the fish sauce with soy sauce.

Fried Shallots

Spread the shallots out on paper towels and allow to air dry for 30 minutes.
Combine the shallots and oil in a skillet and bring to a slow boil. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the shallots are golden, about 15 minutes. Stir so the shallots brown evenly.
Remove with a slotted spoon or strain the oil through a wire-mesh sieve. Transfer the shallots to a plate or tray lined with paper towels. Discard the oil or save it for later use in stir-fries. Once cool, the shallots are ready to use. If stored in a jar with a tight lid at room temperature, the shallots will keep up to 1 week.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

8 Italian Roma tomatoes, cut in half
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons chiffonade of basil
1/2 small red onion, -- julienned
salt and pepper to taste
1 beefsteak tomato, -- cut into 6 slices
1 yellow beefsteak tomato, -- cut into 6 slices
8 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
4 cups assorted baby greens
4 fried green tomatoes, for top of salad
Black pepper for the rim
edible flowers

• preparation

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Toss the Roma tomatoes with the olive oil. Place the tomatoes, seed side down, on a baking sheet and roast for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. Julienne the tomatoes.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil and red onion together.
Add the julienned tomatoes. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
Season each side of the tomato slices with salt and pepper. Season each side of the mozzarella slices with salt and pepper. Toss the greens with 2/3 of the vinaigrette.
Reserve the remaining dressing. Alternate layering the tomatoes, cheese and greens.
Use 3 slices each of the tomatoes and cheese plus 1 cup of the greens for each salad.
Garnish each salad with the fried green tomato, remaining vinaigrette, black pepper on the rim, parsley, and edible flowers.

Serves: 4

• Ingredients

2 large Belgian Endives
1 small head of red-leaf lettuce
1 small head of green-leaf lettuce
1 small bunch of watercress

Dressing:
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon mustard
juice of one large garlic clove

• preparation

Combine the dressing ingredients and pour them over the bowl of cleaned salad ingredients.
Toss salad and serve.
Depending on your taste and preference, several other recipes are possible.
Combine Belgian Endive with raddichio, red leaf lettuce, or red beets for the red ingredients and with arrugula, romaine lettuce, mache, or Boston lettuce for the green ingredients.