Earth Day and MEDITERRANEAN SALAD !

I have been asked by WeAct (www.weact.org)in Harlem to do a cooking demo for Earth Day on April 19th. I so loved being in the community last summer when I was a community chef for Just Food, so I am totally looking forward to it. The Earth Day festivites will take place from 12pm-6pm at the Harlem State Office Builing, 163 West 125th Street. There will be green products, art, and all things fabulously green.

I am thinking of making a salad for the event. My salads were a HUGE hit in Harlem last year at the Farmer's Market. We love our fried food in Harlem which is why I am thinking it would be good to show off some other food options, not to mention the Food Co-Op and Farmer's Markets will be kicking off soon. Yum!

Nosh on,
~Shoshi


MEDITERRANEAN SALAD

4 med. tomatoes, each cut in 3 slices
1 red onion, sliced
1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, cut into halves
Garlic Basil dressing (following)
18 thin slices Mozzarella (about 8 oz.)
Romaine lettuce leaves
18 pitted ripe olives

Place tomatoes, onion, and artichoke hearts in 11 x 7 x 1 1/2 inch ungreased baking dish. Cover evenly with Garlic Basil dressing. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.

Chop Romaine into bite size pieces and spoon vegetables and dressing on top along with cheese and salami. Garnish with olives.


GARLIC BASIL DRESSING:

3/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried basil leaves
1/8 tsp. pepper
3 cloves garlic, crushed

Mix together.

What's Goin' On

Where oh where did the summer go? It's almost over..oy vey!

I am excited to say that I have an editor for the book that I am writing "Kosher Soul Gourmet", now I just have to finish. The book is moving along...

Since I have been started the cooking demos in Harlem, I have been getting rave reviews on the salads that I have been making during the demos. The kids that try samples are loving the salads and if I can please kids I must be on to something! I am going to put all of my soul filled salad recipes from the summer into the KSG book (though I will post a salad recipe every once in awhile) and the rest of the recipes will be put into a free e-book just for you. The recipes are so easy and delicious, trust...

If you will be in Harlem on Saturday, stop by the Grassroot Farmer's Market (on 145th and Edgecomb). I think that I will be making quesadillas with tortillas made from Hot Bread Kitchen this week. FYI: Hot Bread Kitchen is more than a bakery. It's a business that enhances the future for immigrant women and preserves baking traditions. (www.hotbreadkitchen.org). The bakery also sells their luscious breads at the market each week.

Peace,love, and soul,
Shoshi
"Luscious Lifestyle Diva"
www.yolandashoshana.com

Squash & Tomato Salad

Yesterday I did a cooking demo at the Farmer's Market in Harlem on 145th Street. I had to improvise because it was my first demo at the market and I did not know what the farmer's would be bringing. I ended up making an easy squash and tomato salad which turned out to be a big hit. There is nothing finer than healthy kosher soul food!


Salad:
Plum Tomatoes
Yellow Squash (also called Summer Squash)
Red Onion

Dressing:
Balsamic Vinegar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Cut the tomatoes, squash, and onion to your liking (if you prefer tomatoes add more tomatoes, if you prefer more squash add more squash and so forth). Mix the olive oil and balsamic vinegar together to your liking. Drizzle the dressing on the vegetables, give the salad a quick toss. Enjoy.



Nosh on,
Shoshi
"The Luscious Lifestyle Diva"
www.yolandashoshana.com

Pecan Hummus

Next weekend kicks off my summer of Saturday cooking demos in Harlem. For most of the demos I will mostly be preparing raw food. Most people do not want to cook during the summer months because it is so HOT, I figure I would keep it simple by mainly doing raw food. Be sure to check my website all the 411 if you want to drop on by.


While we are on the subject of raw. Here is a great recipe for a raw hummus made with pecans. I love hummus, but every once in awhile it's nice to mix it up. Talk about kosher soul food, yum..this hummus is delicious and healthy. It doesn't get any better!


Chunky Pecan Hummus

Ingredients:

2 cups soaked pecans
½ cup raw tahini
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 large lemons, juice of
½ teaspoon Sea Salt(to taste)
1 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley
1 teaspoon basil
Water (optional)

Directions:

Grind down the pecans in a food processor to a paste. Next add all other ingredients and process. Stop occasionally to scape down the sides of the processor with a rubber spatula. Add a little water if necessary. Process until you have the consistency you desire, a little chunky or smooth. Enjoy!


Nosh on,
Shoshi
www.yolandashoshana.com