Crock-Pot Rice Pudding with Fresh Peaches

This creamy rice pudding gives a light nutty flavor by using basmati or jasmine rice. Very easy to make and quite a heavenly treat. Use fresh berries or fruit of any kind to top off your bowl of pudding!

Ingredients:

- 4 cups 1% milk

- 1/2 cup uncooked basmati or jasmine rice

- 1/2 cup sugar plus 2 Tbs sugar, divided

- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt

- 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

- 1/8 tsp. nutmeg

- 1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick

- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

- Cooking spray

- Peaches or fresh fruit

- pinch of cinnamon for the top, before serving

Spray a crock pot with cooking spray. Add milk, rice, 1/2 cup sugar, and next 5 ingredients (through vanilla bean) to crock pot. Stir well to make sure none of the rice sticks to the bottom. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours (depending how hot your crock pot gets), stirring occasionally. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into the pudding and discard the shell along with the cinnamon stick. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Spoon mixture into small bowls or ramekins and garnish with fresh peaches and a pinch of cinnamon. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"It takes courage to show up and become who 

you really are." - E. E. Cummings

Mahi Mahi with Pink Peppercorn Tropical Salsa

Pink peppercorns lend a pretty color and lively note to this entrée. 

Ingredients:

- 1 1/2 cups chopped pineapple
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 Tbs flaked sweetened coconut
- 2 Tbs lime juice
- 1/2 Tbs minced jalapeño peppers
- 1 tsp. pink peppercorn, crushed and divided
- 1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
- 2 Tbs finely chopped macadamia nuts or pine nuts
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 Tbs soy sauce
- 3, 6 oz. Mahi Mahi or other firm white fish fillets
- 2 Tbs olive oil

Combine first 6 ingredients and 1/2 teaspoon of the peppercorns in a medium bowl. Set aside. 

Combine panko, nuts, remaining 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns, and salt in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, mix coconut milk and soy sauce. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil. Once the oil is hot, dip each of the fish fillets into the coconut milk mixture and then dredge one side in panko mixture. Add fish to skillet, crust side down, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Turn fish over and cook for about 3 more minutes or until fish easily flakes with a fork. Serve with pineapple salsa and enjoy! (You can also use remaining coconut milk/soy sauce mixture as a sauce for the fish.) If you would like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here!

*NOTE: If you're not a fan of spice, leave out the jalapeños and red onion.

"Don't be surprised when you don't get any results

 from doing nothing." - Anonymous

Cactus Pear Vinaigrette

A very light and refreshing dressing for salads, chicken, fruit and more!

Ingredients:

- 2 cactus pears, peeled

- 1 banana

- 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar

- 2 tsp. lemon juice

- 1 tsp. lime juice

- 2 Tbs honey

- pinch of salt (optional)

Cut both ends off of the cactus pears. Make a slit down the middle of each one (lengthwise) and peel the skin off. Cut the peeled cactus pears in half and then add all of the ingredients into a food processor. Process until smooth. Strain vinaigrette through a sieve, to remove all seeds, before use. Enjoy on salads, chicken, fruit, and MORE! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been." - David Bowie

Crab Cakes

Now this is what I'm talkin' 'bout! The best crab cakes this side of the Mississippi! :) Very meaty.... I mean crabby, held together with whole-wheat bread crumbs, and filled with fresh and savory ingredients that is very pleasing to the palate!

Ingredients:

- 1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs

- 2 Tbs chopped flat-leaf parsley

- 2 Tbs chopped fresh chives

- 2 Tbs mayonnaise with canola oil or olive oil

- 1 tsp. fresh grated lemon rind

- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten

- 16 oz. fresh lump crabmeat

- 2 Tbs butter

Place first 7 ingredients, down to eggs, in a large bowl. Combine and then add in crabmeat. Divide crabmeat into 4 equal portions and shape each into 1-inch-thick patties. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add butter. When butter is melted, add the patties to the skillet and let cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until crab cakes are golden brown. Enjoy alone or with a quick tartar sauce. I made an avocado aioli using:

- 1 avocado, peeled and seed removed

- 1 Tbs mayo

- 1 tsp. mustard

- 2 tsp. chopped chives

- 2 tsp. capers

- 1 tsp. lemon juice

- dash salt and pepper

- 1/4 tsp. creole seasoning (for a little "kick")

Place all ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"How about coffee, drinks, dinner, a movie....for as long as we both shall live?" - You've Got Mail // Joe Fox (Tom Hanks)

Roasted Red Pepper and Ricotta Soup

Running low on time? The most wonderful thing about this soup, aside from the creamy rich taste, is how quickly it can be made!

Ingredients:

- 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
- 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1, 12 oz. jar roasted red bell peppers, rinsed and drained
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 Tbs lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 Tbs chopped fresh chives

Combine all the ingredients, except the chives, into a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer soup to a medium sauce pan and heat over medium-high heat until heated through. Top with fresh chives and enjoy! If you would like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"Happiness is not the absence of problems, it's the ability to 

deal with them." - Anonymous