GRILLED SERRANO SALSA

grilled serrano salsa . sprouted kitchen

This all started when a good friend brought over a package of gluten free oatmeal apricot mini cookies and told me to please read the back and recreate them. In some way, I was flattered that she found me capable of unraveling a recipe like that. She has my complete empathy at the moment for some tough stuff she's going through, so of course I did it. I took my favorite cookie recipes, read the ingredients on the back, did some very scientific exchanges of sweeteners, flours etc., tested one cookie at a time and added from there making sure they'd hold together. They didn't have nearly the same texture as the package, a more homemade shape and tenderness (which I prefer, even if they didn't mimic the suggested cookie) and the taste, while not the same, was close enough. I apparently gave a mouse a cookie, literally, because then she asked me to please write a recipe for salsa. So here we are. Apparently my bleeding heart takes recipe requests.

I've written about the tomatoes at our local farm in summers past. I'd guess you have a place for great tomatoes too, and this is the time to use them. For something as simple as salsa, the better the ingredients, the better the end result. Something tells me you've heard that before? There isn't much to cover up a mediocre tomato here. I charred most of the vegetables, and leave a few raw to stir in at the end. This gives some of the sweeter tomato and onion flavor, while also including the sharpness of the raw onion and texture of tomato and pepper chunks. Take liberties to play around with the amounts depending how you like it. Just promise me you'll find great tomatoes.

grilled serrano salsa . sprouted kitchen

GRILLED SERRANO SALSA // Makes about 2.5 cups

I hesitate to call this mild because so much will depend on the heat of your chiles. Mine were not that hot, so even with two and their seeds, this salsa was very mild. With the quantity of other vegetables, it should keep things from getting too spicy, but you could add one at a time to your processor if you know you are super sensitive to heat.

• 1 1/4 lbs. tomatoes (roma, beefsteak, heirloom - whatever smells amazing)
• 1 small red onion
• 1 bell pepper
• 2 serrano chiles
• 3 cloves garlic, in their peel
• 1 tsp. smoked salt or sea salt
• 1 large, juicy lime
• 1/3 cup well chopped cilantro

Clean and heat your grill to medium high heat or preheat the broiler.

grilled serrano salsa . sprouted kitchen

Slice the tomatoes, onion and bell pepper into large wedges. Pull aside one wedge each of the tomato, pepper and two of the red onion. These will get added at the end. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss the tomatoes, onion, pepper, serrano and garlic cloves in a thin coat of oil with just a pinch of salt. Grill the items over direct heat for about 10-15 minutes until charred on the edges, keeping the garlic cloves in a little foil pouch to soften. If using the broiler, set the tray in the upper third and broil about 15-20 minutes until the edges char, but the vegetables to do not completely break down.

Set everything aside to cool completely. Discard the stems of the serranos, leaving the seeds in tact and push the garlic out of it's skin. In a food processor, pulse the cooled, grilled vegetables with the serranos and garlic until just chopped up. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Finely chop the reserved raw tomato, pepper and onions and add them to the salsa. Stir them in along with the salt, lime juice and cilantro. Adjust seasoning to your taste - a pinch of sugar if the tomatoes aren't super tasty, chipotle powder if you like it smoky/hotter, more cilantro if you are me, etc.

Salsa will keep for about a week.

grilled serrano salsa . sprouted kitchen

PASILLA CHILE + LIME CABBAGE SLAW

sprouted kitchen slaw

{first thoughts on "the book"}

Sara:

I heard the knock on the door from the shower. Threw on a towel, mascara dripping down my cheeks, water soaking the floor, so I could sign for the package from the FedEx man. "This is really important," was my excuse to him for my ultra appropriate outfit. I have been anticipating the printed copy of our book for almost two years. We were entertaining this idea nearly TWO years ago. So much has happened and now I have a real copy in my hot little hands. Hugh and I went through it page by page, slow and thoughtful, to take in every photo, as if we couldn't dictate the book to you from memory. Short stories, glimpses of dinners in my parents' yard, sarcasm, the recipes I (uncharacteristically) took careful notes about, bright colors... it is me, us, work and learning all in a hardcover book with our names on the front. Crazy. I am humbled by how gorgeous it is and proud to show friends what we've created in our little apartment kitchen. I bring it with me everywhere I go. I've already spilled coffee on the crisp white pages, which, as upsetting as it was when I noticed, now marks it as "my first copy," so I'll never misplace it. I am most impressed with Hugh. The photos are indescribably stunning. I'm romanced by them everytime I browse though, and SO proud of how talented that man is. The book is not out until August 28th (you can keep up with details here), but I wanted to document our first thoughts, as I haven't been this giddy in quite some time.

Hugh:

Three years ago, when I gave Sara a domain name and an empty blog for her birthday, there was no way I could have imagined where that project would lead us. From its casual beginning, to its (still casual, I suppose) current publication, it has been incredible to work along side Sara, to watch her talent and excitement bloom and attract a community of like-minded readers, to experience the frustrations and triumphs of developing our voice and image, and finally hold its sum in our hands. Literally. The book is beautiful and full of goodness and soul. I am so proud of Sara and I am so excited for you to share in it.

sprouted kitchen slaw

I wanted to get this recipe out to you quick in case you're still searching for 4th of July ideas. It's so simple - comes together in 10 minutes. On a table full of grilled items, potato salads and cakes, I find that the green vegetables are always a needed addition. This slaw is lighter than a traditional one due to the dressing, while still giving lots of crunch and flavor. A happy day of food + friends to you all!

PASILLA CHILE + LIME CABBAGE SLAW // Serves 6 as a side

The dressing is the consistency of a creamy vinaigrette. If you like it to cling to the slaw a bit better, a Tbsp. or two more of greek yogurt or mayonnaise will help with that. You could bulk it up with some cucumbers, maybe black beans if you need to stretch it. Or if cabbage is a bit harsh for you, you could add in some chopped romaine to calm down the roughage quality.

// dressing //

zest and juice of two large limes

1 Tbsp. honey

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/2 tsp. pasilla chile powder (chipotle or ancho chile work as well)

1/4 cup olive or grapeseed oil

2 Tbsp. greek yogurt or mayonaise (see note)

1 head green cabbage

1/4 cup finely diced red onion

1 bunch of cilantro, roughly chopped

1 ripe mango, peeled and diced

3/4 cup toasted macadamia nuts

sprouted kitchen slaw

In a small bowl, combine the zest and juice of the limes. Add the honey, salt and chile powder and whisk to combine. Mix in the yogurt or mayo and the oil and whisk well. Taste and alter as preferred. Set aside in the fridge.

Chop the cabbage super thin, using a mandoline if you have one. In a large salad bowl, combine the cabbage, red onion, three quarters of the cilantro, reserving some for garnish and mango. (Everything can be done in advance up to this point and kept covered in the fridge until ready for serving). Add desired amount of dressing and toss to coat. Chop the toasted macadamia nuts and garnish the top with the remaining cilantro and mac nuts. Give it a grind of fresh pepper and serve. * I feel like slaw benefits from a good 10-15 minute rest in the dressing if you have the time. just sayin'.

SHITAKE MUSHROOM + LENTIL ASIAN TACOS

I know. The title already has you confused and curious about what on earth I was thinking when I shoved all this stuff into a corn tortilla. I'm going mexican-asian fusion without apology. I fell in to a baking habit recently and realized I hadn't really been experimenting with any savory foods. The only way to shake a tunnel visioned baking habit is to get crazy with produce and legumes. For now, at least. 

In defense of the asian taco, you could very well use any type of tortilla. I find the white corn tortillas to be slightly more mild tasting, so you could try that if you prefer to calm down the corn flavor, but I have seen small whole wheat ones at well stocked health food stores. Yes, there are a number of ingredients going on here, but I think you'll find most to be pantry staples. If anything, just make the sauce. We've made a few batches recently and it's just nice to have a jar in the fridge when you need a bit of extra flavor on a rice bowl or some steamed greens etc.

SHITAKE MUSHROOM + LENTIL ASIAN TACOS // Serves 2 (about 6 tacos)

As I always say, let this recipe serve as more of a base than a set of rules. If you don't like mushrooms, triple the amount of lentils, or try tofu or Hugh also suggested some steak if you're into that sort of thing ;) Shitakes are not a beginner mushroom, I find them very "mushroomy", so use any type you like really. The same things can be put in rice paper for a great spring roll too.

// miso herb sauce //

3 garlic cloves

2 Tbsp. white or yellow miso

1 Tbsp. honey

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

pinch of red pepper flakes

3 Tbsp. orange juice

1/4 cup rice vinegar

2 packed cups basil leaves

1 packed cup cilantro

3 Tbsp. toasted sesame oil

1 1/2 Tbsp. extra virgin coconut oil, divided

half of a yellow onion, diced

6 oz. shitake mushrooms (halve any large ones)

3/4 cup cooked lentils (I used de puy)

2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

sea salt + pepper

small tortillas

1-2 super ripe avocados

3/4 cup fresh grated carrots

micro greens, for garnish

For the sauce, pulse the garlic cloves through the rice vinegar in a food processor to blend. Once mixed, add in the herbs and give a few more pulses to chop. You want it slightly textured. With the motor going, drizzle in the oil. Taste and adjust as you prefer. Cover and set aside.

Heat 1/2 Tbsp. of the coconut oil in a large saute pan. Add the diced onion and saute until just translucent. Add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt and just leave them to heat up and start to release moisture*. Once they have reduced in size, about 4 minutes, add the remaining coconut oil and saute to mix. Add the lentils and another pinch of salt and pepper and saute to warm through. Lastly, add the vinegar and stir to scrape up any brown bits in the pan.

For the assembly line of the tacos, heat the tortillas over a stove flame until a bit charred. Smash about a quarter of an avocado down the center. Top it with a few pinches of grated carrots, a portion of the mushroom mixture, a generous dose of the sauce (don't be shy, it's all the gusto here) and top with the micro greens. Enjoy warm.

* So, I read this hint about mushrooms that you don't immediately cook them in a bunch of fat. If you cook them in just a teeny bit and some salt, they release a lot of their own water and concentrate the flavor and THEN you add some fat (oil, butter or what not) and it finishes off the flavor and texture instead. Maybe this is not news to you nor explained scientifically, but I'm into it.