Burgers & Peppers, Grilling Perfection

Here I am again…..busy summer for sure. Always something to do and somewhere to go.
Still, trying to make quick, healthy and satisfying lunch as often as I can. Nothing can beat homemade meal.

This time I whip up some all beef burgers 4% fat and I used light feta cheese to add goodness. For the extra flavor and kids friendly version, spring onions were in, paprika, sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Great combination for juicy and super tasty burgers.
I will share with you a secret. When making burgers at home, try to prepare them in advance, let them sit in the fridge for few hours or even overnight, flavor will be fantastic when grilled.
For the side, grilled sweet mini peppers. Colorful and full of vitamins. I like to sprinkled them with drizzle of olive oil, sea salt, grated garlic and spritz of balsamic vinegar.
That’s a perfect grilled lunch…..
How can I forget? Piece of rustic crusted olive bread will add the magic to the bite…..yum:)

Salsa Verde, Tomatillos & Green Tomato

Since it is very hot outside these days, I don’t have big appetite and bit of a crunchy seeded squares with homemade fresh and flavorful salsa sounds like a perfect mid day snack.

Never made this type of salsa before but my jalapeno peppers were just ready to be picked so yesterday I decided to make salsa verde.

Last Thursday my kids and I were visiting our local farmers market in El Segundo so we bought beautiful basket of tomatillos and green tomatoes.

Jose from Gama Farms has always very nice selection of fruits and veggies and variety of onions.

Very friendly people and good quality produce grown locally, outside of Bakersfield.
http://www.gamafarms.com

Here is my recipe for delicious fresh salsa:

Salsa Verde

Ingredients

1/2 lb tomatillos
1 green tomato, ripe, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1 garlic clove
cilantro leaves, small bunch
half of fresh lemon, juice
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
salt to taste
extra virgin olive oil, drizzle

Remove papery husks from tomatillos and rinse well.

Place tomatillos, garlic, onions, cilantro, green tomato, olive oil in a food processor and pulse until all ingredients are finely chopped and mixed. Season with salt and squeeze fresh lemon, season to taste.
Add chopped jalapeno pepper.

Transfers to serving bowl, cover well and cool in refrigerator till ready to be served.

Serve with chips and enjoy your afternoon:)

Tomatillos are the fruits average about 1 -2″ wide and have a papery outer skin.
Tomatillos are good source of vitamin C. In Mexico a concoction made of the flower calyces is used to treat Diabetes. The fruits are also used as a remedy for fever.

Tomatillo Information

Chocolate Mousse with Strawberry

Summer is in the full swing and it is always nice to have something refreshing and sweet during the day. I usually have on my mind quick to make and good for you treat, like low calorie and low sugar dessert.
Chocolate is usually not considered a diet food but cocoa itself has beneficial anti-inflammatory properties. It is usually the other ingredients added to chocolate that makes it big no to consume. This recipe uses 70% cocoa chocolate that contains much less fat and sugar then a basic chocolate bar. This recipe is also gluten free.
The Glycemic Index is a numerical index that ranks carbohydrates based on their rate of glycemic response, their conversion to glucose within the human body. Glycemic Index uses a scale of 0 to 100 with higher values given to foods that cause the most rapid rise in blood sugar.
Glycemic index of 55 or below are considered low and 70 or above are considered high.
Glycemic Index for Strawberry is 40, which makes it low glycemic index fruit on the chart.

Chocolate Mousse with Strawberry

Ingredients

1 cup 70% cocoa chocolate chips
2 egg whites, from fresh eggs
2 teaspoons sugar
4 tablespoons plain non fat yogurt
4 medium strawberries

Pour chocolate chips into a sauce pan and gently heat it over another saucepan filled with water. When the chocolate is fully melted take the smaller dish out of the saucepan and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Separate the egg yolks from the whites. Using electric mixer with the whisk attachment, whisk the egg whites. Add the sugar to the whites and whisk until they become firm and form soft peaks.
Add the chocolate to the yogurt and mix them together well.
Fold the egg whites into the chocolate yogurt and then spoon the mixture into glasses. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 2 hours to allow it to set.
Just before serving arrange the strawberries.
Irresistible good dessert, light and perfect for everybody who has an eye on their diet and waist. You can’t go wrong with combination of chocolate and strawberry, it is always delicious:)

Nutritional Information

Calories: 140
Protein: 5g
Fat: 5g
Carbohydrate: 13g
Sugars: 10g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 52mg

Happy 4th of July! Honey Peanut Roasted Cakes with Whipped Cream, Blueberries and Pomegranate

Happy 4th of July!

This year my red, white and blue dessert is healthy and super delicious. I made cupcakes with grounded honey roasted peanuts, topped with fresh whipped cream, blueberries and pomegranate seeds.

Honey Roasted Peanut Cakes topped with Whipped Cream, Fresh Blueberries & Pomegranate seeds

Ingredients:

1 cup honey roasted peanuts, freshly grounded
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 stick sweet cream butter
2 large eggs
1/4 cup light brown sugar
8 oz fresh whipped cream
1/4 cup fresh blueberries
1/4 cup fresh pomegranate seeds

Preheat the oven to 400F. Line cupcake pan with silicon cupcake liners.
Separate eggs. Using electric mixer beat the egg whites on the high speed till frothy. Set aside. In the other bowl beat yolks and sugar with an electric beater until thick and pale. Add butter, peanut meal, flour and 4oz of whipped cream. Fold to combine with egg whites.
Pour the mixture into the tins and bake for 20 minutes or until a fork inserted into the center comes out clean. Let them cool.
In the meantime whip the rest of the fresh whipped cream with mixer till nicely done.
Decorate cupcakes with whipped cream, fresh blueberries and pomegranate seeds.
I wanted to make tasty cake recipe and it is truly wonderful. Never grounded honey roasted peanuts before and used it in a batter, great choice. Cakes are moist, airy and delicious.
Enjoy!

Now, let’s the celebration begin with bbq, fireworks, wonderful desserts, family and friends!
Happy 4th of July!