Category Archives: Cook

by | July 17, 2012 · 8:12 pm

Grilled Salmon Tacos with Watermelon Salsa

With the Salmon-a-Rama fishing tournament (yep, you read that right) in full swing in Milwaukee my fridge is overflowing with fresh fish. Which is a good thing since the drought situation we’ve got going on has left me with a garden that’s struggling to survive.

I don’t usually make tacos with salmon but I figured, why not? Grilled with a simple, spicy dry rub and paired with a crunchy-creamy cool salsa they made for a light and healthy dinner to beat the summer heat.

Grilled Salmon Tacos
1 lb salmon fillets, skin removed and de-boned if needed
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp chipotle powder/chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp olive oil
8 small tortillas

In a small bowl, stir together garlic, chili powder, cumin and salt. Form a “cookie sheet” of aluminum foil and place on a plate or cutting board. Place fish on the aluminum foil and gently and evenly apply olive oil, then dry rub to fish. Heat grill to 400. Transfer “cookie sheet” to the grill and grill for about 6 minutes. Salmon should be opaque and slightly flaky.


Watermelon Radish Salsa
1/2  C watermelon, diced
6-8 radishes, trimmed and diced
1/2 C cucumber, diced
1 avocado, diced
1 1/2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 lime, juiced
pinch kosher salt
pinch cumin

Dice watermelon, radishes and cucumber into evenly sized pieces and transfer to a small bowl. Toss together. Chop cilantro and mix into salsa. Season with salt, cumin and lime juice and toss. Dice avocado and gently toss into salsa, taking care not to smush the avocado.

Place salmon in tortillas and top with salsa and hot sauce if desired.


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by | July 13, 2012 · 7:47 am

Grilled Romaine BLT Salad

My trip to Dole in May has inspired many an inventive salad dish in my house. In the past, I had seen plenty of recipes to grill Romaine lettuce, but never tried it. It was no surprise that I loved it upon trying it out in Monterey. Just a little char and a little warmth on the crisp lettuce goes a long way. It makes a salad feel like more of a hearty dinner.

Try this out next time you are at the grill. It is easy, fast and delicious!

Grilled Romaine BLT Salad
4 pieces thick-cut bacon
1 head Romaine lettuce
2 TBSP extra virgin olive oil, divided
1 C cherry tomatoes, halved
2 green onions, chopped
1/2 C croutons
1 tsp oregano
salt and pepper to taste
Lite Blue Cheese dressing

Bake bacon in oven. Chop into pieces and set aside.

Preheat the grill. Brush whole Romaine head with 1 TBSP olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on hot grill. Grill 2 minutes on each side, enough to create char marks. Remove from grill.

Heat 1 TBSP olive oil in small skillet. Add tomatoes, oregano and salt and pepper. Saute tomatoes for about 8-10 minutes or until heated through.

Place tomatoes over Romaine. Sprinkle with bacon, green onions, tomatoes and croutons. Drizzle blue cheese dressing over the top.

To serve, cut into chunks and place on plates using a spatula.

If you want to use your grill only, you could skewer the tomatoes, drizzle them with olive oil oregano, salt and pepper and grill them next to the lettuce, until heated through.

If you want to lighten it up a bit, skip the blue cheese dressing. You could add just a small sprinkle of lite blue cheese or gorgonzola.

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by | July 6, 2012 · 9:17 am

Mango Strawberry Smoothie

When it is 104 degrees outside, cooking is the last thing on my mind. Smoothies are one of my favorite ways to beat the heat. They replace the need for ice cream and are filled with great ingredients to help your body stand up to the heat. Recently, I’ve been using mango in my mixtures. It gives the smoothie a wonderful creaminess. When it is too hot to even drive to your nearest frozen yogurt stand, try this recipe out!

Mango Strawberry Smoothie
1 C no-fat vanilla yogurt (I use Stonyfield Organic)
1 mango, sliced
1 C sliced strawberries
1/2 TBSP agave nectar
1 C ice cubes

In a blender, add yogurt, mango, strawberries and agave nectar. Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes and crush until smooth. Pour and enjoy!

I promise this will be my last recipe involving strawberries for a while. I just can’t help myself!

What food or drink recipes do you make to beat the heat?

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by | July 2, 2012 · 12:39 pm

Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

Awhile back when I made these Buffalo Chicken Poppers, I found myself with leftover chicken filling. Leftovers can be a dividing topic, however I happen to be a huge fan – especially of ones that can do double duty and transform into an entirely different dish.

Such is the case here. I converted my popper filling into tasty Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas to give us a break from the traditional Mexican flavors we usually use in quesadillas. They’re best served hot but can make a good portable lunch…if you’re into double leftovers. 🙂

Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
serves 3-4
2 C shredded chicken
4 oz reduced fat cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 tsp ranch dressing powder mix
3 Tbsp Franks Redhot Buffalo Wing sauce
3/4 C shredded sharp cheddar
3 large flour tortillas
1 Tbsp soft butter/margarine
2 stalks celery, trimmed and grated
Avocado Blue Cheese dip (optional)

Grate celery stalks using a cheese grater. Set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch powder and wing sauce until ingredients are well mixed and chicken is coated. Spread softened butter on one side of a large tortilla.  Fill half of the tortilla with chicken mixture and top with sharp cheddar.  Fold the unfilled half of the tortilla over the top of your chicken fillings to form a half moon and transfer to your skillet.

Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown, carefully flipping once the first side is crisped.  I find a large pancake spatula works well for flipping.

Top with grated celery and a drizzle of extra hot sauce. Serve with avocado dip or ranch dressing.

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by | June 29, 2012 · 8:00 am

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

As I mentioned last week, strawberries have been in full effect in our house. One of my favorite desserts (more than pie! shhh…) is a good, warm fruit crisp. I’ve yet to try a recipe that tops this one. The rhubarb and the orange flavoring perfectly balance out the sweet and tart of the strawberries. The top tastes like a warm crumbled oatmeal cookie. I found this recipe in Food Network Magazine awhile back and have adapted it a little bit to meet my taste buds. If you brave turning your oven on in this heat (it’s not too bad in the air conditioning), give this recipe a try! You won’t regret it.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Adapted from Food Network Magazine

5 C hulled and quartered strawberries
3-4 stalks rhubarb, diced
1 1/4 C sugar
Zest of one medium sized orange
1 TBSP cornstarch
Juice of one medium sized orange
1 C all-purpose flour
1/2 C light brown sugar
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 C quick cooking oats (not instant)
10 TBSP cold unsalted butter, diced
Vanilla ice cream, for serving

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, add strawberries, rhubarb, 3/4 C sugar and orange zest. Stir until gently mixed together. In a small cup, dissolve the cornstarch into the orange juice. Add to the fruit mixture and stir. Pour mixture in an 8×8 square baking dish. Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper in case of bubble over in the oven.

With an electric mixer, combine flour, remaining 1/2 C sugar, brown sugar, salt and oatmeal. With the mixer on low, add the butter and mix until the dry ingredients turn moist and the mixture is crumbly. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit mixture, covering completely. Bake for 1 hour or until fruit is bubbling. Serve warm with a small scoop of ice cream.

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by | June 27, 2012 · 8:19 am

Taco Salad

My family loves taco night and we are usually left with a lot of leftover taco meat and crunchy taco shells to be used later in the week.  One of my favorite ways to use this up is to make a delicious taco salad.  It is quick and easy to make and just as satisfying as a taco itself!

Taco Salad

Left over taco meat, warmed
shredded lettuce
diced tomatoes
diced avocado
shredded cheese
corn, cooked and slightly cooled
chopped taco shells or tortilla chips
ranch dressing or sour cream

Place your lettuce on a plate and top with heated taco meat, tomatos, avacado, cheese, corn and chopped taco shells or tortilla chips.  Drizzle with rance dressing or sour cream.

It is so simple, but so delicious!

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by | June 22, 2012 · 8:00 am

{Skinny BBQ Series} Tropical Grilled Chicken with Spicy Strawberry Salsa

Just like Anne, I am no stranger to strawberries. The fam and I went on our second annual strawberry picking excursion out in Cedarburg, WI last weekend. We outdid ourselves this year. With over 20 lbs of strawberries, I’ve been looking for ways to incorporate these delectable juicy berries into every meal possible. I’ve made some less healthy (but delicious) strawberry almond muffins and strawberry rhubarb crisp, but I’ve also incorporated strawberries into fresh salads and this skinny BBQ recipe: tropical grilled chicken with spicy strawberry salsa.

I’ve found pairing strawberries with different flavors (spicy, tangy, etc.) really balances out flavors and brings the strawberries to life in a different way. This strawberry salsa would also be great on grilled fish or fish tacos. Chicken breast is always an alternative for skinny BBQ but so often it comes out over cooked, dry and bland. This simple marinade brings sweet and tropical flavors and keeps the chicken nice and juicy.

Tropical Grilled Chicken with Spicy Strawberry Salsa

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 oz. pineapple juice
1/4 C low-sodium soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 C fresh strawberries, diced
1/2 large jalapeño pepper, diced
1/4 C cilantro, chopped
cracked black pepper
salt

In a shallow dish, mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, garlic, cumin and onion powder. Place chicken breasts in the dish, coating in the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Preheat grill to high.

In a small bowl, mix together strawberries, jalapeño and cilantro. Add a pinch of coarse black pepper and salt to taste. Set aside.

Reduce grill to medium high heat. Place chicken breasts on grill. Cook for 7-8 minutes on each side. Do NOT keep moving and turning the chicken. Remove chicken from grill.

Place chicken breast on plate and top with heaping spoonful of strawberry salsa.

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by | June 20, 2012 · 10:11 am

Strawberry Shortcake with Toasted Coconut

With strawberry season in full swing, I have been finding ways to sneak strawberries into everything lately.  I recently made this delicious bunt cake and dressed it up with sliced strawberries, whipped cream and toasted coconut.  The coconut adds an nice crunch to this traditional dessert and another delicious layer of flavor.

Strawberry Shortcake with Toasted Coconut

Cake:
8 oz brick of room temperature Cream Cheese
1/2 cup warm water
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup oil
1 box white cake mix, butter recipe
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs

Toppings:
Sliced Strawberries
Whipped Cream
Toasted Coconut

Cream the cream cheese, butter and water until soft and fluffy.  Add the cake mix and beat well.  Then add the oil and sugar and stir until combined.  Add one egg at a time and beat until fully mixed.  Spray a bunt pan and pour batter into pan.  Bake at 325 for 45 -50 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Let cool slightly ans turn onto a plate.

Slice and top with strawberries, whipped cream and toasted coconut.

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by | June 18, 2012 · 7:39 am

Pork Chops with Cherry Saison Relish

It’s hard for me to resist the bags of ruby red cherries that abound this time of year. Even though they can be a pain to eat, I’m a sucker for the sweet-tart flavor. To amp up our standard grilled pork chops over the weekend, I put together this easy but complex cherry saison relish using items I had on hand, including a home brewed Belgian saison ale. Sweet, tart, savory and a touch spicy thanks to a sprinkle of chipotle, it has everything you could want in a summer sauce.

Pork Chops with Cherry Saison Relish
serves 2
1/3 C chicken stock
1/3 C Belgian saison ale (or wheat beer)
2 Tbsp stone ground mustard
2 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp corn starch
small pinch chipotle powder (optional)
kosher salt
fresh cracked black pepper

Remove stems and pits from cherries. Roughly chop cherries and transfer to a saute pan. Begin to heat on medium heat. Add chicken stock and saison ale to cherries, whisking to combine. Whisk in corn starch, brown sugar and mustard so that there are no clumps and let simmer until mixture reduces and begins to thicken, about 5-7 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add chipotle powder. Whisk well and let mixture continue to reduce and stay warm while your chops are being grilled.

Season chops on both sides with kosher salt and black pepper. Grill chops on raised rack of grill at 400 degrees for about 5-6 minutes per side based on thickness. Top chops with cherry sauce.

Recipe for sauce can be increased to support more chops and could also be paired with chicken.

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by | June 13, 2012 · 7:45 am

Bacon & Grilled Garlic Scape Risotto

Every year at the spring farmer’s markets I see the baskets of the quirky, curly garlic scapes. I’ve always been curious but with such a short season of availability, the opportunity to try them is fleeting. Last weekend I finally decided to give them a whirl.

If you’ve never had them, garlic scapes taste like garlic mixed with a green onion. Raw they are a bit pungent however, when cooked any sharpness mellows out to a more delicate and balanced garlic-onion flavor. I made this risotto to let the flavor of the scapes shine and paired it with salty bacon to add a bit of richness. Just the first hint of the loveliness to come from the farmer’s markets this year!
scapes
bacon scape risotto

Bacon & Grilled Scape Risotto
1 1/2 C arborio rice
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 C white wine
4-5 C chicken stock
6 pieces bacon
7-8 garlic scapes
1 Tbsp butter
1/3 C grated parmesan cheese
cracked black pepper
salt

In a large sauce pan, add olive oil and arborio rice and begin to toast over medium heat for about 1 minute. Add in white wine and cook, stirring occasionally until most of the liquid has been absorbed by the rice. Add 1 C stock, continuing to stir until liquid is again absorbed. Repeat process, continually adding stock and stirring until it is absorbed. When most of the liquid is gone, test rice. It should be slightly al dente and creamy.

Place scapes in a grill pan and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Cook over medium heat until scapes have light grill marks. Meanwhile, cook bacon according to your favorite method. When I have multiple pans going, I like to microwave my bacon. To do so, place 2 paper towels on a plate and cover with bacon. Place one paper towel on top. Cook for about 7 minutes.

Transfer scapes and bacon to a cutting board and let sit until they’re cool enough to touch. Dice both. Reduce heat to very low. Stir in bacon and scapes. Fold in parmesan until it melts. Cut butter into four small squares and fold into risotto. Season with salt and cracked pepper.

Top with sprinkle of parmesan and diced raw garlic scape.
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