Coleslaw

My husband loves coleslaw and we wanted a nutritious go-to version to use in fish tacos. This recipe is perfect because it uses only fresh ingredients and tastes much better than anything you can purchase. One of the ingredients is a citrus (lemon and orange) infused white vinegar that I found on the blog LittleOwlCrunchyMomma. Her exact recipe is called Orange Vinegar (follow the link). You could use plain white vinegar instead, but the infused vinegar makes it really special.

This is an awesome way to use leftover lemon and orange rinds. I use my citrus vinegar for cooking and cleaning. This recipe is one of my favorite finds of the year. I use up a lot of lemons drinking Warm Lemon Water in the mornings and also a lot of oranges drinking orange water in the evenings. I am so happy to have found such a versatile recipe for my leftover lemon and orange rinds.

Sourdough Bierocks and Empanadas

My friend, LeAnn, shared a wonderful bierock recipe with me. The ingredients are very simple and the end result is so delicious. I did substitute my own recipe for the dough since I am trying to ensure all my grains are prepared to maximize their nutritional benefit. I was worried the substitution might change the taste overall, but it did not. In fact, this dough is really wonderful and very close in taste to my friend's original recipe.

 

It was so good that I started filling it with all kinds of yummy stuff. So, you'll find the recipes below for Bierocks and also for Bacon Cheeseburger Empanadas and a *bonus* for Breakfast Empanadas in the Comments. I am sure you will also come up with lots of delicious fillings for this wonderful dough - please leave your ideas in the comments.

Ground Beef and Cabbage

Have you ever had one of those days where you decide what you're going to make for dinner 5 minutes before you start cooking? Well, I have them all the time! And this recipe is one of the success stories. Now it doesn't sound like much, but I hope you'll give it a try because it is surprisingly delicious and so easy to make.

Rice and Lentil Pilaf

This would be great to make on a Sunday so you could have quick and easy lunches all week. If you use a vegetable stock, this is vegetarian.

Cabbage Slaw

This is a great side dish or would be delicious in fish tacos.

Ingredients:
About 2-3 cups shredded red cabbage
About 1/4 cup green pepper, julienned
About 1/4 cup onion (or a little less), thinly sliced
About 1/4 to 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
About 1-2 T honey, drizzled over the slaw
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauteed Cabbage

1/3 to 1/2 red cabbage, shredded
1/2 small onion, sliced thinly
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
olive oil
2 T honey
1-2 teaspoons mustard seed
salt and pepper

In a skillet over medium heat, saute the oninon about 5 minutes until tender. Add cabbage and saute until wilted about 5-10 minutes. Add vinegar and stir to cover, then add honey and stir to cover. Season with the mustard seed, salt and pepper to taste. Cook another ten minutes stirring occasionally.

Comments: I made this recipe to use up cabbage in the refrigerator and because cabbage has some definite positive nutritional qualities. However, this really isn't my favorite dish. That being said, I think if you like cabbage, you will like this dish (and it makes a "pretty" addition to the table). I will probably make again if I have more cabbage to use up, but would not buy cabbage to make this specifically. This makes a lot.

Red Cabbage & Carrot Asian Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups julienned red cabbage
1 carrot, julienned
1/3 cup sliced red onion
1 tbsp. white sesame seeds
1 tbsp. black sesame seeds

Dressing:
2 tsp. sesame oil
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tbsp. rice vinegar
1 tbsp. hoisin sauce, try this one

How To:
Mix the above together in a medium bowl. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Comments:
Tastes better the next day! Serves about 4-6 as a side dish. Other than slicing the carrots so thinly, this was very quick to make.