There’s been lots of talk about “wonder foods” and quinoa is certainly one! Nicknamed “gold of the Incas,” quinoa is considered an ancient grain and has become a menu darling – seen on menus across the city.

Photo from www.EatingWell.com

What makes it a super food is that it’s known for lots of health benefits. Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is high in fiber, vegetarian-friendly protein-source, and gluten-free. This makes it perfect for vegans and those with gluten sensitivities.

Easy to cook, this little seed (yep, it’s a seed) gets light and fluffy after cooking and has a subtle nutty taste that pairs well with other flavors.

Sprinkle it on salad or feature it in a protein bowl: mixed greens, avocado, colorful veggies, and garbanzo beans drizzled with a citrusy vinaigrette.

I also love it as a side dish like in a Quinoa Jumble, studded with diced cucumber, fresh dill, curry, and golden raisins.

So give this might little seed a try – it’s d’lish and great for you! -Kathy

Quinoa Jumble
I like to make this salad with all organic produce and also add in a cup of chopped fresh raw kale for extra fiber!

Makes about 4 cups

3/4 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups water
1 -2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. lemon zest
1/2 cup 1/4-inch-diced organic cucumber
1/2 cup cooked garbanzo beans, drained
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup hazelnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped (or substitute chopped raw almonds)
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup grated carrot
3/4 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper or a pinch of red chili flakes if you like it spicy

Rinse quinoa in cold water and drain well. Put the drained quinoa in a heavy medium saucepan and dry roast the grain over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about 1 minute. Add the water and curry powder and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook for about 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove lid, fluff grains with a fork, and let cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa with the remaining ingredients and toss well. Serve immediately or store refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com

Good things really do come in small packages, and sliders are a perfect example. These two-bite – sometimes one-bite – wonders are popping up everywhere from restaurant menus to food trucks. And they aren’t your average burgers.

In you love them, fear not; sliders are super-simple to make at home. Macrina Bakery in Belltown makes little slider-sized buns. There are also many grocery store mini-bun options too.

Lamb, salmon, pulled pork, tuna, sliced steak…anything gourmet burgers can do, sliders can do too – just scaled down in size. One of my recipes to make for patio parties are Lamb Sliders with Zingy Spread and Arugula & Roasted Peppers – savory bite-sized morsels!

For your next get-together, set up a slider bar. Put out different mini-patties, some great local mini-buns, and an array of fun condiments like spicy chipotle mayo, horseradish aioli, blue cheese, tarragon mustard, pickled red onions, zingy slaw, and even grilled pineapple – yum!

For the last days of summer, think small and dish out big flavor with sliders! -Kathy

Photo from Kathy Casey’s Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books – Angie Norwood Browne

Lamb Sliders with Zingy Spread and Arugula & Roasted Peppers
I also like to top the hot burgers with dollops of soft goat cheese for a tasty variation.

Makes 16

Zingy Spread
3/4 cup mayonnaise, or use 3/8 cup mayonnaise and 3/8 cup plain yogurt
1 1/2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

Burger Mixture
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
3 tablespoons minced onion
2 teaspoons minced fresh garlic
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb, or substitute beef

Accompaniments
16 small slider buns
Thinly sliced red or sweet onions
Roasted peppers, cut in strips
Baby arugula

To make the spread: Mix the ingredients together well. Cover and refrigerate, for up to 2 days, until needed.

To make the burger mixture: In a bowl, mix the pepper, mustard, rosemary, onion, garlic, vinegar, and salt. Mix in the lamb until thoroughly combined. Divide the mixture into 16 portions. Shape into patties, about 2 inches in diameter.

Heat a medium or large nonstick skillet or sauté pan over medium-high to high heat. Working in batches without crowding the pan, sauté the patties until just done, about 2 -3 minutes per side. (You can also grill the patties)

If you want to serve the buns warm, wrap them in aluminum foil and reheat in a 375-degree F oven.

To serve, split the buns and spread with the Zingy Spread. Place the patties on buns and top with onions, roasted peppers and arugula as desired. Close the burgers and secure with picks.

Recipe adapted from; Kathy Casey Sips & Apps, Chronicle Books

A few summers ago, I whipped up a party-size batch of Watermelon Sangria. It was a hit and really made my croquet game better than ever! And summer is the time to enjoy juicy, sweet melons – the markets are brimming with them.

With their crisp, cool and refreshing qualities, melons evoke the essence of the summer season. We enjoy them in a multitude of ways. From simple chilled watermelon wedges with a sprinkling of chili lime salt to colorful melon-ball skewers of honeydew and cantaloupe intertwined with thinly sliced prosciutto for utensil-free outdoor snacking!

And have you ever seen those “watermelon taps?” They’re super cool to add in a watermelon drink and have it ready to pour.

But one of my favorite watermelon cocktails is the “Smitten”; tequila, fresh watermelon chunks, lime, a little simple syrup, a few sprigs of cilantro and a dash of hot sauce – it’s something a little different and d’lish!

Check out www.LiquidKitchen.tv to get the recipe and watch a video on how to make the Smitten!

So be sure to enjoy them while you can; there’s nothing like summer’s fresh melons to cool you off on a hot day. –Kathy

I’m a true Pacific Northwesterner and my love for delicious fresh salmon is in my blood. And there is nothing better than Alaska salmon.

Grilled, pan seared, or oven roasted – any way you serve it – this iconic fish is always a treat!

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

That being said, I have a new favorite salmon preparation: Citrus Marinated Slow-Cooked Salmon. Quick to prepare for a crowd and oh-so-delicious!

Schmear a side of salmon with a flavorful mixture of mustard, honey, lemon zest, fresh herbs, and olive oil. Then lay out super thin slices of lemon and oranges and shaved fennel – alternating orange and lemon for a truly beautiful presentation.

Bake low and slow at 250^o F for about 40 minutes, depending on how thick your fillet is. This low-and-slow method makes for a very moist and succulent preparation and a great centerpiece for your next get-together.

And make sure to mark your calendars for August 10^th for Alaskan Wild Salmon Day! A fun day to try out your fave salmon dishes – looking for tips and ideas, try some of my d’lish salmon glazes below like my Chipotle Honey Glaze.

D’lish Salmon!
(Photo courtesy of Alaska Seafood Marketing)

So whether you’re smoking, grilling, or oven-roasting it, get your wild salmon on while it’s in season.
–Kathy

Sunkist® Citrus Marinated Slow-Cooked Salmon
This salmon preparation is perfect to serve to a crowd. Slices of citrus baked over the top, and the low-and-slow cooking method keep it moist.

Makes about 6 servings

Salmon
1 small side of salmon with skin, (about 2 – 2 1/2 pounds)
1 Sunkist® navel orange
1 Sunkist lemon

Marinade
3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. local honey
zest of 1 Sunkist Lemon*
2 Tbsp. chopped minced fresh dill
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp. thinly sliced fresh chives
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. fresh-ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F°.

Bring fish out of refrigerator 20 minutes before cooking. Cut 2 pieces of heavy-duty wide foil to fit a baking sheet pan. Stack the pieces shiny side down. Spray generously with cooking spray.

Pat fish dry with paper towels. Place the salmon skin side down in the middle of the foil. If the salmon is to long for your baking sheet or if the tail end is thin, tuck the tail under.

Slice the orange and lemon each into 8 thin slices. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together marinade ingredients. Spoon the marinade over the salmon, coating well.

Lay the sliced citrus over the top of the salmon arranging in a “scale-like” pattern. Cook salmon for approximately 40 – 45 minutes, depending upon desired doneness and the thickness of your salmon.

* To make lemon zest: Zest is the outer peel of the fruit with no white pith attached. You can make fine zest with a zesting tool, microplainer or fine grater.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios for Sunkist®.

Salmon Glaze Tips and Tricks
Glazing salmon is a delicious and fast way to add a punch of flavor. These easy stir-together toppings are perfect for keeping on hand in your refrigerator. Try drizzling some glaze on your salmon during the last minutes on the grill. Or if pan roasting, right after you flip the salmon in the pan, spread a tablespoon of glaze on the top and then finish in the oven. This gives the glaze time to get a bit golden and caramelize a little. Use about 1 tablespoon per portion of fish or about 1/3 cup on a side of salmon. You can always pass extra glaze for those that want a little more!

Molasses Marmalade Glaze
Makes a scant 1/2 cup

1/4 cup orange marmalade
2 Tbsp. molasses
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 Tbsp. cider vinegar

Stir ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Brown Sugar Peanut Glaze
Makes about 3/4 cup

2 Tbsp. hot water
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. finely minced fresh ginger
6 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter

In a small bowl stir together the hot water, brown sugar and soy sauce. Then stir in the ginger and peanut butter until smooth. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

Chipotle Honey Glaze
Makes a generous 1/2 cup

1/2 cup local honey
3 Tbsp. puréed chipotle peppers in adobo sauce*

Stir together in a small bowl until well combined. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

*To make chipotle purée: Purée a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce with a hand blender, blender or food processor until smooth. Freeze any remaining purée for another use.

Recipes by Kathy Casey Food Studios® – www.KathyCasey.com