Hoisin Salmon with Quinoa & Zucchini

Jan 25, 2012 by

Salmon and Quinoa were first paired together by me about 4 years ago when I started to make serious changes to my diet. My chiropractor at the time, taught me about the benefits of whole grains and consuming less sugar. I was determined to learn more about how food can help heal the body. It took me a while to get used to eating certain vegetables that were fairly new to me. Zucchini was one of them. With benefits like – being a great source of vitamins A & C, folate, fibre and potassium, I had to find a way to LOVE this green goodness. Combining it with Quinoa, a grain I fell in love with immediately, seemed pretty practical 🙂

Simple. Healthy. Delicious.

 

Hoisin Salmon with Quinoa & Zucchini

 

 

5.0 from 2 reviews
Hoisin Salmon with Quinoa & Zucchini
 
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Salmon seasoned with hoisin sauce and served with Quinoa and zucchini
Author:
Recipe type: Main
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 pieces skinless, boneless, salmon steaks
  • salt & pepper
  • 4 Tbsp Hoisin Sauce
  • 1 Cup Quinoa, rinsed and drained
  • 2 Cups fat-free, reduced sodium Chicken Broth
  • 1 Medium zucchini cut up into ¼ inch pieces
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
  1. In a medium sauce pan, add chicken broth and quinoa. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover for about 10 minutes
  2. Add chopped zucchini, stir and cover for another 5 minutes or so until all the broth has been absorbed
  3. Season salmon steaks with salt and pepper
  4. using a brush or the back of a spoon, spread hoisin sauce on both sides of the salmon
  5. Add olive oil to a skillet and set heat to high
  6. Add salmon to the hot skillet, presentation side down first
  7. cook for about 6 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove from heat
  8. Remove quinoa from heat and fluff with a fork
  9. Serve and enjoy
Notes
Optional: Add sweet corn or diced sweet peppers to the quinoa in addition to or instead of using zucchini

 

I always say that eating healthy doesn’t have to be hard. Perhaps I say it often to remind myself. At the same time, I hope I am reminding others. I think this recipe is a perfect example. I started making this dish a few years ago and now I make so many variations of it, I can hardly keep track. Adding various vegetables in the quinoa mix is always a great idea. Diced Carrots, Sweet Peas, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash, to name a few. All these things go nicely with quinoa.

I hope everyone is having a great week so far. Take good care 🙂

 

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Apple Crisp

Jan 9, 2012 by

For those that don’t know me, I have a deep love for my family. I suppose it only gets magnified knowing that I’m so far away from them. But it warms my heart whenever we do get a chance to talk and catch up with each other. I’m always so happy to help with any recipes or techniques should they inquire. Recently, my cousin called me with a question that was so simple, but somehow I didn’t have an answer for her. She had an apple and wanted to know if I had any recipes for a single apple. I looked for recipes for a while just to satisfy that desire to have a recipe for a single apple 🙂 Although I did not find exactly what I was looking for, I played around with the basic concept of apple crisp and came up with my own version. I did it quite a few times until my husband and I agreed that we had arrived at something special. So thanks to Kim, I’m able to share this recipe today.

I wanted to keep the ingredients as simple as possible and good for you too.

 

Royal Gala Apple

 

 

Whole Grain Oats

 

Apple Crisp Ingredients

 

5.0 from 2 reviews
Apple Crisp
 
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A simple recipe for Apple Crisp
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • Apple Filling:
  • 1 Apple - Royal Gala (or a firm apple like Granny Smith)
  • 1 Tbsp Agave Nectar
  • 1 Tsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tsp Flour
  • Butter for greasing oven-proof bowl
  • Oats Topping:
  • 2 Tbsp Butter, softened
  • 1 Tbsp Flour
  • 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Cinnamon Powder
  • 4 Tbsp Whole Oats
Instructions
  1. Peel the apple and cut into small chunks.
  2. Use butter and grease a small oven proof bowl (I used a16oz bowl, 5inches in diameter)
  3. In a separate bowl, mix apple, agave nectar, lemon juice and flour so that apple is fully coated
  4. Empty coated apple into prepared oven proof bowl
  5. In a small bowl, add softened butter, flour, sugar, cinnamon and oats
  6. Combine using a fork and then crumble with your fingers until all the ingredients are combined
  7. Spread oats mixture on top of the apple in the prepared bowl
  8. Bake in a 375F oven until nicely browned on top, about 25 minutes
  9. Remove from oven and allow to rest for about 10 minutes
  10. Enjoy by itself or with traditional vanilla ice-cream

 

Apple Filling with agave nectar, lemon juice and flour

 

For some reason, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon look so beautiful together…

 

Brown Sugar and Cinnamon

 

Ingredients for the Topping

 

Ready for the oven

 

The result is a very clean and lean Apple Crisp that I’ve enjoyed many times. Thanks, Kim!

 

Kim's Apple Crisp

 

Apple Crisp

 

 

Have a great week everyone!

~Lyn

 

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Lyn’s Banana Bread

Jan 6, 2012 by

I’ve been making this banana bread for a few years now. It somehow never fails. Everybody loves it and I’m so happy to be sharing it with you. It’s definitely “lighter” than most recipes which is great because I really don’t care for the guilt that comes along with loaded baked goods. So this recipe satisfies me. I found this recipe on Food Network Canada and I’ve made my changes to get it to where I like it.

Bananas should never EVER go to waste. I learned a few years back that over-ripe bananas can be stored in the freezer for baking. That advice was like gold to me. I now use frozen bananas for porridge, smoothies and banana bread.

I love Banana Bread. Even more so with dark chocolate chips.

I use 2 bananas because I found using 3 made the bread overly moist, which wasn’t so nice for me. I love that yogurt is used as the binding agent instead of eggs. Notice too, that butter is absent. The garnish on top is optional too, it’s really there to make the cake look even prettier. The cake on its own is delicious. Yes, even without the chocolate chips.

 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – Ready for the oven

 

Banana Bread

 

Lyn's Banana Bread
 
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A lighter version of a wonderful family favourite - Banana Bread
Author:
Recipe type: Bread
Serves: 10
Ingredients
  • 2 very ripe bananas
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup fat free vanilla yogurt
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 cup all purpose, unbleached flour
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ tsp Allspice
  • 1 ripe banana, sliced, to bake on top of bread as a garnish (optional)
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Lightly grease a 4-inch X 8-inch loaf pan.
  3. In a large bowl, mash bananas. Add the honey, vanilla, sugar, yogurt and oil. Mix to combine.
  4. In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, salt and allspice.
  5. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined.
  6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
  7. Arrange banana slices decoratively on top of the batter, if desired.
  8. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, until golden and a knife inserted comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes before cutting into slices.
Notes
Adapted from http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/Fruit/recipe.html?dishid=5918

 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

 

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

 

If you ever get around to making this bread, please do think of me. Imagine me with a big smile on my face, whispering sweetly…”I told you so”

Have an amazing weekend!

 

~Lyn   XoXo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Family Dining During The Holidays

Jan 4, 2012 by

For a holiday meal for my family, I generally don’t go overboard. There’s no need since there’s only 2 adults and 2 little picky eaters. Larger families may prepare turkey or ham or a whole chicken, but this does not work for my household at the moment. I did however, prepare some things for the first time. As always, I cook with faith, hoping that the meal will turn out great.

Success strikes again! I made Lamb Loin Chops – freestyle. Plus Buttermilk Chicken and my husbands favourite lasagna. I’m sharing the recipe for the Lamb today because it is so simple and the lamb chops were so elegant.

 

Rosemary Thyme Lamb Chops

 

Rosemary Thyme Lamb Chops
 
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A simple recipe using Rosemary and Thyme as the main seasoning
Author:
Recipe type: entrée
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 8 pieces Lamb Loin Chops
  • 2 Tsp Fresh Rosemary, chopped
  • 2 Tsp Dried Thyme
  • 2 Cloves Garlic, cut in half
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 2 Tsp All Purpose Seasoning
  • Olive Oil for Searing
  • ¼ Cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
Instructions
  1. Season Lamb on both sides with Salt, Pepper, Rosemary, Thyme and All Purpose Seasoning. Set aside for about 20 minutes.
  2. In a large dutch oven (or skillet), sautee garlic until oil is fragrant. Remove garlic and discard.
  3. Add lamb gently to the pot. Brown on both sides about 5 minutes per side.
  4. Reduce heat and add chicken broth.
  5. Cover and simmer for about 20-30 minutes until meat is soft and tender.

 

 

Rosemary Thyme Lamb Chops

 

The lamb smelled wonderful as I browned them. I’m not sure how often I’ll be cooking lamb, but these pieces were very tender and flavourful.

Rosemary Thyme Lamb

 

And here was our holiday family dinner. Just for us 🙂 Small. Simple. Made with love.

 

Rosemary Thyme Lamb, Lasagna, Rice & Peas, Buttermilk Chicken

 

 

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Smoked Paprika Chipotle Chicken with Spirali Pasta and Kale Pesto

Dec 16, 2011 by

Every now and again I tend rebel. I’ve been using recipes because that’s how I learned to cook. But some days I just want to throw caution to the wind and follow my heart and do what comes to mind. And that’s exactly what I did. I gave my friends on Facebook a quick peek at what I prepared. Because I didn’t follow a recipe, I don’t have a fancy name for it so the ingredients will have to do for now.

On my recent grocery shopping trips, I picked up a few items just for fun. White/Black Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Smoky Paprika Chipotle Seasoning. Both completely out of my comfort zone but I’m all about expanding my horizons. The risk was well worth it. Although I did hold back, just a little.

I used Kale for the “pesto” because I really like the health benefits and it has a nice flavour. However, after smelling the Chipotle seasoning (that bad boy is strong), I opted to leave the cheese and any form of nut from the pesto. Traditional pesto consist of  Basil, Parmesan or Romano Cheese, Olive Oil, Pine Nuts and Garlic. It makes me smile to myself and ask the question – is it still really pesto if it doesn’t have cheese and nuts? Ah well. It tasted great so I’m still calling it pesto. There. I’ll try it with all the ingredients next time.

 

Black / White Truffle Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Smoky Paprika Chipotle Seasoning

Smoked Paprika Chipotle Chicken

 

 

Kale Pesto

 

5.0 from 2 reviews
Smoked Paprika Chipotle Chicken with Spirali Pasta and Kale Pesto
 
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A spicy meal suitable for any day of the week
Author:
Recipe type: ntrée
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 5 Chicken Breast Cutlets
  • 2 Tbsp Smoked Paprika Chipotle Seasoning
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 3 Cups Spirali Pasta (Or any pasta you have - Penne or Fusili)
  • 1 Cup frozen Kale, defrosted
  • 2 Tbsp White Truffle Olive Oil
  • ½ Cup Frozen Sweet Corn, thawed (optional)
Instructions
  1. Prepare Pasta according to package instructions
  2. Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper and chipotle seasoning.
  3. In a large skillet, cook chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
  4. In a small food processor, combine Kale and White Truffle Olive Oil.
  5. Drain pasta. Add Kale and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Cut chicken into strips. Serve with pasta and corn as garnish if desired.

 

Smoked Paprika Chipotle Chicken, Pasta, Kale Pesto & Sweet Corn

 

There’s no need to panic if you didn’t plan dinner tonight. The possibilities are endless…

 

 

 

 

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