My Awesome First Tuna Steaks

That's right, I said it. Awesome!!
I've been wanting to try tuna steaks forever. Why did I wait so long?

Ingredients:

3 - 4 oz albacore tuna steaks, 1" thick

Marinade:
2 tbsps olive oil
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp soya sauce
1 tsp tahini
1 tbsp fresh thyme
1/2 tsp lemon pepper

2 tbsp sesame seeds
fresh thyme and steamed fried noodles to garnish

Being a tuna newbie I didn't know that albacore is apparently not the best tuna for cooking, but after reading several recipes I chose to use these ingredients and if this isn't the best, I can't wait to try a better one!

Mix all the marinade ingredients together and spread over the top of the steaks. I love their pink colour!

Refrigerate 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes take each steak and coat the marinated side with sesame seeds. Place seed side up on a foil-lined baking sheet, no need to oil it.

Place in the oven to broil 6 inches below heat for 3 minutes then remove and carefully flip over. Spoon the remaining marinade on top and place back under the broiler.

Now because I have a husband who didn't want "raw" fish, I returned the tuna to the oven for 4-5 minutes. (While my sushi-lover wanted to eat them raw!!) You could try 3-4 minutes if you would prefer a little more rare in the middle. Then remove from oven, cover with a pot lid for 10 minutes before serving.

In this picture below the tuna appears to be a bit dry, but it was not. It was so tender and the flavour was delicious!

Honey and Miso Chicken Thighs

So here's another try with my genmai miso. This one's a keeper!

Ingredients:

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup genmai miso
1 tsp tahini
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp turmeric
fresh thyme
salt, if needed

Mix the honey, miso, tahini, red pepper flakes, turmeric, thyme and, if using, salt together. This genmai miso has a subtle nutty flavour, enough flavour that I chose not to add salt.

Heat the barbecue to medium high. Brush thighs with paste and place on grill. Grill 5 minutes.

Carefully turn the chicken over and brush again with the paste and grill another 5 minutes.

Three thumbs up from the family!

And we had the chicken with a variation of Healthy Miso Salad... using pears, pumpkin seeds and steamed fried noodles.

Here's the link:

http://hotandcoldrunningmom.blogspot.com/2018/06/healthy-miso-salad-dressing.html?m=1

Sweet Chili Fish

A little tart, a little sweet and nicely paired with this Healthy Miso Salad.

Ingredients:

2 basa fillets (or similar white fish)
1 onion, sliced

1 tbsp sundried tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tbsps soya sauce
2 tsps freshly grated ginger
1 tbsp lime juice
pinch red pepper flakes

chopped basil leaves to garnish

Whisk the sundried tomatoes, sweet chili sauce, soya sauce, ginger, lime juice and pepper flakes together.

Reserve 2 tbsps.


Line a baking sheet with foil then lay a sheet of parchment down. Scatter the sliced onions and place the fish on top. Drizzle the marinade over top.

Put another sheet of foil on top sealing the edges together.

Place in a 375 F oven for 15 minutes, then uncover for another 5 minutes.

Place under the broiler for 3-4 minutes longer then serve brushed with reserved marinade and garnish with basil.

Here's the link to the Healthy Miso Salad: 

http://hotandcoldrunningmom.blogspot.com/2018/06/healthy-miso-salad-dressing.html

Healthy Miso Salad Dressing

This was my first experience with miso. After taking a nutritional cooking class where the instructor used it in this dressing I thought I'd try it. But when I went to buy miso I discovered there are several types. I chose to buy genmai for it's nutty flavour, and because I really didn't know what I was doing. 

Unbeknownst to me the lightest miso, shiro, is best for salad dressings and was excellent in class. And I mean excellent! I could've eaten the whole bowl meant for 15 people myself!

My genmai dressing was tasty too and the fam enjoyed it, but I think I will look for other recipes like soup and marinades to try it in and go buy some shiro the next time I make this dressing.


Ingredients:

3 tbsps lemon juice
2 tbsps tahini (good level of calcium and protein)
1 - 2 tsps maple syrup or honey
1 tbsp raspberry red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp miso paste (shiro miso - mild and best for dressings, protein and probiotic)
pinch of salt
seasonings and fresh herbs to taste
Fruit if you like

Whisk together and toss with greens. Let sit 10 or so minutes before serving.

I used leafy boston, spinach, a little iceberg and 1 large leaf of kale thinly sliced.  I have mint in my garden so I chopped 2 or 3 leaves and tossed them in too along with a little rosemary. Oh and a crisp apple!

Dressing enough for 6 servings

Sheet Pan Chicken and Apples

Love these sheet pan dinners!

Ingredients:

6 chicken thighs
4 potatoes
4 carrots
2 crisp apples, unpeeled
2 onions
1 tbsp bacon fat (or olive oil)
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp sage
salt and pepper to taste


Marinade:

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsps lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Whisk the marinade ingredients together. Place chicken in a ziplok plastic bag and add the marinade. Set aside.

Cut potatoes in chunks, slice carrots, and cut onions and apples in wedges. Melt bacon fat and toss with the veggies. Arrange on a lined baking sheet and sprinkle parsley, sage, salt and pepper.

Nestle the chicken pieces in between and drizzle the marinade over all. 

Place in a 425 F oven for 45 minutes ...

and you've got your whole meal on the table!

Serves 3-4

Perfect Chocolate Mousse Frosting

Perfect for frosting a cake or just scarfing it down with a spoon!

You'll need:
12 oz semi sweet chocolate
3 cups whipping cream
2 tbsps sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Microwave the chocolate on medium heat for 2 - 2 1/2 minutes. It'll be almost all melted. Just stir and set aside. The rest will melt. Better than over-heating the chocolate.

In a large bowl beat the whipping cream 3 - 4 minutes until stiff. 
Add the vanilla, sugar and melted chocolate and mix until combined.

It seemed funny to add warm melted chocolate to the whipped cream but it was fine.

Just gave it a little dusting of cocoa and added sprinkles.
Makes enough for one 8" round double layer cake.

Vegetarian Chili

June 14th, but it feels like October! Good time for chili...

4 small carrots, diced
2 onions, diced
1 - 28 oz can diced tomatoes
3 cups vegetable broth
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup kernel corn
1 - 19 oz can kidney beans, drained
1 - 19 oz can black beans, drained
1 whole jalapeño
2 tbsps tomato paste
1 tsp chili powder
2 tbsps garlic powder
1 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

Dump everything in a large pot, bring to a boil.
Then simmer for 1 hour.

Easy peasy! And if you're a hero, eat the jalapeño!

Slow Cooker Pork Roast from Frozen with Veggies

So, no, I don't always have a dinner plan. This recipe is great for last minuters. Grab that roast from the freezer and right into the slow cooker!

2  1/4 lb boneless pork loin
2 onions, sliced
1 1/2 cups sliced carrots
1 1/2 cups diced turnips
2 small apples, unpeeled cut in wedges
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
1 bay leaf
1 cup broth (beef, chicken or veg)

Slice onions and put in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Mix the spices together and coat the pork. Sit the meat on top of the onions. Add the bay leaf, veggies and apple.

Pour the broth in at the side, not over the meat.

Cover and cook on high 4 1/2 hours

That was easy!

Shrimp and Corn Tortilla

Fresh and light summer fare!

Ingredients:

12 oz shrimp
2 tsp lime juice
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup kernel corn
1/3 cup sour cream or mayonnaise
1 tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp hot sauce
pinch salt
2 or 3 whole wheat tortillas
sliced radishes and green onions

Toss shrimp, lime juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper in a pan and sauté on medium high 3-5 minutes. Add the corn and toss 1-2 minutes.

Mix the sour cream, lime juice, hot sauce and salt together and spread over tortillas. Top with shrimp/corn mixture, sliced radishes and green onions.

Serves 2 or 3

Seen here with Crunchy Asian Slaw
http://hotandcoldrunningmom.blogspot.com/2018/06/crunchy-asian-slaw.html

Crunchy Asian Slaw

I made this salad as a side but you could easily add cooked chicken or shrimp as a main. And leftovers make a lunch your co-workers will be envious of!

Ingredients:
1 - 14 oz (397 g) bag coleslaw mix
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts
1/4 cup edamame beans
1 fresh mandarin

1 cup steamed fried noodles

Dressing:
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp sesame seeds
1 tsp lime juice
1 tsp soya sauce
1/4 tsp fresh minced ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Mix the dressing ingredients together and toss with all the slaw ingredients except the steam fried noodles.

Chill 2 hours, then toss in the noodles and serve.

Serves 6

Washable Dog Bed Couch Protector

Yes, I admit it. Karma is spoiled. She's a princess.

Having been rescued from an unhappy life we figure she deserves to be pampered. But that doesn't mean we don't want to keep our stuff looking good. 

So here's a little something I made to protect furniture while making your pet comfortable. And it's washable!

What I used:
1 flat sheet (I used queen but twin would work)
1 or 2 pillowcases
2 old pillows
bias tape, ribbon, shoe or boot laces

Like most of my sewing posts this is not a pattern but merely my how-I-did-it.

I took my old pillow and cut right through it lengthwise.

Then I sewed the case back up along the long side making 2 bolsters. I cut a pillow case in half and sewed the long side up on each half as well, leaving the end opened. I stuffed the pillows into the cases and tied the ends with black boot laces. These will be the "arms" of the bed.

Next I decided how wide I wanted the bed. I think I ended up folding the sheet in three lengthwise to cover the width of one cushion on our couch. I made a few seams up and down this piece through the 3 thicknesses to keep them in place.

You can use a second pillowcase for the back bolster but I used the excess length of the sheet that you see here on the back of the couch.  Again I wanted to be able to remove the pillow so after cutting the second pillow to the size I wanted I sewed a case for it. But this time I sewed a second case so that one could go into the other folding the end inside.

Starting to take shape...

I sewed black bias tape on the corners to act as ties. As you can see below the tie on the left side of the back case is not on the end because that part will be tucked into itself. I also sewed a piece of black ribbon across the front for no reason at all : )

Then each cushion got sewn to the edge of the base.

And here it is with the pillows in and the ties fastened.

I hope this made some kind of sense. And doesn't Karma have an I'm-done-modelling-for-you kind of look!