Roasted Salmon with Lemon Relish

This was a big winner last night for dinner. We loved it and want it on the regular menu...that's saying a lot.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup raisins
• Slivered zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 4 skinless salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 5 ounces baby spinach (about 5 cups), loosely packed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven, tossing occasionally, until lightly golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from sheet, and reserve.
2. Meanwhile, place raisins and lemon zest in a small bowl; cover with boiling water. Set aside.
3. Place salmon fillets on the baking sheet used in step 1; season with salt and pepper. Roast until salmon is opaque throughout, 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, drain and discard liquid from raisins and lemon zest. Return raisins and zest to bowl; add lemon juice, pine nuts, parsley, and oil. Season with salt and pepper; stir to combine.
5. Dividing evenly, make a bed of spinach on each of four plates, place salmon fillet on spinach; spoon lemon relish over the top.

Cauliflower Based Pizza Crust

To prepare the cauliflower for all three recipes, I use frozen cauliflower (you can use fresh, but for me, frozen is less prep work). I prepare an entire bag quickly by adding 2 Tbsp water to the vegetable in a microwavable lidded dish. Cook for 6-8 minutes. Drain off water, and allow to cool slightly. With a cheese grater, shred cauliflower, or process in your food processor.

Cauliflower can be prepared in advance, and the amount of prep work is minimal.

Note for lactose intolerant folks: If you suffer from lactose intolerance, soy cheese can be successfully substituted for the cheeses in the recipes. Those nutritional values will also be included at the end of the recipes.




You Won't Believe it's Cauliflower Pizza Crust

1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower*
1 egg
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1/2tsp fennel
1 tsp oregano
2 tsp parsley

pizza or alfredo sauce
toppings (make sure meats are cooked)
mozzarella cheese


Preheat oven to 450 degrees farenheit.

Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray.

In a medium bowl, combine cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Press evenly on the pan. Sprinkle evenly with fennel, oregano and parsley.

Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes (15-20 minutes if you double the recipe).

Remove the pan from the oven. To the crust, add sauce, then toppings and cheese.

Place under a broiler (grill for the Europeans) at high heat just until cheese is melted **.



Notes:

*I use frozen cauliflower prepared according to package directions. After cooked and slightly cooled, I shred cauliflower with a cheese grater, and then measure for the recipe. (Don't pack down the cup with cauliflower. Just fill it with a spoon or the cup itself.)

** You can try re-baking the pizza at 450 once you add toppings if desired, but the crust is not quite as crusty. There is a minimal difference, so see what works best for you.

serves 4- 6 for one recipe (10" pizza) not including toppings:

For 6, per serving:
calories: 73 calories
effective carbohydrates: 1.5
total carbohydrates: 2
fiber: 1
protein: 5 grams
fat: 4 grams

For 4, per serving:
calories: 108
effective carbohydrates: 2
total carbohydrates: 3
fiber: 1
protein: 7 grams
fat: 6 grams



The following bread sticks recipe is easy! Prepare enough dough for pizza and get these bread sticks in the oven before the first pizza batch.


I can't believe they're cauliflower breadsticks!

1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower
1 egg
1 c + shredded mozzarella cheese
garlic salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a greased 9X3 loaf pan, press about 1-1/2" deep cauliflower pizza dough. If any is left, use for pizza.

Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, or until set. With a spatula loosen the dough around the edges and remove the square of dough to a greased cookie sheet.

With a pizza cutter, slice strips through the set dough. Separate slightly. Sprinkle with garlic salt and/or extra mozzarella cheese. Bake at 450 degrees until the top browns.


Once the oven is preheated to 450 degrees, it is easy to pop in a couple of pizza crusts as well.

Serve with marinara sauce (optional).

serves 4- 6:

For 6, per serving:
calories: 73 calories
effective carbohydrates: 1.5
total carbohydrates: 2
fiber: 1
protein: 5 grams
fat: 4 grams

For 4, per serving:
calories: 108
effective carbohydrates: 2
total carbohydrates: 3
fiber: 1
protein: 7 grams
fat: 6 grams

(And now it's) Cauliflower Lasagna!

1 cup (about 5 ounces) cooked cauliflower, grated, riced or shredded
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (6 ounces)
1 egg
*½ cup ricotta cheese (3.5 ounces) (mixing an egg in with this improves the texture, but is optional)
3/4 cup tomato sauce or alfredo (6-7 ounces)
Toppings (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray the inside of a glass bread pan (9X3) with non-stick spray.

Mix prepared, riced cauliflower with one cup of the mozzarella and the egg in a bowl.

To arrange:

1. Layer the bottom with ¼ cup sauce. Distribute gently with a spoon. Do not add toppings yet.

2. Layer with 1/2 of the cauliflower mix. Press down very gently with fingers after distributing evenly.

3. Layer with 1/2 of the ricotta by dotting it on in small piles and then spreading slightly.

4. Add 1/2 of the remaining sauce. With a spoon, spread and slightly mix the two layers (ricotta and sauce) for better coverage.

5. Add half of the toppings you've prepared. (If there are none, proceed to the next step.)

6. Layer with ½ of the mozzarella cheese.

7. Add the rest of the cauliflower mix and spread and press down gently. (I use my hands)

8. Add the rest of the sauce.

9. Add the rest of the toppings. (If there are none, proceed to the next step)

10. Add the rest of the ricotta and spread with a spoon as well as is possible. It will be a little more bumpy, so no worries if the uniformity isn't there (friends tell me that mixing the ricotta with egg creates a better texture and greater spreading ease. Thank you!)

11. Add the rest of the mozzarella cheese.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is golden/brown. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Can be stored in the refrigerator or frozen and reheated.

*If you have no ricotta, you substitute ½ cup cottage cheese (4 ounces), mixed with 2 tsp parsley and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (2 ounces).

Serves 6-8. Can be doubled.

Nutritional Information for the base lasagna (toppings will change numbers).

With ricotta:

Nuritional information for each of 6 servings:
Calories: 166
Net Carbohydrates: 5
(Total Carbohydrates: 6
Fiber: 1g)
Protein: 15 g
Fat: 9 g

Nutritional Information for each of 8 servings:

Calories: 128
Net Carbohydrates: 3.5
(Total Carbohydrates: 4.5
Fiber: 1g)
Protein: 11 g
Fat: 7g

*With cottage cheese/parmesan blend:

Nutritional information for each of 6 servings:

Calories: 165
Net Carbohydrates: 5
(Total Carbohydrates: 6
Fiber: 1g)
Protein: 15 g
Fat: 9 g

Nutritional Information for each of 8 servings:

Calories: 123
Net Carbohydrates: 3.5
(Total Carbohydrates: 4.5
Fiber: 1g)
Protein: 11 g
Fat: 7g

Lactose Intolerant Nutritional Information for one recipe, which includes 1 egg, 1 cup soy cheese and 1 cup riced cauliflower (toppings not added):

For 1/4 of a serving (lasagna, pizza or bread sticks):

calories: 105
total carbohydrates: 5.5
fiber: 1 gram
effective net carbohydrates: 4.5
fiber: 1 gram
protein: 9.5 grams

For 1/6 of a serving (lasagna, pizza or bread sticks):

calories: 70
total carbohydrates: 4
fiber: 1 gram
effective net carbohydrates: 3
fiber: 1 gram
protein: 6 grams

Pistachio Macaroons

Ingredients

• For the macaroons: • 1/3 cup or 3 ounces pistachios • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar • 2 large egg whites • 1 tbsp sugar • For the buttercream: • 1/4 cup or 2 ounces pistachios • 1 2/3 cups confectioners' sugar • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened • 2 baking sheets, lined with parchment paper

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grind the pistachios in a food processor along with the confectioners' sugar (this stops them turning into an oily mess), until as fine as dust. Whisk the egg whites until fairly stiff, but not dry, sprinkle the sugar over and whisk until very stiff. Fold the whites into the pistachio-sugar dust, and combine gently. Pipe small rounds onto your lined baking sheet, using a plain 1/2-inch nozzle. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to form a skin. Then put in the oven and cook for 10-12 minutes: they should be set, but not dried out. Remove from the oven and let cool, still on their sheets, while you get on with the filling. This is simple work: grind the nuts and confectioners' sugar in the processoor as before; then cream the butter and continue creaming as you add the nut dust. Make sure you have a well-combined soft buttercream. Then simply sandwich the macaroons together.

Rustic Pear Tart

Tonight's dinner, part two:

Crust:
1/2 cup whole-grain pastry flour or regular whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons lowfat buttermilk
3 tablespoons ice water

Filling:
3 medium pears
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Glaze:
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon boiling water

To prepare the crust, in a medium bowl whisk together the whole-wheat pastry flour, all- purpose flour, granulated sugar and salt. Add the butter and using two knives or a pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture until you get a pebbly, course texture. In a small bowl combine the buttermilk and ice water. Using a fork, gradually mix the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture. Pat the dough into a 4-inch round and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

In the meantime, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F, and prepare the filling. Peel the pears, core them and cut into 1/4-inch slices. In a large bowl toss the pear slices with the lemon juice. Sprinkle in the cornstarch, brown sugar and cinnamon and toss until the pears are evenly coated. Set aside.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough into a large circle about 9 inches in diameter. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and draping the dough over the rolling pin, transfer to the prepared baking sheet. If the dough breaks at all patch it up with your fingers.

Arrange the pears in a mound in the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch boarder. Fold the border over the filling. It will only cover the pears partially and does not need to be even.

Bake the tart for 15 minutes, and then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F, keeping the tart in the oven all the while, and bake for another 40 minutes, until the pears are tender and the crust is golden brown.

In a small bowl stir together the honey and boiling water to make a glaze. When the tart is done remove it from the oven and brush the honey glaze all over the top of the fruit and crust. Transfer to a plate to cool slightly. Cut into 6 wedges and serve warm or a room temperature.

Per Serving:Calories 220; Total Fat 8 g; (Sat Fat 5 g, Mono Fat 2 g, Poly Fat 0 g) ; Protein 3 g; Carb 36 g; Fiber 4 g; Cholesterol 20 mg; Sodium 55 mg
Good source of: Fiber, Thiamin

Salmon with Lentils

Wow, tonight's dinner was really good and relatively easy. Wanted to share these recipes!

1⁄2 pound French green lentils (lentilles du Puy)
1⁄4 cup good olive oil, plus extra for salmon
2 cups chopped yellow onions
2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts only
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
1 1⁄2 cups chopped celery (4 stalks)
1 1⁄2 cups chopped carrots (3 carrots)
1 1⁄2 cups Homemade Chicken Stock, recipe follows, or good canned broth
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons good red wine vinegar
4 (8-ounce) center-cut salmon fillets, skin removedPlace the lentils in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 15 minutes, then drain.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saute pan, add the onions, leeks, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the drained lentils, celery, carrots, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Add the vinegar and season, to taste.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

For the salmon, heat a dry oven-proof saute pan over high heat for 4 minutes. Meanwhile, rub both sides of the salmon fillets with olive oil and season the tops very liberally with salt and pepper. When the pan is very hot, place the salmon fillets seasoning-sides down in the pan and cook over medium heat without moving them for 2 minutes, until very browned. Turn the fillets and place the pan in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until the salmon is cooked rare. Spoon a mound of lentils on each plate and place a salmon fillet on top. Serve hot. Serves 4.

Homemade Chicken Stock:
3 (5-pound) chickens
3 large onions, unpeeled and quartered
6 carrots, unpeeled and halved
4 celery stalks with leaves, cut in thirds
4 parsnips, unpeeled and cut in 1/2, optional
20 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
15 sprigs fresh thyme
20 sprigs fresh dill
1 head garlic, unpeeled and cut in 1/2 crosswise
2 tablespoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns

Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, salt, and peppercorns in a 16 to 20-quart stockpot with 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Skim the surface, as needed. Simmer uncovered for 4 hours. Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander, discarding the chicken and vegetables, and chill. Discard the hardened fat, and then pack the broth in quart containers.

Yield: 6 quarts