RECIPE: Vegan Detox Salad (with Variations!)

Difficulty Level: EASY

Ingredients:

1 raw beet, scrubbed, peeled, and grated

1 bunch radishes, scrubbed and thinly sliced
1 small bunch spinach, washed and torn into bite size pieces
1 bunch kale, washed and torn into bite sized pieces
1/2 bunch of cilantro, washed (leaves only. save the stems for flavoring stews or soups)
small handful of grape tomatoes
1 avocado, pitted and sliced
2 Tbs nutritional yeast
2 Tbs dulse flakes
1 Tbs olive oil
1 1/2 lemons, juiced
salt to taste
1/4 - 1/2 tsp cajun spice mix (optional)

Directions:
Throw everything into a big salad or mixing bowl - you need enough room to toss everything really well - and toss thoroughly (I find tongs work best).

If you like things a bit spicy, feel free to add the cajun spice mix just before tossing.

This salad can take a lot of variation and is a great way to use up veggies.  Some additions/substitutions I like: mixed greens, romaine lettuce, sprouts, dill, sun-dried tomatoes.

If in the mood for a non-vegan salad, this recipe makes a great base for various proteins such as crumbled cheese, chicken, tuna, shrimp, or salmon.

RECIPE: Puffed Apple Pancake

I look forward to fall for many reasons. One of them is making an apple puff pancake for weekend brunch. Enjoy.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk

4 large eggs

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2/3 cup all purpose flour

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

12 ounces apples (about 2), peeled, cored, thinly sliced

3 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar

Powdered sugar (optional)

Procedure:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Whisk milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon in large bowl until well blended. Add flour and whisk until batter is smooth.

3. Place butter in 13x9-inch glass baking dish. Place dish in oven until butter melts, about 5 minutes. Remove dish from oven. Place apple slices in overlapping rows atop melted butter in baking dish. Return to oven and bake until apples begin to soften slightly and butter is bubbling and beginning to brown around edges of dish, about 10 minutes.

4. Pour batter over apples in dish and sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake pancake until puffed and brown, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve warm.