southwestern “egg rolls”

November 29, 2013
appeteaser, the main event
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2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 Tbsp fajita or taco seasoning (alternately, use a combination of chili powder, cayenne, cumin, and garlic powder)
Kosher salt
8 medium whole wheat flour tortillas
8 oz pepper jack cheese, grated (can use non-dairy cheese to make it vegan)
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise (can use eggless to make it vegan)
1/4 cup cilantro salad dressing

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
2. Saute the onion and pepper until soft, about 5 minutes, and then add the corn, spinach, black beans, seasoning, and salt. Stir and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Heat the canola oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
4. Spoon about 1/2 cup in the center of a tortilla and spread out to about 1 inch from the edge. Sprinkle with 1 oz of the grated cheese and fold like a burrito.
5. Once the oil is hot, place the folded tortillas into into the oil, seam side down, and pan-fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
6. Combine the mayonnaise and dressing and stir.
7. Cut each “egg roll” in half on a diagonal and serve with the creamy cilantro dipping sauce.

Notes: should test it out in the oven, perhaps brush each “egg roll” with oil once it’s stuffed.

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shaved brussels sprouts with fingerling potatoes

November 20, 2013
somethin' on the side, the main event, the underwear diet
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Bold without being “in your face”, this winter salad takes advantage of raw shaved Brussels sprouts, which gives crunch and a mild cabbage flavor. Crispy potatoes add another layer of texture, and cheddar cheese lends a pleasant tang. The whole thing is drizzled with a bright honey mustard dressing, bringing all the flavors together.

1 pound fingerling potatoes, halved
1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
1 apple
Juice of 1 lemon
6 oz pecans, roughly chopped
5 oz extra-sharp cheddar cheese, small dice
1 Tbsp whole-grain mustard
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp honey
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
2. Toss potatoes with 1 Tbsp. olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Spread out on a sheet pan and roast for 30 minutes, or until dark golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. Thinly slice the brussels sprouts and add to the bowl.
4. Thinly slice the apple and then cut into matchsticks. Toss with lemon juice and add to the bowl.
5. Add pecans and cheese to the bowl.
6. Whisk together the mustards, honey, and vinegar. Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil until emulsified.
7. Drizzle honey mustard vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine.

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polenta cakes with tomato sauce

November 14, 2013
the main event, the underwear diet
5 Comments

3/4 cup polenta, prepared according to package’s instructions
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp olive oil
1 small onion, small dice
5 cloves garlic, divided, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 28-oz can peeled whole tomatoes, crushed by hand

Make the polenta:
1. Pour the prepared polenta into a square or rectangular pan. Cool and then invert onto a cutting board.
2. Cut the polenta into triangles, or whichever shape you prefer.
3. Heat 1 Tbsp of the oil in a pan over medium high heat. Sear each triangle until crisp and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes each side, depending on the thickness.

Make the sauce:
1. Heat the remaining 2 tsp oil over medium heat in a medium pot.
2. Add the onion and garlic and season with salt and pepper. Sweat until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add the tomatoes and juice to the pot. Stir and simmer over medium low heat for 20-30 minutes, until the flavors have melded but remain bright.

Spoon the tomato sauce onto a plate. Top with seared polenta. Serve with wilted baby spinach.

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meatloaf

November 12, 2013
the main event
2 Comments

2 tsp olive oil
2 carrots, finely chopped
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1 medium leek, finely chopped (or 1 small onion)
3 cloves garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 slices white bread
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 tsp fresh oregano, finely chopped
3 Tbsp Parmesan, grated
1 pound ground meat (lean turkey or beef)
1/2 cup ketchup

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a pan and add the carrots, celery, leek, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook until soft, about 5-7 minutes. Cool and add to a medium bowl.
3. Soak the bread in warm water until the bread is very soft. Gently squeeze, leaving a good amount of water in the bread. Place in the bowl.
4. Add the egg, thyme, oregano and Parmesan to the bowl and stir.
5. Add the meat to the bowl and gently mix with your hands until just combined (do not overmix).
6. Form into a loaf on a sheet pan, or place into a loaf pan.
7. Spread ketchup over the top of the meatloaf and cover pan with foil.
8. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes.

Serve with sauteed hearty greens and mashed cauliflower.

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Note: this recipe was adapted from a recipe my parents made. Theirs, as they claim, was perfectly moist; mine was a bit dried out. I forgot to add tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce, for which I was reprimanded by my mother. I estimate you will need 1/2 cup tomato sauce and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce. Will try it again soon!

salmon with green bean, olive, and potato salad

November 11, 2013
somethin' on the side, the main event, the underwear diet
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This one was based off of a recipe for potato and green bean salad, with slight variations. Made heartier with the addition of chunks of wild salmon.

1 pound wild salmon
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds yukon gold potatoes
1 pound green beans
5 scallions, thinly sliced
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp whole-grain mustard
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or more to taste
3 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup kalamata olives, halved

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Season salmon with salt and pepper and place on a sheet pan. Roast for 7-10 minutes, depending on the thickness.
3. Place potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until potatoes can be easily pierced with a knife.
4. Bring another pot of water to a boil. Add the green beans and blanch for 3-5 minutes, or until tender but still firm and bright green. Drain and rinse the green beans briefly under cold running water.
5. Meanwhile, combine scallions with vinegar, mustard, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil.
6. Drain the potatoes and, while still warm, cut each into bite-size pieces and immediately toss with the vinaigrette.
7. Cut the green beans in half on a diagonal. Add to the potatoes and stir to coat.
8. Add the kalamata olives and mix.
9. Break apart the salmon in large chunks and scatter on top of the salad.

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