Roasted Orange Chive Salmon

Is oatmeal a meal? Good, I agree. Its not. Therefore, my first real meal I cooked was SO GOOD. I told my Dad while eating it - that it was the best salmon I have ever had second only to the time I was in Craig, Alaska and had it right off the boat.

zest of one mandarin orange

1 tsp chopped fresh chives

8 oz fresh atlantic salmon (w/skin, got it from Whole Foods)

evoo

s/p

425 degrees. Place aluminum foil on a small baking sheet. Spray with pam.

Pat dry salmon. Drizzle with evoo. Zest orange and chop the chives over the top. Bake for about 15 minutes, maybe a little more till the fish easily flakes.

Enjoy. I served mine with roasted asparagus and roasted new pototoes.

Tuna Spaghetti (2010.6)

Bon Appetit in its editor section usually has little basic recipes. This was one of them. Not great, but not throw away worthy either. I may just toss some on top of some greens.

Not amounts, almost

Spaghetti (I used whole grain spaghetti)
1 can tuna (oil packed preferred, but I used water packed)
1 fat garlic clove, chopped
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
evoo
pepper
lemon juice
(I added the garlic and red pepper and didn't have any parsley)

Cook noodles. In pan, saute everything else. Drain pasta, reserving a bit of the water. Mix all together.
This just didn't have much of a flavor to me.

Pineapple Tuna Salad (2009.45)

My Mom picked up this cookbook for me in Tampa: Victorian Recipes. It is a collection of old Tampa recipes from difference B&Bs, older Southern ladies, and restaurants. I picked out something healthy to make. While it tasted good - it wasn't very filling. I was hungry in about 90 minutes.

Makes 5 servings

1 can tuna
1 8 oz can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/8 cup chopped pecans
2 T light mayo
s/p

Drain both cans. Mix all. Chill.
I served mine on a bed of spinach.
Honestly, I don't know if I'll even finish this container - it just wasn't worth 170 calories to me. And I want to make the most out of my calories!

Taste of Louisville: El Mundo

Today I went to a new place here just a few miles from the seminary. I love close lunch places. And I love friends to go with. My friend Jenny and I went today and sat outside in their backyard next to the RR tracks (only one train came by and it was a quick one). The backyard was much quieter and the weather is outstanding today, so it was perfect! No one bothered us at all - such a calming lunch!
I got the Pan Fried Fish Tacos. Atlantic Cod that had been pan fried very lightly wrapped in warm flour tortillas with all sorts of veggies: salad greens, squash, zuks, sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, cilantro. I thought these fish tacos were much better than the other ones I've had at Bazos. My only complaint with them was the tortillas had no flavor and the filling kept falling out, so I just left them on my plate. They had a small ctr of a mayo salsa dip for it - that was excellent but only used a little. Their side of beans was a mixture of black and pinto - amazing. And their rice was a tad on the spicy side and good - but I'm not a huge fan of rice and totally not worth the calories.
Jenny got the chips and avocado for us to share. That has got to be the best quacamole I've ever had. Amazing, fresh, cool all served with warm bagged corn chips (you know the round ones you usually get with nachos at a ball park). This was the first time I haven't complained about boring chips - all because the quac was so yummy.
I love the comfy decor. Not too big, local place, friendly staff, unmatched forks, water out of a cooler, you dip your own ice from an ice chest, straws from a spinny dispenser.
Only thing I didn't like about sitting outside was that I didn't get my water refilled because I didn't want to walk back in. And the last thing - the price was a bit high, but with good food - 9$ for lunch was ok.
El Mundo - I will be coming to you again!

Taste of Baltimore

I spent this weekend in Baltimore, MD - Inner Harbor to be exact. It was nice being able to walk to restaurants that were right on the water. The company was great for all these meals - definitely making it a reminder that meals are more than the food! Here are the places I went:

PotBelly's Sandwich Works: with Kelli and her family on Saturday for lunch. I had a great chicken salad salad. Huge croutons that were their bread just chunked up - nice diced. Good parmesan vinaigrette.

PF Changs - "we're going to feverishly devour this food so fast it will make the chef weep". This was a pretty direct quote. We got there about 730 and left about 930 - great food. Wonton soup with dumplings and shrimp, lettuce wraps, calamari (I loved them dipped in the salt), kung pao shrimp, mongolian beef, and Chang's chicken - topped off with some coconut ice cream. We did it all family style. Good stuff!

7-11 - I went here twice. Sometimes its the only place and cheapest place to go. Now, maybe not for every meal - but I was quite thankful for the 7-11 this trip!

J. Paul's American Grill - I got the crab cake salad. So moist - not much filler. Lump crab was throughout it. Their pretzels were great too - definitely hit the spot.

Viccaro's Italian Pastries - I heard these were great, so I got a few. Lemon Drop cookie (ok, took a bite), almond topped amoretti cookie (great, but still took a bite), chocolate topped cream puff (not great, have had better, mini bite), chocolate almond white dipped biscotti (didn't think this was all that great), mini canolli (ok, so what they were known for was pretty good - had 2 bites). It was good to get to taste these as I was sitting on the waterfront. Couldn't ask for more!

Hard Rock Cafe - first time I've eaten at one. Won't get again any time soon. The carrot cake was good (split that), I had the chicken salad which was good. But, it was expensive, horrible service (Chase was just having a bad day), took us forever. The music was loud too, but provided some impromptu conversation starters. But, the company was great!

Caribou - Some dude came and told me there was one not a few blocks away. Later (after I went and got an iced chai and dark chocolate graham), he came back with a 5$ gift card for me. I'll definitely be using this later! Some of life's little blessings. I love it!

So - Baltimore food was good. I walked everywhere and didn't eat a ton. Much better than I did in NC!

Saturday Night in Chicago - Salmon and Veggies

Well - even though we were heckled because we didn't go out in Chicago for dinner with the many great restaurants literally on every corner...we enjoyed a great meal in.
Whole Foods provided us some of it - if not all.

Wild Coho Salmon - 1/2 lb between the two of us, cooked for about 12 minutes (flipped once), skinned at the counter, just with evoo, s/p - wow - this was good.
Sauteed spinach and garlic.
Roasted asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms - with evoo and TJ's balsamic vinegar
Our appetizer was unsalted blue corn tortilla chips with hummus and also some edamame (yum)!
For dessert - Edy's Grand Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream with TJ's dark cream mints (slightly larger and better than Junior Mints).

And we got to cook it together, eat it together, not pay a tip, and watch basketball!

Taste of Brentwood: Kalamatas

I was in Bretwood TN for the weekend at a conference. It went great! One of the fun things was going to dinner with the Joneses. They like going to fun and unique places as well - one of the reasons we get along.
We drove through a little shopping center. We found this and had to stop.
It was pretty good. Best thing was the hummus. It was cream and just garlicky enough to not be overwhelming.
I had the fattoush salad with grilled yellow fin tuna (fish of the day) that I had cooked to medium. It was good and healthy!
So, if you are in a new city - try some place new - don't settle for the same old chain places! And speaking of new - I ate a kalamata olive. Never had before. And honestly, it wasn't as bad as a black or green olive. It wasn't as salty and maybe a tad sweeter. Does anyone have a tapenade recipe using kalamata olives?

Taste of Louisville: Bazos

There is a little place here in St. Matthews I've been wanting to try - Bazos. My Mom will try anything - so we went yesterday on the recommendation from Timothy and Rayann.
It would be good because I walked in and they were playing the Gator/Vol bball game - even though the Gators lost - still...
It was completely empty on a Sunday at 430 - don't know if that's a good sign...and the service was still about 10 minutes - so...
They have a frequent diner card, so anything where I can eventually get something free is good.
Prices weren't bad either - entrees ranging from $2.50-7.00.
So, we got the Baja Fish tacos - which everyone raves about them here in the Ville. I took one bite of the lightly breaded, wrapped in two tortillas, lime, tilapia - and knew I didn't need to eat anymore. There was no taste and it was slightly rubbery.
So, we also got the Shrimp burrito - sauteed small shrimp, black beans, rice, sour cream, cheese, thin tortilla - well worth the $6.50. It was really tasty. I had some of their generic, nothing special chips and made my half of the burrito "naked" and scooped it up with the chips.
So, I would rank it a A- for price, C+ atmosphere (it was clean and easy to get to), F for the fish tacos, and an A for the shrimp burrito.
Will I go back - sure. Will it become a regular - probably not, but there is more to try on the menu too.

Menu Week: January 26

I've been doing a lot of thinking (not much research) about the foods that go in my body, what I cook with, what I have in my refrigerator. But, not to go crazy and out there, but to eat balanced, healthy, etc. So, hopefully this week will reflect some of those thoughts:
Monday - Chinese (I'm doing chicken with mixed veggies) with Brandi from Great Wall on Brownsboro. Haven't figured out dinner yet - either leftover chinese or some roasted veggies (whatever I feel like after training and pilates while watching the Bachelor).
Tuesday - over the weekend I made some mini tortellini chicken vegetable soup so that is what leftovers this week will be. Grilled fish (either salmon or tilapia - whatever I'm in the mood for), sauteed spinach (inspired by the Gossetts).
Wednesday - soup and then roasted veggies and a salad for dinner. Making some chocolate and peanut butter desserts for CG in honor of Tony's bday.
Thursday - soup and Rachel Ray's chick pea salad for dinner with a grilled pork chop
Friday - soup (see a theme for leftover lunches) and egg white omelette and yogurt and fruit for dinner.
Saturday - Calistoga Cafe for breakfast (I think I'll get steel cut oatmeal and fruit) and then something fun for dinner - don't know what it will be yet. For my cookbook recipe this week I am making a muffin recipe out of the 2nd Plant City Primitive Baptist Cookbook - it is a pineapple bran muffin. I like to make muffins and take them to people, but then freeze some so I can sometimes mix up my normal breakfast.
And if you are wondering where the grains and fats are coming from - because I think we all need those in our diets. My normal breakfast is whole grain wheat and all natural peanut butter and fruit. I love all natural peanut butter.

Menu: Last week of 2008

I'm already starting this health(ier) eating thing even though we aren't quite into the New Year. This week also holds my birthday - so we'll see how that goes. More on 2009 Food Resolutions in a coming blog.
Monday - Asahi sushi for lunch (I had 4 of the california roll, 4 of the Spicy Crab Roll - that was amazing, some of the hibachi veggies, and a salad). Dinner will be veggies and an egg white omelette.
Tuesday - Progressive dinner with friends. I'm making a pear/gorgonzola/cherry/pecan salad with honey mustard vinaigrette. Laura is making meatballs. And Beth has desserts. This will be fun!
Wednesday - no clue yet. I'm making a hummus platter to take to a NYE party.
Thursday - Orange Cranberry muffins, Tilapia with citrus vinaigrette and veggies.
Friday - Brunch with Reed's: ham, grits/greens/eggs, cinnamon rolls, citrus salad
Saturday - Dinner at Joneses'
Sunday - Lunch with Lilly somewhere for my birthday!

Florida Food

My family and I just went on a Suwannee Houseboat Excursion and then ate at two restaurants, so I wanted to do some highlighting.
One the way to the Suwannee - we met up in Wildwood, FL at a truckstop - diner food, but nothing to write home about.
First meal on the boat was chicken salad that I made. Alan asked if it was "good for you chicken salad?" I love my chicken salad. Chopped up lemon-pepper rotisserie chicken from Publix, mayo (to liking), regular and stone ground mustard, celery, green onions, grapes (both purple and green), and pecans. It was yummy!
Mom had made rubs for the chicken quarters Alan grilled: American BBQ and Southwestern. I liked the American BBQ better. It had some brown sugar in it that made the skin really fantastic and slightly crunchy off the grill. We also had grilled corn on the cob - one of my favorite things!
Breakfast was anything - fruit, granola, yogurt, cheese, apples, etc.
Lunch was leftovers - I actually had a pb/apple sandwich right after I got done swimming in Manatee Springs.
Dinner - Dad and Alan split a cow from Arcadia and we had some of the T-bone steaks off of it. Alan marinated it in W-shire, garlic, and probably something else too - but it was really good. We also had some grilled squash/onions, and potatoes/onions, and some more corn on the cob. Yumm-o as RR would say. Then we cut up two fresh pineapples for dessert.
On the way home from the Suwannee - we ate at Frogs. Frogs is a little hole in the wall in Williston, FL. Years ago it was much better, but it has had a couple of fires. They have frogs from different places sitting on the order counter - just about 5 tables in the place and some outside. Best thing: medium (heat) bbq pulled pork sandwich. Dripping in a red specialty sauce, rapped in white parchment paper, fries dumped on top, in a brown lunch sack - and a canned soda - all for 6 bucks. Yummy. Papa and I would stop there so much. I had a couple bites, Mom had the rest. Dad took us to the Collannade on Bayshore Blvd in Tampa for an early dinner. I had the grilled shrimp and salmon. Salmon was really good. Shrimp were definitely over cooked. Creamed spinach was good too - but I only had a couple of bites. Salad was a normal salad - nothing fancy. They are known for their bread: a variety of mini-muffins: corn, blueberry, cranberry - I had one of each. Very moist, perfectly cooked. Mom and I split the strawberry shortcake - that wasn't much to write home about either. So, if you go - just get the salmon and the bread - you'll be set!

SImple Italian Salmon for 2

My Dad is a huge salmon fan - probably gets too many of those wonderful omega-3 fats that we all need. A new friend, Lauren, gave me this recipe - it is one of Giada's. I just cut it in half...

Simple Italian Salmon
2 5-oz salmon fillets
olive oil
1 shallot, chopped fine
1/2 can petite diced tomatoes
juice of half a lemon
salt/pepper
1/2 tsp oregano and thyme

Drizzle olive oil on one side of salmon and place it oil side down on a sheet of aluminum foil. Fold up sides (to make little packet). Mix of the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl - split between two salmon packets. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Delicious! I served this with roasted asparagus and roasted red potatoes (all cook at the same temperature). Potatoes take a little longer. I zapped mine in the microwave for 2 minutes, or you can just put it in there before the asparagus and salmon.

Gilligans

Gilligan's in Charleston was proferred to us as a good dining place, so that is where we went tonight.
Well, there are some good and some bad things about this restaurant. First, I’ll go with the good. It is out of the way in Charleston – actually going back south on 17 – so you aren’t fighting most of the tourists, it is a more local place. The décor is rustic, but fun and clean. The price is fair for what you get – great fresh seafood and good hushpuppies. For example I had a grilled mahi mahi sandwich with three side items for 11$. Not bad. My mahi mahi – which I get every time it is on the menu (dolphin, light and flaky) – was perfectly cooked and seasoned. My fries were wonderful – especially dipped in a mix of tartar sauce and ketchup. Dad really liked the hushpuppies. The manager was very kind and wanting the best for our table, as was our waitress. Now, I must be true to my task: as to the bad. The hushpuppies, in my opinion, were heavily battered and too small. The salmon wasn’t too good – that was Dad’s meal. He asked for his steamed veggies to be really cooked – they weren’t even cooked enough for my liking. So, I ate two of the veggies and gave Dad my fried okra (breaded on site). He said they weren’t done enough either. The green beans, which I got toward the end of the meal – seemed to be those Italian cut green beans you get in a can. The manager took off our uncooked veggies and he was very kind to us. I would tell people to try it – the mahi mahi and fries are a true win!

Seel's

So, Dad and I are visiting Charleston, SC (the new home of a precious newlywed) and my sister-in-law told me of a great restaurant I had to try - just 20 minutes away in Mt. Pleasant.
Seel's Fish Camp is a great little seafood place right off 526 (so very easy to find) - friendly, walk up ordering at the counter, paper towel roll on the tables, old signs on the walls, an ice cream cooler - just down home. It felt great. Harry, the owner, and Kim, his wife, are relatives of Keith and Mandy Devine - my brother's friends (and pastor) in NC. Keith married Alan and Ty. WEll, my girls will know about the wing sauce I make - and they love it. Well, the sauce that you get "dressed in Sunday best" style at Seel's - is the same stuff. It is Keith's sauce - who I learned it from.
Anyway, Dad and I both had a Shrimp Po Boy - an 8-in hoagie with about 8-10 medium fried shrim on it. Lightly battered so you can get the fresh shrimp taste. Perfectly cooked - and tasted great. It had tartar sauce on it with tom/lettuce. So, when you mix the Devine sauce it is a perfect blend on the sandwich. The hushpuppies that came it with were perfectly small. Looked like they used a small cookie scoop to get them so perfectly. Had a great mild onion taste to them. Their fries were a little salty to me, but Harry explained they were having issues with this shipment of potatoes they just got in this morning (they cut their own fries). Wash it all down with a A&W Rootbeer - perfect lunch.
Harry was very service oriented as he even cleaned off a few tables and talked with other customers. Thank you for a great dining experience - laid back, very southern seafood and delicious!

Taste of Placida - Fishery Restaurant

Went down to Placida (by Boca Grande, north of Ft. Myers) for lunch today. I know - why go so far for lunch? My Dad knows the owners from when he grew up in Arcadia. This was my first trip down there.

Salad and bread were nothing to rave about. The Gator Bites were good. I ordered the cajun shrimp - small shrimp with entirely HOT cajun seasoning on it over yellow rice and black beans. It was good - but all you tasted was the hot. Then, I split that with mom for some of her grouper sandwich - the best fried fish sandwich I've ever put in my mouth. Flaky, moist, fresh catch of the day slightly battered, great with the fresh tomato slice and tarter sauce. It was amazing.

Then for dessert we split an orange key lime pie slice. That was great too. Slight hint of orange and then it was the color orange too - but you could definitely tell it was key lime pie. Dad got the key lime cheesecake - it was very creamy but not too much of a key lime flavor.

The best thing about the restaurant was the view - looking right into the gulf - right on the water, looking at the dock and the seagulls and the boats coming in.

most decidedly dinner is not on the menu and it was well worth the drive!

Taste of Plant City - Cuban King and Saturday night eats

We don't know the real name of the restaurant is, but it looks like a little state fair kiosk - they keep overhead low so they can keep the prices low.

Mom and Dad have eaten here before as it is right by the churches we went to when growing up and in high school.

Great cuban - more than a foot long. Hot when we got it, but by the time we got to the park, it wasn't. But, it was still yummy, smashed so we could fit it in our mouth.

Then for dinner I made shrimp and tomatos with cheese grits and bananas foster. Both were good, but still can find better recipes to use for both of those...

Shrimp Caprese Pasta

I'm glad when you are just working on cleaning out your fridge and pantry and something comes together and is really yummy!

I called this what I did because it has basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese in it. I didn't put any spinach, but may next time.

Shrimp Caprese Pasta

1 box angel hair pasta
1 bag frozen ready to eat medium shrimp (thawed)
1 can petite diced tomatoes
4-5 fresh basil leaves, finely snipped
1/3 ball of fresh mozzarella cheese, small diced.
Olive oil
S/p, garlic powder
1/2 stick butter

Cook angel hair pasta. In a saute pan, heat oil and butter. Add in seasonings and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer. Add in shrimp and basil toward the end. you don't want to overcook either - take off the heat and cover with a lid. Let sit for about 3-5 minutes. Toss with pasta and add cubed mozzerella cheese. Serve immediately.