Fresh Pick of the Week: Pluot

Pluots (pronounced ploo-aught) are in season! This fruit, also called "Dinosaur Eggs", grows from July-September in California. Pluots are a plum-apricot hybrid and have a smooth, plum-like skin with a sweet, red, juicy (delicious!) interior. Great on their own, sliced in yogurt or salads, or used for baking or jamming. Pick some up at your farmers market or grocery store and enjoy.

Racion Restaurant-Pasadena

Last weekend I stumbled upon this gem in Old Town Pasadena. Racion serves Spanish style tapas with Spanish wines, all delicious and well worth the trip to Pasadena. This competes for the best restaurant I have been to since moving to Los Angeles! With food to share that is to die for and friendly yet classy service, Racion is a perfect spot for a date night or an evening with close friends. Next time, I'm looking forward to checking out their outdoor patio seating :) 

Here's what I enjoyed on my date night to Racion (in addition to the not-pictured bottle of Temperanillo!): 

Amuse-Bouche:
Parmesan Crisp w/ Blueberry and Goat Cheese

Salted Cod Fritters (front)
Beef Tongue Crostini (back)

Roasted Vegetables w/ UNBELIEVABLE Garlic Sauce(we almost licked the plate!) 

Squid Ink Pasta
with Mussels and Poached Egg 

Dessert and (delicious) Coffee:
Pound Cake with Fresh Whipped Cream
and Stone Fruit (seasonal fruit?! yes please!)

Dietitian's Guide to Bacon

No denying it...bacon is one of the most delicious foods imaginable. Most of us know it's also not the healthiest. Bacon is mostly fat (the saturated, unhealthy kind) packed with sodium and additives. The sodium and fat in just one slice might not break the bank (see nutrition facts below), but how often does anyone have just one slice? 


I'm a big believer though that all foods, even bacon, can be part of a balanced diet. Here are a few tips to true enjoyment in moderation:

1. Go Natural. Bacon is cured, meaning that salt, spices, and other additives are used to give it the flavor and stay-power it has. Choose a bacon that uses minimal additives. Avoid potentially harmful food additives, like nitrites, by choose a brand like Applegate Organic and Natural Bacon instead of, say, Oscar Mayer.  Not picking on Oscar Mayer, here. Many brands use the same additives. Avoid ingredients lists with things like, "SODIUM PHOSPHATES, SODIUM ASCORBATE, SODIUM NITRITE."


2. Treat it like a condiment. And not like the fist-sized pile of ketchup you put next to your fries. Don't think of bacon as your meat option. Because bacon, even more natural varieties, is full of salt and fat, use it sparingly. Try it sprinkled on top of salads (like I did, pictured) or use a strip to add flavor to an omelet. The key here is to use the delicious FLAVOR in your meal and to avoid popping it piece by piece until the whole package is gone before breakfast has even begun. 


3. Enjoy it. Take the time to really taste your bacon (and all your food). Let your brain register that you've eaten and enjoyed it, and you'll be less inclined to mindlessly go back for more.  


Nutrition Facts for 1 piece of bacon:
43 Calories
3.3g Total Fat
1.1g Saturated Fat
8.8mg Cholesterol
184.8mg Sodium (this is a lot!)
0.1g Carbs
3g Protein

Look Where We Hiked Last Weekend! Griffith Park

This past weekend, I visited Griffith Park for the first time. It is full of walking and hiking trails as well as the beautiful Observatory and amazing views of Los Angeles. I'm no photographer but decided the pictures are better than any description I could give :)

Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble for Two

Smelling and tasting the strawberries at the Farmers' Market this weekend was the inspiration for this weeknight dessert. With one of the three pints I purchased, I decided to slice them up and combine with tart rhubarb from a Farm Fresh box for a delicious crumble. Prep it just before dinner, then throw it in the oven while you eat. It'll be ready to share (or not!) when you're finished with your meal. 

Need more convincing? Here are 3 great things about crumbles: 

1. Measurements are less important than with other baked goods
2. A crumble is a simple but super impressive dessert for a night with a dessert guest or a full dinner party
3. With so many great fruits in season all summer long, you can reduce the sugar you add to your dessert quite a bit and let summer naturally sweetness shine! 

My suggestion, as always, is to get creative. I used pistachios in the topping and strawberry-rhubarb filling. But try different kinds of nuts and whatever fruits you love. Enjoy! 

 Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble for 2 

Serves 2

Ingredients

The crumble:

3 Tbs whole wheat flour

1 ½ Tbs turbinado sugar

¼ tsp salt

1 ½ Tbs butter, cold

2 Tbs old fashioned oats

2 Tbs pistachios, toasted and coarsely chopped

½ tsp vanilla extract

The filling:

1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 stalk rhubarb, ends removed and thinly sliced

1 tsp turbinado sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Directions

1.  Make crumble topping. Whisk together flour, sugars and salt. Add butter and mix together with fingers until resembles large, coarse crumbs. Add oats, nuts, and vanilla and toss with fingers until just combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to bake dish. Can be covered and refrigerated up to 1 day in advance.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make filling. Combine all ingredients in 2 small ramekins or 1 small baking dish. Add topping. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until top is golden brown and fruit juices are bubbling at edges.
3. Allow to set after baking about 5 minutes before serving. Serve alone, or topped with vanilla ice cream and mint. 

Stuffed Peppers

Hearty and healthy! I had some lean ground beef in the refrigerator and was feeling a little "hamburger-ed out" after some early summer barbecues. I decided to get creative and put that beef to use in this Stuffed Peppers recipe, filled with lean ground beef (or you could substitute ground turkey or go beans for a vegetarian option), brown rice, vegetables, and exciting spices. Like most recipes I love, there's nothing too scientific about the particular ingredients I used, leaving you lots of creative licence to use what you love/have. I had a little more filling than needed to fill the peppers, and it was delicious warmed and wrapped in a corn tortilla for lunch the next day. Enjoy :)

Stuffed Peppers

 Serves 4

Ingredients

¼-1/2 cup dry brown rice, to make ~ ¾ cup cooked (I use Trader Joe's Quick Cook Organic Brown Rice to reduce the cooking time!)

4 bell peppers

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 onion, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tsp chili powder

½ tsp cumin

1 tablespoon paprika

½ teaspoon ground allspice

Salt and pepper

¾ lb lean ground beef or ground turkey (or about 1 can beans)

¼- ½ cup tomato puree or jarred tomato sauce

¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

1 egg, beaten

Directions:

1.  Prepare brown rice according to package instructions (do this while beginning to prepare peppers and filling). When cooked, transfer to bowl.
2. Cut off top of peppers, just below stem. Scoop seeds from cavities and discard seeds. Cut pepper flesh around stem and set aside. Discard stem. Place seeded peppers on foil-lined glass baking dish. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
3. Heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, pepper pieces, garlic, spices, salt and pepper until onions begin to soften (about 4-5 minutes). Add ground beef and cook, stirring often, until ground beef is browned. Add tomato sauce and cook another 1-2 minutes. Transfer beef and vegetable mixture to bowl with rice and stir together. Allow filling to cool about 4-5 minutes, then add parsley and egg.  Mix filling together.
4. Scoop filling into pepper cavities. Bake peppers in 375 degree oven for 45-50 minutes. 

Shrimp Zucchini "Linguine"

In this light, summery dish, zucchini strands take the place of pasta. I love using vegetable peelers like these to strand vegetables for texture in salads, or dishes like Shrimp Zucchini "Linguine". I served this dish over quinoa for some whole grain goodness to make a satisfying (and still low calorie) dinner. Next time I'll try it with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc...

Shrimp Zucchini “Linguine”

Ingredients

2 large zucchinis

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ - ½ pound large shrimp, shelled and deveined

1 garlic clove

2 teaspoons crushed red pepper

2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided

½ cup 0% Greek yogurt

Juice of 1 lemon

2 Tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped

1 Tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

(Based on dish without
optional serving suggestions.)

Directions

1. Using vegetable peeler or mandolin, slice zucchini into thin strips. Place in strainer over bowl with salt, allowing water to drain out for about 10 minutes. Discard water.
2. While zucchini drains, sauté garlic, crushed red pepper and shrimp in 1 Tablespoon olive oil over medium heat until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
3.   Make yogurt dressing. In large bowl, whisk together yogurt, lemon juice, tarragon, chives, and remaining Tablespoon olive oil. Discard water from strained zucchini, and add drained zucchini strands to yogurt sauce. Add cooked shrimp and toss.
4. Serve hot or cold, with (optional) side of quinoa, brown rice, or bread of choice.  

Joshua Tree

I started this past Memorial Day weekend with a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park for a hike. I never realized how unbelievably gorgeous the desert really is (my pictures do NOT do it justice, so you'll have to make time for a visit). Having just moved to the LA area from NYC, I'm immensely looking forward to the ease and frequency with which these outdoors adventures can occur.

Weekend hikes have been one of my favorite activities on past trips to Southern California. They're a terrific way to enjoy nature, friends, and are a fun way to burn some calories. I'm no hiking expert, so if there's anyone out there with local tips, please share! Next trip to Joshua Tree may include camping and/or bike ride through the park. I will definitely be back for more!

Corn on the Cob

Growing up in Indiana, summer means corn! In preparation for its mid-summer peak season, I recently made this delicious corn-on-the-cob concoction, inspired by two restaurants (Ms Lily's and Cafe Habana) that serve it up indulgently as appetizers. I served it as a truly delectable (if I do say so myself) side dish alongside green salad, caramelized cauliflower, and grilled chicken. Though summertime corn straight off the cob, no additions necessary, is delightful, I'm definitely going to give this jazzed up version another go before the summer is over. Enjoy!

Cheesy Corn on the Cob with Spicy Aioli 

Serves 2 (or 4 appetizers)

2 ears of corn
2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon Sriracha sauce
2-3 Tablespoons grated sharp cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper

1. Boil corn until done (fork tender).
2. Make spicy aioli: mix mayonnaise, sriracha, and dash of salt and pepper.
3. Spread aioli over warm corn and sprinkle with cheese.

Summer Lovin' Smoothies

Nothing gets your day (or metabolism!) revved up quite like a  healthy breakfast. Finding a delicious, easy, and nutrition-packed solution is key. A few summers ago, I made the blender a summertime counter-top staple in order to easily whip up these tasty, healthy Greek yogurt fruit smoothies. Packed with protein from the yogurt, fiber from your fresh/frozen fruits of choice, and an added sweetness (without much sugar) from the coconut water--they're a light, tasty morning boost!

These summertime smoothies are great really any day or time of year. I find them to be a wonderful pre-brunch  breakfast. While I love meeting friends for brunch on the weekends, sometimes the meeting/dining time makes it more of an eggs-for-lunch situation than any resemblance of my "morning" meal. So I get started with a small smoothie to keep me from being overly hungry/cranky beforehand.

See below for one of my recipes, but get creative with whatever fruits are looking and smelling their best this summer!

Summertime Greek Yogurt Smoothies
Makes 4 small smoothies

1 cup frozen cherries or berries
1 cup fresh juicy peaches
1 cup coconut water
1 cup 0% or 2% plain Greek Yogurt

Blend and enjoy!