The Bachlor Pad Dinner - Parts 2, 3, & 4

So I am a crazy recipe hoarder. If you follow me on Pinterest or have seen my collection of cookbooks, this is not new news. However I've been hoarding several recipes from all of you for nearly two years! So cruel as they were all delicious!

They are from back when Amie and I did our Monday night dinners while watching any number of shows from The Bachelor family. These three meals were from Bachelor Pad from 2011. I promise they will be just as delicious this summer as they were then. I apologize in advance if some of the recipes are a little vague - if you have questions I will do my best to recall the missing details! I promise that these were all very simple to assemble while delivering maximum taste!

Unfortunately you won't be able to enjoy them during Bachelor Pad this year as they decided not to have a fourth season. We can only hope that the train wreck is back summer of 2014.

Dinner #1 - Arctic Char with Miso Glaze, Ginger Cilantro Rice & Asian Vegetable Stir-Fry

Arctic Char with Miso Glaze
2 servings of Artic Char
1 tablespoon red miso
1 teaspoon honey
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon grain mustard

1. Mix all ingredients together with the exception of the Arctic Char to create the miso glaze.
2. Top Arctic Char with miso glaze and bake. Unfortunately I don't have the temperature or time but I would recommend using a 400 degree oven for 12-15 min. The fish should flake easily with a fork.

Ginger Cilantro Rice
2 cups white rice (brown can be substituted)
2 inches fresh ginger, grated
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup onions (we used a combo of brown & red but any would be fine), chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil (approx)
Trader Joe's Smoked Sea Salt

1. Cook rice according to package instructions.
2. While rice is cooking, you will "sweat" the onions in the olive oil. Place the olive oil in a non-stick pan with a tight fitting lid. Cook the onions in the olive oil (add a turn of the Smoked Sea Salt for added flavor) over low heat until they become translucent and have a soft texture. It's important to stir occasionally and keep the lid on when not stirring.
3. Combine rice, onions, cilantro and ginger.

Asian Vegetable Stir-Fry
Trader Joe's Asian Stir Fry (You can find this in the refrigerated fresh vegetable section. If you do not have access to a Trader Joe's, the ingredients were onion, bamboo, carrot, broccoli, green pepper, red pepper, mushrooms, water chestnuts, and snow peas.)
1/2 - 1 cup edamame, shelled (adjust to your tastes)
juice of 1/2 a lime
2 teaspoons fresh mint, chopped
red pepper flakes, to taste
salt, to taste

1. Stir fry the vegetables until nearly cooked.
2. Add edamame to heat through.
3. Dress with remaining ingredients.

Dinner #2 - Marinated Albacore Steaks, Curried Cauliflower & Broccoli; Garlicky Kale & Tomatoes, & Faux Lemon Tarts with Gold Kiwi

Marinated Albacore Steaks
2 servings albacore steak
1 teaspoon cumin seed, crushed
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tablespoon olive oil (approx)
juice of 1/2 a lemon
salt & pepper to taste

1. Mix all ingredients together with the exception of the albacore to create marinade.
2. Pour marinate over albacore and set in the refrigerator for 30 min.
3. Unfortunately I don't have the temperature or time but I would recommend using a 350 degree oven for 20 min. The fish should flake easily with a fork.

Curried Cauliflower & Broccoli
(This recipe is one of the most vague I have so you will need to experiment on proportions! It was really delicious though so I had to share!)
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Olive oil
Turmeric
Yellow ginger
Curry
Shallot
salt & pepper

1. Combine all ingredients and bake.

Garlicky Kale & Tomatoes
(This recipe actually appeared in an earlier post served over pasta. I felt like it would also make a great side dish if you left out the pasta! Thanks to Real Simple for this great recipe!)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon jarred crushed garlic
4 large handfuls kale, washed & torn
2 handfuls grape tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped roasted almonds
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ⅛ teaspoon pepper. Add the kale and cook, tossing frequently, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Add the tomatoes and cook, tossing frequently, until the tomatoes begin to soften, 1 to 2 minutes more.

3. Top the kale mixture with almonds and parmesan.

 

Faux Lemon Tarts with Gold Kiwi

8 Trader Joe's Lemon Cookie Thins

1/2 - 3/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt

juice of 1/2 - 1 lemon

1 package of Equal (or your favorite artificial sweetener - or you can always use real sugar!)

1 gold kiwi, peeled & sliced

16 raspberries

mint, for garnish

 

1. Mix yogurt and lemon juice. The consistency will thin out but should not be runny. Add sweetener and mix well.

2. Top each cookie with yogurt topping, a slice of the kiwi and a couple of raspberries.

3. Arrange on a plate with mint as the garnish.

 

Very important to note - the cookies get soggy fast so you will want to assemble just before serving.

 

 

Dinner #3 - Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps & Modified Caprese Salad

Asian Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Amie found this great recipe on Epicurious and we basically made it as is with only a few minor adjustments. This was a wonderfully refreshing summer meal!

1. Cucumber was added as a garnish afterwards instead of being mixed in with meat. Same for mint.
2. We also added cilantro as a garnish and I think some sweet chili sauce.

Modified Caprese Salad
3 handfuls cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup fat free feta cheese
4 basil leaves, chiffonade
olive oil
fresh ground sea salt

1. Combine tomatoes, feta and basil in a bowl.
2. Dress with a couple splashes of olive oil and dashes of salt.

I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we did! They are all very quick to assemble and perfect for summer!