For Easter Lamb is a tradition, frittata is Italian and time spent with family, Priceless! That pretty much sums it up for how I spent my Easter. I sent my husband on his way to Southern California armed with bags of chocolate coconut and chocolate blueberry biscotti to see his family.
The weekend began with the egg coloring, also a tradition, but I will admit that without small children around I've banished the idea of baskets filled with peeps (never liked those...give me chocolate) and assorted candies and the egg thing! My mother on the other hand lured me back "into the fold" to color brilliant eggs.
I even watched the master at work display her pie making skills.
For dinner we marinated thick lamb chops and barbecued them. To keep things lightened up I made a roasted potato, red pepper, arugula, zucchini and onion frittata. Love those and you can practically throw anything in them. A great brunch item! To round it out we added a nice salad and roasted asparagus. Home made blueberry pie was sent home for devouring later. Yum!
If you want a nice marinade for Spring lamb use this:
1/3 cup olive oil
3 garlic cloves, chopped
3 Tbsp chopped fresh mint
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper (a pinch)
Place all the ingredients into a plastic bag, add the lamb chops and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or longer.
If you like Bavarian type food, check out this review for a well established restaurant in Reno, Nevada! Just click on the Reno/Tahoe Review page.
I'm sure this may not look like much to you but to me, it tasted like heaven! For a little over two weeks now I've had no coffee, no sugar, barely any meat, mostly turkey, chicken and fish. No alcohol (okay, I sipped 2 ounces one night and 2 ounces the next) And no cheese, no carbs except for the allotted 1/2 cup of brown rice per day. Why? Because it's necessary ! Has it been easy? no...the first two days were a struggle. Have I lost some weight? Yes, teetering on 7-8 lbs. Is that enough? No...but now I've hit a plateau for the past few days.
Does this stubborn scale make me crazy? Yes! So...I'll "break the fast" so to speak for a day and return to the plan. Maybe that will shake things up. In the mean time here is a simple way to incorporate pinto beans into your diet. I made a big batch the other day and simply throw a few into salads or a faux wrap (without using a tortilla, lettuce works). Beans are a great source of protein, they fill you up and stave off cravings, I've found.
On a bed of spinach, add about 1/3 cup beans, sliced turkey, avocado and salsa for dressing and there you have it! Very satisfying, filling and delicious.
STAY TUNED for a restaurant review possibly. I haven't done one of those in a while!
I really miss the days gone by when I lived on the ocean. I love the beach, eating fresh fish (there is a difference) and that salt air that allows me to breathe better and use less lotion. But, I live in the high desert, for now! The last time I had halibut was when my son flew it home from Vancouver, BC, Canada. Delicious!
I knew it wouldn't come close to being that fresh, but I purchased some halibut for the hell of it! I had a craving I had to oblige. The weather outside wasn't cooperating for a barbecue and I don't like to cook fish on the stove top...the smell lingers for hours, if not, days. On my recent "eating plan" I can have a few handfuls of nuts. Almond crusted halibut coming up! Keep in mind that this is a lower calorie meal so ...no butter.
Almond Crusted Baked Halibut
For a serving for two I bought about a 5 inch piece. I have no measurements. Use enough chopped almonds or any other kind of nut to cover the fish surface.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Wash and pat dry the halibut. Season the fish with salt and pepper. I also used paprika but with no noticeable taste. Spray a baking dish or use a bit of olive oil. Put the fish in, skin side down. Apply the coarsely chopped almonds and drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Butter can be used if you're more fortunate to be svelte. Cook until done, usually 15 minutes, depending on the thickness.
Serve with tartar sauce or on top of veggies and brown rice like I did.
