Italian Tuna Salad with Fennel

Italian Tuna Salad with Fennel

Serves: 6

Difficulty level: Easy

Italian Tuna Salad with Fennel

This colorful tuna salad makes a satisfying lunch or dinner served alongside a mound of greens. I love the contrast in textures of the fennel, celery, onion, and tuna. The salad is light because the tuna is dressed with olive oil and fresh lemon juice instead of the usual mayonnaise. The fresh herbs give it brightness, and the red bell peppers and purple olives make for a colorful and appetizing preparation. The important thing here is to use the tasty tuna packed in olive oil enjoyed throughout the Mediterranean region, rather than the drier, rather mealy white tuna packed in water. Good quality tuna packed in olive oil from Italy are much easier to find in your local grocer or online. Popular accessible brands include Ortiz or Cento.

Sole Piccata

Sole Piccata

Serves: 4

Difficulty level: Easy

 

Sole Piccata

The classic Italian piccata is made with veal. This piccata is made with fish, however, and nothing could be tastier or easier. All you need is a thin, white fillet, a hot pan, and some butter, lemon, capers, shallots and white wine. The fish cooks in minutes and sauce comes together practically on its own. Shallots and lemon caramelize in the butter, wine prevents the butter from burning, and more butter at the end with capers adds body. Light tasting fish and a tangy, creamy, well-balanced sauce: It's a no-brainer for both experienced and novice cook.

Persian Lime Lentil Salad

Persian Lime Lentil Salad

Serves: 4

Difficulty level: Easy

Persian Lime Lentil Salad 

Lentils, like other legumes, are low in fat and high in protein and fiber, but they have the added advantage of cooking quickly. They have a mild, often earthy flavor. The best, most delicate varieties are the peppery French green lentils. Their unique flavor is attributed to the volcanic soil where they grow, sans fertilizer, which gives them their fine, mineral-rich taste. Consequently, they have less starch so do not get all mushy and muddy when cooked.

Sweet Corn Bread Pudding

Sweet Corn Bread Pudding

Serves: 6 – 8
Difficulty level: Easy

Sweet Corn Bread Pudding 

Hands down – my favorite corn bread to serve with Vegetarian Chile.  Well, any Chile really but with vegetarian I wanted some additional wonderfulness. This is also great for the holidays as substitute stuffing for your Thanksgiving turkey or accompanies ham.  If you wanted to add meat – chorizo or sausage would make a terrific addition. You simply cannot go wrong….Give a try and let me know your modifications.

Absolutely Fabulous Vegetarian Chile

Absolutely Fabulous Vegetarian Chile

Serves: 8
Difficulty Level: Easy

Absolutely Fabulous Vegetarian Chile

If you need some hearty food for a potluck, baseball or football party AND have vegetarians in your crowd – this is your dish. Break out your soup pot. Even though this vegetarian chili recipe uses canned ingredients, a generous amount of spices are simmered to give it a homemade taste. It makes for a hearty midweek meal or meatless Monday – then freezes leftovers in meal-sized containers for ready-to-eat meals in the future. Once the chopping is done – this comes together fast.