21 March 2009

lemon-almond buttermilk loaf


2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 t salt
1/2 t baking soda
2 c sugar
3/4 c unsalted butter, room temperature
3 large eggs
1/4 t almond extract
3/4 c buttermilk
3/4 c ground almonds
1 T grated lemon peel
5 T fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9x5x2 1/2" metal loaf pan. Sift flour, salt, and baking soda into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat 1 1/2 c sugar and butter in large bowl until well-blended. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in almond extract.
Add dry ingredients to egg mixture alternately with buttermilk in 3 additions each, beating until well blended after each addition. Add ground almonds and lemon peel and beat 1 minute. Transfer batter to prepared pan.

Bake cake until deep golden brown and cracked on top and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 1 hour 25 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir remaining 1/2 c sugar and 5 T lemon juice in small bowl until sugar dissolves. Place rack on baking sheet. Turn cake out onto rack, top side up. using skewer or toothpick, poke holes 1 to 2 inches apart all over cake. Brush top and sides of cake with all of lemon glaze, allowing some glaze to soak into cake before brushing with more. Cook cake completely.

17 March 2009

dilled new potato salad

from prevention.com

2 lb small waxy potatoes
1-2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
1 c lightly mashed haas avocado (about 2 avocados)
1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 T reduced-fat sour cream
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 T finely chopped fresh dill
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

Place potatoes in large pot and cover with cold water (add salt if desired). Bring to a boil and cook 20 minutes or until just tender. Drain. Chill in refrigerator for about an hour.

Slice potatoes and place in large bowl. Stir in celery. Mix avocado and lemon juice in small bowl . Add sour cream, scallions, dill and stir. Add salt and pepper to taste. Combine with potato mixture. Serve immediately, garnishing with more fresh dill if desired.

Add more lemon juice to leftovers to help maintain color. Keep tightly covered and chilled.

4 servings, 273 cal,10 g fat, 6 g protein, 43 g carb, 8 g fiber

10 March 2009

oven-seared salmon with snap peas

4 6oz salmon filets, skin removed
4 T butter, divided
1/4 c minced shallots
4 T chopped fresh dill or tarragon
1 1/2 c diagonally thinly sliced sugar snap peas (1/8" slices)
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Sprinkle salmon lightly with salt and pepper.

Melt 2 T of the butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add salmon, increase heat to medium-high. Cook 60 to 90 seconds or until salmon just begins to lightly brown. Turn salmon, place on small rimmed baking sheet.

Melt remaining 2 T butter in same skillet over medium-low heat. Add shallots, cook 10 seconds or until fragrant. Sppon 1 T of the shallot mixture over slamon; sprinkle with 2 T of the dill. Bake 4-7 minutes or until salmon just beings to flake.

Meanwhile, ad peas to skillet; toss to coat with shallot mixture. Sprinkle with remaining 2 T dill and season with salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes or until peas are tender-crisp. Serve salmon wiht peas.

4 servings, 365 cals, 22 g fat, 38g protein, 5 g carbs, 1 g fiber