Apple and Celery Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This is a lovely and lightly refreshing salad.  The lemon in the dressing works well to keep the apples from browning, so I make sure to whisk the dressing before chopping the apples so I have it at the ready.

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp dried organic basil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp dried organic parsley
2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 C peeled and chopped apples, about 1/4" pieces

2 C thinly (as thin as your patience) sliced celery

Preparation:Whisk or blend together all ingredients except for celery and apple.  Set aside.  Peel and chop apples and toss in salad bowl with the dressing.  Slice celery and add to bowl.  Toss well and serve.  I served mine with a cucumber and kiwi garnish which was pretty  - tasty, too.

Best Vegan Sushi!!!

Yam & Maitake Rolls - vegan sushi Inspired by Yamroom Rolls theppk.com

Sweet yams and salty-sweet mushrooms make this roll a delight at any gathering.

Equipment: Bamboo sushi rolling mat Sharp serrated knife Rice cooker or pot for rice Large bowl to cool rice Small saute pan Ingredients For the rice 1 cup sushi rice made with 1 1/4 cup H20, prepared according to package directions About 2 Tablespoons Rice vinegar (do not use regular or any other kind!) 1 teaspoon sugar 4 sheets nori* For the filling 1 small peeled Japanese or Korean yam (or sweet potato), chopped & boiled till tender 4-5 fresh maitake mushrooms, sliced into strips and sauteed until tender with a dash of shoyu and hoisin sauce 1/2 tsp sesame oil Directions For the rice Prepare rice according to package instructions. It should be something like 1 1/4 cup H20 to 1 cup rice. Cook till rice is tender but firm, even a little dry. Empty hot rice into a large glass bowl. Sprinkle with about rice vinegar and 1 sugar. Fold rice gently with a large spoon or rice paddle. Rice should be moist and have a mild vinegar flavor. Cover with plastic wrap. When rice is slightly warmer than room temperature it's ready to work with. For the filling Mash steamed yam with sesame oil. Layer with mushrooms & roll away!