Category Archives: recipes

artichokes

Grilled Garlic and Herb Artichokes

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Artichokes are one of nature’s most detoxifying foods. Packed with insoluble fiber, this spring super food is a great addition to your anti inflammatory dishes. We are especially fond of this dish adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

  • 2 large artichokes
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • Crushed red Chili Flake to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh Rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

 Directions:

  1. Fill a large bowl with cold water. Squeeze the juice from one lemon wedge into the water.
  2. Trim the tops from the artichokes, then cut in half lengthwise and place halves into the bowl of lemon water to prevent browning.
  3. Add artichokes to boiling water. Cook for 15 minutes. Drain.
  4. Squeeze the remaining lemon wedges into a medium bowl. Stir in the olive oil, garlic, chili flake and rosemary and season with salt and pepper according to taste.
  5. Brush the artichokes with a coating of the garlic dip and place them on a preheated grill. Grill (or broil) the artichokes for 5- 10 minutes, basting with the dip, turning frequently, until the tips are a little charred. Serve immediately.

 

Wasabi Salmon Burgers

Wasabi Salmon Burger

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One of the most affordable ways to indulge in heart-healthy wild salmon is to go ‘canned’. It may be surprising, considering the cost of fresh wild salmon, but many of the canned varieties are in fact wild-sourced. Another perk of going for canned salmon? It transforms quickly into salmon burgers which are the perfect anti-inflammatory take- to-work meal (as well as mid-day Omega-3 boost). Our top pick for canned salmon is Vital Choice. Their Wild Red Alaskan Sockeye Salmon is delicious and under $6 for just over 6 oz.

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Wasabi powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey or raw agave syrup
  • 12 oz Wild Canned Salmon
  • 2 scallions, finely chopped
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Directions
1. Whisk soy sauce, wasabi powder and honey in a small bowl until smooth. Set aside.

2. Open and drain salmon. Transfer to a large bowl. Add scallions, egg, ginger and oil; mix well to combine.

3. Form the mixture into 4 patties. The mixture will be moist and loose, but holds together nicely once the first side is cooked.

3. Coat a large skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the patties and cook for 4 minutes. Turn and continue to cook until firm, about 3 minutes.

4. Spoon the reserved wasabi glaze evenly over the burgers and cook for 15 seconds more.

Bon appétit!

Balsamic Roasted Asparagus

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Asparagus contains a wide variety of skin-beautifying antioxidants, including vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and the minerals zinc, manganese, and selenium. In addition, this much-loved vegetable may also contain a valuable amount of the antioxidant glutathione. Glutathione is one of the most studied antioxidants; it consists of three amino acids — glutamic acid, glycine, and cysteine — combined into one molecule.

One published study estimated the amount of Glutathione in fresh asparagus to average 28 milligrams per 3.5 ounces. The overall antioxidant capacity of Asparagus compares favorably to the uber-healthy cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage and cauliflower.

Balsamic Roasted Asparagus

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. asparagus
  • 1 tablespooon good-quality olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper 

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425.
  2. Trim ends of asparagus. Place in a flat pan.
  3. Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar; sprinkle with salt, garlic, and pepper, tossing to coat. Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, turning once.

Serve with your favorite lean protein and bon appétit!

What’s your favorite way to prepare asparagus? 

Kale

Kale Salad with Blueberry, Goji and Avocado

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Kale is one of the most nutritionally dense superfoods and when eaten regularly helps give skin clarity and radiance. In fact, one cup of kale contains:

  • 2.5 grams of protein
  • 354 percent of your RDA for vitamin A (beta-carotene)
  • 89 percent of your RDA for vitamin C
  • 1328 percent of your RDA for vitamin K
  • 27 percent of your RDA for manganese

Kale Salad with Blueberry, Goji and Avocado

Serves 4

 Ingredients:

  • 2 small bunches of washed kale
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup dried goji berries (you can soak them if they’re very hard or dry)
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, soaked overnight, drained
  • 1 cup blueberries
  • 1 medium avocado, cubed
  • Sea Salt
  • White Pepper

Directions:

1.    Remove stems and center ribs from kale. Stack leaves and thinly slice crosswise into ribbons.

2. Drizzle with oil, and sprinkle lightly with sea salt and white pepper. Using hands, massage oil and salt into kale leaves. Let stand for 5 to 10 minutes.

3. Add Goji berries, pumpkin seeds and blueberries to salad, and toss to mix.

4. Divide between individual plates, top with avocado, and serve.

 

Preparation Tip:

Some find that Kale has somewhat of a fishy flavor. To minimize this stronger flavor, massage raw kale with olive oil and lemon juice for at least 10 minutes.

How do you like to enjoy Kale?

Walnuts, rich in Omega 3s

Cinnamon Walnut Coconut Pancakes

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Coconut flour is one of the best tools in the anti-inflammatory pantry. Low-carb an low-calorie, Coconut flour works especially well in this recipe to replicate the sweet taste of pancakes. Top with walnuts, an excellent source of Omega-3 and help to encourage healthy capillary function in skin.

Ingredients:

  • 4 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon honey or a pinch of stevia
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
  • ½ cup coconut flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • coconut butter or coconut oil for cooking

Directions:

  • Pre-heat pan or griddle over medium low heat.
  • In a small bowl, In a small bowl beat eggs until frothy, about two minutes.
  • Mix in milk, vanilla and honey or stevia.
  • In a medium-sized bowl combine coconut flour, baking soda, and sea salt and whisk together.
  • Stir wet mixture into dry until coconut flour is incorporated.  Grease pan with butter or coconut oil.
  • Ladle a few tablespoons of batter into pan for each pancake. Spread out slightly with the back of a spoon. The pancakes should be 2-3 inches in diameter and fairly thick. Cook for a few minutes on each side, until the tops dry out slightly and the bottoms start to brown. Flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes.
  • Top with chopped raw walnuts and cinnamon.

Bon Appetit!

 

wild alaskan salmon

The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Dinner: Almond-Encrusted Wild Salmon Fillets

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Hazelnuts, walnuts or sunflower seeds may be used in place of almonds in this delicious, heart-healthy recipe.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup coarsely ground almonds
  • 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon grated organic lemon zest (use organic lemons;non-organic lemon rind is treated with fungicide)
  • Dash of sea salt and fresh pepper
  • Two 6-ounce (185-g) wild salmon skinless fillets
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 cups mixed organic baby greens (arugula/rocket, mesclun,spinach, etc.)
  • Lemon wedges

Directions:

  1. Grind the almonds in a coffee grinder or food processor—do not overgrind and turn them into a paste.
  2. Mix ground almonds, parsley, grated lemon zest, salt, and pepper on plate.
  3. Dry the salmon; dredge salmon on both sides in the almond mixture.
  4. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  5. Add the salmon and cook about 5 minutes on each side, making sure that the salmon is cooked through.
  6. Arrange 1 cup of greens—such as spinach, or a mix of greens such as baby lettuce, arugula/rocket, turnip or mustard greens, herbs,endive, and escarole—on each of 2 plates.
  7. Transfer the hot salmon fillets to plates.
  8. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve immediately.

What are your favorite ways to prepare salmon?

Start Fresh Spiced Pecans

Spiced Pecans

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This is the perfect anti-inflammatory side dish or salad topper. You can also add cayenne pepper and chile to give these a subtle heat.

Ingredients

  • 1 egg white, lightly beaten
  • 3 cups pecan halves
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation

    1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. In a small bowl, beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon water. Stir in the pecans, mixing until well moistened.
    3. Combine the salt, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over the moistened nuts. Spread the nuts on the baking sheet.
    4. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice. Be careful not to burn the nuts. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to use.

Fresh Start Salmon Burgers

Rosemary Salmon Burgers

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Fresh caught Wild Salmon can be quite expensive. Fortunately, many of the canned salmon varieties are much cheaper and tend to use wild sourced salmon, which is nutritionally much better for you than farmed salmon. Enjoy these burgers with different spices for a different flavor experience.

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz canned wild alaskan salmon
  • 1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 egg white
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • Pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Pulse salmon in a food processor for 1 minute. Combine in a medium bowl with remaining ingredients and form into 4 patties.

2. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes, flip, then grill another 4 to 5 minutes.

Check out more anti-inflammatory recipes on our pinterest account.

Baked Kale Chips

Baked Kale Chips

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Baked Kale chips are an ideal snack for Start Fresh or anyone following the anti-inflammatory diet. Low calorie, these dark leafy gems are packed with beneficial nutrients for radiant skin and healthy vision.

Ingredients

Serves 6

  • 1 bunch Kale
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
  3. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.

Start Fresh Cauliflower Gratin

Cauliflower Gratin

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Cauliflower makes an excellent substitute for starchy comfort foods like potatoes and sweet potatoes when cravings strike. As a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, Cauliflower contains potent anti-cancer compounds and should be eaten 4- 5 times a week for optimal health benefits.

Ingredients

Serves 4

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into large florets
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 oz pancetta, chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 oz Muenster cheese, thinly sliced

Preparation:

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Butter a baking dish just large enough to hold cauliflower in a single layer.
  3. Cook cauliflower in a covered steamer over simmering water until fork-tender, 15-20 minutes. Remove to prepared dish.
  4. Heat oil in frying pan over medium heat.
  5. Add pancetta and onion and saute until pancetta is crisp and onion is golden, about 15 minutes.
  6. Spoon over cauliflower and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. pepper.
  7. Top with cheese to cover evenly.
  8. Bake until edges are bubbling, about 20 minutes. Serve hot.

What is your favorite Start Fresh Recipe?