Teriyaki, Ginger, Sesame Baked Salmon and it’s Gluten-Free

PictureWhen it comes to seafood and fish I do have my absolute favorites as well as options that do NOT make the list…I mean that would never make the list! However, I am only sticking to the options I prefer to make and one of those choices unequivocally would be wild fresh Salmon. Out of all the ‘fish dishes’ this is my regular and most preferred fish on any menu to make or order when dining out!
I have heard over the years from friends and family that making a new type of fish or fish in general can be somewhat intimidating to make, prepare and ultimately fish and would prefer to opt out having any fish on the menu because of their uncertainty.

So let’s get started on how I prepared my fish.

Depending on the amount of servings of salmon I am preparing will be the amount of aluminum foil sheets I will need per salmon filet. Make sure aluminum foil is large enough so each individual salmon has its own pouch while baking in the oven.

I found that fresh salmon is easiest to work with but if you know you are going to make this recipe preferably de-thaw your salmon overnight in original packaging on a plate and place on the bottom shelf in your refrigerator. Once salmon is de-thawed place each piece of salmon on the foil and sprinkle a bit of olive oil and salt and pepper. I then take a fork and poke it to allow the olive oil and salt and pepper to marinate the salmon.

I then take the time to cut up my other ingredients that I will be using to eventually pour over each salmon filet. I preheat my oven to 375° degrees and then place my individual sealed fish pouches either in a glass baking dish or pan and bake 35-45 minutes.

I think people get nervous preparing fish for fear of overcooking or undercooking the fish. To test for doneness, fish becomes flakey. You can cut a small piece in the thickest part of the fish and see if it looks cooked through thoroughly or not. If it’s cooked it’s done. If however, the fish is not done cooking it will appear to resist flaking and be more translucent. Place fish back in the oven for a few more minutes carefully monitoring, since fish cooks rather quickly.

Well, that’s all for now!
I hope you all have a chance to experiments in the kitchen with this recipe!

Cheers!

**(On a side note, I am sharing my other Salmon recipe in another blog later on!!)



Ingredients:

  • Salmon Filets
  • Gluten-Free Teriyaki Sauce (Mine was from Fresh Thyme Market)
  • 2 Stalks of Celery
  • 2 Cloves of Garlic
  • 1/2 onion
  • 3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
  • 2 Tbsp. Olive oil or Sesame Oil
  • 1 tsp. Sesame seeds
  • Fresh Ginger grated
  • Salt and Pepper for seasoning

Directions:

  1. De-thaw salmon filets unless they are fresh
  2. Once filets are thawed, lightly drizzle olive oil on salmon and use a fork to poke the filets allowing the oil to marinate the fish.  Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Set aside. **(This step can be done ahead of time.  If done the night before or earlier on in the day allow the fish to marinate covered in the refrigerator.)
  3. Pre-Heat Oven to 375 degrees.
  4. In a separate bowl add your GF Teriyaki sauce, lemon juice, garlic, onion and celery and blend until all the ingredients are covered with mixture.  Consistency should be similar to honey.
  5. Pour mixture over salmon filets and  add your sesame seeds at the end.
  6. Bake in individual pouches for 35-45 minutes until cooked. (Check at minute 35 to see how much longer you may or may not need to continue baking.)

Meatless Monday: Seasoned, Baked Garbanzos Beans and Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

PictureEating healthy can be simple!

Eating healthy can be easy!

Eating healthy can be delicious!

…..And Healthy can be last minute!

When you throw a meal together it does not always have to come from a recipe. Unless you are strategically planning out your 4 week cycle menu for your home, dinners are often times, if not most of the time, a  conglomeration of what you have left over in the refrigerator and pantry.  Garbanzo beans are a true staple in our home I add garbanzo beans to pretty much everything.

So what is a Garbanzo bean, or should I say Chick Pea??  Well, there are two varieties, but the one I am referring to are the legumes you can get canned in any local grocery store.  The other variety is a smaller-darker legumes.  Either one  you choose is packed with nutrition! These beans are one of the oldest cultivated legumes in the world!!!  These legumes have certainly found their way into various cultural and ethnic cuisines from Turkey to Portugal and after 7,000+ years remain a staple in many cultures even today!!

Some of the amazing nutritious benefits you can get from consuming these power-house legumes are:

*High in Fiber
*High in Folate
*High in Manganese
*Great source of Thiamin, Zinc, and Vitamin B6
*Low in Saturated Fat
*Help to regulate Blood Sugar Levels
*Provides powerful protection against free radicals due to its antioxidants and phytochemicals!

Even though these legumes are small boy-oh-boy are they mighty.  Adding legumes to salads, soups, or even in homemade burgers will not only add to the above listed nutrition but adding  legumes whenever possible will keep you fuller longer and help you push past ‘the mid-afternoon snack attack’ cravings.

Here is my easy meatless meal I threw together which is filling, has a good amount of flavor that is not overwhelming, but was done as a last minute meal.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans of Garbanzo beans
  • 1/2 teaspoon of  Himalayan sea salt and pepper
  • olive oil
  • Brussels Sprouts

Directions:

  1. Rinse Garbanzo beans and spread onto a cookie sheet
  2. Drizzle olive oil and mix the oil over the beans and sprinkle salt and pepper
  3. Preheat oven at 375 degree bake for 22-26 minutes or until baked.
  4. Sliced Brussels Sprouts and sautéed with olive oil and Himalayan sea salt and pepper

Enjoy!


Healthy Falafels that are Gluten-Free and Vegan!!!

PictureWhat’s high in protein, fiber and keeps you feeling fuller longer? 

It’s a Falafel!!!!! 

When it comes to trying new recipes with ingredients you already love…then I AM TOTALLY in!!! Today, I’m sharing, my version of Healthy Falafels…what the heck is a Falafel you might be asking yourself?

A Falafel is predominately a Middle Eastern food and has been coined the “The Hot Dog of The Middle East.” Or “The Meatballs of the Middle East.”  Since there is a cloud of mystery as to where these icons originally originated from you will most certainly see regional differences to some of the ingredients but generally, falafels are made with either garbanzo beans, fava beans, flour, (in this case gluten-free flour), and spices for an amazing pop of flavor.
Falafel’s are commonly served in a pita type pocket or roll of flat bread with some sort of fresh vegetable or salad and a yogurt, tahini (sesame seed), or hot sauce.  If you have ever tried a veggie burger, the Falafel is very similar in consistency and texture.  In some places, the Falafel is served by with a tomato sauce with spices similar to our tomato sauce with meatballs.

Falafels are also very popular among Vegans.  In case you were wondering, someone who follows a strict vegan diet simply put they do not consume anything that comes from a mother or has a bladder. 

Falafels are usually pretty healthy…let’s just say the Falafels that are not deep fried are very Healthy and Nutritious!

Go ahead and make “The Meatballs of the Middle East”  I know you’re all going to love them!

Cheers!



Ingredients:

  • 16 oz. Garbanzo Beans
  • 1 cup Spinach
  • 1 bunch of cilantro
  • 1 bunch of parsley
  • 1/4 Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Lime Juice
  • 2 Tablespoons of Tahini
  • 1 Onion
  • 4-6 Garlic Cloves
  • 2 Tablespoons of Namaste Foods Quinoa Flour
  • 3/4 Teaspoon of Salt
  • 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil

Directions:

  1. Add chickpeas in the Food processor and blend well until they have a paste-like consistency.
  2. Put them in a large bowl and blend in all the other ingredients, except oil.
  3. Add in the quinoa flour into the mix
  4. Heat some oil in a non-stick frying pan. ( I used Olive Oils)
  5. Make the patties – 1 Tbsps per patty.
  6. Fry them 2 minutes on each side. The Falafels should be crispy on the outside and soft but not mushy on the inside.
  7. Put the falafels on a plate covered with a paper towel in order to absorb all excess oil.
  8. Serve!