Amy Michelle

Rainbows and Butterflies Pasta Salad

Ingredients

8 ounces bow tie pasta, preferably whole grain
3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup corn kernels, thawed if frozen
1 cup shelled edamame, thawed if frozen
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
2 medium carrots, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (about 1 ounce)
Salt

Directions

Cook the pasta as the label directs. Drain and toss [...]

Crunchy Bran French Toast
Ingredients

8 slices whole-grain bread
4 tablespoons light cream cheese
4 teaspoons low-sugar orange marmalade
2 large eggs plus 2 egg whites
Zest and juice of 1 orange
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups bran flakes cereal
1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar (optional)

Directions

Spread 4 bread slices with 1 tablespoon cream cheese each; spread the other [...]

Almond-Orange Muffins
Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup wheat germ, divided
2 large eggs
1/2 cup vanilla or plain soy milk
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup almond oil or corn oil
Zest of 1 orange
1 cup slivered almonds, roasted, divided

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a muffin pan with paper [...]

Spicy Thai-Style Pineapple Wraps
Ingredients

Juice of 2 limes (about 14 cup)
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons chile paste, such as sambal oelek (see ShopSmart, right)
2 teaspoons fish sauce
2 cups roasted peanuts or cashews, roughly chopped
23 cup roughly chopped fresh cilantro (leaves and stems)
12 Bibb lettuce leaves (about 1 head)
Half a medium fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into bite-size chunks (about 3 cups) (see [...]

Mango Gazpacho

Ingredients

2 cups 1/4-inch-diced fresh mangoes
2 cups orange juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 seedless cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, basil [...]

Asparagus Risotto

INGREDIENTS

1 pound asparagus
3 Tbsp plus 1 teaspoon butter
1/2 cup chopped shallots
1 cup arborio rice
1/2 cup dry white wine (or 1 Tbsp lemon juice and 1/4 cup water)
About 3 1/2 cups chicken stock (or vegetable stock for vegetarian option), can substitute some of the asparagus cooking water for stock*
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and [...]

Broccoli with Caramelized Onions & Pine Nuts
INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons pine nuts, or chopped slivered almonds
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil 
1 cup chopped onion, (about 1 medium)
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
4 cups broccoli florets
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

PREPARATION

Toast pine nuts (or almonds) in a medium dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until lightly [...]

Cold Noodle Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing

Ingredients

1/2  pound  spaghetti or angel hair pasta
1/2  cup  creamy peanut butter 
1/4  cup  rice vinegar
2  tablespoons  soy sauce
1 1/2  teaspoons  chili-garlic sauce or a dash of hot pepper sauce
1  teaspoon  sesame oil (optional)
1  tablespoon  grated fresh ginger
1/2  teaspoon  grated lime zest
1/2  teaspoon  kosher salt
2/3  cup  canola oil
1/2  cup  fresh cilantro, [...]

Pasilla Mole
Ingredients
4 to 6 dried pasilla chilies (or other types of black, dried chilies)
1 can chopped tomatoes 
¾ cup (2 dl) chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup (2.4 dl) chicken broth
¼ cup toasted sesame seeds
3 tablespoons raisins
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground pepper
½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoons ground coriander
2 oz (60 g) bittersweet chocolate (70-85%)
salt to [...]

Grilled Chicken Salad With Cherries

Ingredients

CHICKEN:
2  teaspoons  olive oil 
6  (4-ounce) skinned, boned chicken breast halves
1/4  teaspoon  salt
1/4  teaspoon  black pepper
Cooking spray
VINAIGRETTE:
1/3  cup  water
1/4  cup  red wine vinegar
2  tablespoons  minced shallots
1  tablespoon  olive oil
2  teaspoons  Dijon mustard
1 1/2  teaspoons  minced fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2  teaspoon  sugar
1/4  teaspoon  salt
1/8  teaspoon  black pepper

SALAD:
6  cups  gourmet salad greens
1 [...]