Salmon with Fennel

Salmon with Fennel

adapted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook^© by Ina Garten

This is an Ina Garten recipe which she makes in large quantities for dinner parties using a 10 pound salmon. This version is scaled down to serve two. It also creates a way to  get the skin crispy which is my husband's favorite way to eat salmon.

Makes 2 servings                                                            1 WW pts / serving

Cooking spray
1/2 yellow onions, sliced 1/4-inch thick 
1/2 cup sliced fennel bulb, 1/4-inch thick 
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves, coarsely chopped
1/3 tsp. coarsely chopped fennel fronds
1/4 tsp. orange zest
1/2 tsp. orange juice
pinch Kosher salt
pinch freshly ground black pepper

2 tsp. olive oil
2 1/4 lb. salmon fillets with the skin on

1. If time permits, pat the salmon dry and place it uncovered in the refrigerator for 60 minutes to further dry the skin.
2. Preheat an oven to 400F
3. In an oven proof pan coated with cooking spray, sauté the onion and fennel until tender crisp, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add thyme thyme, fronds, zest, orange juice, salt and pepper; Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Heat a skillet over medium heat until it reaches a surface temperature of 375-400F*.
6. Pat the salmon dry then coat it with the olive oil.
7. Place the salmon skin side down in a pan and cook until the skin is crisp, about 5 minutes, pressing down on it occasionally to prevent it from curling.
8. Transfer the fish skin side up onto the fennel-onion mixture.
9. Place the pan in the oven and cook until the salmon is just cooked through, about 5 minutes more or until cooked through.
10. Serve the salmon sitting on the fennel-onion mixture.

Enjoy!

*To make sure the surface temperature is hot enough I like to use a laser thermometer. Just point and shoot and it read the temperature.

Black Bean and Pepper Salad

Black Bean and Pepper Salad

adapted from Bon Appetit July 1998

A zesty salad that goes well with any Tex-Mex entree.

Makes 2 servings                                                            1 WW pts/ serving                                             

3 mini red, yellow or orange bell peppers, chopped

1/2 15- to 16-ounce can black beans, rinsed, well drained and rinsed
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

1/2 tsp. minced garlic
2 1/2 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. grated orange zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. In a bowl, combine the peppers, beans, onion, parsley, basil and garlic; Toss to combine.
2. Whisk together the vinegar, oil and orange peel; Pour over bean mixture and toss to combine.
3. Season to taste with salt and pepper. 
4. Serve chilled or let stand 30 minutes at room temperature before serving. 

Enjoy!

Bittersweet Maple Bark with Quinoa, Cashews, Almonds and Cherries

Bittersweet Maple Bark with Quinoa, Cashews, Almonds and Cherries

adapted from Bobby Flat Fit

Bittersweet chocolate is known to have health benefits when consumed in moderation. For this recipe use chocolate with at least 71% cacao. I used 85% available at Lidl for $2.49 / 4 oz. bar.

The uncooked quinoa gives you a crunch... think of a Nestle crunch bar.

Don't have a double boiler, heat water in a pot, place a bowl over the pot but not touching the water.

Makes about 12 servings

3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 tsp. orange zest
1/8 tsp. Kosher salt
1/3 cup quinoa (uncooked)
3/4 cup slivered almonds
3/4 cup cashews, chopped
1 tsp. instant espresso powder
1/2 cup unsweetened dried cherries, chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 325F.
2. Line a baking sheet with silicone baking sheet or parchment paper.
3. In a bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, oil, vanilla, orange zest and salt.
4. Fold in the quinoa and nuts.
5. Spread out on the baking sheet in roughly a 9 inch square.
6. Bake until the nuts are a light golden brown and the mixture is crisp, about 25 minutes.
7. Set aside to cool.
8. In a double boiler, melt the chocolate; Add the espresso powder.
9. Spread the chocolate over the quinoa crunch; Sprinkle the cherries over the top.
10. Break into pieces to serve.

Enjoy!

Dumpling Soup with Vegetables

Dumpling Soup with Vegetables

adapted from Food Network Magazine December 2010

Wonton soup is one of my favorites. Amping it up with a bunch of vegetables just makes it better.

Makes 4 servings                                                        2 WW pp / serving

2 cups homemade chicken stock or low sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. dry sherry 
1/2 tsp. sugar substitute
1/2 -inch piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
2 3-inch strips orange zest
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 scallions, sliced, white and green parts separated
1/2 cup sliced button mushrooms
1 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1/2 cup cabbage leaves, thinly sliced
8 frozen chicken dumplings
Soy sauce, for drizzling (optional)

1. Combine 1 cup water, stock, sherry, sugar, ginger, orange zest, salt, and pepper to taste in a pot. 
2. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. 
3. Add the scallion whites, mushrooms and carrots. 
4. Simmer, uncovered, until the carrots are crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
5. Add the cabbage, dumplings and scallion greens. 
6. Cover and cook until the dumplings are soft and heated through, 4 to 5 minutes. 
7. Divide the dumplings and soup among bowls. 
8. Drizzle with soy sauce, if desired.

Enjoy!

Chicken & Vegetable Soup

Chicken & Vegetable Soup

adapted from The Chew

This soup is made from a wonderfully flavorful broth base.

Makes 4 servings                                                     2 WW Blue points / serving

Broth

8 cups homemade chicken stock or canned low-sodium broth

1 carrot, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces

1/2 onion, peeled and cut in half

1 cinnamon stick

1 1/2 tsp. Kosher salt

1 tsp. black peppercorns

1 tsp. dried orange zest

Soup

2 cups shredded poached chicken, rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken

Cooking spray

1 large carrot, diced

1 stalk celery, diced

1/2 onion, diced 

2 cups fresh spinach

1/2 jalapeno, seeds & ribs removed, thinly sliced

1/4 cup uncooked soup shell pasta, orzo or other small pasta

1. Combine the stock, carrot, onion, cinnamon stick, salt, peppercorns and orange zest in a soup pot; Simmer until reduced by half, about 1 hour.
2. Strain the broth and discard the solids; set aside.
3. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and for 2 minutes less than recommended package directions; set aside
4. Whip out the pan; coat with cooking spray and sauté the diced carrot, celery and onion, until tender crisp, about 5 minutes.
5. Return the broth to the pot and bring to a boil; cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender, about 5-10 minutes.
6. Add the chicken, spinach, jalapeno and cooked pasta; return to a boil, reduce heat and cook about 2-5 minutes or until the pasta is cooked through.

Enjoy!