Show 538, August 12, 2023: Vegetarian Salad for Dinner with Author Jeanne Kelley Part One

Cookbook Author Jeanne Kelley

Vegetarian Salad for Dinner – Inventive Plant-Forward Meals is the vegetarian sequel to culinary educator and edible garden expert Jeanne Kelley’s highly successful cookbook Salad for Dinner (2012). “This inspiring single-subject cookbook with 80 recipes reimagines the traditional idea of a salad as a main course meal.”

“People love a good salad! This hunger for salad is matched by a genuine desire for good vegetarian dinner ideas and better plant-based recipes. Jeanne Kelley shares a new collection of creative, easy-to-follow, and foolproof salad recipes for lifelong vegetarians looking for inspiration, omnivores looking to up their meatless Monday game, and general salad enthusiasts. With bold flavors influenced by the fresh produce and the vibrant dining scene of the author’s hometown Los Angeles, the recipes are innovative yet approachable, satisfying experienced and novice cooks alike.”

“The salads range from familiar to exotic, taking the idea beyond the traditional tossed bowl, with creative categories such as classic salads, grain salads, pulse salads, salads with seeds, pasta salads, bread salads, and roasted and toasted salads.”

“The recipes vary from suitable for busy weeknight—like Warm Brussel Sprout Caesar with Poached Egg, Tostada Salad with Creamy Lime-Avocado Dressing, and Chinese No Chicken Salad—to weekend showstoppers such as Herby Fattoush, Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Mung Beans and Black Tahini, Vietnamese-Style Salad Rolls, and North African–Style Chickpea Pancake with Salad Turnips, Greens, and Harissa.”

Jeanne graciously shares her recipes for Red Quinoa and Red Kidney Bean Masala and Baked Ricotta Pepperonata, Herb Salad with us.

Jeanne Kelley is our guest with salad tongs at the ready along with a bunch of fresh heirloom carrots.

Show 538, August 12, 2023: Vegetarian Salad for Dinner with Author Jeanne Kelley Part Two

Cookbook Author Jeanne Kelley

Vegetarian Salad for Dinner – Inventive Plant-Forward Meals is the vegetarian sequel to culinary educator and edible garden expert Jeanne Kelley’s highly successful cookbook Salad for Dinner (2012). “This inspiring single-subject cookbook with 80 recipes reimagines the traditional idea of a salad as a main course meal.”

“People love a good salad! This hunger for salad is matched by a genuine desire for good vegetarian dinner ideas and better plant-based recipes. Jeanne Kelley shares a new collection of creative, easy-to-follow, and foolproof salad recipes for lifelong vegetarians looking for inspiration, omnivores looking to up their meatless Monday game, and general salad enthusiasts. With bold flavors influenced by the fresh produce and the vibrant dining scene of the author’s hometown Los Angeles, the recipes are innovative yet approachable, satisfying experienced and novice cooks alike.”

“The salads range from familiar to exotic, taking the idea beyond the traditional tossed bowl, with creative categories such as classic salads, grain salads, pulse salads, salads with seeds, pasta salads, bread salads, and roasted and toasted salads.”

“The recipes vary from suitable for busy weeknight—like Warm Brussel Sprout Caesar with Poached Egg, Tostada Salad with Creamy Lime-Avocado Dressing, and Chinese No Chicken Salad—to weekend showstoppers such as Herby Fattoush, Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Mung Beans and Black Tahini, Vietnamese-Style Salad Rolls, and North African–Style Chickpea Pancake with Salad Turnips, Greens, and Harissa.”

Jeanne graciously shares her recipes for Red Quinoa and Red Kidney Bean Masala and Baked Ricotta Pepperonata, Herb Salad with us.

Jeanne Kelley continues as our guest with salad tongs at the ready along with a bunch of fresh arugula from her garden.

Baked Ricotta Pepperonata with Herb Salad

Baked Ricotta Pepperonata with Herb Salad by Jeanne Kelley

Recipe excerpt from:
Vegetarian Salad for Dinner: Inventive Plant-Forward Meals

by Jeanne Kelley

Cooked salads are an Italian tradition. The salads are cooked during the cool hours of the day and served cool or at room temperature for lunch or dinner later. Classic Italian pepperonata is made of sautéed peppers, onions and herbs. In this version, I use sweet mini peppers and bake them until tender along with whole-milk ricotta. Top the summery ensemble with arugula, herbs and a drizzle of good balsamic vinegar. Serve it with warm focaccia or crusty bread.

4 Servings

  • 15- 16-ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  • 2 pounds mini sweet peppers (box peppers), stem ends trimmed
  • 10 ounces (about 2 cups) grape or cherry tomatoes
  • ½ medium-sized red onion, cut into ½-inch thick slices
  • 16 pitted kalamata olives
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red chili flakes
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 cup arugula leaves
  • ½ cup basil leaves

Line a strainer with cheese cloth and set the strainer over a bowl. Carefully unmold the ricotta into the prepared strainer retaining the shape of the cheese. Refrigerate the cheese uncovered for 6 hours or overnight.
 
Preheat the oven to 450°F.
 
Cut any peppers larger than your thumb in half. Toss the peppers, tomatoes, onion, olives and garlic with 3 tablespoons olive oil in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or similarly sized pan. Make a space near the center of the pan. Carefully place the ricotta in the space and drizzle with oil.  Sprinkle the pepper mixture and cheese with, oregano, red chili and salt and season with cracked pepper.Bake in the oven until the cheese and peppers are browned and the peppers are tender, about 30 minutes. Cool until warm. 
 
Just before serving, drizzle the pepperonata with vinegar and top with arugula and basil.