Sunday, December 19, 2010

Barcelona - La Boqueria Market












It is such a blessing to have so many amazing markets in the Seattle area. Of course we have the unrivaled Pike Place which has just about everything you could hope for from teh Great Northwest. But take the time to visit one of Seattles neighborhoods and you will find hidden gems from local vendors all over the Puget Sound. Here are a few of my favorites:
Ballard - Sundays. A full three blocks of fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry, pasta, bread, cheese, flowers, wine, jewlery and more. My absolute favorite place to go on Sunday morning.
Magnolia - some of the best poultry, produce and cheese all in one very inconvenient location. Luckily, I happen to live here!
Fremont - more of a flea market, but worth a trip to see fun bath products and local jewlery.

When Joshua and I visited Barcelona this December we had to check out the famous La Boqueria Market on La Rambla. As you can see the displays are lovely and the food was fresh and beautiful. But the prices were through the roof and if you strolled to the corner market, the food was just as fresh for half the price. Bottom line, take a trip as a tourist, but don't plan on shopping there every Sunday for your weekly groceries.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Girls Night In...Weight Watchers Style!

Mac and Cheese

12 oz whole wheat elbow macaroni
1 cup fat free sour cream
1 cup grated smoked gouda
1 cup grated parmesan
1/2 cup low fat mozzarella
4 oz low fat cream cheese
1/3 cup bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat ; drain and transfer to a large bowl. While pasta is still hot, stir in sour cream, cream cheese, gouda and parmesan. Pour mixture into large glass baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and bread crumbs over the top and bake until cheese is melted and begins to brown and bubble.

Fall Harvest Salad
I got this amazing receipe from the weight watchers website. I subtitued the walnuts for low fat goat cheese as we had an allergy in the group. It was great! I also bought a premade low fat dressing which was a champagne basil viniagrette. Big success and great for the holidays!

Ingredients
1 spray(s) cooking spray
3 cup(s) butternut squash, cut into small cubes
1/2 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp rosemary, fresh, minced
1/2 tsp table salt, or to tasteVinaigrette
2 medium shallot(s), minced
2 tsp apricot preserves
2 1/2 tsp rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp rosemary, fresh, minced
1/4 tsp table salt, or to tasteRemaining Ingredients
4 cup(s) arugula, baby leaves, packed
1 medium pear(s), diced
2 Tbsp chopped walnuts, toasted
2 Tbsp Goat Cheese
Instructions
· Preheat oven to 425°F. Coat a small baking sheet with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
· In a medium bowl, toss squash with oil, rosemary and salt; spread in a single layer on prepared baking sheet, leaving space between squash pieces. Roast, flipping once halfway through cooking, until squash is tender and lightly browned, about 15 to 25 minutes.
· Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together vinaigrette ingredients. Just before serving, add arugula and squash to vinaigrette; toss until thoroughly combined.
· Divide salad mixture among serving plates; top with pears and walnuts. Yields about 1 1/3 heaping cups per serving.
Notes
· A medium-size, 2 lb squash will yield approximately 3 1/2 cups of diced squash.If using a whole butternut squash, peel the outside with a sturdy vegetable peeler. Trim the ends and cut in half lengthwise. Use an ice cream scoop or melon baller to easily scoop seeds and membrane from a halved butternut squash.Precut butternut squash is widely available in supermarkets and is a great shortcut for time-pressed cooks. Be sure to trim down the pieces to small, even-size cubes or slices before roasting to allow for even browning.


Artichoke Spinach Dip

Ingredients
1 Tbsp light butter
1 cup(s) onion(s), finely chopped
2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
10 oz chopped frozen spinach, thawed, drained and squeezed dry
8 oz canned water chestnuts, sliced, drained and coarsely chopped
14 oz canned artichoke hearts, without oil, quartered, drained and coarsely chopped
8 oz 1/3 less-fat cream cheese, softened
8 oz reduced-fat sour cream
1 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 tsp hot pepper sauce
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 spray(s) cooking spray
Instructions
· Preheat oven to 350°F.
· Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Add spinach, water chestnuts, and artichokes; sauté 2 minutes. Add cream cheese, sour cream, 1⁄2 cup of Cheddar cheese, hot sauce, salt and pepper.
· Spoon into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top with remaining 1⁄2 cup of Cheddar cheese. Bake at 350°F for 18 to 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve with bread, vegetables or tortilla chips. Can be sserved hot or cold. Fantastic either way!



Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Mashed Cauliflower



I pulled this recipe from the food network and made a few adjustments to keep it figure friendly. It's a great way to get kids (or husbands) to eat veggies.


Ingredients
1 large head cauliflower, finely chopped (about 2 pounds)
1 cup chicken stock (organic, low sodium)
2 cloves roasted garlic
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar
1/4 cup reduced fat sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped chives



Directions
Add the cauliflower to a medium-sized saucepan along with the chicken stock. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add the roasted garlic and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the milk and puree with an immersion blender until smooth. Mix in the cheese and taste for seasoning. Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and garnish with sour cream and chives.


I don't have an immersion blender, so I use the food processor.

Fall Veggie Pizza


Homemade pizza is one of my favorite treats. And it can be as healthy or as cheesey as you want!

Here are some of our favorite ways to make this favorite just a little bit healthier:

Use whole wheat flour instead of bleached white flour
Make your own pizza sauce (it's much easier than you think and one batch lasts for months!)
Use parmesan cheese instead of mozzarella (it's got a stronger taste so you don't need as much!)
Replace or enhance cured meats with vegetables. One this batch we roasted eggplant, summer squash and artichoke hearts.

Delicious!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Halloween Treats

Joshua is a huge Star Wars fan, as every guy in our generation is, so for his birthday this October I couldn't pass by these adorable cookie cutters. I'm still trying to figure out how to put a Santa Hat on all of them and give them out as Christmas cookies! It was the perfect Halloween activity after a week of travel.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Caprese Bites


Cherry Tomatoes
Marinated Mozzerella Balls
Fresh Basil
Toothpicks
Serve with Balsamic on the side for dipping

Chocolate Chip and Mascarpone Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache


Stormy Night Chili


Easiest Meal ever! Email me for the recipe!

Christmas at the Dale Den













Cheddar and Chive Yorkshire Pudding
Pear and Arugala Salad with Walnuts, Goat cheese and dijon viniagrette dressing
Rack of Lamb with Garlic, Rosemary and Oregano
Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
Red wine and irish whiskey gravy
Pear and Panchetta Brussel Sprouts
Herb and Onion Stuffing with Figs





Traditional Spaghetti

1 Large yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
Chopped Garlic, finely chopped
1/2 Can Tomato Paste
Salt and Pepper
1 tablespoon dried Oregano
1 table spoon dried Basil
Fresh Parsley
1 lbs. extra lean ground beef (I like Laura's 4%)
EVOO
Dry red wine like Cabernet
Dried Bay Leaf

Heat Pan on medium
Add 4 tablespoons EVOO
Add onion and garlic
Salt and Pepper
Saute for 2-3 mins
Stir in ground beef
Saute for 3-5 minutes
Add 1 cup red wine
Cook until meat is cooked thoroughly
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, basil, oregano, bay leaf and red pepper flakes
Cover and cook for 15-20 mins stirring occasionally.

Serve with Caesar salad and toasted garlic bread.

Fall Double Date Dinner - COrnmeal Fried Chicken and Shrimp with Butternut Squash Risotto and Brussel Sprouts











Had a great time with Bobby and Nicole...hope you can use these as well!








Mediterranean Pasta


Tri Color Pasta
Green Olives
Black Olives
Kalamata Olives
Salami
Feta
Red Pepper Flakes
Fresh Diced Roma Tomatoes
Red Onion, finely chopped
Marinated Artichoke Hearts, finely chopped
EVOO
Toss all ingredients in large saute pan. Stir for 5 minutes and serve hot with Sangiovese Red Wine.