This recipe came about when I was cooking for a crowd but only had 4 ears of corn from my crop-share. Cutting corn off the cobb is a great way to make a little corn go a long way and mixing it with other complimentary ingredients, such as basil and tomato, adds a burst of summer flavor.

Grilling the corn makes the natural sugars caramelize and creates a nice charred flavor. This salad is a great use for late-summer corn, which generally has larger kernels that aren’t as tender and sweet as early-season corn.

Use the best ingredients you can find – super ripe tomatoes and fresh basil make this corn salad amazing.

Grilled Corn, Tomato & Basil Salad
4 ears of sweet corn
2 beefsteak tomatoes, cut into ½” pieces
½ C. fresh basil, chopped
salt & fresh-ground pepper to taste

1. Preheat grill. Shuck corn by removing husks and silk. (To remove pieces of clingy silk use a moist paper towel and wipe in a downward motion, from stalk to tip of cobb). Grill corn until slightly charred. Set aside to cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, stand corn vertically in center of large bowl and using a sharp knife, cut corn from stalk, allowing cut corn to fall into bowl. Squeeze any “milk” from empty husk into bowl and continue with remaining pieces of corn.

2. Add tomato and basil to corn and toss. Add salt and pepper to taste. Can be made up to 2 hours in advance and served at room temperature.

Serves: 6-8 as a side

Today I am sharing one of my very favorite recipes with you.  As you probably already know, I love myself some quinoa.  It’s high in protein, filled with fiber, quick-cooking, gluten-free and super tasty.  This recipe combines so many flavorful ingredients with the quinoa and is absolutely delicious.  It’s the perfect picnic dish (I brought it to a BBQ in the park last weekend and it was devoured), as it tastes great with any grilled meat.  It would be a great addition to a shower brunch/ lunch buffet, or for any summer menu.  I like to make double and bring leftovers for lunch in the summer.  On a hot day, it’s filling enough on it’s own for a light dinner when served with a mesclun salad.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

2 cups uncooked quinoa

3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

1 lemon, zested and juiced (about 1 tsp. zest & 2 Tbs. juice)

½ Tbs. parsley, chopped

1 Tbs. shallots, minced

1 tsp. sherry vinegar

½ tsp. salt (or more to taste)

1 cup (about 10oz) grape tomatoes, halved

½ English cucumber (seedless), chopped

¾ cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped

12oz roasted red peppers, chopped (strained of liquid)

¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

Fresh-ground pepper, to taste

1.            Rinse quinoa under cold water until water runs clear (don’t skip this step – quinoa has a bitter outer layer that you need to rinse off).  Place quinoa and broth in medium saucepan and bring to boil.  Once boiling, cover and reduce heat.  Simmer 15 minutes, or until liquid absorbs into quinoa.  Fluff quinoa with a fork.  Transfer to a medium bowl and cool to room temperature.

2.            Combine olive oil through salt in a large bowl and whisk until well combined.  Add in quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, olives and peppers; toss to combine.  Add in feta, if using.  Can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Jazzing up a salad for spring entertaining is as easy as adding a few special ingredients, like toasted pistachio nuts and sliced strawberries.  The mint vinaigrette gives the salad a fresh taste, and the strawberries and nuts provide great contrast in texture and flavor.  I love to serve this salad as part of a brunch menu.  I usually make extra dressing so I have it for a quick weeknight meal.  Add roasted or grilled chicken to this salad and you have yourself a healthy lunch or dinner.

This salad travels well if the ingredients are kept separate and tossed together when ready to serve.

Pistachio & Strawberry Salad with Mint Vinaigrette

1/4 C. shelled pistachios, toasted

1/2 C. strawberries, sliced

5 oz mesclun salad or baby romaine salad mix

1/2 C. mint vinaigrette (recipe below)

Toss salad ingredients with dressing in a large salad bowl.  Serve immediately.

Mint Vinaigrette

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup mint leaves, tightly packed
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. Agave nectar (or honey)
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
fresh ground pepper, to taste

In a large food processor, blend the oil and mint until well combined.  Add the remaining ingredients and blend until fully combined.  Maked about 1 cup of dressing and can be stored for up to 3 days.

Winter salads can be boring.  My solution is to add a special ingredient, like roasted butternut squash.  Roasting brings out the sweetness of the vegetable and gives it a great texture.  Adding a good balsamic vinaigrette and candied walnuts or pecans (buy Pecan Pralines if you don’t feel like making them yourself) make this salad absolutely delicious.  Top it with some crumbled goat cheese for an extra special touch.  Serve this salad at brunch, lunch or dinner.

Mesclun Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash

½ medium butternut squash, peeled and diced in ½” pieces

1 large shallot, cut into quarters

2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

½ Tbs. fresh thyme, chopped

salt and pepper

5 ounces mesclun greens or other salad mix

¼ cup candied walnuts or pecan pralines, chopped

Balsamic vinaigrette (homemade or store-bought)

2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (optional)

1.            Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Toss squash with shallot, olive oil, vinegar, thyme, salt and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet until well coated.  Arrange in a single layer and roast in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, tossing after 10 minutes, and cook until squash is soft and slightly browned.  Once cooked, chop shallot into small pieces and mix with squash.  Squash mixture can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.  Cool before adding to salad.

2.            Place mesclun greens in large serving bowl.  Top with roasted squash mixture, candied nuts and balsamic vinaigrette.  Toss until well combined.  Sprinkle with crumbled goat cheese, if you are using it.   Serve immediately.

Serves 6

Beet and apple slaw is as delicious as it is healthy.  This simple slaw is the perfect side dish for a picnic; it can be made up to 2 days in advance and it travels well.

This original Hip Hostess recipe was published in Rochester Healthy Living Magazine (June 2010, page 19)

http://www.rochesterhealthyliving.com/past_issues/RHL_June2010.pdf

Beet & Apple Slaw

2 raw beets, peeled and shredded (2 cups)

1 large red apple, shredded (1 cup)

½ red onion, chopped (1/4 cup)

juice from 1 lemon (about 1/4 cup)

2 Tbs. olive oil

2 Tbs. red wine vinegar

1 ½ Tbs. Dijon mustard

1 Tbs. agave nectar or 2 Tbs. sugar

1 clove garlic, minced (1 tsp.)

½ tsp. salt

Fresh-ground black pepper to taste

2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)

1. Toss together beets, apple and red onion in bowl.

2. Blend lemon juice, oil, vinegar, mustard, agave nectar, garlic, and salt in food processor until smooth.  Add to beet mixture, and toss to coat.  Garnish with green onions, if using.

Serves 6 (serving size = 3/4 cup)

Wondering what to do with the abundance of fresh basil this time of year?  I love to make basil infused olive oil and drizzle it over heirloom tomatoes, grilled eggplant, fresh mozzarella and broiled fish.  I also serve it as a dipping oil with crusty bread, or toss it with any grilled veggie for a flavorful side dish.  It’s the essence of summer, concentrated into a simple oil. 

Basil Infused Olive Oil

1 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil

Bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil and blanch basil for 5 seconds.  Drain and immediately plunge into ice water.  Once cooled, remove from water and pat leaves dry with paper towel.  Puree basil with olive oil in a food processor.  Season with salt and pepper.  Strain the basil oil through a fine mesh strainer and discard basil remnants.  Pour oil into a jar, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.  Basil oil will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

 Photo Credit:  Lisa Barber

Since the heat wave moved in I haven’t been able to turn on my oven.  As a result, I have gotten creative with my no-cook recipes.  A caprese salad is one of my favorites this time of year, when the tomatoes and basil are at their best.  But instead of tomatoes, I substitute cantaloupe and made a delicious hip twist on this Italian classic.  Serve this combo as a salad or on mini skewers for a party (or kids).  This is a savory recipe – think of it like a vegetarian version of cantaloupe and prosciutto, another delicious sweet-salty combo. 

Seed and cut one ripe cantaloupe into chunks or round balls (with a mellon baller).  Use one container of Bocconcini (mini Mozzarella balls) and a small bunch of fresh basil.  Layer cantaloupe, Bocconcini and basil on skewers and repeat until the skewers are full, leaving an inch or so at the end.  Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Instead of skewers, make a salad using the same ingredients and tossing until combined.  Serve with a nice glass of white wine or prosecco and enjoy!

A mild, minty vinaigrette is the perfect dressing for a light spring salad.  You won’t be overwhelmed by the mint – its a slightly tangy, creamy vinaigrette that won’t overpower the taste of other salad ingredients.  I like to use this dressing on a salad tossed with mango, red peppers, toasted macadamia nuts and goat cheese.  That exact salad is on my menu for Easter brunch this year.

Don’t save this dressing for salad – it’s great on fish or lamb too, and adds a pretty touch of spring to your plate.

Mint Vinaigrette

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup mint leaves, tightly packed
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. Agave nectar (or honey)
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
fresh ground pepper, to taste

In a large food processor, blend the oil and mint until well combined.  Add the remaining ingredients and blend until fully combined.  Maked about 1 cup of dressing and can be stored for up to 3 days.

Serve this simple yet hearty summer salad at a picnic, bridal or baby shower luncheon or serve over mixed greens for a light supper.
 

This salad is best prepared several hour (or up to 3 days) in advance so the flavors have time to merry.  I used navy beans, but cannellini beans (aka white kidney beans) are more traditional in Tuscan cooking.   Canned beans are a fine substitute, but fresh cooked will have a sturdier texture.

Tuscan White Bean Salad

1 cup dried white beans (or 2 cans white beans)

½ lb. (8oz) fresh mozzarella, cut into ½” cubes

1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered

1.5 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

1.5 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

1 small garlic clove, minced

2 Tbs. fresh oregano, chopped

2 Tbs. fresh basil, chopped

½ tsp. salt

fresh-ground black pepper

1.            Soak beans in cold water overnight.  Rinse beans and cover with water.  Bring to boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce to simmer and cook, uncovered, for about 40 minutes, or until tender but not mushy.  Drain and cool to room temperature.

2.            Combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano and basil in large bowl and whisk until fully combined.  Add mozzarella, tomatoes and beans and toss until well coated.  Chill for several hours and serve at room temperature.

Serves 6

I always enjoy the first asparagus of the season simply steamed or sauteed.  In the following weeks I find more interesting uses for my favorite spring vegetable, like this Asparagus and Feta Quinoa Salad.  If you can find them, use pencil thin stalks in this recipe.  

This salad goes well with grilled meat, poultry and fish.  It’s a great side dish for a cookout or BBQ since it can be prepared in advance and served at room temperature.  Make this salad up to two days in advance and add additional olive oil, vinegar and/or lemon juice if the the quinoa seems dry (it will absorb some of the liquid if prepared in advance).

Spring Quinoa Salad With Asparagus and Feta 

1 ½ C. chicken or vegetable stock (low sodium)

1 C. quinoa

Juice from ½ large lemon (about 1 ½ Tbs.)

1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbs. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

1 large garlic clove, minced

1 bunch pencil thin asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1” pieces

15 grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise

4oz feta or goat cheese, crumbled

Salt and pepper to taste

1.    Bring stock to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  While waiting for the stock to boil, place quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under warm water for 2 minutes to wash away the natural (but bitter) outer layer of the grain.  Once stock is boiling, add quinoa and return to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover saucepan and simmer until quinoa has absorbed most of the liquid, about 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, uncover, fluff with a fork.  Cool at room temperature.

2.   While quinoa is cooking, steam asparagus.   Fill a small pot with 1” water.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Place asparagus in the boiling water or in a steamer basket fitted inside the pot.  Cover with a lid and steam for 2-3 minutes, or until asparagus is fork tender but still slightly crisp.  Fill a small bowl with ice and cold water and plunge asparagus into the cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the asparagus from over-cooking.  

3.    In a medium bowl combine lemon, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper.  Whisk until well combined.  Add cooled quinoa, steamed asparagus and tomatoes and stir gently with a fork to keep quinoa fluffy.  Add feta and continue until well combined.  Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled. 

Serves 6 as a side