Grilled Salmon & Pesto Avocado Cucumber Pasta


Grilled Salmon & Pesto Avocado Cucumber Pasta 



Prep Time: 15 mins 
Cook Time: 20 mins 
Serves: 4

Ingredients: 
Salmon, Grape Tomatoes, Cilantro, 6 Cucumbers, 2 Small Avocados, 4 Tbsp of Vegan Pesto, Black Pepper, Sea Salt, 1 tsp of Minced Garlic, 1/4 cup of Water, 1Tbsp Olive Oil

Instructions:
Spiralize your cucumber and drain the excess water. Sprinkle a pinch of salt onto your cucumber spirals. Place your Cucumber Spirals in a pan for 3 minutes, oil is optional. Set aside. In a blender, food processor or any other blending gadget you have - blend on smoothie mode: your avocados, pesto, garlic, olive oil, water for 1-2 minutes. The consistency will be a creamy, thin sauce. 

In a mixing bowl, mix your cucumber spirals with your avocado pesto sauce. Pour your sauce in slowly as you mix, you want to have an ample amount of sauce but not too much. Now you are ready to plate your meal! In bowl, serve out your desired amount of your pasta, garnish with cilantro leaves, black pepper, salt and halved grape tomatoes. On top of your pasta place your Salmon. 

Don't forget to use my hashtag #WritingForFoodDiary if you recreate this dish and let me know how you like it! 






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Roast Lamb & Pesto Avocado Cucumber Pasta


Roast Lamb & Pesto Avocado Cucumber Pasta 

Prep Time: 15 mins 
Cook Time: 20 mins 
Serves: 4

Ingredients: 
Lamb,Grape Tomatoes, Cilantro 
6 Cucumbers, 2 Small Avocados, 4 Tbsp of Vegan Pesto 
Black Pepper, Sea Salt, 1 tsp of Minced Garlic, 1/4 cup of Water, 1Tbsp Olive Oil

YOU GUYS. 

This dish is so, so, so delicious. You can whip this up in 20 minutes if you have your meat already cooked. I recommend cooking your meats (protein) at the beginning of the week because it is generally the part of the meal that takes the longest. 

Spiralize your cucumber and drain the excess water. Sprinkle a pinch of salt onto your cucumber spirals. Place your Cucumber Spirals in a pan for 3 minutes, oil is optional. Set aside. 

Step 1:
 In a blender, food processor or any other blending gadget you have - blend on smoothie mode: your avocados, pesto, garlic, olive oil, water for 1-2 minutes. The consistency will be a creamy, thin sauce. 
Step 2:
In a mixing bowl, mix your cucumber spirals with your avocado pesto sauce. Pour your sauce in slowly as you mix, you want to have an ample amount of sauce but not too much. 
Step 3:
Now you are ready to plate your meal! In bowl, serve out your desired amount of your pasta, garnish with cilantro leaves, black pepper, salt and halved grape tomatoes. On top of your pasta place your Lamb. 

Step 4:
I served this dish up with Sweet Cornbread Muffins and it was a hit. This meal is perfect for when you want to be healthy-ish but still have some southern comfort with the goodness that is cornbread. 

Don't forget to use my hashtag #ChaiLavenderRecipe if you recreate this dish and let me know how you like it! 

Enjoy! 
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Shrimp Fried Rice



Shrimp Fried Rice

Prep Time: 10 mins 
Cook Time: 30 mins
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients: 
Bag of Frozen Mixed Vegetables, 1 Small Red Onion, 1 Small Sweet Onion, 1lb of Shrimp (Frozen or Fresh), Grapeseed Oil, Salt, Pepper, Curry Powder, Paprika, Thyme, 2 Cups of Parboiled Rice,Soy Sauce (Optional),WOK Pan

Step 1: 
Pour 2 cups of rice into your pot, wash the rice and then pour 2 cups of water over the rice, add 1tbsp of salt and boil on medium high heat. Continue to monitor your rice, you want it to be fluffy and evenly cooked. 
Step 2: 
Place your Wok on the stove and pour in 1/2 cup of Grapeseed Oil. Chop up your red onion and sweet onion in your desired shape. You can dice them or cut them into small strips. Place the onions into the oil. Turn on the stove to med-high heat. Continue to monitor your onions - you want them to brown but not burn. 
Step 3:  
Your onions should be brown now, so place your Wok on another stove top that is not on. Pat your shrimp dry and season it with paprika, salt, pepper, and cumin. Season with a pinch of each of the spices. Place the seasoned shrimp into the oil (that has the onions). Move your Wok back to the stovetop that is on Med-High Heat. 

*Pro-Tip: Make sure when you are placing items into the Wok, you remove it from the stove top first - you do not want hot oil splashing in your face!*
Step 4: 
Continue to monitor your shrimps as they cook - you want them to be brown and evenly cooked. Next you will add your mixed vegetable mix, again - make sure they are defrosted and you add them only after taking the Wok off the stovetop. 
Step 5: 
Now in your Wok, you have browned onions, shrimp and mixed vegetables. Go back to your rice and see if it is cooked, if it is - now you will scoop in the rice into your stir fry, turn the heat up to high and begin to mix your stir fry with your rice. Add in 1Tbsp of each: Salt, Curry Powder, Thyme, Black Pepper. Season to taste. This is also when you add in 2 Tbsp of Soy Sauce - this is optional - if you are trying to do a leaner or healthier version of this dish, skip the soy sauce. 

Now - you have a delicious, Asian-inspired shrimp fried rice dish! 

Enjoy!


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Indonesian Curry Rice & Chicken Bowl



Indonesian Curry Rice & Chicken Bowl

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Serves: 4-6


Ingredients:
Chicken Drumstick Tray (4-6), Parsley ,1 Sweet Onion, Salt, Black Pepper, Onion Powder Indonesian Curry Powder or Indonesian Curry Pre-Made Paste, Parboiled Rice, Heavy Whipping Cream 

Happy New Year Ladies & Gents! May 2018 be the start of beautiful, wonderful and meaningful things in your life. 

The recipe I am sharing with you for this post is a nice hearty bowl of goodness ideally for a cold night like tonight. It is relatively simple but packs a punch. My specialty. 

Step 1: Chicken Drumsticks
Boil the drumsticks for 30 mins in cold water. You want the water to be 2inches above the chicken drumsticks. Add onions and seasonings of your choice. My seasonings of choice when boiling chicken is always 2 tablespoons of each of these seasonings: curry, onion power, salt, pepper, thyme, ground thyme, cumin. 
Step 2: Rice
Pour 2 cups of rice into your pot with 2 cups of water. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Let your rice boil on med-high for 20 mins. 
Step 3: Indonesian Curry Sauce
The shortcut here is to use a pre-made sauce from your local asian supermarket that says "Indonesian Curry" and simply warm the contents up and pour over the rice. However, if you want to make your sauce from scratch, you will need to purchase Curry powder that is specificed to be from Indonesia. (You can get this at your local health food store). Mix 4 tablespoons of indonesian curry with 1teaspoon of each: salt, pepper, onion powder and thyme. Set aside. You will pour 1 cup of heavy whipping cream into a Wok (or similar pot) and slowly stir in your seasoning curry mix. Let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes. 
Step 4: Plating

First, pour a serving spoon full of your curry sauce into the bowl. Next scoop in 2 (or more) serving spoonfuls of rice. Place a chicken drumstick on top of the rice and garnish with Parsley leafs. 



Now you are all done and you have the perfect comfort meal for a chilly day. 

*Note, as you cook your sauce, remember to taste it as it cooks and season it to taste!*

*If you use or cook any of my recipes - please use the hastag on social media #WritingForFoodDiary so I can see your finished product and spam your post with heart emojis!*



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Savory Garlic Butter Lobster Tails & Asian Salad


Savory Garlic Butter Lobster Tails & Asian Salad
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40mins
Serves: 2-4


Ingredients: 
Lobster Tails (Frozen or Fresh),Bagged Artisan Salad, Spinach
Black Pepper
Butter
Minced Garlic Cumin, Salt, Cherry Tomatoes, Asian Style Salad Dressing 


Can you tell I love Garlic Butter by now? Seriously, it is a perfect blend of flavor especially for seafood and vegetables. Today, I am incorporating the savory sauce with Lobster Tails. This dish is very (suprisingly) easy to make and quick. 

Lobster Tails at a 5-Star Restaurant are generally $35-$50 for just ONE Lobster Tail. Insane when you can actually go to your local Sprouts or Farmer's Market and get a Lobster Tail for $6-$10 each. We are going to whip this up in 5 steps.

Step 1:
 The first thing that you want to do is purchase your lobster tails. They are generally chilled but not frozen - however if they are frozen, soak them in room temperature water to defrost them. 
Step 2: 
Once your Lobster Tails are defrosted, begin to cut the length of the shell of the Lobster to expose the meat. Set your lobster tail aside and begin to prepare your Garlic Butter sauce. 
Step 3:
 Garlic Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, place 1 TBSP of Butter, 1 TSP of Cumin, 1 TSP of  Minced Garlic and a pinch of Salt. Warm the mixture until the butter is melted and mix well. 
Step 4: 
Place your Lobster Tails in a baking or grilling pan and pour the garlic butter mixture over the Lobster Tails. Place in the oven for 25 mins at 400 degrees. 
Step 5: 
While your Lobster Tail is cooking, you want to assemble your salad. The salad I have made in my dish is a mixture of 1 handful of spinach and 1 handful or bagged artisan salad. You can use the salad of your choice. Add cherry tomatoes, carrots or anything else you like on your salad and drizzle the salad dressing of your choice. In order to make your salad asian inspired, I suggest using a salad dressing that is soy sauce based. 

After 20 minutes, check your Lobster Tails and once they are done, plate with your salad. Feel free to garnish your Lobster Tails with Parsley or Black Pepper for that extra kick. Although this dish looks super fancy and delectable, no one would guess it took you 30 minutes to make. It'll be our little secret!
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Winter TableScape for under $5


Winter TableScape for under $5


Anyone that loves Interior Design probably loves to make TableScapes. Most Tablescape materials can run you upwards of $100. However, you do not have to spend hundreds of dollars to have a festive dining table. Today I am showing you my tablescape for the winter that was made up of pieces from Dollar Tree.

The Gold plate Charger, Napkin, Ribbon, Christmas Plate and Bird Pick all came from Dollar Tree at $1 each. The materials at your select Dollar Tree may vary but the important thing is to make sure to look for pieces that are affordable. First, look for the plate charger (the oversized gold plate), then look for a plate that is complimentary or festive. From there, take your time to look around the store to find ribbon, napkins and little accent pieces like the bird pick to pull your tablescape together. 

Whether you are on a budget or not - saving money is never a bad idea!



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Curry Lamb Zoodles


Curry Lamb Zoodles 

Zoodles are my absolute go-to recipe as a delicious alternative to Pasta. I mean, Pasta is life right? OK not life - but it is one of life's best gifts to us, but I digress. 

This recipe is super simple and I threw it together in less than 20 minutes. It may take longer if you do not already have your Lamb cooked. 

Pro Tip: Meal prep your meats by the week, so your cook time during the week is cut in half.

Step 1: 
Use a spiralizer to make Zoodles out of your Zuccini and set aside.
Step 2: 
Cut your cooked lamb into chunks and then toss in Curry Sauce. 
Step 3:
 Add Veggies and Garnishes of your choice, I use fresh Cilantro and Cherry Tomatoes.


Voila! Enjoy!


*If you use or cook any of my recipes - please use the hashtag on social media #WritingForFoodDiary so I can see your finished product and spam your post with heart emojis!*
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