Amazing BBQ Burgers with Asian Carrot Salad and Stuffed Date Treats

Sooo… it’s been so long since I’ve blogged that I’ve got to re-learn the WordPress interface <ugh> 🙂  After my journey into healthy habits and losing 85 pounds, it’s taken me a very long time to get back into cooking.  Now that I’ve maintained most of the weight loss for multiple years, I’ve got some confidence back in my eating skills and now that I’ve retired (at least partially) I aim to get back to cooking a couple of times per month again.

Tonight’s inaugural meal was a fantastic beef/lamb burger with blue cheese and carmelized onion with an Asian carrot salad, and finished with coconut-stuffed, chocolate-covered dates.

Lots of rave reviews

Beef/Lamb Burgers with Blue Cheese and Carmelized Onions 

Asian Carrot Salad

Chocolate-Covered Coconut Stuffed Dates

Have fun and Happy Cooking!

Optifast

If you’ve been following my posts, you might wonder why there have been no posts for a while.  Well, I’ve been involved in a medically supervised weight loss program – 3 months with meal replacement shakes only.  I’m 3 weeks into it now, so it will be a few more months before I can think about cooking again.

See you here again soon.

Ham Balls with Honey-Bourbon Sauce

I had never had ham balls or patties before, and we had some left over ham roast and I remembered a recipe I’d seen a while back in CuisineAtHome magazine.  They turned out delicious. Served with smashed potatoes and a salad, and you’re all set.  These balls/patties are quite large, so the recipe will serve 6-8 people.

Rave reviews all around.

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/ham-balls/

Fighting the Winter Blues Away

I had read somewhere about the technique of slow-roasting fish, and thought I should try it out.  The rest of the menu is based on what I had in the fridge.  Great comfort food for fighting off the cold weather.  The cabbage and potatoes are even better warmed up for leftovers next day.

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/salmon-with-bacon-cabbage/

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/irish-mashed-potatoes/

Hope you enjoy.

 

 

 

 

Happy Valentine’s Day

I made a nice meal for Valentine’s Day this year.  Appetizer of Citrus and Avocado Salad with toasted honey oat bread croutons – light, but really fresh and tasty.  Drunken Blackberry Pork Chops with Israeli Couscous and Root Vegetables and a side of Lemony Swiss Chard rounded out the main course.  We made it a leisurely meal, so we were stuffed.  A couple chocolate strawberries from Edible Arrangements rounded out the cupid’s day feast.

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/citrus-and-avocado-salad/

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/drunken-blackberry-pork-chop

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/israeli-couscous-with-roasted-vegetables-2/

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/lemony-swiss-chard/

Although this meal is plenty nice for having company, it’s also fairly simple because you can make alot of it ahead, and the couscous can be served cold or room temperature, if you like.

Rave reviews all around!

 

A Couple Warm Soups For Cold Weather

Sue and I worked together to make two soups.  They are both quite hearty, tasty, and great for that snowy Winter’s day.  Great with a nice loaf of artisan bread for lunch.  Add a salad, and you’ve got dinner.

Spicy African Sweet Potato Soup

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/african-sweet-potato-soup/

 

Creamy Carrot Orange Soup

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/carrot-orange-soup/

Curried Corn Soup

There’s been a really chill in the air lately, and now it’s time to make some stews and soups for Fall.  This corn soup is a real winner.

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/curried-corn-soup/

 

Sue made up a really nice home made pizza to go with it – basil pesto in place of tomato sauce; lightly blanched spinach, pre-cooked diced chicken.  Very nice.

Easy Picnic Fare

As is the custom, I prepared picnic fare for a potluck Father’s Day picnic for my Dad and sister’s family.  What to do that’s easy, tasty, and won’t break the bank.  Make-it-yourself sandwhiches from roast beef and shaved ham.  They were a great hit.  The spicy pasta salad with gouda cheese, tomatoes, and basil was a great addition.  Add a few picnic favorites like pop, potato chips and pickles, and you’re all set to enjoy.

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/brown-sugar-cottage-roll/

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/spicy-pasta-salad/

Spicy Chicken Cakes

This was a little different.  I’ve tried tuna cakes, salmon cakes, and even crab cakes – but never chicken cakes.  Hey they were delicious.  Enjoy with a side salad and some starch and your golden!

 

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/spicy-chicken-cakes

 

Orange Chicken Piccata

Very tasty and easy to make.  The chicken goes really well with rice and peas, and maybe a salad on the side.

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/orange-chicken-piccata/

https://cookrboy.wordpress.com/rice-and-peas/

Serves 4.  Great reviews 9/10.