Shrimp and Quinoa Stuffed Poblanos

I love chile rellenos and will order them whenever I spot one on a menu. But, they aren't exactly the healthiest since they are battered and deep fried with lots of cheese and sometimes fatty chorizo (oh so good). This is a healthy make-at-home spin on my favorite. I use fresh veggies and whole grains and bake them in a smoky tomato and roasted red pepper sauce.  You could use any veggies your have in the fridge or any leftover whole grains from a dinner early in the week.  Also, you could always skip the shrimp and do chicken or lean ground beef.

Ingredients:

-5-6 poblano peppers

-2 cups of cooked quinoa or other whole grain

-1 cup corn (thawed from frozen or canned)

-1 cup white onion, chopped

-1 cup zucchini, chopped

-1 cup tomato, chopped 

-1 cup cooked shrimp

-handful cilantro, roughly chopped

-1/2 cup cotija or other white cheese

-1 can fire roasted tomatoes
-1/2 jar roasted red peppers, drained

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

If you've been to the good ole' P.F. Changs restaurant chain, there's a good chance you've had their lettuce wraps and you probably know how filling they can be.  I'm not sure what their calorie count is per serving, but I feel pretty good about this recipe even when I serve it with a side of soba noodles.  Lean ground chicken, ginger, garlic, veggies and water chestnuts make a great filling for the crisp lettuce leaves.  You can serve these as an appetizer for a larger group or a full meal for a few people.  If you have extra, it freezes incredibly well and reheats to make a quick weeknight dinner.  Just grab some fresh bibb lettuce at the store and you're set. 

Ingredients: 

-1 lb. lean ground chicken breast

-4 green onions, chopped
-3 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 Tbsp minced ginger (or ginger from the jar)
-1 Tbsp coconut oil
-2 Tbsp sesame oil total (split in half)
-handful of cilantro, roughly chopped
-handful of carrot thinly sliced carrots
-1 can water chestnuts, drained and roughly chopped
-4 Tbsp hoisin sauce
-4 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
-3 Tbsp white wine vinegar
-salt and pepper to taste
-fresh bibb lettuce leaves for serving

Optional Spicy Dipping Sauce Ingredients: 

-2 Tbsp hoisin
-2 Tbsp Ponzu (citrus soy sauce)
-1-2 Tbsp sriracha

Spicy Carrot Ginger Soup

I first had a version of this soup at a friend's house. They purchased the prepared soup at Whole Foods. It was delicious! A perfect way to start a meal.  I figured I had to make it myself so I found a recipe and tweaked it a bit. I also added some fun garnishes because I think not only do they make the soup more visually appealing, but they add more flavor and substance. 

Ingredients: 

-1 large yellow onion (or two small)

-8 cups of vegetable broth

-6 cloves of garlic

-2 lbs of carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

-2 medium yukon gold potatoes, peeled and roughly chopped

-3 Tbsp of freshly grated ginger

-1 Tbsp. cumin

-1 tsp. cinnamon

-2 tsp. jalepeno powder (optional)

-2 Tbsp salt

-3 Tbsp sugar

-2 tsp lemon juice

Springtime Radish Top Soup

This soup is the perfect springtime soup that uses the fresh green tops of radishes that usually get thrown away.  It's a filling soup without a drop of cream in the recipe.  The creaminess comes from the typical potager recipe which is a puree of vegetables and potatoes.  I first had this amazing first-course at a cookbook event at Frank Bonanno's local Lou's Food Bar in which cookbook author (a personal favorite), Diane Morgan hosted a 6-course meal straight from her new cookbook, Roots.  This is one of the amazing recipes from the book that focuses on the under utilized vegetable family, roots.

Ingredients:

-2 Tbsp unsalted butter
-1 leek, white and light green part only, thinly sliced
-1 carrot, peeled and diced
-1 yellow onion, diced
-1 1/2 tsp salt
-1 medium russet potato, peeled and diced
-4 cups water
-1 1/2 tsp sugar
-1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
-5 cups radish tops (from 3 bushy bunches)
-5 or 6 radishes, trimmed and cut into matchsticks

Red Cabbage Asian Slaw

This recipe was developed to be a bed for my Healthy Bang Bang Shrimp recipe, but this made a lot of leftovers so I had it for lunch the next day and then topped on black bean burgers another night.  It's a versatile coleslaw that will last for days in the fridge because the cabbage is crisp and doesn't wilt easily.  Feel free to use green cabbage or any cabbage you can find in the grocery store.  I just thought the red would add great color to the plate.  

Ingredients: 

-1/2 head red cabbage

-1 carrot julienned (or 1 small bag thinly sliced carrots)

-1/2 bunch cilantro

-1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced

-1/2 cup slivered almonds
-2 Tbsp sesame seeds
-2 Tbsp agave nectar (or honey)
-1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
-1/8 cup white vinegar
-1 cup vegetable oil
-3 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
-1 Tbsp ground cumin
-juice from 1 lime

Roasted Tomato Summer Spaghetti with Squash Blossoms

Summertime means tomatoes.  My favorite are the little cherry and grape tomatoes that have a burst of flavor in every bite.  Perfectly ripe and wonderfully flavored tomatoes are the key to this dish, so try to find some locally grown ones from your grocery store or farmers market.  A blend of different types is what I used, which made the dish that much more complex.  This summer dish uses the tomato juices, olive oil and a sprinkle of parmesan as the sauce. I also have squash blossoms galore in the garden as my yellow squash, zucchini and pumpkins are coming to fruition.  You may also find these at the farmers markets but if you can't find the delicate flowers the dish will be fabulous without them.  Give yourself 20 minutes and this dish will be on the table and ready to enjoy.

Ingredients:

-6 ounces whole wheat spaghetti or angel hair pasta
-1/2 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
-3 Tbsp olive oil
-2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
-1/2 bell pepper, diced (I use a small purple beauty bell pepper, red would work)
-salt and pepper
-1/2 cup pasta water reserved
-1 tsp fresh oregano
-1/2 cup squash blossoms, stems and stamens removed
-4 Tbsp parmesan cheese

Tomato, Basil, and Balsamic Salmon

The inspiration for this recipe came from my little kitchen garden I started this spring.  I finally have an abundance of bright, delicate, warm-hued tomatoes taking over the garden. I couldn't be happier.  My first thought on how to use these little gems is the famous Italian trio: tomato, basil and balsamic vinegar, which is often paired with fresh mozzarella in the classic caprese salad.  I took these three base ingredients — and a little red onion — and steamed them in parchment paper with a fresh salmon filet.  The preparation is the easy Fish en Papillote technique as I described in this recipe using cod and other fresh vegetables. Served with some wild rice, this recipe makes a balanced and healthy meal. If you aren't growing your own tomatoes, you can always grab a variety of cherry and grape tomatoes this time of year at your local farmers market or grocery store.  If you're interested in growing these specific tomatoes next year, Botanical Interest's Rainbow Blend Seeds.

My favorite type of salmon is Scottish Salmon that can be ordered online by the pound on Chef's Fresh Fish. It has a high fat content so the texture is like butter and it's hard to over-cook and dry out.

Ingredients:

-1 Scottish Salmon fillet portion - about 6-8 ounces
-1 handful cherry or grape tomatoes
-2 Tbsp thinly sliced red onion (or halved red pearl onions)
-5-6 fresh basil leaves
-1 Tbsp olive oil
-1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
-salt and pepper

Also needed:

-parchment paper

Seared Ahi Tuna on a Bed of Zucchini Ribbons and Whole Wheat Pasta with Spicy Sauce

I'm a carb craver.  I've been trying to eat healthier but can't kick my pasta desires.  Long, delicate strips of zucchini twirled with whole wheat pasta makes this a lighter, yet still filling, substantial dish.  It's tossed in a sesame dressing and paired with sesame and wasabi crusted ahi tuna for a fresh and healthy dose of protein. If you want a bit of a heat drizzled on top, stir together greek yogurt and Sriracha for a leaner Asian "spicy mayo".  The blend of wonderful textures and fresh fish make this the perfect summer meal.  The only utensil you may not have is a "zester" to create the thin strips of vegetables.  I purchased mine from Crate and Barrel for only a few dollars but I assume it can also be found at Target, Sur La Table or William Sonoma.  You can see mine in a picture below. 

Where to buy fresh, sushi-grade ahi tuna? My favorite seafood spot is Chef's Fresh Fish... overnight delivered to your door. 

Ingredients:

-1/2 lb fresh ahi (yellowfin) tuna 

-3-4 Tbsp sesame seeds, white and/or black

-2 tsp powdered wasabi

-1/2 package whole wheat spaghetti  

-1 zucchini

-3 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

-1 Tbsp rice vinegar

-1 Tbsp coconut or vegetable oil for searing

Light Asian Spicy Sauce:

-1/8 cup greek yogurt

-1-3 Tbsp Sriracha, depending on your palate

Pan Seared Snapper with Citrus Saffron Vegetables over Arugula Orzo

My dad overnighted me multiple pounds of fresh snapper from Florida the other week, but pretty much any white fish would work for this recipe.  The orange juice and saffron simmered vegetables add a great Spanish flare.  The orzo is simple and tossed with fresh baby arugula for a peppery and light side dish.  This dinner is very easy and the only special ingredient is the saffron that can be found at any specialty spice store.  It's a must for the pantry and even though it is expensive, a little goes a long way.  

Ingredients: 

-2 snapper filets (or other white fish)

-salt and pepper

-2 Tbsp coconut oil or vegetable oil

-1/4 cup Wondra flour (or all purpose flour)

-1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

-1 zucchini, diced

-1/2 white onion, chopped

-2 cloves garlic, minced

-zest and juice from 1 orange

-2 large handfuls baby arugula

-1.5 cups orzo

-1/4 cup white wine

-pinch of saffron threads

Pan Seared Tofu and Sushi in Ponzu

This post has two recipes, which I rarely — if ever —do, but they are both so easy that it seemed silly to do one for each.  Blake and I had this as basically our meal one night...with a little Asian Marinated Cucumbers...oh and a Fresh Tuna Tower.  We were stuffed.  It's all so fresh, which is great, especially if you're trying to beat this summer heat.

Sushi-grade fish is best purchased from a trusted source.  If you don't have a local fishmonger you love, order from Chef's Fresh Fish - they have a variety of sushi-grade fish that can be delivered to your door. For this recipe, order the Ahi Tuna Loin and Scottish Salmon, which are both sushi-grade and very high quality.

Ingredients for Tofu:

-2 Tbsp coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
-1 pkg. tofu in water
-3 green onions, chopped

Ingredients for Sushi (for 2 people as an appetizer):

-1/4 lb sushi-grade ahi (yellowfin) tuna
-1/4 lb sushi-grade salmon
-1 Tbsp Ponzu sauce (citrus soy sauce, can usually be found at Whole Foods or Asian Market)
-1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
-1 Tbsp wasabi powder, rehydrated or wasabi paste

Quinoa Tabbouleh

My last recipe was Easy Hummus with Cavender's which can't be made without Tabbouleh in my opinion.  I love layering a pita chip with a little hummus and a scoop of tabbouleh to top it off.  This can also be made as a fresh summer side dish.  This specific recipe is made quinoa, an ancient power grain.  If you want to check out another quinoa recipe look at my Light Mexican Quinoa with Tomatoes and Black Beans. 

Ingredients

-2 cups quinoa
-2-3 garlic cloves, minced
-zest of 1 lemon
-juice of 1 lemon
-1/4 cup olive oil
-1 pkg grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
-1 smal bunch green onions, chopped
-1 large handful of cilantro, chopped
-1 large cucumber, diced
-salt and pepper

French Herb Cheese and Radish Crostinis

I was so excited to pick my first bunch of radishes from the yard today.  I threw these seeds in the ground in the early spring and a few weeks later, I had a wonderful colorful variety: red, purple, and white...oh my! They're called the "Easter Egg Blend" because they look like little Easter eggs.  I wanted to use them in a recipes that showed off their colors and focused on the fresh root vegetables.  This is when I remembered an old-time favorite: French Herb Cheese.  I made a batch and smeared some on toasted french bread slices and topped with radishes.  It's a flavorful but simple appetizer or snack to bring to a party this spring!

Ingredients:

-1 bunch radishes

-1 french baguette

-2 blocks cream cheese, softened

-1 stick butter, softened

-1 bunch Italian parsley

-1 large handful of any herbs (pick your favorite...rosemary, chives, tarragon, thyme, oregano)

-2 dashes hot sauce

-1 tsp garlic powder

-salt and pepper to taste

Asian Marinated Cucumbers

The sushi restaurant behind my house, Japon, has these wonderful little marinated cucumbers that they serve only if you're sitting at the sushi bar.  I know they couldn't be that hard to make so I tried re-creating them from some recipes I found on the web and ingredients in my pantry.  They are a great little Asian appetizer that gets better each day it marinates.

Ingredients:

-1 English Cucumber (or 2 Japanese cucumbers)
-1/4 cup rice vinegar
-2 Tbsp sesame oil
-1-2 Tbsp salt
-1 tsp sugar
-pinch - 2 Tbsp crushed red pepper flakes (depending on how much kick you want)

Spicy Crab Sushi Rolls

I've made sushi a couple of times and made a complete mess.  Once in college I tried to tempura fry anything I could get my hands on.  No joke, there was batter splattered on the ceiling of our rental house.  Oops.  This was a little cleaner and easier, especially since I had the help of Blake, master sushi-chef.  Well, maybe not master, but he has taken a class in sushi rolling and got a sushi knife out of the deal!  One of my best friends has been asking for months for a post on rolling sushi.  Sorry it has taken me so long, Allison! Here you go.  Also, get creative with your ingredients...Blake added peanut butter to one. It was actually good!

Ingredients:


-1 cups dry sushi rice (makes about 2 1/2 cups cooked)
-2 Tbsp rice vinegar
-nori wrapper paper
-avacado
-cucumber
-1 pkg refrigerated crab pieces
-2 Tbsp mayo
-1 tsp - 1 Tbsp sriracha (depending on how spicy you want it)
-Wasabi paste or powder
-3 green onions, thinly sliced
-juice 1/2 lemon
-a few slices of pickled ginger to serve with the sushi
-sesame seeds for garnish

Other things needed:


-1 bamboo rolling mat
-plastic/saran wrap (don't use press and seal)
-sharp knife
-wet kitchen towel...helps slice the rolled sushi without smashing it

Spicy Garlic Edamame

I love edamame.  Have you ever been to a sushi restaurant and they had more options than just with sea salt? spicy? garlicky? Well here I combined them both!  I basically just boiled the edamame a few minutes, strained it and tossed with a sauce made of ingredients I had in my fridge.  If you're looking for a new, easy app that will take the heat up, this recipe is for you!

Ingredients:

-1 pkg frozen edamame, still in shells

-2 Tbsp Thai chili garlic paste

-2 tsp ginger paste (or grated fresh ginger)

-1 Tbsp dried garlic or jarred minced garlic or 3 cloves fresh

-1 Tbsp sea salt

-1 Tbsp sesame oil

-1/2 tsp togarashi pepper (optional...will really bump up the heat)

Farro with Roasted Vegetables and Balsamic Vinegar

I just discovered this grain a few months ago at one of the most amazing restaurants I've ever been: Frasca in Boulder, CO.  My roommate's mother said she cooks with it all the time so I figured I had to give it a shot.   This grain will take your typical side-dish to a whole new level in terms of taste, texture and nutritional value.  Farro is an ancient grain very high in protein and also a great source of fiber and iron. It's often referred to as a "power grain", right next to Quinoa.  The texture is a bit chewy and it soaks in all the wonderful flavors added.  You can cook in water, but I prefer broth or stock.  Chicken stock would work well, although I used the Vegetable Stock I made the other day.

Ingredients:

-1 cup Farro (can be found at Whole Food either packaged or in bulk)
-3 cups of vegetable broth (or chicken broth/stock or water)
-2 Tbsp olive oil
-salt and pepper
-1/2 white onion
-4 whole carrots
-4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
-1/8 cup Parmesan cheese
-3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Easy Vegetable Stock from Old Scraps

This is the most thoughtless and cheapest recipe I've ever made because it's basically from water and frozen vegetable scraps.  It started with a gallon freezer bag and a few extra carrots I had leftover from a recipe.  Over the next few weeks I added chopped red onions, white onions halves, celery stalks, parsnips, wilted herbs, sprouting garlic, and a Parmesan rind. Basically anything that was no longer "good" to use in my kitchen but by no means rotten.  After a few weeks I had a FREE bag of vegetable stock goodness.  With olive oil and some water you have an amazing vegetable stock for soups, sauces and more.

Optional Veggies (and other things) to Add to your Freezer Bag:


-carrots
-celery
-parsnips
-turnips
-white, yellow, green or red onions
-leeks
-mushrooms
-tomatoes or tomato paste
-bell peppers
-yellow or butternut squash
-zucchini
-garlic cloves
-parsley leaves and/or stems
-other fresh or dried herbs
-hard cheese rinds such as parmesan
-bay leaves
-cloves
-whole peppercorns

Sausage Stuffed Mushroom Appetizers

I definitely love stuffed mushrooms and often have them as a side dish or sometimes a meal; see the couple recipes below:

• Spinach and Feta Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms
• Grilled and Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms

This recipe takes the same concept but uses much smaller mushrooms, perfect for finger food.  The sausage makes the appetizer even heartier, making it great for a hungry group or heavy-app party!  I used spicy sausage in half the mushrooms and mild in the other.  Just make sure to garnish differently so your guests (and you) can tell them apart.  I garnished the spicy ones with a red smoky paprika and the mild ones with dried mint, which adds a great earthiness.

Ingredients:

-1 large package of white button mushrooms

-1/4 cup olive oil

-1/4 sherry wine

-1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

-1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

-about 8 ounces sausage (I used both Polidori's mild and spicy)

-1/2 cup Panko (or any type) of breadcrumbs

-3 garlic cloves
-salt and pepper

Grilled Chicken, Peppers and Red Onion Pizza

Grilled chicken and veggies are my favorite pizza toppings.  Especially on a thin crust and with bubbly white mozzarella cheese.  This is a quick and delicious dinner for a movie-night-in.  I made this for Blake and we jumped on the couch and watched some Alfred Hitchcock Presents (his short film thrillers).  Crazy pick I know, but we've become hooked.  If you have other veggies or even leftover steak, throw them on as toppings instead.

Ingredients: 

-1 can thin-crust pizza dough

-1 green bell pepper

-1 red bell pepper

-1/2 red onion

-1 boneless skinless chicken breast, pounded to an even thickness

-1 Tbsp olive oil

-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

-garlic powder

-salt and pepper to taste

-fresh basil for garnish

Cod en Papillote (Parchment Paper) with Fresh Vegetables and Lemon

Have you ever cooked fish in parchment paper?  If not, it is one of the simplest and healthiest ways to prepare fish.  The technique is called "en papillote" which translates to in parchment.  The pouch holds in moisture to steam the food...in this case fish. The moisture could be a number of things: water, wine, stock or broth. In this recipe I use white wine and the juice from the lemon slices.  I made this for the girls the other  night during our second "Cooking with Rachel" class and they loved it!  I used a variety of vegetables I had on hand, but you can basically use any veggies you like. See a list of suggestions below.

Ingredients:


-Parchment paper (or foil)
-6-8 ounces of white fish per person (I used Cod)
-1 lemon, thinly sliced
-1/2 white onion, thinly sliced
-2-3 Tbsp white wine per fish packet
-1/2 Tbsp butter or olive oil per fish packet (optional)
-fresh sprigs of thyme
-1 yellow squash, sliced into sticks
-2-3 carrots, sliced into sticks
-cooking spray
-salt and pepper to taste