Tuna Teriyaki Kebabs

Serves 4
Ingredients:

4 fresh tuna steaks, cut into equal sized pieces about 1 1/2 inches
2 VIdalia onions, quartered and separated into individual pieces
2 red bell peppers, sliced into 1 in pieces

Dressing and Marinade:

1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
2 Tbsp xtra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 limes, juiced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 piece fresh ginger, grated
2 tbsp soy sauce

Mix together marinade/dressing ingredients and set aside half for dressing in another bowl.

Salad:
1 package baby spinach
1 yellow bell pepper
8 cherry tomatoes

Thread tuna and vegetables on skewers. (note: if using bamboo skewers, soak in water for 5 min before so they do not burn)

Pour half the marinade over the skewers and refrigerate for 1/2 hour.

Toss the reserved dressing with baby spinach and 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips, and 8 cherry tomatoes, halved.

Grill kebabs on preheated grill set on medium for 5-7 min per side. Vegetables should start to blacken and tuna should be pink inside.

Serve kebabs over the salad.

Smothered Pork Chops w. Shallots and Mushrooms

I can't tell you the last time I had pork chops, trying to eat healthier may be the result of that. But, on this 93 degree day I was, for some reason, craving pork chops. Here's how I made them:


Ingredients:


3 shallots, thinly sliced
8 oz mushrooms, sliced (I used baby portabellas, use whatever kind you prefer)
1 tsp olive oil


Heat olive oil and add shallots and mushrooms, saute' until tender. I do not add salt when sautee'ing mushrooms until they're done. Salt brings out the water and they can end up mushy. I like mine carmelized. Set aside.


Pork chops, 1 per person
Emerils Cajun seasoning
1 tsp olive oil, I use extra virgin


Season both sides of the pork chops. Brown the pork chops, 2 min per side in the hot oil. After turning them, add the shallot/mushroom mixture and cover the pork chops. Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven until cooked. Note- if your skillet is not oven-proof, transfer pork and shallot/mushrooms to a casserole dish to finish baking.

Depending on the thickness of the chop this will take between 15 min and 25 min. I baked mine for 17 min and they were perfect- juicy and so flavorful from the mushrooms and shallots.


As a side I sauteed grated zuchini and onion in a little olive oil, salt and garlic pepper (McCormicks pepper grinder blends). You could serve with noodles or rice, would be great to soak up the sauce from the pork. ALas, I am trying to go a few nights carb free!

Baked Salmon over Spinach and Sun Dried tomatoes Aioli

INgredients:

1/4 cup olive oil, extra virgin
juice of 1 lemon
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1lb salmon fillet
1 bag fresh spinach
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, slivered
1 Tbsp butter.

Rinse and drain spinach. Place in casserole dish. Add sun dried tomatoes and toss with 1/2 of the oilive oil/lemon juice and garlic. Top with the salmon fillets. Salt and pepper the fillets and add the rest of the garlic/oil/lemon juice mixture. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 min until salmon is firm.

Fish Tostados

Ingredients:

1/2 lb firm white fish, such as pollack
8 tortillas (I used low carb/whole wheat)
1/2 jar salsa
1 tomato, diced
8 oz package of Mexican cheese shredded, (low fat)
2 Tbsp low fat sour cream
1 avocado, diced and tossed w/ lemon or lime juice
2 tsp olive oil

1 bunch  cilantro, chopped

Sautee' the fish in a little olive oil (or steam, or bake), break apart into large chunks and set aside.

In skillet, heat the olive oil, add 1 tortilla and 1/4 of the cheese. Add 1/4 of the fish and top with another tortilla. Heat for 2 min and flip over/ heat additional 2 min until cheese has melted and tortilla is browned.
Place on serving dish and top with 1/4 of the salsa, tomato, sour cream, avocado and cilantro. Repeat for remaining tortillas. This recipe makes 4 tostados.

Zucchini fritters

Ingredients:

2 medium zucchini, shredded
1 large onion, shredded (I use a box grater)
2 medium carrots, shredded
3 slices whole grain bread, toasted
1 egg plus 1 egg white
salt and pepper
oil, for frying
marinara sauce for dipping

Mix ingredients in a mixing bowl until thoroughly combined. If mixture seems too wet to stick together, add some flour, a tbsp at a time to make a flattened disc. Make fritters into balls and flatten slightly.

Add vegetable/canola oil until it is about 1/2" in pan.
Heat oil until hot and fry 2 min on each side until browned and crisp. Drain on a paper towel. Salt and pepper after frying.  If you are not serving immediately, keep warm in a sheet pan in 250 degree oven until serving time.

Serve with heated marinara sauce to dip.

Plum Cake

Plum Cake
I just made this cake for my hubby's birthday. I was inspired by a recipe posted by a blog called a "Bowl of Mush" - Amelie's Plum Cake recipe.


Happy Birthday Honey! 


Plum Cake

Ingredients:

4 red plums, quartered
3/4 cup softened butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cake flour
2 eggs, 1 egg white
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp orange zest
pinch nutmeg
2 Tbsp milk (I used almond milk)



Mix flours, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in bowl.
In mixing bowl, beat butter and add sugar. Scrape sides of bowl and add eggs, orange zest, vanilla and milk. Mix until combined and smooth. Spray 8x8 pan or round cake pan. Spread batter in pan and arrange plum quarters on top and push in slightly. Sprinkle plums with 1 Tbsp sugar. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 - 40 min until cake tester/toothpick comes out clean.  Cool on rack for at least 30 min. I recommend serving with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Baked Egg Casserole

Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 egg whites
1/2 cup shredded muenster cheese
1/2 small zucchini, grated
1/2 small onion, grated
salt and pepper to taste

Grease 1 quart casserole with butter or spray with non-stick cooking spray. Beat eggs in a bowl and add the other ingredients. Pour into casserole and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 min or until knife comes out clean.

I got the idea for this from my sister in law who added fresh spinach and slivered sun-dried tomatoes and asiago cheese. Add whatever veggies, cut small and cheese that you have.  I didn't have those ingredients, but they were yummy, too!
Serves 2-3