Author Archives: sbp

Key Lime Tartlets

Posted in dessert, sweet treat by

key lime tartlette

Key Lime Tartlets

I love these pretty little bite-sized treats as they get oohs aahs at a dinner party, and provide the perfect sweet ending to a delicious meal. They are so easy too.  Just three ingredients.

Ingredients

Shortbread tarlet shells (by Private Selection)
Key Lime fruit filling (by Private Selection)
Fresh raspberries (16)

Easy Directions

Place tartlet shells on a baking sheet with a lip
Add a spoonful of curd
Top with a raspberry.
Place in refrigerator.

When ready to serve, place tartlets on a decorative tray and Voila!

Carmelized Onion and Apple Tarts

Posted in appetizer, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals, vegetarian by


Carmelized onion and apple tartLooking for an easy and elegant appetizer to serve guests at your next soiree?  This recipe is just the thing: simple, pretty and delicious, with caramelized onions, apples and grated Gruyère cheese atop store-bought puff pastry. I think the fresh thyme and chives make all the difference.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbs. vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 lb. yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more, to taste
  • 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  • 1 lb. tart apples, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 2 – 2  1/2 oz. aged Gruyère cheese, coarsely grated
  • 2 Tbs. minced fresh chives
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper, plus more, to taste
  • 1 package (1 lb.) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
  • 1 egg, beaten with 2 Tbs. water

Directions:

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Tilapia Meunière with Moroccan-Spiced Lentils & Rainbow Chard

Posted in main meal, vegetarian by

Tilapia and Moroccan-spiced Lentils And Rainbow chard

Tilapia Meunière with Moroccan-Spiced Lentils & Rainbow Chard*

Ingredients:

2-3 Tilapia Fillets
½ Cup Black Beluga Lentils
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Bunch Rainbow Chard
1 Red Onion
1 Lemon
2-3 sprigs of  Parsley (for garnish)
4 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Capers
2 Teaspoons Ras El Hanout (moroccan spice blend of cardomom, nutmeg, anise, mace, cinnamon, ginger, various peppers, and turmeric)
⅓ Cup Panko Breadcrumbs

Directions:

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Chicken and Sage Biscuit Pot Pie

Posted in AP's Favorites, chicken, main meal by


Chicken and Sage Biscuit Pot PieBlue Apron*  impressed me and my family once again.  This time with the ultimate comfort food.  This hearty meal brings back fond memories for my husband as his mother made a similar dish she called Chicken and Dumplings when he was a child.

I love trying unique ingredients; purple top turnip, chicken demi-glace and fresh sage give this meal depth of flavor and the mouthwatering sage-infused biscuits are addictive.  Enjoy!

Chicken & Sage Biscuit Pot Pie

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Vegetarian Jambalaya

Posted in cut calories, low-carb, main meal, soup, vegan, vegetarian by

vegetarian jambalayaMy sister recently sent me a subscription to Blue Apron and a box arrived right to my door.  I was intrigued.  The company sends you all the fresh ingredients to prepare three delicious meals for your family during the week, along with the recipe (including photos) to help you prepare it.  It was Mardi Gras this week so the meals all seamed to have a creole/cajun theme.  I decided to start with the Farro Jambalaya. Full of fragrant vegetables, this hearty meal was a hit with my family.  I have included the recipe here so I can make it again.  Yummy!

Vegetarian Jambalaya

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Homemade Oreos and Ice Cream

Posted in dessert, holiday favorites by

oreos and ice cream
Want to share a sweet treat for your Valentine?  Try these.  You can make them two different ways.  I prefer the Ice Cream sandwich version but if you don’t have space in your freezer, the frosted kind are great too.

Homemade Oreos for your Valentine

Cookies:

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

To make the cookies:

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Simple Salad

Posted in AP's Favorites, dressing, italian, low-carb, salad, vegan, vegetarian, weight loss ideas by

simple saladThis is my go to salad. It compliments any meal and is so light and simple.

Favorite Vinaigrette Dressing

½ cup cider vinegar (or your favorite vinegar, I like lemon or grapefruit-infused vinegars)
1T. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. minced shallot
½ tsp. honey
6 T EVOO
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients but salt and pepper in a small jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake well. Season with salt and pepper.

 

Salad

Mixed greens (any mix of red and green romaine, red and green oak leaf, kale, frisee, and spinach)
Thinly sliced red onion (just a few)
Shredded carrots (handful)
Sliced tomatoes (homegrown are the most flavorful)
Fresh ground pepper to taste

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Ina’s Mexican Chicken Soup

Posted in chicken, cut calories, mexican, soup by

Ina's Chicken Tortilla Soup

Ina’s Mexican Chicken Soup

(Serves 6 to 8 )

Ingredients

4 split (2 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups chopped onions (2 onions)
1 cup chopped celery (2 stalks)
2 cups chopped carrots (4 carrots)
4 large cloves garlic, chopped
2½ quarts chicken stock, preferably homemade
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes in puree, crushed
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced (optional)
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander seed
¼ to ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 (6-inch) fresh white corn tortillas

Directions

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Stir-Fried Tofu with garlic, ginger and green onions

Posted in asian, low-carb, main meal, Moni's Favorite, tofu, vegetarian by

stir fried tofu
I only recently discovered tofu and the many health benefits it offers. Tofu is a high-protein alternative to red meat. Due to its protein content, eating tofu can help you feel full while consuming fewer calories.  A 1/2-cup serving of regular tofu provides about 10 grams of protein, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Nutrient Database.
Tofu is also a low-carb food.  A 1/2-cup portion of regular tofu contains about 2 grams of carbohydrates.  When trying to lose weight, trading in red meat and chicken for tofu is a great alternative.  It takes on the flavors of whatever it is cooked with.  Here is a yummy asian-inspired recipe.

Easy Stir- Fry Tofu with Garlic, Ginger and Scallions

 

Ingredients

12-14 oz. tofu (extra firm organic)
2 T. peanut oil (use more or less, depending on your pan)
2 tsp. minced garlic (finely)
2 tsp. ginger root, finely grated ( I use cubed ginger already grated and found at Trader Joe’s in the freezer section).
1 cup scallions (sliced into 2 inch pieces, This is about 1 bunch green onions. Keep white parts separate from green parts.
3 T. chicken stock (or vegetable stock)
1 1/2 T. soy sauce (I use low sodium)
1 -2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Directions

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