Author: Ashley

Peach and Nectarine Crisp

Peach and Nectarine Crisp

Farm fresh peaches and nectarines under a sweet and crunchy crisp warm from the oven! This is the perfect dessert on a summer evening. Ingredients: Filling- 4 peaches sliced 2 nectarines sliced 2 tablespoons coconut flour 2 tablespoons lemon juice with zest from ½ lemon 

Coconut Crusted Crab Cakes with Lime Dipping Sauce

Coconut Crusted Crab Cakes with Lime Dipping Sauce

My family and I love crab cakes!  My 6 year old has been begging for crab, so I decided to make homemade crab cakes.  These “fry” so easily in the air fryer.  They are packed with crab meat, scallions, bell pepper, and coated with bread 

Coconut Chicken and Peaches

Coconut Chicken and Peaches

Farm fresh peaches have been the star fruit in my house the past few weeks.  This dish uses fresh peaches and boneless skinless chicken breasts to make a delightful summer dish. The topping with toasted almonds and coconut adds texture and completes this dish.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half

¼ teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

2 tablespoons peach balsamic vinegar or rice vinegar

¼ cup orange juice

1 teaspoon fresh ginger

2 cloves garlic

½ cup low sodium chicken broth

2-3 large firm peaches cut into ¼ inch slices

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut

Directions:

  1. Mix brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, and orange juice.  Pour over chicken and allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Spray a nonstick pan with olive oil spray.  Remove chicken from marinade and reserve marinade.  Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken over medium high heat until browned about 2 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
  3. Add the ginger and garlic to the pan and cook stirring for 30 seconds. 
  4. Add the chicken broth, soy mixture, and peaches to the pan.  Turn the heat to high.  Cook uncovered for 6 minutes stirring occasionally.
  5. Add the chicken back to the pan with the sauce and turn the heat down to low.  Cover and cook for at least 5 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  6. Meanwhile toss the almonds and coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat stirring for 2 minutes.
  7. Serve the chicken topped with the sauce and sprinkled with toasted almonds and coconut.
Chicken and peaches in the skillet
toasted almonds and coconut
Zaffle (Zucchini) Southwestern Waffle

Zaffle (Zucchini) Southwestern Waffle

I couldn’t decide what I wanted to eat for lunch so I got a little creative.  A zaffle is a waffle made using eggs, grated zucchini, shredded cheese, and seasoning.  Then I topped my zaffle with plain nonfat Greek yogurt, salsa, cherry tomatoes, and bell 

Blueberry Coleslaw

Blueberry Coleslaw

Farm fresh blueberries in the summer are a perfect treat.  This sweet and spicy slaw is a perfect summer side dish. Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: 1 bag coleslaw mix ¼ cup diced red onion 1 jalapeno seeded and diced ½ pint fresh blueberries 

Butternut Squash Slaw

Butternut Squash Slaw

Butternut squash has become one of my favorite foods recently.  This squash slaw is light, easy, and delicious as a fiber filled carbohydrate side dish.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

½ butternut squash peeled and grated using a box grater

1 cup grated or matchstick carrots

¼ cup unsweetened coconut

2 tablespoons dried cherries

½ cup roasted sunflower seeds or peanuts

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

2 tablespoons sherry vinegar

Optional: I added 2 tablespoons toasted unsweetened coconut and sliced almonds

Directions:

  1. Add grated butternut squash, coconut, and carrots to a medium bowl. Mix.
  2. Drizzle maple syrup and sherry vinegar over slaw. Mix thoroughly.
  3. Add dried cherries and sunflower seeds/peanuts.  Mix.
  4. Refrigerate until read to serve.
  5. Stir before serving.
  6. Optional: Toast coconut and sliced almonds in a dry skillet for 2 minutes tossing often. Add to slaw.
Creamy Chipotle Butternut Squash Hummus

Creamy Chipotle Butternut Squash Hummus

Hummus is absolutely my favorite veggie dip.  This hummus is creamy, spicy, and just perfect.  Recipe adapted from Food Network Ingredients: ½ butternut squash cut vertically seeds removed Olive oil spray 1 15.5 ounce can chickpeas rinsed and drained ¼ cup tahini 2 tablespoons canned 

Old Bay Roasted Butternut Squash

Old Bay Roasted Butternut Squash

Why didn’t I discover butternut squash years ago?  This squash was so good I wish I made more.  I will be revisiting this recipe again.  I made this with Old Bay Grilled Shrimp.  This is the perfect low carb veggies most side dish to pair 

Old Bay Grilled Shrimp

Old Bay Grilled Shrimp

If you like Old Bay seasoning then this is the perfect simple entrée for you. Feel free to add more Old Bay if you like a kick!

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

2 pounds jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined

1 large lemon

2 garlic cloves

1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Optional: Lemon wedges or cocktail sauce

Directions:

  1. Mix lemon juice, garlic cloves, old bay seasoning, and olive oil in a medium bowl. 
  2. Pour marinade over shrimp.  Allow shrimp to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat a grill over low/medium heat.
  4. Cook the shrimp (in batches if needed) for 3 minutes until pink flipping halfway.
  5. Serve with lemon wedges or cocktail sauce.
Stewed Rhubarb with Peaches and Nectarines

Stewed Rhubarb with Peaches and Nectarines

I decided it was time to finally harvest the rhubarb from my garden.  My rhubarb was green, but what I read online stated it was still safe to harvest.  I stewed my rhubarb and added fresh peaches and nectarines for a fun summer twist. Recipe