The weather here in LA these past few weeks has been gorgeousful. Yes, gorgeousful. Beautiful and gorgeous all at the same time. And while the winter sun has been working overtime here in SoCal, I have been working overtime too. Mostly because I have been so (happily) busy the past few weeks. My exciting news to share, plus a yummy recipe for Shiitake-Farro-Tortilla Salad!..
pretty winter sunset over the Santa Monica shore..
And today's recipe..
Tortilla Salad. Recipes first, always! (And my big news follows the recipe.) So, you know how everyone loves tortilla soup? Well this is tortilla salad. Made using just a few fantastic ingredients including homemade corn tortillas, sizzling shiitake mushrooms, tender rustic farro, fajita spices and zesty lime juice. Avocados on top! Try this yummy fusion recipe out, the flavors are so simple, yet so wonderful all blending together in a big festive bowl..
Shiitake Farro Tortilla Salad
4 servings
farro:
1 cup farro
2 Β½ cups water
ΒΌ teaspoon salt
shiitakes:
4 cups shiitake mushrooms, diced (about 4-5 large shiitake mushrooms)
1 cup onion, diced
Β½ teaspoon fajita seasoning, I used Penzey's Spices brand
salt and pepper to taste
Β½ teaspoon extra virgin coconut oil
also:
Β½ avocado, diced
2 limes, (1 squeezed, 1 for garnish)
ΒΌ teaspoon cilantro or parsley, finely chopped
corn tortillas:
Β½ cup masa harina
ΒΎ cup water
spritz of lime juice
pinch of salt
nutrition estimate (4 servings per recipe)
Directions:
1. Start off with your homemade tortillas, you will need to combine the masa harina, water, salt and lime juice in a bowl, stire until smooth, cover bowl and let sit for an hour before using. I soak my mixture in the fridge so it is chilled upon using, and easier to handle. Note: yes you can use store-bought tortillas, or substitute with corn, but try homemade at some point, you will be impressed with yourself!
2. While your tortilla mix is soaking, you can cook your farro. Add the grains, water and salt to a small pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover with lid and simmer on low for about 30-35 minutes, or until farro is tender. If there is any liquid left or excess upon cooking to farro, drain and fluff farro. Pour farro into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
3. After the tortilla mix has soaked, start cooking your tortillas. Warm a skillet, cast iron is my preference, to medium. Roll a gold ball sized amount of corn mixture and flatten into a tortilla shape. If you were using these as actual tortillas, a tortilla press would really help, but since you will be slicing them up anyways, do not stress about making them perfectly shaped. Just flatten them down as much as possible using your hands or a greased flat spatula. Cook each tortilla for just about a minute on each side, they cook very quickly. Continue until all tortillas have been cooked.
4. In the same skillet, turn heat up to high and add in the coconut oil. When oil is hot, add in the onions and mushrooms, saute for 2-3 minutes or until cooked. Sprinkle fajita seasoning over top and salt and pepper to taste.
5. Squeeze the juice of one lime into the farro bowl, and add the parsley or cilantro - then fluff the farro very well. Next, pour the warm mushroom mixture into the farro bowl and toss again. Lastly, dice up 2-3 of the cooked tortillas and add to the farro bowl. Toss together very well. Add more seasoning to taste. Pour salad into serving bowl(s). Dice avocado and add to top of salad. Garnish with fresh lime. This salad can be served warm, freshly tossed, of cold after chilling in the fridge. Salsa of hot sauce over top. You can serve any leftover tortillas as sides.
-- news!
News News! Soo.. a few months ago I signed a cookbook deal with an amazing publisher, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. You can follow all the awesome cookbook updates on twitter: hmhcooks and JustCookNYC. So for the past few months I have been working on my second cookbook! This vegan-recipe-packed book will include a wide array of recipes: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, desserts and more. It will be a complete collection of my most favorite recipes. There will be a few of my most popular recipes from here on my blog, but the majority of the recipes will be brand new. I am also doing the photography for the book.
I had so much fun writing 365 Vegan Smoothies and so I am so excited to bring you guys a wider array of recipes in book #2!
I wanted to go all Beyonce on you guys and announce my book right before being released next year (2015) .. but I just couldn't hold this news in.
So far cookbook-ing has been a whirlwind of grocery shopping trips, piles of ingredients all over the kitchen, day-long sprees of photoshooting, recipe testing and on and on. In short, it has been a wonderful project to take on, especially right now when (as many of you guys know who follow my blog) there have been quite a few heavy things happening for me in the past year. With the sadness over the holiday season, I was so incredibly grateful to have this new project to tackle. I know this book will make miss Nellycat proud.
So FINALLY, I can answer all of you who have asked me again and again "when are you going to write a big cookbook??" .. I am now! π
I am so excited to move forward.
And truly, I am SO excited for you guys to see this new book.
PS! Smoothie lovers, enter this awesome contest featured on Earth Balance's page!.. (link at the bottom of the post once you clickover)
Julia Ralston says
Kathy, can't wait for your 2ed book. Whoot!
RockMyVeganSocks says
COOKBOOK! YAY =) Congrats. I am so excited about this, I cannot wait for it to come out!
Laurie A. says
So happy to hear this news. The world needs more of your delicious recipes! π
Olivia Welte says
Ah congratulations! What exciting news - I can't wait!
Megan @fittingintovegan.com says
Thats great! Can't wait for your new recipe book!!
Terry says
Oh, I can't wait to see your new book! Soooo excited!!
Kelly says
Can't wait to get my hands on your cookbook β€οΈ I'm sure you'll keep us posted on when we can pre-order π
Made this shiitake farro tortilla salad tonight for dinner. I love the consistency of the chewy farro with the mushrooms and onions! So de-lish! My tortillas were more like a corn pancake, however. They tasted wonderful, but the ratio of water to masa, seems a little off (?). Next time I'll use less water for a more dough-like consistency. Thanks for another great recipe!
Robin P says
Yeah! I can't wait for the next cookbook!
Deb says
I have a whole binder full of your printed off recipes. This is very exciting! I will definitely be picking up a copy when it's out:))
lisatberry says
Congratulations...your recipes are so good...loved the sunset picture...it's 20 below with the wind chill here in CT after getting 10 inches of snow yesterday.
McKel Hill, MS, RDN, LDN says
Congrats Kathy! Looking forward to it π
Margee says
What wonderful news, congratulations on the cookbook deal ! Your recipes and writing style are so unique, I'm sure it will be a big hit. Thanks for this recipe, it looks scrumptious. All the best!
Kathy Patalsky says
<3 Thank you Liz. It has been an insane few months, INSANE. I keep wavering between being utterly joyful with sobbing and weeping. Ugh, its crazy. But I know Nelly would be so proud of me and want me to make the best book I can make. And I am happy to dedicate this book to her. :) xo
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks Shannon! π
Kathy Patalsky says
haha, thanks AL π
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks Carie! I can't wait for you guys to see it! thank you thank you xo
Kathy Patalsky says
Aw thank you Erin! That means a lot to me! xo
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you!! I know its SO annoying how long cookbooks take, haha, but worth the wait I promise π
Kathy Patalsky says
Haha, thanks Abby, I love the honesty! Well there will be plenty of recipes for you in this book! π
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks Solene! Yes I agree! But worth the wait I assure you!! π
Kathy Patalsky says
hehe I felt the SAME WAY! π Thanks for the excitement Kendall! <3
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks Margaret! Happy to see you here on HHL! π
Kathy Patalsky says
π Thank you the support! Means SO much to me. xo
Kathy Patalsky says
Me toooo π glad you are excited! thank you!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks Heather!! xoxo <3 π
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks so much Crystal!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you Barbara π love is everything, yes? even in recipes! <3
Kathy Patalsky says
Yes it IS! Thank you for the love xo
Kathy Patalsky says
Thank you Celina! π
Celina says
I am so excited that you're coming out with a cookbook!!! I love all of your recipes!
Warm Vanilla Sugar says
Cookbook news?! SO EXCITING!! Can't wait!
Barbara Adamich says
Congratulations Kathy! Love your blog, recipes and spirit! You clearly cook with love and generosity. Preparing your recipes is like spreading good vibes! I'm sure your book will be fantastic!
Crystal Elston says
This looks fantastic, Kathy. And nothing better than fresh homemade tortillas.Congrats on the new cookbook - looking forward to it.
Heather McClees says
KATHY!! YAY!! I'm SO thrilled that you're going to write another cookbook!! I treasure 365 Vegan Smoothies to no end so I know the next one will be just as dear to my collection! I can't wait to read it and good luck with the progress!!!
Nezumi says
What?! A cookbook! I'm so looking forward to it π
flavourphotos says
Fabulous, fabulous news! Spreading the vegan love all around the globe. Go Kathy go! π
Margaret says
Wow, congrats! I am a new reader of your blog but have been so impressed by the creativity of your recipes and beautiful photos. I am looking forward to the book! π
Kendall Blenkarn says
YES!! I'm so excited π
Solène says
Congratulations Kathy! I honestly cannot wait to get my hands on your new cookbook. This is going to be a long year!
coconutandberries says
Wow! Congrats Kathy! So excited even though we've got a year to wait.
Erin O'Dwyer says
Yay! Yay! Yay! I have been working my way through the smoothie book, but have been hoping that you would write a regular cookbook soon! You have such an energetic, bright approach to food that makes cooking fun and special. So talented!
Carie says
I'm so happy to hear you're writing a book! I've always enjoyed your recipes, and this is quite the turn of events for you. I can't wait for it to come out! Congratulations π
A.L. says
Best news I've heard all year!!...well, it's only been 20 days π But still, what a great start!
Shannon @ Yup, it's Vegan says
Congrats, Kathy! I can't wait to read it!
Liz says
Kathy, SO happy for you. π I'm glad you've had this to work on during your grieving process and really look forward to hearing (and SEEING!) all about the book. π Congrats!