open-faced falafel burgers

Ingredients:

Sauce:

• 1 cup hot water
• 1/4 cup tahini (sesame-seed paste)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Patties:

• 1 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs, divided
• 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 6 mini pitas OR whole wheat English Muffins
• 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 cups chopped tomato
• 2 cups sliced peeled cucumber
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion

grilled chicken and corn salad with avocado & parmesan

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 
  
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 2 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 3 ears corn, shucked
• 5 ounces baby spinach (about 5 cups)
• 1 avocado, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 ounces Parmesan, shaved

vegan veggie burgers

I had actually never even heard of Amaranth until I saw this recipe. Amaranth is a relative of quinoa, so nutritionally it is quite similar.  Amaranth is high in protein, high in fiber, and is very good for digestive health. It is also completely gluten free!

10 Reasons To Use Amaranth in Your Gluten-Free Recipes

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups cooked Amaranth (1½ cups water simmered with ½ cup amaranth for 25 mins)
• 3 ounces mushrooms, chopped finely
• 1 cup Spinach, chopped finel
• 1 Carrot (shredded)
• ½ cup Oat Flour
• ¼ cup Ground Flax
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• Olive Oil (to cook)

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

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

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

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

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)

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

sweet potato veggie burgers

Last night Greg made sweet potato veggie burgers. This is one of my favorite recipes. Instead of eating as a burger, I ate cut my sweet potato veggie patty up and added to an arugula salad with chopped pear and goat cheese.

Full recipe HERE.