Chili Lime Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

Yum

So I have to admit that this is a rare posting of a "fishy" dish.  I don't eat fish but MGG loves it.  So I will on occasion make him fish while cooking a piece of chicken for myself.

Since I hadn't made him a salmon dish in quite awhile I thought it was time to do just that!  It just so happened that this particular salmon dish came out fabulously delicious that I had to share it all with you.  You are gonna love this.

Chili Lime Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

The flavors in this dish just POP!  The salmon is bursting with a chili lime seasoning and I use a searing and roasting method that produces a crispy fish on the outside and juicy and succulent on the inside.   This method is really easy to do and is perfect if you are cooking four or less fillets.  The best tool that you can use for this is a cast-iron skillet.  It cooks the fish beautifully!

Serve along a combination of roasted potatoes, green beans, and butternut squash.  A great combination that turns out to be the perfect side dish to the fish. 

This is one easy weeknight meal, that is perfect for the fish lover!

Enjoy!

Chili Lime Salmon with Roasted Vegetables

serves 4

2 tablespoons of butter
4 salmon fillets
2 Tablespoons chili lime seasoning (such as Mrs. Dash)
3/4 lb fresh green beans
1 1/2 lb baby gold potatoes (halved or quartered)
1 lb cubed butternut squash
olive oil
salt & pepper

Heat the oven to 450 degrees. On a sheet pan place the butternut squash and potatoes, spreading them out so they don't overlap too much. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Toss to coat and spread out again on the pan.

Cook the vegetables for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and toss and add the green beans. Cook an additional 10 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and cover with foil to keep warm.

Turn the oven down to 400 degrees.

Sprinkle the seasoning over the salmon fillets. In a cast-iron skillet over medium high, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the salmon fillets, skin side down and cook for 3 minutes over to brown the skin. Spoon some of the melted butter over the top of the fish as it cooks.

Transfer the skillet to oven. Roast until fish is just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes.

Farmers Market Bounty Summer Vegetable Soup with Chicken

Yum

Soup in the Summer?  Heck yea!

Soup is not just for winter my friends.  A good soup can be enjoyed all.year.long.  So why not take advantage of the farmer's market bounty of fresh vegetables!  That's just what I did last weekend.

My girlfriend and I went to check out the Farmer's Market held in Calabasas.  Of course we picked the hottest weekend to go, and even though we went early it was smoldering hot at 9am!  Not to be deterred we plunged in among the sea of stands where local farmers were selling the best fresh fruits and vegetables.  Armed with a large shopping bag I intended to get a variety of fresh summer veggies to make a wonderful soup that evening.  Boy did I hit the jackpot!

FARMERS MARKET BOUNTY SUMMER VEGETABLE SOUP WITH CHICKEN 

Just look at this bounty!  I couldn't resist the tempting fruit as well, and totally overloaded my bag.  So bearing the heat and the crowd I would say this shopping spree was a huge success!  I love the variety of items at the Calabasas Farmer's Market, so if you are in the area on a Saturday morning, put this on your list.

My Farmers Market Bounty Summer Vegetable Soup with Chicken is all about fresh veggies, with a little chicken added for protein.  7 types of crisp, fresh from the farm, vegetables are the star of this dish! Cook them in a hearty chicken broth, laced with herbs, and add some tender roasted chicken and you have one healthy summer soup!

Why not take advantage of summer's fresh vegetables and make your family a healthy hearty dinner that's on the table in 45 minutes.  Everyone will love the flavors and the freshness. 

I'm also sharing with you a little trick to add extra flavor in the soup.  It will taste as if the soup has been cooking all day.  The secret is to add a little concentrated stock base such as this one.  It gives you the boost that you need to create that long simmered flavor.  Shhhh! don't tell anyone, they'll never know you weren't slaving away all day for this awesome soup!

Three cheers to the wonderful farmers that bring such fresh and delicious quality vegetables!!!  It's so appreciated, and our tummys thank you too!

Enjoy!

Farmers Market Bounty Summer Vegetable Soup with Chicken

1 medium sweet onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
2  stalk celery, thinly sliced
2 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water

1 - 1 1/2 tsp chicken stock (such as Knorr Chicken Homestyle Stock)
1/2 lb. 2-inch-diameter red potatoes, quartered
1/2 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces (1 1/2 cups)
1 yellow summer squash, halved lengthwise, and cut into thick slices

1 zucchini, halved lengthwise, and cut into thick slices
2 cups coarsely shredded cooked fresh chicken meat (light and/or dark meat)
1 large tomato, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon snipped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon ground sage
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a Dutch oven or large stock pan cook onion and celery in hot oil over medium heat for 5 minutes.  Stir occasionally. Add garlic and cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add broth and water and bring to a boil. Add potatoes, beans, and squashes. Return to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Stir in the chicken meat, tomato, thyme, sage, and pepper. Heat through about 10 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls.



(This post contains affiliate links which may provide compensation without any increase in cost to you.)

Blackberry Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables

Yum

Let's amp up your game for this grilling season!

BIG, BOLD flavors is what it's all about.  So I turned to the master of flavors that are "off the hook!" Guy Fieri and searched for the perfect recipe to present to you today.

BLACKBERRY JALAPENO GLAZED PORK TENDERLOIN 

THIS is the recipe of the SUMMER!!!  If you make only one new grilled dish this summer make this one.  Otherwise you will be missing out on a dish that totally knock your socks off.  This spicy sweet Blackberry Jalapeno glaze covers a juicy grilled pork tenderloin that elevates this dish to outstanding!

I modified his recipe just a bit.  He brines his pork tenderloin first.  Since I think that a pork tenderloin is tender and juicy as it is I skipped that part.  Plus it made this quicker to prepare and it came out fantastic without the brine.  

The sauce really is the kicker to this dish.  Something this bold needs to have a great side dish that compliments it without overpowering it.  Roasted vegetables are the perfect side dish for that.  I chose multi-colored carrots of yellow and orange, along with fresh green beans, and cauliflower.  (MGG loves his cauliflower!)  Roasting is easy to do so this side dish basically takes care of itself while you grill the pork.

This dish is outrageously good!  Try it at your next opportunity and double it if you want to invite friends over.  Great for Father's Day or any celebration, or just a weekend cookout.  You will be the envy of the crowd, and the new master griller in town!

Enjoy!

Blackberry Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Vegetables


Pork:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1 1 1/2 pound pork tenderloin, silver skin removed

Blackberry Jalapeno Glaze:

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 to 2 roasted jalapenos, seeded, minced

1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1/2 cup seedless blackberry preserves
1 1/4 cup wine, preferably Merlot
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch

Vegetables:

1 head cauliflower
1 small bunch of multi-colored carrots
1/2 lb fresh green beans

Make the Blackberry Jalapeno Glaze:
Add the butter to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the jalapenos and garlic and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the blackberry preserves and 1 cup wine and combine well. Simmer until reduced by half. Add the cornstarch to the remaining 1/4 cup red wine in a small bowl and mix well. Pour the cornstarch mixture into the pan and cook for 5 to 6 minutes more. Keep the glaze warm until serving.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Prepare the vegetables by cutting the stalk off of the cauliflower and cut into florets. Place on a sheet pan along with the carrots. Make sure not to overlap. Place in the oven and cook for 15 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and flip the vegetables and add the green beans. Return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes until caramelized.

Meanwhile preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat.

Add the pork tenderloin to the grill and cook for 6 minutes on each side, browning evenly and the internal temperature registers 135 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. At this point, evenly spread 1/4 cup of the glaze over the pork. Cook for an additional 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the pork from heat to a cutting board and keep it warm tented with aluminum foil. Temperature should be around 155 to 160 degrees.

Slice the pork, arrange the slices on a serving platter and serve with remaining warm glaze and roasted vegetables.

adapted from Guy Fieri's Blackberry Jalapeno Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Thanksgiving Favorites: Side Dishes

Right about now everyone is in full planning mode for one of my favorite holidays, Thanksgiving!

Have you planned your menu yet?  Well, if you are looking for some different side dishes I've got some great ones for you. Every year I cook our traditional favorites, and try 1 or 2 new side dishes for a little variety along with the tried and true.  

Often I'll make a different winter salad or a different vegetable to go along with our favorites.  This way I get to try something new and possibly add to my yearly traditions.  That's how today's menu was developed.  Taking dishes from friends and family that you just love and want to enjoy as a new tradition.

One of my favorite salads is this Winter Slaw.  It's the perfect light yet seasonal dish to accompany the rest of your menu.  

Winter Slaw

serves 8

adapted from: Make It Ahead a Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
1/2 pound large kale leaves, center rib removed (6-8 leaves)
6 oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed halved and cored
1/2 small head of radicchio, cored
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
1/2 cup good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 (6 ounce) chunk good Parmesan cheese
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup toasted pecans

With a sharp chef's knife cut the kale, Brussels spouts, radicchio crosswise into thin shreds, as you would cut cabbage for coleslaw, and place them in a large bowl.

In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Pour enough dressing on the salad to just moisten it, reserving the rest.

Shave the Parmesan in big shards with a vegetable peeler. Add the cheese, dried cranberries, and pecans to the salad and toss it carefully to avoid breaking up the cheese. Check for seasoning and add more vinaigrette if necessary, and serve cold or at room temperature.

Make it ahead: Prepare the salad ingredients, store in plastic bags, and refrigerate for a day or two. Make the vinaigrette and refrigerate for up to one day. Toss together a few hours before serving.


Other favorite side dishes:

Mashed Potatoes and Celery Root are wonderful! They just have that extra something taste. I'm making these for our dinner this year.
Green Beans with Glazed Shallots and Lemon and another new tradition as a side dish.  I love the bright lemon flavor.

Apple, Cranberry and Pecan Stuffing is a wonder tart version with an earthy nutty flavor.  Use croutons to save time!

Recipes below...

Mashed Potatoes and Celery Root

by Williams-Sonoma

2 large celery roots, about 2 lb. total, peeled and cut into slices 1 inch thick
2 1/2 lb. russet potatoes, peeled and cut into slices 1 inch thick
Kosher salt, to taste
3/4 cup half-and-half
3 Tbs. unsalted butter
Freshly ground white pepper, to taste

Put the celery roots and potatoes in separate large saucepans. Add water to cover and a large pinch of kosher salt to each pan. Bring both to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Just before they are done, place an ovenproof serving bowl in a 200°F oven. (There is no need to preheat the oven.)

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the half-and-half and 2 Tbs. of the butter and heat until the butter melts. Turn off the heat and cover to keep warm. Drain the potatoes and celery root, then return them to one of the large saucepans and set over medium-low heat; shake the pan until the vegetables begin to stick to the bottom. Remove from the heat.

Pass the vegetables through a ricer into the warmed serving bowl. Alternatively, pass the vegetables through a food mill, or mash them in the pan with a potato masher. Stir in the warm half-and-half mixture. Season with kosher salt and white pepper. Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the sides of the bowl and swirl the top of the puree. Top with the remaining 1 Tbs. butter and serve immediately. If necessary, keep warm in a 200°F oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or cover the bowl and set it in a pan of hot water.

Green Beans with Glazed Shallots and Lemon

2lb. small green beans, ends trimmed
2 Tbs. olive oil
6 shallots, thinly sliced
1 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Bring a large saucepan three-fourths full of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the green beans and cook until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain the beans and rinse under cold water, then drain again.

In a large fry pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. When it begins to sizzle, add the shallots and saute, stirring, until glazed and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the beans, increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring with tongs, until the beans just begin to brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest and juice and cook for 30 seconds more. Add the parsley, season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Transfer the beans to a serving bowl and serve immediately. Serve 6 to 8.

Apple, Cranberry and Pecan Stuffing

3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil1 yellow onion, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
2 Fuji or McIntosh apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1-inch dice
1 lb. dried bread croutons
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
3 to 4 cups chicken or turkey stock, warmed

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a fry pan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion, celery and apples and saute until tender and caramelized, 14 to 16 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, add the croutons, cranberries and pecans and stir to evenly distribute the ingredients. Add the stock 1 cup at a time, stirring to evenly moisten the croutons. Season the stuffing with salt and pepper.  

Spoon the stuffing into a buttered 2-quart baking dish and cover with foil. Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover the dish and continue baking until the stuffing is crisp and golden, 20 to 25 minutes more.

Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

 I love salads that are born out of "kitchen sink" items that turn out spectacular!

This is what happened with this salad.  A little rummaging through the refrigerator and I came up with some leftover cooked green beans, a sweet potato, and some carrots.

So let's make a salad!  But this one is special.  Why?  The roasted, caramelized sweet potatoes lend such a great warm comforting feeling to this salad.  Not to mention the wonderful sweetness!  I used an actual sweet potato, which you will notice is more of a white color.  You could use a yam, which are orange fleshed.  That would certainly make the color pop, but the taste will be the same.  

The green beans were leftovers, which I kept at room temperature for this salad, giving a nice crunch.

So taking simple ingredients that are fresh, make for a spectacular salad!  Topped with a simple yogurt dressing that is tangy, yet light.  The perfect lunch if I do say so. 

I hope you find this inspiring enough to make your own comforting salad.  Please come back and let me know what you think of it once you try it.

Enjoy!


Roasted Sweet Potato Salad

serves 4

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed into 1" chunks
8 oz of green beans, cooked and chopped into bite size pieces
1/2 c shredded carrots
mixed spring greens

Dressing:

1 c plain low fat yogurt
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 garlic clove minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Place potato chunks on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil, tossing to coat.
Spread potatoes in a flat layer.  Roast for 20 minutes, stirring half way through.

Meanwhile, prepare dressing in a small bowl or mason jar.  Add all ingredients and shake until thoroughly combined.  Set aside.

Assemble salad by placing  equal parts lettuce on each plate.  Top with potatoes, green beans and carrots.  Drizzle with dressing.  Serve.

Roasted Potatoes & Green Beans

 

Fresh in season vegetables are calling out to me!

I love going to the farmer's market and picking out fresh fruit and vegetables to use in a fabulous dish.  My problem is that I get so flustered from all the gorgeous looking items that I tend to want to over buy.  I mean really over buy, to the point I can't carry it out of the market to the car!

Talking to our local farmers is so interesting.  You can learn a lot about fresh veggies and how they are grown, picked at their peak, and even what their favorite cooking techniques are.  I found some wonderful green beans, potatoes, eggplant, and squash at one farmers stand.  I could just smell all the freshness around me and knew I had to have some for a quick dinner for MGG and me.  

Sometimes the simplest way to cook something is the best.  Roasting vegetables is easy, hands off, and brings out great flavor in your ingredients.  Add a little garlic to the mix and  you turn plain roasted green bean from ho-hum to fabulous!
Try it, you'll be pleased.

I made this dish to accompany my Chicken Cutlets with Almond Butter and it was just perfect.  Elegant yet simple.  Flavorful yet subtle.  

You decide...and make sure to let me know.

Roasted Potatoes & Green Beans

Serves 4

Time 30 min

1 lb red potatoes quartered

3 T olive oil, divided

2 cloves garlic minced, divided

Salt

8 oz fresh green beans, trimmed and halved

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Toss the potatoes with 1 ½ tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 clove of minced garlic.  Season with salt.  Spread in single layer on baking sheet.  Roast for 15 minutes.

Toss green beans with remaining olive oil and garlic.  Season with salt.  Add green beans to the baking sheet along with the potatoes.  Roast for 10 minutes.  Toss green beans and potatoes together before serving.

Grilled Green Beans

With all these great grilled dishes you need a great grilled "side dish"!

Something quick and tasty will do!

I've made this side dish a couple of times lately and they turned out really well.  They are a good compliment to grilled food.

Grilled green beans!  They are easy to do, just make sure to grill the beans crosswise on the grates so they won't fall through.  Grilling them on the stove in a grill pan works well too.

You can use either haricot verts or some nice string beans.  Both work well.  I used haricot verts in two dishes recently cause our string beans were looking a little puny.  As you can see I made them with my Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu... (make sure to drizzle some of the vinaigrette from the chicken on this version)

And my Grilled Turkey with Balsamic BBQ Sauce (Thanksgiving in August meal!)

So if you love green beans, these will float your boat!  Grab your beans and get grilling!

Grilled Green Beans

serves 4

1 lb green beans, trimmed if desired
3 T olive oil
salt & pepper
2 T butter, melted
1 T lemon juice

Grill green beans crosswise on grate over medium high heat 5-6 minutes or until done, turning frequently.
Remove from heat and toss with butter and lemon juice.

Fast & Fresh: Balsamic Glazed Green Beans

I have a perfect side dish as my newest "Fast & Fresh" entry.

My Balsamic Glazed Green Beans are the perfect seasonal side dish.  They compliment most every dish, and utilize fresh green beans, straight from the farmer's market (or grocery store!).  I recently made them with my Lemon Cilantro Chicken Scaloppini and they were great together.  


The fresh seasonal ingredients, minimal preparation, and quick cooking time qualify these as "Fast & Fresh"!


I adore this side dish, but I'm partial to green beans.  I'm sure that you and your families will enjoy this, and possibly become a favorite of your too!

Tell me, what is your favorite way to use green beans?


Balsamic Glazed Green Beans 


serves 4-6


3/4 lb fresh green beans
1 T. butter
3 T. shallots, minced
2 T. garlic, minced
1/4 c balsamic vinegar
salt & pepper


Blanch 3/4 lb. of fresh green beans in boiling water for 4-5 minutes, until tender crisp.  Remove from water.  While beans are cooking melt 1 T. butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add 3 T. minced shallots and 2 T. of minced garlic.  Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing to thicken slightly.  Add green beans and toss to coat.  Serve.