Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

I was looking for a healthy Zucchini Bread...looked at a bunch of recipes and this is what I came up with. I am proud of myself, because I am not good at making up recipes for baked goods. This came out great. Was not too sweet, if you would like it sweeter, add 1/2 cup more brown sugar. I thought it came out great. Healthy, moist and tasty!

Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread

3 large eggs, beaten
1/2 C vegetable (or canola) oil
4 oz (1/2 C) cinnamon apple sauce
1 and 1/2 C light brown sugar
3 C grated zucchini
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 C Whole Wheat Flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 C chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
Mix eggs, oil, applesauce, brown sugar, zucchini and vanilla extract in large bowl. In separate bowl mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix well. Fold in walnuts.

Pour into loaf pan until filled halfway. This will leave you with a little more batter. I made 5 muffins out of it. Place loaf and muffins in oven. Take muffins out after about 20-25 min (until a toothpick inserted comes out clean). Cook the bread for an additional 70-75 minutes. Until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool in pan and then remove.

Filet Mignon with Chimichurri Sauce

Not sure if this is authentic, there were so many different recipes. I put one together using what ingredients I thought were in it and that I liked. Adjust the amount of jalepeno if you do not like it spicy...I used 1 whole one, and it was pretty spicy.

Filet Mignon with Chimichurri Sauce

2 (3-4 oz) Filet Mignon Steaks

Cook until desired doneness and top with Chimichurri sauce.

Chimichurri Sauce:
2 C fresh flat leaf Parsley
1 and 1/4 C fresh Cilantro
1 Jalepeno, roughly chopped (if you do not like it too spicy, use 1/2)
1 tsp sea salt
Juice and zest from 1 lime
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 T red wine vinegar

Put all ingredients in food processor and blend until the consistency of pesto. Usually there are onions in this, I forgot to buy them, so I left them out...if you want to use them, I would use 2 small or 1 large shallot.

Harvest Whole Wheat Pasta with Escarole & Butternut Squash

This was a Wegman's recipe...I almost followed it to a "T" but I had to make some changes ( ;
It was really delish! Great fall recipe...and before you say, "I dont like escarole." Neither do I, but it was great in this recipe...I am publishing this just as it was written (with my additions in parenthesis). It uses pre-prepped veggies and stuff...you will have to improvise if you do not have Wegman's near you.

Harvest Whole Wheat Pasta with Escarole & Butternut Squash

2 Tbsp Pine Nuts (toasted)
1/2 box Whole Wheat Fusilli (I used Wegman's brand) prepared per pkg directions, keep warm
1 pkg (20 oz) Cleaned and Cut Butternut Squash, cut into 3/4 inch dice
1/2 red onion, peeled, 1/2 inch dice (1 1/2 cups)
1 Tbsp Wegmans Basting Oil (or another oil with garlic and herbs)
salt and pepper
1 pkg (15 oz) Fresh Chopped Escarole
1 pkg (4 oz) Citterio Mini Cubes recipe ready pancetta
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 C dry white wine
1 (13 oz) container Wegmans Italian Classics Alfredo Sauce
1/4 C grated parmesan
Red pepper flakes to taste
2 Tbsp Shredded Parmesano Reggiano Cheese

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
1. Toss Squash and onions with basting oil ( I needed a little more than 1 Tbsp) in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spread in single layer on baking sheet. Roast 20 min (took me more like 35-40 min). Until vegetables are carmelized and tender. Stir frequently.

2. Blanch escarole 2-3 minutes in lg pot of salted boiling water. Drain. Transfer to bowl of ice water. Drain well and set aside.

3. Saute Pancetta in skillet with a small bit of olive oil on Medium. Cook, stirring, 3-5 minutes, until crisp and brown. Remove from pan, drain on paper towels. Return to pan. Add garlic, cook stirring 1-2 minutes until tender.

4. Add wine. Cook, stirring to loosen browned bits on bottom of pan. simmer about 4 minutes, until liquids are reduced by half. Stir in alfredo sauce. (Add 1/4 C parmesan and red pepper flakes)

5. Bring to simmer, add escarole and black pepper to taste. Stir to blend. Add pasta, toss until well combined. Stir in squash and onions then pine nuts..top with remaining shredded parmesan cheese.

The Return of Seafood Sundays with Pan Seared Scallops with Creamy Vermouth Sauce over Whole Wheat Pasta

I love shellfish and I was cooking a different Shellfish recipe every Sunday...I have not done that in a couple of weeks...so I was craving some scallops and here we have it....a slightly healthier version of a creamy sauce...

Pan Seared Scallops with Creamy Vermouth Sauce Over Whole Wheat Fettucine

Creamy Vermouth Sauce:

1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp dry vermouth
1 C (1% or skim) milk
1/4 C heavy cream
dash nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
1 C parmesan cheese
12.5 oz package of fresh whole wheat fettucine (or whatever pasta of your choosing)

Cook pasta according to package directions in salted water. While pasta is cooking...melt butter over med heat and add garlic, saute about a minute and add flour. Whisk to make a roux and cook until golden and no longer smelling like flour. Add vermouth and whisk until combined. Add heavy cream and milk slowly and whisk until smooth...continue to cook until thickened and coats the back of a spoon. Add dash nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. Add red pepper flakes (if desired...I think it gives a nice little kick!). Toss sauce with pasta and set aside with lid on to keep warm.

Scallops:
canola oil (enough to coat the pan)
6 sea scallops, rinsed and patted dry
salt and pepper
tsp unsalted butter
couple of lemon wedges

Heat oil over high heat...season scallops with salt and pepper. Once ready place scallops in pan and DO NOT MOVE THEM! Or you wont get a nice sear. Cook for approx 2 minutes and flip over with tongs. Cook another minute or so until just done, do not overcook. Turn off heat and add butter and allow to melt and toss with scallops. Squeeze lemon juice over top. Plate fettucine and sauce and top with scallops and additional parmesan if wanted....Enjoy!

Farmer's Market Thursdays

these were beautiful heirloom tomatoes I got from the Farmer's Market


Here is what I did with the beautiful zucchini and yellow squash I bought:


I do not have a recipe for it...but basically I sliced 1 zucchini and 1 yellow squash into half moons and roasted with olive oil, sea salt and garlic paste in a 475 oven for 20 minutes or so...then adding about 1/2 a cup of heavy cream and roasting for another 10 min until the cream thickens and gets bubbly...broil if you want for a few minutes...then add fresh chiffonade of basil.

Farmer's Market Thursdays and Baked Chile Rellenos

I went to a great farmer's market in West End on Thursday and I am now starting another theme night....Farmer's Market Thursdays! I was so inspired by the beautiful vegetables that I bought that I made a whole meal based around them...and that is what I will do every Thursday.

That being said, I bought some lovely Poblano Peppers, and I love Chile Rellenos....but they are not good for the old waistline...so I found a baked version online and tweaked it...cannot remember the source, but it was this british guy who did the recipe via a video. Instead of just cheese I stuffed the Poblanos with my black beans ole (recipe link below) and a small bit of low fat cheddar...the egg white mixture when baked forms a crust, and adds more protein. That combined with the black beans makes for a healthy and filling meal.

Baked Chile Rellenos

1/2 recipe black beans ole: (save the remainder to make quesadillas)
http://skinnybitchininthekitchen.blogspot.com/2007/08/karens-black-beans-ole.html
1 recipe cilantro lime cream sauce (recipe to follow)
2 large Poblano Peppers
2 (1/2 inch thick) slices of low fat cheddar
flour for dusting
3 eggs, separated
2 T butter, melted but not hot
1/4 C cheddar jack, shredded
2 handfuls Doritos or tortilla chips, crushed (I used Jalepeno Popper Doritos)

Cilantro Lime Cream Sauce:
1 C low fat sour cream
juice and zest of 1 lime
1 jalepeno
handful fresh cilantro
1 clove of garlic, crushed
salt to taste

puree all ingredients in blender.

1. Roast Chiles in the oven under the broiler, set to high about 1-2 inches from the heat source, turning to char all sides...remove once entire pepper is charred and blistered. Place chiles (use tongs) in a paper bag and close. Allow to sweat 5 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. While peppers are resting, start preparation of the black beans ole.

2. Peel outer burnt skin from chiles under running water. Make a 2-3 inch lengthwise slit in peppers (be careful not to cut all the way through...you just want an opening to stuff the peppers with. Open gently (I cannot stress this enough). Remove seeds and place about 1-2 Tbsp of cooled black beans ole in each pepper. Place cheese inside and close with wooden toothpicks or skewars. Dust chiles with flour. Beat egg whites on high until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in slightly beaten egg yolks and fold in melted butter (make sure it is not still hot or it will cook the eggs).

3. Spoon a coating of batter on bottom of greased glass pie plate or baking dish. Place stuffed chiles on batter. Spoon remaining batter over top of chiles. Sprinkle cheese on top and top with crushed doritos. Bake @ 375 degrees 17-20 minutes, until browned and eggs are set...broil if necessary. Serve with cilantro lime cream sauce.

Drunken Clams

These are like pimped out steamers...I used Little Necks, because that is what I like, but I like them a little more flavorful than just steamed in water...you can reserve the leftover broth (there is quite a bit) for a stock for clam chowder or like I did make it into a pasta sauce the next day.

50 live Little Neck clams
1/3 C Kosher salt (not iodized...which will kill the clams)
1 C Cornmeal
2 T unsalted butter
3 large cloves garlic (or to taste), minced
1 C dry white wine (the rule is 1/4 c per dozen roughly)
1/4 C fresh lemon juice (two lemons), plus extra lemons to squeeze over top
zest of one lemon
Red Pepper Flakes to taste (I used a lot and it gave it a nice kick)
fresh parsley (about 2 T), finely chopped

1/2 hour before cooking mix kosher salt, cornmeal and cold water to fill a very large bowl. Place the clams in gently and put back in fridge (this will get all the sand out). Then scrub the clams under cold running water with a stiff brush and place in another bowl and back in the fridge until ready to use.

Melt butter over medium heat in very large pot or stockpot. Add garlic and saute while stirring constantly for 1 min (you dont want burnt garlic). Add wine, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes and stir..add clams gently in one layer to pan.

Bring liquid to a boil and then cover tightly and lower heat so it is gently simmering. You will let them steam til all clams open (took me about 11 minutes). Discard any clams that did not open once most of them have. Sprinkle fresh parsley over top of clams.

To serve: Place clams in a bowl and ladle broth over top. Serve with some warm crusty sourdough to sop up the broth after...Squeese lemon juice over top and voila!