All posts filed under: healthy eating

Food: Dinner Tonight – Salmon Delishesness

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A rushed weekend, spilling into today calls for this perfect dinner recipe – and perhaps a glass of wine or two. INGREDIENTS 4 (6-oz.) skin-on salmon fillets, pin bones removed, patted dry 2 Tbsp. plus 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grill Kosher salt 1 small lemon 1 small shallot, finely chopped 2 tsp. black sesame seeds 1 tsp. honey 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil Freshly ground black pepper 1 cup basil leaves, torn if large {more} {recipe and featured image source}   And just so you understand, I’d rather be doing this – somewhere in Europe…what visions of content  do you have at this very moment? 

Food: Dinner Tonight – Feta and Honey and Cauliflower Salad

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I’ve had the weirdest cravings lately – not pregnant – just that I think my body is telling me what nutrients I am lacking. Which right now, or early this morning, I had a taste for feta, and cauliflower and sweet and sour – which I probably could consider combining into one big happy salad. But then I saw this recipe for pan fried feta, and my dinner plans got a whole lot better. Now the trouble is, I also LOVE pan-fried Halloumi cheese – maybe I’ll do both.  Anyway, here are the recipes: INGREDIENTS for Pan-Fried Feta PEPPERED HONEY 1/4 cup honey 1/2-1 teaspoon black pepper, plus more for serving 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving FRIED FETA 1 (10-12 ounce) block feta cheese 1 large egg, beaten 1/3 cup Panko bread crumbs 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 thinly sliced lemon zest (from about 1 lemon) 1 cup cherry tomatoes 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped pita chips or pita bread, for serving {more}   INGREDIENTS for Roasted Cauliflower Salad 1 large head of cauliflower, cut into florets 1 can (14 ounce) chickpeas, drained 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder 2 teaspoons smoked paprika …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Vegetarian Burrito

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I am still trying to understand why it is I crave heavy meals when the weather is so hot? Shouldn’t it be the other way around? But then again, I  have trouble understanding my body makeup and the types of cravings I need to resolve. For example – it was 98 degrees in downtown yesterday, and I wanted a full on burrito – with pulled beef, and all sorts of trimmings with a tall order of fresh squeezed lemonade. So, tonight, I am aiming for burrito at home – but a vegetarian one – not with tofu as this recipe suggests but with grilled-in-the-oven diced cauliflower.   Recipe ½ cup onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 package extra-firm tofu  ( using cauliflower in stead for my recipe) 1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup cooked quinoa 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons dried oregano 2 teaspoons tamari 2 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast  (omitting for my recipe) pinch of salt as needed to serve: burrito-style whole wheat …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Beans In Variation

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I care for my mother and cooking is part of that package – which I don’t mind. So every afternoon after work, I visit with her and help prepare her dinner. She’s always excited at the recipes I come up with, and the ones I find online where I add my own spin to the whole thing. Yesterday, while my head was spinning out of control, she asked about dinner and the quickest option I could come up with was a simple Cannellini bean dish which goes something like this – open two cans of beans. I use this one.  Bring to a boil, add finally chopped parsley, and sliced green onions, olive oil and lemon juice to taste and serve with toasted pita bread. Simple and easy. So today, I decided to expand on bean dish recipes since that is what we are having for dinner tonight. And here’s another middle eastern product my family has used for decades – and I sort of giggle now when I see it popping up in restaurant …

Food: Dinner Tonight- Rice and More Rice Dishes

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Every week I sit down with my mother and plan out her meals – and afterwards do her grocery shopping accordingly. The other day, when I suggested rice as a side dish, she voiced, pretty passionately that she’s grown tired of the simply steamed rice or rice pilaf. So, I decided to do a search for some rice recipes that are actually the main dish and have committed to mom that I will make the ones she might want to try. Naturally I had to share some of my favorites as well: Top row left to right: herbed-chicken-salad-over-crispy-rice, rissoto, Sweet Potato rice soup Middle Row left to right: Crispy green rice, black and wild rice salad with roasted squash, tumeric rice salad. Bottom row left to right: Chicken and rice soup with green chiles and ginger, rice with parsley almond and apricots, veggie fried rice

Food: Dinner Tonight – Fried Eggs and Beans

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Since I landed on Sunday evening a bit tired and ready to just be with my dog, I didn’t get a chance to grocery shop for this week. So, I did a quick peek into the refrigerator and decided there will be fried eggs over beans, and freshly or homemade Pico de gallo sauce, feta cheese, and sliced Avocado on a bed of spinach. Something similar to this  – just in case you crave a step-by-step recipe to follow: Ingredients 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 onion, chopped 1 red or yellow bell pepper, chopped 1/2 head kale, ribs removed and leaves torn or chopped 1/2 cup pico de gallo kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper 4 large eggs 1/3 cup crumbled cotija or feta toppings: sliced avocado, cilantro, hemp or pumpkin seeds, tortilla chips {more} {featured image source and recipe| On another note – Possible spoiler alert for some – what was your take on last week’s GOT (episode 3) – an entire hour being on edge only for …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Cajun Steak

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Had a flank steak in the freezer and wanted to try something different then the norm – my own simple spices, garlic, butter, seared in wine and voila dinner is served. Except, tonight I wanted to step-it up a notch – in terms of spices and style of cooking – although as I read this recipe, I realize it is very similar to my usual.  I am siding this dish with a leafy salad tossed with olive oil and lemon juice. Voila! for this nights dinner. INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 pounds beef tenderloin or flank steak, cut into 1 inch cubes 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, plus additional thyme for serving 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more or less to taste kosher salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 bell peppers, sliced 4 tablespoons salted butter 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated juice from 1 lemon 3 cups steamed rice, for serving 1 avocado, sliced fresh herbs such as basil, cilantro, and or mint {more} Off topic – I have been debating on selling my photographs – not sure yet, but …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Lemon Chicken and Mint Sauce

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Chicken is always a good idea – especially if its the only thing left in the freezer a day before the weekly grocery shopping.  So, this recipe is perfect for tonight’s dinner, paired with a glass of my favorite Cabernet. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite size chunks 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons smoked paprika 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano 1 small shallot, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes kosher salt and black pepper 2-3 cups cooked orzo or couscous, for serving 1 roasted red pepper, sliced 8 ounces feta cheese, cubed or crumbled sliced avocado, Persian cucumbers, olives, and basil, for serving SIZZLED MINT GODDESS SAUCE 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint 1 cup plain Greek Yogurt 1/2 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped juice from 1 lemon 1 jalapeño, halved and seeded 1 teaspoon cumin kosher salt {more} For dessert in case there is still room – consider this recipe     

Food: Dessert or Breakfast

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I came across this recipe when trying to figure out what is for dessert tonight – and then I realized if I add my own take on it – I can also have the ‘dessert’ for breakfast or mid-morning snack – Raspberry & Cream Fools with Amaretti Crumble (Original recipe I am having for dessert) 2 pints raspberries, washed 1 tablespoon sugar, divided 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream 1 cup amaretti cookies, crushed {more}   My Take for the breakfast option raspberries or strawberries – washed Organic Honey to taste A dash of vanilla extract I cup coconut or almond yogurt Homemade granola crumble or store bought is fine if you are pressed for time and just layer or mix together – either way it will be delicious Undecided about dinner tonight – try this recipe for Frittata or add your favorites (bacon bits, green peppers, mushrooms, cheese) to an egg scramble – to be enjoyed with a couple of slices of rustic Italian bread – toasted of course. 

Food: Dinner Tonight – White Bean Soup

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I love white beans – and normally eat them with a touch of olive oil, and Parmesan cheese and  a dash of cilantro. But today I am craving a soup – and this one is perfect, minus the Crockpot, but for sure with a few slice of rustic baguette and a bottle of cab. INGREDIENTS 6 cups low-sodium chicken or veggie stock 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa 1 small sweet onion, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 1/4 cup basil pesto 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 4 sage leaves kosher salt and pepper 1 parmesan rind 3 tablespoons lemons juice + 1 tablespoon lemon zest 2 cups roughly torn Tuscan kale 2 cans (14 ounces) cans cannelloni beans, drained grated parmesan, for serving  {more}