Radish Microgreens

I'm obsessing over our 40 acres of radishes.  They've sprouted within 6 days of planting and they're the cutest little plants - two attached heart-shaped leaves peaking out from the ground.

                          Don't have to wait for the root to grow before grazing on these babies.

I tossed a handful over sliced cucumbers and tomatoes and drizzled all with a vinaigrette.  They'd be equally wonderful over sandwiches, tacos or just as a garnish.  They won't stay tiny for long before becoming  tough and bitter, so we'll be snacking on these while we can.

Shrimp and Avocado Salad

A cool and refreshing salad made just for hot summer days like today.  With no more than five minutes of cooking time needed, this simple but delicious salad can be on the table in minutes.   Cucumbers and cantaloupe are tossed with the avocado and shrimp and drizzled with a light vinaigrette consisting of cilantro and lime juice. 



Shrimp and Avocado Salad

1 lb. shrimp

1 T. olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 t. cumin

salt and pepper

chopped romaine

1 cucumber, peeled and sliced

2 cups chopped cantaloupe

1 avocado, sliced

Heat oil in large skillet and add shrimp, garlic and seasonings.  Cook until shrimp are done about 5 minutes.  Toss romain, cucumber and cantaloupe with dressing and top with shrimp.  Serves 4.

Cilantro-Lime Dressing

1/2 c. olive oil

juice of 1 lime

1/2 c. cilantro

1 garlic clove, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all in food processor or blender and mix until well blended. 

Asian Lettuce Wraps

Spring is here and along with my sorority girls, we're all wanting to eat lighter and healthier.  I make alot of different type of wraps and for some time have wanted to make lettuce wraps.  Since one of our favorite salads here is the Asian Salad, I decided to turn that into a wrap.  The combinations of vegetables, meats and toppings are endless and you can use a variety of dressings or vinaigrettes.  I used bibb lettuce as my little wrap or salad cup and filled it with julienne carrot, cucumber and roasted red pepper strips.  Strips of smoked turkey was tossed in as well along with a light drizzle of Sesame-Ginger Dressing.  The only change I would make to these would be to add a sprinkling of crisp won ton strips on top.  Since their small size made it difficult to actually roll these into wraps, I left them as little cups which were easily folded over and eaten.

Asian Lettuce Wraps or Bowls

Large bibb lettuce leaves

Julienne of carrots, cucumbers and peppers

Sliced smoked turkey

Sesame-Ginger Dressing

2 c. oil

1/2 c. rice wine vinegar

1/4 c. soy sauce

1/4 c. honey

1 T. sesame oil

1 t. crushed red pepper flakes

1 T. minced garlic & fresh ginger

salt and pepper to taste

Process all in food processor or blender until well blended.



Orzo Feta Salad

This versatile salad is one of my favorites.  Any number of vegetables that you have on hand can be added to this - garbanzo beans are great in it too.  Add shrimp or grilled chicken for a main dish entree.  Orzo is a type of pasta that is shaped like rice and can be used so many ways that I always keep a package in my pantry.  It's great in minestrone, any type of Mediterrean/Italian Salad, or as a replacement in rice dishes such as risotto.  Experiment with it and see what you can create!

Orzo Feta Salad

2 lbs. Orzo, cooked al dente

1 cucumber, cut in half & sliced thinly

1 pkg fresh dill, chopped

1 pepper, chopped

1 c. chopped sun dried tomatoes

1/2 c. crumbled feta

1/2 red onion, sliced thin

1/4 c. vinegar

1/2 c. oil

Salt & Pepper

Combine all ingredients well and adjust seasonings.  Better if made a day or two in advance.