June is the Heart Healthy Salad Month

It's time to announce the theme for this month's The Heart of the Matter; we (me, Joanna and Michelle) have tried to choose a theme that is inspiring for both hemispheres, something that we all make all year round even though we might make it more during the summer because it feels right when it is hot. But then I think a lot of us make them when it is cold just to get some comfort out of it because salads are just so versatile to fill about every need all year round. I might make a light one in summer and a more substantial one in the autumn because my needs are different depending on the climate. So yes, I want you to make heart healthy salads this months, one/complete meal ones, side dish ones, dessert ones, whatever you come up with as long as they are heart healthy (i.e. in short low fat, possibly no animal fat, lean meat, less sugar and less salt). Let the produce of the season inspire you and create/cook up (well do you really cook salads? sounds funny! maybe I should say compose...) a salad that you want to share with us! Send me the perma link to your blog post (or if you don't have a blog but would like to participate anyway, tell me and we can arrange to post it on the HotM blog for you!) to luculliandelights AT gmail DOT com with HotM as the subject. I would like to have your entries not later than the 29th of June. Add a link to my blog and tell your readers that you are participating in the HotM, in this way they too have the chance to participate if they want to! As always we ask that this please be a single event entry (please don’t use your post for other events so that way we can keep things centred on healthy heart awareness) If you want to know more about what heart healthy means, check here, here and here. I am looking forward to see what you come up with!

HotM 15: Herbal Essence (Round-up)

Here's the round-up for Heart of the Matter 15: Herbal Essence - heart-healthy dishes that include herbs as a main ingredient! There were lots of inspiring entries from all over the world that blessed my inbox this month, including several new participants and many of you that have joined us every month to help keep this great event going! I hope you all find something to last you through the season - be it winter or summer in your neck of the woods - and we'll see you next month when Ilva hosts!

Without further adieu:

Labelga at Leafy Cooking offered her recipe for Tabouleh with Quinoa and Fresh Herbs. It looks like it's simply bursting with fresh, herbal flavor!

In her inaugural HotM entry, Another Outspoken Female from Melbourne, Australia, shared her recipe for Whole Kingfish with Turmeric and Ginger on her blog, Confessions from a Food Nazi. She's got tips for taking the plunge at baking a whole fish (something I've always wanted to try) using fresh turmeric and ginger - what a great resource!


Bee and Jai, often offering new and unusual ingredients on their blog Jugalbandi, shared their recipe for a beautiful Tarragon-scented Upma with Tomatoes, Olives and Lotus Seeds. As an added bonus, they even offer recipe for Mango Coconut Chutney to go with it!

It's great to have something new to do with green beans (I always end up blanching them) and Laurie, from her blog Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska, has just the things with her recipe for Braised Green Beans (Fasolakia) with Lemon.


My co-cost Joanna, from Joanna's Food, made a lovely Lavender Syrup. That would make a positively wonderful housewarming gift, but it looks so good it might be hard to give it away!

Ali and Jon from Things We Ate For Dinner shared their recipe for a Pineapple-Basil Granita. Considering that I live in Hawaii and am surrounded by pineapples (and am lucky to have a patch of basil) I think that this recipe is going to grace our table this summer!


At Fun and Food, a vegetarian Tofu and Basil Thai Soup fit the bill for a heart-healthy herbal dish. There's even a recipe for home-made green curry paste included! Yum!

From South Africa, Cook Sister sent in her recipe for an amazing looking Garlicky Roasted Aubergine Dip. I bet there will be a great summer BBQ where I could show off this recipe!
The lovely Victoria at Oooh!Cake shared a fabulous sounding recipe for Not-Just-For-Breakfast Fish Cakes! I've never had fish for breakfast, but I think I'm going to have to change that!

Tasty Palettes offered up her beautiful and healthy Melon Salad with Mint and Buddha's Hand. I can't believe I had never heard of Buddha's hand citron before, but you can bet I'll be reading up on her blog at the rest of her recipes for it to learn more!
Katie, at Thyme for Cooking, shared her Creamy Herb Dressing with Yogurt and a delicious salad combination to eat it on. Now, who doesn't need a heart-healthy version of a creamy salad dressing to add to their repertoire? (I do! I do!) Check out her lovely herb pictures too...

My co-host and prolific blogger, Ilva from Lucullian Delights in Italy, shared two entries for this month's theme - the first was her aptly named (and very cute!) Herby Eggplant Cream/Soup:
Ilva's second entry was her innovative take on a heart-healthy and vegan Strawberry Smoothie with Mint and Oats. I never would have thought of that!

I think we finally picked a theme that the amazing Tanna just couldn't ignore! She's been unable to participate in HotM for quite some time, but the herbs called her in! (wink and hugs to you dear Tanna!) Check out Tanna's blog, My Kitchen In Half Cups for her take on a summery Panzanella.

Kopiaste, to Greek Hospitality shared her recipe for one of my favorite foods - white anchovies! She tells us how to marinate them and make them even more delicious in her first entry for HotM, Marinated Anchovies (Gavaros Marinatos).

Lastly, my own entry for...oh my gosh! I've been so busy I forgot to post it! Will have to do that...I made a cooling Rosemary Limeade. Have to get that up tomorrow as it is getting late here! Thanks everyone for participating and we'll see you next month! (It's up now!)