Weeknight Balsamic Steak Salad

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Are you ready for summer cooking?

How about a quick and easy weeknight meal that's delicious and satisfying?

I'm all about easy and quick during the summer so that we can spend more time outside enjoying the long evenings.  This recipe fits the bill with easy and quick, plus the bold flavors make this a crave-worthy recipe!

WEEKNIGHT BALSAMIC STEAK SALAD

This recipe can be made in 20 minutes with a little prep.  You should marinate the meat the night before and leave it in the refrigerator to soak up the yummy flavors until you are ready to cook.  Once that is done this meal comes together quickly.  All that's left is to grill the steak and put together the salad.  You will have one mouthwatering dish on the table in no time!

The marinade is full of complexity that leaves the steak juicy, tender, and dripping with wonderful flavor.  The salad is clean and simple with layers of tomatoes and avocado that compliment the steak.  The real punch comes from the blue cheese.  It's mind blowing how well these flavors compliment each other and this really makes the dish special so don't skip the cheese!  Some reserved marinade stands in as the dressing so the flavor profile is continued. 

We really love this salad, and I promise it's really easy to make on a weeknight.  Enjoy your new dinner recipe and enjoy the summer evenings!






Weeknight Balsamic Steak Salad

serves 2

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon of lemon zest
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1- 1 1/2 lb beef flank steak
1 package (9 ounces) ready-to-serve salad greens

8 cherry tomatoes, halved 

1 Persian cucumber, halved and sliced

1/2 medium ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
Crumbled blue cheese

For the marinade/dressing: In a bowl add the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme and salt & pepper. Whisk to combine. Take half of the mixture and place it in a resealable plastic bag. Reserve the rest in a jar to use as the dressing.

Add steak to the back and toss to coat. Place in the refrigerator overnight, until ready to cook.

Heat an outdoor grill to medium high heat. Remove the steak from the bag allowing the marinade to drain. Grill steak, covered, turning once, until desired doneness (135 degrees for medium-rare, 160 degrees for medium. Remove steak from grill and allow to rest 5-8 minutes before cutting.

Meanwhile, divide the salad greens among 2 plates. Top with tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, and cheese crumbles. Slice steak against the grain in thin slices and top the salad with the steak. Drizzle with reserved dressing and serve. 

Grilled Chili Lime Fish or Chicken Tacos

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Tacos, Tacos, Tacos!

It doesn't have to be "Tuesday" to eat tacos.  In fact it can be any old day of the week and I'll eat a tacos without hesitation.  But, when summer comes I gravitate outside and grill my tacos.  Yum!  Although these Slow Cooker Beef Tacos may be an exception.

EASY GRILLED CHILI LIME FISH OR CHICKEN TACOS ARE ON THE MENU
Grilled Chili Lime Fish or Chicken Tacos are versatile and simple, plus they satisfy that Mexican food graving we all get from time to time.  Why two types of protein?  Well, since MGG loves fish and me, no so much, I bought a beautiful piece of Tilapia for him, and a got a nice chicken breast for me.  Who says you can't make different types of tacos in one sitting?  Not I.  This way we use all the same spices and ingredients and just adjust the protein to our liking.  Bingo, we're both winners with this dish!

Fish Tacos

The fish comes out flaky and tender with the perfect amount of spice.  The chicken turns out moist and flavorful as well, with hints of chili powder and citrusy lime bursting in your mouth on the first bite.  Top your tacos with a little crunch from the cabbage, and some buttery soft avocado and you'll be having a party before you know it. (above MGG added diced tomatoes and a radish to his for extra flavor)  They taste that good!  Oh, and don't forget to squeeze some lime on there for good measure.  It really takes your dish over the top.

Chicken Taco

What's better than fresh, healthy clean food to eat that's simple to prepare.  Remember, tacos are great for a any weeknight, weekend, or party.  There the perfect finger food that everyone enjoys!

Grilled Chili Lime Fish or Chicken Tacos

1 Tilapia filet
1 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 2 thin cutlets
2 Tbls Fiesta Lime salt free seasoning blend (Mrs. Dash)
6 corn tortillas

1 large hass avocado, sliced

1/4 c Monterey jack or queso fresco cheese

2-3 Tbls cilantro, chopped

1/4 small red cabbage, cored and thinly sliced

Lime wedges for serving

Sprinkle both chicken and fish with the seasoning blend on both sides.  Pressing down to adhere.

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.  Brush grill grates liberally with oil.  If you are using both chicken and fish start grilling the chicken first.  Grill about 4-5 minutes on the first side.  Flip over and cook about 3-4.  Once you flip the chicken ad the fish to the grill and cook about 3 minutes per side or until opaque and flaky.   (Grilling time may need to be adjusted based upon the grill temperature or the thickness of your meat.) 

Remove fish and chicken and place on a platter, covered with foil to keep warm.  Add the corn tortillas to the grill and cook about 30-60 seconds per side until they have a slight char on them.  Remove to the platter. 

Cut chicken and fish into small strips or bite sized pieces.  Serve in the warm tortillas and top with red cabbage, avocado, cilantro, and cheese.  Other toppings such as tomatoes or radishes work well with this dish.   

Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

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-This simple salad uses the freshest ingredients for a flavor mix that will pop in your mouth!-

I do love a fancy salad, but a lot of the time I prefer simpler recipes that aren’t a lot of trouble.  A honeycrisp apple and romaine salad is awesome, but I’m happiest when you give me a simply fresh salad that I can throw together easily and still get oohs and aahs out of MGG and my friends.  (This Caribbean Chicken Salad may be an exception though...!)

Plus, if you have to travel with this salad it's guaranteed to arrive beautifully, and not look like it fell in the floorboard of the back seat of your car!  This simple and fresh salad looks beautiful no matter how it lands!

EASY CUCUMBER, TOMATO, AND AVOCADO SALAD TO THE RESCUE
If you need a versatile, yet simple salad recipe, that goes well with everything from steak to hot dogs then this Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad is the one for you.  It's a completely fresh and juicy salad with accents of rich buttery avocado for good measure.  It's satisfying and healthy, offering a multitude of vitamins, anti-inflammatory properties, and healthy fats.

This is a great fresh salad that will keep well in the refrigerator for several days.  This delightful salad easily pairs with burgers, chicken, fish, or steak.  It's versatility makes it the perfect go to salad of the summer.  Not to mention that people will just flip over this salad and quickly ask you for the recipe!

Did I mention that it's easy to put together?  Well it is.  A large serving bowl is all that's needed, so you save on dishes.  The vegetables are chopped in larger chunks making the prep work go fast.  Adding some salt & pepper and a drizzle of really good olive oil tops this easy-peasy salad off.    You can't mess up and you can't go wrong with this salad.

Enjoy!



Cucumber, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

1 English cucumber
3 Roma tomatoes
3 avocados
1/4 red onion,
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
1 lemon
salt and pepper
Olive oil

Slice the cucumber into half lengthwise, then cut each half into medium to large slices.  Place in to a large bowl.  Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise and then cut each half lengthwise again and cut into chunks.  Add to the bowl.   

Cut open avocados and remove the pits.  Peel skin off and cut lengthwise and then into chunks.   Add to the bowl.   Peel and slice the red onion into thin strips.  Add to the bowl.  Add the chopped cilantro to the bowl. 

Slice the lemon in half and drizzle the juice over the salad in the bowl.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.   Drizzle with olive oil until moist (about 1/4 cup) and stir to combine.  Serve.

Any leftover may be placed in an air-tight container and refrigerated for several days.

Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

It's May...and it's raining today...and it's snowing in the mountains.

This may not be unusual for most places in the country but this is Southern California.  The land of sunshine, and this is just plain weird!

Regardless of the weather I'm still grilling today.  Inside, that is.  I have two favorite grilling pans that I use ALL the time! You can find them here and here.  They are staples for me and make indoor grilling a cinch. One is non-stick and lightweight.  It is easy to use and leaves good grill marks.  The other is cast-iron with superior heat distribution.  Both are excellent pans.  You should definitely get one if you don't have one already.

This light and healthy dish is gonna knock your socks off! The flavors of lime and cilantro are perfect together and when you throw in some California avocados the dish just takes off.  Light and healthy is the theme here.  I served this with some saffron rice and some tropical ice tea.  A perfect way to have dinner in the rain.

So be prepared to wow yourself and your family with this dish.  Guaranteed...there won't be any leftovers.

Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa

adapted from CookingLight.com

serves 4

2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 boneless chicken breast cutlets
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Roma tomatoes chopped
2 Tbls finely chopped red onion
2 tsp fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 avocado, peeled and cubed

Combine cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil in a small bowl. Place chicken in a ziploc bag and pour marinade over chicken, turning to coat.  Let stand for 5 minutes. Remove from the marinade, discarding remaining liquid.  Sprinkle chicken evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.  Add chicken to pan and cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until done.

To prepare salsa, combine tomato, onion, lime juice, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add avocado, stirring gently to combine. Serve salsa over chicken.

Turkey and Guacamole Wraps

So the other day I bought some Zumba DVDs.  Have you all heard of Zumba??
It's the newest craze in exercise classes in LA.  It's like a Latin dance class that gives you a super aerobic workout!

So my DVDs came the other day and I was so excited to start my new attempt at exercise that actually is fun to do...you know the kind you want to stick with?  I have such hopes for Zumba...that it will be the ONE! 

You see, exercise tapes have come and gone around here...but please oh please this has got to be fun!  Everyone says it is...

So I popped it in my player and started up that Latin beat and learned several dance moves!  I was actually laughing trying to keep up with the fast moves...but at the same time I was having fun! Hooray!  

I think Zumba is going to be my ticket to aerobic heaven...or at least I tell my self it's heaven!  So out of breath and tired from my workout I find that I need to eat something light for dinner.  Plus I don't feel I have enough energy to cook...hehe!

So I dug some deli turkey out of the frig with a few extras and made myself this Turkey and Guacamole Wrap.  Wow, was this easy to put together and packed a spicy kick from the spicy guacamole that I used!  Simple, healthy, and it sure beats a plain 'ole sandwich.  It was the perfect meal after my tiring workout.  I think it may be a go-to quickie meal with my new routine.  Zumba!!  and a wrap!

Turkey and Guacamole Wraps

Serves 4

2 c baby spring mix lettuce

2 small tomatoes, seeded and diced

2 T low calorie Italian dressing

6 T. spicy guacamole

4 6 -8 inch flour tortillas

12 oz sliced turkey, deli or roasted

In a medium bowl toss lettuce and tomato with dressing.

On each of the 4 tortillas, spread 1 ½ tablespoons of guacamole over surface.  Add about 2-3 slices of deli sliced turkey, or about 3 oz of roasted turkey.  Add ¼ of the lettuce and tomato mixture.

To wrap:  Fold in the left and right side of the tortilla until the edges are about 1 inch apart.  Roll from the top down.  Cut in half and serve.