Fruit & Walnut Barley Salad

Sorry it's been a while! I've have been cooking just as much as ever but I just can't seem to find the time for Blog posts... Until today! Cody and I have been trying to stick to the clean eating regimen and for the most part it's pretty dang simple.  Except for those days when I simply MUST eat a Reese's PB cup.  Anyway, here is a wonderful barley salad recipe that we made for dinner the other night and loved. Fresh and Easy was having a BOGO on Strawberries this week and in an effort to use them up, I added them to this salad. The result: DELISH.

Fresh & Easy Ingredients:

Fruit & Walnut Barley Salad

adapted from Clean Eating Magazine

Ingredients
·         1 cup cooked barley
·         ¼ cup unsalted walnut pieces, chopped
·         ½ cup chopped peaches
·         ½ cup chopped strawberries
·         ¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
·         1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
·         2 tbsp fresh lime juice
·         ¼ cup 100% orange juice
·         ½ tsp chile powder
·         ¼ tsp sea salt
·         ¼ cup low-fat feta cheese
·         Fresh basil leaves finely sliced for garnish 

Directions

Toss barley with walnuts, peach, strawberries, and bell pepper. Blend oil, lime juice, orange juice, chile powder and salt in a separate bowl. Pour juice mixture over barley mixture and mix well. Sprinkle feta and basil over top and serve.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

Watermelon & Goat Cheese Salad

Happy Monday! This is my first April post and we actually have April showers here in Las Vegas. This weekend Cody & I met some good friends for dinner at Angelo Sosa's (of Top Chef fame) Poppy Den.  We tried many of the small plates and were impressed with every dish.  One dish that left me wanting more was their Watermelon Salad which was served with goat cheese and candied wassabi.  It was fresh and delicious and I was craving it the next day so I whipped up a copy cat.  I happened to be near a Trader Joe's this weekend so I purchased my ingredients from their small market! I love Trader Joe's but unfortunately there isn't one near my home, so shopping there regularly isn't really an option.

Here are my Trader Joe's ingredients:
Sliced Watermelon Spears, Goat Cheese, and cinnamon almonds (because candied wassabi wasn't available)

I cut 3 spears into cubes, placed in a shallow dish, crumbled approx. 1 1/2 - 2 tbsp goat cheese, and finely chopped 3 almonds on top. You could stop there and the salad is delish! BUT I reduced a couple tbsps of balsamic vinegar and drizzled over the top.  Fresh herbs like mint, rosemary, or thyme would also pair up nicely with this salad. 

Watermelon and Goat Cheese Salad

2 servings

Ingredients

• 3 cups of cubed watermelon
• 3 - 4 tablespoons goat cheese, crumbled
• 6 candied almonds, finely chopped
• Balsamic vinegar or fresh herbs, optional

Directions

Place cubed watermelon in small dish and top with goat cheese, almonds and other optional ingredients.

Click here for printable recipe.

Garlic & Rosemary Mashed Cauliflower

Hi, my name is Shelly and I'm a carb-aholic.  There. I said it.  I love me some carbs. Especially mashed potatoes. I've mastered the mashed potato. It's the one thing I confidently offer to bring to Thanksgiving dinner because I know it will deliver.  

You can imagine my excitement when a couple years ago mashed cauliflower recipes started spreading over the internet like wildfire. A way to eat mashed goodness without all the guilt - I'm in! So, I started trying recipes and as much as people want to claim it is just like the real thing, they are bold-faced liars! I've tried and tried and have been disappointed one recipe after the next... until I came across this one...  With just a couple Fresh & Easy ingredients, you can whip up this side dish in a flash and actually enjoy it!

Here are the cast of Fresh & Easy characters that make this delish dish:

I decided that I wanted to add the Rosemary after my initial ingredient photo shoot.

Ok, seriously y'all - this is the easiest recipe EVER.  Ready....
Step 1. Microwave bag of Cauliflower florets per instructions on package.  Open bag.
Step 2. Place steamed cauliflower in food processor/blender with all other ingredients and pulse to desired consistency.  

Ok, so it still has some of the sinful ingredients that make Paula Deen proud like butter, parmesan and cream cheese but overall I think it is still a healthier option than the original. 

Garlic & Rosemary Mashed Cauliflower
Adapted from Food Network

Ingredients

• 1 bag microwave-ready cauliflower florets
• 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder ( you can use fresh garlic but I find it a little too spicy for this and prefer the powder)
• 1/8 teaspoon straight chicken bullion
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh or dry rosemary
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

1. Microwave cauliflower florets using instructions on package.
2. Placed steamed cauliflower in a food processor or blender with remaining ingredients.  Pulse until desired consistency is reached. Use a spatula to scrape sides of food processor in between pulsing to ensure even texture.
3. Serve immediately.

Click here for a printable version of this recipe

Creamy Asiago Orzo

Ok, so I lied... I had told everyone to check back in today for a warm soup recipe but when I got home from work last night I was HUNGRY and soup just didn't seem like it would fit the bill. So, I decided to make Italian Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Asiago & Lemon Orzo by Sarcastic Cooking.  I'll post about the chicken later because I do not want to take away from the star of this show - the orzo. It is creamy and scrumptious and I recommend you make this instant! This orzo recipe reminds me of a favorite risotto recipe except foolproof and without constant stirring. It's really a win win.

So, here are the main players in the orzo: 

Flour, Italian seasoned bread crumbs, orzo, asiago cheese, lemon, onion, butter, 2% milk, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (you caught me, not ALL items in my pantry are F&E but MOST are) **Note: I cut the original recipe in half and omitted the dill because I am not a huge fan **

First, boil a pot of water and cook orzo as directed on package.

While your waiting on the orzo, melt your butter and add your chopped onion. Saute until translucent. Add garlic and saute about a minute more. 

Add flour and wisk until well combined then add milk and wisk until well combined and lump-free.

ADD CHEESE! (I accidentally added too much cheese but then just added a little extra milk to smooth it out.) The consistency should be smooth and creamy, not sticky. 

Add the salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, lemon zest & juice.

About the time you finish your sauce, the orzo should also be done - drain it and add it to the cream mixture.

Mix the sauce and orzo together until evenly coated. Transfer to a baking dish. Combine melted butter and Italian seasoned bread crumbs - sprinkle over the top of the dish.  Top with extra asiago cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Then serve and enjoy! The hubby and I both loved this dish and I will definitely be making it again.

I served it with a simple Italian Parmesan crusted chicken breast and it was delish.  I'll be sure to post that recipe later. 

Thanks for reading!