The secret to success of this recipe is small/tiny uniform pieces. They catch the flavors better and ensure the exceptional fresh taste with the prefect ratio of flavors!

Ingredients

4 small Israeli cucumbers or 2 euro cucumbers, peeled and chopped fine (tiny cubes)
2 medium sized roma tomatoes, chopped fine (tiny cubes)
½ medium red onion, chopped fine (tiny cubes)
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped super fine
3 tablespoons lemon juice (more if you like it tangy)
3-4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sumac (dried leaves in a powder) (optional but defiantly a strong component)
1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon of peppers (more to taste)

Directions

Combine the cucumbers, romas, red onions and parsley in a large bowl and toss together to mix well. Add the lemon juice, olive oil and spices and toss again. Let stand about 5 minutes before serving. Serve cool but not cold!

Ingredients

3 medium roasted beets, chopped large
1 cup farro, cooked
1 cup baby arugula or wild arugula leaves
1 medium roasted red onion, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped fine
¹/₂ cup orange juice
¹/₄ extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
³/₄ cup goast cheese, crumbled

Directions

In a large bowl or in a bowl plate mix togehter the beets, farro, baby arugula and roasted onions. In another bowl whisk together the mint, orange  juice, olive oil and vinegar, season with salt and pepper and toss over farro salad and mix well. Crumble the goat cheese atop and serve!

Ingredients

For the dressing

2 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 sprig dill, finely chopped
¼ cup grapeseed oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For serving

A variety of Icelandic flowers, herbs and moss that could include purslane, wood sorrel, dill, Icelandic moss, violets, clover, chives, lovage, parsley, angelica, and chickweed.

Directions

For the dressing

In a blender, puree the buttermilk, lemon juice, garlic and dill while adding oil in a slow, steady stream until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate until chilled.

For the salad

Pick the leaves and blossoms from their stems and gently chop the herbs into bite-size pieces.

To serve

Toss together the herbs, flowers and moss until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper and serve with the dressing on the side.

Farro is the Tuscan name for spelt, a hard brown wheat traditionally eaten in Tuscany, Italy. Farro looks similar to short grain brown rice, and has a nutty, earthy taste. Farro’s chewy texture holds up even after long cooking. Because of its hard texture, it’s good to soak farro overnight in order to make it more digestible. If you don’t have time to soak the farro, simply cook it for an extra 30 minutes with an additional ½ cup of water added to the 2½ cups called for in the recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup farro, soaked overnight
5 tablespoons créme fraiche
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 minced garlic clove
¼ cup minced fresh dill
¼ cup minced fresh chives (or scallions, green part only)
1 beet, cut in half
1 fennel bulb cut in half, core removed
6 radishes
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Place the farro in a small saucepan with 2½ cups water and ½ teaspoon salt and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour. Remove from the heat and cool to room temperature. Drain excess cooking water.

In a large bowl, whisk together the créme fraiche, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, dill and chives. Salt to taste. Using a mandolin or a very sharp knife, thinly shave the beets, fennel, and radishes. Add the shaved vegetables and the farro to the dressing, and toss to coat thoroughly. Taste and season with salt and a generous amount of pepper.

Recipe copyright © Louisa Shafia 2010

Ingredients

4-5 Summer Squash, cut into ribbons (using a mandolin)
1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
¼ cup olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 cloves garlic, chopped superfine
2 tablespoons fresh red chili, deseeded and chopped superfine
4 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Directions

In a mixing bowl mix together the squash, garlic, lemon juice and mint. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over it and sprinkle with chilies, pine nuts and salt and mix well.

Ingredients

Directions

Heat oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them pop in oil for approximately a minute. This makes the oil very aromatic. Remove pan from heat and cool. Peel and seed cucumbers cut into small dice. Stir cooled mustard seeds into yogurt and whisk yogurt. Stir mint, cumin, salt and green chilies. Refrigerate for at least an hour, until the mixture is chilled.

Ingredients

Directions

In a large mixing bowl toss together all salad ingredients until well mixed, set aside. In the meantime whisk together the dressing ingredients until well mixed, toss together with salad ingredients and let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Ingredients

Directions

In a medium mixing bowl whisk together mayo, yogurt, vinegar, and spices until smooth and creamy. In a large mixing bowl toss together all vegetables and coat with dressing, a little at a time, mixing as you go making sure it is well mixed. Let stand for about 30 minutes before serving. Garnish with volcanic black salt.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons caramelized onions, chopped fine
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped fine
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped fine
Black pepper

Directions