Flounder with Outrageous Crab Stuffing Crust

Need I say more?? This recipe was fantastic! If you love crab cakes or stuffed Flounder, you would really enjoy this. It all came about because we went to the fish market and ended up with some very over-sized Flounder fillets. I asked for enough fish to feed two people, but what I got was enough to feed about four. The fillets were HUGE. I had stuffed flounder in mind, but when I got home I realized rolling these into neat little packages was not going to work out so well. I also was concerned that the fillets would remain raw in the middle because they were so thick. Sooo...I decided to lightly pan fry them first in some butter and paprika. Then I placed them in a baking dish and lightly pressed the crab stuffing on top. I guess you could call this "Open Faced Stuffed Flounder" lol. Then I drizzled some light olive oil on ( for extra crunch ) and garnished with lemon slices. Stuck it in the oven for 25 minutes at 400 degrees, and Voila! Perfectly cooked fish with a crunchy crab topping. Don't forget the tartar sauce and lemon : )



Crab Stuffing:

1 can crab meat ( with claw meat ) - Trader Joe's Brand
1/4 cup light mayo
1 TB Dijon mustard
1 egg ( I used 2 eggwhites)
1/2 red bell pepper - finely diced
1/2 small white onion - finely diced
1 large rib celery - finely diced
3/4 cup bread crumbs ( I used whole wheat - Whole Foods Brand)
Juice of half of lemon
Ground Pepper
Paprika - to garnish
1 TB Butter
Olive Oil

Melt butter over medium heat. Add diced bell pepper, onion, and celery. While this is cooking, combine mayo, egg, mustard and lemon in a large bowl. Add crab meat. When veggie mixture is tender, remove from heat and let cool 1 minute. Then add into crab mixture. Then mix in the bread crumbs and ground pepper. If mixture appears too dry, add a splash of milk or chicken broth. Should be moist, but not mushy.

Thank God for German Food...Apple Pork Chops, Red Cabbage & Potatoes

This has to be one of my all time favorite comfort foods. Pork chops, Potatoes and Red Cabbage. Everything smells wonderful as it cooks and it just puts me in the greatest mood. I found this recipe for Apple Pork chops from an old cookbook I had sitting around collecting dust, lol. Who knew! Basically you braise the pork chops in a little bit of butter until they are browned on both sides. Remove them from the pan. Then you add another pat of butter, and saute some sliced tart apples ( 3 small ones ) and a dash of cinnamon until the apples are slightly tender. Place the apples on the bottom of a baking dish, place the pork chops on top, and top it all off with a mixture of Dijon mustard, sour cream and chicken broth. Bake for 25 minutes until nice a bubbly. Oh mama!

Something New to the Table...Indian!

This is the first time that we tried Indian cuisine. I must say it was awesome! I was a little bit wary about tasting curry because the smell of it isn't too appealing to me. However, once you get past the smell, you find out that the flavor is really enjoyable and it tastes better and better with every bite. I got the recipe from the back of a jar of "Masala Simmer Sauce" from Whole Foods. I simmered some chicken thighs and served this over Jasmine rice. I also purchased some curried lentils and red beans and mixed this with fresh asparagus. Not bad, bad. Had some cucumber salad with yogurt and fresh cilantro. And you cannot forget the irresistable...toasty...chewy...crunchy...buttery Naan! The best part of the meal : )

Steamed Mussels and Clam Chowder

As you can see, we've been on a real seafood kick this past week. I can say that I was inspired by all the yummy seafood we had in Connecticut at this adorable family owned restaurant in Mystic Seaport. We didn't get their infamous lobster roll, but enjoyed their lump crabcakes, clam chowder and steamed mussels. I really enjoyed the taste of the mussels and wanted to try making them myself. They are soooo easy to make! Literally, 4 minutes to cook. (And about an hour to eat!).

alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509892848824918482" />

I found the mussel "bath" recipe on the food network recipe. It's really easy:

1 can diced tomatoes
3 cloves garlic
1 cup chicken broth
bunch of fresh cilantro
Splash of cooking wine

Bring all of the ingredients to a boil. Then add your mussels and steam them for 4 minutes, or until all of them have opened. Serve with melted butter ( I added minced garlic and red pepper flakes to mine - delicious!).

The clam chowder was awesome too! I made a low-fat version using 1% milk and flour to help thicken the soup. We purchased the fresh clams and mussels from our local famrer's market. When it comes to seafood, gotta buy fresh! It's worth the extra bucks.

Tropical Mahi Mahi Dinner

The other day I was checking out all of the different kinds of fish in the Whole Foods freezer isle. I was tempted to stick with the flounder but I wanted to try something different this time around. Man, was I glad I did! Mahi Mahi is a wonderful fish. It has a delicate flavor, but a denser texture, almost like chicken. I actually fooled Ervis into thinking he was eating chicken the first minute or so...lol.

I prepared the fish filets by marinating them in pineapple juice, sherry, garlic and soysauce. Then they were stuck under the broiler for about 5 minutes on each side. I made a fresh pineapple and mango salsa with red onion, cilantro and lime juice. Mmm! A side of rice and tangy black beans complimented the dish nicely. Not to mention my hawaiian slaw that I threw together using the extra pineapple, cabbage, toasted sesame seeds, lime and mayo. It was definitely a night in taste bud paradise : )

Oh and forgot to mention that we had coconut pineapple smoothies for dessert!

My First Dessert Post: Summer Berry Mousse Tart

This is definitely one of those "Semi-Homemade" type of desserts that just tastes like you slaved away in the kitchen all day to prepare. I purchased some individual vanilla cake shells. Sliced them in half and filled them with Jell-O dark chocolate mousse. Then topped them with vanilla custard, blackberries, strawberries and chocolate sauce. Can't forget the whipped cream! So creamy and unbelievably low-fat! If I calculate this, it's roughly 250 calories per dessert! Not too shabby if I say so myself!

Supplies: Makes 2 individual desserts

2 Vanilla cake shells ( 100 calories each!)
1 Jell-O fat-free chocolate Mousse Cup
1 fat-free Jell-O Vanilla Pudding Cup
Light Whipped Cream ( or cool whip )
Fat-Free Chocolate Syrup
Fresh strawberries & Blackberries
Cinnamon

Grilled Herbed Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomato Orzo Salad

Took advantage of the grill again! These French style chicken thighs were the way to go! Went to Whole Foods yesterday and splurged on some organic chicken. Boy did it pay off! The meat was so tender and fresh. It went well with the orzo salad with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes from our new garden terrace : )


Herb Marinade

Olive Oil
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 tsp dried Rosemary
1 tsp dried Thyme
1 tsp Garlic Powder
Sea Salt
Black Pepper

Coat chicken thighs in olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with seasonings on both sides. I removed the chicken skin first and this still turned out nice and crispy.

Orzo Salad

Cold orzo pasta ( about 2 cups cooked )
2 TB Olive Oil
2 TB vinegar
S&P
Fresh Basil to taste
Dried Oregano to taste
1/3 grated Parm/Romano Cheese
Handful of cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

Toss all of the ingredients and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.

Penne with Bay Scallops

I think I'm in love with scallops. I can't get enough of those sweet and tender little gems of goodness. They go with almost anything and they're so easy to prepare. This was a quick meal that required very little effort. I had a bag of frozen mixed veggies from Trader Joe's ( peppers, sweet onions and artichokes) that I sautéed in some garlic and olive oil. Then I tossed in my scallops, fresh lemon juice, s&p and a dash of pepper flakes. Served it all over penne pasta with a garden salad. Easy and delish!

Bean and Sausage Slow Cooker Soup

Last week the hubby and I were craving a good bean soup. Too hot for soup, I know. But that didn't stop us! What made it even better was that I made it in the slow cooker and forgot about it for 8 hours of the day. Didn't even make the house hot! Boy were we happy with the way it turned out. The beans were nice and tender and the broth was flavorful from the sausage and garlic. Mmm..mmm..good!

Made a little corn bread in the toaster oven too!

Apricot Ginger Glazed Salmon

Ok folks, this recipe was the bomb!

We're really having fun with the new grill. Veggies turn out awesome! So crunchy on the outside and sweet and juicy on the inside.

As you can see, the hubby was very amused that I was out there doing my thing! Thanks for the photos Erv.








Recipe for Glaze:

3 TB Apricot Preserves ( I used natural no sugar added with the pieces of fruit - don't use jelly )
2 TB Lite Soy Sauce
2 Cloves Garlic
1 TB fresh grated ginger
Black Pepper

Mix all of the ingredients together and gently brush onto salmon steaks. Make sure your grill is hot and well oiled. You do NOT want these babies to stick. I had the misfortune of losing the tail end on one of my steaks. Cook for approx 3- 5 minutes on each side, depending on how thick the steaks are. Serve over wild rice with scallions and grilled veggies. We LOVE asparagus. Yum-O!

This sauce would probably be even better if I had let it sit overnight...but I can't think that far ahead and I don't always have the patience when it comes to food!

Backyard BBQ for Two

First night we used the grill! Nothing like honey BBQ chicken and all the fixens. Gotta give credit to my BBQ Erv : ) The hot weather finally let up for a night so it was enjoyable to sit outside and eat in the yard. Then the mosquitos came and we had to run in! Bzzzz......bzzzz....bzzz...shoo fly!

Parmesan Cod with Spinach Marinara

Hello Everyone! I know, I know...it's been too long since I updated my blog. I've just been so darn busy! This past weekend I had a wonderful time in Cape May with my mom and sister. What a beautiful town! So many pretty things to look at and the food....oh my! We went to The Carriage House which is a little tea room that serves yummy sandwiches, scones and cakes. How charming it was! They had a nice area to dine outside, but the weather was too hot for it to be enjoyable. Maybe next time!

So the other night I came up with this recipe for parmesan cod. It was very simple and all the flavors came together nicely. I love the combination of seafood and pasta...and parmesan cheese!

Here's the recipe:

Spinach Marinara

1 large can italian plum tomatoes

4 shallots

2 cloves garlic

fresh basil ( about 4 leaves)

2 Bay leaves

3 TB olive oil

S&P

Sprinkle of red pepper flakes

Splash of red wine vinegar

Bundle of fresh spinach - wash well!

Heat olive oil over med heat. Add diced shallots and cook until soft - 5 minutes. Add chopped garlic and cook another minute. Add a splash of red wine and stir well. Add can of tomatoes ( I crushed them first with my hands), bay leaves, S&P,basil and pepper flakes. Reduce heat and simmer until bubbly and slightly thickened - about 10 minutes. Add roughly chopped spinach and cook another 2-3 minutes. Sauce is done!

While sauce is cooling down, cook your favorite pasta. I used whole wheat spaghetti - al dente. Make sure you salt the water well.

Now for the fish:

2 Cod Filets

Black Pepper

Lemon

Paprika

2 TB Parmesan Cheese

2 TB Butter(I used Smart Balance) & splash of olive oil.

Melt butter with a splash of olive oil in a large skillet. Be careful not to burn the butter. Coat the cod filets with parmesan cheese and black pepper on both sides. Add to pan and cook until browned on one side. About 3 minutes. Once you turned and browned both sides, squeeze the juice of 1 lemon on top and sprinkle with Paprika.

Serve the fish with the pasta and marinara sauce. Sprinkle with lots of parmesan cheese! Enjoy!

Turkey Meatballs in a Herbed Goat Cheese and Shallot Sauce

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! We took ourselves and the kitties to Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island. Oh, what a beautiful and relaxing time we had. Now it's back to reality...and this dreadful 105 degree weather!

Tonight's dinner was scrumptious. We had Erv's fresh garden salad with olive oil and vinegar. So simple, yet so good. The main course was turkey meatballs in a herbed goat cheese, shallot and mushroom sauce served over wild rice. I made the sauce by sautéing shallots in some butter and olive oil. Then I tossed in some button mushrooms, sherry wine and herbed goat cheese. As the cheese started to melt, I added some beef broth and a dash of thyme. Lastly, I tossed in the turkey meatballs and some scallions and cooked until nice and bubbly. Yum!

Recipe:

1/2 PKG turkey meatballs ( I love Stony Brook Farms)
Pre-cooked wild rice ( 1.5 cups dry - made with chicken stock and bay leaf )
4 small shallots
Handful button mushrooms
3 TB herbed goat cheese
2 scallions
1 TB butter
1 TB olive oil
1 TB Sherry wine
1/4 cup beef or chicken broth
Dash of dry thyme
S & P to taste

Heat olive oil and butter in large skillet. Add finely sliced shallots and cook until lightly browned. Add mushrooms and sherry. Cook 2 minutes. Add herbed goat cheese and beef broth. Mix well. Top with thyme and chopped scallion. Thaw turkey meatballs for 1 minute in microwave. Chop into cubes and add to sauce. Cook another 2 minutes. Serve over wild rice pilaf. Enjoy!

Vegetable Almond Fried Rice with Fried Eggs

We wanted something quick and tasty for dinner. I was craving Chinese, so I made some vegetable fried rice, tossed in some slivered almonds and topped it all off with some fried eggs. We weren't sure what to expect, but were pleasantly surprised with the result. This was delicious and I would definitely make it again! I rate this recipe a 10!

My vegetable Fried Rice Recipe:

2 Cups Prepared White Rice - cooled
2 TB Olive or vegetable oil
2 TB Soy Sauce
2 Cloves Garlic
1 TB Honey
1 Tsp Chinese Ground Ginger
3 Scallions
2 TB Sliced Almonds
Black Pepper
Bag of Frozen Stir-fry Veggies

Heat oil in skillet. Add chopped garlic and scallions. Cook for 2 minutes until golden. Add soy sauce, honey and ginger. Stir well. Transfer mixture to bowl. Add white rice to hot pan and brown lightly. Add back sauce and veggies and sliced Almonds. Cook another 2 minutes until veggies are hot. Top with soft fried eggs. Finish with a little cracked black pepper. Enjoy!

Fajita Style Grilled Chicken Over Cheesy Polenta

Dinner was delicious tonight! We're stuffed, but in a good way :) I whipped up some cheesy instant polenta and grilled our favorite Trader Joe's Chili Lime Chicken Burgers. I topped it all with some Trader Joe's Cuban Style Black Beans, sautéed peppers and mushrooms, guacamole salsa verde, and sour cream. Woo! Spicy stuff, but oh so creamy and comforting. Thanks to Trader Joe's, dinner rocked! I would rate this meal a 9.

It's Pizza Night

So I went to Trader Joe's the other night to pick up some of my favorite prepared things. Something new caught my eye in the refrigerated section: Garlic and herb pizza dough. Sounded very tasty, so I picked up a bag, along with some part-skim mozzarella, spicy turkey sausage, and a carton of mushrooms.

~

Tonight when we got home from work, I realized I didn't have any marinara on hand. No worries! I had a can of diced tomatoes in the pantry. So I quickly whipped up my own marinara by sautéing the tomatoes with garlic, olive oil, basil, S&P and a pinch of brown sugar. Tasty!

I stretched the dough, and it felt pretty soft and elastic. Pretty good for being in a bag for 2 days or more. I sauced it up, sprinkled on the cheese and toppings ( I added some chopped red onion to the mix) and put it in the oven 425 degrees for 15 minutes.

Here's the result. Crispy crust on the edges. A bit doughy in the center. Cheese was slightly on the rubbery side, lol. Let's just say it wasn't the best pizza I ever made. But it still beat the heck out of frozen boxed pizza. The garlic and herb crust had a sweet aftertaste. The red onion and turkey sausage gave it so much flavor. On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this pizza a 7. Would I buy the garlic and herb dough again? Probably not. I'll stick with my whole wheat honey dough : )

First Blog : )

This is my first blog : ) Welcome to "The Melvis Kitchen". Wonder where I came up with that name? Melissa + Ervis ( my hubby) = Melvis. Interesting, I know.

I will try to post new recipes & photos each night of the week. Wish me luck!