Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Many pickles contain preservatives. I used juice from a jar of Putter’s dill pickles. Make sure the smoked paprika doesn’t contain colour, flavour or anti-caking agents. I used Syren brand.

After marinating in buttermilk and pickle juice, roast chicken and vegetables

Remove chicken and scatter greens over vegetables

Broil until green begin to wilt and vegetables are slightly charred

Sheet pan buttermilk chicken

Ingredients:

Marinade

1¼ cups (310 ml) buttermilk

⅓ cup (82.5 ml) pickle juice (from dill pickles or cornichons)

Half onion, thinly sliced

5 cloves garlic, smashed

1½ tsp (7.5 ml) kosher salt

½ tsp (2.5 ml) each smoked paprika and pepper

Chicken and vegetables

1 whole chicken (about 1.5 kg/3.3 lbs), cut in 8 pieces (or 2 each bone-in skin-on chicken breasts and legs, halved)

1 bunch carrots (with stems), leaves trimmed

1 680 g (1.5 lb) bag mini sweet potatoes, halved diagonally

¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided

½ tsp (2.5 ml) each salt and pepper, divided

12 cherry tomatoes

1 bunch kale, stemmed and torn in large pieces

Preparation:

Marinade

In large resealable plastic bag, combine buttermilk, pickle juice, onion, garlic, salt, paprika and pepper.

Add chicken to marinade; seal bag. Massage to evenly coat. Place on baking sheet; refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. Bring to room temperature before roasting.

Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Halve any larger carrots lengthwise. On pan, toss together carrots, sweet potatoes, 2 tbsp (30 ml) of the oil and ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) each of the salt and pepper.

Drain chicken, discarding marinade; pat dry with paper towel. Place in large bowl. Drizzle with remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil; sprinkle with remaining ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) each salt and pepper, tossing to coat. Arrange over vegetables. Roast until chicken is browned and vegetables are tender, about 40 minutes, adding tomatoes during last 10 minutes of cooking. Transfer chicken to plate; loosely cover with foil.

Broil vegetables for 2 minutes; remove from oven. Scatter kale over vegetables, gently tossing to coat. Broil until kale is crisp and vegetables are slightly charred, 2 to 3 minutes. Serves 4-6.

From Canadian Living

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Read the label on the cheese to ensure it does not contain additives or colour. Make sure the smoked paprika does not contain colour.

Pour boiling water over the kale to wilt it slightly

Cooked red quinoa, parsley and smokey lemon dressing

Halloumi has a high melting point, so it is great for grilling or frying

Toss quinoa, kale and parsley with dressing

Fry the halloumi for a few minutes on each side, until browned

Red quinoa, kale and halloumi salad

Ingredients:

5 oz (150 g) kale, trimmed

2.5 cups (750 ml) cooked red quinoa

½ cup (125 ml) flat-leaf parsley leaves

1 lb. (500 g) halloumi, thinly sliced

Olive oil, for brushing

For the smoky lemon dressing:

2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice

1 tsp (5 ml) sweet smoked paprika

1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil

Preparation:

Cook the quinoa according to the package directions and set aside.

Cut the kale into large pieces and place in a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over and allow to stand for five minutes. Drain and pat dry. Toss the kale with the quinoa and parsley.

To make the dressing, combine the lemon juice, paprika and oil. Pour over the salad and toss.

Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat. Brush the halloumi with oil and cook until golden. Divide the salad between serving plates and top with the halloumi to serve. Serves 4.

From Fresh and Light by Donna Hay