1 large garlic clove, smashed with the side of a knife
1/4 jalapeno, seeds removed
3-4 cilantro stems, save the leafs
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 large avocado, cut in half, then cut into cubes
1/4 lime, squeezed into mortar and pestle
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS
Roma tomato, chopped
Feta cheese, crumbled
Purple onion, chopped
Instructions
Step one:
Combine olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic clove, jalapeno, cilantro stems and onion powder into the mortar and pestle. Smash everything together still until a paste has developed.
Step two:
Add the avocado and gently mix in with the paste in mortar and pestle with a fork to keep a chunky guacamole. Use the mortar to combine for a smoother guacamole.
Combine Chicken and Marinade ingredients and set aside for at least 1 hour, up to 24 hours.
Step two:
Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a fry pan over medium heat (or heat the BBQ). Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off large bits of lemongrass (small bits should fall off during cooking).
Step three:
Place chicken in the pan and cook each side until dark golden brown and chicken is just cooked through – about 6 to 8 minutes in total.
Step four:
Remove from pan, shaking off any remaining bits of visible lemongrass and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. Then slice into thin pieces.
Step five:
Combine the Nuoc Cham ingredients and mix well to dissolve the sugar. Adjust to your taste (spiciness, lime, sweetness) and set aside for at least 20 minutes.
Step six:
Soak the vermicelli noodles in hot water for 3 minutes (or according to packet instructions), then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the noodles from sticking together.
Step seven:
Place noodles in bowl. Top with vegetables and herbs, and sliced chicken pieces. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of Nuoc Cham Sauce (be generous, ~ 4 tbsp per serving) and serve with lime wedges.
Peel and finely chop 1 small onion. Peel and thinly slice 6 garlic cloves. Rinse ⅔ cup white rice in a fine-mesh sieve until water runs clear.
Step two:
Consider doubling this chili oil for other recipes. Heat ¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium. Add garlic and cook, swirling pan often, until golden brown, 3–5 minutes; the garlic will continue to cook and darken slightly after it’s off the heat, so be conservative here. Transfer to a small heatproof bowl, leaving 1 Tbsp. garlic oil in pot. Stir 2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes into garlic oil in bowl; set aside.
Step three:
Add the onion to the 1 Tbsp. of garlic oil that remains in the in saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is translucent and beginning to take on some color, about 5 minutes.
Step four:
Pour in 8 cups water and stir to combine. Stir in rice, 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs, and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
Step five:
Using tongs, transfer chicken to a plate and let sit until cool enough to handle. Shred meat with two forks. Continue to simmer soup while you’re prepping the rest of your ingredients (this will concentrate the flavor of the broth).
Step six:
Strip kale leaves off of thick center ribs from 1 bunch Tuscan kale, discarding ribs. Rinse kale thoroughly in cold water, shake off excess water, then thinly slice leaves crosswise.
Step seven:
Add kale and shredded chicken to pot. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until kale is bright green and chicken is warmed through, about 4 minutes.
Step eight:
Remove pot from heat. Squeeze in lemon juice (being careful not to let any seeds fall in), season with 2 tsp. salt (or more to taste), and stir to combine.
Step nine:
Divide soup among bowls. Drizzle with reserved garlic-chile oil. Tear 3 sprigs dill over, then top with a few grinds of black pepper.
Notes: To keep this recipe low carb, skip cooking the rice, or cook the rice on the side and add the soup on top.
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Step two:
Peel off the outermost layer of the brussel sprouts, then cut the bottom off the sprout and cut lengthwise.
Step three:
In a large bowl, toss brussels sprouts with olive oil, kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to coat thoroughly. Transfer veggies to prepared baking sheet and roast until tender and caramelized, about 20 minutes.
Step four:
Place roasted brussel sprouts back in bowl. Add green apple, balsamic vinegar and honey and toss to coat evenly. Taste and season with kosher salt if necessary and serve.
Notes: This side goes well with Miso Glazed Sea Bass. Add bacon, pomegranate and feta for a fancier dish
Step one: In a small bowl, mix miso, mirin, sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Spread the miso mixture over the fish and place it in a covered container. Refrigerate overnight
Step two: When ready to cook, set the oven to 450 degrees. Bake until tender, about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish
1 35-ounce can of San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes
Salt
Freshly ground pepper
4 basil sprigs
Dried oregano
OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS
To make this a spicy marinara, add 2 or 3 tablespoons of Calabrian chili oil or red pepper flakes.
For a richer flavor, add balsamic vinegar or red wine after adding the whole peeled tomatoes. Allow the sauce to cook for at least an hour so the wine has time to dissipate.
Chicken broth or bone broth
Instructions
Step One: Heat olive oil in a large dutch oven. Once hot, add garlic cloves and onion. Saute until garlic and onion are fragrant and translucent, roughly 7 – 8 minutes
Step Two: Add tomato paste. Spread the paste around the bottom of the pot. The paste will develop a deeper red color when it is cooked. Once the color has developed, add San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes. Lightly crush the tomatoes with a wooden spoon
Step Three: Once the tomatoes have broken up into smaller pieces, add the salt, basil sprigs and dried oregano. Stir everything up and cook for 15 minutes. Remove basil sprigs
Step Four: If the sauce is too thick for your preference, add chicken broth or water until you reach the desired consistency. If you prefer a smooth sauce, blend everything together with an immersion blend or hand blender
Notes: This sauce is great for spaghetti, pizza, meatballs, and lasagna.
Step One: If mushrooms are large, cut them in half. Small mushrooms leave whole
Step Two: Heat a medium pan with olive oil. Once hot, add the mushrooms. Try to organize the mushrooms in the pan so that one side of each mushroom has contact with the bottom of the pan. This will form a nice color on the mushroom
Step Three: Saute the mushrooms, allowing color to form on the side of the mushrooms. After ten minutes, add the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and garlic. Stir to combine
Step Four: If the mixture needs more liquid, add chicken broth or water. Scrap the bottom of the pan with a wooden fork to release the flavor. Mix everything up well
Step Five: Add thyme, black pepper and parsley. Give it another mix and serve
