Tag: vinegar

Appetizers · Vegan · Vegetables

Pickled Red Onions

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Pickled red onions are delicious by themselves or try them on salads, tacos, potato salad, egg salad, fish and chips, a sandwich and more. This is such an easy recipe and does not use refined sugar.

Pickled Red Onions

INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 red onions, thinly sliced
  • 80 ml (1/3 cup) apple cider vinegar
  • 170 ml (.70 cup) hot water
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. black peppercorns
  • 1 garlic clove, sliced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • small sprig of fresh thyme (I used a pinch of dried thyme)
  • 1/2 tbsp. honey (or maple syrup)
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Thinly slice the red onions and place them in a clean glass jar or container.
  2. Add in the black peppercorns, sliced garlic, bay leaves, thyme and salt.
  3. Combine vinegar, hot water, and honey and pour over the onions, ensuring they are fully submerged.
  4. Let it cool to room temperature. (Optional to add honey now but I wanted it to dissolve in the hot water)
  5. Seal the jar or container and place in the fridge. They will be ready to enjoy after 2 hours.
  6. Store in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days.

Recipe from Instagram thyme_4_cooking

Appetizers · Vegan · Vegetables · Vegetarian

Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Roasted Tomatoes are a family favorite and are delicious served in a variety of ways. When my garden tomatoes are overwhelming, I turn to roasting them. Sometimes I roast them without the balsamic vinegar, with just olive oil, garlic and occasionally strips of anaheim peppers. The tomatoes are delicious by themselves or served with cream cheese, feta or goat cheese as an appetizer. Try them on a pizza or in egg cups. I’ve frozen the roasted tomatoes with good success and find them to be quite a treat in the winter

Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS:
  • 12 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise, cores and seeds removed (I used a variety of tomatoes from my garden, halved and not seeded)
  • 4 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. Arrange the tomatoes on a sheet pan, cut sides up, in a single layer. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle the garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper over the tomatoes. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the tomatoes are concentrated and beginning to caramelize. (I had to roast mine for 10-15 minutes longer). Serve warm or at room temperature.

Recipe from Food Network Ina Garten

Salads

Chile Onion Crunch Cucumbers

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Cucumbers are so delicious but I was looking for a different way to serve them other than the traditional cucumbers and onions. Now that I’ve discovered Chile Crisp, I will be experimenting with other vegetables and dishes. This recipe is simple and the chile crisp was not too hot. I’m a bit of a wimp when it comes to spice and I tolerated this very well. This would be delicious with an Asian meal.

Chile Onion Crunch Cucumbers

INGREDIENTS:
  • 12 ounces of cucumber, seeded (peeling is optional)
  • 2-4 tablespoons chilie onion crunch (I used Kroger Private Selection Chile Crisp)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Peel, seed and chop cucumbers in 1/2 inch sliced chunks.
  2. Add salt, rice vinegar and maple syrup to the cucumbers. Stir to combine.
  3. Stir the jar of chile onion crunch then add 2-4 tablespoons to the cucumbers.
  4. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from starinfintefood on Instagram (unfortunately I cannot find the link to her recipe with homemade chile crunch!)

Family · Family Favorites · Gluten Free · New Favorite · Skinny · Vegan · Vegetarian

Salt and Vinegar Popcorn…better than I ever expected

cathysmaha3 Comments

My youngest daughter LOVES vinegar potato chips and I spotted this recipe some time ago on a blog that I follow, Lucy’s Friendly Foods. I am a popcorn hound and had to try it. If my daughter, Sarah, liked it, it was a winner.

I’m happy to report we both liked it! The reduction of the balsamic vinegar had a delightfully sweet, and salty, taste. A nice, lighter, change from the traditional (and always yummy) buttered popcorn.

SALT AND VINEGAR POPCORN

12 cups popped corn
4 tablespoons dairy-free spread
6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3/4 teaspoon salt

  • Pop the popcorn.
  • Melt the dairy-free spread in a saucepan.  Stir in the balsamic vinegar.
  • Simmer for 3-4 minutes to slightly reduce the vinegar.
  • Pour over the hot spread/balsamic mix.
  • Stir well and serve immediately.

Adapted slightly from:  lucysfriendlyfoods.com

Garden · Vegan · Vegetarian

Braised Kale…surprise from Mother Nature

cathysmahaLeave a comment

Last summer I raised kale in my garden and, unfortunately, the bugs LOVED it. I decided not to plant Kale again this year but Mother Nature took a different turn. Several volunteer kale plants popped up in my garden and it was beautiful and…no bugs!  Mother Nature, are you telling me I need to try Kale again next year?

Recently at our book club potluck, a friend made a delicious collard green dish and this sounded similar.  It is very tasty but next time I would cut back on the crushed pepper. This could easily be vegan by skipping the bacon.

BRAISED KALE

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced onion
1/3 cup thinly sliced garlic
10 cups loosely packed chopped kale (about 2 pounds)
1 cup fat-free lower-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper  (too hot for me–I would reduce to 1/4 teaspoon)
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 10 minutes or until golden, stirring frequently.
  • Add kale, broth, 1 cup water, and red pepper; cover and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. Stir in vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
Recipe from:  My Recipes
Family Favorites · New Favorite · New Traditions

Refrigerator Crock Salad…a slaw with many faces

cathysmaha1 Comment

My Mother occasionally made this salad, often with fresh ingredients from her garden.  The last time I made this recipe was 15+ years ago for a Christmas party.  This week I resurrected the recipe and tried it out in several ways.  Each combination was wonderful.

Refrigerator Crock Salad

1)  Side dish to barbecue ANYTHING

2)  Pairs very well with fish and would be GREAT on fish tacos

3)  On a sandwich (daughter Sarah’s fiancé, Kyle, put it on a turkey, cheese, and ham salad combo sandwich).  Sounds incredibly weird, but delicious!

Besides being delicious, this salad keeps in the refrigerator for several days.  In fact it just keeps getting better and better.

REFRIGERATOR CROCK SALAD

1 head green cabbage
2 green sweet bell peppers
2 red or orange sweet bell peppers
4 carrots
2 onions
2 teaspoons celery seed
2 cups white cider vinegar
2.5 cups sugar

  • Shred cabbage, peppers, carrots, onions in a large bowl.  Soak in salt water for 2 hours.  Drain well.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the vinegar and the sugar.  Pour over shredded ingredients and refrigerate.  Let sit for a minimum of 3-4 hours before serving.