Day Three Hundred Fifty Six: Oh Snap! Snapper

I saw Martha's recipe for Snapper with Bell Pepper Salsa on Monday and I rushed out and quickly bought the ingredients.  (Well, as much as one can rush out and do anything with three children in tow. It took us a good half and hour to locate a favorite pair of shoes for the trip. But I digress.)  The dish is simple, colorful and oh-so-good.

Make the salsa by combining red bell pepper, avocado, jalapeno, onion, lime juice, olive oil and fresh herbs. I used cilantro.  Cook the snapper for about five minutes until opaque throughout.

Divide salsa among four lucky people. Top with snapper.

The salsa was so good, my husband and I actually had a brief fork squirmish over who was going to eat the last of this salsa.

I let him win, but only after I extracted a promise from him to do the dishes.

(Are you taking notes, ladies?)

Day Three Hundred and Twenty Two: Amazing Spicy Tuna Melt

Since I had a bunch of left over tuna, Tuesday I made Martha's Spicy Tuna Melt.  If you are like me and have never had a tuna melt, allow me to say:

You are missing out.  I feel like I've just discovered a new continent.  

This is such a delicious recipe.  Just mix tuna, salsa and mayonnaise and spoon it on bread.  Top with pepper jack cheese and put the whole thing under the broiler until the cheese melts.  

This is such a tasty, simple recipe, but good enough for company.  I'm going to serve it at my next opportunity.  My husband actually uttered the word, "divine'".

*

* Picture does not do the sandwich justice. 

Day Three Hundred Fourteen: Sensational Snapper

Martha has a whole section of Healthy Main Dishes.  Like any self-respecting woman who'd like to be a dress-size smaller, I've tried many of the dishes in this section, including Lemon-Rosemary Shrimp, Tuna, Herb-Crusted Salmon, Shrimp Salad, Spicy Cauliflower, along with some others. Yesterday I tried another recipe from this section:  Martha's Red Snapper with Citrus Salsa.

Bonus:  I got to use my almost-never-used steamer basket! I practically had to dust it off before I used it.

Steam the snapper in the bottom basket for about five minutes: 

...then add the spinach on the top basket for a couple of minutes until it wilts.  

The snapper is served over wilted spinach and topped with the salsa, which is a quick mix of a couple oranges, a lemon, a habanero pepper, herbs and spices.

The gorgeous (and delicious) product:

I loved this dish.  LOVED. I day-dreamed about it all day today.  Dinner (and the leftovers) could not come fast enough.

Day Three Hundred Ten: Skinny Beef Tacos

It seems like weight-loss is at the top of everyones's resolution list.  It's definitely on mine.  As a result, I'm trying to cook healthier dishes.  I thought Martha's Lighter Beef Tacos would be a nice start.  My family loves tacos and so this would be an easy sell.

It's not like I'm asking them to eat tofu.

This recipe is much like a regular taco recipe, expect Martha adds onions and bell peppers to the lean beef.  The result is an almost-hidden serving of veggies.  Add some shredded lettuce and salsa.  Skip the sour cream and cheese and you have a pretty healthy taco.

Surprisingly my husband loved these...even when he realized I had surreptitiously added veggies to his precious meat.

I'm like a culinary secret agent.  

Day Two Hundred Eighty-One: Grilled Mozzarella

I served dinner for my Book Club on Wednesday.  I made tomato soup with Martha's Grilled Mozzarella Sandwiches. I've never used mozzarella for grilled cheese before, but these were delicious. They are assembled then dipped in an egg/cream mixture before being cooked.  It's sort of like a really large, flat, fried mozzarella stick.  

It's delicious.  Martha says it's her favorite way to make grilled cheese sandwiches and I am totally on board.    

Day Two Hundred Fifty-Six: Butternut Squash Soup

A few days ago I bought some butternut squash at the grocery.  It was already cut into little one-inch squares and it called to me from across the produce section:  Look at me!  I'm so bright and orange!

When I got it home, however, the package hid in the back of my refrigerator for days.  Saturday I rescued it from the back of the refrigerator and made Martha's Pureed Butternut Squash Soup.  Out of all the butternut squash soup recipes I've seen, this one is the simplest.  (Read: I didn't have to make a special trip to the grocery for ingredients.)  Five ingredients, half an hour and you're done.  As you might expect from a recipe with only five ingredients, it's not super flavorful, so make sure and add lots of pepper.  I added some cayenne.

If you are generous, this soup is mighty fine.

I planned to eat a few bowls of this throughout the weekend, but my husband ate it all on Saturday.  True story.  I had only one bowl before the Soup Bandit found it.

It was obviously better than I thought.

Day Two Hundred Forty-Six: LIfe is Like A Bowl of Indian Stew

I love Indian food.  There's something very wholesome about it.  Every dish seems like it's cooked in one big pot peppered with goodness.  Buddha blessed.  Martha's Easiest Indian Stew not only looks good, but true to its name, is easy to make.  The main ingredients come from a can, so even you're the Forrest Gump of cookery, you could make this.  It's served over rice with a dash of yogurt....and is delicious.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Frankly, my children wouldn't touch this dish with a ten foot pole, but they did say it smelled good.

There's hope for them yet.  

Day Two Hundred Thirty-Two: Secret Recipe Enchiladas

Ever since I had those excellent secret-recipe enchiladas (and accompanying ugly-dip), I've been thinking about making them.  So Wednesday I tried Martha's Chicken Enchiladas.  I chose this recipe in particular because it says in the introduction that most ninjas and fairies will eat these....and my two oldest are dressing up as a ninja and Tinkerbell for Halloween.

It was clearly meant to be.

This is a great recipe.  (Here, Great = Detailed).  You make your own enchilada sauce and everything.  I cheated by using a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking it myself, but I don't think the recipe suffered for the substitution.  It. was. delicious. Gotta say, I might keep this one to myself and start calling it my own "secret recipe".  It will just be between you and me, ok?

Day Two Hundred Twenty-Eight: Oh My! Pimiento-Cheese Burgers

When you are feeding a crowd, there is almost nothing easier than hamburgers.  Martha's Pimiento-Cheese Burgers are a fun twist on the American classic.  It's basically pimiento-cheese dip on top of your burger.  It's almost too ridiculously good to imagine.  A few diners were exceptionally proud of their creations.  I took photos of a few:

Oh, yes.  They were over-the-top good.  If such a thing as a special-occcassion burger exists, this is it.

Day Two Hundred Twenty-Three: Cheese-Wrapped Spinach & Mushrooms (a.k.a. Quesadillas)

Monday I made Martha's Spinach and Mushroom Quesadillas.  They were delicious.  They use pepper-jack cheese and are just spicy enough, but not too spicy.  I followed Martha's recipe, but on two quesadillas I added the bell peppers my kids didn't want on their pita pizzas, and the shrimp I had leftover from the mediocre shrimp.

They were delicious.

I usually make quesadillas in a skillet, but Martha makes quesadillas in the oven.  Please note:  the oven-method is the way to make quesadillas if you are guilty of Overfilling Your Quesadillas/ Tacos/ Fajitas.  I'm not going to point fingers.  You know who you are.  :looks towards my husband:

Both quesadillas were really good, and this is what I've learned:  if you have leftover meat/ veggies/ rice, add some cheese and throw it all on a tortilla.  This is a variation of a theme I started on Day One:  all things are better wrapped in cheese.

I'm just pointing out the truth.

Day Two Hundred Eighteen: Royally Good Parchment Salmon

My husband and I had a somewhat rare "adults-only" dinner last night.  We frequently eat dinner after the kids are in bed, but dinner is often interrupted with one of our three kids needing some last-minute cuddles or a monster-under-the-bed check.  Last night we managed to eat uninterrupted.

For our peaceful dinner, I made Martha's Salmon and Zucchini Baked in Parchment. I've never made anything baked in parchment and was somewhat intrigued by a rumor that Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge made Prince William fish baked in parchment for their first anniversary.  (The traditional first anniversary gift is paper.  Parchment = paper.  Kate's a clever girl.)   I figured, if it's good enough for Kate and Will, it's good enough for me.

I'm not high-maintenance, really.

This dinner is fun to make. And ridiculously easy.  Just cut up the zucchini and shallots and pile them on a sheet of parchment.  Lay the salmon on top with a dab of butter and some dill:

Then fold up the ends like little fishy Christmas presents:

Cook for about fifteen minutes and you have this:

This was really delicious and (besides the tablespoon of butter) really healthy.  It was easy to make, but felt festive.  I served the whole packets on a plate, and opening them was like a little present.

Some might say it was like an anniversary present.

Day Two Hundred Sixteen: Devilish Artichoke Angel Hair Pasta

I don't eat pasta often, but I've been eyeing Martha's recipe for Chicken with Artichokes and Angel Hair.  The reason is this:  I'm a fan of the artichoke.  We don't use artichokes often enough in cuisine, so it's hard for me to pass up a good recipe featuring said vegetable.  (This is also my rationale for eating three days worth of carbs in one sitting.) 

This was a very easy dish and could easily be doubled for a crowd.  Don't be fooled: the recipe is heavy on the chicken; the pasta is more of a side dish.  This is a good thing for those of us who may be worried about all those carbohydrates....

My dinner:

Despite all the carbs, this is a pretty light (tasting) and flavorful dish.  It's by no means low-cal, but we can't be angels all the time, now can we?  

Day Two Hundred Fourteen: Easy-To-Please Chicken Casserole

Over the weekend, Martha had a whole section on Casseroles and Pot Pies at MarthaStewart.com.  Casseroles totally remind my husband of his childhood, so I decided to make Martha's Chicken and Spinach Casserole for him.  I rarely make casseroles, but when I do, he totally loves him.

Bless him.  He's pretty easy to please sometimes.

If you like casseroles, this is a good one.  It's made with fresh spinach and rotisserie chicken.  You can even use old bread for the topping if you have it.  To my tastes, the flavor was pretty boring, but nothing that a few dashes of red pepper can't solve.  My kids actually ate some of this, even though all the food groups were fraternizing like crazy.  I used the super-hero technique to get them to eat the spinach.  (Think: Popeye.)

This isn't the most photogenic dish in the world, but here you go:

Photogenic awards aside, this was a crowd-pleaser...if your crowd is beyond the age where food-groups-touching-on-the-plate is a major issue.  (When do they grow out of this?)

Day Two Hundred Twelve: Super-Hero Pot Pies

Now that cooler weather is upon us, nothing sounds better than some comfort food.  I saw Martha's  Chicken Pot Pies with Puff Pastry on Thursday and had to try them.  I ate pot pies as a child, but mine were the pre-frozen packaged variety.  They took half the afternoon to cook and were all but tasteless to anyone over the age of ten.  (To be fair to my mother, pot pies are one of the few pre-packaged things I ate as a child.)

If you are like me and have a soft spot in your heart for pot pies, you'll be happy to know that this recipe only takes about thirty minutes to prep and only about ten minutes in the oven.  The puff pastry on the top is a nice touch, and looks gourmet...

Mine came out really pretty and were absolutely delicious.  My kids were skeptical about all that food-group fraternizing in one dish.  The puff pastry was as far as they got before they started asking serious questions.  (If my kids ask about a food, I always counter with some Super-Power that said food would provide, if we lived in a comic book.  i.e. carrots are good for vision, therefore they help you see in the dark.)

Them:  What is this orange stuff?
Me:      Carrots. They help you see in the dark.
Them:  What's this white stuff? :looking skeptical:
Me:        Potatoes.  They give you energy to run and jump all day faster than a cheetah.  Better than      Spiderman.

Them:   What is this??? :semi-disgusted:   

Me:        It's a parsnip.  It's sort of like a carrot...remember about seeing in the dark?

Them:    And this?

Me:        Chicken.  It's protein.  Helps you grow big muscles like Superman.

I don't always get very far with this technique, but it does work well from time to time.  This time, both kids ate about three bites before pronouncing that they were full.  I call it a victory.

Day Two Hundred Two: Quickie-Pasta Dinner

A few days ago I happened upon a whole slew of dinner recipes that Martha claims you can make in fifteen minutes.  Unconvinced they could  a) be made in fifteen minutes, and/or  b) be any good, I decided to try one:  Martha's Beef Tortellini with Arugula and Sun-Dried Tomatoes.  It starts by boiling frozen (or fresh) tortellini and sun-dried tomatoes.  When those are cooked, just drain and toss back into the pot with some butter and arugula ("rocket" to you Brits).  And your done.

:pause for effect:

No really....that's it.

So to review, you have a meal in the time it takes to boil water and melt a couple tablespoons of butter. And it's really good.  Because of this meal, my husband actually called me a "goddess".  It's true.  I can't promise the same for you, but it's a safe bet your significant other will be impressed.  I think my neighborhood Italian restaurant sells this dish for $16 a plate.  It's good-enough-for-company good.

You should make this dish and impress your friends and family.  Don't tell them it only took fifteen minutes.  I won't tell.  (This post is just between you and me.)  

Day One Hundred Ninety Two: Black Bean Soup and Wine

There is a chain of restaurants in my town that sells Black Bean Soup.  I can't resist ordering it every time I lunch there with my girlfriends.  I'm sure they are wondering why I love it.  :looking at you Kristi and Laura:  Frankly, it looks like dog food... but Holy Cow! It is good.

I decided to try my own version yesterday, so I chose Martha's Spicy Black Bean Soup.  Beware:  this recipe starts with the actual dried beans that require overnight soaking.  If you are looking for a simpler version, this one starts with beans from a can.

After soaking these beans all day, the recipe is surprisingly simple to make.  If you are hanging around the house, say, waiting for the cable guy to show up, this is a great recipe.  It doesn't take much "active" time, but it does cook for about two hours.  Despite the time, you'll be happy to find that this soup is low-cal, high in fiber and low-fat. It is also delicious with a glass of Fume Blanc.

I checked.  Just for you.  

That's how much I love you.

Day One Hundred Ninety One: I-think-this-is-Healthy Salmon

Yesterday I was craving salmon.  I love it.  In my daughter's opinion, there isn't enough pink food.  I can't disagree with her.

So last night I made Martha's Salmon with Tarragon-Yogurt Sauce.  The fish is quick to cook and the sauce is a snap.  The whole thing was made in fifteen minutes, I swear.  If you are a fan of Greek food, this sauce is similar to tzatziki, but won't take you all day to make.  I used fat-free Greek yogurt, so I'm pretty sure this qualifies as a low-cal dish. :I play a nutritionist on t.v.:  My hips are happy this morning.

Salmon brushed with yogurt sauce:

De-lish.

Day One Hundred Ninety: Slow and Steady Rot Roast

Today was a total nightmare.  It was one of those days where I hardly sat down, much less sat down to eat.  I knew it was going to be a crazy day, so I planned ahead and made Martha's Slow-Cooker Pot Roast.

I know. I know:  pot roast isn't very exciting...especially when made in a slow-cooker.  A slow-cooker is the appliance version of your grandmother's girdle.  But it's hard to go wrong when you cook a piece of meat for ten hours in its own juice.  My ten-month old daughter was even able to eat some...and she only has a four teeth.

Did I mention it also rained cats and dogs?  There is nothing better than arriving home, feeling (and looking) like a drowned rat, greeted by your warm, already cooked dinner.    

Ah........If you looked up "comfort food", next to the definition would be that picture.

Day One Hundred Eighty Seven: Fraternizing with the Vegetables

Other than sweets, desserts or candy, there are a few things my children will eat without comment or complaint:  chicken, pasta, corn, fruit, broccoli, rice, yogurt, cheese and bread.  If served on a plate, however,  each food must be treated like a prison visitation:  no touching.  No mingling.

But when I saw Martha's recipe for Orzo with Chicken, Corn and Green Beans, I thought I would give it a try.  The kids love these things separately.  Would I be able promote some food fraternization?  That was the question.

This recipe was super easy to make.  I used a grocery-cooked rotisserie chicken, so I didn't even have to cook the chicken beforehand.  It only took about 20 minutes to make and here's what it looked like:

When presented with this bowl, my kids initially started to complain:  Yuck!  It's all mixed up!  My daughter actually started to separate the food into little groups. I oh-so-sweetly reminded them that they liked everything in the bowl.  That didn't help.  Then I oh-so-impatiently informed them that the food gets all mixed up in your tummy anyway.  My son was amused by the thought and quickly got over his issues.  Seeing that her brother had broken rank and abandoned her, my daughter grudgingly proceeded to eat...but only one group at a time: first she ate all the chicken, then the corn, then the orzo.

Divide and conquer. It works with your children too.

Day One Hundred Eighty Six: Unbelievable Wrap

Yesterday was a gorgeous day here in my neck of the woods.  Unlike Martha, I don't require my guests to wake up for a 5 a.m. hike.  (I was up at 5 a.m. with my children, but that's another story.)  Some of our guests slept in (lucky souls) and had a late breakfast, so around noon I made Martha's Spinach and Artichoke Wraps as a snack.  Wraps are highly underrated.  I don't know why we don't eat wraps more often.  These wraps are a meal of the best kind:  easy to make and delicious.  Just layer provolone cheese, spinach, artichokes and bell peppers on a sandwich wrap:

(I was a cheater and used the roasted red peppers you buy in a jar, which was a solid substitution.)

I cut these into smaller wraps and secured with toothpicks.  They were a great (and pretty) way to tide us over until dinner.  These were so good, some of my guests didn't believe I made them.  Luckily, I had eyewitness testimony and these photos as evidence.  (Where's the faith, people?)