Grow your own Fresh bean sprouts anytime of the year!

I was given a hydroponic sprout grower by my daughter Maria who bought it from Cathy's Crawly Composters. This sprouter is fast and simple to use. It came with a bag of mung beans and instructions. I followed instructions which are super easy. 3 tbsp of beans,add some water and OMG it is so fast. 24 hours and I had about 1 full cup of these baby sprouts sooo cool!

Now what to do with them...

Since all vitamins, enzymes, protein and most minerals originate form these little guys I though I would add it to other great and fresh ingredients and make a great summer salad.

Fresh bean sprout and quinoa salad

1 package 225g cooked and cooled President Choice brand Organic Quinoa (this is what I like but u can use any kind).
1 cup of fresh sprouted beans
1 small red onion, diced
1 small zucchini or cucumber, diced
1 small yellow or red tomato diced
1 carrot, diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
3 tbsp diced chives
½ cup of green beans, blanched, cooled and chopped (I had some left over from day before so I used them)
1 yellow, orange or red pepper, diced
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
¼ cup of fresh basil, chopped
Juice of 2 lemons
1/4 - 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil
Season to taste with sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper


I know it seems like a lot of ingredients but you can omit some or add others to your taste. This recipe makes about 6-8 cups or more depending on how many ingredients you add and it’s great for a party and keeps for a few days in fridge.

Note: If using basil I would add it just before serving so it keeps its bright green colour.

More great additions are Legumes such as chick peas or lentils, fresh corn, fresh peas, chopped pecans, dried fruit such as cranberries, the list is endless.


For more info about spouts or to get your own hydroponic Sprout Grower and make these all year round visit http://www.cathyscomposters.com/ and tell her I sent you :)

Cater Your Own Summer Appetizer Party

I love to entertain but it can be a lot of work so what I do when I have more than 6 guests is just serve appetizers and drinks. I can make them ahead and then actually enjoy myself too. You can cut a lot of time by buying some of the parts pre made that way assembly and maybe some cooking is all that is needed. To make sure u have enough for everyone there should be at least 12-14 bites per person and I dont count fruit, dips or veggie platters in that, they are extra goodies.

I recently had a summer get together for 14 people for my sons 19th birthday and this is what I served.


All aboard!

On my biggest cutting board I arranged a mixture of cured meats, olives, nuts and a few cheeses. Looks rustic on the cutting board and you could also do whole cheeses with labels this way and guests could cut their own pieces right on the board.

I love stuff on sticks, it looks cool and fingers dont get dirty. This is my version of Caprese Salad on a stick.

Wooden skewers
small bocconcini cheese
cherry tomato's
day old French/Italian bread cut into cubes and tossed in extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.
fresh basil leaves

Drizzle oil:
olive oil
fresh,chopped Parsley
sea salt


Endive Flower Burst

I love this one and it is so easy and can have so many different variations to it. I bought ready made chicken salad form Costco but honestly you could make anything else that has some stickiness to it like guacamole, tuna salad even just cream cheese mixed with dried cranberries and pecans, really skies the limit use your imagination.

Buy 3-4 heads of endive because you can only use 4-8 leaves from each depending on how big they are.
Cut off the base and carefully remove 1 leaf at a time so as not to tear them.
wash and let dry then fill and arrange on tray.


Deconstructed Souvlaki:

I really cheated for this party, I usually make my food from scratch but I was pressed for time because I was devoting most of my time in making an ice cream birthday cake from scratch and it really was a life saver to shop at Costco for my ingredients for this party. Ready marinated pork/chicken souvlaki was what I used. Each skewer has about 5 pieces of meat and I took them all off and cooked them in oven and then using new skewers put 1 piece on each making them now appetizer bites. Easy peasy.


Pizza:

I bought 2 ready to bake pizzas (yes from Costco) They cook in 6-8 minutes then I cut them into small square bites when cool.


Edamame Dip

I love, Love, Love this dip and was so happy to find this (yes this too is from Costco) I was kind of growing tired of humus and then I discovered this tasty dip.


Sandwiches and Wraps

Pastrami and cheese on dark rye is always a crowd favorite, and who doesn't love wraps.

1 Veggie and 1 fruit tray which again can be made ahead of time and your done.

Just add wine, beer and water and you'll have a great party!

Fresh Italian burger - Chatelaine Recipes

Fresh Italian burger - Chatelaine Recipes 

Try an Italian twist to a burger :)

Prosciutto and arugula pizzette - Chatelaine Recipes

Prosciutto and arugula pizzette - Chatelaine Recipes 

You must try this, its so easy to make and is so tasty and impressive alongside a glass of wine.