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"Manfriend" Taste Test (Part 1): Feta, Pepper and Corn Quinoa Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Hey Foodies! 

This evening, I wanted to create a very special dinner for the new "manfriend". So throughout the work day, I was working possible menus out in my head... struggling between wanting to try something new, and going with one of my standbys that I know is successful.

Eventually I came up with something that used the ingredients I had on hand, so that I only had to purchases fresh peaches.

Tonight's menu:

• Light Dinner -- Warm salad of quinoa, fresh bell peppers, feta and corn over fresh romaine
• Dessert -- Bourbon glazed peaches accompanied by vanilla scented Greek yogurt (Part 2)

Let's start with dinner. Unfortunately, I didn't really measure my ingredients, but I'll try to give approximations.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 4 oz fat free feta
• 1 15 oz can whole kernel sweet corn, no salt added; drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 TBS olive oil
• 3 TBS lemon juice
• fresh basil, julienned
• salt substitute and pepper to taste

To Make:

• Heat 1/2 TBS olive oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add dry quinoa and stir until grains begin to brown -- about 3 minutes.
• Add water and reduce heat to low. Cook covered for 20-25 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, combing remaining olive oil, lemon juice, basil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• When quinoa is ready, combine with red pepper, corn, feta, and lemon juice/olive oil dressing.
• Serve warm over greens -- I used romaine lettuce.

Quinoa, like other grains, expands. We got quite a few servings out of this. For argument's sake, let's call it six. Note -- nutrition facts do not include romaine lettuce. 

Serves 6

Each serving: 205 calories, 32 g carbs, 5 g fat, 10 g protein

I didn't let Jon, the "gentleman caller", have a taste while I was cooking. Let's here it for [filmed] blind taste testing to gauge my success as a home chef. 

Today's Cardio Challenge

You can do it!!!

Recipe: Fail-safe Salmon

Hey Foodies!

I think most people are deterred from cooking salmon because there's a fine line between perfect, moist, flakey fish..... and dry overcooked fish.

However, just because a food is daunting to cook, doesn't mean we should avoid cooking it! Salmon is high in protein and is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids!

Luckily, the Food Network's Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, has found the fail-safe method.

To Make:

• Drizzle salmon filet with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt substitute and pepper (or your chosen seasonings)
• Put the salmon in a COLD oven, and then turn on the heat to 400 degrees.
• Keep salmon in oven for 25 minutes, and then remove for perfection.

Pioneer Woman Approved!

How Many Calories Should I be Consuming?

Hi Folks!

I hear this question asked a lot. Weightloss comes down to calories in vs. calories out. The hard part is finding the exact number.

Enter the internet -- where there are websites for that kind of thing: http://www.nowloss.com/how-to-lose-weight-keep-it-off-permanently.htm

I love this website because it gives you a RANGE of what to eat for your activity level. I don't think it's realistic for anyone to keep themselves on a strict diet. I think if you're extra hungry one day, you should feel free to have a little bit more of a healthy option. Denying yourself nutrition when you need it is dangerous, and can lead to bingeing.

So type in your stats, and good luck on your continued efforts!!