Soy Salmon with Rum Pineapple

This I take full credit for creating this. I made this a few months ago on a beautiful evening, so we fired up the grill.

Ingredients used:

• Salmon Fillets
• Soy Sauce (low sodium)
  
• Lemon Juice
  
• --
• Pineapple
• Rum
• Water
• Cinnamon
  
• --
• Zucchini & Squash
  
• Olive Oil
• Salt/Pepper
  

Salmon fillets were marinaded for 30 minutes(could go longer if desired, I was short on time) in soy sauce and lemon juice. Use enough of each liquid for salmon to be soaking in the marinade, probably about a 4:1 ratio of soy sauce to lemon juice.

When salmon is done marinading place on grill or in pan and cook. Time and temp will vary with the size of the fillet. From grill or pan move to plate.

While the salmon is marinading cut pineapple into rings, about 1/4 inch thick (like in the picture). Marinade the pineapple in a bowl of water and rum (again, about 4:1 - 2:1 ratio depending on how strong you want the rum favor). Soak pineapple rings for 15-20 minutes, sprinkle with cinnamon, then grill for 5-10. Sync this step with the salmon on the grill to serve hot on the plate.

If you'd like to add grilled zucchini/squash; slice as desired. I like to coat in olive oil and season with salt and pepper then grill until cooked, but still crunchy.

I served rice with this meal, but it was the last thing that was eaten on everyone's plate.

It was a tropical tasting meal for a nice summer evening.

Trader Joes Stir Fry Combo

I trust and love Trader Joe's.

Tonight I went easy for dinner and picked up some Trader Joe's Mandarin Chicken and Trader Joe's Stir Fry Vegetables (pea pods, carrots, mushrooms, edamame, onion...) both of which were in the frozen food isle . Added organic brown rice to the mix and it ended up a tasty dinner that hit the spot and I didn't feel like I just ate that horrible Chinese take out.

I used much less oil than was called for but other than that I followed the simple instructions. Basically, you need a two skillets or a skillet (for chicken) and wok (for veggies). Prepare separate because the chicken needs 10 minutes and a bit more oil, and the vegetables only need 4-6 minutes in the second skillet or wok.

Salmon Burger Goodness

We love salmon, especially in burger form. This recipe with a few alterations will probably be a regular request over here. This dinner filled us up and we felt great after wards.

I served with sweet potato fries (sorry, not homemade this time, from a grocery store but all sweet potato, no PHO or HFC).

Here are the ingredients:

• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
• 3/4 cup panko Substituted with Honey Nut Cheerios
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 pounds salmon fillets, skinned and finely chopped
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Cooking spray
• Sesame Mayonnaise, recipe follows See Substituted recipe below
  
• 8 buttered and toasted sandwich buns I love using Arnold Sandwich Thins
  
• 8 lettuce leaves Substituted with spinach
• 8 slices tomato

Here is the full recipe from Food Network's Paula Dean.

The Mayo substitute I used was from another Food Network recipe:

• 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt (plain low fat)
• 1/4 cup chopped capers
• 1 chopped shallot
• Mix all together (also can use this as a dip for grilled shrimp)
  

So, what do you think?

MmmM...Sloppy Joes

This is my new favorite sloppy joe recipe. It required some fresh veggies (bonus) and prep, but still very simple.

My modifications because of availability:
venison hamburger for the beef
stone ground mustard for dry mustard
And, often lean towards extra veggies in recipes like this

Here are the ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 small red pepper, trimmed, seeded and diced
• 4 large cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 2 pounds ground beef (chuck preferred)
• Three 8 ounces cans tomato sauce
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup water
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 hamburger buns, toasted <--or favorite substitute for buns.

Here is the full recipe from the Food Network. And, I a

Me & My Kitchen

I'll keep this simple. I'm not a professional, but I enjoy learning - often it's on my own, not in fancy culinary classes (Although I'd love to have the time to attend). I also enjoy sharing - which is why I want to share my recipe adventures with you. Sometimes I can create my own recipe, at least I think it's my own, but often I start with someone else's recipe and add my own twist, flare, or fling.

I like:
Experimenting w. Food, Healthy Eats & Living, and Chocolate. Oh, and a clean kitchen before I call it a day.

I dislike:
Not very much.

I'm good at:
Cooking food my husband will eat (like that's very hard).

I'm not that great at:
Baking - takes too much detail/measuring. As you will learn, I'm a bit flamboyant in the kitchen. I make big messes!!

My favorite kitchen tools:
KitchenAide, Food Processor/Blender, Knives, Food Saver, and anything else you'll find in my kitchen. Oh, and my Dyson for the disaster of a mess I often make.

My kitchen is:
Smaller, probably designed by a man, but it does the job and I've had many successes in it so far.

I hope you enjoy my home-brewed culinary adventure!