Walk the Plank? Why thank you for the offer!

My uncle Stu visited a few weeks ago. He is another foodie. Has been a lot longer than me and he is someone I grew up around in the kitchen. Naturally, when he visits he brings cooking equipment. Sometimes it's precious spices he can only find in Chicago and sometimes its planks. Yep, you guessed it. This time he brought wooden planks to grill salmon on. I have never tried this, but those who know me know I am willing to try anything and am pretty go with the flow. Which is important when there are three chefs in the kitchen. It is one thing when it's just mom and I. And believe me we step on each others toes a little (okay a lot), but insert another cook in the kitchen and we all have to agree who's going to be in charge of what. 

Some of you may relate to this in bill paying, cleaning, remote controlling, or any other aspects of daily life in which you revere yourself as the expert. When Stu's around I prefer to let him be the teacher and I play the diligent student, it just works better this way. Even if I already know, I let him teach me. And he did, he taught me how to grill using a wooden plank and it is my pleasure to pass on this little cooking jewel to you in this blog entry. To go with the Walk the Plank Salmon, I prepared some Spicy Mountain Veggie Hash, and I made delicious Quick and Easy Quinoa. Another really healthy substitute for rice that is packed with folate, iron, B vitamins, and is considered a perfect protein, much like milk.

But because this is my blog, I do have another little tid bit to share. I read somewhere that people say you eat the fear of the animal at the time of it's death. That's it the reason some choose to be vegetarians. However, I am of a different line of thinking. I believe you eat the love and the growth that each animal has developed through their life. The gift of their nourishment and vitamins. Just like my Uncle Stu's gift of teaching so is the salmon's gift of Omega-3s, lean protein, and selenium. All components that make this one of the healthiest foods to feed our families. How could there not be love in this fish. Not to mention all of the tender loving care we in home chefs take in preparing it. 

That's my story and I'm sticking to it anyway. I believe that the most loving gesture you can do for someone is to feed them healthy and satisfying meals. And once you do it, it kind of becomes addicting. You like the process of cooking as well as the positive reactions you (hopefully) get from others. Enough talk... Let's get cookin'!

To prepare the plank:

~Soak the plank in water for at least an hour, but you can do this longer and even over night. We chose to fill up the sink and hold the planks underwater using local Lambeth Honey. 

~The planks Stu brought are the ones I found on amazon to the left. They worked great and are small enough to store in a drawer. I recommend them!

~Using a plank is a whole different ball game. It adds flavor, smokiness, and when cooking it you now have another element to heat before the fish starts cooking. This is what leads to the longer cooking time as you will see in the recipe. The plank, the process, and the longer cooking time are all definitely worth it!

Walk the Plank Salmon

1.4 pounds wild Atlantic salmon

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon chicken rub (we love Szeged)

Juice from half a lime

1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1. Rub the flesh of the salmon with 1 tablespoon olive oil. 

2. Then sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon chicken rub and 1/2 teaspoon coarse rough rub. Squeeze the juice from half a lime and sprinkle with black pepper. Allow to sit on the board for 20 minutes before cooking.

3. Heat your grill to 300 degrees. Place the wet board with the seasoned salmon on the grill. Cook for 15-17 minutes with the lid closed. You will know the salmon is ready to eat when little beads of white 'sweat' escape from the top layer of flesh. 

4. Remove the salmon and the plank from the grill and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Remove the salmon from the plank. The great think about this is the skin will stick to the plank making it easier for you to remove the skin and have the perfect piece of salmon!

Mountain Spicy Hash

16 ounces frozen edemame

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 jalapeno; minced

1 white onion; minced

1 tablespoon garlic; minced

1/4 cup roasted red peppers

1 tbsp. cherry peppers; diced and HOT

1 can (15 ounces) reduced sodium black beans; rinsed

1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Pour in edemame and boil for 3-5 minutes. They will cook partially and soften slightly. 

2. Drain and run cold water over them to stop the cooking process.

3. Heat large skillet with olive oil and add the onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Saute for 3-5 minutes or until onions blond. Then add the roasted red peppers, hot cherry peppers, black beans, diced tomatoes and edemame. Continue to cook until all is heated through, about 10-12 minutes. Then turn heat off and allow to cool to room temperature.

Quick and Easy Quinoa

2 cups water

1 cup quinoa

1 tsp. hot chili peppers; minced

1 tsp. garlic; minced

1 tsp. olive oil

1/4 cup cilantro; minced

1. In a large sauce pot, combine the water quinoa, chili peppers, garlic, and olive oil.  Bring water to a boil and turn to low heat. Simmer, covered, for 20-30 minutes.

2. The quinoa will essentially 'sprout' and increase in volume much like rice. Once all of the water has been absorbed, add the minced cilantro and toss with a fork to incorporate. 

Mental Health Benefit: This meal is one of the most nutritious that you can feed your family and friends and it is relatively easy. Even I can't screw this up. There is high protein and omega-3's from the salmon, and soy, fiber, isoflavones, and amino acids, and not to mention the complete protein from the sprouted perfect quinoa. If you don't know what all that means. Here is the skinny, the components in this meal are low in fat, high in protein and fiber which help raise good cholesterol and assists in lowering cholesterol. Seems like a no brainer right? Well, I think so too!


Health and wellness from our kitchen to yours!


~"Too Lovely" Hot Messes in the kitchen

The One Thing I Believe In...

The other morning, my mom, dad, and I were in our normal vortex of coffee, writing, and reading the paper. When there was a swirl. My mom suddenly was on the move. She was in the kitchen with her check book before my dad and I even knew what hit. She was asking questions like, "Do I just make the check out to her?" And she was pretty feverish about it. I had some catching up to do. I had no idea what was going on. "Mom what are you doing?" She is wild-eyed, "I want to donate to this girl. She is doing something great." My dad is yelling from the deck, "Just come out here and finish reading the paper."

I'm saying, "Mom what are you talking about? Who are you donating all of our money too?" She ignores me, "How much is enough." More yelling from my dad encouraging mom to take a deep breath and finish reading the paper. Then she says, "This is the one thing I believe in..." She is desperate now. To which I say, probably not really compassionately, "Really? You only believe in one thing?" And we are laughing about my mom's feverish drive to help. And it makes me stop and think. What is the one thing that I believe in.

And it's easy. I believe in love. I believe also that love can be delivered through food. Food that is nutritiously selected and lovingly prepared. I recently have taken on a client and am teaching her these skills. I know! I can hardly believe my luck too! And she is absolutely wonderful. Together we prepared the Sesame Chicken and Sticky Rice N' Peas. We also made some delicious Seshwan Edemame to snack on or add to salads to replace croutons, or add to pasta salads, etc!

I also believe in swimming in the great adventure that is life and exploring. Exploring with life, love, and lots and lots of different foods. Don't get stuck in a rut, branch out, put on your swimsuit and dive in. Don't worry, the water might not always be warm, but it is refreshing! These recipes were created with love and prepared with skill, heart, and soul. Not only are they good for you, but they are delicious. I am proud of my mom and her convictions as I too have my own "One thing I believe in". What's yours?

Sesame Chicken 

1 pound chicken breast

½ white onion; sliced into long slivers

8 ounces fresh snow peas

1 tbsp. ginger (can be fresh or dried)

2 tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce

1 tsp. sesame oil

1 tbsp. lemon juice

2 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. olive oil

Fresh basil; minced

½ cup cashews or your favorite nut

~Cut the chicken into slender bite sized pieces using a sharp knife.

~Optional: Marinade the chicken in a large zip lock bag for a few hours or even overnight. Combine the chicken, soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon juice, ginger, and garlic and shake to coat the chicken.

~Using a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the pan is hot add the chicken and the marinade juices or the seasonings and oil separately to the pan, depending on if you marinated the meat. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

~Add the white onion slivers and continue to cook over medium heat for another 2-3 minutes. Next add the snow peas and the cashews. Toss to coat with the juices from the chicken for another 2-3 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

~Serve with the sliced green onion on top and alongside brown rice or quinoa for a healthy and delicious meal.

Notes: If you have fresh peppers, shredded carrots, bamboo shoots, or another vegetable on hand that you like, feel free to add it in here. This is your recipe and you can do anything you like with it! Make it completely yours!

 Sticky Rice N' Peas

1 cup brown rice (you can use quinoa as well)

2 ½ cups water

1 tsp. sesame oil

Pinch of salt

1 cup frozen peas

½ cup green onions; diced

~In a large sauce pan combine water, sesame oil, salt, and rice. Heat over medium heat until the mixture has come to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 35-40 minutes.

~Remove from heat and add frozen peas and green onions. Toss and fluff with a fork. Cover for an additional 2 minutes to heat peas through.

Note: You can also add curry or cumin to this rice, in addition to bamboo shoots or any other vegetable that you like to make this rice yours and personalize with your favorite flavors!

Health Benefits to Brown Rice:

1. Provides all necessary carbohydrates requirements.
2. Rich in fibers.
3. Helps control blood sugar.
4. Helps control cholesterol.
5. It is a body building food.
6. Beneficial for stomach and intestinal ulcers and for diarrhea. It is easily digested starch food.
7. Because of the mineral content, it supplies important nutrient for the hair, teeth, nails, muscles, and bones.

 Edible Seshwan Edamame

Health Note From a Hot Mess: Edamame is an excellent source of low-calorie protein; a half-cup of these young beans has eleven grams of protein and is one of the few vegetarian protein sources that have all nine of the essential amino acids the body can’t make. The fat in edamame is the heart-healthy kind, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats that help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Plus, they’re a caloric bargain at only125 calories!

The isoflavones found in edamame and other soy products can help to lower the risk of heart disease and may also lower blood cholesterol levels. When edamame is used as a protein source in place of meat, the cardiovascular benefits are further enhanced. Edamame is also a good source of folate and vitamin K which are important for heart health.

1 pound frozen edemame

1 tsp. olive oil

1 tsp. sesame oil

1 tsp. fresh ginger

2 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. low sodium soy sauce

½ tsp. kosher salt

~Heat a large sauce pan filled with water until it reaches a rolling boil. Add the frozen edemame to the pot and boil for 6 minutes. They will be crisp, yet tender.

~Drain water and add the remaining ingredients tossing the beans to coat with the oils and seasonings.

~Cook for another 2-3 minutes so the flavors have a chance to marry together.

~Serve sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds if desired. Can be served hot or cold as a snack or a side dish!

Mental Health Benefit: These recipes are basic and the fun part about them is that you can add your own favorites. Your favorite veggies and nuts. Make this meal what you and your family love! After all food is love. So why not make it exactly what you want and create the best meal for you!

Wishing you love and health today and every day!

~ "Too Lovely" Hot Messes in the kitchen

Chicken with a Detour

Interceptions and Detours. Those are the things to pay attention too. Those things that pull you away from what otherwise would be a normal, controlled, and ordinary life. Those interceptions are what make your life amazing rather than perfect. I prefer amazing. In fact that is really the only choice for me now.

Just the other morning, I woke up planning to get lots of my work accomplished. You know, publish a bog, pay my bills, read and edit my manuscript. Very lofty goals really. And in the end, our house guests woke up and the chatter and surrounding me was so loud that accomplishing anything was impossible. I surrendered my agenda and instead enjoyed the chatter and noise. I know that my house guests are just that.. guests. They won't be here forever and I should enjoy them just as they are as they come and go. 

With my agenda abandoned, we had a wonderful day touring the area, tasting beer, and sight-seeing in the rain.  In the end I was dazzled by the guests and all of their insight and my mind was opened to new ideas, new people, and new experiences. I even found more inspiration for my future dream kitchen!

The interceptions are what brought me to this chicken recipe. Chicken can be one of those boring ingredients that provide healthy and lean protein. That was my goal with this recipe, but I wanted to so something a little different. I wanted to bite into the chicken and be surprised by an interception. What could be better to add flavor and juiciness then bacon! I think you will find that this chicken recipe is delightfully succulent and tender with a perfect interception in the middle.

Please join me and instead of being frazzled by your interceptions, enjoy life's little detours. Who knows you might learn something new or heaven forbid.. Even meet someone special, strengthen a friendship, or make connections that will change your life forever. Those interceptions are put in our paths for a reason. I vow to pay attention to all of them!

Besides, there is always tomorrow for what you can't get completed today. And you know what? Even if tomorrow doesn't come and this blog doesn't make it out into the web, at least I will know that I spent time with the people that matter most in my life.. My friends, my family, and you.

Added bonus: The spinach is packed with vitamins and is succulent alongside this chicken! Enjoy the meal in it's entirety and don't tell anyone you used tofu.. They'll never guess. It will be our little secret!

Stuffed Chicken

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
3 tsp. Italian Seasonings
1 tsp. dried basil
3 slices low fat mozzarella cheese
3 slices cooked bacon
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Take each chicken breast and using a sharp knife; slice along the top of each chicken breast to thin out the chicken breast and create a fatter slice of chicken breast. Slice along each side to create 'wings' on the chicken breast. Repeat this process for each chicken breast.

~Sprinkle each raw chicken breast with 1 tsp. of Italian seasonings on both sides of the breast rubbing in using your hands.

~Place a slice of bacon, slice of mozzarella cheese, and a small handful of sun-dried tomatoes in the middle of each chicken breast. Cover the stuffing with the 'wings' of the breast like you are rolling up a tortilla around stuffing. Secure with toothpicks. 

~ Place the chicken breasts in a baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve immediately alongside the creamed spinach and Italian Bean Salad.

Creamed Spinach

1 package frozen spinach
1 pound package of silken tofu
1 tsp. olive oil
1/2 white onion; diced
1 tbsp. minced garlic
1/4 cup milled flax seed
1 tsp. kosher salt

~Heat a medium sauce pan over medium heat with the one tsp. of olive oil. Once hot add the white onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onions have blonded (become translucent). Then add the flax seed, frozen spinach and package of silken tofu. Continue to stir until all ingredients are incorporated.

~Add one tsp. kosher salt and continue cooking over medium heat until spinach is cooked through and tofu is incorporated. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired

Italian Bean Salad

1 medium sized eggplant
4 cloves garlic
1 can garbanzo beans; drained and rinsed
1/2 red onion; diced 
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 large tomato; diced
1 bunch fresh basil; minced
1/4 cup Paul Newman's Light Balsamic dressing

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Slice the eggplant lengthwise into 1/2 inch strips. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and lay the eggplant in one layer on the cookie sheet. Add the cloves of garlic whole to the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the eggplant becomes soft and slightly caramel colored on top.

~Allow the eggplant and garlic to cool. Meanwhile place the diced onion, tomato, basil, garbanzo beans, and feta cheese in a large mixing bowl and lightly toss.

~Dice the cooled eggplant into bite-sized pieces and mince the roasted garlic.Toss with the rest of the ingredients in the large bowl.

~Add the balsamic dressing and lightly toss. You can use more or less dressing as desired. This can be served immediately or chilled and served later or even the next day!

Mental Health Benefit:  These recipes are easy, simple, and healthy for the whole family. I made this meal after a long day out in town and was still able to whip it up while talking to my boyfriend and sipping an adult beverage. It was warm, soothing, and healthy. It felt great after a long day out in the rain. Not to mention it looks impressive because you actually stuffed chicken! And this picture I took out of a moving vehicle.. If that isn't inspirational.. I don't know what is!

~Happy Summer from my kitchen to yours!

~ A little Hot Mess in the kitchen