Apple, Cranberry, Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad

Even though this salad is easy and comes together in just a few minutes, the combination is perfect.   It is crunchy, sweet and tangy.  I usually have a salad for lunch every day and this is going to be on my weekly rotation as I always have these ingredients on hand.  

  Favorite brand of  Gorgonzola 

and Blue Cheese

If I don't make my own vinaigrette I like to use Newman's Own Creamy Balsamic.   

Ingredients: 
lettuce (any kind) 
apple, sliced (I like golden delicious)
dried cranberries
blue or gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
walnut pieces

Instructions:
In a large bowl, toss together all the salad ingredients.
Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad and toss. Serve

                                                                                                

Korean Beef and Rice

This dish is super easy and I had it on the table in 15 minutes!  It has the same flavors as bulgogi, a traditional Korean dish.  But, with Bulgogi, thinly sliced sirloin has to marinate for hours.  So, not only was this quick and easy it was so flavorful.  It makes 4 small servings so if you have bigger eaters or want leftovers I would double this recipe.  

INGREDIENTS

• 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed 
• 1/4 cup soy sauce 
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger or 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 pound ground beef 
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced 
• Cooked rice, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

• In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame oil, red pepper flakes and ginger. 
• In a large skillet over medium high heat, brown ground beef and garlic until browned making sure to crumble the beef as it cooks; drain excess fat. Stir in soy sauce mixture until well combined, allowing to simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes.  Top with green onions and serve over rice. 

Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

You might be, thinking.....If this is a beet and goat cheese salad, where are they?!  They are under the greens and for two good reasons.  First,  I hate to try and crumble this soft cheese over the salad.  It gets all over my fingers, it's just so messy.  Second, when you make it this way you will get a bite of goat cheese with every bite of your salad.  Let me show you how I like to make my beet and goat cheese salad.

Not everyone loves goat cheese and some brands are stronger than others but I really like President brand, it's creamy and mild.  

I take a slice of the goat cheese and spread it on the bottom of the plate.  

Next I layer on diced roasted beets and toss the greens in the vinaigrette.


And last I top with the dressed greens, sugared walnuts and dried cherries (or cranberries).  This salad has so many textures and flavors going on.  It's creamy, crunchy, sweet and tangy.  Delicious!

Ingredients

• 4 medium sized roasted beets (instructions below)
For the Dressing:
• 1/2 teaspoon rounded teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt & pepper to taste
For the Salad:
• 4 ounces goat cheese-I like President Fresh Goat cheese creamy and mild
• 1/2 cup walnuts or candied walnuts
• mixed greens (enough for 4 salads)
• dried cherries or cranberries

Instructions For the Dressing:    

1. Whisk mustard, honey, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper.  Toss the greens with the dressing.  Set aside.
2. On each of  plate layer the ingredients in the following order: Spread 1 oz goat cheese on each plate, beets, dressed greens and top with walnuts and dried cherries.
3. Serve immediately.

Servings: 4

Instructions For the Beets:

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Rinse the beets and pat dry.  Wrap beets in aluminum foil, place in the oven.
3. Bake  for 1 hours, or until they can be easily pierced with a fork. The time will vary greatly on the size and freshness of the beets.
4. Allow to cool, then peel off skin. 
5. Set aside or refrigerate.
6. Dice into cubes for salad.

Kids talking about Health & Nutrition

This is the cutest video!  Watch, it will make you laugh out loud :)
                                                                                                   

Poached Eggs and Avocado Toast

In my last post I said that I'm not a huge breakfast eater but come the weekend I'm ready for some eggs and bacon.  I've been making poached eggs and avocado toast almost every weekend, it's that GOOD.  I had seen pictures of this all over pinterest and had to try it.  What a wonderful combination!  No recipe needed just use what ever bread you like, toast it, spread it with some mashed avocado (salt & pepper) and top with a poached egg (or fried egg).  That's really all you need BUT if you want to bring it over the top add some crisp bacon and a garden fresh tomato.  So delicious!

I go through about 3-4 avocados a week.  Love them on salads, chunky guacamole, black bean and avocado salsa, great on BLT's and now for breakfast.  Avocados are pricey and it's so frustrating when I cut into a rotten one. I've learned to buy untouched unripened avocados and let them ripen on my counter and once they are ripe I'll store in fridge (for a few days) if not using right away.  This way they are not bruised by all the shoppers who love to squeeze all the ripe avocados in the bunch to find the perfect one.

 There are those times that I need an avocado and I don't have time to wait a few days for it to ripen so here's a tip I was given.  First, don't squeeze, and if you see marks that it was squeezed don't get it as it will be bruised.  Then look for the dark black/brown color of the skin.  Once you find a good candidate, flick off the hard stem and if it's brown under it, it's bad but if it's yellowish/green it will be perfect.  So far, this has worked for me.  

Crunchy Maple Pecan Granola

I love the recipe for crunchy pumpkin granola and make it often but I found another recipe I love just as much.   It's loaded with pecans, crunchy and has a touch of maple flavor.  I adapted both recipes from the same blog Sally's Baking Addiction.  Check it out, her food photography makes you want to make every one of her recipes.

My favorite way to eat this granola is mixed into my favorite yogurt, noosa.  It's thick and perfectly sweet with yummy flavors like mango, peach, strawberry rhubarb and coconut to name a few.  It's pricey compared to other yogurt brands but it's so worth it.  It's larger in size, 8oz so it keeps me full until lunch.

Ingredients:  maple syrup, brown sugar, coconut oil, cinnamon, salt, oats pecans

Combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, coconut oil, cinnamon and salt.

Add the oats and nuts.

Spread onto baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes, string every 10 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp melted coconut oil
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup pecan pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, melted coconut oil, cinnamon and salt.
3. Add the oats and nuts: stir until all the oats are evenly coated.
4. Spread onto baking sheet and bake for 40-45 minutes (until golden brown), stirring every 10 minutes.  
5. Allow to cool completely and enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Sally's Baking Addiction 

                                                                             

4th of July

We sure had a wonderful, fun packed 4th of July weekend.  We spent time with family and friends hiking, biking, picnicking and relaxing.   While watching the fire works we were entertained by this little girl.  She orchestrated the fire works the whole time.  She was singing, Disney's Frozen "Let it Go".  How adorable is that!

For our picnic, one recipe I love making when there is going to be a crowd is my Black Bean Avocado Salsa.  It's a recipe I make all year round but in the summer when corn is available it's even better with the fresh roasted corn.  If (and that is a big IF) there is any left over it will keep in the fridge until the next day.  I just lay plastic wrap right on top of the salsa so that the avocado won't turn brown.   The next day it makes a great topping for a salad.  I just grill up some shrimp and it becomes an amazing shrimp fiesta salad.  

Shrimp and Sweet Corn Caesar

A few weeks ago we ate at Coopers Tavern, which is in downtown Madison, Wisconsin around the Capitol Square.  It's known for European-inspired dishes, has a large selection of craft beer and the atmosphere is casual and relaxing.  They also have outdoor seating with a great view of the Capitol.  The reason for bringing up this restaurant is I had a delicious salad, Sweet Corn Caesar,  and I've been craving it ever since.  I had to recreate it at home.  This is how they make it - crisp romaine with poblano caesar dressing topped with sweet corn salsa, red peppers, avocado, hard-boiled egg, Parmesan, and croutons.  I changed it up a bit and used Marzetti's caesar dressing, roasted some sweet corn, left out the hard boil egg BUT added some sautéed shrimp and homemade croutons.  Now that I've made this salad at home I now can order something new next time I go to Cooper's Tavern.  Maybe brunch on Saturday morning!

I love making croutons with leftover hamburger/hot dog buns, works great!  They are so tender, not hard like the store bought kind.  Cut into bite size pieces and lightly coat with melted (real) butter,  sprinkle with garlic salt and toast 350 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.  Tossing every 5 minutes.

This is a great way to roast sweet corn, no shucking needed.  Preheat oven to 350.  Place corn husks directly on the oven rack and roast for 30 minutes. (I used a cookie sheet when I removed them from the oven)  Peel down the husk and all the silk will slide right off.

Crisp Romaine 
Caesar Dressing (coat romaine with dressing)
Sweet Corn 
Red Peppers, chopped
Avocado
Cooked Shrimp
Fresh Shaved Parmesan
Croutons
                                                                                             

Stuffed Portobella Sandwich

My favorite place to be on a summer Saturday morning is at the Madison, Wisconsin Farmers Market.  I like to go early because the crowd really picks up after 8:00am.  My first stop is Colectivo Coffee for my favorite large triple shot, vanilla latte.  It's such a treat as it's my only latte I'll have all week.
  I never get tired of seeing our beautiful Capitol and what a beautiful morning it was. Just look at that blue sky.  Days like today I say to myself, "this is why I live in Wisconsin"!

For lunch I picked up some beautiful large portobellos and fresh spinach for stuffed portobello sandwiches.  I've made these sandwiches the last two Saturdays.  They are delicious!  

The portobellos are stuffed with sautéed spinach, artichokes and roasted red peppers then topped with  mozzarella and fresh shredded Parmesan cheese.  Served on a toasted ciabatta roll.

I first had this sandwich at The Great Dane Restaurant here in Madison.  Easy enough to make at home!

Ingredient:


Portobello Mushroom caps (1 per sandwich) (buy large ones as they will shrink)
Stuffing: (just make enough stuffing for each portobello)
olive oil
Marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
Roasted red peppers, chopped
Baby Spinach (Spinach really cooks down so use a lot)
Shredded mozzarella and freshly shredded Parmesan for topping
Ciabatta rolls


Directions
First preheat your oven to 425 or turn on your grill.
Sauté roasted red peppers and spinach in a little olive oil for the stuffing.  Set aside.
Take the stem off the mushrooms and clean the gills off the bottom of the caps. (carefully not to break portobello use a spoon and scrape off gills)
Brush Portobellos lightly with olive oil. Place on a baking sheet (covered with foil for easy cleanup) or grill. Roast or grill for about 15-20 minutes.
When mushrooms are cooked stuff and cover with cheese, put back in oven until cheese is melted.
Serve on a toasted ciabatta bun.

                                                                    

Grilled Oysters with Green Butter

I love oysters.  Growing up in Florida I've had my fill of raw, steamed and grilled oysters.  I've only had them at oyster bars and restaurants, that is, until today.  I picked up fresh oysters at Whole Foods.  The guy at the seafood counter checked each oyster to make sure  they were fresh.  If they're open and won't close they are no good.  A bad oyster can make you very sick.  Just make sure you get them from a reliable vendor because they aren't cheap and you don't want to get home and have to throw some away if they're dead.

No shucking needed, oysters can be cooked in their shells on your grill. The heat from the grill steams the oysters and pops the shells open.  I could of just eaten them steamed but topped with this green butter and parmesan took them over the top. These oysters were a delicious appetizer.  Now that it's finally grilling season I can't wait to make these again! 

Green Butter - butter, parsley, anchovy, garlic and white pepper

Green butter: (2 dozen oysters):

10 tablespoons butter

1/2 cup of parsley leaves

3 cloves of garlic

1 anchovy fillet in olive oil

1/4 tsp of ground white pepper
.....................................................................

2 dozen medium-size oysters

freshly grated parmesan cheese (1/2 teaspoon for each oysters)

1 rustic loaf of bread, sliced and lightly grilled

Add all the ingredients for the green butter into a food-processor.  Mix until smooth.  Set aside.

Scrub the oysters with a brush or pad under running water.  If any are opened, discard them, they are dead.

Prepare the grill to high heat.

Carefully arrange the oysters on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes or until they begin to open.

Remove the oysters and place them on a baking sheet.

Using an oven mitt to hold the oysters, pry each open with an oyster knife or butter knife.  Be carefully of the hot liquid inside the oyster. Drain most of the oyster liquid out of the shells and make sure the interior is free from broken shells.  Throw away the top shell.

Fill each shell with a dollop of green butter and a sprinkle of parmesan.  Carefully put the oysters back on the grill in a way that the oysters are not slanting too much that the butter can escape.  Grill for another one to two minutes.

Place the oysters on a platter and serve while hot with the grilled baguette.  It's all about dipping the bread inside the green liquid gold.

Delicious!!

Recipe adapted from:  ladyandpups.com

                                                                      

Strawberry Rhubarb Jelly

It's rhubarb season and I love rhubarb!  I got this recipe from my Grandma Logterman and I make this jelly every year.  It keeps in the freezer all year, that is, if it's last that long.  After having this jelly no other jelly will do.  

     5 cup rhubarb, chopped
     1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, in juice
     1  cups sugar
     1 (3 oz) box strawberry jello

1. Combine rhubarb, pineapple and sugar in a large saucepan and mix well.

2. Bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes, stirring. Add jello and mix well until dissolved. Cool for 30 minutes.

3. Ladle mixture into freezer containers (I use 8 oz. jelly jars (makes 4) but you can use any other glass/plastic containers with lids that can go in the freezer). Refrigerate or freeze. If frozen,  thaw in refrigerator several hours before serving.

                                                                                         

Bruschetta Chicken

We loved this Bruschetta Chicken.  So flavorful, easy and only takes 30 minutes, start to finish.   I've had a package of McCormick Gourmet Bruschetta Chicken spice mix in my pantry for awhile because someone mentioned how good this recipe was.  All you do is mix with olive oil (directions on the package).  Then you baste the chicken and tomatoes (directions call for plum but I used grape tomatoes) with this oil/spice mixture.  Bakes for 20-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.  Then it's tossed with cooked pasta, balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with Parmesan.  It's that easy. Roasting the tomatoes brings out their sweetness and make a rich flavorful sauce.  Adding the balsamic vinegar makes everything pop.  So delicious!!

I used bucatini pasta for this recipe.  It's like thick spaghetti with a hole running through it.  It really has great texture.  It's one of my favorite pasta shapes.