Project Paula: Food

Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Food. Show all posts

RECIPE | My AVOCADO Smash Brunch Bowl


I enjoy preparing and especially enjoying Mexican-inspired dishes. This fresh and delicious Avocado Smash Bowl was a bright take on brunch fare or a remixed salad! I first had an interpretation of this dish in my work cafeteria. While rushing out of the house one morning, I left my lunch behind. So, I had to venture to our company cafeteria around noon. I noticed one of the cafeteria employees at a new station that offered made-to-order brunch items. I was intrigued! I chose a rendition of this bowl and enjoyed it so much - I was hooked. So hooked that I had to try my own version. All of the ingredients were real, accessible, and easy to assemble in under 20 minutes!

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How I made it...


Ingredients
- Avocado
- Fresh Spinach
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Tortillas
- Feta Cheese
- Eggs
- Butter
- Lemon
- Black Pepper
- Salt
- Optional: Vinegarette, Red Pepper Flakes

Helpful Cooking Tools

Instructions

Pan-Seared Tomatoes: Heat a Cast Iron Skillet to medium heat. Spray the pan with oil. Once hot, place half-sliced cherry tomatoes into the pan and cook until tender. Feel free to add salt and pepper to taste.

Tortillas: Heat a Cast Iron Skillet on low heat. Spray the pan with oil. Once hot, place the full tortilla into the bottom of the pan. Let set for 20 seconds, then flip and let cook for another 20 seconds. Remove from the pan and once slightly cooled, cut into triangles. You can also cut into triangles ahead of cooking - up to you!

Avocado Smash: Cut an avocado in half and discard the pit. Using the tip of a paring knife, score the avocado flesh into medium squares. Use a large spoon to scoop out the cubes into a bowl. Top the Avocado with fresh or dry herbs and seasonings. Squeeze a quarter of a lemon. Mash the mixture together until you reach the desired consistency.

Over Easy Eggs: Crack 2 large eggs into a small bowl. Heat a nonstick skillet over low heat and add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter. When the butter stops foaming, pour the eggs into the pan. Season with 1 pinch of salt and 1 grind of black pepper and cook, still over low heat, for 1 to 11/2 minutes. Check the whites for opaqueness; when they are set, flip the eggs. As the eggs turn, try to bring the pan up to meet them. Return the pan to the heat and slowly count to 10. Re-flip the eggs to their original side. (This time it won't be so tricky.) Slide onto a warmed plate and serve immediately with toast for wiping up all the goodness. 

Place fresh greens of your choice in a large bowl. Drizzle the greens with a vinaigrette or lemon juice/oil dressing. Assemble the over-easy Eggs, smashed Avocado, and seared Tomatoes atop the greens. Sprinkle with Feta crumbles. Add Tortilla slices for garnish/enjoyment. 

Recipe Substitutions and Tips
  1. Take it easy on mashing up those avocados; leave a few chunks for texture.
  2. Want a perfect fried egg? Start by cracking them into a cup or bowl first, then slowly add to a heated and buttered pan. This step eliminates shell pieces being included in your egg and helps maintain the shape of it. Oh, most important - it won't break your yolk!
  3. Add a hash underneath. Really want to take this brunch dish up a notch? Fry or bake some potatoes to add to the bowl.

Try it out and let me know what you think!



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RECIPE | Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes with Stonewall Kitchen Lemon Herb Aioli


It is officially Lenten season, and you can't look too far without seeing a fish or seafood special on menus to accommodate customers who observe it. Now, before you go out and indulge in a BOGO Filet-o-Fish deal, I'd definitely suggest you try this flavorful and delicious Crab Cake recipe.

I would be remiss if I didn't credit the gentleman who shared this recipe with me shortly before his retirement from our company - after 40 years! Farmer Dennis, affectionately nicknamed "Dennis the Menace." He is hilarious, tough, boisterous, the opposite of politically-correct, sometimes cantankerous, and lovable all at the same time! A bit crunchy on the outside, but soft on the inside... just like this dish!

How I made it...

Ingredients:

- 1 Pound Lump Crab Meat
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 Tablespoon of Mayonaise
- 1 Tablespoon of Parsley
- 1 Teaspoon of Mustard
- Pinch of Cayenne Pepper
- Pinch of White Pepper
- Pinch of Fresh Ground Black Paper
- 4 Drops of Hot Sauce
- 1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt
- 5 Water Crackers
- 1/4 Cup of Melted Unsalted Butter
- Lemon Juice
- Stonewall Kitchen Lemon Herb Aioli

A Few Helpful Cooking Tools:

- Food Prep Gloves - $9.88
- OXO Good Grips Fish Turner Spatula - $13.99
- Wooden Bamoo Utensil Set - $10.69

Instructions:

  1. With a wooden spoon, fold in the following items: Egg, Mayonaise, Parsley, Mustard, Black, White, and Cayenne Pepper, Hot Sauce, Sea Salt, and Water Crackers. 
  2. Add in the Jumbo Lump Crab and mix thoroughly.
  3. Once all of the ingredients are combined, roll the mixture into balls (golf ball-sized) and gently flatten to shape into even cakes. 
  4. In a 12" skillet, on medium-high heat melt butter to coat the pan. 
  5. Place the Crab Cakes in the skillet and cook each side until brown (about 3-4 minutes for each side). Repeat for the remaining Crab Cakes.
  6. Pair with a green vegetable, drizzle with Lemon juice and garnish with Stonewall Kitchen's Lemon Herb Aioli (SO GOOD!)

Recipe Substitutions and Tips

- Save calories, swap Butter with Canola or other Low/No-Calorie Spray
- Save coins, try Canned Jumbo Lump Crab Meat over fresh

Enjoy!

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RECIPE | My Panera-Inspired Baja Warm Grain Bowl


There is a Panera less than a half-mile away from my home. Needless to say, I'm a regular. Usually, in the Fall/Winter months, I opt for the White Cheddar Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup - YUM! But, last week, I tried something different, and it was just as tasty.

Panera, known for its healthier take out food options, announced their new Warm Grain Bowls. These bowls come in two versions; Baja and Mediterranean. I tried the Baja (Californian-style), and it didn't disappoint! It was fulfilling and included some super nutritious and heart-healthy ingredients. With the new year, I'm challenging myself to make more of what I want at home. Luckily, I had most of the ingredients necessary and was able to further customize my very own homemade grain bowl!
How I made it...

Ingredients:
- Black and Brown Rice Mix
- Quinoa
- Vegetable Broth/Stock
- Avocado
- Black Beans
- Tomato
- Red Onion
- Plain Greek Yogurt
- Lime
- Sea Salt
- Black or White Pepper

Helpful Cooking Tools:

Instructions: In a medium pot, bring 1 and 1/2 cups of Vegetable Broth/Stock and 1 cup of Water to boil. Add 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil and 1 tablespoon of Sea Salt. Pour in 1 cup of Black and/or Brown rice mix and 1/4 cup of Quinoa and cover. Let the mixture cook (periodically stirring) until the desired grain texture is reached, then set it aside. Dice a small fresh Tomato and Red Onion and season with Pepper, Herbs, and drizzle with Lime Juice. Slice or dice an Avocado and set aside. Use 1/4-3 cup of canned Black Beans (rinsed) and set aside. Place the cooled (warmed) Rice/Quinoa mixture in a bowl. Place each fresh ingredient in sections atop the bowl. Top your dish with a dollop of Plain Greek Yogurt.


Recipe Substitutions and Tips:
- Plain Greek Yogurt -> Low Fat Sour Cream
- Black Beans -> Pinto or Kidney Beans
- Grains -> Any whole grain will do! I'll be trying this next time with Couscous, and you can even toss in some fresh Corn.

Enjoy!


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