Hubby had done some fishing in Alaska last summer and I love pulling some out of the freezer to make various dishes. This time I turned to my Somersizing book to find the "Fillet of Sole with Lemon-Caper Butter" WOW It was GREAT! I don't even know what kind of fish I took out, one was a linkcod, I believe. YUM my favorite! But you can use any white fish. Here's the dish:
1 Tbsp olive oil
2 large fillets
1/2 cup broth
1 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp drained capers
2 Tbsp parsley (I used dried)
Juice from 1 lemon
Heat a saute pan large enough for the fish over high heat. Add the olive oil, then the fish and saute about 3 minutes per side. Remove the fish and set aside.
With the heat still on high add the chicken broth and reduce by half. Turn off the heat and stir in the butter until well combined. Stir in the capers, parsley and lemon juice.
The Linkcod was pretty thick so I let the fish cook some more in the sauce.
I served over shredded cabbage with diced red onion and black beans.
WOW! My new favorite fish!
Enjoy!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Celery Root Puree
3 celery roots
1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, but I used it)
4 tbsp butter (or 1/4 c olive oil - I used butter)
Salt and pepper to taste
Bring 5 cups water to boil in a large pot (the recipe calls for a steamer, but I just boiled them like I boil potatoes for potato salad)
Chop off the roots and peel off the outside layer of skin from the celery roots, being careful to remove all the brown. Cut each celery root into about 12 pieces and place pieces in the steamer. Steam (or I just boiled them) until very soft when poked with a fork, about 20 minutes.
Transfer the celery root to a food processor. Add the cream and butter and puree until smooth. (If you don't have a food processor you can use a mixer, just as you would for mashed potatoes). Add additional cream or butter to achieve desired consistency, or for a healthier option, omit the butter and cream and use a little olive oil instead. (I didn't spare for healthy!)
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
1/4 cup heavy cream (optional, but I used it)
4 tbsp butter (or 1/4 c olive oil - I used butter)
Salt and pepper to taste
Bring 5 cups water to boil in a large pot (the recipe calls for a steamer, but I just boiled them like I boil potatoes for potato salad)
Chop off the roots and peel off the outside layer of skin from the celery roots, being careful to remove all the brown. Cut each celery root into about 12 pieces and place pieces in the steamer. Steam (or I just boiled them) until very soft when poked with a fork, about 20 minutes.
Transfer the celery root to a food processor. Add the cream and butter and puree until smooth. (If you don't have a food processor you can use a mixer, just as you would for mashed potatoes). Add additional cream or butter to achieve desired consistency, or for a healthier option, omit the butter and cream and use a little olive oil instead. (I didn't spare for healthy!)
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Chicken Piccata
Chicken Piccata is one of the quickest and easiest dishes I've done in a long time.
It perfectly served hubby and me for dinner. I served it with a bunch of steamed asparagus. I served it on plates, but next time will serve in my pasta bowls because the juice from the piccata was wonderful poured over the chicken and the asparagus.
I followed the recipe except using 1/4 cup wine, I used 1/2 cup water and added a chicken bouillon cube. Not sure why I used 1/2 cup. But I'm glad I did. We loved pouring the sauce over everything. And for me, I don't really like lemon that much. So even with 1/2 cup water the juice from one lemon made it to lemon tasting for me. Hubby loved it.
Funny story... the recipe calls for capers. Now I don't know why, but I was thinking peppercorns were capers. So I had just opened my jar and had poured a tablespoon full of the peppercorns and was about to put it in the lemon sauce when I happened to stop and mentioned to hubby "is peppercorns the same as capers?" And of course being the grocery man he is, I got a resounding No! So hubby ran to the store to get capers and saved the day.
This is a great dish and we both commented how much we love eating from this book. Our lifestyle is changing and we are loving it!
I'll be at my daughters for a week and won't be taking my cookbook, so will chat with you next week!
It perfectly served hubby and me for dinner. I served it with a bunch of steamed asparagus. I served it on plates, but next time will serve in my pasta bowls because the juice from the piccata was wonderful poured over the chicken and the asparagus.
I followed the recipe except using 1/4 cup wine, I used 1/2 cup water and added a chicken bouillon cube. Not sure why I used 1/2 cup. But I'm glad I did. We loved pouring the sauce over everything. And for me, I don't really like lemon that much. So even with 1/2 cup water the juice from one lemon made it to lemon tasting for me. Hubby loved it.
Funny story... the recipe calls for capers. Now I don't know why, but I was thinking peppercorns were capers. So I had just opened my jar and had poured a tablespoon full of the peppercorns and was about to put it in the lemon sauce when I happened to stop and mentioned to hubby "is peppercorns the same as capers?" And of course being the grocery man he is, I got a resounding No! So hubby ran to the store to get capers and saved the day.
This is a great dish and we both commented how much we love eating from this book. Our lifestyle is changing and we are loving it!
I'll be at my daughters for a week and won't be taking my cookbook, so will chat with you next week!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Marinara Sauce
As a Italian house we love love love our pasta. So it was with "fear and trembling" (grin) that I tried Suzanne's Marinara Sauce. I mean... who could make sauce like his mother or older sister?? Certainly NOT this little midwesterner with NO Italian in her blood line! Or could she!!
I DID IT! I actually doubled the recipe so we could have extra. And I used dried minced onion and garlic from the jar, and fresh basil. I didn't have tomato sauce so I used 2 of the large cans of tomatoes and a small jar of tomato paste. The recipe called for "4 garlic cloves, pressed". Not sure what "pressed' was so I just through them in. Maybe the JUICE from the garlic?? I guess I'll have to google that. If anyone knows, please add instructions in the comment section. :)
And basil.... I actually don't have dried basil. Will have to put that on my shopping list. But the only herb we grow is basil, so I used 6 medium leaves and sliced them.
Then I have this jar-grinder thing of Melissa's Italian Herbs. So I added a teaspoon of that too.
Geez, it doesn't look like it was her recipe after all! So let me put Brenda's translation of the Marinara Sauce on page 170
4 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoon minced onion (hydrated in water for 10 minutes then drained)
2 teaspoon minced garlic (in jar, not dried)
2 can (28 ounces) tomatoes
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
4 tablespoon dried parsley
6 medium leaves fresh basil (sliced up)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
Heat the oil in a sauce pan and add the onion and garlic. Cook 1 minute. Add all the other ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 2 hours or more.
That's it! Super easy! for us... it could have used more garlic. :)
I steamed some bell pepper, broccoli and snow peas.
Add pasta, then steamed veggies, then Parmesan cheese (I used the shredded) and top with your home made marinara sauce!
Hubby at it with cottage cheese (a family tradition that doesn't seem to get broken. they are convinced that cuts back on the acid from the tomatoes). He said a bit later it was the first time he ate pasta until he was full and didn't get bloated afterwards! Thank you Suzanne Somers! I'm not sure what difference there was in what I served and the regular. But I'm sure as I go into this more, I'll learn.
I DID IT! I actually doubled the recipe so we could have extra. And I used dried minced onion and garlic from the jar, and fresh basil. I didn't have tomato sauce so I used 2 of the large cans of tomatoes and a small jar of tomato paste. The recipe called for "4 garlic cloves, pressed". Not sure what "pressed' was so I just through them in. Maybe the JUICE from the garlic?? I guess I'll have to google that. If anyone knows, please add instructions in the comment section. :)
And basil.... I actually don't have dried basil. Will have to put that on my shopping list. But the only herb we grow is basil, so I used 6 medium leaves and sliced them.
Then I have this jar-grinder thing of Melissa's Italian Herbs. So I added a teaspoon of that too.
Geez, it doesn't look like it was her recipe after all! So let me put Brenda's translation of the Marinara Sauce on page 170
4 tablespoon olive oil
3 tablespoon minced onion (hydrated in water for 10 minutes then drained)
2 teaspoon minced garlic (in jar, not dried)
2 can (28 ounces) tomatoes
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
4 tablespoon dried parsley
6 medium leaves fresh basil (sliced up)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
Heat the oil in a sauce pan and add the onion and garlic. Cook 1 minute. Add all the other ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 2 hours or more.
That's it! Super easy! for us... it could have used more garlic. :)
I steamed some bell pepper, broccoli and snow peas.
Add pasta, then steamed veggies, then Parmesan cheese (I used the shredded) and top with your home made marinara sauce!
Hubby at it with cottage cheese (a family tradition that doesn't seem to get broken. they are convinced that cuts back on the acid from the tomatoes). He said a bit later it was the first time he ate pasta until he was full and didn't get bloated afterwards! Thank you Suzanne Somers! I'm not sure what difference there was in what I served and the regular. But I'm sure as I go into this more, I'll learn.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Weekend
The weekend came with mixed results. Hubby has lost 4 lbs, I gained one. But today we went hiking today in the hills that are pretty steep. I didn't do well because I didn't get good sleep last night and we left right after eating pot roast! :(
But I felt it in my upper thighs so that can only be good. Tonight he felt like pizza. :( I did convince him to go to California Pizza Kitchen. They have whole wheat crust pizza, he got me a vegitarian. It was delicious. And it didn't have sauce only veggies and cheese.
I wonder if when I get my body in balance if I won't react to the sodium in food so much. I get so puffy from water retention.
Tomorrow is the beginning of week two. And we didn't do bad. Fortunately we tend to eat somewhat healthy. But I did finish up things that are on the funky list like the almonds, bananas and carrots. And yogurt with fruit. And unfortunately I had a few pieces of chocolate candy bar. Yuck. I don't like that much sugar now. So I don't even have the desire to eat that stuff. So why do I do it anyway?!? Lord, help me!
But I felt it in my upper thighs so that can only be good. Tonight he felt like pizza. :( I did convince him to go to California Pizza Kitchen. They have whole wheat crust pizza, he got me a vegitarian. It was delicious. And it didn't have sauce only veggies and cheese.
I wonder if when I get my body in balance if I won't react to the sodium in food so much. I get so puffy from water retention.
Tomorrow is the beginning of week two. And we didn't do bad. Fortunately we tend to eat somewhat healthy. But I did finish up things that are on the funky list like the almonds, bananas and carrots. And yogurt with fruit. And unfortunately I had a few pieces of chocolate candy bar. Yuck. I don't like that much sugar now. So I don't even have the desire to eat that stuff. So why do I do it anyway?!? Lord, help me!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday - Day 5
Today was left over day. And so I ate what I found. Which isn't a good thing, but at least that food is gone. I had french toast for lunch. And a blueberry yogurt.
I didn't really feel all that unbalanced.
Hubby did good when he got home. He ate left over wild rice (it was mixed however) and veggies. Not sure what he had for lunch. But he mentioned he has lost 4 pounds. How I wish women could lose that easily. Must have something to do with that muscle mass of which I don't have any! Menopause did it! :)
My weight has stayed steady. 1/2 lb until my first goal!
I didn't really feel all that unbalanced.
Hubby did good when he got home. He ate left over wild rice (it was mixed however) and veggies. Not sure what he had for lunch. But he mentioned he has lost 4 pounds. How I wish women could lose that easily. Must have something to do with that muscle mass of which I don't have any! Menopause did it! :)
My weight has stayed steady. 1/2 lb until my first goal!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday - Day 4
Today I cooked my first recipes from the cookbook! They were a big hit with hubby.
I cooked the Turkey Meatloaf (page 168). I didn't use fresh parsley or fresh onion. Because I didn't time the rest of my meal correctly, the meatloaf stayed warm in the oven for an extra 20 minutes so it was a bit dry. But it may also be because I didn't used fresh onion. I used dried minced onion. So the onion would have taken the juice. Geez. Well, that's how we learn, right? It was still delicious because of the combination of the meal. The chicken broth in it turned to a gravy like taste and was wonderful!
Then I made Celery Root Puree (page 98). It has the consitency of mashed potatoes so hubby loved putting the "gravy" on it just like he would potatoes. The celery root was a bit frustrating to cook the first time (thus the delay in getting the meatloaf out of the oven). So I would say this.... allow 45 minutes to cook it the first time. After the first time, you'll get the hang of it and it will work out great. I don't know what happened to my little steamer attachment so I had to adlib. I thought if I took a bowl and put it in the boiling water it would work. But after studying the recipes more, I realized you are basically boiling it like you would potatoes for potato salad. So then I got out my huge pasta pan with a steamer pan in it. It took only 20 minutes (like potato) to cook. Then you put it in a blender/food processor to puree. It all was relatively easy once I got the picture in my mind what I was doing. Next time it will go through like a wiz.
Hubby declared this could easily be on the menu for dinner weekly so I guess it was a hit!
Next time tho... fresh onion!
YEA! ! We did it!
See post for Celery Root Puree
I cooked the Turkey Meatloaf (page 168). I didn't use fresh parsley or fresh onion. Because I didn't time the rest of my meal correctly, the meatloaf stayed warm in the oven for an extra 20 minutes so it was a bit dry. But it may also be because I didn't used fresh onion. I used dried minced onion. So the onion would have taken the juice. Geez. Well, that's how we learn, right? It was still delicious because of the combination of the meal. The chicken broth in it turned to a gravy like taste and was wonderful!
Then I made Celery Root Puree (page 98). It has the consitency of mashed potatoes so hubby loved putting the "gravy" on it just like he would potatoes. The celery root was a bit frustrating to cook the first time (thus the delay in getting the meatloaf out of the oven). So I would say this.... allow 45 minutes to cook it the first time. After the first time, you'll get the hang of it and it will work out great. I don't know what happened to my little steamer attachment so I had to adlib. I thought if I took a bowl and put it in the boiling water it would work. But after studying the recipes more, I realized you are basically boiling it like you would potatoes for potato salad. So then I got out my huge pasta pan with a steamer pan in it. It took only 20 minutes (like potato) to cook. Then you put it in a blender/food processor to puree. It all was relatively easy once I got the picture in my mind what I was doing. Next time it will go through like a wiz.
Hubby declared this could easily be on the menu for dinner weekly so I guess it was a hit!
Next time tho... fresh onion!
YEA! ! We did it!
See post for Celery Root Puree
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wednesday - Day 3
My hubby's night to fix dinner is Wednesday. His staple is Spaghetti. I bought some whole wheat pasta but he didn't want to make it.
I did have a good helping of mixed vegetables, with the white pasta and regular Prego sauce. Funny how that stuff tastes waaaay to sweet to me. But then I didn't eat anything Italian the entire time I was in India.
Today I did well with my eating except can't get by without my almonds. I won't be buying any more for a while, so when these run out, then I guess I'll stop.
Not sure how hubby did today. We'll see! I need to get him to log his weight. Then that will tell the story.
He's doing good with no caffeine. That is a miracle too! Oh well it's only day 3.
:) More to go!
I did have a good helping of mixed vegetables, with the white pasta and regular Prego sauce. Funny how that stuff tastes waaaay to sweet to me. But then I didn't eat anything Italian the entire time I was in India.
Today I did well with my eating except can't get by without my almonds. I won't be buying any more for a while, so when these run out, then I guess I'll stop.
Not sure how hubby did today. We'll see! I need to get him to log his weight. Then that will tell the story.
He's doing good with no caffeine. That is a miracle too! Oh well it's only day 3.
:) More to go!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Tuesday - Day 2
I was going to make the meatloaf, but I had a meeting that went way over what I thought. Hubby was fine with some stir-fried veggies and some broasted chicken I had taken out of the freezer for his lunch today. It was really good!
My downfall today?? Some trail mix, some almonds and cream in my decaf coffee. Plus I didn't eat lunch. I did have a wonderful apple for my morning snack. But I was really hungry when those veggies were done cooking!!
Plus, I haven't GAINED any weight. Need to exercise so I can lose some!
Getting it! I know I am!
My downfall today?? Some trail mix, some almonds and cream in my decaf coffee. Plus I didn't eat lunch. I did have a wonderful apple for my morning snack. But I was really hungry when those veggies were done cooking!!
Plus, I haven't GAINED any weight. Need to exercise so I can lose some!
Getting it! I know I am!
Monday, January 4, 2010
First Day Blues
You would think that the first day would be a good one. Well, it started that way! I didn't really use any recipes from the book today. But I started Hubby and I off on a fruit smoothie. I had some left over cranberry sauce, as well as blueberries and a banana and put them in the blender. I thought it was great! Hubby doesn't love cranberries. Yes, Yes, I KNOW that banana is on the funky list. But I had some that need to be eaten.
Then I made us some scrambled eggs with some left over grilled vegetables. I put it on a piece of dry whole wheat toast. Sounds good? It was. But again not completely on the mark because Hubby puts olive oil on the veggies when he grills them. But I had some that needed to be eaten.
For lunch I had soy chips and salsa. I don't know why it is, but I've really been craving tomato. That is really unusual for me, I do like salsa, but rarely eat tomato. Guess I need to research that one. Followed it up with a bowl of cheerios with rice milk.
Then I also had a blueberry yogurt... yes.. I had purchased some.
Finally, I decided to make a rice medley that I had purchased at Trader Joe.
Sounds like I'm going to be sleepy again tonight. And not able to handle the stress tomorrow because I continue to be off balance.
I'm praying this will get better as I continue to firm up my commitment to this program.
Hubby had a softball game tonight, so he just wants a salad when he comes home.... better go make it for him.
Night all!
Then I made us some scrambled eggs with some left over grilled vegetables. I put it on a piece of dry whole wheat toast. Sounds good? It was. But again not completely on the mark because Hubby puts olive oil on the veggies when he grills them. But I had some that needed to be eaten.
For lunch I had soy chips and salsa. I don't know why it is, but I've really been craving tomato. That is really unusual for me, I do like salsa, but rarely eat tomato. Guess I need to research that one. Followed it up with a bowl of cheerios with rice milk.
Then I also had a blueberry yogurt... yes.. I had purchased some.
Finally, I decided to make a rice medley that I had purchased at Trader Joe.
Sounds like I'm going to be sleepy again tonight. And not able to handle the stress tomorrow because I continue to be off balance.
I'm praying this will get better as I continue to firm up my commitment to this program.
Hubby had a softball game tonight, so he just wants a salad when he comes home.... better go make it for him.
Night all!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Beginning - Somersizing
On the plane back from India I watched Julie and Julia movie. Because I had been away for so long and because I knew my hubby needed some home cooking I decided to also cook through a cookbook. What a great New Years promise to my family! Homecooked meals!
I remembered that Hubby had bought a couple Suzanne Somers' cookbooks for me. She was a customer of his store and she had signed one of the books for me.
Now I'm not much of a cookbook person. I have some. A whole shelf of them, but I rarely use them. I usually find recipes online. So unfortunately, those cookbooks were just put on the shelf.
This week I opened it up to see where I needed to start and discovered those weren't merely just a cookbook! It is a program for eating called Sommersizing! That's even better than just a cookbook! I actually have two of her books, so I decided to start with the oldest one. It is called Suzanne Somers' Eat Great, Lose Weight.
After a bit of conversation with Hubby, we agreed that we would give it a shot. This last week I've been reading on the program and today have begun selecting recipes and making out the grocery list.
Question is... what do I do with all the food that I just purchased that is on the "don't eat now" list? :) I think we will have a slow start. But at least we are starting and I'm living up to my promise about Homecooking! Plus, Hubby and I can afford to lose some weight. So if we do, how cool would that be!
More to come!
I remembered that Hubby had bought a couple Suzanne Somers' cookbooks for me. She was a customer of his store and she had signed one of the books for me.
Now I'm not much of a cookbook person. I have some. A whole shelf of them, but I rarely use them. I usually find recipes online. So unfortunately, those cookbooks were just put on the shelf.
This week I opened it up to see where I needed to start and discovered those weren't merely just a cookbook! It is a program for eating called Sommersizing! That's even better than just a cookbook! I actually have two of her books, so I decided to start with the oldest one. It is called Suzanne Somers' Eat Great, Lose Weight.
After a bit of conversation with Hubby, we agreed that we would give it a shot. This last week I've been reading on the program and today have begun selecting recipes and making out the grocery list.
Question is... what do I do with all the food that I just purchased that is on the "don't eat now" list? :) I think we will have a slow start. But at least we are starting and I'm living up to my promise about Homecooking! Plus, Hubby and I can afford to lose some weight. So if we do, how cool would that be!
More to come!
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