Lemony Salmon Burgers

I'm always on the lookout for healthy, fresh, summer recipes. I am SO glad I found and tried this one. Absolutely delish! We used 2 cans (7.5 oz. each) of wild salmon, from Aldi as the base. The burgers stuck together pretty nicely, but I sprinkled some extra bread crumbs in to help. Also, forming the patties on wax paper before frying definitely made this easier. I served these on whole wheat deli flats with homegrown lettuce, tomato, and sliced onion. The special sauce is a must! They're also amazing with cocktail sauce. I served this with vegetable couscous and fresh, homegrown beans. Plus we had homegrown cantaloupe for dessert !It was to die for!

Ingredients:

16 oz. canned salmon, drained and flaked
2 eggs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (I used 4 tsp. dried parsley...same diff.)
2 TBSP finely chopped onion
1/4 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
2 TBSP lemon juice
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 pinch red pepper flakes

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 TBSP light mayonnaise
1 TBSP lemon juice
1 pinch dried basil

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix together the salmon, eggs, parsley, onion, breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon of basil, and red pepper flakes. Form into 6 firmly packed patties, about 1/2 inch thick.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the patties, and cook for 4 minutes per side, or until nicely browned.

In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and a pinch of basil. Use as a sauce for your patties.

Lemonade Pie

This cool, rich, and tart dessert is the PERFECT treat for a hot summer night! Plus it takes literally 5 minutes to make...again, PERFECT! Keep leftovers (if there are any!) in the freezer. Side note: make sure the lemonade is frozen when you add it (mine was not, and the mixture got soupy and spilled out over the sides...totally my fault!).

Ingredients:
1 9-inch graham cracker pie crust
1 8 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk, chilled
1 12 oz. container frozen lemonade concentrate
Optional garnish: fresh lemon wedges

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, quickly and gently combine the whipped topping and chilled condensed milk just until blended.

Fold in the frozen lemonade concentrate. Again, work quickly so that all of the ingredients stay nice and cold and do not start to become soupy.

Pour filling into the pie crust and freeze for at least 6-8 hours before serving. Store leftovers in the freezer.

Summer Shrimp Stir Fry

I am in love with this quick, easy, healthy, and tasty dinner! I have SO been craving something nutritious after all the junk I've been consuming lately. This was a real winner and a meal that I will definitely make again! The best part...every ingredient (except the shrimp) can be found in our communal family (mine and my parents) garden! Honestly, only the squash and zucchini came from there, but when I make this later on in the summer (after the corn and tomatoes are up), this meal will be even cheaper! This meal was simply awesome...I usually don't like squash/zucchini, but in combination with those tasty shrimpers, I couldn't help but love this (the butter didn't hurt either!). :)

Ingredients:
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP olive oil
zucchini, sliced diagonally
yellow squash, sliced diagonally
4 garlic cloves, diced (I didn't have these, so I just sprinkled garlic powder in the butter/shrimp during this step--still turned out awesome!)
shrimp (peeled, deveined, tales left on)
2-3 ears of corn, kernels cut off
grape tomatoes, sliced in 1/2 lengthwise
salt and pepper
fresh herbs, if desired


Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet (I had to pull out my huge electric skillet!) over medium heat. Add minced garlic (or sprinkle garlic powder). When oil/butter is hot, add shrimp and cook for 3 minutes. Remove to a plate. Do not clean skillet.

Add the rest of the butter and oil and heat over medium heat. Add zucchini slices in a single layer and cook for one minute, tossing once. Scoot the zucchini to the edges of the pan, then add corn kernels to the middle of the pan. Cook for one minute. Add grape tomatoes, salt, and pepper, and toss around, then add shrimp. Cook for an additional 30 seconds, then remove from heat. Serve on a big platter.

Hint: Much better after it’s been allowed to cool for a bit!

P.S. I served this with CousCous w/ Chives and Saffron, from Darrenkamps. So good mixed together!

Italian Dressing Mix

Ingredients:

1 TBSP garlic salt
1 TBSP onion powder
1 TBSP white sugar
2 TBSP dried oregano
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp.dried basil
1 TBSP dried parsley
1/4 tsp. celery seed
1-2 TBSP salt

Directions:

In a small bowl, mix together all dry ingredients. Store in a tightly sealed container.
To prepare dressing, whisk together 1/4 white vinegar, 2/3 cup canola oil, 2 TBSP water, and 2 TBSP dry mix.

Chinese Noodle Casserole

This was new, fun, and easy. I'm not always a huge fan of casseroles, but I would definitely make this again!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 can sliced mushrooms (I used fresh!)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can chicken noodle soup (optional...did not try this!)
3 TBSP. soy sauce
1 cup frozen peas or broccoli
2 cups roasted chicken, diced (I used 1 cup leftover grilled, marinated chicken thighs)
Chinese noodles (Lo Mein--crispy)

Directions:
Sauté onion, celery and mushrooms in large frying pan until tender. Add 1 can cream of mushroom soup mixed with 1/2 cup water and 3 TBSP soy sauce. Add 1 cup frozen peas or cut up broccoli and simmer 5 min. Add chicken, and two handfuls of Chinese noodles. Put in casserole dish and cover with Chinese noodles. Bake at 350 F for 30 min.

Sweet Potato Potato Salad

Lately, my recipe experiments have been mainly flops. :( I was so excited to finally find one that I WAS excited about! I lovelovelove this recipe! It makes the perfect potato salad. Seriously.

Ingredients:
2 potatoes (I used large new potatoes)
1 sweet potato (I used yellow)
4 eggs
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped (I just tossed in some green onion)
3/4 cup mayonnaise (or a bit less)
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper

Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm, about 30 minutes. Drain, cool, peel and chop.

Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil. Cover, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water; cool, peel and chop.

Combine the potatoes, eggs, celery and onion.Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper. Add to potato mixture, toss well to coat. Refrigerate and serve chilled.

Raspberry Jell-O/Applesauce

The last post made me think of this one...another winner from my childhood.

Ingredients:
1 cup water
Raspberry Jello pkg.
2 cups applesauce

Directions:
Boil water. Dissolve Jell-O. Mix in 2 cups of applesauce. Refrigerate to set.