Perfect Grilled Salmon

PREP TIME TO MARINATE

Recipe found HERE 



1 1/2 pounds salmon fillets
Lemon pepper seasoning, to taste
garlic salt, to taste
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
Pinch of red pepper flakes

Season salmon fillets with lemon pepper.

In a small bowl, stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, broth, vegetable oil, garlic and red pepper flakes until sugar is dissolved.

Place fish in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow container with a lid. Add the soy sauce mixture, seal, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Use Pam Grill Spray before preheating grill, or lightly oil grill grate. Preheat to medium heat.

Place salmon on the preheated grill, skin side dowb. I basted them one time on the grill before discarding the marinade. Cook salmon for 5 to 7 minutes per side, may need less time for thinner pieces, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Plan on about 10-14 minutes total cooking time for every inch of thickness (and add about 10 minutes for each additional inch). I find it's easiest to flip on the grill using a large, flat, metal spatula vs tongs so the salmon doesn't fall apart.

Pumpkin Muffins

I use all whole wheat pastry flour instead of a white/wheat combo

Recipe found HERE 

2 1/2 cups (12.5 ounces) AP white flour
1 cup (5 ounces) whole wheat flour (King Arthur white wheat)
2 cups white granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I use avocado oil)
1/2 unsweetened applesauce
4 large eggs
2/3 cup buttermilk (or water)
1 to 2 cups semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (optional), 2 cups is better 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pans or three 8 1/2-inch by 4 1/2-inch loaf pans or muffins pan (makes about 28 regular size).

In a large bowl mix flours, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt together. Set aside.

In a medium bowl whisk together canned pumpkin, oil, eggs and 2/3 cup buttermilk, until well combined and stir into dry ingredients, just until the dry ingredients are moistened and no dry streaks remain.

Stir in the chocolate chips. Pour batter in prepared pans. Bake the bread for 50 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Bake muffin tins 18-25 minutes. I dump muffins out after just cooling 1-2 minutes to make sure the bottoms don't get too done.

Remove the bread from the oven and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Run a knife gently around the edge of the bread and turn the bread out, right side up, onto a wire rack to cool completely.

May freeze. After cooling, wrap the bread in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of tin foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Cheesy Chicken, Kale, and Sweet Potato Skillet Meal

Recipe Found Here

1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 to 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed in 1/2-inch pieces
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup finely diced shallot
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 medium sweet potatoes (about 25 ounces, 3 to 4 cups), peeled, rinsed, and diced
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups (about 4 ounces or more if you want lots of veggies) stemmed and chopped kale (Lacinato, Tuscan, Black or Dinosaur kale are all the same variety. I prefer Purple/red kale) 
1/2 to 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

In a large, 12-inch skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat until hot and shimmering. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and add to the skillet in a single layer. Let them cook and sizzle without moving (so they can get nice and golden) for 1-2 minutes. Flip the pieces and continue cooking until no longer pink in the center, another 1-2 minutes.

Remove the chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Keep as much liquid in the skillet as possible, and return the skillet to medium heat.

Add a drizzle of olive oil if the skillet is dry. Add the shallots and red pepper. Cook, stirring often, for 4 minutes, until the onions have started to turn translucent and soften. Add the garlic and cook one more minute stirring constantly (don't want the garlic to brown or burn).

Add the sweet potato, red pepper flakes, and broth. Give the mixture a good stir and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring once or twice to make sure the sweet potatoes aren't sticking (turn the heat down, if needed), until the sweet potatoes are tender. Add more broth as it cooks if the mixture becomes sticky or dry.

Add the kale to the skillet. Stir and heat through until the kale is bright green and slightly wilted. Cover the skillet and let it steam until it is tender; uncover, add the chicken and heat through.

Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Sprinkle cheese over the top and cover with the lid until melted. Serve immediately.