Creamy Avocado Lime Salmon

I made this recipe today for my husband and my son.  My son told me this was the best thing I have ever made. My husband was also impressed with this meal. The recipe came to me from a recipe board newsletter. The recipe board is called Delish. I'm telling you that their recipes really are delish!

Creamy Avocado Lime Salmon

By Sally McKenney

·         

Total Time: 0:30

Prep: 0:10

Level: Easy

Serves: 4

Ingredients

For the Salmon

·        4 salmon fillets, skins removed (about 2 lbs. total)

·        2 tbsp. sesame oil

·        1 tbsp. honey

·        2 cloves garlic, minced

·        1/2 tsp. chili powder

·        1/4 tsp. kosher salt

·        1/4 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper

·        1/4 c. sesame seeds

For The Sauce

·        1 avocado, diced

·        Juice of 1 lime

·        2 tbsp. fresh cilantro

·        1 tbsp. Greek yogurt

·        1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

·        kosher salt

Directions

1.     Preheat oven to 375º. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

2.     Rinse salmon and pat dry, then place on baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine sesame oil, honey, garlic, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Rub salmon with mixture, then spread 1 tablespoon sesame seeds over each fillet.

3.     Bake salmon 15 to 20 minutes, depending on thickness (about 10 minutes per 1" thickness, measured from the thickest part of the fillet). For crispier edges, broil the last 3 minutes.

4.     Meanwhile, make the sauce: Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Taste and add salt as desired.

5.     Remove cooked salmon from oven and serve with avocado sauce.

Coconut Flour Cake

This is a recipe that I found on the Nourished Kitchen website.  I made a few changes to the recipe to accommodate the tastes of my family and, in some cases, because I did not have a particular ingredient. My changes are in red. The results were excellent. I served this cake to my extended family at a get-together for my son's last day before he returned to college after spring break. It was a resounding success! 

I would suggest reducing the baking time by about 5 minutes because the bottom got a little over-cooked and really stuck to the baking pans. I had to resort to freezing the cakes and, basically, scraping them out of the pans.

Coconut Flour Cake

Prep time:  20 mins

Cook time:  45 mins
Total time:  1 hour 5 mins
Serves: 1 cake, about 8 servings

Dense, moist, and rich with coconut flavor, coconut flour cake is a remarkable treat. While both its texture and flavor is reminiscent of classic yellow cake, it's considerably more nourishing thanks to the nutrient profile of both coconut flour and fresh pastured eggs. We serve coconut flour cake for birthdays and special occasions.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 12 eggs
• 2 cups coconut milk
• up to ¾ cup honey (I used 1/2 cup honey)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (I used 3 tsp vanilla extract)
• ½ tsp coconut extract (I did not use this)
• ½ tsp orange extract (I did not use this)
• 2 cups coconut flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking soda (added by me)
• 1 Tbsp. Coconut Palm Sugar
• ¼ tsp unrefined sea salt
• coconut oil, for greasing the pan

For the Frosting:

• 2 cups coconut spread (I used 2 cups butter)
• ½ cup virgin coconut oil
• up to ⅓ cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (used 2 tsp vanilla extract)
• 1 tsp coconut extract (I did not use this)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Beat a dozen eggs, two cups coconut milk and up to three-quarters of a cup of honey together with vanilla, coconut and orange extracts until smooth, creamy and uniform in both color and texture.
3. Dump two cups coconut flour, a half-teaspoon baking soda and a quarter teaspoon unrefined sea salt into the mixture of eggs, honey and extracts, and continue to beat until a smooth batter forms.
4. Grease and flour two eight-inch cake tins. (Make sure you grease pans very well.)
5. Pour, or spoon, the cake batter into the greased and floured tins, shaking them to even out the batter and smoothing it with the back of a spoon or with a rubber spatula.
6. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 35-40 minutes, or until the cake separates from the sides of the tin and a toothpick inserted into the cake's center comes out clean.
7. Allow the cake to cool completely before removing from the tin and frosting with the coconut frosting below.
8. Beat all ingredients for the frosting together until thoroughly combined.
9. Refrigerate the frosting for five to ten minutes so that it stiffens a bit.
10. Remove from the refrigerator, beat for about one minute.
11. Frost your cake.

Recipe by Nourished Kitchen at http://nourishedkitchen.com/coconut-flour-cake/

Spinach Soup

This is a recipe courtesy of Ree Drummond (Pioneer Woman). I found it on the Food Network website. I searched for it because I had made spinach and there was a lot of it left over. I correctly assumed that my guys would eat more Spinach Soup than they would eat of just plain spinach.  This soup is excellent. Try it, you'll like it!

Spinach Soup

2 tbsps. olive oil
10 oz. fresh spinach
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 medium onion, chopped
4 tbsps. (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk
2 tsps. kosher salt, or more to taste
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (original recipe calls for 1/2 tsp. but it was too much for me)
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the spinach and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach is wilted, 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the mixture to a blender or food processor, pour in 1/4 cup hot water and pulse until pureed. Set aside.

In a large soup pot, cook the onions in the butter over medium heat until the onions begin to soften. Sprinkle the flour over the top and stir to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes, then pour in the milk, stirring occasionally. Add the salt, cayenne and some black pepper and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in the pureed spinach, then cook until thickened, another 3 to 5 minutes.

Check the seasonings, adding more salt, black pepper or cayenne as needed. Serve warm.

Thanks Ree Drummond!

Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts

This is a recipe for Brussels sprouts that I made on Christmas Eve. Everyone in the family loved these sprouts except my son. He didn't like the fact that the sprouts were sweet. He really isn't supposed to eat any seeds so I left out the sesame seeds. I will make this recipe when he is not home.

Slow Cooker Brussels Sprouts

2 (12 oz) packages of Brussels sprouts, halved
2 tbsps. honey
2 tbsp. Thai sweet chili sauce
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. low-sodium teriyaki sauce
1 tbsp. sesame seeds

STEP 1 Set the Brussels sprouts in a large plastic container or resealable bag. Drizzle with honey, close container and shake to coat. Add the Thai sweet chili sauce and shake again. Finally, add apple cider vinegar and teriyaki sauce and shake until Brussels sprouts are completely coated.

STEP 2 Set coated Brussels sprouts in the bowl of a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 3 hours, or until fully cooked. Use a slotted spoon to transfer cooked Brussels sprouts to a mixing bowl, reserving the liquid at the bottom of the slow cooker.

STEP 3 Set reserved cooking liquid in a small sauce pan and reduce over medium high heat, until a thick syrup forms. Stir frequently and take care not to scorch the sauce. When sauce is thickened, drizzle over the cooked Brussels sprouts, toss with sesame seeds, and serve.

Creamy Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Soup

This soup is from the December 2016 issue of People Magazine. The recipe was meant to be vegetarian but I used low sodium beef broth because I had it. I also had to add the salt, pepper and other spices because when I used low sodium broth, the soup was very bland. If you use full sodium broth, then leave out the salt. 

Creamy Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Soup

1 lb. Brussels sprouts

1 10 oz. bag frozen cauliflower florets

3 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. butter

½ cup diced white onions

2 cups vegetable/beef/chicken broth

1 cup 2% milk

1-1/2 tsp kosher salt

½ tsp pepper

½ tsp garlic powder

bacon bits to garnish

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Halve the Brussels sprouts. Arrange sprouts and cauliflower on a large sheet pan and drizzle with the olive oil. Roast for 15 minutes, stirring halfway.

STEP 2 Meanwhile, melt butter in a large sauce pan and sauté diced onion until translucent. Add the broth and spices and then bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.

STEP 3 Transfer one half of the roasted vegetables to the broth and simmer for about 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Return the remaining vegetables on the baking sheet to the oven to roast for another 5 minutes.

STEP 4 Use an immersion blender to puree the soup. Remove from heat and stir in the milk and remaining roasted vegetables. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Left Over Ham and Green Bean Soup

We had turkey and ham for Thanksgiving this year and we had some left over. I didn't know what to do with all the green beans that were left over either so I decided to put them all together in a soup and it turned out great!

Left Over Ham & Green Bean Soup


4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups diced ham
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 carrots, chopped
3 ribs celery, chopped
1 bag riced cauliflower
sea salt, to taste
white pepper, to taste

Put everything into slow cooker except cream. Cook for 6-8 hours on low. Add cream just before serving. 

Left Over Turkey Soup

I made this soup with the leftover turkey we had after Thanksgiving. I could also be made with chicken but since I had turkey, I used it.  We loved this soup! All ingredients are approximate.

Left Over Turkey Soup

4-5 cups chicken broth (fresh or canned)
3 cups diced turkey or chicken
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped
3 celery ribs, chopped
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
sea salt
white pepper

Place all ingredients into a 6-7 cup slow cooker and cook for 6-8 hours on low. 

Triple Berry Crisp

I made this recipe for my son's Robotics Club banquet.  It went over very well. I think it was a success because most of the other desserts were store-bought. None of the other desserts were made with fruit, either. It is an easy dessert to make and turned out to be very tasty. I upped the sugar from 1/3 cup to 1/2 cup.

Triple Berry Crisp
by Mario Batali

2 cups blueberries
2 cups raspberries
2 cups blackberries
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon Limoncello
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt

Crisp Topping

1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
Raspberry Gelato or Vanilla Ice Cream (to serve)
powdered sugar (to garnish)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease 9 x 9 baking dish with butter.

2. In a large bowl, gently toss together the berries and sugar. Make a slurry with the Limoncello and cornstarch. Stir into the berry mixture and transfer to the prepared baking dish.

3. Distribute the Crisp topping evenly over the berries and bake for 35-45 minutes or until golden on top.

4. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes.

5. Serve warm with a scoop of raspberry gelato or vanilla ice cream and powdered sugar.

6. For the Crisp Topping: Whisk together the dry ingredients until evenly combined. Blend in the butter with your hands for pastry blender until pea-sized.

Baker's Chocolate One Bowl Brownies

This is the original recipe taken from the box of Baker's Unsweetened Chocolate. I started making these brownies when I was 11 years old. It is a tried and true brownie recipe. Enjoy!

BAKER'S ONE BOWL Brownies

Recipe by Kraft

Prep Time: 15min.

Total Time: 50min.

Servings: 24 servings

This BAKER'S ONE BOWL Brownies recipe is the one that gets handed down through the generations. You'll know why after one bite.

What You Need

·         1 pkg. (4 oz.) BAKER'S Unsweetened Chocolate

·         3/4 cup butter or margarine (1-1/2 sticks)

·         2 cups sugar

·         3 eggs

·         1 tsp. vanilla

·         1 cup flour

·         1 cup coarsely chopped PLANTERS Pecans (optional)

Make It

Tap or click steps to mark as complete

·       Heat oven to 350°F.

·       Line 13x9-inch pan with Reynolds Wrap® Aluminum Foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Spray foil with cooking spray.

·       Microwave chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour and nuts; mix well. Pour into prepared pan.

·       Bake 30 to 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely. Use foil handles to remove brownies from pan before cutting to serve.

·       Tip: For cakelike brownies, stir in 1/2 cup milk with eggs and vanilla. Increase flour to 1 1/2 cups.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

The Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Ingredients: (what you will need for the best buffalo chicken dip recipe):

·         1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breast (or approx 2-3 large chicken breasts)

·         1 cup of ranch dressing ( Hidden Valley, Kraft, or Wishbone)

·         1 cup of Franks Original Red Hot (do not substitute this please)

·         1 8 oz block of cream cheese (do not use fat free, 1/3rd less fat OK)

·         1 package of fancy shredded sharp cheddar cheese (2 cups)

•     Green onions (optional)

You will also need the following items to dip into the best buffalo chicken dip... Bite size tortilla chips, celery, wheat thins, Triscuits or a combination of all of them.

Here are your step by step instructions:

• Boil your chicken breasts on the stove in a medium to large sauce pan, on medium heat about 30 to 45 minutes or until cooked all the way through and pre heat your oven to 350 F.

• While the chicken is boiling cut the cold cream cheese into cubes and place them into an 11.5" x 8" x 2" Pyrex style baking dish lightly misted with buttered flavor Pam.

• Evenly sprinkle the fancy shredded cheese on top of the cream cheese cubes.

•  Pour the 1 cup of ranch and the 1 cup of Franks Red Hot on top of the cheesy mixture and place the dish into the oven uncovered for 7 to 10 minutes.  You will want to stir the mixture after about 7 to 10 minutes and put it back in the oven and bake an additional 7 to 10 minutes and stir until mixture and cream cheese is well mixed together.

• While the mixture is baking and your chicken is done boiling you will want to shred your chicken. The best way to do this is by putting the pan into the sink and running cold water over the chicken to speed up the process, once cooled you may hand shred the chicken into a bowl.

• After the cheesy mixture is done baking and mixed together well you may now add the chicken, simply pour the chicken on top of the mixture, carefully stir the mixture well and cover with aluminum foil and bake an additional 20 to 30 minutes.

• Once baked you can carefully pour into your serving bowl, garnish with green onion and celery and enjoy!

Crockpot Beef

I modified this recipe from the short rib recipe I posted a long time ago.  It is a new family favorite.

2-3 lbs beef (chuck, bottom round, or brisket all work)

4 onions roughly chopped

1 bag baby carrots

3 stalks celery, chopped

3-4 cloves garlic, chopped or garlic paste

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup dry red wine (merlot or cabernet)

2 cups beef broth or stock

3-4 tablespoons flour

I sometimes do this when the beef is still frozen - doesn't seem to matter.

Salt and pepper the beef.  Put all vegetables (including garlic) in bottom of slow cooker/crock pot. Place beef on top of the veggies. Pour wine and broth over top of beef. I usually cook it on high for an hour or two and then switch to low and cook for approximately 6-8 hours. Remove the beef from the pot, then I remove all the veggies and strain the broth. Put the broth into a small pot and whisk in the flour until the sauce thickens. I pour the sauce over the beef and put it back into the slow cooker on warm until everyone is ready to eat. The meat is usually falling apart. I tend to discard all the veggies and serve with other side dishes like mashed potatoes and green beans or whatever your family likes best.

Enjoy!