Month: February 2014

Peach-Glazed Salmon with Raspberries

February is Heart Health Month, which brings awareness to heart disease, the leading cause of death for men and women, and how to prevent it. A simple way to keep your heart healthy is to maintain a healthy diet, filled with fruits and vegetables (It is recommended that you eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily), as well as choosing foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol and high in fiber.

This recipe for Peach-Glazed Salmon with Raspberries is packed with heart-healthy benefits:

  • Salmon’s omega-3 fatty acids help to reduce blood pressure and blood clots. Having two servings of salmon a week can reduce your risk of having a fatal heart attach by up to one-third! (You can read more about it here).
  • Raspberries have 4 grams of fiber per half cup, with 25% of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C and manganese. (More info here.)

 

Driscoll’s sent me a few coupons so that I could add some yummy raspberries to recipes throughout February.  Their raspberries are certified by the American Heart Association and have received the trusted Heart-Check Mark as a heart-healthy food.

Not only is this recipe a great way to keep your heart healthy, it can also be made in under 20 minutes!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup peach spread (such as Polaner All Fruit)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Cooking spray

Continue reading Peach-Glazed Salmon with Raspberries

Seared Scallops with a Champagne Vanilla Butter Sauce

Cooking for your Valentine on February 14th and looking for something really different and fun? This recipe from Emeril Lagasse is perfect for a romantic dinner. I really wasn’t sure what to expect with Vanilla and Scallops, but it highlights the sweetness of scallops nicely.  I paired this with a champagne risotto based on a recipe from Giada de Laurentiis to make this recipe for Seared Scallops with a Champagne Vanilla Butter Sauce.

Ingredients:

For the risotto:

  • 2 thin slices prosciutto
  • 3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3/4 cup Arborio rice
  • 3/4 cup Champagne
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Scallops:

  • 2 tablespoons minced shallots
  • 1 cup dry brut Champagne
  • 1/2 vanilla bean, split and scraped
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (1 sticks), cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces, plus 1 tablespoon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground  pepper
  • 10 jumbo sea scallops, cleaned
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Continue reading Seared Scallops with a Champagne Vanilla Butter Sauce

Slow Cooker Chicken Chickpea Tagine

Tagine or Tajine dishes are Moroccan slow cooked dishes named after the pot they are cooked in. The dishes are typically a stew with a protein, spices, and fruit. Cooking Light had a version with chicken and chickpeas that sounds delicious. This recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken Chickpea Tagine combines both sweet and spicy elements to make a really flavor-filled dish.

This recipe takes a bit more prep time that my usual slow cooker recipes, so be prepared for that. This recipe is great for a Saturday: prepare everything in the morning, run whatever errands you have for the day, and come back to an amazing smelling kitchen and dinner mostly ready! I shredded my chicken and served it over couscous but you can keep the chicken whole and eat it as is.

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 large or two medium onions (about 2 1/2 cups), chopped
  • 6 to 8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 cup unsalted chicken stock
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
  • 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
  • 2/3 cup dried apricots
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, for garnish
  • Lemon wedges, for garnish
  • cooked pearl couscous, for serving

Continue reading Slow Cooker Chicken Chickpea Tagine

Baked Black Beans with Chorizo

You can never have too many party appetizers in your cooking arsenal. I wanted to try something a little different than the apps I’ve been posting recently. This dish is a layered dip with black beans, chorizo, tomatoes, and cheese and would be perfect for watching the game or any other party!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup diced Spanish chorizo
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3/4 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup chopped seeded tomato
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

Continue reading Baked Black Beans with Chorizo

Exit mobile version