minted greek yogurt sauce

This yogurt sauce came about as the result of a successful farmer's market trip. The freshest ingredients - mint, young garlic, and beets - had my appetite feeling all inspired. I haven't been eating much dairy, but throw a small dab of this on the side of some marinated beets, and you can't go wrong. Finish the plate off with a sauteed fillet of fish and fresh salad, then boy, you have a meal. Even in the smallest amounts, its strong herb and lemony flavors brighten up any dish.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Greek Yogurt

1/2 Cup Packed Mint Leaves

1 Green Garlic Clove

2 Tbs. Sesame Oil

Juice from 1 Lemon

1/2 Tbs Salt

Directions:

1. Peel the outside layer from your young garlic, and slice each clove. Saute over medium heat in a bit of olive oil until just see through. Remove from flame.

2. In a food processor, whip yogurt until light and airy.

3. Add mint, garlic, and salt and continue to run the food processor until garlic and mint are chopped into little specs of green.

4. Stir in lemon juice.

5. Taste and add more salt accordingly.

mamma's last of summer salad

There are three reasons why I like to cook: my mother, my father, and my love of eating. My parents are two of the best chefs I know. Eating well is never a problem whether you're at their house or even just within their presence. 

Last time I was home my mom put this salad together for lunch. It's healthy ingredients - beats, shrimp, artichokes, olives, heart of palm, and arugula - are brightened by a lemony mint vinaigrette  I told you, the woman knows what she's doing.

Ingredients (serves 3):

6oz shrimp - peeled, deveined, and cooked

1 cup pitted kalamata olives

3/4 cup pickled beets

3/4 cup pickled artichokes

1.5 cup arugula

3 heart of palm stalks

salt & pepper

Dressing:

1/2 cup chopped mint

1 cup olive oil

juice from 1/2 lemon

Directions:

1. Blend together dressing ingredients.

2. Lay out a bed of arugula on each plate. Place other ingredients on top one by one, circling around the plate.

3. Drizzle with dressing, salt and pepper.