I am on a plane as I type. Things are not going so well as our plane was just diverted to Austin when we are supposed to be heading to Houston. But such is life and I didn’t want to leave you empty-handed over the weekend. These cucumber noodles are the easiest thing in the world to make. They are light and delicious, a perfect summer side for everything for grilled salmon to veggie burgers. read more
How have I been existing without this lentil salad in my life!? If you have been following Kitchen Below Canal on Instagram, you might know that I have been in St. Barts for the majority of the last couple of weeks. I documented many of my favorite dishes on the island but there were loads of others that didn’t make the cut for reasons that had nothing to do with the food itself – the quality of the photographs, the desire to not be the person who over-posts, whatever. But when I looked back at my photos, I realized that one of my favorite spots to eat on the island wasn’t in my pics at all. read more
This grilled chicken salad with chipotle lime dressing is locked and loaded and ready for you to serve up this summer! Dive in. It could be your lunch tomorrow.
The coleslaw of my youth was a soggy sweet mess but this red cabbage slaw is the mad good. Plus, it’s so loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that you’re practically guaranteed to glow from the inside out. I think this may have just won a slaw beauty pageant. š Definitely ready for it’s closeup! read more
All of my friends are requesting easy summer sides and it doesn’t get much easier than this raw zucchini carpaccio. No cooking required. Simple, healthy and delicious. read more
This market vegetable salad with vegan ranch dressing is going to be in heavy rotation this summer! It’s like a vegan farmer’s market version of a Cobb, where you have a little of this and a little of that, and you can tell with just a glance what is in the salad. If you want to swap out an ingredient or two, don’t let me stop you. Feel free to be inspired by what’s fresh at your local farmer’s market.
This dressing, by the way, is off the charts. So tangy and creamy – full of herby deliciousness – the perfect accompaniment for all of those veggies. read more
Champagne mangos, also known as ataulfo mangos, are piled high at my local market and that inspired this champagne mango and avocado salad. If you haven’t tried champagne mangos, you should! They’re deliciously sweet with a buttery texture that is more akin to a Hawaiian papaya than the larger, more fibrous mango varieties. And they’re so good you can just peel them and eat them right down to the pit at your kitchen counter. read more
These roasted carrots with jalapeƱo and lime are so so good. Now, historically speaking, I have not been the biggest carrot fan. The cooked carrots of my youth definitely left something to be desired – orange coins characterized by a bland and soggy sweetness. “Eat your carrots.” No thank you.
But I present to you my case for carrots. It’s beautiful to leave a bit of the green tops, don’t you think? I also love that these carrots aren’t peeled. They feel appealingly rustic.
While I am not big on rules, I do have one for carrots. You really need to play against their sweetness. Roasting them with a bit of cumin, coriander and thinly sliced jalapeƱo is not a bad way to start. The jalapeƱo really mellows in the oven and it lends a really nice flavor. But the real magic happens when you hit those fresh from the oven carrots with some freshly squeezed lime juice. That’s when the skies open and the angels sing! read more
This beetroot tartare is one of those dishes that looks fancy but is really, simply, all about highlighting the vegetable. Some herbs, fresh horseradish root, a pop of acidity, and a hit of salt are all beets need to make them sing! The lemon-horseradish (cashew) cream just puts them over the top. It takes a little time to roast the beets but the actual preparation of the tartare is really quite simple. It’s a lot like preparing a salad. A little chopping and mixing. A little dressing.
In fact, while I often think of this beetroot tartare as an appetizer, it’s equally appropriate as a salad or side.
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I am obsessed with this citrus salad! It’s the perfect way to combat the February doldrums. February can a tough month, don’t you think? The holidays are long gone but spring still seems far away, at least here in New York. This winter hasn’t been as bad as some but last February, I watched as huge sheets of ice floated down the Hudson River. Just, no. (I can hear my mother saying, “Well it’s 65 degrees right now in Louisiana.” Thanks, Mom.)
This time of year, when it comes to food, I often want some element of freshness to counterbalance the heavier foods of winter. Enter citrus! Citrus is your friend. This salad is incredibly refreshing, not to mention beautiful. I am a sucker for color and these colors are pretty freaking fab. Take a peak at this closeup… read more
