Browsing Tag

tomato

Tasty

Taylor’s Tomato Salad

July 23, 2014

TomatoBasilSalad

I’m always looking for easy, healthy meal options (even better if I like them enough for leftovers the next day) and this salad fits the bill.  My sister whipped it up for lunch one day and now I make sure to have it a couple times a week for dinner (and a couple lunches)… it’s SO GOOD.

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Salad:

  • 1 head of red leaf/butter lettuce (hand torn is best)
  • 1 ear of fresh corn (corn cut from core, not cooked)
  • 1-2 heirloom tomatoes or 1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes (chopped)
  • 1 avocado (diced)
  • 10-15 basil leaves (sliced into strips)
Dressing:
  • 1 small shallot (minced)
  • ~1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup good olive oil
  • Salt/pepper
  1. Make the dressing by combing shallot, Dijon, red wine vinegar and salt in a jar. Shake until well combined and drizzle in olive oil and mix until combined.
  2. Combine salad ingredients – if you aren’t enjoying it right away, put basil aside and put it atop your salad right before
  3. Toss with dressing and enjoy!

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This would also be great with grilled chicken breast for a dinner salad!

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Tasty

Chipotle Chicken with Avocado Salsa

July 21, 2014

Chipotle Chicken

I love the foodie blog – How Sweet It Is… the majority of my recipe pins are from her site and I honestly have never been disappointed with her creations.  When I came across her Honey Chipotle Chicken Bowls, I knew I HAD to give them a try.   While the original is DELICIOUS, I wanted to put my own spin on it… so here is what I did:

Qunioa Tower

 

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Chipotle Chicken with Avocado Salsa

Chicken:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons adobo sauce (from a can of chipotles in adobo)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon honey mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 1 large handful of fresh chopped cilantro
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  1. Salt and pepper chicken and transfer to a Ziplock bag or baking dish.
  2. Combine remaining ingredients (oil, adobo sauce, honey, mustards, cilantro and garlic) in a jar and shake until mixed.
  3. Pour over chicken and let marinate in the fridge for at least 2-12 hours.
  4. Preheat oven to 425.
  5. Transfer chicken to a baking dish (if you haven’t already) and let chicken sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes or so.
  6. Bake chicken for 20 minutes, then flip chicken breasts and bake for 20 more minutes.
  7. Top with salsa and serve with lime quinoa.

*I love to prep the chicken in the morning and let marinate for the day, for an easy dinner to whip up dinner!

Cilantro Chipotle Chicken

Salsa:

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 avocados, diced
  • 4 green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, leaves torn from stem
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  1. Combine tomatoes, avocado, green onion and cilantro in a bowl.
  2. Add lime juice, olive oil and honey to a jar and shake until combined.
  3. Pour over salsa and toss before serving.

*I make the salsa ahead of time (and depending on how early just let sit out at room temperature) and toss with the dressing 30 minutes before serving.

Lime Honey Dressing

Quinoa:

  • 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • zest of 1 lime
  • juice of 1 lime
  1. Rinse quinoa and combine with chicken stock in a medium sized saucepan.
  2. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to low, cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.
  3. Make sure most of the liquid has evaporated and then stir in coconut oil, lime juice and lime zest.

Qunioa Tower

Tasty

Did Someone Say Burrata?

June 2, 2014

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Got your attention did I?

Sliced Tomatoes

Well I was craving some comfort food amongst this warm weather (why, I have no idea), and wanted to make a seasonally appropriate dish… here is what I put together:

Heirloom Tomtato and Burrata Pasta

  • 10-12 heirloom tomatoes
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 lb. pasta (I used quinoa spaghetti that worked well)
  • course sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • Burrata cheese (how much depends on you decadent you want it – I used 1/2 a ball
  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Slice tomatoes in half and transfer to a mixing bowl.
  3. Top with mixture of olive oil, vinegar, garlic and heavy seasoning of salt and pepper (about 1/2 teaspoon of pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt). Mix until combined.
  4. Spread tomato mixture on a foil lined baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes (you want the tomatoes to be caramelized).
  5. While tomatoes are roasting, cook pasta in salted water until al dente and drain.
  6. Return noodles back to pot and once tomatoes are ready, add complete contents of baking sheet (tomatoes and their juices – not the foil) to the pot.
  7. Depending on how would like to present it, either add the burrata in now and give it a good stir, or individually plate the pasta and give each person their own portion of burrata atop their pasta.
  8. Garnish with herbs (basil works best, but chives, parsley, or whatever you can get your hands on should do the trick!)
  9. Mangia!

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Tasty

Southwestern Cobb Salad

May 12, 2014

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I love dinners that transition well to lunches the next day.  Considering most recipes make enough for 4 people, I have to make sure to I really LOVE what I’m making (enough for a couple rounds of leftovers).  This salad is a great option! Super healthy, tons of Omega-3s, and under 400 calories per serving!

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Southwestern Salmon Cobb Salad

adapted from Eating Well 

  • 1 lb wild salmon, skinned
  • 1 tablespoon adobo sauce framed canned chipotles + 1 tablespoon minced chipotle in adobe
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt or reduced fat sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 10 cups romaine lettuce
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 bunch radishes, sliced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatos, halved
  • 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
  1. Make dressing by mixing greek yogurt/sour cream, vinegar, water, minced chipotles and 1/4 teaspoon salt.  Store in fridge until ready to use.
  2. Preheat grill to medium high heat.
  3. Divide salmon into 4 equal portions and brush with adobo sauce and sprinkle with salt.
  4. Grill salmon, turning once, until opaque – about 3 minutes per side.
  5. Divide greens, salmon and toppings among 4 plates (or 2 plates and 2 Tupperwares for tomorrow!). Serve dressing on the side and enjoy!

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*In a pinch I buy honey smoked salmon portions at Whole Foods.  They can be served cold and are an easy addition to this salad if you don’t feel like grilling.

**If you are out of chipotles, I also recommend using dried chipotle powder in the dressing.

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Per Serving (according to EatingWell.com): 385 calories, 22 g far, 91 mg cholesterol; 13 g carbohydrate, 0 g added sugar; 37 g protein, 7 g fiber, 696 mg sodium, Nutritional bonuses – 85% daily value of Vitamin A, 62% DV of folate, 60% DV of Vitamin C, 42% DV of Potassium

Tasty

Pancetta, Ricotta and Herb Quiche

February 26, 2014

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This summer I mourned the idea of a rainy, dark winter season, and I guess the joke was on me with the 2 rainy days we have had all winter…  A couple of weeks ago, we were blessed with one of the rainy days and I took the opportunity to light some candles, play some great music and spend the day cooking.  There is something so great about a quiche, easy to make and great for breakfast, lunch or dinner in the days to come.

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Pancetta, Ricotta and Herb Quiche

  • 1 pie crust (I use Trader Joe’s pre-made crusts or feel free to make your own)
  • 4 oz pancetta, chopped into small cubes (I also use Trader Joe’s chopped pancetta)
  • 6 eggs
  • 2/3 cups half and half
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup grated parmigiano reggiano
  • 1/4 cup chopped herbs (I used parsley, chives)
  • 7 oz fresh ricotta
  • 2 green onions
  • 10-12 grape tomatoes
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Grease a quiche pan and roll out crust onto it. Bake crust for 10 minutes.
  3. While crust is baking, cook pancetta in a small pan over medium heat for 5 minutes.
  4. Whisk eggs, cream, milk, cheese and herbs together in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Remove crust from oven and crumble ricotta over it. Top with cooked pancetta and chopped herbs, then pour egg mixture over the top.
  6. Half tomatoes and place them atop quiche, cut side up.
  7. Bake for 45 minutes or until set and golden.
  8. Let cool and drizzle with balsamic reduction* and a light salad. Enjoy!

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*Trader Joe’s also makes a great pre-made balsamic reduction, but you can easily make your own by simmering balsamic vinegar on low for 5-10 minutes, until reduced.

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Some of my other favorite quiche recipes can be found here, here and here.