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Crunchy Baked Cod with Tarter Sauce…..

Posted by on March 25, 2010

Cod is a very mild and flaky fish.  I buy it frozen because it is flash frozen right after it is caught.  It is the best way to buy fish in the midwest.  As always, refrigeration thawing is the best, it will take about 24 hours.  You can also defrost in a bowl in the sink under slowly running water.  It will take about an hour this way.  It doesn’t last long frozen, so use it up within a couple of weeks after you buy it.

This is an excellent and easy way to prepare cod.  My boys devour it!  I love the tarter sauce, I cut the mayonnaise with some fat free yogurt, you cannot tell the difference, it’s very good!

Crunchy Cod with Tarter Sauce

4 6 oz. pieces of cod
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup saltine crackers, coarsely crushed
Tarter sauce:

¼ cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup plain non fat yogurt
2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish

1) Line a cookie sheet with Reynold’s non-stick foil. Preheat oven to 400’.
2) Rinse cod and dry with a paper towel. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
3) In a small microwavable bowl, add butter and olive oil. Microwave until butter is melted. Whisk in Dijon mustard and cayenne.
4) In a medium size bowl, add cracker crumbs.
5) Using a pastry brush, generously coat each piece of fish with the butter mixture. Coat fish with the cracker crumbs, pressing crumbs into fish to coat.  Place on prepared cookie sheet.
6) Bake for 15-18 minutes. While fish is baking, mix sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Fish, Quick Weeknight Dinners | Tagged: Tagged With: , , ,

Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding

Posted by on March 20, 2010
I like to freeze the ends of wheat bread and when I’ve accumulated a good amount, I make my own bread crumbs or make something sweet and delicious like this bread pudding.  I love the ends because they add a bit of texture to the dish.  The beauty of this simple dessert is you can make them ahead, all the way up to baking and refrigerate.  Forty minutes before you want to serve dessert, pop them in the oven.  The smell of pumpkin and cinnamon fill the air.  Serve warm with fresh whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla icecream.  YUM!
The ramekins at the top make for the prettiest presentation.  They also make for very easy serving.  I like to serve with a fresh ripe strawberry or raspberries on the side.  Beautiful and delicious! 
Pumpkin Spice Bread Pudding

6 cups stale bread ends, whole wheat is best (about 10 pieces)
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup whole milk or half and half
1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
1 15 oz. can plain pumpkin
4 whole large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cloves
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of salt

1) Preheat oven to 350’ and butter a large casserole dish (2 ½ quart) and set aside. Or, you can use 6 oz. ramekins, butter 8 and set aside.
2) Tear bread into small pieces and place in a small bowl, set aside.
3) In a large mixing bowl, add brown sugar through salt, whisk until well blended.
4) Add bread to liquid mixture and stir gently to coat well.
5) Pour into casserole dish or divide evenly among ramekins. They can be filled to 1/4” from the top.
6) Bake casserole for 35 minutes. For ramekins, bake for 25 minutes. Serve warm with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. Add a tiny pinch of nutmeg over the top.

Let me know what you think, comments are always very welcome!

Angie

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Best Boiled Eggs….. Light and Creamy Egg Salad…..

Posted by on March 13, 2010

It seems so simple, but do you have a fool proof way to boil eggs?  My mother-in-law Patricia, shared how she makes hard boiled eggs.  I do this every time and they are always perfect.  Thank you Patricia!!

Eggs are the best, purest protein.  This egg salad is very good because it isn’t loaded with mayonnaise.  You do not miss the extra mayo and the yogurt gives it a slight “tang.”   Serve open faced on a slice of toasted whole grain bread over a bed of spinach.  Delish!!

6 large eggs
½ cup plain non fat yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
2 tablespoons minced red onion
2 large stalks minced celery stalks
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon celery seeds

1) To boil eggs, fill pan that has a lid with cold water, add eggs. Place over high heat, bring to a boil. Once boiling, remove from heat and cover with lid. Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Drain hot water and fill pan with cold water to cool. Once cool, peel.
2) In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, mayonnaise, and mustard.  Add onion through celery seeds, mix well.  Taste. Adjust seasoning if necessary.   (This is the best time to taste and adjust seasoning due to the delicate nature of the eggs.)  Chop eggs and add to bowl, stir gently until just blended.  Refrigerate immediately in an air tight container.  Salad will keep nicely refrigerated for 3-4 days.  Gently stir before serving.

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Gyros, my version…..

Posted by on March 8, 2010

Don’t you love gyros?   This is my low fat version.   Sometimes lamb has a strong “game” taste, so I use a blend of lean ground beef, lamb, and turkey.  You can actually process your own lamb if you wish.  Simply buy some lean boneless leg meat, cut into 1″ chunks and process until it is evenly ground up.  Serve with couscous and a delicious Greek salad and you’ve got a quick and healthy dinner your family and friends will love!

1 lb. lean ground lamb
½ lb. lean ground beef
½ lb. lean ground turkey
6 large garlic cloves, crushed
3 tablespoons dried oregano
½ cup fresh lemon juice, or bottled
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
Whole wheat flat bread
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Tzaziki, recipe below

1) Preheat oven to 375’. Foil line a cookie sheet with sides.
2) Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl. Using meticulously clean hands or gloves, mix meat mixture with your hands thoroughly. Shape into two tubular shaped logs on a cookie sheet.
3) Bake for 40 minutes. Internal temperature should read 165’.
4) Remove from oven and tent with foil, let stand for 15 minutes before slicing. While meat is resting, heat a skillet over medium heat and warm flat breads, keep warm in a clean kitchen towel until you’re ready to serve.
5) When ready to serve, using a meat carving knife or a serrated knife, slice into ¼” slices. Serve with cool cucumber tzaiki, warm flat bread, and red onion.

Tzaziki

1 cup non fat yogurt
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and minced
2 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh or bottled
1 clove crushed garlic
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Mix ingredients well in a small mixing bowl. Refrigerate immediately after using in an air tight container.

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Lemon Whole Wheat Couscous, Greek Salad…..

Posted by on March 8, 2010

This simple side pairs well with fish or chicken.  It is versitile and extremely quick.

1 small onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup water
Lemon juice and zest from one lemon
1 cup whole wheat couscous
Zest of one lemon
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1) Using a micro-plane, zest entire lemon, removing all bright yellow rind. Set aside. Juice the lemon and add to 2 cup liquid measure. Add water to measure 1 ¼ cup. Set aside.
2) In medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, add olive oil and onion, cook about 5 minutes. Add water and juice mixture. Bring to a boil. Add couscous, remove from heat, and cover. Let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Add parsley. Serve.

Greek Salad

Lettuce
Cucumber
Tomatoes
Red onion
Kalamata olives, pitted
Feta cheese, crumbled

Vinaigrette

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Put all dressing ingredients together in an air tight plastic container and shake well.  Pour sparingly over salad to lightly coat.  Taste.  You may have to season with additional salt and pepper.

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Panko and Fresh Herb Encrusted Tilapia

Posted by on March 5, 2010
This is a family favorite.  If you haven’t used panko bread crumbs before, you’re in for a treat!  They make anything you bread light and crunchy.  Have your dipping station set up and ready to go.  If you care for a little tarter sauce, simply mix together 1/3 cup plain non fat yogurt, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, and 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish.  Whisk until well blended.  Round out your meal with brown rice pilaf and a green vegetable.  This will soon be a favorite of your family too!  Enjoy.

5-6 tilapia fillets
Salt and pepper
1 cup all purpose flour
2 large eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2  cups panko crumbs, you can find in the Asian isle of the grocery store
2 tablespoons flat parsley, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chives, finely chopped
Vegetable oil for pan browning

1) Reynolds non stick foil line a cookie sheet and preheat oven to 400’.
2) Rinse and drain fish fillets. Season with salt and pepper
3) You will need three containers to bread the fish. Into the first, the flour. Into the second, the beaten eggs and water. Into the third, the panko crumbs, parsley, and chives, mix well to distribute herbs.
4) Heat a non stick skillet over medium high heat and add enough oil to cover the pan. Working one at a time and in this order, dip each fillet into the flour, then egg mixture, then into the panko. Press crumbs into fish. Carefully place breaded fish into the hot and oiled pan. Cook 2-3 minutes and turn, cook another 2-3 minutes. Remove from pan and place on prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

*note* if you’re making this for a dinner party, prepare the fish all the way to browning. Place in a container and use wax paper between layers and refrigerate immediately.   Simply bake for 20 minutes before you’re ready to serve.

Filed Under: Fish, Oven Fried, Quick Weeknight Dinners | Tagged: Tagged With: , ,

Magnificent Mini Meat Loaves….

Posted by on March 2, 2010

I especially like these mini meat loaves because of the time savings during baking.  When you bake a large meat loaf in a bread pan or free form on a cookie sheet, cooking time tends to be an hour plus.  Plus, these are perfectly portioned servings.  I love the energy and time savings.  In any case, mini anything tends to be extremely appealing to kids.  The added fiber is a plus as well.    Don’t worry that the horseradish will be too hot, it is very mild with the other ingredients. 

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 large carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced or crushed
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 lb. lean ground turkey
1 cup quick oats
1 cup leftover brown or white rice
2 large eggs
1 cup water
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup horseradish, homemade or prepared (recipe below)
1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt or 1 teaspoon table salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce:
¾ cup ketchup
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons horseradish

1)  Line a cookie sheet (with sides) with Reynolds non stick foil. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375’.
2)  Add olive oil to a medium size sauté pan and heat over medium high heat. Add celery, carrot, and onion. Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic, cook one minute. Remove from pan and add to a small bowl to cool. If you have vegetable “fobes” in your house, process the vegetables in a food processor to eliminate “chunks.”
3)  In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef through black pepper and cooled vegetable mixture. With impeccably clean hands, mix well. Shape into 6, 8 oz mini loaves and place on prepared cookie sheet. Place in preheated oven and set your timer for 30 minutes.
4)  While meat loaves are baking, make sauce. Mix ingredients well in a small mixing bowl.
5)  After 30 minutes of baking, top with sauce. (You will have extra to serve with dinner.) Bake another 10 minutes.

*food sanitation tip* disposable gloves area available at any pharmacy. I use them when mixing meat loaf, no messy hands and no bare hand contact with raw meat.

Filed Under: Meats, Quick Weeknight Dinners | Tagged: Tagged With: , ,

Loaded Potato Soup

Posted by on February 26, 2010

Comfort anyone?  This is the perfect soup to serve to get rid of a “chill.”  This hearty and elegant soup is simple and uses very basic ingredients.   Serve with Irish Soda Bread. (recipe below)  Add a splash of half and half or cream if you wish.  The bacon is optional, but I hightly recommend it!  This soup tastes much like a loaded baked potato, it’s fantastic!

4 strips bacon
1 tablespoon butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary or 1 tablespoon dried
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
3 large cloves garlic, crushed or finely minced
3 large baking potatoes, peeled and cut into ½” cubes
4 cups homemade chicken stock or low sodium canned
4 cups low fat milk, warmed
¾ cup all purpose flour
Cheddar cheese
3 green onions, thinly sliced

1)  Place a soup pot over medium heat and allow pan to get hot.  Cut bacon into small pieces and add to pan; cook until  nicely brown.  Remove bacon from pan with a slotted spoon and allow to drain on paper towel, set aside.  Remove all but about 1 tablespoon bacon fat, add butter and  onion and cook 5-7 minutes. Add fresh herbs, salt, pepper, and garlic. Cook another minute. Continue with medium heat through the entire recipe.
2) Add diced potatoes and broth to the pot.   Bring to a low bubble and cook for 22 minutes, or until potatoes are soft. Taste a potato to be sure.
3) Warm milk in the microwave until warm. (not hot) Whisk flour into warm milk a little at a time.
4) Once potatoes are soft, mix the milk/flour mixture one last time to be sure it’s incorporated and add to the broth/potato mixture all at once. Stir often until the soup comes to a bubble and allow to cook for a few mintues longer.   Taste, adjust seasoning if needed.  Ladel into large serving bowls and garnish with cheddar cheese, green onion, and bacon.  Serve with a salad and a couple of slices of Irish Soda Bread and you have a very delicious and statisfying dinner!

*tip* when you whisk flour into warm milk it prevents lumps from forming.
**tip*  if you’d like to omit the bacon , simply add an additional tablespoon of butter.

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Best Irish Soda Bread

Posted by on February 26, 2010

I love this bread!  It is slightly sweet and has a very tender crumb.    It does not stay fresh long, freeze right after cooling if you won’t be using in a day or two.  If you are lucky to have any left after a couple of days, it makes excellent french toast, bread pudding, or croutons…..YUM!  The recipe is simple and comes  together in minutes.

3 cups flour
¾ cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 cup white raisins
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 eggs, beaten
1 ¾ cups buttermilk (or add 1 teaspoon vinegar to 2 cup liquid measuring cup, fill cup with milk to 1 ¾ cups)

1) Preheat oven to 350’. Prepare 5 mini loaf pans with Pam cooking spray with flour. Set aside.
2) In a large mixing bowl, measure flour through raisins and mix well.
3) Make a well in the center of dry ingredients and add the wet ingredients all at once. Mix until just blended.
4) Divide among 5 pans. Bake for 25-27 minutes. Toothpick should come out clean.
5) Cool for 10 minutes in pan, then remove and cool completely. Wrap in cling wrap or put into decorative bags. Freeze immediately if you will not be using within a day or two.

*tip*when you add an ingredient like raisins to a batter, add it to the flour to coat, the raisins will not all settle to the bottom when baking.

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This week’s "UFO"…..Unidentified Food Object

Posted by on February 20, 2010

Isn’t this a beautiful vegetable?  I could see this with a few other vegetable varieties as a center piece.  Look for bright and fresh leaves.  The bulb portion should be firm and white.  You can see that it somewhat resembles an onion.  It has a slight “anise” taste that resembles licorice.  It can be enjoyed cooked or raw.   I use the bulb as well as the delicate leaves.  This vegetable is fennel.
Artichoke and Fennel Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This salad is a very beautiful and refreshing alternative to lettuce salads.   The slight anise flavor blends very well with the gentle tasting artichoke.  The lemon vinaigrette, green, onions and fresh parsely add great flavor as well as color.  Beautiful, elegant, and delicious!  Serve alongside simply grilled salmon and brown rice pilaf….YUM!

2 fresh fennel bulbs with fronds
2 cans quartered artichokes, drained
3 tablespoons parsley, washed and chopped
3 green onions, rinsed and thinly sliced
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh or bottled lemon juice
2 cloves fresh garlic, crushed
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper

1) Rinse thoroughly.  Trim off the bottom of the bulb and leave about 1″ of the fronds, slice thinly, place in a large bowl. Remove the tender frawns, the deep green portion, and chop coarsely. (Do not use the celery looking stalks, they are very tough, they would be great in soup.) Add parsley and green onions.
2) In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil through the pepper. Pour over vegetables and toss gently. Taste, add additional salt and pepper if necessary.

*note-this is not a salad to be made ahead as the fennel tends to brown around the edges.   You could prepare the entire salad with the exception of the fennel and add just before serving.

Filed Under: Salads and Salad Dressings, UFO's | Tagged: Tagged With: , ,
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