Sunday, June 24, 2012

Tomato, Red Onion and Basil Bruschetta

This is a great healthy dish on toasted focaccia or sliced French bread.  I tried to adapt it to make it taste
like the great appetizer we had at Bridges restaurant -- we're getting there.

7/24/19 - tried with 1 Tbsp vinegar, one part of a shallot and less red onion - we'll see how it comes out.  Removed seeds as i was cutting the tomatoes, and let them drain a little.

Ingredients:

2 cups assorted tomatoes (can use cherry, grape and teardrops, assorted colors, or other varieties)
1/2  small red onion, finely chopped
2 Tbsp olive oil, plus additional for brushing bread
3 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 (sliced horizontally) of a large loaf focaccia, brushed with olive oil
1 garlic clove, peeled, halved
Salt and pepper to taste
Sprinkling of parmigiano-reggiano (optional)

Directions:

Combine tomatoes, onion, olive oil, basil and vinegar in medium bowl; season with salt and pepper.
This can be made 2 hours ahead, and allowed to stand at room temperature, mixing occasionally, or
can be made the night before.

Preheat the broiler.  Place the focaccia, cut side up, on baking sheet.  Toast in broiler until top is golden brown, watching closely to avoid burning, just a few minutes.  Immediately rub cut side of bread all over with halved garlic, then cut crosswise into slices.  Alternatively, cut 'rounds' first, then brush with oil, broil, and top with bruschetta.

Top bread with tomato mixture and enjoy!

For a lower calorie variety, decrease the oil content and/or serve on cucumber slices.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Maple Teriyaki Salmon

This is a great quick marinade that is good served warm when first prepared, but even better served cold the next day.

Ingredients:

1 tsp Asian sesame oil
1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic minced
1 1/3 pounds salmon

Directions:

1) Combine the marinade ingredients.  Put the salmon in a shallow dish, pour the sauce over, turn to coat, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.

2) Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.  Check thickest part to be sure it is cooked thoroughly.

3) Put the remaining marinade in a small pot and boil for 1 minute until slightly thickened.  Pour over the fish or serve as a dipping sauce.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Parsnip Carrot Puree

Adapted from Canyon Ranch Nourish - indulgently healthy cuisine

This is a low calorie, high antioxidant side dish.


Ingredients:


3/4 pounds parsnips, peeled
3/4 pounds carrots, peeled
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp chopped scallions
1 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp evaporated cane juice

Directions:


1. Bring 2 quarts of water to boil in a large saucepan.


2. Chop the parsnips and carrots into 1 inch cubes.  Place in the boiling water and cook until soft, about 10 minutes.  Drain.

3. Place the veggies in a blender and addd the butter, scallions, salt and cane juice.  Puree until smooth.

Roasted Fennel

Adapted from Canyon Ranch Nourish - indulgently healthy cuisine

Ingredients:


1 fennel bulb, top removed
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper

Directions:


1.  Preheat the oven to 400.

2.  Cut the fennel bulb into quarters.  Lightly coat with canola oil spray and season with salt & pepper.

3.  Place the quarters on a baking sheet and roast for about 20 minutes, or until the fennel just begins to brown.

4.  Add 1/2 cup water to the pan and cover with aluminum foil.  Continue to roast until soft, about another 20 minutes.

Broccolini with Garlic and Olive Oil

Adapted from Canyon Ranch Nourish - indulgently healthy cuisine

Ingredients:


1 Tbsp EVOO
1 1/2 pounds broccolini
1 1/2 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper

Directions:


Heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Saute the broccolini and garlic until the broccolini is cooked and still slightly crisp.  Season with salt and pepper.

Sauteed Kale

Adapted from Canyon Ranch Nourish - indulgently healthy cuisine

This can be made with other types of greens, as well --chard, mustard or dandelion greens, or others.

Ingredients:


1 tsp EVOO
2 Tbsp sliced shallots
1  bunch kale, thick stems removed
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
2 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

Directions:


1.  Heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Saute the shallots until translucent.

2.  Add the kale, salt and pepper.  Add the water to steam and soften the veggies.

3.  Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is almost gone.

4.   Add the vinegar and cook until the pan is almost dry.

Cranberry Orzo

Adapted from Canyon Ranch Nourish - indulgently healthy cuisine

Ingredients:


3/4 tsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp diced yellow onions
1/2 tsp minced garlic
2/3 cup dry orzo pasta
3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp chicken stock
1/4 tsp sea salt
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbsp dried cranberries

Directions:


1. Heat the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Saute the onions and garlic until the onions are translucent.  Add the orzo and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, or until golden brown.

2.  Add the chicken stock and simmer, stirring frequently until the liquid is almost absorbed.  Removefrom the heat and stir in the salt, pepper, and cranberries.

Chicken with Orange Marmalade

Adapted from Canyon Ranch Nourish - indulgently healthy cuisine

This is plain but a good basic recipe to have.

Ingredients:


1/4 cup orange marmalade
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
Four 4-oz boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups Cranberry Orzo

Directions:


Preheat the oven to 375.

Stir together the orange marmalade and lemon juice.  Set aside.

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat.  Sear the chicken for 1 mine on each side.

Transfer the breasts to a baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165.

Serve each chicken breast topped with 1 Tbsp marmalade mixture and 1/3 cup cranberry orzo.

Honey Balsamic-Glazed Chicken or Turkey

Adapted from Canyon Ranch Nourish - Indulgently Healthy Cuisine

Goes well with broccolini with garlic and olive oil and soft corn polenta

Ingredients:

For the glaze:
3 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup vegetable stock

Four 4-oz boneless skinless chicken breasts
 or 1 whole turkey breast
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper

vegetables of your choice in the pan -- eggplant cubes, onions, mushrooms, etc.


Directions:

Original directions call for seasoning the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, dredging in flour
then searing the breasts, deglazing the pan and continue to cook the chicken.

I prefer to pour the glaze over the chicken or turkey breast, surround with veggies and bake at 375 til cooked through  --  about 20 minutes per pound of turkey or about 10 minutes per
side of boneless chicken breasts.  Baste with the sauce during cooking.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Hoisin Chicken or Tofu Stir Fry

Hoisin sauce is a wonderful spicy-sweet condiment, but does add sugar and sodium to the meal.  Although it is fat-free, each tablespoon of hoisin sauce adds 25 calories (mostly from sugar) and approximately 200 mg of sodium to the dish.  Its ingredients include vinegar, sugar, chile peppers, soy sauce and garlic.  It is very versatile, and can be used to embellish most vegetables and protein sources.  The calorie impact can be decreased by using some low sodium vegetable broth to thin out the sauce.
Here is one recipe, but can easily be adapted to use whatever leftovers are in the fridge.


Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked brown rice

1/3 cup hoisin sauce
1 1/2 Tbsp white wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp Asian sesame oil
canola oil for stir frying
3 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 Tbsp grated ginger
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breast or tofu cut into small cubes
4 scallions, sliced, divided

1 c low sodium vegetable broth (optional)
2 cups of assorted vegetables - asparagus, red peppers, carrots, broccoli (stems and florets),
  water chestnuts


Directions:
1) Cook the rice according to directions.

2) In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, vinegar, sugar and sesame oil.  Set aside.

3) Heat the oil in a large nonstick wok.  Add the garlic and ginger and stir fry briefly.  Add the
chicken or tofu and stir fry until almost cooked through. Stir in all but 2 Tbsp of the scallions and cook                     1 minute more, until the scallions wilt.  Remove from heat.

4) Stir fry the vegetables in canola oil or simmer in vegetable broth until desired tenderness - 3-5 minutes.
Drain broth.

5) Add the vegetables, chicken or tofu, and sauce to the same bowl.  Toss until all is evenly coated with the sauce.  Garnish with the reserved scallions.

Enjoy!