Recipe courtesy of Chef Amber Caudle
I love the comforting nourishment of this warm salad. Searing the brussels sprouts allows them to caramelize, bringing out exceptional flavor. Their dark-golden caramelized color is lightened up by the bright pesto, so the color of this salad is earthy and beautiful. The combination of textures and the flavor of the pesto is what makes this dish a standout on any table. This recipe serves six.
Photo Credit – Hailee Repko CNW Agency
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds Brussels sprouts, halved with the ends cut off
3 tablespoons coconut oil
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup dried apricots or other dried fruit
½ cup roasted pistachios
1 cup pistachio pesto (See Recipe Below)
A few cilantro leaves for garnish
Heat the coconut oil and Brussels sprouts in a large sauté pan over high heat. Cook for 8 minutes, stirring every few minutes to keep the sprouts from burning.
If the pesto isn’t already made, you can make it while the Brussels sprouts are cooking. Remove the Brussels sprouts from the heat. Transfer them to a bowl and add the pesto and dried fruit.
PISTACHIO PESTO
Combining the pistachios with the fresh herbs creates a unique flavor I just love. The fact that pistachios are high in antioxidants and help maintain healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels makes me happy, too. – Chef Amber Caudle
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 bunch of parsley, chopped
1 cup activated pistachios
¾ cup olive oil
½ cup torn basil leaves
juice from 2 oranges (about 6 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth, about 2 minutes. Mix everything together so the pesto is well-incorporated, and top with pistachios for a crunch. Serve warm.
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Chef Amber Caudle is a spiritually-led chef, host, and author who believes that food nourishes us from the inside out. She is also the CEO and co-owner of Source Collab, a hospitality group made of her restaurants Source Café Hermosa Beach and the newly launched Nine24 Kitchen in Manhattan Beach. Chef Amber loves to find the simple and natural, yet delicious and nutritious alternatives to old favorites that anyone can enjoy. She combines her drive to use food to heal the mind and body with her classical culinary training. Her first cookbook, Sexy Nourishing Food, is now available.
