Lighten Up the Tartar

For me, there's nothing better than fresh fish. My husband and I get quite a bit of fresh fish due to our line of work (we produce a fishing television show) and my only challenge is coming up with new recipes. Sometimes instead of a fancy recipe with an amazing sauce, we both just enjoy a simple grilled fillet on a bun . . . call it a sandwich and be done with it. If you're going for a fish sandwich then there has to be tartar sauce, right? The heavy mayonnaise condiment ladles on the fat, extra calories and often masks the taste of the fish. So I've freshened it up a bit and here it is:

Ingredients (Serving for two):

1/2 cup of fat free Greek yogurt 

Tablespoon of Mayonnaise 

Tablespoon of Dijon mustard 

2 Tablespoons of sweet pickle relish 

2 Tablespoons of dill pickle relish 

2 stalks of finely chopped celery 

1 teaspoon of lemon zest 

1 teaspoon of fresh chopped dill 

Juice from 1/2 lemon 

1/2 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning 

Mix everything together and enjoy on your next fish sandwich!

Hummus is Yummus!!

Beans make for a great snack. Just a few of the benefits: they are low in calories and fat - they curb cravings - increase your energy - satisfy your appetite - prevent the enzyme alpha-amylase from turning carbs into sugar - block absorption of 2/3 carb calories - boost weight loss up to 230% - are a great plant protein with slow digesting soluble fiber - and are very inexpensive!

For a tasty dip/spread to snack on anytime you've got the munchies here you go - this is more of a "method" or "format" than a recipe because you can change it and make it into really any flavor you're in the mood for. For example: I'll make plain hummus the first day and then I'll switch it up by adding roasted eggplant or roasted red peppers or black olives or sundried tomatoes or roasted garlic (personally, I don't like adding raw garlic because it overpowers the whole thing) or fresh herbs . . . the flavor list is endless! 

Ingredients: 

Garbanzo Beans (or Cannelini, Northern White beans)

Tahini (sesame seed paste) 

Olive oil 

Lemon 

Salt & Pepper

Cumin 

Directions: 

Rinse beans and throw into food processor or blender. Add tablespoon of Tahini, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/8 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and pepper each (adjust to taste). Start with adding about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and then as you blend drizzle in more until hummus starts to become "loose". If you're adding other ingredients (i.e. roasted red peppers, eggplant, garlic, etc.) just throw it all in there at the same time. 

Some other tasty flavor combinations: add fresh basil / fresh dill / grilled onions /curry powder / cayenne pepper / the list is endless.

One of the ways I like to serve my hummus (especially if I'm having people over to share) is on a flat plate, drizzle with olive oil, squeeze of lemon, cilantro and crumbled feta. It looks festive and tastes terrific! 

Serve along side for dipping: 

Celery sticks 

Carrot sticks 

Sliced cucumbers 

Whole wheat pita

It's a Dreamsicle!

I love ice cream. My husband loves ice cream. We indulge on occasion, but not as often as we used to because of the sugar, fat and extra calories. Let's face it . . . we're older now and just can't eat the way we could back in our 20's. I workout hard in the mornings, and don't want to undo what I've done with a bunch of empty calories and fat. 

So, I kept looking for ways to come up with a healthier version of ice cream. Tried some, didn't like 'em. Tried again, too much work. Finally, I think I've got the perfect tasty, and easy recipe . . . and now when we get a craving for something cold and sweet, I make my frozen "Dreamsicle."

INGREDIENTS 

1 3/4 cup of Coconut Milk 

2 medium oranges 

4 tablespoons of sweetener (maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, your choice of natural sweetener) 

1 teaspoon of vanilla 

Pinch of salt 

DIRECTIONS 

Peel oranges and divide into sections. Lay sections flat on a tray and freeze until hardened. 

Pour coconut milk, vanilla and 1/2 of the frozen orange slices into a blender and blend until smooth. 

Add remaining half of frozen orange slices and sweetener (to taste) and blend until smooth. 

Pour mixture into freezer safe container (or popsicle molds) and freeze until solid. 

It really hits the spot and couldn't be easier!