Spring has sprung!

WHAT IS THIS!?!  Almost can't even believe my eyes!  And he had FRIENDS too!  Light at the end of the tunnel, I tell you.

Yes, I decided it was time I get outdoors.  Winter is about over (I think) so I can come out of hibernation now.

We took a "nice" one first, but of course - the "nice" one didn't turn out.  Was blurry. So here is the "silly" one.

No one tells the Avos she can't walk in puddles.

Or Dylan, I guess.

Tonight we had blackened fish tacos.  These were really good!  The recipe is here and its from Cooking Light's March 2011 edition.  I used catfish instead of tilapia (I didn't mean to, but thats what I ended up with!) and it turned out awesome.  The sauce that the onions are supposed to chill in for a bit was on the mild side, so next time I think I'd try adding some chipotle pepper to it instead of the jalapeno pepper.  Other than that, this was pretty good.  For the kids, they just had fish with cheese on their tortillas and they seemed to like it.  I think this would be good with some salsa, rice and black beans too!  Can't wait to make them again and experiment a little!

And then after we were done eating, they kids took their pony out for a ride.  Always a good time.  For the camera person and the riders, anyway. ; )

Well, that's all from me!

Provencal Salmon Burgers

I spent a fair amount of time in potty training land today.  Its a wonderful place that doesn't require pants!  It does, however, require crazy accessories!

Her "looks" today were serious cracking me up.  But, any outfit sans pants is probably gonna be pretty funny.  Wish I could show the full ensemble but clearly I cannot.  Trust me tho - the pics are definitely gonna get some face time in oh...lets say 15 years when I'm needing some sort of payback.  Longer if her Dad has something to say about it. ; )

This evening's meal was fab-u-lous!  This is the Provencal Salmon Burger from March 2011 Clean Eating Magazine.  Seriously good eats and I didn't even make the sauce that was supposed to go on it!  (which looks fab too, but I didn't have a cucumber)

Here is the recipe:

Provencal Salmon Burgers

- 3 cups cauliflower and broccoli, each

- 1 tsp lemon zest

- 1 lb salmon fillets, cut into chunks

- 1 egg white

- 3/4 tsp herbes de Provence

- 5 kalamata olives, chopped

- 1 tsp capers

- 1 tbsp chopped red onion

- 2 tsp Dijon mustard

- olive oil cooking spray

-4 whole wheat buns

- Green leaf lettuce

Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

- 1/2 cucumber, peeled and seeded

- 1 cup nonfat plain Greek-Style yogurt

- 1 crushed clove garlic

- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Directions: In a medium saucepot, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add cauliflower and broccoli.  Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until tender but firm.  Remove veggies from pot and toss with lemon zest; set aside.

In a food processor, combine salmon, egg white, herbes de Provence, olives, capers, onion and Dijon.  Pulse 3 or 4 times until mixed but still chunky.  Form into 4 patties and set aside.

Prepare cucumber yogurt sauce: grate cucumber over a cheesecloth or clean towel.  Wrap up cheese cloth or towel and squeeze tightly until all liquid is removed from cucumber.  In a medium bowl, combine cucumber, yogurt, garlic and lemon juice; mix well.

Heat a saucepan on medium-high and mist with cooking spray.  Place salmon patties in pan, mist tops with cooking spray and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side.

To assemble burgers, place each salmon patty in 1 bun and top with 1/4 cup cucumber yogurt sauce.  Add lettuce to burger, if desired.  Serve with 1 cup broccoli-cauliflower mixture.

Serves: 4, Serving size: 1 salmon burger and 1 cup veggie mixture, calories: 372

 

 

In other news...OUR.SEPTIC.IS.WORKING.  We got ripped off!!!!!  Eric went out today to check on it (and I prepared for the worst with a big glass of wine and a few deep breaths) and came in and announced that it IS, in fact, working.  So we tested it out with a load of laundry and he could tell it wasn't frozen.  And he thinks it never actually was!  So, now comes the part where I call out Lon's Septic Service in Hillman, MN. DON'T USE THEM!!!  They ripped off our neighbor too I guess!  LIARS!  They came here twice and were probably laughing' it up each time they left. We'll spread the word tho, Lon!  So look out!

 

Thats all for now!  G'night!