Orange Marmalade Salmon

I tried a new rub for Salmon. It was sweet and delicious.

2-3 Tablespoons Orange Marmalade
few squirts Dijon Mustard
dash of hot sauce

Rub it on Salmon fillets and bake until flakes, about 15 minutes (a little less or little more).

Mel doesn't like Salmon too much, but this recipe was deemed a keeper.

Your Cooking Goddess,
Ellen Tevault

Asparagus: White versus Green

Well, I tried white asparagus because I like to try new produce. I love green asparagus, so I decided to try white when I saw it at the store. My opinion is that it is too much work. You have to break off the wooden end (the same as the green variety), but then you have to peel it before you cook it. This extra step seemed cumbersome. It didn't taste any better or have any more nutrients than the green variety. I decided to stick with the green ones for now on.

Your Cooking Goddess,
Ellen Tevault

Secret Ingredient Apple Crisp

Mel couldn't believe what I used to make an apple crisp healthier. Diet soda.

Recipe: I chopped up 4-6 apples, poured 1/2 cup of diet soda over them, and sprinkled 2-3 tablespoons of raisins over them. I tossed on some seasonings, such as cinnamon or pie spice. Mix together homemade cereal in previous post and spread over the fruit. Bake for 30-45 minutes at 325 degrees.

The diet soda softens and seasons the apples as they bake. I worried that the diet soda would make it runny, but the apples soaked it up.

If you want it to be sweeter, you can add 1 tablespoon sugar with the apples and soda. I think brown sugar sounds mouthwatering delicious.

Happy, Healthy Cooking,
Ellen

Homemade Cereal

Recipe: 1 3/4 cup of whole oats, 3/4 cup pecans, 6 tablespoons of maple syrup, 6 tablespoon of butter/margarine Mix all ingredients together and spread over a baking sheet. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden. Cool and crumble. It will last for 2 weeks in an airtight container.

I think the maple syrup is too mild according to the above recipe. You could definitely add a couple more tablespoons of syrup if you like sweeter cereal.

I found that if you forget the butter, the cereal will burn. Oops! I had to throw out my first batch because of this. Since I used the last of my nuts on the first batch, I had to go without in the second. In other words, the nuts can be optional if you don't like them. At a later date, I used walnuts instead and loved it just the same. I also added a tablespoon or two of wheat germ to one batch to add more fiber and vitamins. Mel didn't realize. I can't believe I actually fooled Mr. Super Palette.

Mel liked it with milk for breakfast and with yogurt for a snack.

I wanted to make some and give as gifts in small canning jars, but waited too close to Christmas to find jars at short notice. Oh well, maybe next year I will give a small jar of this healthy homemade cereal to my family, friends and Santa. What says "I love you" more than a healthy homemade present. Hey, at least it's not fruitcake.

Healthy cooking and eating,
Ellen