Last updated Oct 29, 2019 | Food
Tired of the typical (rather dull) lemon and butter grilled salmon dish? We’ve got great news: these 4 zesty, fresh grilled salmon recipes will make you fall for fish all over gain. But wait, it gets better: we’ll show you how salmon is packed with health enhancers … from mood boosting brain benefits and wrinkle-free skin to cancer prevention and heart health!
Salmon meals don’t have to be predictable. Bring this classic fish staple to life with surprising tastes of brown sugar & soy sauce, lemon & dill, ginger, and more!
Before we get into the mouth-watering details, we’d like to share why salmon is one of the healthiest foods out there, as well as which type of salmon to choose to avoid contamination.
Health Benefits of Salmon
Just one 4 oz serving of salmon contains:
- 2 grams of omega- 3 fatty acids (see below for the mind-blowing benefits of omega-3s)
- A full day’s worth of the optimal Vitamin D dosage for adults
- Over half of the necessary daily intake of B12, niacin, and selenium
- High levels of B6 and magnesium
Salmon has an unusually high concentration of the omega- 3 fatty acid, DHA. Many researchers consider DHA to be the most important fat in the human brain! This incredibly potent boost of DHA makes salmon the #1 healthiest fish in the sea and a powerful addition to your diet.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Health Benefits:
The health boosting benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are so extensive, we should really write a full article on the topic! We know you’re eager for those tasty grilled salmon recipes, so we’ll do our best to give a short and snappy overview.
Adding omega-3s to your diet, via fish or supplements, significantly improves brain function, nourishes hair, skin, and nails, keeps your heart healthy, protects your eyes, prevents cancer, and soothes the symptoms of PMS in women. Whew! With such outrageously positive health claims, it almost seems too good to be true. We’ve got news for you: it’s the real deal, and it’s an essential component to attain your happiest, healthiest self.
1. Brain = Improved memory in Alzheimer’s patients, mood regulation for bipolar disorder, recovery from depression, lower levels of aggression, and improved learning and focus for children with ADHD.
2. Beauty = Nourishes hair follicles and dry scalp for shiny, flake-free locks, reduces acne, and prevents wrinkles.
3. Heart, Eye, and Women’s Health = Decreases the risk of heart attack, stroke, heart arrhythmia, macular eye degeneration, and dry eye. Reduces pain of PMS and menstruating.
4. Cancer Prevention = Helps prevent onset of colorectal cancer, prostrate cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
Why it’s SO Important to Buy Wild Caught Salmon
Farmed vs. Wild Caught Salmon
Farmed fish are not only fed artificial, unhealthy diets, but are also much less potent in omega- 3s. Here are the super-important reasons you should choose wild caught salmon over farmed salmon:
According to nutrition expert, Dr. Mercola:
- Farmed salmon are fed grain products, such as corn and soy (most of which are genetically modified), artificial coloring and chicken meal. This diet is extremely unnatural for fish, and so makes them sick (whenever you eat something sick, you are harming your own body!).
- Due to overcrowding, farmed fish are exposed to more diseases (and so, are given more drugs).
- Farmed salmon have low levels of omega-3s while wild caught salmon’s levels are very high.
For Mercola’s full article on farmed vs. wild salmon, click here.
Choose wisely when selecting the type of wild salmon, too!
The absolute cleanest, purest type of wild salmon is wild Alaskan salmon. When tested for contaminant consumption risk, wild Alaskan salmon was found to be in the lowest risk category for wild caught salmon.
4 Deliciously Easy Grilled Salmon Recipes
So, now you’re totally hooked on the astonishing health perks of salmon and armed with the details on choosing the wild caught variety. Let’s get you those scrumptious grilled salmon recipes!
1. Soy Sauce & Brown Sugar Marinated Grilled Salmon
This recipe is both salty and sweet.
Use 1/3 cup each of the following ingredients:
- Soy sauce
- Brown sugar
- Water
To add flavor:
- Lemon pepper
- Garlic powder
- Salt
Directions (makes 1 ½ pounds of fish): 1) Dust your fillets with lemon pepper, garlic powder and salt on both sides. 2) Stir together soy sauce, brown sugar, water and vegetable oil in a small bowl. 3) Pour your soy sauce and sugar mixture you created into a shaking bag. 4) Put your fish in the bag with the sauce ingredients. 5) Refrigerate your marinated fish for at least two hours. 6) Preheat grill and oil the cooking grate. 7) Place salmon on the warm grill and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side.
Tip: When done, the fish should easily flake with a fork. Be careful not to overcook it.
2. Dill and Lemon Grilled Salmon
A surprising twist on the classic lemon and butter salmon dish, this recipe adds dill for a refreshing burst of flavor.
Good- to- Know Cooking Tip: You can use salmon steaks instead of fillets to avoid them falling apart when cooked. If not, be sure to avoid a mess by cooking grilled salmon in foil or on a seafood cooking rack.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest,
- 2 teaspoons dried dill
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced.
Directions: 1) Preheat your grill. Combine the lemon juice, zest, oil, dill and garlic in a large shaking bag. 2) Add salmon into the bag and mix it around while rubbing the fish. 3) Refrigerate to marinate for two hours. 4) Make sure all salmon fillets or steaks are thoroughly covered with the rub.5) Wondering how long to grill salmon? When you place the salmon on a hot grill, you need to cook it about 4-5 minutes on either side.
Tip: You can tell your fish is done when it easily flakes with a fork and is light in color.
3. Brown Sugar & Mustard Glazed Grilled Salmon Steak
The brown sugar coating of this grilled salmon steak recipe makes it seriously sweet, while the mustard adds a pop of tangy tastiness.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 4 tablespoons hot mustard or Dijon mustard
Directions: 1) Fire up your grill until your coals are red-hot. 2) Wisk together the brown sugar, hot mustard and soy sauce in a medium bowl. 3) Transfer 1 tablespoon of the first three ingredients into a second smaller bowl. 4) Then, add the rice vinegar to it and set it aside. 5) Brush one side of the steaks with half the glaze in the medium bowl. 6) Place the fish slabs glaze down onto the grill. 7) Cook until slightly charred, approximately 4 minutes. 8) Brush the unglazed side the same way you did the first side. 9) Turn fish steaks over and cook for 5 minutes longer than you did on the first side. 10) Once salmon is slightly opaque in the center, remove it from grill. 11) Remove the cooked fish from heat and place on plates. 12) Spread the remaining glaze over each steak and let them stand for a few minutes.
4. Ginger Grilled Salmon Fillets
The hint of ginger in this grilled salmon dish creates a touch of zesty spice.
Note: It’s highly recommended that you use a grill basket to prepare this dish. Otherwise, cook it in a broiler.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and ginger
- 1/3 cup each cup of soy sauce and orange juice
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 green chopped onion
- Use this on approximately 1 ½ salmon fillets
- If you like, grease your grill with olive oil
Directions: 1) Mix together the ginger, garlic power, soy sauce, orange juice and honey. 2) Place the onions in a separate bowl and chill until you need them. 3) Cook the salmon on the grill for 10 minutes on each side after you coat the grate with olive oil. 4) Periodically brush the pieces of meat with the ginger sauce you prepared. 5) Remove the fish from the grill when done. 6) Sprinkle chopped green onion over the top.
Remember, practice green grilling!
Yes, you’re doing a huge favor to your health by eating salmon, but grilling food creates some sneaky health hazards. Read our Top 4 Tips for Green Grilling to find out how to make grilling healthy (and eco-friendly … we need to keep the environment healthy, too!).
We hope you enjoy these delightful grilled salmon dishes and the perks of those omega-3 fatty acids: hello, sharp brain, shiny hair, and healthy heart!
Last updated Oct 29, 2019 | Food
Does home canning sound like a chore?
A task reserved for only those flawlessly organized and pulled-together?
If so, you better prepare yourself for this – wait for it – canning is so easy and even (dare we say it?) downright fun.
Everything tastes sweeter when it’s had the chance to ripen under the summer sun. While true, it’s less than pleasant to find yourself up to your ears in zucchini, peppers, and cucumbers.
A flourishing garden may provide a welcome bounty of food, but sometimes we just can’t eat it fast enough! Don’t let those fresh flavors go to waste: home canning is a wonderful way to preserve your favorite summer veggies.
Benefits of Home Canning vs Buying Commercially Canned Foods
Store-bought canned goods are often loaded with preservatives. DIY canning ensures you enjoy the most nutritious produce all year long.
Another downside to buying canned food in stores? They are expensive!
For a frugal Summer, stock up on jars and jars of homemade canned vegetables at a fraction of the price.
Supplies Needed to Get Started Canning
You will need:
- A pressure canner with canning rack
- Quart or pint canning jars
- Enough vegetables to fill your jars
- A jar lifter for retrieving hot jars
- A timer
- A pressure canning recipe for your vegetable of choice
- Table or canning salt (optional)
- A canning funnel (optional)
How to Can Vegetables at Home
1. Clean your pressure canner with a quick swipe of vinegar and inspect it
- Pay special attention to the pressure gauge. If it has been dropped, cracked, or submerged in water, it might not be accurate.
- Your local agricultural extension office can test it for you.
2. Wash and inspect jars, lids, and rings
- Unlike with water bath canning, you don’t have to sterilize your jars before you pressure can.
- Fill your jars with hot water to keep them warm and set them aside.
- Filling a cold jar with hot canning material can cause jars to shatter.
3. Add water and rack to your pressure canner
- This step varies based on the canner. Follow your own canner’s directions.
4. Put canner on stovetop over low heat to get water started while you fill jars
5. Prepare your vegetables according to your recipe
- Most pressure canners come with recipes, but you can also find instructions online or in books on canning available at Amazon.
6. Empty the warm water from your jars and fill them with vegetables
- Always allow at least one-inch of “head space,” the empty space between the top of your canning materials and the jar opening, to allow for expansion.
- Use a non-metallic spatula to eliminate air bubbles and wipe the jar edges clean.
7. Put lids on your jars
- Make sure the sealing compound, which is usually an orange, slightly tacky ring around the inner edge of your lids, is facing down.
- Then screw on the lid rings.
8. Place your jars in the canner on the rack
- Make sure your canner’s lid vent pipe is open before closing up your pressure canner.
9. Process your jars according to the canner’s instructions
- Be mindful of adjustments needed for high altitudes.
10. When processing is complete: move canner away from hot burner
- Wait for pressure to drop.
- This can take an hour or more.
- Afterward, open the pressure regulator and vent.
- Allow your canner to cool another 10 minutes before opening it carefully.
11. Use jar lifter to remove jars from canner
- Place them away from drafts to cool.
- Make sure not to tilt them.
- This can take up to 12 hours.
- When they have cooled completely, check the jar seal.
- The tops of your lids should be sucked downward and not click when pressed.
- Any unsealed jars should be stored in the fridge and eaten immediately.
12. Label your jars and enjoy
- Canned foods will stay tasty for a year or two and remain safe even longer. Always check your seals before eating.
Safety
You might be familiar with traditional water bath canning.
While it is great for fruits, it’s no good for veggies.
High-acid foods will kill most bacteria, but vegetables are low-acid foods.
To can low-acid foods safely, you’ll need a pressure canner:
- Pressure canners heat food to 240-degrees Fahrenheit, destroying bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
- They’re easy to use, but be sure to read their instructions and safety information.
A Note About Salt
Salt isn’t necessary for safe home canning, though it will preserve your food’s fresh flavor.
Table salt will work fine, but canning salt keeps your food’s color bright.
Summary
With home canning, you can hang onto those feel-good summer vibes all year long.
This winter, you may not be basking in the sun, but you sure will be soaking up summertime veggie sweetness. For more inspiration, you can check out these canning recipes at Whole Foods.
You can pick up a pressure canner at Bed Bath & Beyond and Walmart. To save money, check out our Bed Bath & Beyond discount codes and Walmart discount codes.
Last updated Mar 23, 2020 | Food
There’s nothing like a creamy, salty, freshly whipped bowl of guacamole. Add some warm tortilla chips to this classic appetizer, and you have a dish sure to please any hungry guest.
While guacamole is a treat you know will be a hit time and time again, the standard recipe isn’t exactly original.
With the three totally unique guacamole recipes we have for you below, you will be sure to wow your guests with the sweet surprises of these unexpected flavors: bacon, pineapple, and sun-dried tomato!
Bust out the pita bread, tortilla chips, and tacos! It’s fiesta time.
Recommended Unique Guacamole Recipes
1. Guacamole with Cotija Topped with Bacon Bits Recipe
This is a famous bacon guac recipe that calls for 4 strips of bacon. To cut down on the fat content, you can use 2 minced strips and still keep the flavor.
Preparation Instructions:
- Mash three avocados
- Add ½ tbsp fresh cilantro
- Add ½ cup cotija cheese
- Add 1 tablespoon of finely-chopped serrano chile pepper
- Add juice from 1 lime
- Mix all ingredients and add coarse salt and freshly-ground black pepper
- Top with 4 strips of crispy bacon bits
- Serve it with soft flour tortillas, chips or pita bread.
2. Pineapple Cilantro Guacamole Recipe
This tropical version of guac dip adds a tasty touch to your summer picnic buffet.
Preparation Instructions:
- Mash 2 avocados
- Add ½ juiced lime
- Add 8 oz. can crushed pineapple
- Add ¼ cup minced cilantro
- Mix all ingredients and sprinkle on a dash or two of sea salt
- Serve it as a spread on a bagel, dipping tortilla chips into it, or adding it to a veggie pita sandwich.
3. Sun-Dried Tomato Guacamole Recipe
This creative guacamole recipe also known as “California guacamole,” has a hint of Italian flavor.
Preparation Instructions:
- Mash 4 avocados
- Add 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- Add 2 tablespoons shredded fresh basil leaves
- Add ⅓ cup parmesan cheese
- Add ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (but drain and chop them before you mix them into your guacamole dip)
- Sprinkle in toasted pine nuts
- Add 1 ½ tablespoons dried basil in place of the fresh leaves
- Mix all ingredients and add on a pinch or two of sea salt.
- Serve it with Italian bread, chips, or pita bread.
Last updated Oct 16, 2019 | Food
A solid rotation of healthy crock-pot recipes is every busy cook’s best friend. Let’s be honest, wasting gorgeously perfect summer days slaving away in the kitchen is a serious no-no. Who would you rather be … isolated, loner chef or summer’s most social butterfly?
Okay, okay, we might be exaggerating a bit. The point is, a crock-pot is your solution to cooking delish meals while never missing a moment in the sun. We have 6 reasons this handy cooking device is a worthy kitchen sidekick.
Preparing for a classy garden party, but your friends relentlessly insist you join them at the beach? Stop being stubborn already and ditch the apron!
With these healthy crock-pot meals, you can quite literally toss in all ingredients and walk away.
Easy-Peasy, Healthy Crock-Pot Recipes
1. Pulled Pork
Mmmm, pulled pork. You have GOT to try this!
- Rub about 4 pounds of pork roast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a little brown sugar. Add chili powder for a kick!
- Chop 2 onions and place around the roast.
- Options for cooking liquid:
- Can of dark beer poured onto the roast will result in a nice traditional flavor.
- Can of pineapple juice can be substituted for a fruity Hawaiian taste.
- Cup of apple cider vinegar can be used for a tart taste.
- Cook everything on low for 6 to 7 hours.
- Use a fork to shred the meat and remove any bones.
- Mix in your favorite BBQ sauce and let it cook on low for 1 more hour.
- Serve your pork on delicious potato rolls. This healthy crock-pot recipe serves 10-12.
2. Chicken Tortilla Soup
When you think of chicken soup, you may picture frosty, stormy nights and a cold (perhaps runny) nose. Hear this: chicken soup is not limited to winter meals and sick-day sipping. Add a twist of lime, wedge of avocado, and dollop of sour cream for an instant summer soup hit!
- Place 2-3 chopped chicken breasts into the crock-pot. Add chopped green chile, a can of beans, corn kernels, chopped tomato, onion, garlic, and a pinch of your favorite spices.
- Pour 2 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of water on top. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.
- Squeeze at least 2 large limes into the soup and add a handful of cilantro.
- To serve, pour into a bowl over tortilla chips. Sprinkle some shredded cheese on top.
- Sliced avocado and a big spoonful of sour cream served as garnish completes the meal. This simple & healthy crock-pot soup serves 4-5 people.
3. BBQ Ribs
This recipe is ridiculously easy. Other than utter laziness, you have no excuse to skip it.
- Rub down the 3-4 pounds of ribs with salt, pepper, garlic powder and a little chili sauce.
- Place in the crock-pot with about 1/2 cup of dark beer.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Cover the ribs in barbecue sauce and bake at 350 degrees for just long enough that the sauce starts to caramelize. This healthy crock-pot meal serves 6-7 people.
4. Mac and Cheese
If you don’t love Mac and Cheese, there’s probably something wrong with you. This all-time favorite is virtually painless to prepare.
- Coat the crock- pot in non-stick spray.
- Mix 3 cups of milk with 3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add 1 beaten egg. Season everything with salt, pepper and paprika.
- Pour this over 1 box of macaroni in the crock-pot and add a tad more cheese on top.
- Cook on low for 4 hours.
5. Healthy Crock Pot Oatmeal Recipe: Loaded Berries
A tangy breakfast treat that is so simple to complete. Try cooking it overnight for a quick breakfast the morning of that camping trip. Delicious and healthy crock pot breakfast recipes can be a pain to find, but this one is a winner every time.
- Pour 2 cups of steel-cut oatmeal into the crock-pot.
- Add 6 cups of water and a pinch of salt, as well as a ½ cup of brown sugar.
- Try a pinch of cinnamon for extra sweetness.
- Stir well and let cook on low for 8 hours.
- Before serving, stir in about a ½ cup of whole milk and top with a healthy portion of seasonal berries.
6. Chili
Then there is the beloved chili bowl. This ever-popular crock pot healthy dinner is a picnic food classic!
- Add 2 pounds of ground beef to 2 cans of tomato sauce in a crock-pot.
- Chop up a large onion, a bell pepper, and a couple cloves of garlic. Add them to the pot, along with 2 cans of your favorite beans.
- Pour a ½ cup of water or broth on top. Season everything with a mixture of salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, and cumin.
- Stir well and let cook on low for at least 8 hours.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream and some shredded cheese on top. This will easily serve 8-10 people.
TIP: Find crock-pots at Sears, Walmart, and Macy’s. Some suppliers, such as Amazon, will even deliver fresh ingredients to your doorstep!
Make these healthy crock-pot recipes a summer staple!
We might just make these dishes the only meals we prepare all summer. Berry oatmeal for breakfast, chili at the company picnic, and BBQ ribs for the 4th of July party! Done. This season, these scrumptiously healthy crock-pot meals will ensure you never waste a day indoors. You can find more healthy crock pot recipes and tips at Whole Foods or on these Pinterest recipes.
Last updated Oct 16, 2019 | Food
We got a tasty, and easy to make in 10-minutes Quinoa, Kale and poached egg recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 large eggs (optional: organic eggs)
- ½ cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup baby kale (optional: organic greens)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil (optional: garlic-infused olive oil)
- 1 teaspoon ground lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vinegar (optional: apple cider instead of white)
- 1 teaspoon ground coarse sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Preparation Instructions
1. Sauté the kale and cooked quinoa in olive oil
For extra flavor, try garlic-infused oil.
2. Cover the greens after cooking
3. Turn off heat and let the kale/quinoa mixture stand until it wilts
4. Scoop the cooked greens onto an attractive plate
5. Boil water in a small saucepan for the poached eggs
6. Turn boiling water heat to low, stir in vinegar and add cracked eggs
When adding the vinegar, stir the substance rapidly in a circular motion. This will create a whirlpool funnel.
Quickly drop the cracked egg into it. Slide eggs into the center of the whirlpool.
7. Let the egg simmer for 3-4 minutes
Keep the egg in the water until the whites appear cooked. This poaching process will usually leave the yoke a little runny.
However, if you prefer a firmer yoke, you could let it cook a minute or two longer. Be careful not to overcook it, which could leave it rubbery.
8. Use a slotted spoon to remove the cooked eggs from the water
9. Place the eggs on top of the kale/quinoa greens you prepared just minutes ago
10. Grind some lemon peel and sprinkle the zest over the top of the dish
11. Spread a few pinches of ground sea salt and crushed black pepper over it
You want just enough salt and pepper to flavor the dish, but not overpower it.
Estimated Preparation Time
This Quinoa, Kale and Poached Egg Recipe takes only 10 minutes to prepare.
Recommended Uses
The Quinoa, Kale and poached egg recipe dish is an excellent standalone item which is an ideal choice for busy parents who have hungry mouths to feed.
It is easy to double or triple the batch when you need to cook dinner for your whole family.
However, it offers a versatile enough flavor for a buffet-style menu.
You can modify the dish and add the finished product to lettuce or spinach salads that call for cooked eggs.
Also, consider using the leftovers for a nutritious, fast breakfast dish.
Where to Buy Quinoa
You can find all the ingredients you’ll need for our “10-Minute Quinoa, Kale, & Poached Egg Recipe” at your local grocery store or online at major grocery store brands.
We recommend you the best ingredients like buying organic eggs (if you can).
Our other tip would be to try using Giving Assistant to help save money on your grocery bill by, for example, finding a coupon for Target or other grocery stores.
You can potentially earn cash back when you sign up for a Giving Assistant account which you could also donate some to a nonprofit of your choice.
More Recipe Ideas
To discover similar quinoa dishes, browse Whole Foods or check out the 10 Best Quinoa Recipes from Bon Appetit.
Summary
When you are stuck for ideas for a tasty, fast to make quinoa dish that is vegetarian friendly we hope this quinoa, kale and poached egg recipe hits the spot for you.
We think this dish will mainly be cooked for lunch meals, however, it can be used for breakfast or even a dinner for one person.
Have you seen our rustic garlic mashed potatoes recipe yet? If not check that out next.
