Panko-crusted salmon

This salmon is simple to prepare, flavorful, crunchy, and healthy. Honestly, I can’t ask for much more in a meal. Try it once, and it will be in your repertoire of go-to methods from here on out.

Warm French Lentil Salad

I’ve been craving lentils lately, which is extremely random. It all started with a purchase of prepared lentil soup from Trader Joe’s. I typically avoid prepared soups because of their horrible sodium content, but I had read some good things about this soup and decided to give it a go. It was de.lic.ious. And so good for you! Just that same week I saw a re-run of Barefoot Contessa making a warm lentil salad. I knew I was on it. Well, like two weeks later I was on it. And despite questions from the peanut gallery/brian, which included “what IS a lentil, anyway?” and “what the heck is in that pot?”, the dish was enjoyed by all. And, after reviewing some of the humble lentil’s fantastic nutritional info, we might just be making these on a regular basis.

My Favorite Meatballs

I apologize in advance to any family members I may offend with this post, but this is definitely my favorite meatball recipe. The combination of ground turkey (I always have some of this in my freezer) and ground pork makes a super tender and flavorful meatball. I browned these in some olive oil before dropping them in some gravy, all to be served with pasta. These meatballs are also delicious on their own or with your favorite tomato sauce.

Sunday Gravy

I already posted this back in 2009 but I thought it deserved a re-posting with some updated pics. This recipe is a staple in my family — guaranteed to make an appearance at each holiday, at the very least, and also among many regular ol’ Sundays throughout the year. It’s the kind of meal that takes several hours from start to finish, but it is one of my favorite types of meals to make. Take some humble ingredients — onion, garlic, canned tomatoes. Throw in some herbs, wine if you like, and your meat of choice (although in my opinion, lamb is necessary for the right flavor — sausage or meatballs optional), and a few hours later you’ve got a delicious gravy that begs to be swirled around pasta and mopped up with italian bread. Yes — eat this!

Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

What’s a soup without a dipper?! You’ve got to have a dipper, as far as I’m concerned, and these easy biscuits were fab. Based on a “copycat” recipe of the famous Red Lobster biscuit, these definitely hit the mark. Yum.

Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Brian and I are both feeling a bit under the weather so I thought soup was in order. I sifted through dozens of tomato soup recipes and I finally just threw my hands up and winged it. It turned out perfect and I’ll definitely be making this again.

Tuna and White Bean Salad

I’m always on the look out for healthy lunches that can be made with ingredients I always have. This salad is a perfect example — delicious!

Roasted Brussels and Sweet Potatoes

I asked Brian what he would like to say about this veggie side dish and he said “oh, that it was a great combination. Firm and soft…sweet and salty…” Dirty old man. And even though his description doesn’t really make sense, it really was a good combination. Yum!

Ina’s Chicken Chili

I definitely have a love/hate relationship with foodnetwork.com. First, the website is generally awful and it’s often impossible to actually locate a recipe you might have seen on any given show. They have a knack for naming them something totally different than that on the show itself. Am I right? Second, and I admit that this is largely my own fault, I am often convinced into changing the recipe from how it was originally written based on user comments. Which is kind of dumb, since I don’t know these people and virtually any person can write a comment. After reading lots of reviews that said this chili was super bland as written, and that many people tripled the spices, etc., etc., I caved and decided to double the spices and take it from there. Let’s just say I should have trusted Ina (who I love anyway), because it was way too spicy! I can only assume that those commenters have really old, weak spices because I think it would be very flavorful as written (and that’s how I’ll write it below, except for my addition of white beans, which I really liked).

Overall, the recipe is very tasty and light, but just be careful not to overcook the chicken during the roasting process as it will continue to cook in the stew.

Bean, Sausage, and Spinach Soup

I’m a big fan of a veggie (and usually sausage) filled soup — especially for a weekend lunch. Make a big batch on Saturday or Sunday and then have the leftovers in the fridge when you need a little snack or an impromptu lunch to bring to work. This soup is creamy and oh-so-healthy.

Spanish “Rice”

I’m trying to avoid carbohydrates for a while, and have been curious about some of the faux-cauliflower recipes out there. This faux-rice is kind of awesome! I mean, if someone fed you this blindfolded, you wouldn’t necessarily know it was rice, but it sure looks like it! And you can flavor it however you like. To go with my stuffed peppers tonight I wanted a mexican/spanish flavor, so I went with some onions, peppers, salsa, tomatoes, and taco seasoning. I will definitely be using this method again…probably this weekend to go along with beef and broccoli for the kids! Let’s see if the kids will buy it…that will be the true test. 🙂

Roasted Peppers Stuffed with Pulled Pork Chili Verde

Oh, man, this chili is good. And even better inside a roasted pepper underneath melted cheese with a little avocado and red onion and some sour cream if you like…oh boy, this was good.

Clean Eating Pulled Pork Chili Verde

I’m sure I join many people in starting the new year with healthy, real food after so much holiday junk. This chili is definitely different from the chilis I’ve made before, but it might be my new favorite. Essentially it’s a big bowl of delicious limey pulled pork with beans and it’s absolutely awesome. Serve it with a nice big salad and you’re good to go.