Morning Berries
  • Home
  • Shelves
  • About
  • Features
  • Contact
Menu

Morning Berries

Street Address
Bay Area, CA
Phone Number
A Few Favorite Things from A Way Of Eating And Living

Morning Berries

  • Home
  • Shelves
  • About
  • Features
  • Contact

Meatless Monday: "Half Moons" Salad & "Greened Quinoa Salad" For A Late Summer Salad Plate

September 2, 2014 Morning Berries
Photo Aug 28.jpeg

Ripe tomatoes, stone fruits and squash are in abundance mid- to late-summer

Tomatoes and plums are at their sweetest and make a constant colorful temptation. I wanted to make a Meatless Monday salad plate that would build on that by combining late summer fruits, include a quinoa-based salad to add complete protein, and some green salad to complement the plate.

The first salad therefore uses tomatoes, plums, red onions and radishes to add crunchiness. Here I used early girl dry farmed tomatoes, an amazingly sweet and flavorful type. The preparation is very simple for speed: cut all fruits into half moons (hence I like to call this salad “half moons” salad) and mix with olive oil, a couple of table spoons (or more to your taste) good quality balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, salt and pepper. Prepare this salad a bit in advance if you can so the fruits render some juices and all the flavors have time to combine.

The second salad, which I called “greened quinoa salad”, uses cooked quinoa (from 2 ½ cups of dry quinoa for 8-10 servings), 1 medium cucumber deseeded and cut into small pieces, 1 avocado, cut into small cubes, pistachios (roasted or not), chiseled parsley, mint (1/4 to ½ cup of each).  For the dressing, I combined about 4-6 tbsp olive oil, the juice of 1 small to medium lemon, 1 tbps of apple cider vinegar, a dash of cumin powder, a little sweetener (honey if you like it and no more than 1 tbsp) salt and pepper. Just mix everything really well, adjust the oil or and seasoning as need be (i.e. add more if necessary), and again if you can leave the salad 1 hour in the fridge, the better.

Finally, for the green salad, I got a fresh, good quality lolla rossa, triple washed it and thinly sliced a couple of yellow summer squashes with a mandolin. For green salads, the dressing is key, and I am quite partial to a nice shallot and garlic vinaigrette,  a French classic with vegetable oil (I mostly use olive oil), red whine vinegar, said shallot and garlic finely sliced, and salt and pepper. A little mustard can go in for emulsification if desired.  If I am rigorously watching my FODMAP intake, garlic infused olive oil does the trick. 

Photo Aug 22 copy 2.jpeg

I love this plate as the salads are great and delish individually and can be re-used for any occasion, and at the same time, they combine well. I am not too concerned about left-overs with the half-moon salad since it is truly more-ish. But if you find yourself with too much of the green quinoa salad, cook an assortment of summer squashes in your stock of choice, throw in the left over salad and blend for a nice soup (which you can freeze for lazy or busy days).

Enjoy the summer produce while they last!

By the way:

  • You can play with the tomatoes and plum varieties but whatever the choice of those, the combination is divine!
  • You can pan fry or toast some gluten-free bread and add to the half-moons salad to make a play on panzanella, as on the picture of the salad plate.
  • The colorful plum display featured at the top of this post are from the NYC Greenmarket at Columbia University (Samascott Orchards) and the sunbathed Santorini tomatoes from the Berkeley Farmers Market (La Tercera). 
  • All these salads are gluten- and dairy-free. 

In Inspiration, Recipe, Leftover Makeover Tags Meatless Monday, Salad, Gluten-free, Tomato, Plum, Quinoa, Green salad, Squash, Summer, Seasonal
Comment
Share

Quick and Fresh Summer Eats From The New Greenmarket Cookbook

August 20, 2014 Morning Berries

Typical summer produce such as cucurbits, tomatoes, and squash have been in full abundance in the past few weeks.

Leading to buying a lot of cucumbers, tomatoes, and summer squashes. Looking for inspiration to use all these buys, I turned to the New Greenmarket Cookbook by Gabrielle Langholtz, Editor of Edible Manhattan and Edible Brooklyn. The book is a collection of recipes involving local, seasonal, market-fresh produce and developed by Chefs committed to using those produce, and culinary and food movement leading figures such as Michael Pollan. The book is a gem, not only because of the gorgeous pictures and enticing eats, but because of the additional information it contains, namely Gabrielle Langholtz's introduction to the history and rise of the Greenmarket program, its ties to and importance for the community, and the features on local farmers and producers.

Returning from a local Farmers Market run with lemon cucumbers, and fresh herbs, I started by making the Cucumber Soup, contributed by Kenneth Wiss from Diner and Marlow & Sons. It was very simple to make: chop veggies, de-seed as needed, add herbs, oil and seasonings, blend.

Though, in full disclosure, I had forgotten to put the lime juice, the herbs made the soup very fragrant and pleasant on a summer eve, perfect for a non-fuss but nice week-end dinner.

My next foray into the book's summer recipes followed from the purchase of two really large beefsteak heirloom tomatoes at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. Gorgeous looking, they seemed to fit the bill for Food52.com co-founder Amanda Hesser's Brown Butter Tomatoes.

Brown butter, with good quality (preferably organic on my end) butter, is always a memorable experience. I had never tried using it with fresh tomatoes so I was intrigued but it worked beautifully!

Again, a very easy recipe: slice tomatoes, make brown butter, pour over tomato, season with nice salt and pepper. Finish with market fresh berries for good measure. Done. This was a great simple mid-week dinner eat.

Last but not least, I had two bags of squashes from the same run at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, including tender zephyr squashes and sweet small zucchinis, and had fresh radishes too. So I set out to make the Raw Squash Salad, a recipe by Seamus Mullen from Tertulia, for a light end of week lunch. As I wanted a fast prep in the morning, I used my blender to slice the vegetables and quickly whipped the lemon vinaigrette, for which I used some orange blossom honey from that Farmers Market's run too. I decided to skip the cheese listed in the recipe, and add a few fragrant edible flowers to complement the salad. It was absolute love at first bite. The utter highlight of this recipe: the vinaigrette, which combined so perfectly with the veggies. I only regretted to not have made enough for 3 servings.

So those Summer on a plate moments will keep me coming back to the book for more inspiration as the seasons unfold. :)

By the way:

  • Union-Square Market, where I got my copy, and Greenmarkets around the city sell the book, but for non NYC-dwellers, the book is available online.
  • While this is a book about NYC markets, it will inspire (home) cooks all around as all products will be available in local markets.
  • All these eats are gluten-free, are or can be made low in FODMAP, and will please veggielovers, vegetarians, vegans (for the first and last salads), Meatless Monday eaters, paleo and healthy eaters alike.
In Inspiration, Book, Recipe Tags Farmers market, Union Square Market, Greenmarket, NYC, Vegetables, Summer, Heirloom Tomato, Cucumber, Squash, Salad, Soup
Comment
Share
Older Posts →

Follow

Follow on Bloglovin
When the week ends and feels just right... A beautiful display of colors and Concord grapes at the #farmersmarket for a beautiful sunny #Fall day... 💛💜 #happyfriday !
When the week ends and feels just right... A beautiful display of colors and Concord grapes at the #farmersmarket for a beautiful sunny #Fall day... 💛💜 #happyfriday !
More #nyc heat, more cooling and refueling time by the #ocean, more #beachside #picnics, and quite happy about that! 😊 And this time with kiddo too ☺️ This #picnic was also fully #plantbased: #marketfresh and chickpea #salad with lemon tahini dressi
More #nyc heat, more cooling and refueling time by the #ocean, more #beachside #picnics, and quite happy about that! 😊 And this time with kiddo too ☺️ This #picnic was also fully #plantbased: #marketfresh and chickpea #salad with lemon tahini dressing, #homemade English muffins with also homemade #dairyfree “cream cheese” (the muffins are still a little work in progress but getting there, and grateful for that inspo too :)), and watermelon with lime and mint. Kiddo approved 😉, and #meatlessmonday friendly (and #wastefree to boot!). 🌱🥗🍉🥯🌊🏖 #happyday
Where else to cool off during this #nyc heatwave but back at the beach? 🥵 So second #beachside #marketfresh #picnic this past week-end, and this one packed a punch nutrients-wise: fresh bib lettuce and carrots from the last #farmersmarket run, with
Where else to cool off during this #nyc heatwave but back at the beach? 🥵 So second #beachside #marketfresh #picnic this past week-end, and this one packed a punch nutrients-wise: fresh bib lettuce and carrots from the last #farmersmarket run, with #homemade creamy pesto and sweet potatoe hummus (spiked with a tiny bit of harissa :)) for dipping, a light chia seed pudding and colorful berries (blues, gooseberries, red currant) also from the #greenmarket. Easy to make and fully #meatless / #plantbased (#wastefree to boot) so good for a #meatlessmonday #notsaddesklunch too... and this time there were leftovers for today. :) ☀️🏖🥬🥕🥣 #multivitamins
Beauty in the #compostbin...:) 🌸💕 You never know what you will see during the weekly #farmersmarket #compost #dropoff but some weeks it can be quite pretty and #poetic. 😊🌷💐 #nycgreenmarket #weeklycompost
Beauty in the #compostbin...:) 🌸💕 You never know what you will see during the weekly #farmersmarket #compost #dropoff but some weeks it can be quite pretty and #poetic. 😊🌷💐 #nycgreenmarket #weeklycompost
First #nyc #beachday of this #summer, first #marketfresh #beachside (and #wastefree to boot) #picnic: refreshing #salad with #farmersmarket tomatoes, scallions, fresh corn, and cilantro, cucumber, tofu and avocado, some of those blueberries from the
First #nyc #beachday of this #summer, first #marketfresh #beachside (and #wastefree to boot) #picnic: refreshing #salad with #farmersmarket tomatoes, scallions, fresh corn, and cilantro, cucumber, tofu and avocado, some of those blueberries from the last post and some homemade zucchini bread too. Now wishing there were some leftovers for this #meatlessmonday too :). 🍅🌽🥬🥒🥑🥗 #summereats
#Humpday happiness : munching on more #nyc #farmersmarket faves for this #summer. 😋 The blues are sweet and refreshing on these hot days, but still a tad tart too, so also good candidates for a quick stew/compote with a little maple syrup to ease th
#Humpday happiness : munching on more #nyc #farmersmarket faves for this #summer. 😋 The blues are sweet and refreshing on these hot days, but still a tad tart too, so also good candidates for a quick stew/compote with a little maple syrup to ease the tanginess. ☀️💙❤️#summerdelights
The sight of #summer at the #farmersmarket (if the heat was not enough ;)): juicy and sweet red and Queen Anne #marketfresh #cherries... 😋#Summer19 will be remembered as a great #cherry year in #nyc! 🍒❤️#summerdelights
The sight of #summer at the #farmersmarket (if the heat was not enough ;)): juicy and sweet red and Queen Anne #marketfresh #cherries... 😋#Summer19 will be remembered as a great #cherry year in #nyc! 🍒❤️#summerdelights
#Bloomfield, NJ just got so lucky, with the opening of #gelateria and #sorbeteria @apemcreamery !! 🍀🍦The owners are no other than Alex and Jenny who made the most delicious #marketfresh #gelato available at @cuesa and in the Bay Area! :) Their flav
#Bloomfield, NJ just got so lucky, with the opening of #gelateria and #sorbeteria @apemcreamery !! 🍀🍦The owners are no other than Alex and Jenny who made the most delicious #marketfresh #gelato available at @cuesa and in the Bay Area! :) Their flavor range is incredible, from the classic and beloved vanilla to incredible combinations, many with #local , #inseason #produce! Congrats Jenny and Alex, can’t wait to come and eat more of your utterly #delish #icecream and #sorbet again!! 🎉😋 #apemcreamery
#Pancakes, #crepes, #blinis? Hard to decide, but time to get that #pancake game on! ;) Happy #ShroveTuesday / #PancakeDay! 🥞😋 #pancakesallday
#Pancakes, #crepes, #blinis? Hard to decide, but time to get that #pancake game on! ;) Happy #ShroveTuesday / #PancakeDay! 🥞😋 #pancakesallday
Nothing beats making #redvelvet #cupcakes with real #marketfresh #beets... and making a pretty #pinkish (#yum!) mess along the way (and rescuing a not so perfect #beet to boot!). :) 💕 #prettyinpink #baking
Nothing beats making #redvelvet #cupcakes with real #marketfresh #beets... and making a pretty #pinkish (#yum!) mess along the way (and rescuing a not so perfect #beet to boot!). :) 💕 #prettyinpink #baking
No #galettedesrois left at the nearest bakery, no problem: switch to a #homemade one! And no time or will left for puff pastry either? No problem either: switch to a flaky sweet crust! Which can be made #dairyfree and #glutenfree too for those who ne
No #galettedesrois left at the nearest bakery, no problem: switch to a #homemade one! And no time or will left for puff pastry either? No problem either: switch to a flaky sweet crust! Which can be made #dairyfree and #glutenfree too for those who need it. And a new #king or #queen can be crowned as planned (no cheating!;)) ! 👑#epiphany #kingcake
A festive looking yet light shaved cauliflower #salad for the last #marketfresh #meatlessmonday  #lunch of the year. And with pretty pink hues thanks to the cauliflower head found at a recent #farmersmarket run! Just needed to slice it thinly, salt a
A festive looking yet light shaved cauliflower #salad for the last #marketfresh #meatlessmonday #lunch of the year. And with pretty pink hues thanks to the cauliflower head found at a recent #farmersmarket run! Just needed to slice it thinly, salt and pepper it, add olive oil and lemon juice, parsley, pomegranate and slightly toasted pecans. And enjoy :) Bonus: it leaves ample room for all the #NewYearsEve stuff ;) Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! 🥗🎉 #newyear #veggie #feast
Since someone had to eat #Santa's cookie leftovers and more (someone has to do it! ;)), a little #lemontea recovery thanks to these #marketfresh #lemontree leaves found at a recent #farmersmarket run... Both soothing and refreshing, and festive looki
Since someone had to eat #Santa's cookie leftovers and more (someone has to do it! ;)), a little #lemontea recovery thanks to these #marketfresh #lemontree leaves found at a recent #farmersmarket run... Both soothing and refreshing, and festive looking to boot, they might come in handy for #january 1st too ;). And with these, warm wishes to everyone in this #HolidaySeason! :) 🍃🍵 🎄🎅#merrychristmas #happyholidays
#Winter is here... but getting ready to give a home on the wall to this little escape to the #cornish coastline, a provision of lighter and greener days for the darker ones. Perhaps there might be a #marypoppins moment when jumping in this lovely #pa
#Winter is here... but getting ready to give a home on the wall to this little escape to the #cornish coastline, a provision of lighter and greener days for the darker ones. Perhaps there might be a #marypoppins moment when jumping in this lovely #painting might bring one straight to this little bit of #Cornwall? 😉 #art : @beccacleggart💗 🌊🌱🌸🌺☀️
When you know your week is off to a good start... A #chiaseed pudding with plenty of goodness, that is a truly delish #MeatlessMonday #breakfast/ #brunch/#munch... and a #mondayinspo all at once... 👌 #happymonday
When you know your week is off to a good start... A #chiaseed pudding with plenty of goodness, that is a truly delish #MeatlessMonday #breakfast/ #brunch/#munch... and a #mondayinspo all at once... 👌 #happymonday
Blue sunny sky, a gentle breeze, perfect water temperature, sweet time with kiddo, and a little simple wastefree #meatlessmonday #picnic ( #marketfresh salad with fresh corn, avocado, black beans, lettuce, red pepper, red onion, herbs, cumin, lime an
Blue sunny sky, a gentle breeze, perfect water temperature, sweet time with kiddo, and a little simple wastefree #meatlessmonday #picnic ( #marketfresh salad with fresh corn, avocado, black beans, lettuce, red pepper, red onion, herbs, cumin, lime and oo ). Grateful for this #beachside #laborday 💙🌊☀️ #grateful
#longweekend #mood 🐱
#longweekend #mood 🐱
When the tomato plant thinks it's a beanstalk and blossoms all over, and the lettuce not wanting to be the lesser of the two starts climbing, spiraling leaves all over, and doing its own thing too :). (had never seen lettuce blossom before but quite
When the tomato plant thinks it's a beanstalk and blossoms all over, and the lettuce not wanting to be the lesser of the two starts climbing, spiraling leaves all over, and doing its own thing too :). (had never seen lettuce blossom before but quite pretty btw...) Question now is how tall can this thing grow?... 🌱 #itstimetomakeasalad
#summer in a bowl, a perfect and refreshing #marketfresh #salad for hot #meatlessmonday eves, and forever a fave from the @grownyc / @unsqgreenmarket cookbook: #peach - purslane salad with pickled ref onions. You can leave it as is or play around a l
#summer in a bowl, a perfect and refreshing #marketfresh #salad for hot #meatlessmonday eves, and forever a fave from the @grownyc / @unsqgreenmarket cookbook: #peach - purslane salad with pickled ref onions. You can leave it as is or play around a little with like here: with added fresh corn and pine nuts, and whatever herbs you could find at the #farmersmarket that day. 👌🌱🍑 #cooling
First year growing #tomatoes #indoor and things are starting to get exciting :) : had found #tomato #plants during a #farmersmarket run and after tending to them for a few weeks, a few babies almost ready for picking and a few more on the way! :) 🌼
First year growing #tomatoes #indoor and things are starting to get exciting :) : had found #tomato #plants during a #farmersmarket run and after tending to them for a few weeks, a few babies almost ready for picking and a few more on the way! :) 🌼 Meanwhile lettuce still going strong (in spite of the kitten 😼) - maybe getting the hang of this one ... finally... :) (all tips still welcome!) 🍅 #homegrown #tomatoseason
  • morningberries
    #Humpday happiness : munching on more #nyc #farmersmarket faves for this #summer. 😋 The blues are sweet and refresh… https://t.co/GXql52FVH3
    Jul 10, 2019, 9:35 AM

Glance

Featured
Sep 25, 2016
First Fall Squashes And Goat Cheese And Delicata Squash Twice Baked Potatoes
Sep 25, 2016
Read More →
Sep 25, 2016
Sep 10, 2016
Enjoying Late Summer Squashes With A Cake And A Coconut And Corn Summer Squash Soup
Sep 10, 2016
Read More →
Sep 10, 2016
photo 1.JPG
Jul 2, 2016
Time For A Blueberry & Verbena Almond Galette
Jul 2, 2016
Read More →
Jul 2, 2016
Apr 4, 2016
Spring Once Again, And Tarts And Salads With Greens To Celebrate It
Apr 4, 2016
Read More →
Apr 4, 2016

Revisit

  • September 2016 (2)
  • July 2016 (1)
  • April 2016 (1)
  • May 2015 (1)
  • April 2015 (1)
  • February 2015 (1)
  • January 2015 (2)
  • December 2014 (1)
  • November 2014 (2)
  • October 2014 (5)
  • September 2014 (6)
  • August 2014 (4)
  • July 2014 (3)
  • June 2014 (3)
  • May 2014 (2)
  • April 2014 (1)
  • March 2014 (4)
  • February 2014 (2)
  • December 2013 (3)
  • July 2013 (1)
  • December 2012 (3)
  • November 2012 (2)
  • October 2012 (1)
  • September 2012 (2)
  • August 2012 (4)
  • July 2012 (8)

Find

  • Acorn squash
  • Amaranth
  • Apple
  • Asparagus
  • Avocado
  • Baking
  • Berkeley
  • Berries
  • Blueberry
  • Breakfast
  • Brunch
  • Buckwheat
  • Butternut Squash
  • Cake
  • Carrot
  • Cheesecake
  • Cherry tomato
  • Chicken
  • Chive
  • Chocolate
  • Coconut milk
  • Comfort Food
  • Corn
  • Cucumber
  • CUESA
  • Dairy-free
  • Delicata squash
  • Dessert
  • Edible Flowers
  • Egg
  • Fall
  • Farmers market
  • Farmers Market
  • Feast
  • Flexitarian
  • Galette
  • Gem Lettuce
  • Glu
  • Gluten-free
  • Green salad
  • Greenmarket
  • Greens
  • Healthy
  • Heirloom Tomato
  • Kale
  • Know your Farmer
  • Kuri squash
  • Low FODMAP
  • Madeleine
  • Market fresh
  • Market-fresh
  • Meatless Monday
  • Micro-green
  • Mint
  • Nettle
  • New York City
  • Parsley
  • Pasta
  • Pasture-raised
  • Pesto
  • Pomegranate
  • Potatoe
  • Pumpkin
  • Quinoa
  • Radish
  • Raspberry
  • Real Food
  • Reducetarian
  • Risotto
  • Salad
  • San Francisco
  • Seasonal
  • Smoothie
  • Soup
  • Spinach
  • Spring
  • Spring Onion
  • Squash
  • Strawberry
  • Summer
  • Sunflower buds
  • Sunflower sprout
  • Tart
  • Tomato
  • Vanilla
  • Vegan
  • Vegetables
  • Vegetarian
  • Veggielove
  • Walnut
Official Meatless Monday Blogger
You must select a collection to display.

All content, materials and information published on this website are protected by copyright and are owned by or licensed to Morning Berries LLC. Unauthorized alterations, copying, duplicating, posting, republishing, reproduction, or transmitting of any material on the website without prior written permission from Morning Berries LLC is strictly prohibited.  Information submitted to the website via the contact form is not secure or confidential and is provided at your own risk. By using this website you agree to these terms.  All rights reserved.