CRAB CAKES

This was the first time I ever made crab cakes!  Now that I know how easy it is, I think they are going to be a regular in the dinner rotation in this house.  It took no time to combine the ingredients, then form them into adorable little "cakes", then broil for 10 minutes.  Done!  I like pure crab cakes, meaning: mostly crab, no veggies, not a lot of breading.  I used a minimal amount of panko breadcrumbs just to hold them together.  Use what suits your taste!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons mayo
2 teaspoons Old Bay
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon dry ground mustard (you can use actual mustard if you so desire)
1 egg, beaten
1 lb fresh lump crab meat
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs (more or less, depending on preference)

Combine first 5 ingredients in medium bowl, mixing well.  Gently fold in crab meat, using your hands or a big mixing spoon.  Gradually add in breadcrumbs until it feels like the crab meat is loosely held together.  Be gentle so you have big lumps of crab, not shredded little bits.

For crab cakes a bit bigger than a golfball, form 6 round patties.  If you want quarter pound monsters, make 4 patties.  I like mine tall and round, but you can always make them flatter, like a burger.  Sprinkle some extra Old Bay on top!

Broil on high for 10 minutes.  Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a side of remoulade.

CHOPPED TACO SALAD

A recipe for salad?  Yes, a recipe for salad.  I love love love Mexican food, but I'm not sure my pants would fit if I gave into my daily cravings.  When I'm in the mood for delicious tacos, burritos or enchiladas I whip up this "healthier" taco salad.  Now, I have a version that is not healthy at all, and another that is a bit more health conscious.

I always start with a big bunch of chopped romaine.  Brown a pound of extra lean ground turkey, then add a can of black beans and a packet of taco seasoning.  Let simmer until most liquid has evaporated. 

Brown ground turkey, add beans and taco seasoning

Now it's time for toppings!  Chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers and avocado are delicious in taco salad.

Now for the dressing: when in piggy mode, I use (coat the salad in) thousand island dressing.  It gives the meal such an unexpected tangy flavor.  It is SO good.  If you're going all the way with full fat thousand island, you may as well throw in some crushed up nacho cheese Doritos.  Totally makes the salad.  For the healthier version, I mix about a tablespoon of ranch dressing with a lot of salsa and hot sauce.  You still get that creamy ranch flavor, but without the calories of a bigger pour.  The salsa will coat your salad nicely, but with minimal calories.  If you still need the Doritos, get the baked kind!

"Healthier" dressing ingredients

Flavor!

Ingredients

Chopped romaine
1 lb extra lean ground turkey
1 can black beans, 15 oz
1 packet taco seasoning (I used Old El Paso)
tomatoes
avocado
green peppers
cucumber
Thousand Island salad dressing
OR
Ranch + Salsa + Hot sauce
OR
Nonfat greek yogurt + Salsa + Hot sauce

Brown ground turkey, add taco seasoning and undrained black beans.  Simmer until most liquid evaporates.  Plate lettuce and top with meat mixture.  Top with chopped veggies, dressing, and chips.  Enjoy!



Truth time: I always eat my salads out of a huge mixing bowl while hunkered down on the couch. Don't judge.

What my salad actually looks like.