Eye for a Recipe

I made this recipe from Taste of Home while recreating a dish from one of my favourite restaurants—a salad of greens topped with potato pancakes and smoked salmon. Air frying the latkes is less messy and healthier than deep frying them and the results are excellent. Form the potato pancakes and air fry for about 17 minutes. Cook’s note: I served these with greens and smoked salmon, topped with a sour cream and horseradish sauce.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Check the garlic powder to make sure it doesn’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. I used canola oil in a spray bottle instead of a canned cooking spray, which tends to contain artificial ingredients.

Assemble latkes and air fry

Air fryer potato latkes with smoked salmon and salad

Ingredients:

2 medium potatoes, peeled

1 large egg

1/3 cup (82 ml) chopped onion

1 tablespoon (15 ml) all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) pepper

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) garlic powder

Cooking spray

Preparation:

Finely grate potatoes; firmly squeeze and drain any liquid. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Add egg, onion, flour, salt, pepper and garlic powder; mix well.

Preheat air fryer to 375° F (190° C). In batches, drop batter by ¼ cupfuls (60 ml) onto greased tray in air-fryer basket; press lightly to flatten. Spritz with cooking spray. Cook until golden brown, 12-17 minutes. Serve immediately. Serves 3.

From Taste of Home

This delicious salad from Taste of Home can be served warm or cold. Cook the farro and make the dressing. Grill the peppers and corn; chop the grilled peppers into bite-sized pieces and remove the kernels from the corn cobs. Combine the farro with peppers, corn, tomatoes, cheese, radishes and green onion and stir in the dressing. Cook’s note: I used Israeli couscous instead of farro.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Use freshly squeezed lime juice; the concentrates usually contain preservatives. Check the spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Krinos feta cheese is additive-free.

Cook the farro or Israeli couscous

Grill the peppers and corn

Farro salad with charred peppers and corn

Ingredients:

1 cup (250 ml) farro, rinsed

¼ cup (60 ml) plus 2 teaspoons (10 ml) olive oil, divided

¼ cup (60 ml) lime juice

1 teaspoon (5 ml) garlic powder

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cumin

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) kosher salt

2 large red peppers

2 medium ears sweet corn, husked

1 cup (250 ml) chopped fresh tomatoes

½ cup (125 ml) crumbled feta cheese

½ cup (125 ml) sliced radishes

½ cup (125 ml) chopped green onions

Preparation:

Place farro in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, covered, until tender, 25-30 minutes.

Meanwhile, for dressing, whisk together ¼ cup (60 ml) oil, lime juice, garlic powder, cumin and salt; set aside.

Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss peppers with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) oil. Cook until all sides are blistered and blackened, 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally with tongs. Transfer to a cutting board. Chop peppers; discard stems. Transfer to a large bowl.

Brush corn with remaining 1 teaspoon (5 ml) oil. Cook until lightly browned and tender, 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally. Cool slightly. Cut corn from cobs; add to peppers. Drain farro; add to corn mixture. Stir in tomatoes, cheese, radishes, green onions and dressing; toss to coat. Serve warm or chilled. Serves 8.

From Taste of Home

This recipe from Taste of Home uses a yogurt and lemon juice-based marinade to tenderize cubes of pork tenderloin. Thread the marinated pork onto skewers with onions, cherry tomatoes and peppers and grill about 20 minutes. Cook’s note: I used chunks of white onion instead of small whole onions.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Astro Balkan-style plain yogurt is additive-free. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents.

Thread marinated pork and vegetables on skewers and grill

Marinated pork kababs

Ingredients:

2 cups (500 ml) plain yogurt

2 tablespoons (30 ml) lemon juice

4 garlic cloves, minced

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cumin

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground coriander

2 pounds (907 g) pork tenderloin, cut into 1 ½ inch (3.8 cm) cubes

8 small white onions, halved

8 cherry tomatoes

1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into 1 ½ inch (3.8 cm) pieces

1 medium green pepper, cut into 1 ½ inch (3.8 cm) pieces

Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

In a shallow dish, combine yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, cumin and coriander. Add pork and turn to coat; cover and refrigerate 6 hours or overnight.

Alternate pork, onions, tomatoes and peppers on 8 metal or soaked wooden skewers. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Grill, covered, over medium heat until meat juices run clear, 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally. Serves 8.

From Taste of Home

This recipe from Taste of Home is a quick and tasty summer meal. While the chicken is grilling, make the barbecue sauce. Baste the chicken with the sauce during the last 25 minutes of cooking. Cook’s note: This all-purpose barbecue sauce is also great with ribs. Add more hot sauce or hot pepper flakes to spice it up or maple syrup to add more sweetness.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Heinz ketchup and Tabasco original flavour hot sauce are additive-free. Check the dried spices to make sure they don’t contain colour or anti-caking agents. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice; concentrates usually contain sodium benzoate or other additives.

This is a great all-purposed barbecue sauce

Baste the chicken while grilling

Favourite barbecued chicken

Ingredients:

16 chicken pieces (breasts, thighs and/or drums)

Salt and pepper

Barbecue sauce

2 tablespoons (30 ml) canola oil

2 small onions, finely chopped

2 cups (500 ml) ketchup

¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice

2 tablespoons (30 ml) brown sugar

2 tablespoons (30 ml) water

1 teaspoon (5 ml) ground mustard

½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder

¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) pepper

1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) salt

1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) hot pepper sauce, or more to taste

Preparation:

In a small saucepan, make barbecue sauce by heating oil over medium heat. Add onion; sauté until tender. Stir in remaining sauce ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Sprinkle chicken pieces with salt and pepper.

Grill chicken, skin side down, uncovered, on a greased rack over medium heat for 20 minutes.

Turn chicken and brush with barbecue sauce. Grill 15-25 minutes longer, brushing frequently with sauce, until a thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) when inserted in the breast and 170°-175°F (77°-79°C) in the thigh. Serves 12.

From Taste of Home