 With summertime in full swing, having access to fresh and tasty produce is something worth celebrating! One way I love to enjoy these foods is to have at least one salad a day as a meal. But salads are boring right?? Errr!! Wrong! They can be packed with so much flavour your mouth and taste buds won’t know what hit them!
But how do you make salads tasty AND leave you feeling satisfied you ask. Well, I’ll tell you. First things, first, get a base for your salad. The most common one could be a green leafy vegetable of your choosing. Pick romaine, butter, leafy green or even iceberg lettuce! How about some spinach, beet greens, kale or mixed greens? And if you don’t want green leaves then don’t have them. Not all salads have to have green leafy vegetables. Next, pick a variety of colorful vegetables and maybe to change it up have some cooked and some raw! Maybe some roasted broccoli, sweet potatoes or even peppers! Then, look at adding some texture! Maybe something crunchy or chewing. I like adding fresh cucumbers and some berries! Adding some brown rice also added in some chewiness to the mix. Next, some protein! This is where most people will miss the boat and they don’t add enough protein. It could be leftover chicken/beef/pork, some boiled eggs, canned fish or even pulses! If you want another boost of flavour, you can always use up some fresh herbs! Whether basil, parsley or even some cilantro! Mmmm… Lastly, let’s add some fat! Fat could come from the dressing (ex. Oil), some avocado or even nuts/seeds. Then top with your go-to dressing and voila! What’s your favorite add-in for a salad?
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 Ever wonder what to make as an appetizer for a dinner party instead of the trusty cheese and crackers or chips and dip? There are quite a few options out there to choose from, some requiring a little more time in the kitchen than others. Some that contain fresh ingredients or different combinations that you may not have thought would work well together. Why not change it up and try something different!
Two of the appetizers that I’m showing today use a crostini as a base. What is a crostini you may ask? It’s basically thinly sliced baguette that has been toasted to create a fancy cracker. It’s the perfect base for any topping that you would want. They are also fairly simple to make. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Take a baguette and slice it up thinly. Use an oil (I used olive oil) and brush each side of the bread slices prior to placing on the sheet. Tip with some freshly ground salt and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until both sides are golden. If the bottoms are toasting then flip them. Remove from baking sheet and top with your assorted toppings! I was lucky enough to attend a beautiful wedding this past weekend of my dearest friend and helped make the appetizers with the groom. Both he and I need to avoid gluten, therefore these were made with gluten free ingredients. However, none of these were low FODMAP, and unfortunately triggered my symptoms. Recipes will be posted soon, but in the meantime here’s a sneak peek! Apple and bacon stuffed mushroom caps, smoked salmon (sustainably caught) with a capers/chives cream cheese on crostini and red wine vinegar and BC cherry reduction on goat cheese crostini. What are some of your favorite go-to dinner party appetizers? |