Black & Blue (doesn't have to hurt)

Smoothies rule the blender in this house. And there is always an excuse to whip one up. We serve them when we have brunches, drink them in place of lunch and trick ourselves into thinking we've had dessert, when ice cream & baked goods start to show through our jeans. If you have more than ketchup in the fridge, you have enough to make a smoothie. There always seems to be something in those crisper drawers that need using. And even if you're not the grocers number one customer, (as I am)  it's easy to stock up on frozen fruit and veg, and manage to have either yogurt, oat/soy/coconut milk, or juice on hand.

Needs:
1 cup Frozen Blackberries
1 cup Frozen Blueberries
1 Ripe Avocado
1 Banana
3/4 cup Oat Milk
3 tbl Agave Syrup
2 tsp Acai Powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 Dash of Chili Powder

To Do:
Make sure you have a blender.

Black Rice Salad

The heat of the summer should not be met by heat of the kitchen. When temperatures reach the red, we reach into the fridge and get salad savvy. This is my husbands number one request. And though it does involve some light cooking, it's a request I don't mind granting. And while we most often eat this as our main course, this little lady is a great match for chicken. Beyond easy, and rather pretty...this uncommon combo is a hit amongst all.

Needs:
Black Long Grain Rice or Wild Rice
Red Grapes
1 Large Broccoli Bunch
Raw Unsalted Cashews

Your favorite vinegarette & a killer loaf of bread! (preferably one with a little fruit)

To Do:
-Cook 4-6 servings of rice according to package instructions, let cool completely
-Wash grapes
-Wash and chop broccoli
-Throw everything into a bowl and toss with dressing
-Serve atop a fresh bed of baby spinach, with a little bread on the side

Yogi Dream

This dessert is one of extreme simplicity. Perfect for a summer night, as a substitute for ice cream, or a pretty fancy alternative to cap off your next dinner party. I'm sure there are plenty of you who have tried this before, so this is for those of you who have not.

Needs:
Turkish Yogurt
Fresh or Frozen Raspberries and Blackberries
Walnuts, chopped
Pistachio Nuts, chopped
Honey

To Do:
Fill half of a wine glass with yogurt, top with a heap of berries, chopped nuts and drizzle with honey.

Fresh Rolls

I'm not going to lie, these things are a bitch to make. But once in a while...they're oh so worth it. I was first exposed to these super fresh, super tasty little rolls at a small Thai hole-in-the-wall, in the sweet city of Portland, Maine. Never thinking about the how-to's, I was re-exposed during my time on Maui where we made them ourselves. Being fish eating "vegetarians" we used insanely fresh ahi tuna. Nowadays...living in Sweden and eating a little more meat, I use chicken. One could also use tofu or go really raw and avocado it up. Anyway you dish em, they're delectable. You can find all ingredients at your local Asian foods market. So go there and buy everything you can find.

Needs:

Rice Paper

1/2 a package of Rice Noodles

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small strips

Fresh Sugar Snap Peas

3 Grated Carrots

1 European Cucumber, diced

Fresh or Frozen Mango

1 Bunch of Fresh Mint, finely chopped

1 Bunch of Fresh Coriander, finely chopped

2 tbl Olive Oil

1 tbl Grated Ginger

1 small Red Chili Pepper, diced

Squirt of Lime Juice

Thai Chili Sauce

To Do:

-Fry chicken (or tofu) in olive oil, lime juice, ginger and chili...set aside.

-Prepare all of your veg.

-Cook rice noodles according to instructions, drain and set side.

-Soak each rice paper in hot water for about 30 seconds, remove from water and hang over a large bowl or pot to dry. Make sure your papers are completely dry before using. They should be relatively sticky in order for them to hold together. This is the tough part, and it does take some time. Once good and sticky, carefully place one on a large plate. Place about 2 tbl worth of noodles in center of paper, leaving at least 1 inch on either end. Pour a small amount of chili sauce over noodles, add a few strips of chicken, cucumber, carrot, mango, peas, coriander and mint.

-Start by folding each end over your filling, then carefully fold one side and roll.

-Makes 15 rolls

Note:

Start out with less filling rather than more. These do take a bit of practice before reaching perfection. The more you do, the better they become.

BBQ Chicken, Spinach & Walnut Pizza

Pizza. So many say it, but I mean it...I could live off of it. Sweden has this incredible tradition, it's called fredagsmys. The actual translation might be something like "Friday Family Time". My translation is, "Pig-out it's Friday". To sum it up, Friday night is a time when families share quality time together. Everyone hits the movie store, stocks up on chips and candy and enjoys dinner in the style of tacos or pizza. This may sound like a normal day in the life of many Americans...but here it's a treat, and their much lesser obesity rate proves it. And though Sweden is great in many ways, I wouldn't name pizza as one of their strong suits. So lucky for me, I make my own. Last weeks "mys" menu featured a fav, that I recreated from a pizza place in the most fabulous town of Northampton, MA. BBQ chicken, spinach and walnuts...hell yes.

For the Crust:
1 cup lukewarm water
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tbl milk ( I use oat milk )
2 tbl olive oil
2 tbl honey
1 tsp dry active yeast
3 tbl ground flaxseed

To Do:
Whisk salt, honey and yeast into water, let sit for 5 mins.
Add milk, olive oil and flaxseed.
Stir in flour, using a spoon. Oil your hands and shape dough into ball. Cover and let rise 30 mins.

In the Meantime:
-Bake 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast at 350 for about 15 mins. Once cooked, shred with two forks and coat in your favorite BBQ sauce. ( I dig Sweet Baby Rays )
-Wash a generous amount fresh baby spinach (it shrinks down to nothing)
-Chop 3/4 cup walnuts, set aside.

-Oil a large pizza pan or cookie sheet and sprinkle with sesame seeds (to die for)
-Sprinkle risen dough with a little flour and punch down. Place dough on sheet and roll or press into place.
-Top with pizza sauce, your favorite shredded cheese, dried basil and oregano. Add spinach first, then chicken and top with walnuts.
-Bake at 450 between 15 and 20 mins.

Carrot Muffins (you can feel good about)

Baked goods make my world go round. They also make my ass round, which is why I'm on a constant lookout for guilt-free goods. This one is an all time favorite hos Aronsson. If you prefer a bread, use a bread pan. If you want to trick yourself or your family members into thinking you're eating cake...cake tin. We do all three, with a slight moderation of the bake time. And when the thoughts of cream cheese send you-a-jigglin, skip out and drizzle with a little honey instead.

Needs:
1 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup raw sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
3 eggs
3 tbl ground flaxseed
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts

Frosting:
1/4 cup tofu cream cheese
2 tbl soft butter or coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup raw confections sugar  (you can replace sugar with agave syrup or honey, for more of an icing)

To Do:
Preheat oven to 350F/175C
Whisk dry ingredients, minus the sugar.
Beat eggs, sugar and applesauce in a separate bowl.
Add dry ingredients to wet, stir well.
Fold in carrots and walnuts.
Bake 15-20 mins, add an extra 5 mins if using a bread or cake pan.
Stick a knife in the middle to make sure they're done.

For the Frosting:
Beat all ingredients together, frost when cool.

Ginger Lemonade



I don't have some cutesy little story to accompany this beverage. I love lemonade. Swedes don't seem to know it exists, which is nothing less than sad in my book. I crave it when the heat hits, and because I can't find it at our local grocer...I made some myself. I happened to have a hunk of ginger in the fridge and remembered a ginger-lemonade I tried on Maui. It was throat burning strong, but the idea was right, so giving it a go seemed the thing to do.

Needs:

8 cups water

3/4 cup raw sugar

5 lemons

1 lime

2 heaping tbl fresh grated ginger

To Do:

Add sugar to water and bring to a boil. Stir well, making sure sugar is fully dissolved. Let cool.

Press lemons a lime. Add to sugar water.

Take your freshly grated ginger and squeeze the juice into lemon lime mixture. Toss the pulp.

Stir well. Serve with plenty of ice. Sip, sit back and relax.