Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Sweet Orange Salmon


We eat tons of fish and seafood in our home. I mean we should own stock in a fishery somewhere! We eat so much salmon I am always scouting and trying new recipes. I love lemon on seafood but never thought to add any other type of citrus.
Baybey! This right here…is banging! What’s so gangsta about it is that it literally took less then 20 minutes to prep AND cook! I love easy but top that with delicious and it’s on and poppin! Trust this will be a repeat! Contrary to the title it is not that sweet and there is only a hint of orange. To me it had the perfect combo of sweet and smokey and citrus. Another reason this will remain in the arsenal, you only need non-stick cooking spray to cook it with!

 
I posted the recipe as it is on the website/in the cookbook. My changes are as follows:
  • I used a quarter of a filet (a half of a half)
  • I used the entire zest of a small orange
  • I only rubbed the mixture on one side of the fish
  • I used an oven proof grill pan
  • I squeezed fresh orange juice all over the fish after cooking

 Sweet Orange Salmon
Adapted from Cooking Light at http://www.myrecipes.com/recipes/

 
What You Need:
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets
  • Cooking spray

 
What To Do:
  • Preheat broiler
  • Combine first 8 ingredients in a small bowl
  • Rub spice mixture over both sides of salmon fillets
  • Place salmon on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray
  • Broil for 8 minutes or until salmon flakes easily when tested with a fork

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Buttermilk Brined Chops















I don't care much for pork...unless it is bacon. So I don't really know how to cook it well.  I mean I can fry a mean chop but I MIGHT do it twice a year.  Pork loin is my nemesis. I hate that trick...cause I haven't mastered it yet...that's another post for another time!















While spending all my money in perusing Marshalls one day I saw this Cooking Light Weeknight book for three bucks.  Bought it! I have prepared four recipes out of it so far and I am in love!  Cooking Light is sooooo gangster!  The flavors go really well together which was surprising to me.  Buttermilk? On Pork and it's not being fried?  Never would have guessed!  I plan on trying this with chicken and getting back with you!Hope you enjoy...happy cooking!


Buttermilk Brined Chops
Adapted from Cooking Light Weeknight

   
What You Need:
  • 2 cups Fat-free buttermilk
  • 2 Tbsp. Kosher salt
  • 2 Tbsp. Sugar
  • 1 Tbsp. Grated lemon rind
  • 2 tsp. Chopped fresh rosemary (I used dried)
  • 2 tsp. Chopped fresh sage (I used ground)
  • 4 (6-ounce) bone-in center-cut pork chops (about 1/2 inch thick)
  • 2 tsp. Freshly ground black pepper
  • Cooking spray
  • 2-3 Tbsp. Cooking oil

 
What To Do:
  • Combine first 6 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag; shake well to dissolve salt and sugar.
  • Add pork; seal and refrigerate overnight, turning bag occasionally.
  • Remove pork from bag; discard brine. Pat pork dry with a paper towel.
  • Sprinkle pork with pepper.
  • Coat a large non-stick grill pan with cooking spray.
  • Heat grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add 1 Tbsp cooking oil (and more as needed to cook chops through)
  • Add pork; cook 4 1/2 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Puff Pastry Treats


Puff pastry sheets and shells are soooo gangsta.  One day I'm going to learn how to make puff pastry and then FTW!!!!!!!

Yeah, not so much! I am not sure I have the patience.  I'm SURE I don't have the patience! Nonetheless, I LOVE puff pastry, it can make for a quick and delicious weeknight treat!

Puff Pastry Treats

What you need:
  • 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed according to package directions
  • Enough cinnamon to sprinkle over pastry, about 1 Tbs
  • Powdered sugar or honey
What to do:
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Cut pastry into strips
  • Sprinkle with cinnamon
  • Bake according to package directions
  • Carefully remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with powdered sugar and/or drizzle with honey
Best when eaten warm

Monday, April 12, 2010

What To Do?

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Friday, April 2, 2010

Friday Food Randoms



That cute little wine set up there cost me 3.50 on clearance at Marshalls! GO ME!!

I have finalized my Easter menu but I have not shopped and I am still considering going out! LOL

Herb Roasted Lamb
Fresh Green Beans w/Bacon and Crispy Shallots
Scalloped Potatoes
Heavenly Chocolate Cake and maybe a cheesecake. 

That is all...I have homework!

I am off today and have a ton of things to do.  At the top of my list is presenting the test dishes to S & M!

Fresh Raw Vegetables on Endive with Citrus Vinaigrette, Three Pepper Orange Pork with Cilantro Lime Rice and Roasted Pears with Gorgonzola and Puff Pastry Crisp....I think.

LOL...I'm indecisive, that's how I roll

I am looking forward to having wine on Sunday!  Before Lent I was really into South African and Australian wines...I am still learning  even got a fancy little wine book.  World Market has a really decent wine selection.

That's all I got....have a great weekend!