Semi Homemade :Salmon burger with Butternut Squash Fries

Too busy for elaborate meals from scratch? no problem,you can still eat healthy with a little store bought help and few fresh ingredients.Like this California style burger made with ready-to-use Wild Alaskan Salmon Pattie over bed of kale,topped with sliced avocados,tomatoes, and for crunchy compliments on the side,the quick chop and bake butter squash fries are no match.
The Alaskan salmon burger Pattie was a great buy from Costco.I bake it along side the fries.The ultra thin whole grain buns are from Walmart.I slather some homemade Spicy nutty chutney\spread over the buns.With the chutney made in advance,it took just 30 minutes to assemble the super meal.This is also my contribution for Rahin's Semi Homemade meals.


Recipe : Butternut Squash fries
The idea of fries with squash popped in my mind while watching this video,thanks greenlitebites.
Butter nut squash is not easy cut without a sharp chef knife and a good peeler.I use just the top stem part of the squash for the fries.

Ingredients
1 medium Butternut squash
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin*
1/2 teaspoon hot chili powder*
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon canola oil

* or use a teaspoon of Garam masala(ground cumin,coriander,cardamom,cinnamon and cloves)
Method
Use a sharp knife and cut off the ends of the squash.Then halve the squash.Use a peeler or small knife to remove the skin.I use only the seedless stem part of the squash to make the fries.Cut them even and long like the French fries.The bowl part can be used in other dishes like chunky soup or simply roasted with spices.
Transfer the cut squash in a bowl,mix with the oil and spices.Lay on baking sheet,make sure the fries are evenly spread and not over each other.Baked in preheated oven at 375F for 15-20 minutes depending on how thinly the fries have been sliced.If sliced thick,keep another 2-3 minutes.Turn once while baking.The fries are done when edges are crisp.Serve warm along side the burger or enjoy as snacks.

Almond Crusted Alaskan Salmon with Brown Rice and Kale

It's been snowing generously in the Northern Ohio past week.Beautiful blue sky and sun shine after nearly a week,is definitely warming.


Make Hay while the sun shines.Rising Sun peeking through the window Icicles ,ain't that pretty ?


In celebration of the sunshine,here is another one of the quick and healthy 30-minute meals, I love to make more often with combination of different whole grains and greens.Be sure to buy the best ingredients to get the most health value.
Wild Salmon
Thriving more naturally in Wild ,Alaskan salmon are considered the healthiest and nutritionally better than Farm-raised,for its higher in protein ,omega 3s and lower in lower in Pro-inflammatory Omega 6s.There are many other good reason to avoid the farm raised fish,read here.

Recipe :Almond Crusted Alaskan Salmon

Ingredients
2(6 ounce) Alaskan Wild salmon fillets
1/2 cup raw almonds
5-6 fresh or frozen cranberries
1 tablespoon dried herb mix or use some finely chopped fresh herbs(rosemary or thyme)
1/2 teaspoon hot chili powder
1/2 teaspoon each of ground cumin and coriander
1 big clove garlic,minced or grated
1 teaspoon ginger,minced or grated
3/4 teaspoon salt

Method
Process the almonds in a food processor or blender until coarsely chopped.Add the cranberries,salt and the spices ,pulse again until well mixed.
Preheat oven to 375F.Keep the salmon fillets in lightly grease baking sheet or large cast iron pan.Spread about a tablespoon of the mixture all over the top of the salmon fillets.Baked for 12-15 minutes until the fish is cooked through and the crust is toasted.Serve warm with any kind of whole grains.

Recipe : Spice Seasoned Brown Rice and Garlic sauteed Kale

Ingredients
For Rice
1 1/2 cup brown rice
few whole spices like cinnamon sticks,cloves,star anise or bay leaf
1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger,(keep whole do not slice)
1/2 teaspoon salt

For Kale
1 small bunch kale,rinsed and chopped
2 cloves garlic,finely chopped
pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

Method
Rinse the rice and soak in 2 1/2 cups of water for 10-15 minutes to quicken the cooking process.Add the whole spices,ginger,salt to the rice,partially cover and cook for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.

Saute the Kale,heat oil in pan at medium heat,add the garlic and saute for a minutes then add the Kale and 1/4 cup of water.Season with salt and pepper.Cover and cook until Kale is tender,about 5-6 minutes.Mix in the cooked rice and serve with the salmon.Remove the whole spices and the piece of ginger before serving.