Green Blast Smoothie

 Green Blast Smoothie

Ingredients

    4 cups packaged fresh baby spinach leaves
    2 cups seedless green grapes
    1 medium banana, cut up
    3/4 cup seeded, chopped green sweet pepper
    1/2 cup unsweetened apple juice
    1/2 of a medium jalapeño pepper, seeded, optional

Directions:

In a blender or food processor combine spinach, grapes, banana, sweet pepper, apple juice, and jalapeño, if using. Cover and blend or process well. Mixture will be slightly pulpy but should be nearly smooth. 

Makes: 4 servings

Scallops in Curry Sauce

 Scallops in Curry Sauce

Ingredients

    12 ounces fresh or frozen sea scallops
    1 cup water
    1 tablespoon cornstarch
    2 teaspoons soy sauce
    1 teaspoon sugar
    1 tablespoon cooking oil
    2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
    4 cloves garlic, minced
    3 stalks celery, thinly bias-sliced (1-1/2 cups)
    2 medium carrots, thinly bias-sliced (1 cup)
    4 ounces fresh mushrooms, quartered (1-1/2 cups)
    4 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces (2/3 cup)
    1 teaspoon curry powder
    2 cups hot cooked rice
    1/3 cup chutney
    Toasted pita wedges (optional)

Directions

1.    Thaw scallops, if frozen. Cut any large scallops in half. Set aside.

2.    For sauce, in a small bowl stir together water, cornstarch, soy sauce, and sugar. Set aside.

3.    Pour cooking oil into a wok or large skillet. (Add more oil as necessary during cooking.) Preheat over medium-high heat. Stir-fry ginger and garlic in hot oil for 15 seconds. Add celery and carrots; stir-fry for 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and green onions; stir-fry for 1 minute. Sprinkle curry powder over vegetables. Stir-fry for 1 minute more or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove vegetables from the wok.

4.    Add scallops to the hot wok. Stir-fry about 2 minutes or until scallops turn opaque. Push scallops from the center of the wok.
 

5.    Stir sauce. Add sauce to the center of the wok. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Return cooked vegetables to the wok. Gently stir all ingredients together to coat with sauce. Cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes more or until heated through. Serve immediately with hot cooked rice, chutney, and, if desired, pita wedges. Makes 4 servings.

Salmon Burgers

 Salmon Burgers

 

Ingredients

    1 beaten egg
    3/4 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs (1 slice)
    4 teaspoons snipped fresh basil
    1/4 teaspoon pepper
    1 6-1/2-ounce can skinless, boneless salmon, drained and flaked
    1/2 medium carrot, finely shredded (1/4 cup)
    1/4 cup finely shredded Gruyere or Swiss cheese (1 ounce)
    2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
    1 tablespoon dairy sour cream
    2 teaspoons snipped fresh basil
    1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel
    3 lettuce leaves
    3 slices rye or whole wheat bread, toasted
    Tomato wedges

 

Directions

1.    Combine egg in a large mixing bowl, bread crumbs, 4 teaspoons basil, and pepper. Add salmon, carrot, and cheese. Mix lightly. Shape salmon mixture into three 3/4-inch-thick round patties.

2.    Place salmon patties on a lightly greased baking sheet. Broil patties about 3 inches from the heat about 8 minutes or until heated through and light brown, carefully turning patties once after 4 minutes.

3.    Meanwhile, for the basil mayonnaise, combine mayonnaise or salad dressing, sour cream, 2 teaspoons basil, and lemon peel.

4.    Place a lettuce leaf on each slice of toasted bread. Top each with a salmon burger and some of the basil mayonnaise. Serve with tomato wedges, if desired. Makes 3 servings.

5.    Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare burgers; but do not broil. Cover and chill up to 4 hours. Prepare mayonnaise. Cover and chill up to 4 hours. Broil burgers and serve as above.

Fish Tostadas with Cream

 Fish Tostadas with Cream

Ingredients

    1 lb. fresh tilapia or cod fillets
    1/2 tsp. chili powder
    1 lime, halved
    1/2 cup sour cream
    1/2 tsp. garlic powder
    8 6-inch tostada shells
    2 cups shredded cabbage mix
    1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and sliced (optional)
    1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered (optional)
    Bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)

Directions:

1.    Preheat broiler. Sprinkle fish with 1/4 teaspoon of the chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. For chili-lime cream, in bowl squeeze 2 teaspoons juice from half the lime. Stir in sour cream, garlic powder, and remaining chili powder; set aside. Cut remaining lime half in wedges for serving.

2.    Place fish on unheated greased broiler rack; tuck under thin edges. Place shells on baking sheet on lowest rack. Broil fish 4 inches from heat 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness, until fish flakes with fork. 

Break in chunks. Serve tostadas with cabbage, chili-lime cream, avocado, tomatoes, lime, and pepper sauce. Serves 4.