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Crispy Tofu And Vegetable Stir Fry

March 23, 2024/2 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Food Categories, Managing Illnesses, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Weight Management /by Stacey Isaacs

This Crispy Tofu And Vegetable Stir Fry is the perfect simple and healthy vegan dinner. I know you’ll love it.

Crispy Tofu is probably the only way I eat tofu. I just don’t like it mushy. I used to think the only way to get it crispy enough was in the air fryer. And while air frying is easy, my air fryer just isn’t large enough to make as much as I want for a dish like this at one time. And I hate having to repeat the process more than once. My need for immediate gratification isn’t satisfied that way.

Enter… this recipe for Crispy Tofu and Vegetable Stir Fry. It’s all made on top of the stove. In the same pan. The tofu is really crispy. The veggies are really tender and flavorful. Well, it’s really just awesome. And, as an added benefit, it holds up really well in the fridge for a few days. I like to put the whole pan in the fridge, covered, and then just reheat on the stove.

I’m embarrassed to say that for many years I avoided tofu. All of the conflicting info about it being good or bad or bad for women or bad for menopausal women… it was just a mess. I’ve done my own research and now I do use soy products as long as they are unadulterated and organic. I’m still not a fan of soy milk, but give me a good block or organic tofu or some fermented soy products like tempeh and I’m happy.

I first saw this recipe on a great blog: Dinner A Love Story. Since then, I’ve made this recipe a few times and I’ve changed it up a bit to suit my needs. It’s one of the great things about this dish… it can be customized to your liking. You can use whatever veggies you like. You can make it spicy. Or not. You do you.

Here are some of the great healing ingredients in this Crispy Tofu And Vegetable Stir Fry recipe:

Tofu is touted in Chinese medicine for its ability to help detoxify the body. It also can help you with energy and with dryness in the body. NOTE: many people don’t do well with a lot of foods that are cold in property, and tofu is cold. So, don’t eat too much if you fall into this category.

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….

In Chinese medicine, bok choy is used to quench thirst, aid digestion, prevent constipation and treat diabetes. It is rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate and fiber. And there are only 20 calories in one cup of Bok Choy. So, it’s good for you, it’s easy to prepare, and it tastes good.

In Chinese medicine, mushrooms ARE medicine. They are herbs. They are one of the most healing foods around. In China, mushrooms have been used for many years as part of a natural cancer treatment. They are one of the best immune-boosting foods around. I used shiitakes in this recipe. Shiitake mushrooms are probably the variety of mushroom that I use most. I love the way they taste and they help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. These shrooms also promote healing and have been found to fight tumors. In Asia, shiitake mushrooms are often fed to a patient who has just had surgery to help the healing process.

Crispy Tofu And Vegetable Stir Fry

The tofu is crispy and the vegetables are flavorful. This vegan dish is simple, delicious, and healthy.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Servings 4

Ingredients

1 block extra firm tofu sliced into 1/2-in thick slices, then those slices cut diagonally in half to form large triangles.
3 Tbs coconut aminos
1/2 cup cornstarch, arrowroot, or tapioca flour
3 Tbs avocado oil
3 heads baby bok choy sliced
6 oz mushrooms sliced or cut into quarters or halves
8 cloves garlic smashed
1/2 cup water

Instructions

Put the tofu in a large shallow dish and drizzle with 1 Tbs of coconut aminos.
Put the cornstarch in another large shallow dish or pie plate.
Carefully lift the tofu slices into the cornstarch, then gently flip them over so they are coated in cornstarch.
Heat 2 Tbs oil in a large skillet until hot.
Add the tofu to the skillet and let cook, over medium-high heat until golden on the bottom, then carefully flip and cook until golden on the other side. Remove tofu to a plate.
Add more oil to the pan if necessary and add the bok choy. Stir, for 1 min.
Add mushroom and garlic and stir for about 2 mins or until softened a bit.
Pour in 1/2 cup water and stir until combined.
Add tofu back into pan and let simmer, on low heat, until the sauce is thickened a bit.
Serve as is in the pot, or arrange on individual plates. Enjoy!

Keyword Asian, bok choy, easy, healthy, keto, mushrooms, paleo, quick, simple, stir fry, tofu, vegan, vegetables, vegetarian

Best Cozy Soup Recipes

November 2, 2022/0 Comments/in Blog Post, Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Elevated Mood, Increased Athletic Performance, Managing Illnesses, Managing Stress, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Weight Management, Youthful Appearance /by Stacey Isaacs

Here are the best cozy soup recipes for the season… They are easy, delicious, and healthy.

Soup, Soup, Soup… It is repetition worthy

Soup is the most amazing food. Honestly, soup has saved me on many an occasion. If I have a big pot of soup sitting in my fridge, I’m good. It means I have food for when I’m hangry. Or for when someone just drops by. Or for when I feel a bout of gluttony coming on while I’m watching The Great British Baking Show. If I have a big bowl of healing soup instead of let’s say… cake… I am so much better off.

If you follow me on Instagram then you already know I can be obsessed with certain food groups or preparations. Soup is a happy obsession. Pasta is another one… but that’s a post for another day. There are plenty of worse things than cooking and making way too much soup. Don’t get me started on that though…

There are two types of soup eaters. Those who like a thin, delicate soup and those who feel it should be more like a stew and the thicker and heartier the better. I am part of each. Steve, on the other hand, needs his soup to be more like a Stoup, if I may borrow that word from Rachael Ray. When I worked at Food Network for a stint, I thought that word was so corny, but now I find myself actually using it in sentences. I guess I’ve evolved. Thanks Rachael.

Anyway, this list of the Best Cozy Soup Recipes includes both types. Because diversity is always good. I always like to switch things up. So if you think you only like thick soups, try making a thinner one. And if you always make brothier soups, go for one with a thicker consistency sometimes. These recipes are easy enough so you can make several of them. Or all of them. So go for it.

What makes a good soup?

Well, taste, obviously is the number one factor. Duh. But there’s so much more than that. To earn a spot on this best cozy soup recipes list, it’s got to be more than tasty. It has to have a great mouth feel. And it has to have healing ingredients, be kind to my digestive system, and be nice to look at. It also has to have some textural complexity. Some of my favorite great soups are made exceptional by the addition of amazing toppings. Kind of like what makes a smoothie bowl good. But then again, this is nothing like a smoothie bowl, but my point is that it can be all about the toppings if you want it to be.

Here’s my list of the Best Cozy Soup Recipes…

These recipes are mostly dairy-free, grain-free, and easy to make. Remember, it’s only soup, not rocket science. Change up the recipes as you see fit. You do you and have it your way. All of these soups are healing and in each recipe I describe the healing ingredients and how they can help you out. There are no bad choices here.

1. Dairy-Free Creamy Tomato Soup

This one is comfort food to the max. I love to serve it with dairy-free quesadillas made with grain-free wraps. Or, with sourdough croutons. It doesn’t sound decadent, but it is.

2. Grain-Free Creamy Lemon Rice Soup

It’s creamy and has the texture and taste of a traditional lemon rice soup. But there’s no cream and no rice. Go figure.

3. Instant Pot Hamburger And Hot Dog Soup

This soup came to be when I was craving burgers and dogs but it wasn’t the season to be standing outside at the grill yet. This one will make you feel like a kid again. Or still.

4. Easy Black Bean Soup

One of the first soups I learned to make was black bean soup. It was good way back then and it’s still good now. I like to top mine with scallions, dairy-free cheese, and some avocado. Oh, and if you add a dollop of dairy-free yogurt, it takes it to a whole other creaminess level. So there’s that.

5. Immune Boosting Onion Chicken Soup

This soup is a mashup between chicken soup and onion soup. The broth is like an onion soup broth but the ingredients in the soup are like those found in a more traditional chicken soup. It is so healing.

6. Fresh Vegetable Minestrone Soup

This photo says it all. Fully loaded with fresh veggies, this one will make you smile. A lot.

7. Borscht With Beef

I don’t like to play favorites. But as I sit here and write this post now, this one is my baby. Beets are like magic. They are one of the most healing foods and this soup calls my name loudly. I just love it.

8. Chicken Tikka Masala Soup

This is one of the most flavorful soups around. It’s warming and cozy and just plain delicious. Make it vegan by substituting cauliflower for the chicken if that makes you happy.

Let me know which one is your favorite. My recipes are always a work in progress, so I love any and all feedback. Pick one or two and make them now. Make a big pot and keep it in your fridge for the week. Maybe soup will save you too.

Simple Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu

July 13, 2020/0 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Food Categories, Managing Illnesses vegan, vegetarian, grain free, gluten free tofu, sheet pan /by Stacey Isaacs

This Simple Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu is the most versatile thing ever. Make a batch and keep it in your fridge for the week… okay, make a few batches…

I am bowl-obsessed. I like to eat everything in a bowl. For some reason, everything just tastes better this way.

But it’s not only about taste when it comes to bowls. It’s about ease and variety.

Here’s what I mean: I prep and/or cook whatever ingredients I have in my fridge and I store them in glass containers in the fridge. Then, for the easiest meal ever, I take out all of the containers and arrange them on my counter. I look at them and decide what I want in my bowl. Then I put everything that makes me smile in it’s own little section in the bowl, and I’m good to go. Then everything goes back in the fridge and I do it again next time.

This Simple Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu has become my new favorite bowl ingredient.

It’s so good that even those people in my house who sneer at vegan food love it too.

BUT, and there’s always a BUT isn’t there… tofu should always be organic if possible. It’s a pressed food and therefore that means it’s been manipulated probably more than is healthy. So keep it organic if possible. Also, tofu is very cold in nature. In Chinese medicine, we know that too much cold can be hard on your digestion and on your health in general, so don’t just toss all of this tofu onto a cold salad. I like to add things to mine that are warmer in property too — like hot peppers, ginger, meats… I also like to spice it up with a tangy sauce (see the recipe below). I know this can be confusing, so ask me anything in the comments below.

Make this tofu. Keep it in the fridge. You will love it.

What are my other favorite bowl ingredients? Well, I’m pretty fickle, but lately these are my favorites:

This Simple Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu (yes, it’s worth repeating)
Sauerkraut
Fermented veggies (I buy jars of beets, cabbage, carrots, etc.)
Avocado
Leftover meats
Salami
Roasted veggies
Sweet potatoes
Cauliflower rice
Buckwheat
Dairy-free cheese
Banana peppers
And… wait for it… a fried egg on top, or hard boiled eggs if I have them.

I’ll post a full bowl recipe soon, and you can see how pretty and simple and appetizing it can be.

I haven’t even gotten to the health benefits of these bowls. I customize mine for whatever’s going on in my body at the time. Whatever area needs a little extra help can be given love with a bowl. Oftentimes, my bowls are geared toward digestive benefits and contain foods that help me deal with stress or fighting inflammation. But you do you.

If you need a little help with your digestion, please download my free Healthy Digestion ebook here.

This is the part of the recipe post where I usually tell you the health benefits of some of the ingredients. Well, there are so few ingredients in this one, but I’ll talk about the tofu itself:

Simple Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu

Recipe type: vegan, vegetarian, grain free, gluten free

Cuisine: tofu, sheet pan

Author: Stacey@Kitchen Of Youth

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 25 mins

Total time: 40 mins

This Simple Sheet Pan BBQ Tofu is the perfect thing to make ahead and keep in your fridge for the week. It's got the perfect texture and tangy taste.

Ingredients

1 lb firm tofu
2 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper
2 Tbs BBQ sauce (store bought or homemade)
1 tsp coconut sugar
1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Place several layers of paper towels or a clean dish towel on a large plate and lay the tofu on top. Cover with more towels and then place a can of food on top and let it sit for about 15 mins, so that the tofu drains a bit.
Cut the tofu into bite-size cubes.
Put the cubes into a bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Toss gently to combine.
Lay the cubes out onto the sheet pan, making sure they are not touching each other.
Bake about 25- to 30-mins or until they are a little crisp on the outside.
Enjoy with everything.

Simple Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

November 24, 2019/0 Comments/in Blog Post /by Stacey Isaacs

Are you still looking for some simple healthy Thanksgiving side dishes? I’ve got you covered…

There are two types of Thanksgiving cooks. One type plans and plans and plans the menu and relishes in this planning. Then there’s the type who kind of wings it. Which type are you? I’m the planner… but I also end up winging a few recipes at the last minute because I almost always think of something else that will make the meal “just perfect”.

I’ve included recipes here for both types. Pick a few of these recipes that resonate with you. They are all simple and healthy and delicious. They are all crowd pleasers, and they all make for great leftovers.

Here Are The Best Simple Healthy Thanksgiving Side Dishes

Sesame Green Beans

Sesame Green Beans are the perfect side dish. They are easy, can be made in advance, and are great at room temperature.

Raspberry Lavender Cranberry Sauce

This Raspberry Lavender Cranberry Sauce is traditional with a little twist. It can be made in advance, served at room temperature, and it’s great on sandwiches during the week following Thanksgiving.

Paleo Brussels Sprouts Gratin

This Paleo Brussels Sprouts Gratin is a comforting casserole. I make it Paleo friendly by using vegan cheese, but feel free to use whatever cheese you like.

Kale With Tomatoes And White Beans

Kale and white beans are the perfect combination. Adding in tomatoes gives us this silky and comforting Kale With Tomatoes And White Beans.

Roasted Carrots With Lime Zest

Roasted Carrots With Lime Zest is the easiest side dish. It has the great taste of traditional roasted carrots, but the lime zest gives it a little something special.

Crispy Smashed Potatoes With Pesto

I like to put these Crispy Smashed Potatoes With Pesto in the oven when the turkey comes out. The pesto can be made a few days beforehand.

Creamy Broccoli And Mushroom Casserole

This Creamy Broccoli And Mushroom Casserole has no cream, but nobody will know it. It’s comforting, warming, and it can be prepared in advance.

Pomegranate Glazed Beets

Sometimes I make a tray of roasted root vegetables and sometimes I make these Pomegranate Glazed Beets… yum!

Simple Roasted Butternut Squash

And then there’s this Simple Roasted Butternut Squash. The name says it all.

Whatever you make, make it with love and remember all of the things you are grateful for. I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Now, we move on to the winter holidays… so please, do yourself a favor and download my free ebook to learn how to boost your immune system with food and herbs.

Pineapple Mango Smoothie

July 11, 2018/2 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Elevated Mood, Food Categories, Managing Stress, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Weight Management, Youthful Appearance smoothie, fruit, breakfast, snack paleo, whole30, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free /by Stacey Isaacs

This pineapple mango smoothie is bright and refreshing… but the best thing about it is that it will help your digestion!

I make smoothies all the time. I mean, every day. My Vitamix gets more use than any kitchen tool I’ve ever owned. I just love the idea that I can pick out whatever food and herbs and supplements I need at a particular moment, toss them all in the blender, and have a healing cocktail of sorts that will boost my energy, fix my digestion, decrease my inflammation, or lift my mood in a matter of seconds.

To me, it’s like magic. Smoothies are the epitome of food is medicine.

When I was in school getting my Masters Degree in Oriental Medicine, we learned all about the value and the amazing healing powers of Chinese herbs. And, I cook with Chinese herbs all the time. One of my favorite things to do is to introduce my clients to these amazing plant-based medicines.

While it was my culinary school training that started my obsession with more traditional food herbs, like basil, it was my Chinese herbal medicine training that taught me the healing abilities and properties of these more traditional herbs. This pineapple mango smoothie includes a large amount of basil. And basil, is one of the most healing food herbs around. Not only is it great for your immune system, but it’s also a spiritual herb and will lift your mood.

Healing. Delicious. Simple. Those are the 3 words that describe the perfect smoothie.

But… yes, there’s always a but… sometimes I get stuck in a smoothie rut. I fall into the trap of using the same ingredients way too often. I find that green, brown, and red are the colors of most of my smoothie creations.

Okay, if I’m being totally honest — if I’m just making one for myself, oftentimes it’s really ugly. Really healing, but really ugly. I’ve been told sometimes that they are the color of baby poop. Wow, that’s pretty unappetizing… but honesty’s worth a lot, isn’t it?

So, I’ve made a pact with myself (do you ever do that?) that I will make new smoothies, with new combinations of ingredients.

Another thing I’m trying to do is to use fewer ingredients in these recipes. Yes, I do love my powders, potions, and supplements, but sometimes less is more.

This pineapple mango smoothie is one of my newest blended recipes. And look… it’s YELLOW. This one makes me happy just to look at it. But, when you taste it, you will really smile.

The combination of the pineapple with the mango is like a tropical explosion in your mouth. The banana gives it just the right amount of creaminess, and then… for the piece de resistance… a big handful of fresh bright green fragrant basil leaves. The aroma itself is incredible!

Okay, have I talked you into making this pineapple mango smoothie yet?

I hope so. And, if you want another great awesome, colorful smoothie creation, try my Pink Pitaya Mango Smoothie Bowl recipe.

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a smoothie with your name on it… So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

Each ingredient in this pineapple mango smoothie really packs a healing nutritional punch:

Pineapple is great for your digestion and it can help stop diarrhea. It’s especially good in the summer because it fights against heatstroke. And, if you haven’t tried drinking pure pineapple juice when you have a cough… you’ve really been missing out because pineapple juice is the best cough suppressant around!

Mangos are great for digestion and they help if you have one of those annoying dry coughs that just won’t go away. This delicious fruit will also help strengthen your bones and is good for your heart.

I love to add bananas to smoothie bowls; they offer a great natural sweetness and a nice creamy texture. Bananas are good for your intestines (an old Asian remedy was to eat a banana every day to relieve hemorrhoids) and your lungs, and they even help relieve the effects of overindulging in alcohol.

Basil has anti-viral and anti-bacterial capabilities. It also is good for settling your stomach, and it’s good at lessening the symptoms of the common cold and its accompanying cough. Basil is a spiritual herb — the scent actually calms you; you can boil some in a pot and let the aroma fill the air, you can just leave some around the house, you can toss a bunch in your bath water (I love to do this), or you can use an essential oil with basil to get some great calming effects.

Extra-virgin olive oil is amazing. It is good for just about everything. It is great for your heart and has even been shown to reduce the risk of heart attacks when added into a healthy diet. It’s also good for your brain, and can reduce some of the inflammation in your body. I recommend buying extra-virgin olive oil because it is less processed than some other olive oils. Also, with olive oils, sometimes you get what you pay for, so if you are able to taste the oils before you buy, that’s a great thing to do.

If you make this Pineapple Mango Smoothie, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Pineapple Mango Smoothie

5.0 from 1 reviews

Recipe type: smoothie, fruit, breakfast, snack

Cuisine: paleo, whole30, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free

Author: Stacey@Kitchen Of Youth

Prep time: 5 mins

Total time: 5 mins

Serves: 1

This pineapple mango smoothie is like sunshine in a glass. It only has a few ingredients, and it will help your digestions... and it is delicious!

Ingredients

½ of a fresh pineapple, cut into chunks (discard the outer rind)
1 mango, pit and peel discarded
½ of a banana (if you have a frozen one, even better)
2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
large handful of fresh basil leaves
ice (optional)

Instructions

Place all ingredients into a blender (I used my Vitamix, so it was pretty quick).
Whiz it up until smooth.
Pour into your favorite glass.
Enjoy!

Pan Seared Salmon With Bruschetta Sauce

June 6, 2018/2 Comments/in Boosting Immune System, Digestive Health, Elevated Mood, Managing Illnesses, Reduced Aches & Pains, Reduced Inflammation, Weight Management, Youthful Appearance fish, seafood, salmon, chilled sauce, simple recipe inspired by: [url href="https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-saucy-skillet-salmon-241544" target="_blank"]The Kitchn[/url] /by Stacey Isaacs

Pan seared salmon with bruschetta sauce will become your summer go-to recipe… it is so simple and you’ll want to eat the sauce by the bowlful!

I love dishes that contain both hot and cold foods in the same dish. There’s just something about the temperature and textural opposition that works especially well in the summer. When I used to live by the beach, we would order salads from our favorite Italian restaurant and eat them while we watched the sun setting over the ocean. It was really quite perfect. The salad that was worthy of this beachy sunset was literally called “hot and cold salad”. It was made with hot grilled vegetables and cold crispy lettuce and there was something about the heat meeting the cold in that big bowl that was magical. This pan seared salmon with bruschetta sauce has that same magical quality.

For me, a light beach breeze and a comfy lounge chair is a pretty great place to be. I want my food — and cocktails — to be deserving of the surroundings.

This pan seared salmon with bruschetta sauce is beach sunset worthy.

Add a nice cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc… hmmm… can’t think of much that would be better.

The salmon is seared, skin-side down until it is crispy.

The key to this crispy skin is easy: Don’t touch the fish while it is cooking. Really. Don’t touch it. Don’t try to peak underneath. Don’t move it around. Not even a little. Just let it be.

Okay, so now you’ve got crispy salmon cooked to perfection.

This simple sauce is made by pulsing the ingredients in a blender very briefly. It’s a cold sauce.

Oh, and did I mention that the sauce only has 4 ingredients? Yup, it’s like when you eat a great meal in Italy, and everything tastes so simple and fresh. This is just like that. Fresh and simple. Fresh tomatoes. Fresh garlic. Oil. Vinegar. Done.

And it’s this combination of the hot crispy fish and the deliciously refreshing cold sauce that makes this pan seared salmon with bruschetta sauce taste so good.

If the hot and cold thing doesn’t resonate with you, you can heat the sauce. My inspiration for this recipe came from a genius recipe from The Kitchn. Their recipe for Saucy Skillet Salmon won me over immediately. So, I owe a big thank-you to those awesome foodies.

The last time I made this, I made a huge batch of the bruschetta sauce and put it in a bowl in the fridge so I could use it all week. It’s great on chicken, on vegetables, and even as a gazpacho type soup (I topped mine with some roasted shrimp and avocado).

See my recipe for Salmon With Parsley Sauce for another great way to make salmon.

I’m on a big customized-recipe-creation kick right now… let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

Here are some of the healing ingredients in this pan seared salmon with bruschetta sauce recipe:

Salmon is the perfect food to nourish the blood and the yin. It’s especially great for women because it raises fertility levels by promoting a healthy endometrial lining. Salmon is also great for anyone who is in need of additional iron. Be sure to buy wild salmon because the levels of mercury are lower than in farmed salmon. This beautiful fish also contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, making it a good food source to combat breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, asthma, depression and diabetes. Lately there’s also been a lot of evidence that salmon is great at reducing intestinal inflammation and that it’s also good for your joints and muscles.

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc…. The garlic in this recipe is raw, so it adds quite a kick so if your not a total garlic love use it sparingly, or, if you are like me… amp it up and add a few more cloves.

In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections.

If you make this pan seared salmon with bruschetta sauce, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Pan Seared Salmon With Bruschetta Sauce

Recipe type: fish, seafood, salmon, chilled sauce, simple

Cuisine: recipe inspired by: The Kitchn

Author: Stacey@Kitchen Of Youth

Serves: 3-6

The hot salmon has crispy skin. The cold sauce is sweet and tangy. It's a marriage made in heaven.

Ingredients

1-1/2 lb salmon with skin on, cut into 6 pieces
sea salt and black pepper
¼ cup plus 2-Tbs extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 pints grape tomatoes
3 garlic cloves
1 Tbs balsamic vinegar

Instructions

Season the skin-side of the salmon with salt and pepper.
Heat ¼ cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the fish, skin-side down, to the hot oil.
Press down on the fish gently with a spatula (do this several times while it's cooking)
Cook until you see that the salmon is cooked about halfway up the sides of the fish -- look, don't touch the fish! Mine cooked for 5-mins.
Let the fish cook without bothering it at all.
Next, gently flip each piece of fish over, raise the heat to high, and cook for 30 seconds.
Remove the fish to a platter, skin-side up.
Make the sauce: put the tomatoes, garlic, 2-Tbs oil, and 1-Tbs vinegar into a blender. Pulse a few times until the tomatoes are in pieces, but it's not smooth.
Pour some sauce into the bottom of individual shallow bowls.
Lay fish on top of the sauce, skin-side up.
Enjoy!

Baked Lemon Cod

January 29, 2018/5 Comments/in Boosting Energy, Boosting Immune System, Brain Functions, Digestive Health, Elevated Mood, Managing Illnesses, Managing Stress, Weight Management, Youthful Appearance fish, cod, baked, simple American, seafood, paleo, Whole30 /by Stacey Isaacs

I used to cook fish all of the time. I knew the fish monger by name, and we had an understanding — he let me smell the fish before I bought it, he always told me which variety was the freshest, and I in turn would tell him great ways to cook the different types of seafood. Then I moved. Ugh. Now I don’t make my beloved fish recipes as much anymore because I haven’t developed a relationship like that yet. When I do buy fish, I make it as simple as possible (because sometimes the more complex recipes make my apartment smell like fish a tad too much…) and I’m finding that sometimes I end up loving these new simple recipe creations as much as I used to love my old recipes. This recipe for Baked Lemon Cod is really simple and it’s a winner!

You would think since I now live in the heart of New York City, that I’d be able to find awesome fish… well, not so much… The prices are ridiculously high and the quality is ridiculously low. But, I finally found a place that will let me smell the fish. If you’ve never taken this approach before, I urge you to try it. And no, you don’t look like a crazy person in the store; you look like a chef. If the fish smells fishy, it’s not fresh. If you are looking at a whole fish, look at the eyes — if they are cloudy, it’s not fresh.

There’s nothing worse that getting home from the market, getting all of your ingredients ready, cooking your fish, and then, when you take that first bite… it’s… well, fishy… or slimy… or just old tasting. Funny, I never had this problem when I lived in the suburbs, but life’s full of new experiences and this is a new one for me. So, I will continue to smell and inspect the fish!

Anyway, let me get back on track. This Baked Lemon Cod is delicious. And, it’s simple. There’s no sautéing involved. There’s no flipping of delicate fish. There’s no complicated sauce. But it is truly delicious. I plan on going back to some of my old more involved fish recipes now that I feel like I can, but I will definitely be keeping this simple baked lemon cod in the rotation.

This would be a good recipe to cook for a crowd because all you need is a big sheet pan. Awesome!

So, if you are looking for a simple fish recipe, try this one. If you love it as much as I do you can add it to your weekly menu too.

And, if you want another simple fish recipe, try my Lemon Pesto Fish Fillets.

Here are some of the healing ingredients in this Baked Lemon Cod recipe:

Fish is great to eat if you feel like you need more energy. It’s also helps with diarrhea and hemorrhoids. I used cod for this recipe, but any firm fleshed sturdy white fish would work great. Cod, like many fish varieties, is good for the cardiovascular system; it helps protect against heart attacks and strokes and helps regulate blood pressure.

Lemon peels contain calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Lemons are good for your stomach, they help detoxify your body, they balance your pH and they act as an antibacterial. If you have a sore throat or a cough, go for lemons to make things better. Lemons are great for quenching your thirst, and, in China, many years ago, hypertension was treated by drinking tea made from lemon peels. This recipe uses zested lemon peel and lemon juice.

Oregano is a powerful antioxidant and it is great at fighting bacteria. It’s also known as an herb that brings joy and happiness to people. I even use oregano essential oil and I put a drop in our smoothies or water when anyone has a cold… it works great (but be really careful and read all instructions with your oregano oil — if used improperly, it can burn you!)

Tapioca is a starch that comes from the cassava plant. It’s not really a flour in the traditional sense; it’s grain and gluten free. It’s good for your circulation and your digestion. Oftentimes I will make recipes (like this one) with tapioca flour — it works as a great substitute in a lot of recipes that would otherwise include flour or another thickener.

Baked Lemon Cod

3.0 from 1 reviews

Recipe type: fish, cod, baked, simple

Cuisine: American, seafood, paleo, Whole30

Author: Stacey @There's A Cook In My Kitchen

Serves: 4

Here's an easy fish recipe for you! This is healthy, delicious, and is easy to make for a crowd.

Ingredients

1-1/3 lb cod fillet, cut into 4 pieces
sea salt and black pepper, to season fish
2 Tbs organic, grass-fed butter, melted, plus more as needed
Juice of 3 lemons, plus more as needed
5 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
1 minced garlic clove
⅓ cup tapioca flour
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp paprika
20 grinds black pepper
¼ tsp crushed hot red pepper flakes, or to taste
1 tsp fresh oregano, minced, or ¼ tsp dried
zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Season the fish with salt and pepper.
Combine the butter, oil, garlic, and lemon juice in a shallow dish.
Combine the tapioca flour, ½ tsp salt, and rest of spices/herbs in another shallow dish.
Dredge the fish in the flour mixture, coating evenly on all sides, then the lemon juice mixture, and then the flour mixture again.
Lay the fish out on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, making sure the fillets are not touching each other.
Place the tray in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
Heat the remaining lemon juice mixture in a small pot over low heat and let it simmer for a few minutes, until hot. NOTE: if you find you need more liquid for sauce, squeeze more lemon juice into the pan and add a little more butter and/or olive oil.
Remove the fish from the oven, drizzle a little lemon sauce on top and sprinkle with lemon zest.
Enjoy!