BALSAMIC ROASTED TOMATO SOUP

I don't much care for raw tomatoes, but I love them cooked into sauces, tarts, roasted and tossed into a salad or in sandwiches, or in this soup that I've been making for years. I make it so often, I don't know why I haven't written the recipe here until now.

Anyway, this gorgeous soup is a beautiful colour and so light. It's vegan, gluten-free, low fat and low carb. And since it practically cooks itself in the oven, it's perfect for summer. The high heat roasting really deepens the flavours of all the vegetables including the onion and garlic. And it softens the black pepper so when you blend it, the peppery flavour really gets into the soup. So delicious!

Balsamic Roasted Tomato Soup

makes: 4 large servings

- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks

- 1 large carrot, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes
- 1 cup coarsely chopped onion
- 5 garlic cloves
- 2 cups water (or vegetable broth), divided
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tamari (or regular) soy sauce
- 1 tbsp coarsely ground black pepper (Tellicherry pepper works best)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 450 F/230 C.
2. Put the tomatoes (and their liquid), sweet potato, onion, garlic and black pepper in a lightly greased, deep oven-proof pan. Mix 1 cup of water, sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce in a bowl and pour the mixture over the vegetables. Push the vegetables into the pan so they are more or less submerged in the liquid. Bake at 450 F/230 C for 50-60 minutes or until vegetables are cooked.
3. Remove the vegetables from the oven and cool. Add to a blender jar along with the olive oil  and blend until smooth, adding the remaining 1 cup water as needed to get the desired consistency. Taste and adjust salt and sugar.
4. Serve chilled or warmed on medium heat. Top with freshly ground black pepper and/or a drizzle of olive oil or a dollop of cashew cream if desired.

STIR-FRIED SWEET PEPPERS WITH COCONUT AND PEANUTS

Summer comfort food at it's best! I love these stir-fried peppers - or shaak as we call it in Gujarati - with rotli, these gluten-free flatbreads, or rice. It's flavourful, healthy, fresh, and light. Try it!

Adapted from here.

Stir-Fried Sweet Peppers with Coconut and Peanuts

makes: 4 servings

- 1 lb. (~1/2 kg) sweet mini peppers, stemmed, washed and sliced into rounds

- 1/4 cup raw peanuts

- 2 dried whole cayenne chiles

- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut (unsweetened)

- 2 tsp. salt

- 1 tsp. sugar

- 2 tbsp. coconut, safflower, sunflower, or other neutral oil (not olive oil!)

- 1 tsp. cumin seeds

- 1 tbsp. caraway seeds (shah jeeru, or cumin seeds)
- 1 tsp. mustard seeds

- 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder

- 1/8 cup water

- 2 tbsp. lemon juice

1. Dry roast the peanuts, caraway seeds, and dried chiles on medium-low heat till they are fragrant and the peanuts and chiles are lightly browned in some spots. Turn the heat off and cool. Transfer the roasted peanuts, cumin, and chiles to a blender or spice grinder. Add the coconut, sugar, and salt and grind into a coarse powder.
2. Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat and add the cumin and mustard seeds. Once they sizzle and the mustard seeds start to pop, add the turmeric and sliced peppers and mix well. Add the water, cover, and cook for 4-5 minutes.
3. Uncover, add the coarsely powdered spices, and mix well. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes uncovered, stirring once.
4. Turn off the heat, add the lemon juice, stir.
5. Transfer to a bowl and garnish with the chopped cilantro. Serve with roti or rice.

ROASTED BEET SALAD, GARAM MASALA VINAIGRETTE

This is an easy and fantastic salad that can be a first course, appetizer, or a side for two people, or a main meal for one. I often have this over whatever greens I have at hand. Or sometimes with crostini. Or with more beets! Just joking.

To roast beets: wash the beets and put them in a preheated 400 F oven for 30 - 40 minutes. The beets are done when you can easily slide a knife into them. Allow to cool and slide the skins off. Trim, slice and serve. Or refrigerate whole for up to two days.

Roasted Beet Salad, Garam Masala Vinaigrette

makes: 2 servings

- 6 tbsp. olive oil 

- 1 tsp. garam masala (or any curry powder)

- 3 tbsp. red wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

- 2 tsp. coarse salt 

- 1 tbsp. raisins 

- 3 medium beets, roasted, peeled, and sliced (see above)

- 2-3 tbsp. feta (or any soft goat cheese) (optional)

- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts (or 1 tbsp. toasted pine nuts) (optional)

1. In a small saucepan, heat 3 tbsp. olive oil with garam masala over medium-low heat until just heated through. Remove from heat and let stand for 15 minutes.
2. Transfer to a food processor or blender jar along with the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, raisins, vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Blend till smooth.
3. Arrange beet slices in a plate and drizzle the dressing over them. Top with feta and serve at room temperature.

VEGAN KHAO SOI: CHIANG MAI CURRY NOODLES

This spicy, savoury, sweet, sour noodle soup will wake your taste buds up! I love having this healthy yet filling noodle soup in cold weather or when I'm under-the-weather-but-not-too-under-to-make-it. And.. it can easily be made gluten-free by using gluten-free noodles or not using noodles at all and adding extra vegetables like I do sometimes.

The fresh curry paste makes a big difference in flavour so do make it if you have time. If not, there's always next time! Adjust the salt, sugar, and lime to taste - the quantities given below are just guidelines. Customize the flavour to *your* taste buds! 

Vegan Khao Soi: Chiang Mai Curry Noodles

makes: 4 large or 6 small servings

- 1/2 cup khao soi curry paste (recipe below)

- 1 tbsp. coconut oil

- 2 cups coconut milk

- 2 carrots, cubed

- 1 handful green beans, cut into 1 in. pieces

- 1 cup sliced mushrooms

- 1 med. capsicum, cut into 1 in. pieces

- 2 cups tofu cubes

- 1 tbsp. soy sauce

- 2 tsp. sugar

- 4-5 cups water

- 1 lb. (~1/2 kg.) egg noodles (or gluten-free noodles)

Garnishes 

- bean sprouts (or fried noodles)

- sliced shallot (or onion)

- sliced hot chiles

- lime wedges

- cilantro

Curry paste (This makes 1 cup curry paste. Use half for this recipe and refrigerate the rest for up to 1 week.)

- 2 shallots, peeled and quartered

- 4 cloves garlic, peeled

- 2 Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese black cardamoms (elcha in Gujarati, badi elaichi in Hindi)

- 1 tbsp. coriander seeds

- 3 dried Thai bird chiles (or any spicy dried peppers), dry roasted

- 1 tsp. garam masala (or any curry powder)

- 1-2 in. piece of fresh turmeric

- 1/2 in. piece of ginger

- 4 stalks lemongrass, tender inner part roughly chopped (bottom ~four inches only)

- 1 bunch cilantro, stems cut and leafy tops and tender stems reserved

- 1 tbsp. lime zest

- 1 tsp. salt

1. In a skillet, dry-roast (roast without oil) the coriander and cardamom seeds. Dry-roast the dried chiles.
2. Add the roasted seeds and chiles to a blender jar. Add the remaining curry paste ingredients and blend into a smooth paste. You'll have to scrape the sides of the jar a few times to get a smooth paste.
3. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the coconut oil and add the 1/2 cup curry paste. Fry the curry paste on medium-low heat until it is fragrant and slightly dry, ~5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of the coconut milk and stir to mix. Fry for ~5 more minutes until the mixture is somewhat dry. Add 1 cup of coconut milk and fry on medium-high until you see coconut oil on the surface (it will be red oil since it's mixed with the curry paste).
4. Add the carrots and green beans, turn the heat to medium if needed, and stir-fry for 5 minutes. Add the capsicum and mushrooms and stir-fry until the capsicum softens slightly.
5. Turn the heat to high. Add the remaining coconut milk and 4 cups of water and bring to a soft boil. Turn the heat to medium or medium-high and simmer until the vegetables are cooked. Add the tofu and simmer for a few more minutes. Turn the heat off.
6. Stir in the soy sauce, sugar, and extra salt if needed. The soup should taste ever-so-slightly over-salted since you will serve over unsalted noodles and with garnishes.
7. Cook the noodles according to directions on the package and divide among 4 bowls. Ladle the soup over the noodles and garnish as desired.
8. Serve with generous lime wedges and extra sliced green and crushed red chiles. Enjoy hot! Refrigerate leftovers for no more than 2 days.

SPICY SICHUAN DRY-FRIED GREEN BEANS

I love string beans in all colours and forms. Green string beans are the highlight in this classic Sichuan dish, lightened up a bit. The beans are usually deep-fried for this dish, but dry-frying works really well and is less messy than dealing with a large container of oil. Adjust the spice level to your needs... the dried red chillies are of course edible, and perfect if you wish to have an inferno in your mouth! :-)

Spicy Sichuan Dry-Fried Green Beans

makes: 4 servings

- 1 lb. (~1/2 kg.) green beans, washed, trimmed, and cut into 3 - 4 in. pieces

- 6 - 8 dried red chillies

- 3 garlic cloves, minced

- 1 in. piece of ginger, minced

- 1 leek, halved and sliced

- 1 tsp. whole Sichuan peppercorns (optional)

- 3 tbsp. safflower oil (or any neutral oil, not olive oil)

Mix into a sauce:

- 1 tbsp. rice wine (sake is fine if you don't have Chinese rice wine)

- 1 tbsp. sesame oil

- 2 tbsp. chilli bean sauce (any chilli bean sauce is fine if you don't have the Sichuan kind)

- 1-1/2 tsp. salt

- 1 tsp. sugar

1. Pat the green beans completely dry with a towel.
2. Heat a large skillet without oil and add the green beans. dry-fry the green beans for 4-5 min. stirring constantly so they don't burn. Add the oil into the pan and continue to dry-fry for 7 - 10 mini. or until the green beans start to wrinkle. Transfer the green beans to a bowl and set aside.
3. Return the skillet to the heat and add the dried peppers, leeks, garlic, ginger and Sichuan peppercorn (if using). Stir fry until aromatic. Add the sauce and stir well. Turn the heat to high and add the dry-fried green beans. Mix well and remove from the heat. Adjust salt to taste.
4. Serve hot with rice and a cucumber salad to cool things down.

IRAQI AUBERGINE AND LAMB STEW

My favourite cuisines other than Gujarati are - in no particular order - French, Arabic (from Levantine countries), Afghani, Persian, Mexican, Greek, Italian, and Japanese. I love cuisines that effortlessly combine ingredients to create deep complex flavours. Especially cuisines that have a variety of vegetarian foods, since I am mostly vegetarian and seldom cook meat at home.

This delicious sweet and tangy Iraqi lamb stew is not vegetarian, but it contains a small enough bit of meat to remain light on the body. It's also very versatile - this time I made it with lamb because I needed to use up some leftover ground lamb but I usually make it vegetarian. I find that the split yellow peas add enough meatiness to make a substantial stew - it makes a great meal with bread or rice and of course, a small crisp salad. 

Iraqi Aubergine and Lamb Stew
makes: 4 - 6 servings

- 1 large aubergine, cubed
- 2-1/2 tbsp. salt

- 4 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 med. zucchini, cubed
- 1 potato, cubed
- 2 carrots, cubed
- 1 bulb fennel, cubed

- 1/3 lb. ground lamb

- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 4 tbsp. pomegranate molasses

- 1/2 cup dried yellow split peas, soaked in cold water for 8 - 12 hours

- 4 dried red chillies

- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp. chilli flakes or powder

- 2 tsp ground cumin

- 1 tsp ground coriander

- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom

- 1/4 tsp ground cloves 
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1. In a colander, mix 2 tbsp. salt into the aubergine cubes. Let the aubergine sit for about 30 minutes until the bitter juices run out. Squeeze the cubes to remove any water that didn't drain out, and pat dry.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 F / 190 C. Mix the aubergine cubes with 2 tbsp. olive oil and bake for 15 - 20 min. or until tender.
3. While the aubergine is baking, heat the remaining 2 tbsp. of the olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the dried chillies, onion, and garlic and sauté till the onion is translucent.
4. Add the lamb and cook for a few min. till the lamb is evenly browned, breaking up large chunks with a spoon. Add the split peas, all the vegetables (except the aubergine, which is still baking!) and the spices and stir to mix well. Turn the heat to high and add 2 cups water. Cook on high for 5 min. Reduce the heat to low, stir in the baked aubergine, pomegranate molasses, and remaining 1/2 tbsp. salt and cook till the vegetables are done, about 20 - 30 min., stirring occasionally.
5. Turn the heat off and adjust salt if needed. Serve with any Arabic bread or rice.

SUMMER VEGETABLE QUICHE

Summer Vegetable Quiche

makes: 1 9 in. quiche/4 servings

- 1/2 recipe basic yeast dough, (or any pizza/bread dough of choice) after the first 60 min. rise

- 3 eggs

- 1/4 cup milk

- 1/2 cup grated cheese of choice

- 1 tsp. salt

- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes

- 1 garlic clove, peeled

- 1 tbsp. dried mixed herbs (or any herbs of your choice)

- 1/2 tsp. nutmeg powder

- 1 zucchini, sliced

- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved 

- 1/2 onion, sliced

- 1 serrano, jalapeño or any pepper of your choice, sliced (optional)

1. Lightly grease a 9 in. cake pan. Roll the dough into an approximately 9 in. circle and lay it in the pan. Starting from the centre and working your way out, push the dough up the sides of the pan to form approximately 2 in. high sides to get a deep shell.
2. Let the dough rise for 20 min. Preheat oven to 350 F/180 C.
3. Using a fork prick holes all over the dough and bake for 20-25 min. till the shell is lightly browned and has pulled away from the pan. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
4. Turn the oven up to 425 F/220 C.
5. Arrange the zucchini slices in a more or less single layer in the quiche shell. Arrange the onion slices on top of the zucchini slices.
6. Blend the next eight ingredients (eggs through nutmeg) and pour into the quiche shell. Arrange the tomatoes cut sides down on the eggs (it's ok if they float a little). If using, arrange the sliced pepper in the spaces between the tomatoes.
7. Bake at 425 F/220 C for 20 min. then turn the heat down to 350 F/180 C and bake for another 15 min. or till the filling appears set and the top is lightly browned. 
8. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 15 min. Remove from the mould.
9. Cut the quiche into wedges and serve over a salad or on it's own. Store leftovers in fridge for up to 3 days... it reheats really well!

HARISSA-ROASTED VEGETABLES WITH CHICKPEAS

Roasted vegetables are delicious, quick, cook on their own, and are my favourite! And *these* roasted vegetables are my all-time favourite. With the chickpeas, olives, and raisins added to the vegetables laced with smoky spicy harissa, this is just an incredible meld of flavours in a bite. And, just like a meal should be, it's filling yet light, and doesn't leave you feeling sluggish.

Use any kind of green olives, and any vegetables that roast well - carrots, parsnips, rutabagas, any kind of summer or winter squash, and any others that come to mind. I love these with salad greens and maybe a little avocado added into it all if I'm really hungry, but to make it an even more hearty meal, serve this with rice or bread and a salad on the side.

Harissa-Roasted Vegetables with Chickpeas

makes: 4 - 6 servings

- 2 tbsp harissa (home-made or bought)

- 1 lemon, juiced

- 2 tbsp. olive or avocado oil

- 1 tsp. salt

- 3 cups green cauliflower florets (broccoflower, but any coloured cauliflower is fine)

- 2 purple potatoes, cut into large chunks (I used purples, but any potato variety is fine)

- 1 yellow squash or zucchini, halved and cut into thick slices (or any winter squash, cubed)

- 2 cups cooked chickpeas (or one 15 oz. can, drained and rinsed)

- 1/2 cup sliced red onion

- 1 cup sliced capsicum (of any colour)

- 1/2 cup green olives, pitted

- 1/4 cup raisins (preferably soaked in warm water for 10-15 minutes to soften)  

- 2 tbsp. water

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F (200 C). Lightly grease a large gratin/lasagna pan.
2. In a large stove-proof pan mix the lemon juice, harissa, oil, and salt. Add the vegetables and chickpeas, and toss or mix well to coat the vegetables. Transfer everything to the greased pan and bake for 30 - 40 minutes, mixing the vegetables once during baking. Turn the heat down to 375 F (190 C) for the last 10 minutes if needed.
3. In the same stove-proof pan you used to toss the vegetables, sauté the onions and capsicum, adding the 2 tbsp. water if needed (the little bit of the harissa mixture remaining in the pan is plenty for sautéing. No need for additional oil.). Mix in the olives and raisins in the last few minutes before turning off the heat.
4. Remove the vegetables from the oven and mix in the sautéed vegetables.
5. Serve immediately or at room temperature, over salad greens, or with bread or rice.

SPROUTED RICE AND VEGETABLE LAVER (SEAWEED) ROLLS

A gluten-free, quick, and light meal that also makes an excellent snack! I did not photograph anything until after I finished rolling everything, so I drew an illustration - hopefully it helps! - to show the arrangement of rice and vegetables (or fish, if you want) on the laver.

Sprouted Rice and Vegetable Laver (Seaweed) Rolls

makes: 2 rolls, 12 - 16 pieces

- chipotle cashew cream sauce, for dipping
- 1 cup cooked sprouted brown rice (or any cooked white rice, as long as it's sticky)
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar (or rice wine vinegar)
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. salt 

- 1 grated carrot
- 1 julienned cucumber
- 1 julienned jalapeño (deseed if you want no spice)
- 2 leaves of romaine lettuce, middle vein removed (otherwise the laver will break)
- 2 sheets laver (aka nori, easily found in any Japanese or Korean store or Whole Foods)
- 1 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds (raw sesame seeds are ok as well)
- 2 tbsp. water in a small container

1. In a bowl, mix the rice, vinegar, salt, and sugar. Arrange the prepared vegetables on a plate within easy reach. Toast the laver by quickly passing each sheet over a low flame - you may need to do this a couple of times to cover a maximum area of each sheet, corners and all, but without scorching the laver. So move swiftly and don't let any one area of the laver dwell over the flame for too long.
2. Place a sheet of laver on a cutting board or other flat surface and spread half of the rice from the bottom edge to about 1 - 1-1/2 in. short of the top edge (see the illustration above), and arrange half of the vegetables on the rice in this order: lettuce, carrot, cucumber, jalapeno. Sprinkle with half of the sesame seeds. 
3. Lift the bottom edge of the laver and roll everything into a tight roll. When you reach the bare (riceless) end of the laver, dip a finger in water and lightly wet the edge of the laver and finish rolling. The water will help the laver stick so the roll remains closed and doesn't unravel.
4. Cut each roll into 6 - 8 pieces and serve with this cashew cream sauce, or your favourite sauce. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to one day.

POLENTA TART WITH ROASTED CARROTS AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

I love polenta in any form - it's so versatile, light, and quick to cook. Perfect for when you want to cook something awesome and fast. I used roasted carrots but really any roasted vegetables are fantastic on this tart... yellow squash, zucchini, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, even winter squash like butternut or acorn.

Serve this tart with a salad and a glass of wine and you've got yourself a superb meal in no time!

Roasted Carrot + Sun-Dried Tomato Polenta Tart
makes: 2 servings

- 2 carrots, peeled and quartered lengthwise

- 2 cups water

- 2 tsp. salt

- 1 tbsp. fennel seeds (optional)

- 1 clove garlic, crushed

- 1/2 cup polenta

- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

- 1/8 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes

- 1/4 cup minced parsley (or basil)

1. Preheat the oven to 450 F/230 C. Grease a baking tray and an 8 in. pie plate (or other medium sized ovenproof pan).
2. In a bowl, toss the carrots with 1 tsp. salt and 1 tbsp. olive oil. Transfer to the baking tray and bake for 15 - 20 min. or until the carrots are just browned at the edges. Remove from the oven and cool. Turn the oven down to 375 F/190 C.
3. While the carrots are roasting, bring the water to a rolling boil in a pan.
4. Lower the heat to medium and add 1 tsp. salt, fennel seeds, garlic, polenta, 1 tbsp. olive oil, feta cheese, and tomatoes. Stir quickly to mix everything well.
5. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 5-7 min., stirring frequently to keep the polenta from sticking to the pan. Turn off the heat and stir in the parsley.
6. Transfer the polenta to the greased pie plate and use the back of a spoon to spread it into an even layer. Arrange the carrots on the polenta and gently press into the surface. Bake for 15 - 20 min.
7. Remove from the oven and serve immediately or at room temperature.

TACOS: CACTUS AND ROASTED POBLANO CHILES (NOPALES Y RAJAS POBLANAS)

Rajas poblanas (RRAa-has poblanas) are strips of roasted chile poblano (photo below), which range from mild to spicy. I love having the smoky flavour of the roasted chile and the surprise spice in a random bite of a taco! They're a classic in tacos but equally fantastic mixed in with beans, added to soups, as a filling for enchiladas/enfrijoladas/enguacatadas, on salads, nachos, on the side with eggs, in an omelette, or in sandwiches.

Fresh unripe poblanos are a deep gorgeous green, and turn into a fiery red when they ripen. Dried poblanos are called chile ancho, and are ubiquitous in most Mexican moles. Rajas poblanas is also a Mexican dish made with chile poblano rajas mixed with crema (Mexican sour cream), onions, and sometimes chicken. It's slightly rich, but one of my favourite Mexican dishes. In addition to tinga, posole, chile colorado, alambres, and all my other Mexican favourites!

Nopales, or cactus, is a very common ingredient in Mexican cuisine. In any good Mexican market you'll find either whole cactus paddles with thorns that you take home and clean and trim yourself, or bags of cleaned, trimmed, and diced cactus ready to cook. I usually get the cleaned and diced cactus because it's a time saver. Cactus can be cooked diced or  the whole cleaned and trimmed paddle can be roasted/grilled. And along with whole roasted jalapeños and spring onions, it's an excellent accompaniment to steak!

Tacos: Cactus and Roasted Poblano Chiles (Nopales y Rajas Poblanas)

makes: 6 tacos

- 1/2 cup chipotle cashew cream sauce

- 1/2 cup salsa: salsa verde (recipe here and here) or roasted tomato salsa

- 2 cups cleaned and diced cactus

- 1 chile poblano, washed

- 1/2 medium onion, diced

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 1 tbsp. olive oil

- 2 tsp. salt

- 12 small corn tortillas (ask the store for tortillas for tacos, which are smaller)

- 8-10 sprigs cilantro (1/4 cup coarsely chopped)

- 1/4 cup finely shredded purple cabbage (or red or green cabbage)

- 1 lime, cut into wedges

Optional garnishes: finely shredded carrots, sliced avocado, onions, jalapeno, pickled vegetables "en escabeche"

1. Cook the cactus: Bring water to a rolling boil in a large pan. Add the cactus and boil for about 15 minutes, or till the cactus is soft. Don't overcook the cactus till its mushy or you'll have a panful of slimy green pieces! Drain the cooked cactus and set aside. 
2. While the cactus is boiling, roast the chile poblano over an open flame or in a cast-iron pan until its charred on all sides. Remove from the heat and put it in a covered bowl for 15 minutes. Remove the charred and softened skin, rinsing off any residue. Cut the chile into half and discard the seeds. Cut the roasted chile into strips - "rajas" in Spanish. 
3. In a pan, heat the olive oil and add the onion and garlic. Sauté until translucent then add the cooked cactus and salt. Sauté for a few minutes till heated through. 
4. Transfer the chile poblano strips (rajas) and cactus into serving bowls. Arrange the cabbage, cilantro, and any optional garnishes in a platter. Warm the tortillas. 
5. Assemble the tacos: divide the tortillas among plates, stacking 2 per taco. Top with the rajas and cactus, cilantro, and cabbage. Drizzle 1 tbsp. each of the chipotle cashew cream sauce and salsa on each taco. 
6. Serve immediately with a wedge of lime, additional salsa, cashew cream sauce, and optional garnishes.

TACOS: ZUCCHINI FLOWERS AND FIDDLEHEAD FERNS

Zucchini flowers are most commonly served stuffed and fried. They're delicious that way, but the beautiful colours of the flowers are hidden under the batter and for me, food is about taste and looks. Not fake gimmicky presentations but just the natural good looks of fresh seasonal ingredients. Like the pretty zucchini flowers and ferns in these tacos!

Fiddlehead ferns are the unopened tips of Ostrich ferns that would turn into fronds when they open. They have a very short season in the Spring and don't last too long in the fridge so it's best to get some when you see them in the market (or in the wild if you know how to forage for the right kind of fern), and enjoy them right away, in a day or so at most. Fiddleheads upset some peoples' stomachs but they don't bother me at all. I don't like boiling them because that takes away the texture and taste. So I roast them and they're just perfect!

Zucchini flowers and fiddleheads are quite simple to clean. Zucchini flowers: Remove the pistil and stem from each zucchini flower and gently rinse each flower inside and out. Put the washed flowers on a large dry kitchen towel to soak up water.

Fiddlehead ferns: Remove the outer chaff - brown papery skin - from the ferns and rinse thoroughly. During rinsing remove any remaining chaff and put the washed ferns in a large dry kitchen towel to soak up water. 

These tacos are full of spring flavours and colours! And they go with virtually any salsa, including salsa verde with chiles de arbol, avocado and roasted tomatillo salsa, spicy roasted tomato salsa, guacamole, or even just sliced serranos, avocado, onion, and lime juice.

Tacos: Zucchini Flowers and Fiddlehead Ferns

makes: 6 tacos

- 1/2 cup chipotle cashew cream sauce

- 1/2 cup salsa: salsa verde (recipe here and here) or roasted tomato salsa

- 1 cup fiddlehead ferns, cleaned and washed

- 10 - 12 zucchini flowers, pistils removed and wiped cleaned with a damp towel

- 1 small zucchini, cut into small cubes

- 1/2 medium onion, diced

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 3 tsp. olive oil

- 2 tsp. salt

- 1 tsp. paprika

- 1 tsp. cumin

- 1 tsp. Mexican oregano (Italian or Greek will do if you don't have Mexican)

- 12 small corn tortillas (ask the store for tortillas for tacos, which are smaller)

- 8-10 sprigs cilantro (1/4 cup coarsely chopped)

- 1/4 cup finely shredded purple cabbage (or red or green cabbage)

- 1 lime, cut into wedges

Optional garnishes: finely shredded carrots, sliced avocado, onions, jalapeno, pickled vegetables "en escabeche"

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F/200 C. Lightly grease a baking tray or line with parchment paper.
2. Toss the cleaned fern heads with 1 tsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. salt, and paprika. Transfer to the prepared baking tray and roast for 15 min., turning once midway. Remove from the oven.
3. In a pan, heat the remaining 2 tsp. olive oil and add the onion and garlic. Sauté until translucent then add the zucchini, cumin, oregano, and salt. Cook till the zucchini is slightly soft and add the zucchini flowers. Stir the flowers in, and sauté for a minute. Turn the heat off.
4. Prep the tacos: Transfer the roasted fern heads and sautéed zucchini and flowers into serving bowls. Arrange the cabbage, cilantro, and any optional garnishes on a platter. Warm the tortillas.
5. Assemble the tacos: Divide the tortillas among plates, stacking 2 per taco. Top with the roasted fern heads and sautéed vegetables, cilantro, and cabbage. Drizzle 1 tbsp. each of the chipotle cashew cream sauce and salsa on each taco.
6. Serve immediately with a wedge of lime, additional salsa, cashew cream sauce, and optional garnishes.