Foodie Blogroll

Friday, April 22, 2011

Dinner Healthy...Calabaza, Baked Salmon & Warm Goat Cheese Salad


I like going into Winn-Dixie when I can get a chance, because they sell calabaza squash that is already cut and sealed in smaller size pieces. So when I get up there (it's farther away than Publix and Sweetbay) I have to pick some up.

Calabaza is a pumpkin-like squash that can be quite large, and it can vary in size and color. It is known (I'm sure) by many different names. This squash is popular in the Caribbean as well as Central and South America. It is similar to butternut or acorn squash in flavor in my opinion and used in place of in many recipes.
I just like to oven roast the squash sprinkled with sea salt and chipotle chili powder and drizzled with some olive oil until tender. The squash works well in bento box lunch too, it adds that beautiful orange color to them.

I have always liked to cook healthy and my daughter is a good example of that. If she thinks she did not get enough veggies with her dinner...she'll go snack on some carrots later. :D She has always liked salmon so that's the easy part. She also is trying and liking other fish, not that salmon is so bad, just that my husband would like other fish besides salmon...


...salmon is always an easy dinner in my opinion. This one is the Dukkah crusted salmon of course made easy with the dukkah spice mix I have on hand in the freezer. I almost used it on the salad instead. This time I tossed in some purple cabbage around the salmon before I baked it for 20-25 minutes at 350 F...surprisingly it came out good!








For the warm goat cheese mix the softened cheese with some dried (or fresh herbs if you have any). Thyme, tarragon, chervil, parsley, chives any herb blend that you like. I rolled it in Little balls and refrigerated them. As it turned out it would be better to make them in little medallions or patties instead of the balls... or better yet just slice them from the log and season the panko.

When firm dip in a beaten egg then into panko bread crumbs seasoned with sea salt, pepper and a pinch of garlic powder. Then in a skillet with a little oil fry them until crispy and golden about 2-3 minutes per side. They can be refrigerated or placed in the freezer a bit before frying for easier handling. When done let them blot on a paper towel lined plate and you can keep the warm in a 200 degree F oven. The dukkah spice/nut mix would be good with the goat cheese too.




They are good so good as is, but I made them for the salad (and a little extra for my bento) so on the bed of mixed greens they go.




I loved the look of the purple cabbage when I sliced it...I just had to share it with you :D



For the salad dressing whisk together:



1/3 cup olive oil or Hazelnut oil

2-3 Tablespoons champagne vinegar or sherry vinegar

1 Tablespoon fig jam or orange juice

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

salt and pepper




Maybe I went over -kill on the healthy factor, but I did fry the goat cheese! Now where is dessert?






12 comments:

  1. Wow, what a meal!! I had never heard of that type of squash before but will look for it now. And how lucky are you that your daughter tracks her veggie consumption?!! That's terrific. Hoping my kids become a little more willing as they get older.

    Have a great weekend!! And thanks for your kind words over at Jenn's. :)

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  2. That looks and sounds delicious.Diane

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  3. Fried goat cheese is heaven onto itself! Everything looks delicious! It's not often I make a meal where everything is blog-worthy like this!

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  4. Happy Easter Day to you & your family! Hope you're having a fabulous time. The salad sounds wonderful and the cabbage looks really pretty too. Hey, thanks for showing it to us. Have fun finding the eggs. haha....
    Blessings, Kristy

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  5. That purple cabbage looks like artwork! Love the look of the salad too...Happy Easter to you and your loved ones:D

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  6. Lindsey, I've tag u in an Easter Game @ 5 Recipes To Celebrate Easter!! Pls come & join in the party :)
    Happy Easter!

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  7. The goat cheese salad looks very tasty, Lyndsey and I really had to smile at that pair of colourful socks ;)! Happy Easter to you and your family :)!

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  8. Looks great Lyndsey! I'm behind on blogging too. I'm having an Easter Party over at Seaside Simplicity. Hope to see you there. Have a Happy Easter!

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  9. Belated Happy Easter, a wonderful round up of dishes!

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  10. I am loving the brussels dish, have to try that one.

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