enjoying salad

Salads aren't usually my go-to meal, but this particular one I've made for a lot of different people and it's always a crowd pleaser. It's a spin on a recipe my friend gave me a few years ago from, I think, Eating Well magazine. The other night, Dave and I had it as our dinner - not a side. We just added shredded chicken and it was both tasty and filling. The salad has also made a few appearances on my blog, but never as the main star. You've probably seen it here or here.

Combine:
- Spring Mix of Greens
- Finely chop one apple
- Finely chop one pear
- Finely chop half of a red onion
- Top with crumbled goat cheese (Trader Joes is my fave. I suggest using about half the container...though I usually get carried away and use the whole thing.)

Dressing:
- 8 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. maple syrup
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar 
- 1-2 tbsp. mustard (I love Grey Popoun Honey Dijon)
- a sprinkling of ground pepper
*Shake or whisk together* (I never cover the whole salad, just allow everyone to drizzle on their own dressing).

pumpkin + nutella lovin

Okay - anyone that knows me, knows about my love for Nutella. Did you know there is a Nutella truck and it's coming to Phoenix in Nov. as part of their breakfast tour? I'll be there! (more details here). Anyways, I also love pumpkin desserts during fall so this Nutella and pumpkin combo is clearly epic in my mind. 

Last year, a colleague of mine turned me on to these delish Pumpkin Nutella Swirl Muffins from Real Mom Kitchen. Everyone that tried them fell in love with them and I'm anxious to make them again, now that the cooler weather is finally kicking in.

Here's my photo:

But I suggest you visit Real Mom Kitchen for the recipe + photos that will actually make you want to make them. 

back to basics

We're finally back from our European vacation. I'm looking forward to sharing all our photos and adventures in future posts. For now though, I'm recovering from the nine hour time difference, getting back into the swing of things at work and working on eating healthy. After two weeks of indulgence (think lots of cheese, croissants and wine - not to mention all the multiple course dinners), I'm craving fish and veggies.

Well, thanks to my MOH's blog, Wake Up Smiling, I discovered the amazing website Food on the Table and made this for dinner tonight. It seriously makes life easier. Thanks Sarah! :)

Right before I put the Lemon Pepper Salmon Steaks in the oven, yum!

spontaneous baking

The other night, I was scrolling through Facebook when I came across a three-ingredient peanut butter cookie recipe. I hadn't planned on baking that night (after going to spin class) but when I peeked at the recipe and I had all the ingredients, curiosity got the best of me (just three ingredients?!). 

In no time at all, I whipped these up:

Jan D'Atri posted the recipe on her website here. It's just peanut butter, sugar and an egg. And you know what? They're almost as good as the real thing. They don't have the same density and old-fashioned taste my mom's recipe has. These are a bit chewy, but for a quick little snack, definitely worth it! 

fish dish

Quick, easy and delish recipes aren't always the easiest to come by. My mom bought me the best cookbook ever by Taste of Home that's full of super simple, healthy comfort food dishes.

This Red Pepper and Parmesan Tilapia recipe is one of my favorites from the book. And one fillet is just 179 calories!

Red Pepper & Parmesan Tilapia (from Taste of Home Comfort Food Diet Cookbook)

1/4 cup egg substitute

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon pepper

4 tilapia fillets

Dip fillets in egg substitute. Mix remaining ingredients and dip in mixture. Place in a baking pan covered in cooking spray. Bake at 425 degress for 10-15 mins. That's it!

breakfast for dinner

It happens to me all the time - you have a crazy day at work and the next thing you know you have little energy or time for dinner.  But you're starving so you need to figure something out, quick!

Those nights I often turn to baked eggs.  Like last night.  Simple to make and throw in the oven, plus I can get other things done while it's baking. Perfect for a cooking novice like myself. Other breakfast foods I turn to for dinner?  Popovers, pancakes and french toast - yum!

Baked Egg:
*Lightly butter the inside of a bowl
*Pour in a tablespoon or two of cream
*Add an egg + paprika, salt, pepper & some green onions
*Bake at 325 degrees for 15-18 minutes (until yolk is cooked to how you like it)
*Scoop out onto a plate and serve with toast

~Baked Egg~