Thai-Style Halibut with Coconut-Curry Broth : Ellie Krieger Food Network

(Photo coutesy of Foodnetwork.com)
This is such a DELICIOUS and GOURMET way to prepare Halibut. It only takes 10-15 mins of prep time and is so HEALTHY for you. My 2.5 yr old son even loves it. (Make sure you buy boneless halibut if feeding to kids.)

My friend B referred this recipe to me and I have made it a bunch of times ever since. It is sooo good and great way to get in a helping of fish.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/thai-style-halibut-with-coconut-curry-broth-recipe/index.html

Ingredients
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
4 shallots, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
2 1/2 teaspoons red curry paste*, or 2 teaspoons curry powder (This is REALLY spicy so I only add a tiny bit)
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup light coconut milk (I use the Organic Coconut Milk fromWhole Foods)
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus 1/4 teaspoon, plus more for seasoning
4 (6-ounce) pieces halibut fillet, skin removed (I buy the frozen Halibut from Trader Joe's)
Steamed spinach**
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 scallions, green part only, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Freshly ground black pepper
2 cups cooked brown rice, for serving

Directions
In a large saute pan, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the curry paste and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth, coconut milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and simmer until reduced to 2 cups, about 5 minutes.

Season the halibut with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Arrange the fish in the pan and gently shake the pan so the fish is coated with the sauce. Cover and cook until the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 7 minutes.

Arrange a pile of steamed spinach in the bottom of 4 soup plates. Top with the fish fillets. Stir the cilantro, scallions, and lime juice into the sauce and season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Ladle the sauce over the fish and serve with rice.

Adobo Chicken - Cooking Light

This is such an EASY and TASTY recipe for weeknights. It only takes about 15mins to prepare and the longer it sits in the pot the better it gets. I have noted my changes below to make the prep even easier and recipe even healthier.

(Photo coutesy of Cookinglite.com)


http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1924726

Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
8 bone-in chicken thighs, skinned (I buy the ORGANIC Boneless thighs from Trader Joe's)
2 cups chopped onion (I buy the already cut onion in the bag from TJ)
5 garlic cloves, minced (I buy the ready-to-mince garlic cloves from TJ)
6 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons honey (I use the Agave Nectar from TJ)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 bay leaf
**For the Rice to use the 3 Min Brown Rice from TJ
Preparation
1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; sauté 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove chicken from pan. Add onion to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Add garlic; sauté 1 minute, stirring frequently.

2. Return chicken to pan. Add soy sauce and next 5 ingredients (through bay leaf); bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook 12 minutes. Uncover and cook 20 minutes or until chicken is done and sauce thickens. Discard bay leaf. Serve over rice.

Gnocchi with Cinnamon Butter - Giada De Laurentiis

http://www.foodnetwork.com/videos/easy-gnocchi-with-butter-sauce/8666.html

**This turned out pretty tasty. You can buy the Gnocchi at Trader Joe's near the pasta. My son did not go for it....I thought it was a sweet smelling, sweet and savory dish, and very pretty. :) This would be good for an appetizer, definitely served warm.

Ingredients
•3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks)
•1 cinnamon stick
•1 package storebought gnocchi
•Salt
•1 tablespoon sugar, plus more to taste
•1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions
Melt the butter with the cinnamon stick in a heavy medium skillet over medium heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.

Cook the gnocchi in a large pot of boiling salted water until all the gnocchi rise to the surface, about 3 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick from the butter sauce and reheat the sauce over low heat. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked gnocchi to the hot cinnamon butter in the skillet. Sprinkle with the sugar and cinnamon. Toss to coat and add more sugar, to taste.

Spoon the gnocchi and butter sauce into shallow bowls and serve immediately.
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Quick & so Easy "Gourmet" Pasta Sauce

"Hey! - Can I get a little sauce with my pasta?"

Ingredients: (What I use)

Trader Joe's - 1 Jar - Three Cheese Sauce or Organic Vodka Sauce or Bolognese Sauce

• Trader Joe's - Ground Turkey Meat


• Trader Joe's - Already cut onions, about 3/4 of a bag


• Trader Joe's - Ready-to-go Garlic, 3 cloves minced


• Dried Basil & Oregano


• Red Wine (Any - What you like to drink) **This adds a beautiful after taste which the adults taste and kids go along with :)

________________________

Saute onions and garlic in Evvo for a few minutes
Add ground turkey meat and break up while almost cooking all the way through
Sprinkle Basil all over and some oregano to taste,.. along with Salt & Pepper
**You can add some wine now to deglaze the pan or wait to add it at the end, make sure you burn off the alcohol so the taste is just a hint
Add Pasta Sauce
Simmer for 20-30 mins to marry flavors

Tyler Florence - Roasted Turkey with Pomegranate Glaze

I know it's a little early to be posting this but CHECK OUT HOW BEAUTIFUL this turkey is. I was just looking at POMEGRANATES at Trader Joe's the other day, ..wondering,..what could I do with them???
This is GORGEOUS!!! I am going to start practicing now. :) after all, don't MOMS need to know how to cook a TURKEY DINNER??
I had my Mom buy a fresh 12lb turkey from Gelsons the other day and.... we did a little practice round.

Dads Meatloaf and Tomato Relish - Tyler Florence

This is the most AMAZING MEATLOAF and the Tomato Relish is to die for!!! This recipe takes some time and preparation but it is TOTALLY worth it. My husband and I were raised on meatloaf so this brought back some really good memories for us.

Here's the VIDEO - From Dads Meatloaf and Tomato Relish - Tyler Florence - GMC Trade Secrets - AOL Food at aolfood

Here's the RECIPE from Foodnetwork.com

Dad's Meatloaf with Tomato Relish
Recipe courtesy Tyler Florence

Prep Time:20 minInactive Prep Time:--Cook Time:1 hr 30 minLevel:
EasyServes:
6 to 8 servings.Ingredients
Tomato Relish:
•Extra-virgin olive oil
•1 onion, finely diced
•2 garlic cloves, minced
•2 bay leaves
•2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and finely diced
•2 tomatoes, halved, seeded, and finely diced
•1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
•1 (12-ounce) bottle ketchup
•1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
•Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Meatloaf:
•3 slices white bread, crusts removed, torn into chunks by hand
•1/4 cup whole milk
•1 1/2 pounds ground beef
•1 pound ground pork
•2 eggs
•Leaves from 2 fresh thyme sprigs
•Salt and freshly ground black pepper
•3 to 4 bacon slices
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Coat a skillet with a 2-count of oil and place over medium heat. Saute the onion, garlic, and bay leaves for a few minutes to create a base flavor. Throw in the red peppers and cook them for a couple of minutes to soften. Now add the tomatoes; adding them at this point lets them hold their shape and prevents them from disintegrating. Stir in the parsley, ketchup, and Worcestershire; season with salt and pepper. Simmer the relish for 5 minutes to pull all the flavors together. Remove it from the heat; you should have about 4 cups of relish.

Place the torn white bread in a bowl and add the milk to just barely cover, swish the bread around in the milk and let it sit while you get the rest of the ingredients for the meat loaf together.

This is where you get your hands dirty! In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and pork with 1 1/2 cups of the tomato relish, the eggs, and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the excess milk from the bread and add the soaked bread to the meat mixture. To test, fry a small "hamburger" patty of the meatloaf until cooked; the patty should hold together but still have a soft consistency. Taste the patty for seasoning.

Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Transfer the meat mixture to the center of the cookie sheet and form into a log about 9 inches long and about 4 inches wide. Coat the top of the meatloaf with another 1/2 cup of the tomato relish. Lay the bacon across the top lengthwise.

Bake the meatloaf for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until the bacon is crisp and the meatloaf is firm. Rotate the meat loaf while it's baking every now and then to insure that the bacon browns evenly. Remove the meatloaf from the oven and let it cool a bit before slicing. Serve with the remaining tomato relish on the side. Unbelievably moist!
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Trader Joe's - Chicken Enchiladas in Salsa Verde

When I have time, I make this fresh. When I want to eat it for dinner, the frozen comes in very handy.

This Frozen Dinner is DELICIOUS!!! Both my husband and I LOVE IT!!! The cheese melts on top and the taste is very authentic.

This is one of the BEST, may not be the healthiest, FROZEN DINNERS we have ever had.

You HAVE to try it!!

Trader Joe's - Frozen Chicken Pot Pie

Almost compares to a fresh POT PIE. My husband LOVES this!!... Not sure how healthy it is but it turns out pretty yummy.

I buy this at Trader Joe's.

Tip: If I am pressed for time, I microwave it for 7-10 mins to speed up the baking time. Then I bake it until "Golden" brown and bubbling a little. I bake it in my Toaster Oven to save energy and time.

3 Minute PERFECT Brown Rice - Trader Joe's

This is such a TIME SAVER, so HEALTHY, and actutally turns out PERFECT in 3 minutes. I was so not a believer until I broke down and bought a box to try.
TOTAL BELIEVER.
**Sometimes I will mix the Jasmine White Rice from Trader Joe's, depending on who I am feeding. Yes, they have white rice as well.

• Rice & Beans
• Rice over the Herb Salad Mix (TJ) with evvo and balsalmic
• Rice with eggs in the morning
• Rice with sauteed tri color bell peppers (TJ)
• Salmon over BROWN RICE
• Chicken over BROWN RICE

Super Easy Baked Salmon - Prep Time 10 mins

This is a super EASY, FAST, DELICIOUS, and HEALTHY recipe. If you want to introduce your toddler to fish, this might work. :)

This was exactly what I was looking for last night for dinner.

Salmon - Whole Foods (2 fillets, approx $10)
Frozen Brown Rice - Trader Joes
Frozen California Blend Organic Veggies - Whole Foods

BAKED SALMON II - (from allrecipes.com)


INGREDIENTS

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 tablespoons light olive oil (note: this make A LOT of juice, you can cut back the oil.)

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon lemon juice (note: I added 2 T more b/c I love lemon on fish)

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

2 (6 ounce) fillets salmon

DIRECTIONS
1.In a medium glass bowl, prepare marinade by mixing garlic, light olive oil, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and parsley. Place salmon fillets in a medium glass baking dish, and cover with the marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator about 1 hour, turning occasionally.
2.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3.Place fillets in aluminum foil, cover with marinade, and seal. Place sealed salmon in the glass dish, and bake 35 to 45 minutes, until easily flaked with a fork.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Salmon-II/Detail.aspx

Dinner Tonight - Apricot Glazed Pork Loin, Brown Rice, and Peas: Prep Time 15 mins

This dinner is soooo yummy and the presentation is so FANCY on the plate. :)
For Baby P, I clean a little of the sauce off so it's not too overwhelming for him.

(Picture is from the Food Network Website along with recipe)

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/cda/recipe_print/0,1946,FOOD_9936_35458_RECIPE-PRINT-FULL-PAGE-FORMATTER,00.html

• Pork Loin - Trader Joes
  
• Tamari Sauce (Like Soy Sauce) - Whole Foods


• Apricot Preserves and Berry Perserves -TJ (I use both for the recipe)


• Frozen Organic Brown Rice - TJ


• Frozen Organic Peas- TJ

Apricot-Glazed Pork Medallions
Recipe courtesy Robin Miller

Ingredients
•1 pound pork tenderloin, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick rounds
•Salt
•Ground black pepper
•2 teaspoons sesame oil
•1 1/4 cups apricot preserves
•1/4 cup tamari sauce
•1 tablespoon chopped pickled ginger (I don't use this)
Directions
Season both sides of pork with salt and black pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork and sear 2 minutes per side. Add apricot preserves, tamari sauce and ginger and bring to a simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, until pork is cooked through and sauce reduces.

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Miso Crusted Black Cod with Soybeans and Jasmine Tea Rice- Nathan Lyon

Miso Crusted Black Cod with Soybeans and Jasmine Tea Rice

-Nathan Lyon: Discovery Health
http://health.discovery.com/fansites/nathan-lyon/recipes/miso-crusted-black-cod.html

**This is sooooo good. I made this for a special dinner one night. It takes a bit of prep time so I did it in stages throughout the day. I have learned with a 2.5 yr old running around, long recipes are best done in stages. :) This is so fresh and so TASTY.

Ingredients:
EVOO, as needed
3/4 pound Black Cod, Sea Bass, or Talapia
1 tablespoon miso paste
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
A pinch of sugar
Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350F.
Combine miso paste, vinegar, sugar, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
Spread the miso mixture over all the fish and allow to rest for 10 minutes at room temperature. In a medium sauté pan over medium high heat, add 1 tablespoon EVOO and heat until shimmering. Place the fish, skin side down into the pan and transfer to the oven and cook for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, depending upon the thickness, to medium. The flesh will become opaque yet still moist, and flake when properly cooked. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Seasoned Rice Vinegar
The suggested substitution ratio for Seasoned Rice Vinegar is 3/4 cup plain rice vinegar plus 1/4 cup sugar plus 2 teaspoons salt. So, I’m thinking it would be something like this: 3/4 tablespoon Seasoned Rice Vinegar equals 3/4 tablespoon Rice Vinegar plus a big pinch of salt, and 1/4 tablespoon sugar, and for those who are adventurous for the classic ingredients, include a dash of sake. However for those looking to lower their sodium and sugar intake, purchase rice vinegar and then adjust the amount of salt and sugar to suit your own taste. If nothing else is available, get the ‘low sodium and sugar’ version of seasoned rice wine vinegar and adjust to taste.

Jasmine Tea Rice

Ingredients:
1 cup Jasmine brown rice
1 teaspoon Jasmine tea, in a tea-ball, or tea bag
2 cups vegetable stock or water
Green onions or chives, chopped, optional
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:
Using a fine-mesh colander, rinse the rice with water and rub the rice against the side of the colander until the water runs clear. Using non-stick spray, spray the inside of the rice pot. Add the rice, stock, and tea, to the rice pot and cook. When the cooking is complete, turn off the cooker and allow the rice to steam for an additional 10 minutes before removing the lid. Fluff the rice, season lightly, and stir in the chopped green onions.

Soybeans

1 cup cooked shelled Edamame (soybeans found in the freezer section of your grocery store).
Salt to taste.

Sauce

Ingredients:
1/2 block, or roughly 8 ounces "silken" or soft tofu
1 cup fresh carrot juice
1-1/2 tablespoons ginger juice
A few good grinds of black pepper

Using a hand wand or blender, blend the ingredients together, transfer to a small sauce pan and warm slowly.

To Plate:

In a shallow bowl, add 1 cup of rice to the middle. Place the fish on top. Pour some of the sauce around the rice and finish by adding some Edamame on top of the sauce.
Serves: 2

Ginger Noodle Salad - Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon on Discovery Health.

Nathan has some AMAZING recipes and uses mostly FRESH, Farmers Market ingredients.

(our Direct TV, the channel is 261)
http://health.discovery.com/fansites/nathan-lyon/recipes/ginger-noodle-salad.html

*I made this with the Miso Crusted Black Cod

Ginger Noodle Salad

Salad Ingredients:
1/3 package cellophane noodles, aka, bean thread, or glass noodles
1 ripe mango, peeled, seeded, and diced
1/4 cup mint leaves, torn
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1/3 cup red onion, small dice or scallions, thinly sliced
1 cup sugar snap peas, strings removed, cut in half on an angle
1 cucumber (preferably English, Japanese or Persian), peeled, seeded, and sliced thin on an angle
1 carrot, peeled and grated, or thinly sliced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Dressing Ingredients:
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1-1/2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1-1/2 teaspoons lime juice
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons EVOO

Soak the noodles in a bowl of very hot water for 15 minutes, with a plate on top of the noodles to keep them submerged. Drain the noodles and rinse in cold water for 1 minute. Drain well. In a second bowl combine the ginger, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and lime juice. Stir until the honey dissolves. Whisk in the two oils and set aside. In a large bowl combine all of the salad ingredients then dress with just enough dressing to your liking. Season, garnish, and serve.

Serves: 4

Dinner Tonight - BEANS RICE SALAD - 10 mins

Prep Time: 10 Mins

• Organic Black Beans - Trader Joe's, in a can, washed and strained really well (this helps eliminate some of the "gaseousness" of the beans :)



• Saute approx. 1/4 c of already diced onions & 2 garlic cloves (Both TJ) in EVVO



• Add the BEANS



• Add approx. 1/4c Organic Chicken Broth (TJ)



• Simmer covered for 10-15 mins



• Organic Brown Rice - (TJ) Frozen microwave 3 mins!!



• Carrots, Cucumbers, & Tomatoes with dipping sauce (evvo with balsamic vinegar)

(Thank you M & S for reminding me of how wonderful Black Beans are...YUMMY!! and so good for you.)

Dinner - Tortellini, Carrots, Peas, Apple Sauce

Easy Dinner - For the whole Family

• Fresh Tortellini (Pesto and cheese) - Trader Joes (Near the fresh pre made salads)
• Organic Vodka Sauce -TJ
• Fresh Baby Carrots -TJ
• Frozen Organic Peas -TJ

**BABY P - No Sugar Added Organic Apple Sauce -TJ (For Dipping purposes:)
( Baby P LOVES pasta, what kid doesn't? I know it has enriched flour, first ingredient, but I feel as long as I mix it with other healthy items I can sleep at night. :)