CKCS Snores

There are many different sounds of snores our dogs make. This is just one of them, but it's so cute as long as they're not snoring next to us in bed.

"Napping is my favorite pastime...."

"And this is how I sound...."

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Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi

When I first made this dish for a party, people just went gaga over it. The recipe is from Food Network, and it's so easy to make and looks fancy for a special dinner. I made a few changes this time, but it came out pretty good.

Hawaiian theme lingers...

Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi

2 pieces mahi mahi, about 4 oz each
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped in blender
1 Tbsp coconut milk
2 tsp coconut spread, or butter
Salt and pepper
Olive oil to coat the foil

Gently press the macadamia nut mixture on the fillets. 

Nicely browned on top

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix chopped nuts and coconut spread. I chopped them pretty finely until they start almost clumping together except for a few coarsely chopped nuts. Salt and pepper the fillets. Bake them in a greased baking pan for 5 minutes. Take the fillets out and brush them with coconut milk. Spread the macadamia nut mixture and gently press it on the fillets so it sticks. Put them back in the oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes or until the crust gets brown. 
Recipe loosely adapted from Food Network.

All this in less than 20 minutes!

Here is the original recipe from Food Network.

These nuts are not for squirrels! (or dogs!)

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Roasted Butternut Squash Bites

Our friends G & D gave us a couple of beautiful butternut squash. I am starting to think "fall" already in the back of my mind. 

A few days left in August...

Roasted Butternut Squash Bites

1 butternut squash, peeled and cut in bite sizes 
2 tsp olive oil
Sprinkles fennel seeds
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp crushed red chili pepper
3 Tbsp sliced almonds
Salt and pepper to taste

Homegrown butternut squash from G&D

Coat with almonds and spices

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a foil lined cookie sheet, spread the butternut squash and drizzle olive oil. Add spices and almonds and coat well. Make sure almond slices stick to them. Bake for 25 minutes.

Thanks guys! They're yummy.

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Shishito Pepper Salad with Bacon and Cheese

When we came back from Hawaii after a week of vacation, lots of shishito peppers were ready. Amazing how fast they grow in warm weather like this. It's always nice to eat something you grow in your own garden.

Shishtio Pepper Salad with Bacon and Cheese

1 1/2 cups shishito peppers
2 strips thick cut bacon, cut 1/2 inch long
1/4 cup Havarti cheese, cubed. Cream cheese is also good in this.
2 tsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp Japanese dashi base sauce
1/4 tsp Japanese chili pepper

Beautiful shishito peppers were waiting for us.

With a fork, pierce holes in shishito peppers so they don't explode during cooking. Cut bacon into 1/2 inch long chunks, and start sautéing in its own fat. When they're cooked and slightly brown, take them out of the skillet and throw in shishito peppers. Combine bacon, peppers and cubed cheese in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, dashi base sauce and Japanese chili pepper. Toss to coat. 

Cook bacon first and drain extra fat.

Brown peppers in bacon fat.

Havarti cheese is creamy and nutty.

Coat well with the mayonnaise mixture.

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Dogs, Do You Want to....?

Our dogs love it when we ask them questions. Just start asking a question with a phrase "do you want to..." and they just know something fun may happen to them. How cute are they when they cock their head?

"Who's that mowing our yard?"

They keep cocking their head to the same question over and over....

Cavvie is the name of the stuffed animal they like. They know it by name. They seemed to be even more curious than usual when I included that name in the question.

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Green Smoothie: Another Recipe

I didn't feel like adding milk to my drink this morning. Sometimes the fat content of milk, any milk, can be a little heavy for my tummy, and I don't like the aftertaste. I just wanted something clean and fresh that's easy to go down.

Tastes light and refreshing

Green Smoothie: Another Recipe

2 cups water
1 apple
1/4 lemon with peel
1/2 cup frozen kale
Handful parsley
3-4 ice cubes
1 Tbsp chia seeds

Blend all except for chia seeds until smooth. Add more water if you'd like lighter consistency. Add chia seeds and stir well. Set aside for a few minutes until the seeds get a bit gelatinous. 

These and a banana. Golden combo for tasty smoothie.

I bought this bag of kale fresh and froze it.

Chia seeds will keep you full.

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Banana Chocolate Pudding Made with Chia Seeds

I made a smoothie with banana and cocoa powder and added chia seeds to turn it into a chocolate pudding. Banana will give you some sweetness, but if you'd like, you can add some honey or agave nectar. 

Drizzle honey on top for extra yumminess!

Banana Chocolate Pudding Made with Chia Seeds

1 cup coconut milk
3 Tbsp chia seeds
1 banana
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp instant espresso powder
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Honey, optional

A little espresso makes it taste even more chocolatey.

In a blender combine all the ingredients except for chia seeds and blend until smooth. In a bowl, transfer the smoothie and add chia seeds. Let it sit for awhile or overnight in the fridge. Serve it in an ice-cream bowl.

Hello, Blendtec

Mix with chia seeds and just wait....

Topping is up to you. How about some whipped cream?

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Prune Compote

Try them on yogurt, cottage cheese, or munch on them between meals. Pair them with your favorite cheese. These little bites are full of fiber and iron, and they're anything but boring!

Taste like wine and melt in your mouth

Prune Compote

2 cups red wine
1 1/2 cups dried prunes
1 strip lemon peel
Splash of lemon juice

In a medium sauce pan, add wine, prunes and a lemon peel. Boil the mixture for a couple of minutes to cook off the alcohol. Turn off the heat and cool. Squeeze fresh lemon on top. Keep them in the fridge.

Cook off a bit of alcohol and let them rest.

Two hours later. Soft and plump.

Really easy and yummy!



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Pickled Plum Quinoa with Shiso Leaves

Quinoa can be rather bland by itself, which also means you can get creative with it. I made pickled plum flavored quinoa with shiso leaves. Use it for your salad or as a substitute for rice.

Slightly pink quinoa with natto as a topping

Pickled Plum Quinoa with Shiso Leaves

1 cup quinoa
1 1/4 cup water
2 tsp pickled plum paste
1 tsp dashi base sauce
1/2 tsp conbucha powder
Handful of shiso leaves, julienned

Pickled plum paste and conbucha powder 

Dashi base sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together water, plum paste, conbucha powder and dashi base sauce. Bring it to boil and add washed quinoa. Turn the heat to low and simmer for 12 minutes. Take it off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Fluff it with a fork. Add shiso leaves and toss lightly.

Cook in this pink broth

Cooking away....

Pickled plum quinoa

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