Delicious Dinner: Two useful recipes

Though this meal does not have that much that is new for me to share with you, I wanted to post as I haven't in a while. For this meal, I used Amy's California Burger. With it, I made a basic roll "not so basic" and delicious simple mashed potatoes.

Delicious Dinner: Basic Mashed Potatoes and Roll "Revival"

Though the burger doesn't look too great smooshed on the bread, trust me... it was tasty.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

1 Amy's California Burger (Low Sodium)

1 white roll

1 tbsp olive oil

1 pinch selected spices (I chose crushed red pepper, cilantro, onion powder, parsley, pepper, and garlic powder)

Parmesan cheese (optional)

1/2 avocado

1/4 sweet onion (sauteed)

3 russet potatoes

2 tbsp sour cream

1/8 cup half and half

1-2 tbsp butter

1 tsp parsley

chives (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Basic Mashed Potatoes

1. Bake potatoes until soft. (In microwave 3 potatoes takes about 12 minutes.)

2. Put immediately into pot and allow to steam with top on for 4-5 minutes

3. Once quite soft, mash.

4. Add sour cream and half and half (or milk) and continue mashing

5. Add butter and mix in.

6. Add spices (if desired) and mash until desired texture.

7. Enjoy!

Making a Basic Roll not so basic..

1. Turn oven to "Broil"

2. Line pan with parchment paper

3. Brush spiced olive oil (use any spices you want!) on roll

4.  Top with parmesan cheese

5. On pan, insert into broiler until browned (2-4 minutes)

6. Flip roll over and insert into broiler until browned and/or crunchy (2-4 minutes)

7. Take out and top with whatever you desire (I did sauteed onions, avocado, and a veggie burger).

8. Enjoy!

Garlic Sauce Stir Fry

First, I am sorry for the delay. School has been picking up and so the recipes have been fewer. I will be sure to post more though! For this dinner, I decided to work with these tofu puffs I had just gotten as well as, some lovely vegetables I got from the Asian Market. So tasty and enough for two.

Garlic Sauce Stir Fry

I decided to have sushi rice on the side but, it is up to you. It's very easy.. get ready!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes (not including rice)

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 package of tofu puffs (8 pieces)

5-6 mini bok choy (sliced)

1 medium Japanese eggplant (diced)

1/4 cup bean sprouts

1/4 cup soy sauce

1-2 tbsp chili garlic sauce (depending on spice level)

1-2 tbsp sugar

1-2 tsp ginger (crushed)

pepper to taste

sushi rice (optional)

Directions

1. Sauté eggplant in olive oil for 3-4 minutes or until tender.

2. Once tender, set aside.

3. Add bok choy to pan and sauté until leaves are wilted.

4. Add eggplant, bokchoy, and tofu puffs back into pan.

5. Pour sauce over all

6. Add bean sprouts and cover.

7. Turn heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes or until fully covered.

8. Enjoy with rice, noodles, or alone. 

Decorated Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

I've decided that I want to try baking cupcakes a lot and getting better on decorating. Therefore, there will probably be many cupcake recipes and decorating delights to come. Beware!

Decorated Vanilla Cupcakes with Buttercream Frosting

Let the cupcakes begin...

This recipe was found in Joy of Baking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Cooling Time: 10 minutes

Frosting/Decorating Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 60 minutes

Vanilla Cupcakes

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

2/3 cup white sugar

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

Zest of 1 lemon (I used an orange.)

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF

2. Line muffin tin with 12 liners

3. In bowl, beat the butter and sugar until fluffy and light.

4. Add eggs (one at a time), beating well after each.

5. Add/Beat in vanilla extract.

6. In a second bowl, mix zest, flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly mixed.

7. Add dry mixture and milk to other mixture in three additions gradually until both are used up. 

8. Fill muffin tins about 3/4 full.

9. Bake for 17-20 minutes (or until a toothpick goes in clean)

10. Let cool for 10-15 minutes then frost and decorate.

*For decorations, I used: tootsie rolls, jolly ranchers, sprinkles, m&ms, and gummy fruit slices

11. Enjoy!

Frosting

Ingredients

2 cups confectioners sugar

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tbsp milk or cream ( I used half & half.)

Assorted food colors (optional)

Directions

1. Cream butter until smooth.

2. Add vanilla extract.

3. Gradually beat in sugar.

4. Add milk and beat until light and fluffy.

5. Add food coloring, if desired.

6. Enjoy!

Vegetarian "Shepherd's Pie"

Because my family is going on vacation this week for Spring Break, I am trying to finish most things in my fridge. It is not easy! But, this was a tasty and quick meal to do just that but, also why it may seem a bit random in terms of ingredients. Just go with it, it's really good.

Vegetarian "Shepherd's Pie"

A mush of goodness...

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup mashed potatoes (Follow recipe here)

4 baby carrots (steamed and cut)

1/2 onion (chopped and sautéed)

1/2 cup baked beans

1/2 cup chickpeas

1/2 cup vegetables of choice i.e- eggplant, zucchini (chopped)

1 tsp jalepeños (chopped)

1 1" slice of Gimme Lean ground beef (optional)

1 clove garlic (diced)

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp parsley 

salt and pepper to taste

thyme, marjoram, and parsley to garnish

Directions

1. Follow mashed potato recipe (above), however, I would subtract the roasted garlic/onions.

2. Steam baby carrots until they are easy to stab.

3. Sauté garlic until fragrant

4. Add onion, jalepeños, and carrots.

5. Add baked beans, chickpeas, Gimme Lean, and vegetables

6. Add spices and allow to simmer.

7. Plate with mashed potatoes on top.

8. Garnish with marjoram, thyme, parsley, and salt.

9. Enjoy!

Breakfast Sushi

I was feeling adventurous with my breakfast so instead of doing the usual breakfast sandwich, I decided to do a twist on scrambled eggs... in sushi (one of my favorite meals). I topped it with a little soy sauce to keep with the traditional sushi feel. But, if you wanted to, you could top it with nothing or just salt or ketchup even. So many options!

Breakfast Sushi

If you like sushi and you like breakfast.. this is perfect for you!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time (including rice): 20 minutes

Wait Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups sushi rice (cooked- Recipe Here)

Nori

1/2 avocado (or vegetable of choice- sliced thinly)

2 eggs (scrambled)

1/4 cup mushrooms, onions, and peppers(sauteed)

1 tbsp soy sauce

Directions

1. Scramble egg and slice into strips.

2. Add rice to nori

3. Sauté onions, peppers, and mushrooms.

4. Add egg and other fillings of choice to center of roll

5. Roll carefully and tightly, making sure the seal is being made (if you have a mat, this helps too!)

6. Cut with serrated knife to make pieces

7. Serve with soy sauce.

8. Enjoy!

Pan-fried Salmon and Roasted Garlic-Onion Mashed Potatoes

Recently the frozen salmon fillets were on sale at the store so now I'm having an exciting time trying to figure out new recipes and new ways to cook it. I also haven't made mashed potatoes in a while and then thinking to myself.. I decided they would go well together! (And leftover mashed potatoes are never a bad thing). Though, I feel like the salmon was a bit over cooked, it was still tasty as it had a somewhat smoky flavor with the mashed potatoes. Then I drizzled it all with an herbed butter.

Pan-fried Salmon and Roasted Garlic-Onion Mashed Potatoes Drizzled with Herbed Butter

It looks fancy and difficult but, yet... so easy! Serve it all with a side salad. Yum.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

(for both)

Pan-Fried Salmon

Ingredients

1 salmon fillet (thawed if frozen)

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Directions

1. Mix olive oil, salt, pepper (and any other spices you desire) in a small bowl

2. Coat the salmon with this mixture

3. Heat up skillet and coat with olive oil

4. Place on skillet and cook 3-5 minutes each side)

5. When salmon is flaky yet, browned to your desire, it is done.

6. Enjoy!

Roasted Garlic-Onion Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients

4 medium sized potatoes (choose your favorite type)

1 clove garlic

1/8 onion (diced)

1 tbsp butter

1/4 cup half and half

2 tbsp unflavored Greek yogurt

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

about 1/4 tsp Italian spices (oregano, basil, parsley, crushed red pepper)

Directions

1. Bake or boil potatoes until soft enough to pierce with fork

2. While potatoes are cooking, add garlic to skillet with olive oil.

3. Brown garlic slightly with heat on low. 

4. Garlic is done when it is soft.

5. Sauté onions until soft.

6. Add garlic and onions to bowl.

7. Add butter and spices.

8. Add potatoes and begin to mash.

9. Add half and half and Greek yogurt.

10. Mash more until smooth and creamy. 

11. Enjoy!

Herbed Butter

Ingredients

1 tbsp Unsalted butter

1/4 tsp Italian Vinaigrette dressing

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Melt butter 

2. Add vinaigrette and spices

3. Drizzle over salmon and potatoes

4. Enjoy.

Sweet Coconut Rice

I was really in the mood for some dessert and because I had so much leftover rice, I figured: Why not try something with that? So, coconut rice was an idea. It turned out really nice and not overly sweet. So easy too! I served this with pineapple.

Sweet Coconut Rice

Keep in mind, this recipe is not exact so, use your tastebuds to guide you!

Prep Time: 3 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup cooked rice

1/4 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup milk

1 tbsp sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla

Directions

1. Add rice, milk, and sugar to pan.

2. Stir until begins to simmer

3. Add cinnamon and vanilla.

4. Allow to simmer a bit more and taste for the right sweetness

5. Pair with pineapple, mango, or any fruit of choice and top with cinnamon.

6. Enjoy!