Wash Your Produce!!!!!!

I swear every day I hear about recalls or people getting sick from fresh produce. I bet this problem would be cut significantly if people washed their produce properly!!! They use manure to fertilize produce and there are birds and other animals to consider people! Even if it comes prepackaged, wash it! A few rules to go by:

• If it grows on the ground or in the ground, scrub it down with a vegetable brush. Not only does this remove the dirt, it helps remove those unseen creepies. Especially do this with melons and squashes.
• Lettuce: remove the outer layer of leaves and give it a good washing, also submerging it in water for several seconds to drive out any tiny bugs. Prepackaged lettuce, rinse several times in a colander and with all lettuce, pat dry before refrigerating.
• Berries and Grapes: Rinse several times in a colander and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Corn on the ear needs washed also. Rinse and lightly scrub with your hands.
• Don't forget to wash your hands before you wash you produce!
  

Citrus Honey Dressing

1/2 c. Olive Oil
1/2 navel orange, grated peel
1 large navel orange, juiced
1 Lemon, juiced
2 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp Poppy Seed
1/4 tsp paprika

In a jar with a lid, combine all the ingredients and chill. Shake well before serving. Makes about 1 cup. Serve with a spring mix or spinach salad and add you favorite fruits, berries and nuts! Grilled chicken chunks goes well with the salad also.

Djon Salmon

1/4 c. butter, melted
3 tbsp prepared Djon mustard
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1/4 c. dry bread crumbs
1/4 c. finely chopped pecans
4 tsp fresh parsley, chopped
4 (4 oz) salmon filets
1 lemon, for garnish
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, stir together butter, mustard, and honey. Set aside. In another bowl mix together bread crumbs, pecans and parsley. Brush each salmon filet lightly with honey mustard mixture and drag the filets in the breadcrumb mixture until coated. Bake salmon in oven unitl it flakes easily with a fork, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees, about 15-20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with lemon wedges.

Orange Brownies

This recipe was was given to me by the cheese guy at my store. Try them, they are amazing!

1 box favorite brownie mix
1 bottle Sciabica's Orange Olive Oil

Make brownies as directed, substitute the Orange Olive Oil in for the oil called for in the recipe. Bake as directed!

Double Tomato Bruschetta

4 On the Vine Tomatoes
1/2 c. sun dried tomatoes, packed in oil, chopped
3 cloves peeled garlic, chopped
1/4 c Sciabica's Basil Olive Oil
2 tbsp blasamic vinegar
1/4 c fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
4 oz herba nd garlic goats chevre
1 loaf baguette bread, sliced
1 c freshly grated Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven to broiler setting. In a large bowl combine first 7 ingredients. Mix well and allow to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. Meanwhile blend the cream cheese and the goats chevre together in a bowl. Place the bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Broil for about 2 minutes, until slightly brown. Remove from oven and spread the cheese mix on each bread slice. Top with 1 tbsp. tomato mix and a little Parmesan cheese. Return to the broiler for about 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve immediately.

Balsamic Roasted Veggies

1 zucchini, thick sliced
1 yellow squash, thick sliced
3 c. broccoli florets
1 red onion, diced
1 each red, green and yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 c. olive oil
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper

Mix olive oil with vinegar and salt and pepper. Mix very well with a whisk. Toss mixture with veggies. Bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Serves 6.

Balsamic Strawberries

Balsamic Strawberries

1/2 lbs strawberries, washed, topped and sliced
1/4 cup sugar
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

Combine sugar and vinegar, until sugar is disolved. Pour over strawberries and cover. Marinate for at least an hour. Serve over ice cream or angel food cake!

Welcome!

So my crazy brother in law and my lovely sister have inspired me to write in my own blog. Since my life revolves around my family and food, I'll blog about both, sharing recipes I come across and enjoy and writing about life. So here goes!