Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Words & Brush Recipe Corner: Garden rainbow salad with cocoa vinaigrette

 

Garden rainbow salad with cocoa vinaigrette

By Henny Shor, Jerusalem Post, October 18, 2025

https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-870676

Garden rainbow salad with cocoa vinaigrette. (credit: pixelsbypessi@gmail.com)

A feast for the eyes and the taste buds, this colorful salad layers crisp greens, roasted vegetables, and sweet-potato fries for a mix of freshness, sweetness, and crunch. The real surprise comes from the chocolate vinaigrette – rich, glossy, and perfectly balanced with balsamic vinegar for a touch of depth and sophistication. For a little extra texture, you can sprinkle the salad with cocoa nibs or roasted nuts.
Yields Six Servings.

Ingredients:

Fresh greens

Cucumber discs

Roasted zucchini slices

Colorful peppers, sliced

Red onion, sliced into rings

Cherry tomatoes, halved

Sweet-potato fries (see below)

Optional: Cocoa nibs or roasted nuts for garnish

Sweet-potato fries:
1 or 2 sweet potatoes
Oil, for frying

Chocolate vinaigrette:

½ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup water
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa powder
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. vanilla

Directions: 

For the fries: Using a mandolin slicer or a sharp knife, cut the sweet potatoes into very thin, long strips. Fry in hot oil for two to three minutes until crisp, then drain and set aside in a sealed container until ready to use.

To make the vinaigrette: Combine the water, sugar, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and whisk in the cocoa powder until a smooth syrup forms. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Once cooled completely, whisk with the balsamic vinegar and lemon juice until smooth and glossy.

To assemble the salad: Layer the greens, cucumbers, roasted zucchini, peppers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes on a platter. Top with the sweet-potato fries and drizzle with the chocolate vinaigrette just before serving. Sprinkle cocoa nibs or roasted nuts over the top for extra crunch.


Enjoy! 

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Friday, November 7, 2025

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 7th November 2025, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 7th November 2025, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Enjoy some good music here on Words & Brush, it's your free choice so please post any of your favorite music of all genres!

visit https://disqus.com/home/forum/thesputniksorbit-blogspot-com/Please Recommend this page and follow us on:https://disqus.com/home/forum/https-www-wordsandbrush-com

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Words & Brush Recipe Corner: Gluten-free chocolate chip sticks

Gluten-free chocolate chip sticks

By Henny Shor, Jerusalem Post, October 18, 2025

https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-870676


Gluten-free chocolate chip sticks. (credit: pixelsbypessi@gmail.com)
Chocolate chip sticks never go out of style – everyone loves to sneak a sample, and somehow the plate always seems to empty too quickly. A few months ago, during the lockdown of the Iran war, I decided to use the time to perfect a gluten-free version (silver linings). After a few days of experimenting, I finally got it right, and it became our morning ritual – a fresh batch every day.

I recently served them in the sukkah, and my brother couldn’t believe they weren’t made with regular wheat flour.

Yields 18 sticks.


Ingredients:

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup brown sugar

1/3 cup oil

1 large egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

¾ cup gluten-free flour (I used Malino brand)

1 cup finely ground almond flour

½ tsp. salt

½ tsp. baking soda

½ cup chocolate chips


Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together the sugars, oil, vanilla, and egg until smooth. Add the gluten-free flour, almond flour, salt, and baking soda, mixing well to form a soft dough. Stir in the chocolate chips. If the batter feels too runny, add a bit more flour as needed.

Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a log about 25-30 cm. (10–12 inches) long and 5–7 cm. (2–3 inches) wide, leaving space between them on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then let cool for five minutes before slicing into sticks.


Enjoy! 

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Saturday, November 1, 2025

November Open thread

   


Welcome November! One of the most beautiful Autumns in a while. All at once, branches are brushed with  royal purples, raspberry reds, lemony yellows to delight in our walks or travels.  A calling to drive or walk through the woods and admire all of nature's glory.


















Enjoy coffee or tea to start your day!














Gaze upward from the base of a tree with a change of perspective in Nature's beauty. Nature's brush of colors, textures in a glorious unity.

























Coffee or tea on the house today, what will it be?














Turkey or ham or both?








Snuggle and being closer to family and
gatherings once again











Binge on trilogies as it gets colder with first snows and frosts.




















Try something new such as journaling. Free the mind and unlock the creativity within.  Some might say it's freewriting or daily affirmations. Some are working on projects
continuously, burning the creativity oil to make that deadline or goal. Finish it strong!  













































horseback riding fall GIF by Hallmark Channel





Don't forget to enjoy the little things when 
life seems to go too fast, keep the wonder and the splendor. Smile more, laugh more.















Friday, October 31, 2025

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 31st October 2025, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Words & Brush Weekender: Easy listening music and chat, Friday 31st October 2025, Free Choice - all genres of music welcome

Enjoy some good music here on Words & Brush, it's your free choice so please post any of your favorite music of all genres!