Eye for a Recipe

This recipe from Real Simple is a lighter take on spaghetti and meatballs. Make the meatballs and broil for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the rice noodles and make the dressing. Toss the noodles with carrots, lettuce, cucumber, and thinly sliced chile. Top with meatballs. Drizzle with remaining dressing and top with cilantro and peanuts. Cook’s note: I halved the recipe. I used red pepper instead of carrots, omitted the cilantro and used cashews instead of peanuts as a garnish.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I have not been able to find hoisin sauce without additives, so I make my own. You can find the recipe here. I used Nature Value sriracha for the chili-garlic sauce. Use freshly squeezed lime juice.

Make the meatballs and then broil them for about 15 minutes

Hoisin-serrano meatballs with rice noodle salad

Ingredients:

4 large serrano chiles

2 lb. (900 g) ground pork

½ cup (125 ml) hoisin sauce, divided

3 tsp. (15 ml) chili-garlic sauce, divided

2 ¼ tsp (11.25 ml) kosher salt, divided

1 ¼ tsp (6.24 ml) freshly ground black pepper, divided

2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice (from 2 limes)

7 tbsp (105 ml) vegetable oil. divided

1 8.8-oz (250 g) pkg vermicelli rice noodles

2 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks (about 1 ½ cups/375 ml)

3 cups (750 ml) roughly chopped iceberg lettuce

1 cup (250 ml) halved and thinly sliced English cucumber (from 1 cucumber)

Fresh cilantro leaves and chopped unsalted roasted peanuts, for topping

Preparation:

Thinly slice 1 chile; set aside. Stem and finely chop remaining 3 chiles (you should have about 5 tablespoons/75 ml).

Stir together pork, ¼ cup (60 ml) hoisin, 2 teaspoons (10 ml) chili-garlic sauce, 2 teaspoons (10 ml) salt, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) pepper, and 3 tablespoons (45 ml) finely chopped chiles in a large bowl until combined. Roll into 24 balls (slightly larger than a golf ball). Place on a large rimmed baking sheet, loosely cover, and refrigerate.

Whisk lime juice and remaining ¼ cup (60 ml) hoisin, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) chili-garlic sauce, ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt, ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) pepper, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) finely chopped chiles in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in 6 tablespoons (90 ml) oil.

Cook noodles according to package directions. Rinse under cold water for 5 to 10 seconds. Drain well; transfer to large bowl. Toss with ½ cup (125 ml) dressing and remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil.

Preheat broiler with oven rack 8 inches (20 cm) from heat. Broil meatballs until browned and a thermometer inserted in meatballs reads 160°F (71°C), 10 to 15 minutes.

Gently toss noodles with carrots, lettuce, cucumber, and thinly sliced chile. Top with meatballs. Drizzle with remaining dressing and top with cilantro and peanuts.

Meatballs can be stored raw or cooked. Raw, store in an even layer on a large, rimmed baking sheet, covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store cooked meatballs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Serves 6.

From Real Simple

This tasty dish from Real Simple is ready in less than 30 minutes. Combine honey, vinegar, soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce, garlic and cornstarch in a bowl and set aside. Cook the mushrooms and bok choy and set aside. Cook the shrimp and then add the honey mixture and cooked rice noodles. Remove from heat and stir in the mushroom mixture.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used pure honey, President’s Choice rice vinegar, tamari instead of soy sauce and Nature Value organic sriracha for the chili-garlic sauce. Look for frozen shrimp with only salt added.

Prepare your ingredients

Cook the mushrooms

Add the bok choy

Set aside mushrooms and bok choy and place cooked shrimp and noodles in the pan

Return the mushrooms and boy choy to the pan and toss with the sauce

Ingredients:

¼ cup (60 ml) honey

2 tablespoons (30 ml) rice vinegar

2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce

1 tablespoon (15 ml) Asian chili-garlic sauce

1 ½ teaspoons (7.25 ml) grated garlic (from 3 cloves)

1 teaspoon (5 ml) cornstarch

3 tablespoons (45 ml) canola oil, divided

1 5-oz. (142 g) pkg. sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms (3 cups/750 ml)

3 heads baby bok choy, sliced (4 cups/1 L)

1 pound (454 g) peeled, deveined extra-large raw shrimp, patted dry

1 8-oz. (227g) pkg. rice stick noodles, cooked according to pkg. directions

Preparation:

Whisk honey, vinegar, soy sauce, chili-garlic sauce, garlic, and cornstarch in a small bowl.

Heat 2 tablespoons (30 ml) oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Add bok choy; cook, stirring often, until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Transfer mushroom mixture to a medium bowl.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil over medium-high. Add shrimp; cook, flipping occasionally, until just opaque in centers, 2 to 3 minutes. Add honey mixture and cooked drained noodles to skillet. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is thickened and noodles are coated in sauce, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in mushroom mixture. Serves 4.

From Real Simple

This recipe from Real Simple dresses up lamb chops with a delicious relish of olives, capers, lemon, vinegar, rosemary, cayenne and olive oil. Mix the relish ingredients together and let the flavours blend while you sear the chops. Serve the relish over the chops.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used President’s Choice garlic-stuffed green olives, which are additive free. Unico capers and Eden Organic red wine vinegar are all-natural. Check the cayenne for colour or anti-caking agents and use freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Make olive relish

Sear lamb chopes

Serve relish over the chops

Ingredients:

2 x 1 lb. (454 g) frenched racks of lamb, cut into individual chops

2/3 cup (165 ml) mixed green and kalamata olives, pitted and finely chopped

2 tablespoons (30 ml) drained capers

2 teaspoons (10 ml) lemon zest

2 teaspoons (10 ml) fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)

1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 ml) red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon (5 ml) finely chopped fresh rosemary, plus more for garnish

1/8 (0.6) teaspoon cayenne

¼ cup olive oil (60 ml)

Preparation:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high until very hot. Coat lamb chops with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) oil and ¾ (3.75 ml) teaspoon salt. Add chops to hot skillet in batches. Cook until browned and a thermometer inserted in thickest part reads 125°F (52°C) for medium-rare (or until desired doneness), about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes.

Stir together olives, capers, lemon zest and juice, vinegar, rosemary, cayenne, and ¼ cup (60 ml) oil in a bowl.

Serve lamb chops topped with olive mixture. Serves 4.

From Real Simple

This quick and tasty dinner from Real Simple is a keeper. Toss cucumber with vinegar and let stand for 20 minutes. Drain and reserve vinegar. Combine chicken, panko, scallions, salt and egg and shape into meatballs. Cook the meatballs until browned, add soy sauce and reserved vinegar and cook until the meatballs are done. Serve the meatballs with rice and the pickled cucumbers, garnished with scallions and sesame seeds.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I use Marukan rice vinegar, Lee Kum Kee sesame oil and 4C panko. Use tamari instead of soy sauce and check to make sure the sesame seeds do not contain a preservative.

Toss the cucumber with vinegar

Make the sauce

Cook the meatballs

Chicken meatballs with quick-pickled cucumbers

Ingredients:

1 large English cucumber, cut into thin half-moons

1/3 cup (82.5 ml) seasoned rice vinegar

1 cup (250 ml) jasmine rice

1 lb (454 g) ground chicken

1/3 cup (82.5 ml) panko

¼ cup (60 ml) thinly sliced scallions, plus more for garnish

½ tsp (2.5 ml) kosher salt

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 tbsp (15 ml) toasted sesame oil

2 tbsp (30 ml) low sodium soy sauce

Toasted sesame seeds, for topping (optional)

Preparation:

Combine cucumber and vinegar in a medium bowl; toss to coat. Let stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Drain cucumber, reserving vinegar in a small bowl.

While cucumber marinates, cook rice according to package directions.

Meanwhile, add chicken, panko, scallions, salt, and egg to a large bowl. Mix until just combined. Shape into 18 balls (about 2 tablespoons/30 ml each).

Heat oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium. Add meatballs; cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, about 8 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add soy sauce and reserved vinegar; cook, stirring often, until meatballs are well coated and absorb some sauce and a thermometer inserted in thickest part reads 165°F (74°C), 3 to 5 minutes.

Serve rice and meatballs with pickled cucumbers. Drizzle remaining sauce in skillet over meatballs. Top with scallions and, if using, sesame seeds. Serves 4.

From Real Simple

This hearty salad from Real Simple combines cooked farro with asparagus, peas, feta cheese, nuts, orange segments and fresh tarragon, dressed with a tasty brown butter vinaigrette. This is a great side dish or vegetarian main course. Cook’s note: I used almonds instead of pistachios. I also boiled the asparagus and peas separately, instead of adding to the farro while it was cooking.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Tre Stelle feta is additive-free. Check the pistachios and butter to make sure they don’t contain colour or preservatives. I used pure maple syrup, President’s Choice Old-Fashioned Dijon mustard and Acetaia La Bonissma balsamic vinegar, which has no added sulfites.

Farro salad with brown butter vinaigrett

Ingredients:

Salad

¾ cup (187.5 ml) farro

1 ½ tsp (7.5 ml) kosher salt

1 lb (454 g) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 3-in. (7.6-cm) pieces

1 cup (250 ml) frozen petite peas

2 oz (56 g) feta cheese, crumbled (about ½ cup/125 ml), divided

¼ cup (60 ml) salted roasted pistachios, divided

2 medium navel oranges, peeled and sliced into segments, divided

2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped fresh tarragon

Dressing

¼ cup (60 ml/½ stick) unsalted butter

2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil

2 tbsp (30 ml) balsamic vinegar

2 tsp (10 ml) maple syrup

1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard

¾ tsp (3.75 ml) kosher salt

¼ tsp (1.25 ml) freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

Salad

Combine farro, salt, and 2 cups (500 ml) water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until farro is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. During last 5 minutes of cook time, stir in asparagus and peas; cover. Transfer mixture to a large bowl to cool slightly.

Dressing

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium. Cook, stirring often, until butter is just browned and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Whisk oil into butter.

Whisk vinegar, syrup, mustard, salt, and pepper in a high-sided bowl until combined. Slowly drizzle in butter mixture, whisking constantly, until dressing is smooth and emulsified.

Salad

Add half of the feta, half of the pistachios, and ¾ of the orange segments to farro mixture. Add dressing and toss to combine.

Transfer to a serving bowl. Top with remaining pistachios, feta, and orange segments. Sprinkle with tarragon. Serve warm. Serves 4.

From Real Simple

This recipe from Real Simple is great comfort food. Cook the pasta, drain and set aside. Brown the sausage meat and add to the drained pasta. Cook the Brussels sprouts until wilted and then combine flour, garlic, water, milk and Worcestershire sauce to make a sauce. Reduce the sauce, stir in the cheese and then add the sausage and pasta. Top with more cheese and broil until golden and bubbling.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I use Free From hot Italian sausages, unbleached flour and Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce; all are additive-free. Check the Gruyère to make sure it does not contain colour. Genuine Parmesan has no colour or preservatives added; it will have the name stamped on the rind.

Cheesy sausage pasta bake with Brussels sprouts

Ingredients:

Kosher salt, for water

12 ounces (340 g) rigatoni pasta

8 ounces (226 g) sweet Italian pork sausage, casings removed

1 teaspoon (5 ml) olive oil

10 ounces (283 g) Brussels sprouts, thinly sliced

1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 ml) all-purpose flour

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 cups (500 ml) whole milk

1 tablespoon (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce

10 ounces (283 g) Gruyère cheese, shredded (about 2½ cups/725 ml), divided

1 ½ ounces (43 g) Parmesan cheese, grated (about ¾ cup/187 ml)

Preparation:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain, reserving 1¼ cups (312 ml) cooking water. Return pasta to pot. Preheat broiler with rack in middle position.

Heat a large, broiler-safe skillet over medium-high. Add sausage; cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to pot with pasta.

Heat oil in skillet. Add Brussels sprouts and cook until wilted and charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Add flour and garlic; cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add ¼ cup (60 ml) cooking water and whisk until combined, about 30 seconds.

Reduce heat to medium. Stir in milk, Worcestershire sauce, and remaining 1 cup (250 ml) cooking water; bring to a simmer. Cook until liquid has reduced by a quarter, 6 to 7 minutes. Add 1¾ cups (437 ml) Gruyère. Stir in pasta and sausage.

Top pasta with Parmesan and remaining ¾ cup (187 ml) Gruyère. Broil until golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Serves 4-6.

From Real Simple

This recipe from Real Simple is perfect for a weeknight supper. Cook bacon and then cook Swiss chard stems and leaves in the bacon drippings. While the chard bakes for 5 minutes, whisk together flour, milk, eggs, cheese, salt and pepper. Remove the chard from the oven and pour the batter into the skillet. Bake until puffy and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Top with bacon, chives and more cheese and serve. Cook’s note: To make this recipe vegetarian, just omit the bacon and sauté the chard in olive oil. The recipe suggests serving this with sour cream, but it was delicious without it.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use a bacon that uses celery salt as a preservative instead of nitrites. Use unbleached flour and genuine Parmesan cheese – the name will be stamped on the rind. No Name sour cream is additive-free.

Cook Swiss chard stems and leaves in bacon drippings, then bake for 5 minutes

Pour batter into pan

Bake until puffy and golden, about 25 minutes

Serve topped with bacon, chives and cheese

Ingredients:

5 slices bacon (8 ounces/227 g total), chopped

1 pound (454 g) bunch Swiss chard, stems and leaves separated and finely chopped

1 cup (250 ml) all-purpose flour

1 cup (250 ml) whole milk

4 large eggs

2 ounces (57 g) parmesan cheese, grated (about ½ cup/125 ml), plus more for serving

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) kosher salt

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons (30 m) chopped fresh chives

½ cup (125 ml) sour cream

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C). Cook bacon in a 12-inch (30-cm) oven proof skillet over medium, stirring occasionally, until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon, reserving 2 tablespoons (30 ml) drippings in skillet.

Add chard stems to skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Add chard leaves; cook, stirring constantly, until wilted, about 2 minutes. Move chard away from edges of skillet, leaving about ½ inch (1.27 cm) of space around edges. Place in oven and bake for 5 minutes.

Whisk flour, milk, eggs, cheese, salt and pepper in a medium bowl until smooth.

Remove skillet from oven and carefully pour in batter. Return skillet to oven and bake until puffy and golden brown, about 25 minutes. Top with bacon, chives, and more grated cheese. Serve with sour cream. Serves 4.

From Real Simple

Once you assemble your ingredients, this stir-fry recipe from Real Simple is on the table in 15 minutes. Marinate sliced steak in cornstarch and soy sauce while you make a quick sauce and chop the scallions, ginger and green beans. Quickly stir fry the beef, add the ginger and scallions, add the beans and finally add the sauce. Serve garnished with scallion greens and sesame seeds. Cook’s note: The recipe calls for green beans, but I used asparagus. You could also substitute broccoli. I omitted the rice.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used tamari instead of soy sauce, Natural Value sriracha for the chili-garlic sauce and Lee Kum Kee sesame oil.

This dish cooks quickly, so assemble your ingredients in advance

Ginger stir-fry beef

Ingredients:

1 cup (250 ml) long-grain white rice

1 pound (454 g) flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain

1 tablespoon (15 ml) cornstarch

3 tablespoons (45 ml) lower-sodium soy sauce, divided

3 tablespoons (45 ml) chili-garlic sauce (such as sambal oelek)

1 tablespoon (15 ml) sesame oil

4 scallions

3 tablespoons (45 ml) canola oil

1 2-inch (5-cm) piece fresh ginger, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks

12 ounces (340 g) trimmed green beans

2 tablespoons (30 ml) toasted sesame seeds

Preparation:

Cook rice according to package directions. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss steak, cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) soy sauce in a medium bowl until steak is evenly coated. Combine chili-garlic sauce, sesame oil, and remaining 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce in a small bowl. Roughly chop scallion whites and thinly slice dark green scallion tops.

Heat canola oil in a large wok or skillet over high. Add steak mixture in a single layer; cook, undisturbed, for 1 minute. Stir once and cook, undisturbed, for 1 minute. Add ginger and scallion whites; cook, stirring often, until steak is well browned, about 2 minutes.

Push steak to sides of pan, creating room in middle, and add beans. Cook, undisturbed, for 1 minute. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until beans are barely tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add soy sauce mixture; cook, stirring often, until steak and vegetables are well coated, about 1 minute. Serve with rice, topped with sliced scallion greens and sesame seeds. Serves 4.

From Real Simple

This recipe from Real Simple is a tasty one-pot meal featuring chicken thighs, Israeli couscous (a small, pea-shaped pasta), shallots, olives, dates and spices. Brown the chicken and set aside. Combine couscous, shallots, olives, dates, spices and water in the same pan, bring to a simmer and add the chicken back to the pan. Bake until the chicken is done and the couscous is tender. Run under the broiler for a few minutes to brown the chicken and garnish with pomegranate seeds and cilantro. Cook’s note: I used chopped red pepper instead of pomegranate seeds and made the recipe with eight chicken thighs instead of six.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used President’s Choice garlic-stuffed green olives, which are additive-free. Parnoosh brand dried dates are additive-free. Check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents.

Brown chicken and set aside

Add couscous, shallots, olives, dates, spices and water to skillet and bring to a simmer

Return chicken to pan and roast until couscous is tender and chicken is done

Chicken thighs with couscous and olives

Ingredients:

6 6-oz. (170 g) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 ml) kosher salt, divided

1 cup (250 ml) uncooked Israeli couscous

½ cup (125 ml) chopped shallots (from 1 shallot)

½ cup (125 ml) Castelvetrano olives, coarsely chopped

¼ cup (60 ml) chopped dried dates

1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground cumin

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground cinnamon

½ cup (125 ml) finely chopped fresh cilantro

¼ cup (60 ml) pomegranate seeds

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C) with rack 8 inches (20 cm) from heat. Sprinkle skin of chicken thighs with ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt. Place chicken, skin side down, in a large, broiler-safe skillet. Cook over medium, undisturbed, until chicken skin is crisp and light golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer chicken, skin side up, to a plate. Discard drippings in skillet.

Add couscous, shallots, olives, dates, cumin, cinnamon, and remaining 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt to skillet. Stir in 1⅓ cups (332 ml) water and bring to a simmer over medium-high. Nestle chicken, skin side up, in couscous mixture. Cover skillet with aluminum foil and transfer to oven. Bake until chicken is cooked through, a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of thighs registers at least 165°F (74°C), and couscous is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Increase oven temperature to broil. Uncover skillet; broil until chicken skin is crisp, about 5 minutes. Top with cilantro and pomegranate seeds. Serves 4.

From Real Simple

This recipe from Real Simple is perfect for a quick weeknight supper when you want lots of flavour and minimal clean-up. Toss sausages, peppers, tomatoes, shallots, garlic, oil, salt and pepper together on a foil-lined sheet pan. Broil, turning halfway through, for about 15 minutes or until sausages are cooked through and vegetables are tender and lightly charred. Garnish with fresh oregano and serve with crusty bread.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

I used Free From hot Italian sausages, which are additive-free.

Toss ingredients together and arrange on a baking sheet

Broil until sausages are cooked and vegetables are tender

Ingredients:

1 pound (454 g) hot or sweet Italian pork sausages

1 pound (454 g) multi-coloured baby bell peppers, halved lengthwise (or full-sized peppers, quartered)

1 pint (500 ml) grape tomatoes

3 shallots, cut into ½ -in. (1.27-cm) wedges (about ¾ cup/187 ml)

3 large cloves garlic, smashed

2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil

¾ teaspoon (3.75 ml) kosher salt

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper

Chopped fresh oregano leaves, for serving

1 8-oz. (226 g) loaf crusty French bread, warmed

Preparation:

Preheat broiler with rack 6 inches (15 cm) from heat. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Pierce sausages a few times with a knife (do not pierce all the way through). Toss sausages, bell peppers, tomatoes, shallots, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper on baking sheet until evenly coated; spread in an even layer.

Broil, turning sausages and stirring vegetables halfway through, until a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of sausages registers 160°F (71°C) and vegetables are lightly charred, 12 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with oregano and serve with warm bread. Serves 4.

From Real Simple