Showing posts with label receta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label receta. Show all posts

Monday, September 5, 2011

Oikos Greek Yogurt Review and Recipe too!



I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls on behalf of Dannon. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program but my opinions are my own.

For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.oikosyogurt.com or www.Facebook.com/oikos  I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

I didn't grow up eating Yogurt, and as a result hadn't really developed a taste for it. That was until BlogHer 2010 last year where I tried one that I really liked, and after that it created a monster! Earlier this  year I had the opportunity to attend a cooking class at the International Culinary Council in New York City where I learned to incorporate Yogurt into my favorite recipes, substituting more fattening items from the recipes with Yogurt instead. (You can read more about that experience HERE and you can also read the recipes I've posted under the 'healthify your summer with Fage' summer series).

Because I'm a bit of a 'late comer' to the joys of Yogurt, I find myself always trying new ones when I see them at the Supermarket. Especially now that I've begun incorporating them into recipes, I like trying out different yogurt brands in the same recipes to figure out which ones work best in which recipes.

I have lost 26 pounds so far this year by making small lifestyle changes including recipe substitutions. I've actually always been pretty good about NOT skipping breakfast before running out the door, but I have also included more Yogurt in the morning instead of those popular fast food egg, ham, and cheese biscuits and have noticed that I have more energy through the mornings with a much healthier and better for me way to get my protein!

I had a chance to try Stonyfield yogurt earlier this year when I took a Zumba Fitness Class with Degree for women and really liked it, so when I was recently was offered the opportunity to try out Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt I jumped at the chance. But was a bit disappointed that John Stamos was not hand delivering it! (I think it would have tasted better if he delivered it to me directly! wink, wink) I thought I'd try using it in a recipe and was delighted to find a recipe for Tandoori Chicken under their Dannon Smart Swap Recipes page.

Tandoori Chicken Recipe:

Ingredients
  • 16 chicken tenderloins
  • 6 dried red chilis
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 4 teaspoons ground coriander seeds
  • Juice of 4 limes
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 4 tablespoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground clove
  • 4 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cups Stonyfield® Oikos® Greek Plain Yogurt
  • 2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions
  1. Make 2-3 slashes in chicken pieces and place in a nonmetallic dish. Set aside.
  2. In a food processor, mix the red chilies, salt, pepper, lime juice, garlic, ginger, clove and chili powder.
  3. Transfer to a small skillet and heat over low heat until aromatic.
  4. Add the onion and cook over low heat. Stir in the yogurt and remove skillet from heat.
  5. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
  6. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours or over night.
  7. Arrange the chicken on a broiler tray and cook under a preheated broiler or over a barbecue for 20 to 30 minutes, turning just once.
  8. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Yields: 8 Servings

I forgot to snap a picture of this when it was done, although I may not have had a chance even if I had remembered because as soon as this came out the oven, everyone congregated in the kitchen quicker than ever! There was NONE of this left over!

And if the recipe above didn't sell  you, then I'm sure this will:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ  - Dannon® Oikos® Plain and Fruit on the Bottom contains 0% fat, while the Dannon® Oikos® traditional blended varieties contains about 3% fat. Both are an excellent source of protein, twice that of most regular lowfat yogurts.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dannon® Oikos® 0% varieties contain active yogurt cultures and range from 80 calories (Plain) to 130 calories (Fruit on the Bottom) per 5.3 oz. cup.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ- Oikos is proud to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and by liking their page on Facebook they will donate funds for every like, they also offer other ways to help once you get there. You know how much Ascending Butterfly loves brands that give back!

I tried out the plain Dannon Oikos in the Tandoori Chicken recipe above and purchased the Key Lime flavor as well to try out the 'Greek Key Lime Pie Cake' recipe, but I haven't had a chance to make it yet, I will let you know how it comes out when I make it later in the week!

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FTC Disclosure: I wrote this post while participating in a blog tour conducted by Clever Girls on behalf of Dannon. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program but my opinions are my own. And I really have lost 26 pounds via lifestyle changes this year!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Ascending Butterfly puts GreenPan to the Test + Tipsy Salmon Recipe!


Have you ever seen the TV show 'Pimp My Ride'? Well the fine folks at GreenPan, 'pimped my roaster'. And I couldn't be happier!

I absolutely love to cook, I'm an adventurous cook and love trying out new recipes. (And adapting them drastically thereby making them 'my own'). My all time favorite roaster to use was my Grandmother's Roaster. I loved using it because it felt like a part of her was still with me. Even though I can't cook for her, using her roaster made me feel like I was still cooking with her. (Her Roaster is the one on the right).

Unfortunately the roaster had seen better days and I knew it was time to let it go. I'm pretty hard on my roasters and use them often. I started doing research on replacements and will admit I had been procrastinating a bit because I really didn't want to get rid of my favorite roaster!

As you can see from the photo my old roaster really needed to go! I reached out to GreenPan as I had heard really good things about their cookware. I knew going in that non-stick was super important to me, and I wanted something really durable!

I was sent the GreenPan Dubai Ovenware Roasting Tin, and right from the begining I will tell you they blew me away with the presentation, in that gift bag (pictured in the top photo), was the Roasting Tin, a frying pan, silicone trivet, an oven mitt, and a cleaning sponge! I really loved the presentation and decided to put my new Roaster to the test right away with one of my favorite recipes!



Tipsy Salmon

Please Note: You have the option to make a non-tipsy version by removing the White Wine altogether (and it will taste just as good without it as it does with!)

Ingredients:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Salmon Fillets - (my cooking time is based on Two 1 pound Fillets, adjust based on the amount and pound weight you desire) - You can also use Salmon Steaks if you prefer that cut to the Fillet.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dry Rub (mixture of seasonings, dash of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 Tbsp of Worcestshire Sauce + Soy Sauce + Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/2 cup butter, melted

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 cup of chopped parsley, basil and dill

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1/4 cup chopped capers

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 1 cup of  2008 Bixler Vineyards Union Island White Table Wine (this one is my preference, feel free to use whatever white wine you prefer!)

Directions:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Rub the salmon fillets with Dry Rub, then marinate them in the lemon juice, White Wine and melted butter (remember if you prefer a non-tipsy version then feel free to omit the wine).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Arrange in GreenPan Dubai Ovenware Roasting Tin and bake in preheated hot oven (425°F) for about 20 minutes, basting with a combination of melted butter, White Wine and lemon juice every 5 minutes. You do not have to turn (but I prefer to turn them at the 10 minute mark).

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mix the pan juices with the chopped parsley, basil, dill and capers, and pour over the fillets.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - If additional liquid is needed, add a little dry vermouth or more white wine. (If you are making a non tipsy, just add more lemon juice and melted butter to the recipe to render enough liquid)

Serve the remaining White Wine with dinner and VOILA! BON APPETIT!




Ah yes, my observant butterflies, my table was very much a Rick James song (Super Freak), that is incense, Wine and Candles on the table! :)

The first thing I can tell you I loved the most about the Roasting Tin, is that it actually shaved time from this recipe, I use very thick Fillets and it used to take me almost 10 minutes longer to bake in my old Roaster! Total PERK!

As I'm the dishwasher (because I don't own a dishwasher), what I was wondering most about was clean up. And much to my surprise clean up was a total breeze, no more letting it soak for awhile and then coming back and using a scouring pad to clean up the roaster. It came clean super easy! Will it last as long as Grandma's Roaster? Who knows. But for now, I'm enjoying faster cook times on all my favorite recipes (including Lasagna, baked chicken and more), and the easy clean up, I'd say GreenPan is a 5 out of 5 butterfly rating in my book!

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FTC Disclosure: This is a NON-Compensated Post. While the cookware was provided by GreenPan for my evaluation and consideration, all opinions (and recipe) is my own!