The Good Stuff

Salmon offers a heart healthy dose of omega-3 fat - the good kind of fat everybody needs! Here is an easy and delicious little salmon dish anyone can prepare!

Here's all you need:

One small can salmon ( wild-caught - avoid farm raised fish )
four eggs beaten light
four tablespoons melted butter (not hot)
one half cup fine bread crumbs

Season the salmon with salt, pepper, and parsley.

Chop the fish fine, then rub in butter till smooth.

Beat crumbs into egg and season before putting with fish.

Butter your baking dish and bake for one hour!

Keep eating healthy foods and enjoy these last few days of 2008!

The Christmas Chocolates

"The people who make constant use of chocolate are the ones who enjoy the most steady health, and are the least subject to a multitude of little ailments which destroy the comfort of life" an excerpt from an early 20th century dietitian.

Christmas means lots of tasty treats. Rich, delicious sweets. Chocolate everything! Here is an easy to make chocolate and maple walnut delicacy sure to leave a smile on your lips!

White of 1 egg,
3 tablespoonfuls of maple syrup ( use real maple syrup! ),
1 tablespoonful of water,
sifted confectioner's sugar,
1 teaspoonful of vanilla extract,
2 or more squares of Baker's Chocolate,
walnuts halves.

Beat the egg white slightly.
Melt the chocolate over hot water in a double boiler.
add the syrup, water, sugar as needed,
the melted chocolate, and the vanilla
add a little more water if necessary.

Work with a silver plated knife and knead until thoroughly mixed.

Then break off small pieces of uniform size and roll them into balls, in the hollow of the hand, flatten the balls a little, set the half of an English walnut upon each, pressing the nut into the candy and thus flattening it still more.

The maple gives the chocolate a particularly nice flavor!

Share with family and friends for best results! Or, if you're feeling especially giving try giving some to your boss or a favorite customer! They'll love the personal touch and beg you for your secret recipe!

More about chocolate and some tasty fudge here.

Merry Christmas!

Delicious Christmas Treats

Enjoy these delicious applesauce cookies with a warm cup of coffee this Christmas!

Here's all you'll need:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts nuts

So easy to make:

Whip sugar, butter and egg.

In a separate bowl, combine baking soda, flour, salt, and cinnamon. Mix well.

Stir flour mixture into butter and egg mixture just until moist.

Add in the applesauce, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts.

Drop dough by heaping teaspoon several inches apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

Sprinkle a little brown sugar on top just after you remove them from the oven!

Share these delicious Holiday treats with your family, friends and co-workers this Holiday season!

And don't forget to keep eating healthy too!

Merry Christmas!

What do you get your Mom who has everything?

What do you get your parents who seem to have everything? Maybe this year we’ll get our folks something they will actually use. Mom and Dad both love to cook. Their delightful culinary creations have warmed our tummies for years. The pleasing aroma upon entering Mom’s kitchen is always a treat.

Her spaghetti sauce is one of my favorites. The unmistakable aroma of Mom’s marinara simmering on the stove top signaled a delicious evening meal was in the works! She’d start her preparations early in the afternoon. Washing tomatoes and herbs. Making sure her large sauce pan and large stock pot were spotless. Move loved making spaghetti and it showed! We loved coming home from school to that pleasing aroma.

Growing up in a large, middle class family we weren’t even aware that spaghetti sauce came in a jar or can. It wasn’t until college that I discovered you could shell out a couple bucks and get a jar of pre-made sauce. I’m all for convenience and easy. And still nothing comes close to Mom’s homemade spaghetti sauce.

Dad’s pizza night was always a treat! He loved making Pizza and we loved eating it! Growing up we didn’t know the ease and convenience of pizza delivery! Luckily we have a Dad who loves pizza and knows how to make an incredibly delicious pizza pie!

Maybe this Christmas I’ll get Mom another piece of copper-core cookware. She might enjoy a new Chef’s pan or maybe even another saucier. Thank goodness we can still buy gourmet stainless steel cookware made right here in the USA!

Maybe I'll convince her to make spaghetti!

Merry Christmas!

Delicious Coffee Cake!

What would the Holidays be without a delicious coffee cake? Why wait for Christmas to enjoy this tasty treat? Try this easy and nutritious coffee cake at your next brunch or anytime!

Here is all you need:

1 egg
1/2 cup low or nonfat milk
1/2 cup yogurt, nonfat plain (or vanilla - if you prefer)
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel (yellow only)
2 cups all-purpose flour ( make one cup Whole Wheat! )
2/3 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup frozen blueberries

Now, for the topping you'll need:

For the topping:
1/2 Cup brown sugar
3 Tablespoons chopped walnuts
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

In a large bowl whisk together the egg, milk, yogurt, oil and lemon peel.

Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt onto the liquid ingredients. Using a fork, stir gently, just until ingredients are combined.

Gently add the blueberries. Pour the batter into an 8- or 9-inch baking pan coated with nonstick spray.

In a small bowl combine the topping ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over the cake batter.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes ( on the center rack ) or until the top is lightly browned. ( Or it passes the toothpick test - insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean - you're all set! )

Allow the cake to cool in the baking pan for 5 or 10 minutes. This delicious coffee cake tastes great served warm. Or, wrap and freeze some for a late-night treat later!

Blueberries are truly one of nature's superfoods! Enjoy this healthy coffee cake and keep eating healthy!