This dessert has three of my favorite things – coconut, peanut butter and the phrase “no-bake.” I had the dates on hand over the holidays and made these quickly after lunch and before dinner on Christmas Day. We had previously determined that we weren’t going to do anything for dessert after the mid-day meal, but I could tell that people were getting a hankering for something sweet. These were quick, easy and delicious (recipe below).
Prior to this weekend, I’ve attempted to cook salmon once and kale a handful of times. None of which turned out well. My mishap with the salmon was common, in that it was overdone, but I tend to mix it up with my kale fails. Sometimes it’s too dry, sometimes too mushy. Sometimes too bland, sometimes too spicy. But my brother’s girlfriend Sara does both of these dishes amazingly well, so I asked her to share some of her tips and tricks for preparation and cooking (included below). With my efforts to make our diet and budget a little leaner after the holidays, I’ll be turning to these dishes often to make at home. It doesn’t hurt that both of my kids love the salmon, and ask for it just about as often as mac and cheese.
The picture above shows the salmon finished with the chipotle seasoning, one of two options listed below.
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Beets – people either love ’em or hate ’em. I happen to love them, while other people think they taste like dirt. I actually kind of get that, but I still love them. They taste fresh, hearty, and healthy, and have such a great, vibrant color. When I finally learned a good method to cook and peel beets (included below) that eliminated the frustration of waiting for them to finish roasting in the oven (they always seemed to take 5 times longer than any recipe would direct) and minimized the stained clothes and hands, I became even more interested in finding dishes that incorporated the veggie. This is a recipe for roasted and mashed beets with sweet potato and apple, and it hits on all the points I mentioned. With its vibrant color, this would be a lovely side dish for a Valentine’s Day dinner.
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