Eating is Art

Enjoy with this version of a Waldorf salad.

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon (generous) freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 cups pecan pieces

Preheat oven to 325°F. Spray baking sheet with nonstick spray. Combine corn syrup and next 4 ingredients in large bowl. Stir to blend. Add pecans; stir gently to coat. Transfer to baking sheet.

Place large piece of foil on work surface. Bake pecans 5 minutes. Using fork, stir pecans to coat with melted spice mixture. Continue baking until pecans are golden and coating bubbles, about 10 minutes. Transfer to foil. Working quickly, separate nuts with fork. Cool. (Can be made 3 days ahead. Store airtight at room temperature.)

Makes 1 1/2 cups.

1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar
2/3 cup dried tart cherries
4 Granny Smith apples, cored, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/3 cups very thinly sliced celery
1 1/3 cups red seedless grapes, halved

Romaine lettuce leaves
Sweet and Spicy Candied Pecans

Whisk mayonnaise and next 3 ingredients in large bowl. Add cherries, apples, celery, and grapes; toss. Season with salt and pepper.

Arrange lettuce on platter. Spoon salad over. Top salad with candied pecans.

Makes 6 servings

1 pound tempeh (2 8-oz packages)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons tamari
1/4 cup lime juice
1 tablespoon chili powder or Mexican seasoning
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
12 taco shells or tortillas

Taco fixings:

Shredded lettuce
Sprouts
Salsa
Feta cheese
Avocado slices

Crumble or chop tempeh into small pieces and place in a mixing bowl. Combine 1 tablespoon of the oil, the tamari, the lime juice, and the chili powder in a small bowl and pour this marinade over the tempeh. Let stand 10 to 30 minutes. The longer time allows more absorption of the flavor.

Heat the other tablespoon of oil in a large skillet. Add the marinated tempeh and keep mixture moving in the pan until tempeh turns golden brown. Add chopped cilantro just prior to serving. Warm taco shells according to directions on package. Fill taco shells with tempeh mixture and your favorite fixings.

Preparation time: 30 minutes to marinate, 5 minutes to assemble tacos.

Makes 6-8 servings