Pomegranate Glazed Salmon

I saw that Costco was carrying wild salmon so I picked up a huge slab of it on Sunday. I find it more and more difficult to find wild fish these days which is SUCH a bummer. The idea of farmed fish is so creepy to me.

This salmon is yummy and SO easy. It is glazed with a zippy pomegranate molasses and spicy mustard mixture and roasted in a very hot oven for about 10 minutes. The end. We served it with sauteed spinach (I seriously could eat a pound of sauteed spinach every day – so good) and my whole wheat couscous with caramelized shallots and walnuts.

Mini Pumpkin Pies

I don’t make dessert too often around here (I’d rather save my calories for cheese or bacon), but I couldn’t resist these little pies. Not only are they pretty healthy (approx. 60 calories each!), but they’re MINI. Mini things are cute. And delicious!

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

I found myself with a huge amount of zucchini and I knew exactly what to do with it: BREAD. Not just any bread, though — 100% whole wheat bread flecked with vibrant zucchini, which is close to my favorite vegetable ever.

Cinnamon-Cayenne Baby Back Ribs with Agave Glaze

I have a big problem. Every time I learn just how bad a particular food is for you, I can’t get it out of my head. You see, as my interest in nutrition/health continues to grow over the past couple of years, I read more and more about the health benefits (and defecits) of many food stuffs. Recently, while Brian and I were weekending in Portland, we hit up a Chili’s chain restaurant in search of some margaritas. (BTW, problem #2, for later discourse, is my inexplicable longing for chain restaurants when I am out in the middle of nowhere – restaurants that I am not particularly amenable to frequenting in “real life”). Regardless, as we perused the menu at Chili’s, we were fascinated that all of the menu descriptions were adorned with calorie counts. Let me just say: OHMYGOD. I was most taken aback by some of the “healthier” stuff’s deadly characteristics (um, 1400 calories for a salad?? almost 1300 for a grilled chicken sandwich??), and yet still bummed by some of the more notorious items (ribs and burgers clocking in over 2,000 calories, etc.).

Moral(s) of the story:

1) i took immense pleasure in the country fried steak (1270 cals) I ordered, of which I ate half and was glad with every bite that it was not a salad.

2) though it is probably not great for business, I appreciate having the information.  maybe this kind of exposure will inspire restaurants to offer healthier food.

3) I haven’t been able to get ribs out of my mind since — and here is a killer recipe! These ribs are quick cooking, relative to most rib cookery which typically takes 4+ hours (this recipe only takes 1 hour), and have a great sweet/spicy flavor combination. Yum!

Best Ever Huevos Rancheros

Another fabulous recipe from Plum Pie. This is seriously the best huevos rancheros ever. Ever. Next time you have a little time on your hands to laze around in kitchen, I HIGHLY recommend this recipe. BTW, fried blue corn tortillas are amazing.

Protein Packed Whole Wheat Banana Nut Muffins

Once in a great while, I see a recipe that makes me want to jump up, whip out my rolling pin, and get baking. This process usually ends in tears, but once in a while it works out lovely.  These muffins are SUPER healthy (once you take a peek at the ingredients you’ll see what I mean) and delicious. Smear them with a little yogurt butter and dig in!

Almond Butter Pumpkin Brownies

When I found this recipe, I couldn’t not make it. SO good and I love the pumpkin. They taste slightly chocolately to me, even though there’s not a trace. Yum.

Portuguese Corn Bread French Toast with Berry Syrup

When I was growing up, my mom would buy this amazing round of corn bread from a nearby Portuguese bakery and make the most delicious french toast with it. I saw some in the grocery store today and knew I had to make it. The bread is so dense and sweet – it makes for a really sturdy french toast to soak up all the eggy deliciousness.

Grilled Agave Salmon

This is hardly a recipe…it’s SO easy and healthy and fast and yummy. All of it. Eat it.

Crispy Cereal Bars

I am in love with Kashi Honey Sunshine cereal. It tastes very much like Cap’n Crunch, it’s crazy good for you, and the name is adorable. I had it for breakfast this morning and needed to find another way to use it today stat. This is definitely my kind of “baking”… Step 1: Melt stuff & stir. Step 2: Cool & cut. Behold Crispy Cereal Bars! These bars are AMAZING and redonculously fibertastic.