Tag Archives: coconut

Lunch in a Jar, Pt. 3: Coconut Barley w/ Zucchini, Asparagus & Feta

4 Apr

I love kitchen tools whether they’re essential or absurd (who DOESN’T need a hot dog slicer??). On that note, I think spiralizers fall right in the middle: you don’t neeeeeeed one but they’re neat! Why not have fun with your food and eat it in a different way? Inspired to bust out this particular gadget, I based my next lunch jar on using it on some zucchini. I also made up some chewy coconut and lime barley, tossed in some salty feta and added in bright, blanched asparagus and corn. Lots of flavour and super filling, I’m making it again next week!

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Makes 3.

Ingredients

1 zucchini, peeled and spiralized (or, in a pinch, use a peeler to cut into ribbons and then slice those ribbons thinly)
5-10 stalks of asparagus, diced
1 c corn
1c barley
3 tb shredded, unsweetened coconut
1/2 lime, juiced
handful of cilantro, roughly chopped
1/3 c feta, crumbled
drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Directions

1.Place 3 cups of liquid (water, broth, coconut milk) in a pot along with 1 cup of uncooked barley and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, stir, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Once cooked to desired chewiness, add in the shredded coconut, lime juice and cilantro. Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference. Set aside to cool.

2. Meanwhile, bring a small pot of water to a boil to blanch the corn and asparagus. Once the water has boiled, toss in the veggies and cook for just a couple of minutes. Drain the pot and put the veggies into ice water to stop the cooking process. Remove and set aside.

3. Layer your ingredients: barley, asparagus, corn, zucchini & feta. If you’ve got any leftover cilantro, you can toss that on top, too. When you’re ready to eat, toss in a little extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar and you’re set!

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Pork Tenderloin in Coconut-Chile Sauce

18 Oct

Adapted from Tyler Florence’s recipe, this dish is warming, comforting, brightly-flavoured and is destined for heavy rotation in our kitchen! It does have a few steps, but they’re not difficult. Timing is key, as always, but I think I’ve got it worked out! I’ve included pictures of the individual components of this three-parter. Click to see them enlarged.

Serves 2.

Ingredients

Pork
1 1lb pork tenderloin
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
1/2 lime, juice
salt & pepper

Coconut-Chile Sauce
2 tb extra virgin olive oil
1″ ginger, grated
2 garlic, minced
1 chile (Bird, jalapeno, whatever ya like), diced
1/4 c cilantro stems
14 oz coconut milk
1 ts sugar
1 lime, juiced
1 tb fish sauce
1 dash hot sauce, optional
salt & pepper

Tomato & Coconut Salad
1 c shredded coconut
2 c tomatoes, chopped
1/2 sweet pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 c cilantro (leaves)
1/4 c mint leaves
dash of olive oil
1/2 lime, juiced
salt & pepper


Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375.
2. Place the pork on a platter and pour over the olive oil, lime juice & sprinkle with salt & pepper on all sides. Marinate for 10-15 minutes.
3. Toss the pork in the oven for roughly 35 minutes or until a meat thermometer reads 165-170, depending on how well you like your pork cooked. Rest for 10 minutes.
4. In the meantime, heat up the olive oil at medium in a medium sauce pan.  Add garlic, ginger, chile and cilantro stems. Cook 3 minutes.
5. Add the coconut milk and sugar, simmering for another 5 minutes.
6. Squeeze in the lime juice and add the fish sauce, hot sauce, and a dash of salt & pepper. Adjust to taste. Lower heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until the pork is done.
7. In a medium bowl, add tomatoes, shredded coconut,  sweet pepper, red onion, chile, cilantro leaves, mint, olive oil, salt & pepper and lime juice. Adjust according to taste.
8.  Slice pork into medallions and serve over rice. Pour the sauce over the pork and top with coconut & tomato salad.

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Coconut-Crusted Salmon w/ Pineapple Salsa

17 Aug

This was my first foray into making a fish dish. I was nervous a little nervous – no one wants an overcooked fish! – but the recipe turned out to be foolproof. I’ve made it dozens of times since and it never fails to please!

Serves 2.

Ingredients
Fish
2 pieces of skinless, boneless salmon
1 ts salt
1 ts pepper
1/3 c shredded coconut

Salsa
1 c chopped pineapple
2 tb extra virgin olive oil
1/2 small red onion, diced
1/4c chopped cilantro
1 lime
salt & pepper

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375.
2. Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the salmon. In a bowl, pour out the coconut and coat the salmon.
3. Line a tray with foil, place the fish on the tray and pop it into the oven for 13 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, combine the pineapple, cilantro, onion, oil, juice of the lime and salt & pepper in a bowl. Mix and taste – you may feel it needs more salt, pepper or lime juice depending on your preference.
5. Remove the fish from the oven and plate. Top with the salsa and devour!

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