These days it seems like life is extra hectic (especially with it being the holiday season!) and sometimes planning dinner can be last on your list.

Thankfully grocers like Metropolitan Market, Whole Foods, and even Costco have you covered with their pre-made meals and dishes like their rotisserie roasted chickens.

These chickens are great if you’re time starved. Of course they are d’lish just carved up and served as your main alongside tasty sides like roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, etc. But there is so much more you can do.

Add the meat to stir-fry, layer into quesadillas, build onto an open-faced sandwich, or make a Quick and Easy Chicken Mandarin Salad – the possibilities are endless.

Once you have that chicken picked clean, don’t throw those bones away. Because next up is Homemade Chicken Broth! Add some carrots, celery, onion and the chicken bones to a big pot. Cover with water – if you want it extra rich, add in a can OR carton of chicken broth too.

Homemade Chicken Broth – perfect for this chilly weather!

Let this simmer for at least an hour or two (or throw it in your crock pot on low while you’re at work!)
Then strain, and there you have it – delicious Homemade Chicken Broth. And your house will smell delicious! –Kathy

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Quick and Easy Mandarin Chicken Salad
Makes 4 servings

1 tsp. curry powder
1 Sunkist® lemon
1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 cup low fat mayonnaise
3 cups chopped cooked store-bought rotisserie/roasted chicken
1 cup thinly shredded red cabbage
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup roasted cashews or sliced almonds
3 peeled and sectioned Sunkist® Gold Nugget variety mandarins
Salt and black pepper
2 halved whole wheat pitas

Zest the lemon and set it aside, then juice the lemon.
In a large bowl, mix together lemon juice and zest, curry powder, yogurt and mayonnaise.
Mix in the chicken, cabbage, green onions, celery and nuts.
Add the mandarin sections and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve with pita’s or on your favorite mixed greens.

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

The cold weather months make us crave heartier foods… and root vegetables are definitely hearty. They are versatile in flavor, texture and application – as well as budget-friendly and a great source of complex-carbohydrates!

Rutabagas, parsnips, carrots, turnips and beets are all part of this delicious group.

A great crop of root veggies!
(Photo from CookWithWhatYouHave.com
they have a great recipe for Box Grater Unconventional Latkes!)

Roasted Beets are so tasty and star in my recipe with an Orange Cumin Glaze. Just pop whole in a 375 degree oven tented in foil and roast until fork tender – when cool the skins will slip off easy. I love them tossed in a salad with arugula, blue cheese, walnuts and balsamic vinaigrette.

The often overlooked parsnip is also a fave – roast them whole with a chicken alongside a few of those beautiful rainbow carrots we see in the markets these days. It’s featured in my Creamy Roasted Parsnip Soup paired up with chevre and walnut croutons. Pour yourself a glass of Washington wine and you’re all set for a cozy meal.

Speaking of parsnips and carrots – these also partner well simply steamed and mashed with some seasoning, butter, olive oil or sour cream for a tasty side dish alternative to traditional potatoes.

Fill up with some hearty root veggies! –Kathy

Roasted Beets with Orange Cumin Glaze
Makes about 6 servings.

5 large beets (about 2 lb.)
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsp honey
1 tsp cornstarch
2 Tbsps butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts
1 Tbsp finely chopped orange zest
2 Tbsps chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Wash the beets and leave root untrimmed. Place beets on a large sheet of foil and seal like a package. Place foil packet on a baking pan and roast in preheated oven until very tender, about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Poke beets to make sure they are tender.

As soon as beets are cool enough to handle, slip the skins off and slice into ¼-inch slices.

In a small bowl mix together the orange juice, cumin, vinegar , honey and corn starch. Stir until cornstarch is well incorporated.

Place liquid mixture in a large, non-stick sauté pan and heat over medium-high heat, whisking – while adding the butter and salt. Bring to a boil and add the sliced beets. Cook, turning beets as necessary, until they are hot and nicely glazed. Place on a serving platter or in large, shallow bowl.

Mix together the walnuts, orange zest and parsley and sprinkle over the beets.

Chef’s Notes:
You can prepare this recipe part way in advance: Just roast, peel and slice the beets ahead of time. This can be done up to 3 days in advance. Then finish the rest of the recipe procedure per instructions.

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

Creamy Roasted Parsnip Soup with Chevre & Walnut Crostini
Makes 6 servings

4 cups 1/2-inch-sliced peeled parsnips (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsps butter
1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots
1 stalk celery, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 cups chicken broth (I used packaged organic broth)
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Croutons
6 1/4-inch-thick slices baguette or French bread
Olive oil
3 ounces chevre (goat cheese)
3 Tbsps chopped walnuts, lightly toasted

Garnish: thinly sliced fresh chives and/or celery leaves

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

First, toast the bread for the croutons: Lay the bread on a baking sheet, brush slices lightly with oil, and toast in the preheated oven for about 3 – 5 minutes, or until just lightly golden. Remove and let cool. (You can do this the day before and keep croutons in a tightly closed container after they cool.)

Toss parsnips and olive oil together in a bowl to coat evenly. Spread out on a baking sheet (you can reuse the one used for the bread), and roast till golden and totally tender, about 30 minutes.

Heat butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté shallots and celery until very tender, about 3 minutes; do not brown. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds more. Add wine and bring to a boil. Add chicken broth, cream and roasted parsnips and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium or low, to maintain a slow simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes and then add salt and cayenne. In small batches, puree mixture in a blender. (Be careful; it’s hot!)

Return soup to pan and adjust seasoning if needed. Cool and refrigerate for up to 3 days before serving.

To serve the soup and finish the crostini:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Spread the cheese on the croutons, then top each one with a half-tablespoon of nuts. Press in slightly and bake for about 4 minutes or until cheese is warmed.
Meanwhile, heat the soup, stirring often, over medium heat till hot, making sure it does not stick on the bottom. Serve the hot soup in warm bowls. Top with chives or celery leaf and serve a warm goat cheese crouton on the side.

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

The Pacific Northwest loves their Dungeness crabs! Named for the Washington town on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Dungeness crab is found all the way from Alaska to lower California.

Photo from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table.

You’ve probably noticed that some crab eaters are pickers and some are pilers. The former pick and eat as they go. While the latter, prefer to make piles of shelled crab, not even tasting a single morsel till they have a good-sized mound. So which one are you: a picker or a piler?

Fresh, right out of the shell is still my favorite way to eat this prized catch, or in my Classic Seattle-Style Crab Louie salad with homemade dressing. And since the Northwest’s sweet Dungeness are most bountiful during the winter, it’s a good time to enjoy crab in my second favorite form, in d’lish Crab Cakes.

Crab cakes are an American tradition. From Chesapeake Bay to Puget Sound, each region has its version. Here in the northwest, we like ours snuggled up next to a sassy slaw and a dollop of aioli. No Old Bay needed here!

Renowned Seattle Chef Tom Douglas published an entire book on crab cakes, and local author Cynthia Nims wrote a whole book dedicated to crab – chock full of tips, local lore and great recipes.

So get cracking and enjoy the delectable Dungeness! –Kathy

Classic Seattle-Style Crab Louis
Makes 4 servings

4 large whole lettuce leaves
8 heaping cups sliced iceberg or romaine lettuce
1 pound Dungeness crab body and leg meat
4 hard-boiled eggs, halved lengthwise
12 grape tomatoes
12 cooked asparagus spears and/or raw cucumber slices
12 black ripe olives
4 lemon wedges
4 flat-leaf parsley sprigs
Louis Dressing (recipe follows)

Lay 1 whole lettuce leaf on each chilled individual plate. Divide the cut lettuce among the leaves and top with the crabmeat. Divide the eggs, tomatoes, asparagus, and olives attractively among the salads.

Garnish with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs. Serve about 1/3 cup of dressing in a large ramekin with each salad and pass extra dressing.

Louis Dressing
Makes 2 3/4 cups

2 hard-boiled eggs, very finely chopped
1/3 cup chopped black ripe olives
3 Tbsps. fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup tomato-based chili sauce
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. Tabasco sauce or to taste
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
1 Tbsp. minced white onion

In a medium bowl, mix all the ingredients well. The dressing keeps, refrigerated, for up to 1 week.

Recipe from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table.

Crab Cakes with Tangy Vegetable Slaw and Sherry Aioli
Prepare slaw and aioli before cooking crab cakes.

Makes 4 servings

Crab Cakes
1 pound high quality Dungeness crab meat
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 small egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp. Tabasco
1/4 tsp. dry mustard
3 Tbsps. finely diced celery
3 Tbsps. finely minced green onion
1 1/2 tsp. finely minced fresh garlic
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. sherry vinegar
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsps. finely minced carrot
2 tsp. chopped parsley
Egg wash (2 eggs beaten with 2 tsp. water)
Bread crumbs (approximately 1 1/2 cups), preferably Panko, available at Oriental grocers
1/4 cup peanut or vegetable oil for frying, more or less as needed
2 lemons, cut in wedges
Tangy Vegetable Slaw (recipe follows)
Sherry Aioli (recipe follows)

In a large bowl mix all crab cake ingredients together well. Divide crab mixture into 12 portions and form into 1/2-inch-thick patties.

Place egg wash and bread crumbs in separate small bowls. Dip patties first in egg wash then in bread crumbs.

In a heavy 10- to 12-inch skillet heat oil over medium high heat till hot but not smoking (350-375 degrees). Fry crab cakes in small batches till golden brown on each side, turning as needed. Drain on paper towels.

Serve immediately with Tangy Vegetable Slaw and dollops of Sherry Aioli. Serve extra slaw, aioli and lemon wedges on the side.

Tangy Vegetable Slaw
Dressing and vegetables can be prepared separately and refrigerated up to two days in advance. Toss together right before serving.

3 Tbsps. mayonnaise
2 Tbsps. sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsps. sherry vinegar
1 Tbsp. finely minced red onion
1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
1 1/2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
1/2 cup finely shredded red cabbage
1 cup finely matchstick-cut carrots
1 cup finely matchstick-cut English cucumber, with skin
1 small bunch fresh chives, cut in 1-inch lengths

In a large bowl blend together mayonnaise, sour cream and sugar. Whisk in vinegars, onion, salt, pepper and parsley.

Just before serving, add remaining ingredients and toss well.

Sherry Aioli
3/4 cup high quality mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. finely minced fresh garlic
1 1/2 tsp. sherry vinegar
1 1/2 Tbsps. fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp. Tabasco
1/2 tsp. kosher salt

In a medium mixing bowl or food processor place mayonnaise, garlic, vinegar and lemon juice. While whisking vigorously or with processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until all oil is incorporated and aioli is a smooth consistency.

Season with Tabasco and salt. Mix in well. Store refrigerated till needed.

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

A true sign of fall, apples are appearing everywhere right now. Think thick-caramel-coated-and-dipped-in-nuts or those sweet and tangy cups of fresh-pressed cider at the local market.

The Northwest has always been the Mecca for amazing apples from glorious Gala Apples with their wonderful perfume and sweet flavor under a lovely red and pink striped exterior, to the sexy pink ladies! The list goes on and on.

For pie lovers, nothing is as iconic as good ol’ classic American apple pie. Some of my favorite ways to switch it up is adding grated cheddar to the crust and tossing some fall cranberries into the filling. Yum!

Photo from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table

But in addition to treats and desserts, there are bushels of other great ways to cook with apples. Try a quick sauté of sliced apples, chopped bacon, and onions then finish it off with a quick vinaigrette and tossed with baby spinach leaves for a tasty and warm supper salad.

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios

Just remember, one of the most important tips is to always keep your apples refrigerated. At 70 degrees apples break down and become soft 10 times faster than if refrigerated. And we all like that crisp apple crunch! –Kathy

Apple Cranberry Pie With Cheddar Cheese Crust

Makes 1 9-inch pie.

Cheddar Cheese Crust

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 cup shredded Tillamook Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup shortening or lard
6 Tbsp. cold butter, cut in small pieces
4 Tbsp. cold water

Pie Filling

1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
3 Tbsp. flour
7 cups 1/8- to 1/4-inch-sliced apples, peeled and cored (about 2 – 2 1/2 lb.)
3/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
2 Tbsp. cold butter, cut in small pieces
milk and sugar for topping

To make the crust: In a large bowl combine flour, salt and cheddar and mix evenly. Cut in shortening and butter until particles are pea-sized. Sprinkle in cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix with a fork just until dough comes together in a ball. Do not overmix dough. (If dough is too soft to handle, press gently into a disk and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.)

Divide dough into 2 pieces then roll out into 2 circles.

On a lightly floured surface roll one dough piece out to a bit bigger than your pan. Brush excess flour off of crust, then gently roll up crust onto rolling pin. Unroll into pie pan and press/fit crust into pan. Roll crust over at edges, trimming off any excess dough, then crimp with fingers to make a pretty crust edge. With a fork poke the pie crust all over so crust doesn’t bubble up when baking.

Cover the other dough piece (the pie pastry top crust) with plastic wrap while making the filling.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

To make filling: In a large bowl toss together the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, apples and cranberries. Mound apple mixture evenly into pastry-lined pie pan. Dot apples with butter and cover with top crust. Seal and flute edges with fingertips. Make several slits on the top to allow steam to escape. For a shiny, sugary top brush top crust lightly with milk and sprinkle with granulated sugar.

Bake in preheated 425-degree oven for 10 minutes then reduce the heat to 375 degrees and bake for about 50 minutes more or until crust is nicely browned and apples are cooked through.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Spinach & Apple Salad with Warm Bacon Vinaigrette

This salad is delicious as a starter, or serve it as an entrée topped with grilled chicken breast and crumbled blue cheese.

Makes 6 servings as a starter salad

6 cups baby spinach

Vinaigrette

1/3 cup fresh-squeezed Sunkist Lemon juice
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

———————————————

1/4 cup finely diced raw bacon
1 apple, cored and cut into thin slices
1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion
2 tsp. minced fresh garlic

Place spinach in a large, heat-proof bowl and refrigerate until ready to dress salad.

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, mustard, sugar, pepper, salt

and olive oil. Set vinaigrette aside.

In a small nonstick pan, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until three-quarters done, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the apple, onion and garlic and stir for about 1 minute. Add the reserved vinaigrette to the hot pan. Immediately remove from heat and pour over reserved spinach mixture.

Toss until salad is well coated with dressing, and serve immediately.

Recipe by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Ah, arugula! This bold green livens up any dish it’s in. Nicknamed “Garden Rocket,” it grows fast, almost like a weed in our northwest climate.

Well, weed or not, this tasty leaf is full of great health benefits. Just 4 ounces of this green is just 25 calories – wow! It’s also full of vital antioxidants and vitamins – 3 cups gives you 100% of your daily vitamin K needs!

Arugla’s taste is nutty and peppery. Try it tucked into sandwiches, or tossed in a little olive oil and scattered over a sexy cheese pizza. This tasty green also complements meat and seafood beautifully. It makes a perfect bed for a piece of grilled fish or steak.

Of course, it’s great in salads like in my Baby Arugula, Orange & Fennel Salad with Grilled Shrimp & White Balsamic Vinaigrette. It’s also a delicious add-in to a homemade pesto recipe for a robust, peppery edge!

So get your arugula on and dig into this peppery green that’s so good for you! – Kathy

Photo from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table, Chronicle Books.

Baby Arugula, Orange & Fennel Salad with Grilled Shrimp and White Balsamic Vinaigrette
Makes 6 to 8 servings

Shrimp
1 Tbsp undiluted orange juice concentrate
Pinch of red pepper flakes
2 Tbsp minced orange zest
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp minced shallots
1/2 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp minced fennel fronds
1 Tbsp fennel seed, toasted and crushed
2 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 lbs large raw shrimp (32 to 40)

Salad
1 large or 2 small fennel bulbs, trimmed
6 oranges or tangerines
6 cups baby arugula
2 heads baby frisée, torn, rinsed and spun dry
White Balsamic Vinaigrette (recipe follows)

To marinate the shrimp, whisk all the ingredients, except the shrimp, in a large bowl. Peel, devein, and remove tails of the shrimp then add them to the marinade and toss to coat. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.

To prepare the salad, finely shave the fennel bulbs with a sharp knife or a mandoline and crisp in ice water for 10 minutes. Spin dry before using. Cut the peel off the oranges, trim away all the white pith, then cut the fruit into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Flick out any seeds. (If prepared ahead, refrigerate the fennel and orange slices separately, for up to 2 hours.)

Prepare a hot fire in a charcoal grill, or preheat a gas grill to high. Grill the shrimp until just pink and done, about 1 to 2 minutes per side.

Meanwhile, toss the arugula, frisée, fennel, and oranges with enough of the vinaigrette to coat nicely—taste for flavor, adding more dressing if needed.

Serve the salad on a large platter or divide among individual plates, arrange the shrimp on top, and drizzle with a little extra dressing, if desired.

White Balsamic Vinaigrette
The vinaigrette keeps, refrigerated, for up to 2 weeks.

Makes 2 cups

1/2 cup white balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp minced shallots
1 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 cup undiluted orange juice concentrate
Pinch of red pepper flakes, or 1 Tbsp harissa paste
2 tsp kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp fennel seed, toasted and ground
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp chopped fennel fronds

In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar, shallots, mustard, and juice concentrate. Whisk in the pepper flakes, salt, pepper to taste, and fennel seed. Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking constantly to emulsify. Stir in the fennel fronds. If made ahead, refrigerate until shortly before needed, then rewhisk before using.

Recipe from Kathy Casey’s Northwest Table, Chronicle Books.

Have you seen ginormous citrus fruits that look like monster grapefruits? They’re called pummelos – and are the biggest variety of citrus! Not as well known in the citrus family but they will be soon!

If you are a citrus fanatic like me, you will love pummelos. Pick one out that feels heavy for its size and is more green than yellow – in this case, green is good! These big babies pack a wallop of vitamins, and have a wonderful flavor, very similar to a grapefruit, but sweeter and in my opinion a little floral.

The biggest hurdle is getting through the peel, but once you know how, it’s really quite simple. First cut off the top and bottom – just enough so you can see the flesh of the fruit peeking through.

Next, score the peel on four sides. Just deep enough to get through the whole peel. Then, with your fingers, pull the pieces of the peel off and break the sections of the fruit apart. Remove the membrane from the segments, and then you’re ready to enjoy the fruit. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but it is SO WORTH IT!

Here’s a video of demo-ing how to peel one!

Great on its own or try adding it to a favorite dish that you want a citrus punch – like in my recipe for Pummelo Tabbouleh.

Oh and yea…. if you Google Pummelo Cat Hat… you may just get inspired for some citrusy crafting LOL! –Kathy

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios®

Pummelo Tabbouleh
Pummelo adds a beautiful color and tangy sweet flavor to this classic dish-up salad. Different brands/varieties of cracked wheat cook differently. More rustic types tend to be slower to absorb the water.

Makes 6 – 8 cups depending upon the style of cracked wheat used

1 3/4 cups boiling water
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1 1/2 cups cracked wheat (bulgur wheat)
——————————–
1 Sunkist® Pummelo
1/4 cup fresh squeezed Sunkist Lemon juice
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. Kosher salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 roma tomatoes, diced 1/2 inch
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 green onions, thinly sliced

Place bulgur wheat and the 1 teaspoon of salt in a heat-proof large glass bowl or plastic container. Measure boiling water carefully and pour over the bulgur. Cover quickly with plastic wrap and let sit for 1 hour or until all the water has been absorbed. Uncover and let cool. (See headnote on cooking varieties of bulgur.)

To finish the salad: Peel the pummelo and tear the citrus flesh of each segment into pieces (discarding the white pith), set aside. (See how to open a pummelo.)

In a large bowl mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, remaining teaspoon of salt and pepper. Add the cooked bulgur and stir to combine. Then add the pummelo, tomatoes, parsley, and green onions and stir gently until coated with dressing.

Sunkist Twists:

Recipe developed for Sunkist by Kathy Casey Food Studios®.

Whole grains are all the rage, and with good reason. Their health benefits and high-fiber content make them a great addition to your regular menu!

One of my favorites is quinoa, an ancient grain-like seed. It’s a high-quality protein with eight essential amino acids and a good source of fiber, as well as B vitamins, iron, and other minerals. You can get regular quinoa, red and tri-colored – all are tasty tasty!

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad at Dish D’Lish

I like to toast it dry in a pan before cooking to add a bit of nutty flavor. I love it made into a salad to take for lunch such as my Big Protein Red Quinoa Salad – cooked quinoa, cucumbers, carrots, garbanzos, raisins, hazelnuts and fresh herbs all dressed up with olive oil and lemon juice. The combination of textures and flavors is d’Lish and so good for you!

Another fave is farro, an ancient hulled wheat that was served as the daily ration of the Roman legions. Today it is making a huge comeback and can be seen on restaurant menus everyhwere (and also grown locally in eastern Washington). I love its toothsome bite. Most instructions say to soak it before cooking (preferably overnight). This is great to speed up the cooking, but I typically just give it a long slow boil until it is tender. I love it in a dish of Kale Lacinato, Wild Mushrooms and Goat Cheese. Perfect for this time of year.

So cook up some ancient grains this fall and get your freekeh on – yes that’s another type of new grain! –Kathy

Big Protein Red Quinoa Salad
I like to make this salad with all organic produce.
Makes about 4 cups

3/4 cup red or tri-color quinoa
1 1/2 cups water
1 tsp. minced garlic
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tsp. minced or grated lemon zest
1/2 cup peeled, seeded and 1/4-inch-diced cucumber
1/2 cup canned organic garbanzo beans, drained
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2cup organic golden raisins
1/2 cup organic hazelnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup grated carrot
3/4 to 1 tsp. sea salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper

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, 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 10 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.

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

Farro with Kale, Wild Mushrooms & Goat Cheese
I love this dish made with fall chanterelles.
Makes 4 to 6 servings

1/2 cup whole farro, dry
2 quarts water
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup sliced wild mushrooms
4 cloves garlic, sliced paper thin
pinch red chili flakes
1 large bunch black kale (lacinato)* or green kale, torn
1/4 cup chicken broth (or substitute vegetable broth)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 lemon
3 ounces fresh goat cheese (chevre)

To cook the farro: In a medium saucepan, combine farro and water and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat to a simmer; cook the grain for about 30 minutes, or until very tender, but do not let it become mushy. Add more water if it gets low. Drain the cooked farro and set aside. (You can do this the day before; refrigerate cooked grain.)

Heat oil in a large sauté pan over high heat. Sauté mushrooms until half cooked, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Add garlic and chili flakes and sauté for a few seconds. Stir in kale. Add chicken broth and cooked farro, and cook, turning greens several times, until greens are wilted. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Squeeze lemon over dish to brighten flavor. Serve dolloped with goat cheese or grated sexy local cheese.

*Also called dinosaur kale.

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

A true sign of fall: apples appear everywhere. From thick caramel-coated and dipped in nuts to sweet and tangy cups of fresh-pressed cider at the local market to grand glass bowls filled with elegant red apples simply used as a table centerpiece.

The Northwest has always been the hub for amazing apples. Glorious Galas with their perfume-y sweet flavor, firm Fujis that hold their texture amazingly well when cooked, deep-blushed Braeburns, and the list goes on.

What most of us (at least us pie-lovers) think about when thinking of apples is pie, I love to make my apple pie with a little cheddar in the crust – yum!

Photo by Kathy Casey Food Studios for Sunkist

But in addition to desserts there are bushels of other great ways to cook with apples. Try whipping up a Spinach & Apple Salad with Warm Meyer Lemon-Bacon Vinaigrette. It’s really quick and delicious.

Looking for a new side dish? How about a toothsome Apple Barley Risotto – a twist on the classic using pearl barley instead of Arborio rice?

Just remember, one of the best apple tips to observe is to always keep your apples refrigerated. At 70 degrees, apples break down and become soft 10 times faster than if refrigerated. Many a Northwesterner accomplished this in the olden days by stashing the winter’s apples under the bed, back when winter bedrooms were quite chilly. I bet those rooms smelled appley great!

Cheers crisp fall apples – crunch! -Kathy

Spinach & Apple Salad with Warm Meyer Lemon–Bacon Vinaigrette
This salad is delicious as a starter, or serve it as an entrée topped with grilled chicken breast and crumbled blue cheese.

Makes 6 servings as a starter salad

6 cups baby spinach
1 apple, cored and cut into thin slices
1/2 cup thinly sliced white onion

Vinaigrette
1/3 cup fresh-squeezed Sunkist Meyer Lemon juice
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
———————————————
1/4 cup finely diced raw bacon
2 tsp. minced fresh garlic

Place spinach, apple and onion in a large, heat-proof bowl and refrigerate until ready to dress salad.

In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, mustard, sugar, pepper, salt
and olive oil. Set vinaigrette aside.

In a small nonstick pan, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until three-quarters done, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and stir for about 30 seconds, but do not brown garlic. Add the reserved vinaigrette to the hot pan. Immediately remove from heat and pour over reserved spinach mixture.

Toss until salad is well coated with dressing, and serve immediately.

Recipe created by Kathy Casey for Sunkist®

Apple Barley Risotto
Allow about 50 – 60 minutes total cooking time for this recipe.

Makes 4 servings

2 Tbsp. butter
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 Braeburn or Fuji apple, unpeeled, cored and diced 1/4-inch
1/2 cup pearl barley
2 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup water
1/4 cup shredded, high-quality Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts, lightly toasted
1/8 tsp. black pepper
salt to taste (If using canned broth, less salt will be needed.)

In a large heavy-bottom saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and red onions. Sauté till mushrooms are limp. Add the garlic and stir around for about half a minute. Then immediately add the wine, increase heat to high and reduce wine till syrupy, about 3 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium and stir in the diced apple and barley. In a bowl or large measuring cup mix together the broth and water. Add 1 cup to the barley and simmer till almost all the liquid is absorbed about 6 – 8 minutes.

Stir in another cup of the broth-water mixture and continue cooking, stirring often, until all the liquid is absorbed. Repeat this process again until all the liquid has been used and the barley is tender.

Remove from heat and fold in cheese, nuts and pepper. Taste and season with additional salt if needed.

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