Hearty Salmon Salad

I always have a hard time taking the time to make a salad for myself. But, I'll always eat a salad that's made for me! No idea why. For whatever reason I enjoyed making this salad. It looks good, was easy to assemble, and tasted great!

Enjoy, Chris

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 8oz Salmon Filets
• 2 tbs. creole seasoning
• non-stick olive oil spray
• Box of Salad Greens
• 1 pint of Raspberries, rinsed
• 1 apple, sliced thin
• 1 cucumber, quartered and diced
• 1/4 red onion sliced thinly

Candied Pecan topping

• 1 c. pecans
• 3 tbs brown rice syrup (you could also use corn syrup)
• 1 tbs. coconut palm sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 tbs. water

Salad dressing

• 3 tbs. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbs. lemon juice
• 1tsp. honey
• 1/4 canola oil
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Make the candied pecans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Combine the brown rice syrup, sugar, salt, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl. Add a tbs. of water to thin the mixture. Add pecans and stir to coat. Spread on baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, stir, then bake an additional 5 minutes. Let cool. Turn the oven up to 400 degrees.
3. Make dressing. Whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, and honey. Gradually add oil whisking continuously. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Make Salmon. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and spray with oil. Add Salmon and spray the top with oil. 

Summer Marinated Grilled Flank Steak

We love to grill in the summer, as I'm sure most of you do too!  Flank steak is a cheap steak that if prepared and sliced properly, you have a wonderful result. This is a great simple recipe to take your Flank Steak to the next level. In the summer we will pair this steak with a big salad or serve with a bunch of fresh veggies.  

Would love you to share you summer grilling recipes!!  

-Chris

Citrus Marinated Flank Steak

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

·      The juice of 1 orange

·      The juice of 2 limes

·      ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

·      2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

·      1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder

·      3 tablespoons chopped cilantro

·      1 teaspoon ground cumin

·      1 teaspoon salt

·      2 pound flank steak

Instructions:

• Whisk the orange juice, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, chili powder, cumin and salt in a medium sized bowl. Place the steak in a large, resealable plastic bag and pour the marinade over it. Press out the air, seal the bag and marinate at room temperature for at least 2 hours or in the refrigerator overnight.
• Heat Grill to High.  Grill Flank Steak for 5 minutes on first side, drop temperature to medium and turn steak, grill for 5 more minutes or until desired temperature.
• Move the steak away from the direct heat, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Slice thinly against the grain at a 45-degree angle.

Plan Ahead Tip:

Make marinade the night before and marinate steak or chicken overnight for added flavor and less prep the day of.

We also like to make sweet potato mashed or dice up a bunch of sweet potatoes, place them on a sheet pan that you have sprayed with olive oil, drizzle the sweet potatoes with olive oil and top with a little sea salt and cinnamon.  Bake the sweet potatoes at 375 degrees until they are soft and caramelized.  They taste amazing and are great to serve with this steak.