The Waffle

My first attempt at waffle making was quite successful, if I do say do myself!

These were light and fluffy with a crispy bite!

I'm not a baker by any means so I do have to admit that I didn't entirely enjoy this process, but I did enjoy the outcome!

~Bowl #1~
Combine:
2 C All-Purpose Flour
2 tsp Baking Soda
2 Tbs Sugar
1/2 tsp Salt

~Bowl #2~
Whisk 4 egg whites in a metal or glass bowl until fluffy.

~Bowl #3~
Combine:
2 Egg Yolks
1 tsp Lime Zest
1 tsp Lime Juice
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 C Milk
3 Tbs Melted Butter
1 Tbs Flax Seed Oil
1/4 C Pure Grade B Maple Syrup

Next mix bowl # 1 and #3. Fold in bowl #2.

Cookem' N Eatem'

Truffle, Portobello and Goat Cheese Flatbread

Ummmm... Yummmm!

•In a small pan mix 1 part white truffle oil, 1 part olive oil and 1 clove of garlic cut in half, cut side down. Heat until garlic sizzles and then remove from heat.

•Roll out your favorite pizza dough on a pizza pan coated with olive oil.

•Brush with a generous amount of truffle/olive oil, sprinkle with S&P and Parmesan cheese.

•Layer with a good amount of thinly sliced baby portobello mushrooms, chives and crumbled goat cheese.

•Season the top with a little S&P

•Bake per crust directions

•Remove from oven and brush with another coat of truffle/olive oil mixture.

Enjoy!!!

I want one of each...

Blackened Blue Cheese Burger

Sometimes there's just nothing like a big fat juicy burger. Mmmmmm...

Directions:

1. Mix blue cheese into ground round, patty and coat with a good amount of blackened seasoning.

2. Sear in a frying pan until cooked to desired doneness.

3. To serve on it I made honey Dijon by mixing equal parts of, you guessed it, honey and Dijon mustard. I also made caramelized onions.

4. Served on a thin whole wheat sandwich bun, it was a perfectly spicy, cheesy burger!

Oh...don't forget the pickle!

Roasted Roma Vinegarette w/ Truffle Oil

1. Leftover roasted Roma tomatoes from the last post - chopped

2. Mix in a bowl with red wine vinegar, agave syrup, S&P, dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, crushed red peppers

3. Add in a little drizzle of white truffle oil and olive oil

4. Mix well and serve over your favorite salad veggies.

Grilled Cheese Supreme w/ Roasted Roma Tomatoes

1. Slice Roma tomatoes, season w/ S&P, drizzle with olive oil and bake @ 350 for 20 mins.

2. Slice fresh Italian bread and coat one side with butter.

3. Layer bread with cream cheese, Mozzerella, Colby-Jack, and Goat cheese.

4. Top with roasted tomatoes and the second slice of bread.

5. Grill in a frying pan, covered, until each side is crispy and golden brown.

Cut in half and enjoy the cheesy, melty goodness!

Validation from a chef!

Nothing is better than receiving validation for something that you love do. My brother, Patrick, is a chef. He lives in Colorado now so I don't get many chances to cook with him. I love to spend time in the kitchen with him to learn new tricks. I miss him! :(

Enough of the sappy stuff! I gave Patrick some of my homemade blackened seasoning for Christmas. I got this text from him tonight...

Saffron Rice Pilaf

My New Favorite Rice

Chicken Sausage over Pasta Marinara

This is an easy weeknight dinner.

~In a sauce pan sauté onion, garlic, red pepper, and mushrooms in a little olive oil.

~Add a jar of your favorite marinara sauce.

~Add raw chicken sausages.

~Simmer, covered, for about 1/2 hour.

~Serve over pasta!

Viola!!

Spicy Pork and Veggie Stir Fry with Tom Yum Sauce

All day I was craving something hott....really hott! 

This satisfied my craving! 

1. Marinate a couple pork chops in dark soy sauce and fish sauce for about 30 mins.
2. While those are marinating, slice up: Onion, Garlic, Ginger, Carrot, Snow Peas, Red Pepper, Baby Bok Choy, Porcini mushrooms, Green Onion
3. In a hot skillet add a drizzel of toasted sesame oil and olive oil, onion, garlic and ginger.
4. Sauteed until tender and then added in the sliced pork.  Cook this until just done and then moved it all into a bowl.
5. To the same pan add all of the veggies, covered and steam until tender. 
6. Add the pork and all of the juices back into the pan.
7. Add 2 heaping Tbsp of Tom Yum Paste
8. Drizzel with Honey or Agave Syrup
9. Mix everything together well, simmer for a minute and then serve over rice noodles. 

Bring on the heat!

Tom Yum eez Yummy!

It happens....

Osage Peach Crisp

Sweet, Light, Fabulous!

In a bowl combine:

Oats

Brown Surgar

Just a little butter mixed in to make a crumble texture.

Sprinkle crumble on top of drained, canned Osage Peaches in a casserole dish.

Broil until the topping is bubbily and crispy brown.

Top with Low Fat Whipped Topping.

Enjoy!



Baked Pear, Almond and Gorgonzola Baby Green Salad

Light, Simple, Amazing....

Bake 1 pear chopped in a casserole dish covered in foil for 30 mins.  Remove and chill!

Make a simple vinegarette with:

Red Wine Vinegar

Sugar

Salt

Drizzle of Olive Oil

Layer:

Baby Greens

Slivered Almonds

Baked Pear

Gorgonzola Cheese Crumbles

Drizzle with Vinegarette

Enjoy! 

Broiled Halibut w/ Wilted Spinach and Mushroom Risotto

Monday night was healthy cooking class #2 with my Mom! 

We have decided that every Monday we will be a seafood night! 

I have no problems with that!!

I had one last package of halibut that my brother Patrick caught and brought home with him from Alaska this summer.  I figured it was time to get it out of the freezer.

That was a really good idea, if I do say so myself!

This might look elegant and complicated, but it really is quite simple!

Halibut marinated in fresh lemon juice, brushed with butter,

seasoned with S&P and broiled until golden brown.

Arborio rice mixed with sauteed mushrooms, onions, garlic in a little olive oil. 

Add a little bit of chicken broth at a time until the rice is creamy and cooked through completely. 

It will take about 30-40 mins.  Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end.

Viola.....Risotto!

Fresh baby spinach added to a saute pan with a little olive oil and fresh garlic.  Saute until wilted.  Season with S&P.

I do not have calorie counter on this meal but I can guarantee they were low!

I served it with a baked Pear, almond and Gorgonzola salad and

a simple peach crisp for dessert!

I love cooking with my mom!

P.S.  My daughter was also involved in this one.  She specifically asked if I would fry her a fillet so that she could make her own tarter sauce.  Of course I can.  We might need to watch our calories but a 6 year old asking for fried halibut, spinach and risotto.....there is nothing wrong with that! She got what she asked for and ate a huge dinner.  Win, win!! 

This needs to happen...

Ground beef, ground sausage, ground anything....this has to be good!!!

Bean Tostada Deluxe

Simple. Healthy. Delicious.

-Bake corn tortillas directly on oven rack @ 350 for up to 9 mins. All corn tortillas are different. Some only take 5 mins, others are more dense and take longer to toast. Once they start turning brown watch them close. They will go from toasted to burnt in seconds.

-Make a creamy sauce by mixing light sour cream with your favorite taco sauce or salsa. I'm completely addicted to the mild Taco Bell sauce that you can get in the store, so that is what I use.

-Chop lettuce and any other taco topping veggie you desire.

••Assembly••
Crispy Tortilla
Fat Free Refried Beans
Creamy Sauce
Lettuce
Shredded Cheese
Fresh Avocado Salsa

EAT, MAKE ANOTHER, EAT, REPEAT...

Fresh Avocado Salsa

A nice fresh dish for a cold dreary day!

~1 Avocado
~2 Tomatoes
~1/4 White Onion
~1/4 Jalapeño
~1 Handful of Cilantro
~Juice of 1/2 a Lime
~1 Small Garlic Clove
~Salt

::Chop::Mix::Marinate::Eat::

Brats, Beer and Onions

Boil!

The brats are delicious and tender! Serve with horseradish mixed with Dijon mustard! Yum!!!

DO NOT eat the onions!

Food Art

Possible new project idea and a fun way to decorate the kitchen! I like it! And it looks tasty too!!