I know that we all have our days when we get little cravings for something that we just have to have.  Every once in a while I get a craving for something I can’t (or shouldn’t) have and I have to come up with a sort of “work-around”.  Today I had a craving for fried fish, french fries, and coleslaw but, because of my dietary restrictions, I can’t eat dairy and I shouldn’t eat friend foods.  So, I hooked up a little non-dairy coleslaw and olive oil seared Tilapia.  Craving satisfied!

(cut carrots and cabbage)

(sliced red potatoes brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper)

Sometimes it’s difficult not to be able to eat many of the things that I enjoy anymore, or things that the people around me are eating.  Eating is such a huge part of our culture.  We celebrate with food, we have social gatherings with food, we have family nights with food, we connect on so many levels through food…not being able to share in some occasions, having to make my own specially prepared food much of the time and not being able to just sit down at the table and eat when and what everyone else is eating can be frustrating and sometimes even make a person feel isolated.  So, it feels really good to find new ways to prepare things that I love even with all of my dietary restrictions.  It also feels REALLY good to be able to share it with others who may be looking for an alternative.  I am constantly looking for other ways to prepare my food and I figure the blessing in it is that I am becoming much more aware of what I put in my body and therefore eating much healthier.  I like to share what I’m learning along the way.  Sometimes it takes a little trial and error, but once I get there it’s deliciously worth it!

Coleslaw

♥ Cabbage, carrots, relish, vinegar, salt, pepper, Vegenaise Dairy Free Mayonnaise (which tastes just like real mayonnaise, I’ve snuck in into food without anyone knowing   )

♥ This is a very simple recipe.  Simply shred (or thinly slice) your cabbage and carrots into a bowl.  Add relish, salt, pepper, vinegar, and mayonnaise to taste.  For the size bowl I have here, I used about a table spoon of relish and two table spoons of mayonnaise.  Stir well and serve.

Baked Red Potato Fries

♥ Red potatoes, olive oil, salt (or sea salt), pepper, seasoned salt (optional)

♥ This is another really simple dish.  Slice the potatoes to your desired thickness.  brush the potatoes with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Put them on a baking pan and bake at 425 degrees until tender and slightly browned.

Olive Oil Seared Tilapia

♥ Tilapia, salt, pepper, lemon pepper (or squeeze juice from lemon), flower (optional)

♥ To make the Tilapia, warm about a teaspoon and a half of olive oil in a pan.  Season the Tilapia with salt, pepper, and lemon pepper(or lemon) to taste (If you’re using flower, combine the flower and seasonings in a small container or ziploc bag and lightly coat the fish with the mixture.)  Sear the Tilapia on each side and cook until done.

 

For all my Washingtonians, visiting Washingtonians, or folks thinking about visiting the DC area in the coming week….It’s time for Restaurant Week!  For those who don’t already know, DC Restaurant Week is a week in which DC restaurants offer three-course lunch and dinner meals all for the same fixed price.  Its is a really fun time and a great excuse to get a bunch of friends together for an evening out.  It’s also a way to get to experience restaurants that you love as well as restaurants that may usually break the budget lol This year, almost 180 of DC’s finest restaurants will be participating in DC Restaurant Week, which is August 24th through August 30th. The three-course fixed-price lunch meal will only run you $20.09, and a three-course fixed-price dinner meal will run you $35.09.  I’m happy to see that one of my favorite restaurants (which has the most delicious sushi and desserts), Oya, is on the list! Enjoy!!

 

Anyone planning on attending?  Please do tell

Tonight I’m making dinner for the fam  There’s nothing I like better on a hot and humid day, like today, than a light refreshing meal.  I love a big salad and seafood in the summer, so tonight we’re having a Mediterranean Style Chopped Salad and Lemon Salmon mmm mmm

Mediterranean Style Chopped Salad

Lemon Salmon

The Lemon Salmon is a very simple recipe that I make all the time because it is so fast and easy and very healthy. The Chopped Salad is actually a recipe that I found on the Examiner.

Have a great weekend!!!

Mediterranean Style Chopped Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

Salad

• 4-5 leaves of romaine lettuce, chiffonade (roll the leaves up like a cigar and slice thinly
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1/2 English cucumber, diced (you can use a regular cucumber, but just peel it first)
• 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, diced
• Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered (add as many as you please)
• Feta cheese, crumbled (I used motzerella instead)
• Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped slightly
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped fine
• added 2/3 pint of mushrooms because we love mushrooms

Lemon Vinaigrette

• Juice of 2 lemons
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions:

1. Toss together the salad ingredients. Set aside.
2. Make the vinaigrette by whisking together the lemons, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil (depends on how tangy you want it). Whisk thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Serve immediately.

NOTE: If you are taking this salad to a picnic, just be sure not to dress it with the vinaigrette until you are ready to serve it. To help keep salad mix crisp in the refrigerator, place a paper towel on top. The paper towel helps absorb any moisture that might get on the lettuce leaves.

Lemon Salmon

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb piece of fresh salmon
• One lemon, sliced and then cut into halves
• 1 teaspoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt, Fresh Ground Pepper, Garlic Powder
• Lemon and Pepper Seafood Seasoning (optional)

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
2. Wash the salmon and place it in a shallow, oven safe dish.
3. Brush the Olive Oil onto the Salmon. lemons, garlic, mustard, salt, and pepper. Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive Season the salmon to taste with salt, pepper, garlic powder. oil (depends on how tangy you want it). 
4. Cover the salmon with the lemon slices and place the salmon with the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until it is cooked well enough for your taste 

Enjoy!!!