Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Turkey and Black-Eyed Pea Salad


Having a salad for a main course is perfect, especially for spring and summer. Indulge in this Turkey and Black-Eyed Pea Salad from Food Network Magazine. It's rich in lean protein, tryptophan, vitamin C, B vitamins, iron, and fiber.

Smoked Turkey and Black-Eyed Pea Salad

2 cloves garlic, minced
4 sprigs fresh thyme
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 10 oz box frozen black-eyed peas, thawed
1/3 cup sliced bread-and-butter pickles, plus 4 tbsp pickling liquid
8 oz smoked skinless turkey leg, shredded
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
10 cups torn arugula
2 stalks celery, chopped (with leaves)
1 tbsp Creole or whole-grain mustard
Kosher salt
Cayenne pepper

Sauté garlic thyme in one tbsp olive oil until fragrant. Add black-eyed peas and two tbsp of pickling liquid, cook until tender. Add turkey, cook for three minutes. Remove from heat then discard thyme. Season turkey and peas with salt and cayenne.

For the dressing, whisk mustard with two tbsp pickling liquid. Season with salt and cayenne to taste before whisking in three tbsp olive oil. Toss with arugula, tomatoes, pickles, and celery. Top with peas and turkey.

Author: Kristine Gonzaga

Thursday, February 18, 2010

All Spiced Up: Pork Tenderloin with Eggplant Relish


Pork tenderloin is a great source of lean protein - experts agree it is just as lean, if not leaner, as chicken breast. In addition to lean protein, pork tenderloin is also loaded with B vitamins and iron. Serve it spiced for a delicious kick like in this Food Network recipe.

Spicy Pork Tenderloin with Eggplant Relish

Relish
3 Hungarian peppers, halved and seeded
1 jalapeno pepper, halved
2 Japanese eggplants
1 bunch scallions
6 cloves garlic, unpeeled

Pork
2 pork tenderloins, cut into 4
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp paprika
2 tbsps parsley, chopped
salt and ground pepper

1. Broil vegetables for relish until charred. Cool, peel, and chop vegetables. Squeeze garlic from its skin and toss with the chopped vegetables.

2. Season pork with cumin, salt, and ground pepper. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat then cook pork for six minutes, until golden. Reduce heat and cook for eight minutes more. Set aside.

3. De-glaze pan with lemon juice, add relish, and season with paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat through, then add parsley.

4. Slice pork and serve with eggplant relish as a side.

Author: Kristine Gonzaga

Friday, February 12, 2010

A Healthy Take on Burgers


You need not use meat substitutes or tofu for a healthier burger. With a few changes in ingredients, you can have healthier and authentic-tasting burgers as proven by this Martha Stewart recipe. It is leaner, full of fiber, and rich in vitamins and minerals.

Grilled Burgers and Vegetables on a Bun

Burgers
2 lbs lean ground beef or turkey
1 cup minced basil leaves
1 fresh red chili pepper, minced
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
salt to taste

Vegetables
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 large green zucchini, cut into 1-inch-thick slices
2 medium tomatoes, preferably heirloom or orange, cut into 1-inch-thick slices
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt

Toasted whole-wheat buns

1. Preheat grill. Combine ingredients for burgers in a mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
2. Marinate vegetables in olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and vinegar.
3. Divide burger mixture into eight and form a patty with each portion. Grill burgers for two minutes on each side.
4. Grill vegetables until browned on all sides.
5. Assemble burgers by placing a patty on a toasted bun and topping it with grilled vegetables.

Author: Kristine Gonzaga

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Rancher's Eggs: A Mex-Tex Take on Brunch


When you have some guests over for brunch, serving something familiar but with a twist is a heart-warming and ingenious gesture. Add interest to your brunch fare with this egg recipe from Martha Stewart. Rich in protein, omega-3, and antioxidants, Rancher's Eggs are sure to please your guests and benefit their health:

Rancher's Eggs

6 large eggs
2 large egg whites
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 jalapeno peppers seeded and chopped
1/4 cup crumbled soft goat cheese
15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
Coarse salt and ground pepper

1. Set broiler 4 inches from the heat source and preheat. Beat eggs, egg whites, and parsley together. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil and sauté onions, tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers until softened in oven-proof, nonstick pan. Add egg mixture.
3. Sprinkle eggs with cheese and allow to set over low flame. In another pan, cook beans until heated through and season with salt and pepper.
4. Place frittata under broiler until it is fully set and brown at the edges. Serve frittata in wedges topped with black beans.

Author: Kristine Gonzaga

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

A Salmon For Valentine


Valentine's is the Day of Hearts, so make sure that you give your heart the nourishment it needs with this succulent take on salmon by Giada De Laurentiis. Hearty as a main course, light enough to give you room for dessert, this salmon dish is also rich in omega-3, a fatty acid essential for a healthy heart.

Salmon in Lemon and Caper Sauce

4 salmon fillets
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp minced fresh rosemary leaves
2 lemons, sliced into 4 rounds each
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup white wine
4 tsps capers
4 pcs of aluminum foil

Mix olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary. Brush the mixture all over the salmon fillets before placing each fillet on a piece of foil. Top each fillet with lemon juice, wine, capers, and lemon slices. Fold the foil packet over the salmon and seal tightly. Grill packets over a preheated grill pan for 10 minutes. Serve wrapped in foil packets.

Try: Instead of foil, use parchment paper and bake the packets for Salmon en Papillote.

Author: Kristine Gonzaga

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

A Panzanella Fit For Spring


Spring is just around the corner. No doubt, you are preparing to enjoy the bounties of spring with al fresco dinners and lunches. Include this bright panzanella from blogger Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks in your repertoire for a fresh take on spring salad.

Panzanella

1 lb loaf of day-old, whole wheat bread cut into 1-inch cubes
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 shallot, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into segments
2 cups fresh or frozen peas
4 handfuls of spinach
1/4 cup small basil leaves
salt to taste

Toss the bread with shallot, thyme, salt, garlic, and olive oil until coated then spread it evenly on a baking sheet. Toast the bread until golden.

Heat a dash of olive oil and a splash of water in a pan with a bit of salt. When hot, stir in the asparagus and cook covered for 20 seconds before adding the peas and spinach. Cook until the spinach just starts to wilt.

Mix the toasted bread cubes and the vegetables with all the pan juices in a large bowl. Add the basil leaves and toss again.

Author: Kristine Gonzaga

Monday, February 1, 2010

Chicken Barbecue For Your Indoor Grill


Suffering from hypertension and missing your usual chicken dish? Chicken breasts are great sources of lean protein and are incredibly cheap. Satisfy your craving for chicken with this versatile substitute. Try this chicken barbecue recipe adapted from Food Network Magazine for chicken breasts that are flavorful, healthy, and perfect for indoor grilling.

Tangy Barbecued Chicken Breasts

4 skinless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper for seasoning

Marinade:
1 cup ketchup
3 tbsp. molasses
3 tbsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 tbsp. dried mustard
1 tbsp. soy sauce
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 cup water
salt and pepper to taste

1. Simmer together ingredients for marinade until thick.
2. Preheat grill and season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill over direct heat until golden.
3. After grilling, toss chicken breasts with marinade until coated.
4. Grill chicken again and baste occasionally. Take off the heat when glazed.
5. Serve with extra marinade on the side as sauce.

Tip: Slice and skewer grilled chicken pieces on bamboo sticks with mushrooms, peppers, and onions before grilling for the second time for a fun twist. Serve as a main course or appetizer.

Author: Kristine Gonzaga

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