simple spaghetti with kale, lemon & garlic

Ingredients:

• Spaghetti for one (a bundle about the diameter of a dime)
• 2 tablespoons good extra virgin olive oil
• 5 sprigs lacinato kale (droopy kale is fine), very finely chopped
• Pinch red pepper flakes
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon wedge
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

carolina pulled pork

I made this on Tuesday night, after having it at a friend’s house. This pork recipe is AMAZING. I highly recommend it for any gathering or party food.

Ingredients:

• 3 lb pork shoulder (good for about 8 servings)
• For the Meat Rub: Black pepper, Onion powder, Garlic powder
• 1 Tbs Flour (to coat the pork)
• Thyme and rosemary sprigs
• Teaspoon of brown sugar
• Sea salt
• Cayenne pepper
• Cumin and coriander
•  Cinnamon applesauce (or thin apple slices)
• At least a half cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tsp butter
• Water
•  Olive oil

** For the recipe, you will need frying pan and a CROCK POT

salmon with sriracha sauce & lime

Ingredients:

• Juice and zest of 1/2 lime
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons tsp sriracha sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1 1/4 lbs pounds salmon fillet, skin removed
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro

artichoke flatbread

Ingredients:

• whole wheat flat bread – or for low carb – use Trader Joe’s low-carb tortillas
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 cups fresh spinach leaves
• 6 ounces garlic and herb flavored goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 6 ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

hummus “cheesesteak” hoagies

This recipe is for my fiancé Greg, a Philadelphia native.

Ingredients:

• 4 (3-ounce) hoagie rolls, split
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 cup vertically sliced yellow onion
• 1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 cup thinly sliced poblano chile
• 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (8-ounce) container plain hummus
• 4 (1/2-ounce) slices provolone cheese
• Napa Cabbage Slaw

quinoa, corn & black bean tacos

I saw this photo and recipe on Food Gawker and it looks amazing.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
• 2 small tomatoes, diced
• 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 – 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground coriander
• 1 1/2 cups frozen corn
• 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• juice of 1 lime
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 2 sliced avocados
• Tortillas (I suggest Trader Joe’s low-carb tortillas)

chicken pomegranate guacamole tacos

Interesting Pomegranate Fact: Research has shown that pomegranates have more inflammation-fighting antioxidants than red wine or green tea.

Ingredients:

• 4 (4-ounce) boneless and skinless chicken breast halves
• Olive oil cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon salt-free Mexican seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 avocado, peeled
• 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 lime
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 8 tablespoons sliced red onion
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage
• 8 tablespoons crumbled low-fat queso fresco

dinner in big sky

I have been skiing with my family in Big Sky, Montana for the past 5 days. On the second night, Greg and I made everyone dinner.

Our Menu:
Barbecued Chicken Breasts with sage, thyme and rosemary; Baked Sweet Potatoes drizzled with cinnamon and 2 tsps butter; Jicama, Tomato & Avocado salad with croutons and light balsamic dressing

idiot-proof salmon

I saw this post over on The Fit Girl’s Kitchen. I can’t wait to try her “Idiot-Proof Salmon.” Check out the full recipe HERE.

Ingredients:

• 1 (or 2) 6oz portion of FRESH Atlantic Salmon
• Seafood Rub
• Lemon (for seasoning at the end)

Photo: The Fit Girl’s Kitchen

baked fish, spinach, and tomatoes in foil packets

Easy weeknight dinner for 2…

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fish fillets, about 1-inch thick
• 2 large handfuls baby spinach leaves
• 1 quarter red onion, thinly sliced
• 20 or so cherry tomatoes
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1/2 lemon, cut into 2 wedges
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil or butter

mediterranean falafel with quinoa

Tonight I made a big avocado, tomato, yellow pepper and falafel salad.  I used Nature’s Earthly Choice mediterranean falafel and quinoa. I’d never made falafel before, and I must say, it was so easy and good.The best part – these are GLUTEN FREE with 8 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein per serving.

lemon-garlic shrimp skewers

I made these lemon-garlic shrimp skewers in Kauai over Christmas break. They are very light, a bit spicy, and a great source of protein.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 to 2 1/2 pounds peeled, deveined shrimp (12 to 15 per lb.), rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 2 or 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
• Lemon wedges

jicama, avocado, cucumber & mango quinoa salad topped with pomegranate

This might be my FAVORITE salad ever.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup peeled and chopped cucumbers
• 2 cups chopped jicama
• 1 cup chopped avocado
• 1 cup pomegranate seeds
• 1 mango, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 cups mixed salad greens
• 4 cups cooked quinoa
• Balsamic vinegar (or other preferred dressing)

turkey sausage, peppers, onions & tortellini salad

Last night I made a new version of THIS delicious tortellini salad. I added turkey-apple sausage (Trader Joe’s), cooked peppers, onions, sun dried tomatoes and mixed greens.

chickpea salad with apples & pecans

Ingredients:

• 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added garbanzos beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 apple, cored and chopped
• 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 2 tablespoons dill relish
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon kelp granules
• Ground black pepper to taste