Bar Food with a Twist

Everyone enjoys a good beer and bar food with the game, with football season starting I decided to give you a good healthy twist. Great for just the family or a small gathering to watch your team.  Start with this quick creamy blue cheese dressing.

Homemade blue cheese salad dressing:
1 spoonful of light mayo
3 spoonfuls of light sour cream
1 freshly squeezed lemon
1 stalk of green onions
3 spoonfuls of blue cheese crumbles (you can also use wedge)
Salt/pepper


1. Add all ingredients to food processor except 1 spoon of blue cheese crumbles and pulse until smooth.
2. Remove from food processor into storing container. Add last spoon of blue cheese crumbles
3. Chill before serving

I used my favorite spicy wing sauce but instead of wings skinless, boneless chicken breast sliced thin cigar style.  Use your favorite wing sauce. Overwhelm you plate with veggies instead of the classic carrots and celery.  I prepared a romaine salad with cucumbers, thinly sliced onions, sliced jalapenos and blue cheese crumbles dressed with my creamy blue cheese dressing. If you just cant do without your fries, TRY THESE OVEN BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES!  You can have them at home they are not just a bistro treat.

1 sweet potato sliced thin into fries size
salt, pepper, garlic
olive oil

1. Put oven on 450 degrees
2. Blanch sweet potatoes in boiling water for 3 minutes. Then drain, run cool water over and pat dry.
3. Combine ingredients in bowl. coat potatoes with enough oil to not stick.  This should be about 1 spoonful depending on the amount of fries you make. Toss.
4. Lay on foil covered cookie sheet. Cook for 15-20 minutes. Check for crispness
ENJOY... I promise you won't be disappointed!

Your Personal Foodie,

Digital Chef

P.S. Let the games begin!!!! Superbowl XLV

Have fun with your dinner!

Today I but a spin on a typical weekday meal in my house growing up. We just loved to coming home to mom making ground beef taco, sharp cheddar cheese and hard corn tortilla shells! I thought my mom could really cook!!! But it was a taco packet...I since I haven't sold everyone in the house on ground chicken as an alternative. I had to make both ground beef and chicken tacos to prove to them!

Today I made a homemade taco bar: avocado crema, salsa, cheddar cheese, freshly shaved asiago cheese, and tortilla chips
And everyone put their own twist on dinner! :) 

Avocado Crema

1 avocado

                                           2 spoons of sour cream

                                           2 tbs of cilantro

                                           1/2 red onion

                                           1 jalapeno

                                           1/2 freshly squeezed lime

                                           2 garlic cloves

 

1. Add all ingredients to food processor and whip until blended.

Note: feel free to pre chop if your food processor is not that sharp.

 
Salsa

2 roma tomatoes                                                                                

1/2 red onion

2 tbs cilantro

1 jalapenos

1 green onion stalk

2 garlic cloves

1/2 freshly squeezed lime

salt/pepper to taste

 
1. Combine all ingredients in food processor and blend until smooth.
Again feel free to pre chop.

 
 

Your Personal Foodie,
 
 Digital Chef
 
P.S.  Chicken Tacos, taco salads, Beef nachos and many more created!  This is also an awesome way to have a healthy snack and use up your farmer's market veggies!

How I used my items from farmer's market....

Blackened Tilapia


6 fillets
1 tbs of each paprika, pepper, garlic powder
1 tsp of each salt, dill, onion powder
Fresh squeezed lemon
3 minced garlic cloves
2 tbs of olive oil


1. Combine all ingredients
2. Non stick pan on medium high add fish cook from 3-5 minutes per side depending on thickness.
3. Topped With sweet pepper and feta relish


Summer squash


2 small size summer squash
One yellow onion
Sweet red pepper
One stalk of green onion
2 tsp of each paprika, pepper, garlic powder, salt
1 chicken bullion cube
1 tbs of butter
2 minced garlic cloves


1. Layer ingredients in hot non stick pan. Add seasonings as you layer. Cover with lid and let caramelize. Turn occasionally.
2. Cook for about 15 minutes.


Sweet pepper & Feta relish

1/2 English cucumbers
2 small sweet peppers
1 stalk of green onions
1 tbs of cilantro
Red wine vinegar
Feta cheese
1 garlic clove
Diced tomatoes
Salt/ pepper


1. Combine, chill and serve spooned on top of tilapia

This weekend from farmers market: sweet peppers, tomatoes, summer squash, green onions

Great way to combine summer veggies!


Your Personal Foodie,

Digital Chef

Things you can learn from your local Farmer's Market.....

The 17th street Farmer's Market in Richmond, VA was full of non chemically grown vegetables and fruits. I found the vendors to be very friendly, helpfully and open to giving out samples.  Since I went late Sunday afternoon there were very few poultry and meat vendors but I did stumble upon Natures Choice Farms.  This farm specializes in what they call "pastured poultry".  Unfortunately we often here organic and free range but never "pastured poultry".  Basically its chickens raised in a portable pen from the time they are three weeks old, while being feed fresh greens and bugs manually twice a day.  In the evening the are moved to a 12 foot pen, where they are given space and fresh new salad patch of greens and bugs to eat.  The purpose is to provide natural vitamins and minerals created by nature from grass and bugs.  After hearing Donna Francis, the farm manager, explain the meaning I believe this is what we all think we getting when we see the words "organic"and "free range".   I was able to sample their chicken salad and rotisserie chicken.  I must say it was moist and fresh I could taste the earthy, rich taste of the poultry. What a learning experience!

Your Personal Foodie,

Digital Chef

P.S.  I did get a few things for dinner tonight! Check back soon :)

STORMY THURSDAY NIGHT....Happy hour is still on

Today wasn't the idle summer night...with the summer coming to an end everyone wants to get the most of their "daylight happy hours" and kick off the weekend right! Unfortunately if you are on the east coast with me tonight there were tornado watches, flash floods and deadly rain.  So tonight I leave you with my current favorite martini...because its Happy Hour somewhere!

Pear Martini (sometimes known as the Pear Tree)
1-1/2 shots of pear vodka (grey goose, hanger one, absolute)
2 shots of St. Germain Elderflower liqueur
2 freshly squeezed lemons or limes (I am not picking)

1. Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass.
2. Top it off with champagne or sparkling wine
3. Enjoy a candle lit happy hour, watch the storm, and toast to the WEEKEND! I did :)

 Your Personal Foodie,

  Digital Chef

Fast Food?

Clearly no one wants to spend these HOT, summer days in the kitchen! So when my mother came home from work last night at 5:15pm she was confused when she didn’t smell food cooking yet. “Don’t worry mom it will be done 6pm, I promise.”

 California Style baja fish tacos
 These have been popping up on menus around the country since Mexican food has become the latest craze. Of course the Fish taco originates from Mexico since its been surrounded by water and great catches for years. Not so ironically, San Diego, California has made this there signature fast food dish since the 80s. And why not? They are cheap to buy and fast to make! Often served fried or grilled.


2 pounds of thick, white fillet (cod, halibut, bass, or even flounder or tilapia)*if they are long cut into good size square pieces ex. 3in X 3in

3 tsp of each paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper (go ahead and combine in small bowl)

Can of Canola oil spray (such as PAM)

1. Pat dry fish. Coat each side with seasoning. Put in sprayed pan on medium heat.

2. Do not move fish until it has begun to turn opaque half way through. This will definitely depend on what size and kind of fish you choose or had available to use. To get a good crisp crust I will suggest at least 5 minutes to 10 minutes, from thin to thick respectively. Carefully flip with a spatula. Then another 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Remove fish from pan

 Corn Tortillas

1. Brown in oven on broil. About 3 minutes per batch or until they brown. Only one side needs to brown.

2. When you remove from oven slightly form until taco shells while hot

 Pickled cabbage salad

1. Combine two diced and seeded jalapenos, half of a thinly sliced red onion, cole slaw bag, one chopped green onion stalk, 1/2 cup of cilantro, two tbsp of white wine vinegar, one freshly squeezed lime and seasoning with salt and pepper.


Put it all together! Tortilla, fish, pickled cabbage salad and a dopple of light sour cream. Fast food done right! Serve with a slice of lime.... :)

Tips: Harris teeter often has deals on fish and feel free to get whatever is on sale.  If you are lucky to live near the coast try your local fisherman, they need our support!
 
Trader Joe offers all natural corn tortilla for less than $1.50.  Made with only corn, water and lime! Not one added preservative!
 

Your Personal Foodie,

Digital Chef

P.S. Dinner was served at 6:00pm....and everyone was nice and full.  Even daddy of course he had more than 3 tacos...

Sampling Shockoe For My Richmond Locals

Many major cities do restaurant week all around the world.  Richmond is now catching on to the trendy dining extravaganza.  A week long dining event from Aug. 9-15, the best flavors of Shockoe in a three- course prix fixe menu for $30 a person. It will feature the following restaurants:

Cafe Gutenberg  http://www.cafegutenberg.com/
Dora's Brazilian Grill  http://www.dorasbraziliangrill.com/
Europa (on of my fav tapas spot in the city) http://www.europarichmond.com/
Havana '59 http://havana59.net/
The Hard Shell http://www.thehardshell.com/
Julep's New Southern Cuisine http://www.juleps.net/
La Grotta http://www.lagrottaristorante.com/
LuLu's Restaurant http://lulusrichmond.com/
Millie's Diner http://www.milliesdiner.com/
Morton's The Steakhouse http://www.mortons.com/
Old Original bookbinder's http://www.bookbindersrichmond.com/
Sam Miller's http://www.sammillers.com/
Sensi http://www.sensirestaurant.com/
Tobacco company http://www.thetobaccocompany.com/
Trevi's Restaurant http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/Richmond/Dining.aspx

Give Richmond's local and hottest restaurants a try! I doubt you will be disappointed.  I will do a review on the ones I get to.  Your feedback is welcome on your adventures too! Reservations are recommended for this event.

Your Personal Foodie,

Digital Chef

Helping Mom....

Today I solved my mother's dilemma. Many working mothers out there think that they must stick to the same weekly menus because experimenting may create a time crunch...But here is a recipe with the taste of all day simmer complete in 45 minutes or less.  A cute and healthy twist on an old tradition.

Quick stove top Curry chicken
Preheat oven 425 degrees


2 bone-in split chicken breast
2 tsp sesame seed oil
4 tbsp on organic curry powder seasoning
2 tbsp of garlic
1/2 squeezed lime
1 tsp Onion powder
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp paparika
2 tbsp of green onions
*secret ingredient 2 tbsp light sour cream
Fresh ground peppercorn
Salt
1/2 cup sliced onions
2 sliced jalapeños
1 cup of organic low sodium chicken broth

1. Coat chicken with next 8 ingredients especially on skin side.
2. Then coat with a little sour cream to lock in moisture.
3. Sauté onions and jalapeños in medium heat pan with 1 tbl olive oil. Once they start to caramelized move to center of pan and add chicken skin down. Cook for 10 minutes then turn over. Add chicken broth and put in oven for next 15 minutes or until curry broth thickens.
*feel free to add other veggies or go full vegan with carrots, mushrooms, and green peppers. Just remember to reduce cooking time, it's only veggies!
Serve with brown whole grain rice

Your Personal Foodie,

Digital Chef

Classic Story: How do get your kids (My Dad) to eat his veggies...

Monday Night

Korean BBQ Salmon & Sesame seed asparagus

Sesame Seed Asparagus
425 degree oven or hot grill wrapped in foil

1. Place Asparagus in sheet pan flat. Toss with a freshly squeezed lemon, tablespoon of garlic, 1/4 cup of sliced red onions, tablespoon or two of butter , salt and pepper and in oven for 20 minutes. Toss occasionally.

2. Once down put a dash of sesame oil and soy sauce and garnish with sesame seeds. Toss and add salt to taste.

Salmon (My recipe is for 1lb) Beware this Salmon has a KICK!
425 degree oven or medium grill/stove

1. Marinate salmon in a tablespoon of each soy sauce, sesame oil, freshly chopped green onions, deseeded jalapenos and garlic. Two tablespoons of teriyaki. A teaspoon of ginger, salt, and pepper.

2. This can be grilled, broiled, or down by stove top.   Just remember 3 to 7 minutes per side depending on thickness of the salmon. Don't let it completely cook...NEXT STEP

3. In the last minutes of cooking the Salmon baste it with Korean BBQ sauce and put back in oven on broil fo 2-3 minutes. WATCH CLOSELY it will cook fast. Picture shown below:

Beware this has a kick

Your Personal Foodie,

Digital Chef

P.S.  You think dad likes asparagus now??

Coaxing My Father into My Ideas...

I am currently staying at my parents home for about 3 weeks.  I have made it my project to convince my dad to try new health alternatives and trends...

Sunday Night
Before dinner...
Me: Dad what do you want on you chicken burger?
Dad: I dont eat chicken burgers...
After dinner....
Dad: So what exactly did you put in those chicken burgers...they are way better than your mom's...I mean turkey burgers....lol

Not Your Average Burgers
Chicken burgers “Because I was never a fan of turkey burgers”

1 pound Chicken burger

Half of Onion diced

One stalk Green onions

Tablespoon Garlic or 3 large cloves

Teaspoon of Dill

Fresh ground pepper

Olive oil

salt


1. Saute both onions with a teaspoon of olive oil salt and pepper to taste. Once it has caramelized.

2. Add to ground chicken with garlic, dill, salt, pepper

3. Take two spoon fulls of the mixture and create a ball. Press ball with palm to create patty. Smooth out edges and repeat 3 more times until you 4 beauiful patties!

4. Put in freezer on a flat platter for 15 minutes

5. Put on grill pan on medium high for 5-7 minutes on each side or until juices run clear

Variations: Also can be served bunless on leaf of lettuce

Chicken cobb burger

100 calorie thin buns

Slice of avocado (mayo substitute)

Turkey bacon

Red onion slice

Blue cheese


Chicken Souvlaki burger

Half of pita

Lettuce

Yogurt sauce (combine tablespoon of each minced garlic, lemon juice, diced cucumbers and red onions, olive oil; teaspoon of salt, pepper, dill, greek seasoning *if you have* ; two tablespoons of feta cheese)

Build your burger!

Your Personal Foodie,

Digital Chef

P.S. Use the links to the side to see what stores in your area have amazing deals this week!

Health Alternative to the popular diner Western Omelet

1. Saute diced red onions, deseed jalapenos, and fresh deli turkey (from you local deli) with teaspoon of olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika. Once camerlized remove from pan and wipe clean.

2.Add whipped eggs to hot pan with a sliver of butter. Once gets have set add provolone cheese (or your favorite cheese) then veggies and meat.

3. Flip half of omelet over and slide on to your plate! Add any extra fixings to the top.

*Trader Joe's all the most affordble variety of cheese
*Harris tetter's fresh deli often has deals on their deli meats
*Organic eggs for a better price at your local farmers market instead of a full dozen at your grocer

Your Personal Foodie,

Digital Chef

P.S. You won't miss the ham! :)

Twitter Inspires

Often I share with my followers what I have made for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even cocktails occasionally accompanied by pictures.  It seems I have become the go to girl for recipes, ideas on how to eat healthy or simple inquires of various new alcoholic beverages on the market. I can't count the number of tweets I have received to start a cookbook.  Since my recent relocation i decided to get started.....I hope I have your support to follow my most enjoyable hobby! :)

Here a few of my recent dishes:

Grilled Asian Glazed Chicken with ginger cole slaw garnished with grillled green onions accompanied by Snap Dragon Reisling

                                               
                                                 

Grilled Lobster roll w/ Asparagus

Feel Free to comment or ask for recipes

Your Personal Foodie,
DigitalChef