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lemony herb farro salad with avocado & grilled zucchini

by Jackie Newgent  |  May 22, 2019  |  3 Comments
It’s the time of year for showers, picnics, and other fun gatherings. So, this is also the time of year I create a new salad to serve for these joyful occasions. So, what’s in my new salad? Well, it’s a farro salad. But it’s way beyond just that. It’s full of refreshing ingredients, intriguing textures, lots of nutrition, and pops of color. It’s totally not one of those salad afterthoughts … it’ll be the star of the plate!
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peach caprese grilled cheese sandwich

by Jackie Newgent  |  July 22, 2018  |  5 Comments
I’m finally giving away my “secret” favorite sandwich of the summer. This is it! It’s basically like a mash-up of a grilled cheese sandwich and a caprese salad with a fruity twist. I use a grilled peach instead of a fresh tomato here for that twist. The result is sweet, salty, smoky … and, of course, cheesy. And my tastebuds will tell you (if they could actually speak!) that it’s a must-try. For best results before grilling, make sure your peach is ripe (do this at room temp, not the fridge). You’ll halve it and grill just the cut surfaces until rich grill marks form; it may get too mushy if you try to grill both sides. Use a fresh...
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juice-infused quinoa salad with pistachios

by Jackie Newgent  |  July 11, 2016  |  0 Comments
“How can I make quinoa taste good?” I’ve been asked that question a lot! Here’s one answer to that. Use juice as the cooking liquid! Try a juice that’s a flavorful blend of fruit and veggie juices with no added sugar. It’ll pump up the nutritional value to superfood levels. Plus, it’ll provide color and memorable flavor. Here I used a juice that’s a blend of carrot, apple and lemon juices, ginger puree, and coriander. But you can simply use plain carrot or orange juice if you have that on hand. (Hint: Alternatively, you can use half juice and half water as the cooking liquid for a lighter touch!) Then, to add herbal fragrance, I’ve included fresh basil. For pops...
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hipster hemp vegan sandwich

by Jackie Newgent  |  March 28, 2016  |  1 Comment
When ordering a vegetarian sandwich while dining out, quite often the main ingredient in it is cheese … or even three cheeses! That can certainly make it delicious. But if you’re anything like me, one of the reasons to choose a vegetarian sandwich is for fresh plant-based ingredients and a burst of healthfulness. But how do you get enough protein? Here’s my super simple (and tasty!) handmade pick that’s got a nice punch of protein. Since I live in the middle of Williamsburg, Brooklyn (aka “hipsterville”), I thought this vegan sandwich was deserving of a “hipster” title. That’s where it was brought to life, after all! It starts with seeded whole grain bread that you can enjoy fresh or grilled....
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grilled grapefruit “sundae” with pistachios, goat cheese, and basil vinaigrette

by Jackie Newgent  |  February 18, 2016  |  0 Comments
I challenged myself to create a sundae concept with no added sugar. This loosely-interpreted sweet-and-savory version is the result! I made Sweet Scarletts the star of the show because I had so many of them on hand. Plus, the naturally sweet red grapefruit is seasonal, gorgeous, and delicious! In this recipe, they’re halved and brushed with extra-virgin olive oil for grilling to bring out savory notes. Then these caramelized delights are topped with sprinkles of goat cheese (or vegan nut cheese), fresh basil vinaigrette, and pistachios. It’s cuisine outside of the normal boundaries … and definitely worth it. Enjoy for dessert often, including on Meatless Monday! Or serve as a side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, if you prefer....
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