» 2015 » AugustMy Site

Brussel Sprouts with Pistachios and Lemon

This is one of my favorite Brussels Sprout recipes and I only wish I had pistachios instead of Marcona almonds last night. Quarter Brussels sprouts and toss in Evoo, garlic, and S&P. Lay out on a cookie sheet and roast for 10-15 min on 450. Add lemon juice (1 whole lemon) and almonds or pistachios and broil for another couple of minutes. Take out of oven and add lemon zest and more S&P if needed. I like to serve this as a side dish or on brown rice with grilled chicken and a little extra evoo and lemon juice on top.

Blood Orange Chia Seed Pudding

Yum! I just devoured this beautiful bowl of Blood orange chia seed pudding and Greek yogurt! Combine chia seeds and fresh squeezed blood orange juice. Let sit in refrigerator until most of the liquid is absorbed. Add honey if using plain Greek yogurt or as is if using vanilla Greek yogurt. Top with mint (YUM) and slices of blood orange.

Bruschetta Chicken Salad with Brie Croutons

Dinner last night was based on having Brie cheese that needed to be put to use before it went bad. It’s also a salad take on one of my favorite dips (that I’ve posted before). I raided the kitchen and was pretty happy with the end result! Mix of butter lettuce and arugula Sliced leftover grilled chicken beast Instead of dressing I made a bruschetta topping of tomatoes, garlic, green onion, EVOO, balsamic glaze, and s&p. Sourdough Brie cheese “croutons”. Broil your favorite bread with sliced brie cheese. Top with kosher salt and cut into squares. Top with julienned basil, more balsamic glaze, and toasted pine nuts.

Skiers Lunch

Nothing tastes better then a Deer Valley skiers lunch!

Indoor S’mores

A cold dreary day calls for Indoor S’mores for dessert tonight! In an oven proof dish bake chocolate chips or Hershey bars at 300 until melted. Top with Marshmallows and chopped up Heath bars and broil or set at 500 for one minute.

Creamed Spinach Burger

This is a healthier take on CREAMED SPINACH but you’re welcome to do a full fat version too. In 2 Tb EVOO sauté 2-3 chopped garlic cloves and 1/2 diced sweet yellow onion. After 5-7 minutes add 2 containers frozen spinach (thawed and drained). Cook through. Add a 1/3 C low fat cream cheese, dash of fresh nutmeg, and a healthy shake of S&P. Once cooked through add 3/4 (about..) 2% milk and simmer until liquid is cooked through. Add 1/2 C grated parmesan at the very end of cooking. Add more S&P if needed. BURGER- I used 96% extra lean ground beef. To raw meat I added 1/4 C Worcestershire sauce and S&p. Cook in a skillet until medium rare (it will keep cooking). Add 1/2-1 C of beef broth to the pan the burgers were cooked in and deglaze and reduce drippings and broth. TOAST good white bread and lightly butter. Add burger, creamed spinach and top with Trader Joes Fried Onion pieces.

Garlic Fries

These awesome garlic fries were the perfect compliment to our Burgers last night. Buy your favorite frozen fries in your grocers freezer. I used Alexia Organic Yukon gold. Bake as directed and then broil the last 1-2 minutes. Mix EVOO, minced garlic, and parsley in a bowl. After the fries are baked, add to bowl and mix around adding kosher salt once mixed. These reminded me of the Garlic Fries at Pac Bell park but fresher and healthier!

Mandarin Orange and Beet Salad

You’d never know most of this salad came from a CAN! 1 can beets 1 can mandarin oranges Mint leaves torn Goat cheese or your favorite cheese (feta would be good too) Dressing- 2 Tb leftover mandarin orange juice 2 Tb red wine vinegar 2 Tb EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) S&P to taste

Caramelized Grapefruit with Yogurt and Granola

I’m not someone who loves grapefruit but I do love this mid-afternoon snack. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and sour, warm and cool, and soft and crunchy! I post a lot of Greek yogurt but it is one of the healthiest snacks I have come up with. It’s high in protein, low in sugar, no fat, and low in calories. Our favorite is Chobani Plain 0% Greek Yogurt. I will admit I didn’t love it at first. I used to eat 1/2 vanilla flavored yogurt with 1/2 plain but have grown to love it. Skip the midnight bowl(s) of cereal and make this swap. Slice your grapefruit in half. Cut into grapefruit segments but leave in place. I’ve tried topping it with brown sugar which is great but my favorite is honey, a tiny bit of melted butter, and cinnamon. White sugar would be fine too. Use about 1-2 Tb of topping and put under broiler for 3-4 minutes. Eat plain or with yogurt and granola.

French Onion Dip

This dip is a must have at your Super Bowl party! You will never buy onion dip again. It makes a ton and I’m looking for other ways to use it because it’s flavor is so amazing! 2 tablespoons EVOO 2 Lg onions, chopped 1/2 shallot, finely chopped 2 sprigs fresh thyme 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce S&P 1 (8-ounce) package light cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup light sour cream 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Pinch of garlic powder or celery salt Sauté EVOO, onion, shallot, and thyme sprigs for 30-45 minutes until brown and Caramelized. Add Worcestershire sauce, balsamic, S&P, and garlic powder. Sauté for 10 more minutes. Meanwhile mix cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo with beaters until fluffy. Cool onions and add to cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving but it’s even better over night.