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Sauté Sweet Potato Leaves

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This is a very simple yet healthy dish using sweet potato leaves…you only need olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper…super delicious!

I have been super busy lately…we had a new addition to our family…a furry puppy! His name is Mochie and he came to us when he was about 8 weeks…we had him for almost 7 weeks and has been a lot of joy for both of us. It is true that having a young puppy is a lot of work, especially for the first two weeks…now Mochie is potty trained and has been sleeping throughout the night.

Mochie is a Morkie, Maltese mom and Yorkie dad…he was only 1lb and 13 oz whe he came to us, now he is a bit over 3 lbs. He loves to play in the backyard and he nibbles on the sweet potato leaves…besides all the stuff he finds on his way.

Now…back to the sweet potato leaves…

– Can you eat sweet potato leaves?

Definitely, they are 100% edible, much like spinach…it can be cooked by sautéing, stir-fried, added to soup or salad. Moreover, sweet potato leaves can be used as a spinach substitute.

– Where can I find sweet potato leaves?

Well, I grow them in the backyard…and they are super easy to maintain…a small area with good soil and lots of water.  The leaves grow almost vine like plants…

Other option is to get them in Asian grocery store or farmer’s market…I actually started growing sweet potato leaves after I bought one bunch from the farmer’s market and made cutting with the main stems…once the roots start to grow in water I transplanted into the soil, and now I have endless sweet potato leaves.

– How do sweet potato leaves taste?

The leaves taste like spinach, maybe a bit chewier and they do not leave the weird “spinach teeth” film from the high content the oxalic acid found in spinach.

The simplest way is to sauté them with garlic and olive oil just until they’re wilted…no secret at all…

– Are you ready to give these green leaves a try?

Ingredients:

  • 1 bunch sweet potato leaves
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 to 1½ tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fish sauce (optional)

Method:

Pinch the stem attached to the leaves from the main steam.

Wash and rinse many times, making sure to remove all the unwanted particles and drain the excess of water.

In a wok, heat the olive oil over medium heat, add the garlic and stir until slightly golden and aromatic.

Add the sweet potato leaves and turn the heat to high.

Stir fry, add salt and pepper to taste and fish sauce if using. If using fish sauce add less salt. Stir constantly until all the leaves are wilted.

Serve hot.

– Looking for more easy vegetable dishes…check these out…

Did you know that sweet potato leaves are very nutritious and rich in antioxidants? When compared to leafy greens sweet potato leaves contain more dietary fiber. Moreover, they are rich in Vitamin C, A, thiamin, niacin and folic acid.

Thank you for visiting Color Your Recipes…have a colorful week!



Garden Tomato Salad with Shiso

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This salad is loaded with freshly harvested tomatoes from our garden and spiked with shiso, super fragrant with citrus notes.

This summer my vegetable/fruit garden grew very well, since we had to stay home, I spent a lot of time in the backyard, watering, trimming and “talking” to the plants.

I have never had tomato bushes reaching the roof, herbs grew so large that resemble little trees, and fruit trees/vines were exceptionally fruitful…

Somehow when you make food with your harvest, they taste special. Today, I am sharing a very simple and yet refreshing salad using tomatoes and shiso leaves from my garden. Shiso leaves pair very well in salad especially when citrus flavors are added…in this recipe I used ponzu which is a citrus seasoned light soy sauce.

– Have you ever heard of shiso?

Shiso is very popular in Japanese cuisine paired with uni (sea urchin), sashimi, sushi, in salad or as a wrap. Moreover, shiso can be used in stew as well.

– How does shiso leave taste?

I found that shiso is like cilantro for many people, either you love it or you hate it…shiso has a pretty strong flavor, it is minty with hints of cinnamon, citrus, basil, cilantro and other flavors…very hard to describe. Once you had it you will never forget its flavors and fragrant.

– Is it hard to grow shiso herb?

Not at all, they are pretty much self-seed, and come back every year. The plant like sun, at least half of the day and does not require any special treatment. You can grow from cutting too, by placing in water until the roots come out and plant in well-drained soil after.

– Are there more varieties of shiso?

Yes, green and red, both are very similar in flavor, although the red ones seems to have a stronger flavor as compared to the green ones.

– Are you ready to try this recipe?

Ingredients:

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumber
  • Avocado
  • Shiso leaves
  • Ponzu sauce
  • Fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil

Method:

Slice tomatoes and cucumber, about ½ inch and place in a bowl.  Add the cubed avocado and mix gently.

Wash the shiso leaves, dry and cut into small strips (julienned), and set aside.

In the bowl drizzle ponzu sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.

Toss in the salad mix the julienned shiso leaves.

Serve cold.

– If you are looking so simple and refreshing recipes for the summer, you might want to check on these…

Did you know that shiso leave has anti-inflammatory properties? Moreover, shiso contain antioxidant and anti-allergy properties as well. Shiso leaves are rich in calcium, iron and vitamin A.

Thank you for visiting Color Your Recipes…have a colorful week!



Purple Daikon Radish Salad

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The salad with this beautiful and colorful radish is super easy, you just need a few ingredients for this crispy and refreshing salad.

I hope you all had a nice and fun Thanksgiving with your loved ones…after so many days of eating this super simple and easy salad using purple daikon radish is perfect as a side dish…refreshing and crisp…and I bet you have all the ingredients in your kitchen!

– Have you ever seen the purple daikon radish?

I pick it up when browsing at our local farmer’s market.

– What is daikon radish?

Daikon radish is very popular in Asia, it is normally white and long like carrot. Daikon radish are mild in taste when compared to the red radishes. They are crisp and taste peppery like the red radish with a hint of sweetness.

– How daikon radish is used in Asian dishes?

Daikon can be pickled and cooked in Asian dishes.  When pickled they are used as side dishes. Daikon can be added to soups and stews.

– When it is best time to buy daikon radish?

Although you can find daikon radish year-round at the grocery, it is believed that have a nicer and sweeter flavor during fall and winter seasons.  I remember my mom, up to this day always emphasizing how tasty are daikons during winter.

– How to pick daikon radish?

Daikon varies in size and color, as the Korean daikon are rounded as compared to the Japanese/Chinese ones. You should pick the ones that are firm, smooth skin and heavy.

– Can I eat the leaves from daikon radish?

Absolutely, all the leaves from the radish family are edible. As a matter of fact my purple daikon radishes came with leaves (forgot to take picture). After washing very well, cut into small pieces and sauté with garlic.

– Are you ready to try this beautiful color daikon?

Ingredients:

  • Purple daikon radish
  • Olive oil
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper

Method:

Wash and peel the daikon.

Slice the daikon very thinly, using a mandolin or a sharp knife.

Place all the sliced daikon in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.

Toss until all the slices of daikon is coated with the mixture of olive oil and apple cider vinegar.

Ready to serve.

– Looking so more simple and easy side dishes?

Check these out…

Did you know that daikon is super rich in vitamin C? Daikon radish are low in calories and high in fiber, therefore it might promote weight loss. Due to the nutrients in daikon such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and copper, it is believed that consuming daikon may protect against chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases.

Thank you for visiting Color Your Recipes…have a colorful week!



Stir Fried Potatoes with Shishito Peppers

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These crunchy strips of potatoes are amazing, especially mixed with thin cuts of shishito peppers…super easy to make.

 

The first time I had this dish in a Chinese restaurant I was amazed to find out that the almost transparent strips were potatoes…since then I went in search for the recipe, and to my surprise apparently stir-fried shredded potatoes is a very common dish in China.

I decided to make my version by adding strips of shishito peppers instead of hot peppers such as jalapenos or red chilis.

– Why the potato strips are crunchy?

Because the potato starch is removed before cooking.

– How do I remover the starch from the potato strips?

By soaking in cold water, rinsing until the water is no longer turbid.

– Are you ready to try this exquisite and simple recipe?

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium size russet potatoes
  • 6 oz shishito peppers
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • ¼ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • Chili oil, to taste
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Method:

Peel the potato and cut into julienne or use a mandolin.

Place the shredded potato into a bowl of cold water for about 20 minutes. Gently revolve the strips occasionally. Drain and rinse the potato strips until the water comes out clear. This process will remove the start from the potato strips.

Drain the potato strips and pat dry with paper towel the excess of water.

In the meantime, cut the shishito peppers into thin strips and set aside.

In a wok or frying pan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil under medium heat and stir fry the strips of shishito pepper. Once the peppers are blistered remove from the heat and set aside.

In the same pan add the remaining oil and add the finely chopped garlic until golden brown and fragrant. Add the well-drained potato strips and turn the heat to high and stir-fry to about 30-45 seconds. Add the soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, sesame oil, salt and pepper and add back the shishito peppers. Stir-fry all together for another minute or so.

Remove from the heat and serve.

– Looking for more simple and easy side dishes? Please check on the following…

Thank you for visiting Color Your Recipes…have a colorful week!



Air-Fried Sweet Potatoes

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These slightly crispy air-fried sweet potatoes are super easy to make and they are great as side dish or as a healthy snack in between meals.

Before I go on with the post, sorry for not “visiting” you lately…we were on vacation and just got back a couple of days ago…we visited part of Croatia in a small ship through the Adriatic Sea, it was a lot of fun, met great people and enjoyed fantastic food…sharing some pictures are at the end of the post in case you are interested…now back to the post…

– Why air-fried sweet potatoes are healthy?

Air-fried sweet potato fries are made with less fat than traditional fries, so they are a healthier version with less fat and calories for you when craving for conventional fried potatoes or sweet potatoes.

– Very easy, almost no work

You will need only a few ingredients and very small work for these air-fried sweet potatoes.

– Seasoning?

I like it almost plain…just a bit of salt after air-fried…the contrast of the sweet and savory is magical…but feel free to coat with your favorite herb or any dip you like. The possibilities are endless…

– Air-fried sweet potato tips?

Yes, for even cooking try to cut the sweet potato as uniform as possible, either thin or thick…and place them in one single layer or close to it…that’s it!

– Thin or thick cut?

It all depends, sometimes I like it thin for extra crispness and sometimes I like it thick, so the middle is soft and moist, contrasting with the crisp layer on the outside.

– Are you ready for the sweet potatoes fries in the air-fryer

Ingredients:

  • Sweet potatoes
  • Olive oil
  • Salt
  • Any seasoning if using

Method:

Preheat air-fryer to 400oF.

As stated above, try to cut them as uniform as possible.

Toss with olive oil, salt and/or any herbs.

Cook in batches, without overcrowding the basket.

Cook for approximately 8 – 10 minutes if the fries are thin and around 14-16 minutes for thicker cuts.

Make sure to flip the basket half way.

Serve warm…with or without your favorite dipping sauce.

– If you enjoy this super simple recipe using an air-fryer you might want to check on these…

Did you know that sweet potatoes contain soluble fiber? Moreover, sweet potatoes also contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and potassium. Since sweet potatoes come with all variety of colors they are loaded of nutrients, especially the purple and orange.

And here I have some pictures of our cruise through Adriatic Sea where we visited many Croatian islands, small part of Slovenia and Venice…

Sorry for the long post…

Thank you for visiting Color Your Recipes…have a colorful week!



Air-Fried, Twice Cooked Potatoes

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Yes, you read it right…twice cooked potatoes, first boiled and then air-fried…the texture is amazing, creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside…

Despite being cooked twice there is not a recipe to follow…just boiled the potatoes in water with a bit of salt, drain and then toss some olive oil and freshly chopped rosemary or whatever herbs you are up to…place them on the air-fryer and voila…

These potatoes are delicious, slightly crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside making them perfect as a side dish. In this recipe I used the golden and red small potatoes.

– What is an air-fryer?

As the name suggests, it uses air, hot air to cook and yes, it mimics the deep oil fryer, well, almost…the air-fryer will not work when using wet batter, with that said, it is amazing with all kind of dry coat food.

– Why use an air-fryer?

Air fryer required non or very little oil. In my experience when cooking food that contain fat naturally such as chicken, there is no need to add any oil. As for vegetables, a spray of oil will do.

– Why you should try this recipe…

Well, this is almost a no-recipe post…no secret and super easy…

Ingredients:

  • Potatoes (as many or as little you want)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil
  • Fresh rosemary (or any herbs you like such as oregano, thyme, or a combination)

Method:

Bring enough water to boil to cover the potatoes. Carefully add the potatoes and salt. Bring the water to boil again and lower the heat to simmer. Cook until the potatoes are tender and easily pierce by a fork.

Remove them from the heat and drain the water.  Let is cool and peel the skin off.

In the meantime, preheat the air-fryer to 375oF.

In a bowl add the potatoes, drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper and the fresh chopped rosemary.  Toss gently.

Place the potatoes in the air-fryer basket and “fry” until golden brown. Gently shake the basket in between to accomplish even color.

Serve hot.

– Would you like more air-fryer recipes?  Check these out…

Did you know that potatoes are rich in vitamin C? The controversial about potatoes being unhealthy lays totally on the method of cooking. Potatoes are healthy food when cooked properly and contain other vitamins such as A and B, also minerals.

Thank you for visiting Color Your Recipes…have a colorful week!



Black Bean, Cuban Style

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This simple black bean recipe is based from Cuban cuisine with a touch of sweetness and delicious over rice and staple food in Latin countries.

Like many of you I am trying to incorporate more legumes and substituting meat for other sources of protein.

Growing up in Brazil, rice and bean was a staple food in every meal…therefore I really take pleasure and a mix of nostalgia when I eat rice and bean. As you might be aware bean dishes are cooked in so many ways according to its Country tradition. In Brazil, we have the famous “feijoada” which uses black beans with all kind of meat in it, super tasty and flavorful…on the other had we have the “feijao”, meaning beans, which is serve daily for lunch and dinner over rice and much simpler flavor.

Today, I am sharing another bean stew, which I learned after searching the internet and realized why the Cuban bean dish taste so different from the Brazilian one…bell pepper and a bit of sugar. It is amazing that just by adding these two ingredients the flavor of the bean is totally altered.

The creamy bean stew over rice is so good…plain and simple and yet so satisfying. This recipe was adapted from here with some changes.

Ingredients:

  • 1lb dried black bean
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium size onion, chopped
  • 1 large green bell pepper, cut into small pieces
  • 7-8 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Wash and soak the beans overnight, changing the water a couple of times in between.

Rinse of the water and place the beans in a pot with approximately 5 cup of water and bay leaf.

Let it boil and then simmer for approximately 60 minutes until the beans and cooked throughout. Remove the suds when the beans come to boil and add more water as needed, making sure that the beans are covered.

Alternatively you can use a thermo cooker by adding the beans, bay leaf and water. Let it boil, remove the suds and place the pot in the thermo cooker overnight or until ready to add the other ingredients.

Once the black beans are cooked, in a large pan heat the oil and add onion, garlic and bell pepper and sauté until vegetables begin to soften, about 4-5 minutes.

Add approximately 1 cup of beans to pan. Using the back of spoon smash beans against the wall of the pan, or alternatively use an immersion hand blender.  Add remaining beans, oregano, sugar, vinegar and water as needed.

Simmer until mixture thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste, stirring occasionally.

Serve over rice as side dish with chicken, meat, ham, fried egg or with anything you wish.

– For more Latin America cuisine dishes, please check these out…

Did you know that beans are an excellent source of protein, very low in fat and exceptionally high in fiber? They are also a very good source of calcium, iron, folic acid and potassium.

 

Thank you for visiting Color Your Recipes…have a colorful week!



Miso Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Quinoa

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This is a simple and yet delicious salad with the umami miso roasted butternut squash combined with quinoa…therefore this makes a great side dish or even as a main meal.

Have you ever roasted butternut squash with a touch of miso? Oh…it is a must, the butternut squash covered with the umami flavor of miso…it is exquisite especially with a hint of honey…a perfect combination of flavor which will awake your taste buds.

– What is miso?

Miso is a Japanese soy bean paste fermented with koji. Koji is a fungus used in many Asian countries, not only to make miso but make soy sauce, fermented black bean, rice wine and sake.

Miso is salty and is loaded with umami flavor. Japanese cuisine uses miso mainly to make soup, marinate fish…and now it is used for all kind of dishes such as dips, salad dressing, caramels and so on.

– Why roast butternut squash with miso?

Adding miso to butternut squash will give a deep and slightly caramelized layer to the squash and will  add a lot of flavors to the squash.

– Can I roast the squash in advance?

Absolutely, you can roast the butternut squash in advance and add to the salad when read to serve.

– Should we go ahead and look at the recipe?

Please keep in mind that the ratio is totally adaptable…just follow your intuition…a little more of this, a little less of that…you get the picture right?

Ingredients:

For the butternut squash

  • 1 butternut squash, cubed into ½ inch
  • 3 tablespoons miso (low salt)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ½ teaspoon of hot sauce (optional)

For the salad

  • cup dry cranberry
  • ¼ cup roasted pepita
  • 1 ½ cup cooked quinoa
  • Arugula
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Unfiltered apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

For the butternut squash

Preheat oven to 400oF.

Whisk all the ingredients listed under the butternut squash, mix well until all the miso paste is incorporated into a smooth sauce.

Toss the miso mixture on the cubed butternut squash and coat them well.

Place the butternut squash in a simple layer on the silicone baking mat and roast in a preheated oven for 10 minutes and then lower the temperature to 350oF and let it roast for another 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let it cool a little before adding to the salad mix, or store in the refrigerator for later use.

Salad Assembly

In a big bowl, place the quinoa, roasted butternut squash, cranberry, pepitas. Mix gently, add olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Mix again.

Lastly toss in the arugula and serve.

– Care for more recipe using miso?

Did you know that there are many variety of miso? Miso can vary from its aroma, taste, texture and color due to the duration, temperature, salt content, variety of koji and the vessel where the fermentation occurs.

Thank you for visiting Color Your Recipes…have a colorful week!



Apple Mint Salad

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This is a very simple, refreshing salad made mainly with apple, fresh squeezed orange juice and fresh mint. This salad is a great side dish for any occasion, especially with grilled meat or poultry…the refreshing and crisp apples with a hint of mint is very invigorating with fatty meal, giving the meal a nice balance.

I learned this recipe with my little sister when she brought a large bowl of this apple salad and we all loved it…I could not believe that such a simple recipe with only a few ingredients could be so good. The combination of the crispy apples with orange and a hint of mint is so pleasant for the palate. I meant to share this recipe a while ago but somehow never got to it…and now with July 4th approaching it is a perfect occasion to do so.

Mint…I love growing all kind of herbs, as a matter of fact I have a bunch of different herbs, more than I can ever use…it is so nice to be able to just pick what I need and use…anyway, let’s move to the recipe, which is not much of a recipe…just adjust to your taste…

Ingredients:

  • Apple as many as you need, preferably Fuji, Honeycrisp, Jazz or any crispy type.
  • Freshly squeezed orange to coat the apple
  • Fresh mint, to your taste
  • Salt, just a pinch
  • Olive oil, drizzled

Method:

Peel and core the apples, slice then thinly and cut into matchstick. Use a vegetable slicer or mandolin. Place them into a bowl.

Squeeze the orange juice over the apples and toss gently until the apples are coated with the juice.

Add a bit of salt and olive oil.

Toss in the thinly cut mint, mix gently. Serve cold.

I hope you enjoy this simple and healthy recipe using apple, you might want to take a look at Zucchini Ribbons Salad recipe.

Did you know that apples are high in fiber and loaded with antioxidants. Therefore apples may help your heart health and reduce risk of developing cancer.

Thank you for visiting Color Your Recipes…have a colorful week!