Chez Darren Andrew


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Quinoa, Black Bean and Sweet Corn Salad

For the Salad:

  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 small red onion, finely diced
  • 4 green onions, chopped finely
  • 1/2 a bunch of cilantro, chopped finely
  • 1 cup quinoa (2 cups cooked), cooked as per package instructions (in chicken or vegetable stock) and cooled
  • 2 cups of frozen sweet corn, blanched in hot water
  • 500 ml can of black beans , rinsed and drained
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced

For the Dressing:

  • 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar
  • 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • juice of 1/2 a lemon, or a tbsp of bottled lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp of ground cumin
  • Salt and Black Pepper

Instructions:

Combine all dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Add the jalapeno, red onion, green onion, cilantro and let sit while quinoa cooks and cools. Cook the quinoa in chicken or vegetable stock as per the package instructions, and when it is ready cool it by either placing the pot in cold water and frequently string and changing the water out until cool. Another option would be to make extra the day before to have leftovers to make salads like this one, rice or other grain like barley or millet could be used instead of quinoa. Mix all reaming ingredients in the bowl to distribute the dressing evenly throughout the salad.

This salad is best if left to mingle in the fridge overnight, but it’s great right away also. Enjoy!

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Black bean and Corn Salad with Jalapeno Honey Lime Vinaigrette

Black bean and Corn Salad with Jalapeno Honey Lime Vinaigrette

  • 3 tbsp liquid honey
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds and core removed, finely diced
  • 1/2 white onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup of cilantro leaves, lightly chopped
  • 1/3 cup of olive oil
  • 1 can of black beans rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups of peaches and cream corn kernels, fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 a red pepper, finely diced
  • 1/2  a zucchini, finely diced

In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, lime juice, cider vinegar, salt, pepper and cumin. Stir in the onion, garlic and jalapeno pepper and let sit for ten minutes, while you prepare the other ingredients. This will allow the strong nature of these ingredients to mellow out and infuse the dressing with their flavors. Add the olive oil and cilantro before stirring in the beans, corn, red pepper, and zucchini to the salad. Cover and refrigerate for two to four hours, or overnight for best results.


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Strawberry-Lime Jam

4 cups chopped and slightly mashed strawberries
1 1/2 cups of Sugar
50 ml fresh lime juice

Add sugar to strawberries in a large pot and let macerate for one hour to release the juices.  Add the lime juice and bring the mixture to a full boil, stir constantly, until it reaches 220 degrees F. Pour jam into sterile containers, I used a 1 litre jar, and let it cool covered on the counter. Refrigerate for up to three weeks; although I doubt it will last that long!

Next time I make jam I will process it for storage, I just wanted to try a quick jam that can be made in a small batch for immediate consumption.


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Macaroni Salad

Macaroni Salad

Dressing

  • 3/4 cup of Mayonnaise (I use Hellman’s  1/2 Fat)
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 tbs Dijon Mustard
  • dash of hot sauce
  • 2 shallots, finely diced
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 dill pickle, finely diced
  • Black Pepper

Whisk all ingredients in a large bowl, until sugar is dissolved and dressing is light and creamy.

Salad

  • 1 box (375 g) of whole wheat elbow macaroni, boiled and drained
  • 2 medium carrots
  • 2 stalks of celery
  • 1/4 red pepper
  • 1/4 yellow pepper
  • 1 small zucchini
  • 8 radishes
  • 1 green onion

Add pasta to the dressing, stir and set aside. Dice all veg into pieces about the size of a cooked macaroni noodle. If you decide to use a different kind of pasta, adjust the size of your veg accordingly. Mix together and refrigerate to let the flavors combine. Add any veg you have to this recipe, some chopped cabbage or broccoli would be great! You can even add rinsed drained canned chickpeas to give it a protein kick!

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