Pear Ginger Muffins

I had a good amount of crystallized ginger left over from the apricot-ginger mini scones I made last month, so I decided to try this recipe.  I like the options it gives for varying a lot of the ingredients: fresh or canned pears, whole wheat pastry flour or all purpose flour, canola oil or butter (or both), and varying the amount of sugar.

I used fresh pears, whole wheat pastry flour, organic canola oil, and just 1/3 cup sugar so they are on the healthier side and not too sweet.  They are just right for breakfast or a snack with tea.

Lentil and Spinach Soup

I love lentil soup but when I stop to buy it for lunch at a grocery or sandwich place I am usually disappointed about half the time.  There is nothing worse than being starving for lunch all morning and then finally getting a few minutes eat and realizing that the lunch you bought is just gross.

So I finally had time today to make a big batch of my own - and this is an incredibly delicious and simple version of lentil soup so I'll be sure to have  satisfying and tasty lunches all week!

The soup is started by frying some chopped bacon in the bottom of a soup pot.  The fat that comes out of the bacon is used to saute some vegetables and then the lentils are added and simmer for about a half an hour.  Throw in a bunch of spinach and you're done!

Salmon with Mixed Greens and Crumbled Bacon

If I'd been served this dish a year ago I probably wouldn't have touched it.  I decided to stop keeping kosher years ago, but changing eating habits takes some effort.  I finally tasted bacon about a year ago and just didn't really care for it, but I gradually started to love it while we were on our honeymoon in Greece where we had bacon and eggs (the "English breakfast" at most hostels) many mornings. 

I had an even greater aversion to fish growing up.  As I remember it, I stopped eating fish because my sister stopped eating it, and I think that was because we had a pet fish who passed away while we were on vacation and was wrapped up and put in the freezer by our pet-sitters.  My sister got over this years before I did and reintroduced fish into her diet but it took me some time to change my habits.

Classic Cobb Salad

The Classic Cobb is my newest solution for a satisfying and fresh meal that I can throw together quickly on a night when I get home late from work.  I can have all of the components of the salad chopped and ready to go in the refrigerator for easy and quick lunches or dinners.

If you're only going to use part of an avocado for the salad, leave the part you aren't using in the skin with the pit intact in the refrigerator.  The surface may discolor but it can be scraped off with a knife when ready to use.

Pan-Roasted Salmon in Mango Nectar

Let me introduce you to one of the easiest yet most elegant salmon recipes I've come across.  The only ingredients are salmon, mango juice, chives, and olive oil for the pan!  I put this meal together on Saturday in the amount of time it took PJ to watch the Kentucky Derby and then we packed it up for a sunset picnic in the park along with some haricots verts and watermelon for dessert.

Most fish recipes depend on some sort of acidic element like citrus, vinegar, or tomatoes, all of which PJ is avoiding.  So I was really excited to find one without any acid that still tastes great!  Even better, I read that mangoes are supposed to be soothing for the stomach and intestines.

Pumpkin Date Bread

Pumpkin date bread leaves pumpkin chocolate chip bread in the dust.  When dates are at their best they are super sweet and mushy like candy, but it's not always easy to find great dates even though they are available year round.  Look for medjool dates with pits.  They should be soft and plump, with very thin skins that are not overly shriveled or wrinkly.  If you find good ones, buy extra to have around for snacking!  Dates will keep in the pantry for a couple of months or in the refrigerator for up to a year.

This bread can be made in mini loaves and wrapped up for the perfect end-of-the-year gift for teachers, or include them in hospitality bags for a spring wedding.  Loaves can be made well in advance and frozen.