DESCRIPTION
This rich soup packs a punch of hoppy flavor from an India Pale Ale. Sharp and medium cheddar cheeses complement the beer to create a tangy, creamy starter for a fun local beer dinner. It’s served with a hazelnut topping that has a hit of savory garlic flavor. Be sure to buy cheese by the block and shred your own for this soup. Pre-shredded cheeses can have coatings to prevent clumping that also prevent a smooth soup.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup roasted hazelnuts halved or roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, grated
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 12 ounces Deschutes Fresh Squeezed IPA
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 8 ounces Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- 4 ounces Tillamook Medium Cheddar Cheese, shredded
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add the hazelnuts, 1 clove of garlic, and 2 teaspoons of butter to a medium skillet. Heat over medium high and toss gently to melt the butter and gently cook the garlic as it coats the nuts. Cook for about 1 minute and remove from the heat.
- Melt the remaining butter in a small soup pot over medium heat and add the remaining garlic. Let cook until it just begins to sizzle, about 1 minute. Remove the pan from the heat and pour in the beer.
- Return the pan to medium heat. Stir together the cornstarch and water in a small dish. Pour this into the warming beer and whisk. Continue to whisk as the beer heats and the liquid thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
- Turn the heat to low. Add the cheeses a handful at a time and whisk the soup well to melt the cheese. Once the cheeses are smooth. Remove the soup from the heat.
- Ladle into 4 small bowls and top each with garlic hazelnuts and fresh chives before serving.
DESCRIPTION
This hearty, healthy salad is loaded with crunchy hazelnuts, whole grain quinoa, and tender kale. The combination of sweet dried cherries and a tangy honey balsamic dressing complements the nutty, savory flavors of the grains and greens to create a delicious side dish for any occasion.
INGREDIENTS
- ½ cup dry red quinoa, rinsed well
- 1 cup water
- 5 cups thinly sliced kale leaves
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup toasted Oregon hazelnuts, chopped
- ½ cup dried cherries
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- To cook the quinoa, add it to a medium saucepot and pour in the water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, partially covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until tender. Transfer to a colander and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Add the kale to a medium bowl and pour in the 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with the ¼ teaspoon salt. Use clean or gloved hands to squeeze the kale, massaging the oil and salt into the greens. Massage for about 30 seconds. The kale will look slightly wilted. Set aside.
- Transfer the cooled quinoa to the bowl with the kale. Add the hazelnuts, cherries, and feta.
- To make the dressing, whisk together the shallot, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and honey in a small bowl until all ingredients are combined into a dark dressing. Stir the salt and the pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat all ingredients well. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
DESCRIPTION
What’s not to like about this exotic, golden yellow rice bowl, packed with powerful flavors and nutrients, compliments of pistachios, chickpeas, spinach, avocado, and cranberries? Just cook up the flavorful rice, and add the toppings right before eating it. You can also meal prep this recipe and create ready to go meals for lunch or dinner. Recipe by Sharon Palmer, RDN, The Plant-Powered Dietitian.
INGREDIENTS
Turmeric Rice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup brown rice, uncooked
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons turmeric
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups water
- 1 cube vegetable bullion
- 1 teaspoon agave syrup
- ½ lemon, juiced
Toppings
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed, drained
- 1 cup pistachios, shelled
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 1 cup fresh spinach
- Extra virgin olive oil (if desired)
INSTRUCTIONS
To Prepare Turmeric Rice
- Heat olive oil in a medium pot. Add rice, ginger, garlic, turmeric, and black pepper and sauté for 2 minutes. Add water, vegetable bullion, and agave syrup. Stir well, cover, and cook over medium heat—stirring occasionally to prevent from sticking—for about 40 minutes, until just tender, but not mushy. Stir in lemon juice and remove from heat.
To Prepare Bowls
- Divide turmeric rice into bowls (2 for large servings, or 4 for small servings). Divide the toppings among the servings (2 or 4) and arrange on top of the rice: chickpeas, pistachios, dried cranberries, avocado slices, and spinach. Top with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil if desired.
DESCRIPTION
Blogger Andie Mitchell shares a recipe perfect for grilling season – delicious chicken thighs with Moroccan spices paired with a flavorful pecan couscous.
INGREDIENTS
For the marinade
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice (juice of 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup pitted prunes, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup pitted green olives
- 4 garlic cloves, peeled
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
For the pecan couscous
- 3/4 cup fresh pecans, chopped
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups couscous
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup pitted prunes, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup pitted green olives, sliced
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a small bowl, whisk together the paprika, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, ¾ teaspoon pepper, turmeric, cayenne, cinnamon, and ginger.
- In a food processor, pulse the olive oil, prunes, olives, garlic, and spice mixture until smooth paste forms, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Transfer the paste to a large bowl with the chicken thighs and toss to coat them well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.
- On a gas grill, turn all burners to medium-high, cover, and heat until hot, about 15 minutes. Once hot, oil your cooking grates. Arrange chicken on the grill. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, flip over, and cook for an additional 6 to 8 minutes, until the chicken registers 185 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Transfer the chicken thighs to a platter, tent with aluminum foil, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- While the chicken is grilling, make the couscous: In a medium saucepan, bring the broth, salt, and oil to a boil. Stir in the couscous, cover tightly with a lid, and remove from heat. Let the couscous stand for 5 minutes. Use a fork to fluff the couscous and stir in the lemon juice, parsley, prunes, olives, and pecans. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
- Arrange the couscous on a large platter, top with the cooked chicken thighs, and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.
