mini crab cakes

I made mini crab cakes this weekend for a party we held at our house. These crab cakes were delicious, and a great light, easy appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon finely grated orange peel
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon peel
• 6 teaspoons chopped fresh chives, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• Large pinch of cayenne pepper
• 10-12 ounces fresh lump crabmeat, picked over, patted dry, coarsely shredded
• 1 and a half cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• Fresh chives, cut into pieces

spiced black bean, grilled avocado & goat cheese tacos

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1/2 tablespoon cumin seeds
• pinch dried pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup black beans, with liquids
• 1 avocado
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• juice and zest from 1/2 lime
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/4 cup goat cheese
• 4 corn or flour tortillas

summertime caprese salad

Ingredients:

• 4 to 5 heirloom tomatoes
• 8 oz mozzarella
• 1 avocado
• 2 ears of white corn
• 1/2 cup of english peas
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1/3 cup of basil
• 1.5 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

big fat greek salad

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large red tomatoes (1 pound), cut into chunks
• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups hothouse cucumber chunks
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 8 kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 4 cups torn mixed dark-hued greens, such as escarole and romaine lettuce, or use all romaine
• 4 ounces feta cheese, chopped

quinoa with grilled chicken sausage & veggies

AMAZING Sunday Night Dinner:

• 1 cup cooked quinoa with goat cheese
• Grilled chicken sausage (from Trader Joe’s)
• Grilled onions and green peppers
• Half an avocado

sun dried tomato pasta salad

This is my go-to recipe for summer BBQs.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat pasta (I used Trader Joe’s)
• 4 tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, finely chopped
• 1 package sun dried tomatoes
• Feta cheese
• Olive Oil
• Balsalmic vinegar

pearl couscous salad with pear, jalapeño cheese & craisins

Ingredients:

• Pearl Couscous (cook according to package directions)
• 2 sliced pears
• 3 ounces jalapeño cheese (from Trader Joe’s)
• 2 cups arugula
• Handful of blueberries
• Handful craisins
• Red pepper flakes, salt & pepper to taste
• 2 tsp balsalminc vinegar

whole wheat pearl couscous with cherries & arugula

This is what I want for dinner tonight! Photo and recipe taken from The Kitchn (one of my favorite sites).

Ingredients:

Couscous

• 1 cup water
• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 1 1/3 cup (1/2 pound) whole wheat pearl couscous

Salad

• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2/3 cup dried cherries
• 2 stalks celery, finely diced
• 3 ounces baby arugula, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted
• 3 shallots, peeled and thinly sliced
• Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 ounces young Gouda or sharp white cheddar

green goddess grilled cheese sandwich

I saw this photo on Tastespotting and immediately wanted to make this!

Ingredients:

• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• 2-3 tablespoons herb pesto
• 2 slices mild mozzarella
• handful fresh baby spinach
• ¼ avocado, sliced
• 2 tablespoons goat cheese, crumbled
• olive oil

light egg white frittatas

My mom recently bought me muffin tins. Since I don’t ever make muffins, I figured this would be a great use for those tins! I saw this recipe on Food Gawker via The Dinnervine.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup finely chopped zucchini
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red or white onion
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (rinsed from oil, and chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup feta cheese
• 2 tbsp shredded mozzarella
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese (for topping)
• 5 egg whites
• 3 egg yolks
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika for topping
• Extra virgin olive oil (for sautéing veggies in skillet)

weekend breakfast

I had this breakfast both days this weekend: toasted whole wheat English muffin with goat cheese, honey & arugula and sliced pear on the side.

strawberry arugula salad with quinoa & honey goat cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• Arugula
• Sliced strawberries
• Honey goat cheese (from Trader Joe’s)
• Balsalmic vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

saturday morning breakfast

After power yoga on Saturday, I had a toasted whole wheat English muffin with goat cheese, honey and arugula.

udpate: thai chicken pizza

Dinner last night was Trader Joe’s Thai Chicken Pizza. We added chopped yellow bell pepper and tons of arugula on the side. Delicious!

thai chicken pizza

Ingredients:

• Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat Pizza Dough
• 1 cup cooked chicken
• 1 jar Trader Joe’s Peanut Satay Sauce
• 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
• 2 tbsp unsalted Peanuts, chopped
• 4 green onions, cut lengthwise
• 1 cup low-fat shredded mozzarella
• Red pepper flakes & freshly ground black pepper