Grilled Trout and Vegetables Soft Taco with Garlicky Coriander Sauce

It's been a month and a half now since I started my "journey to a healthier me". After a series of very high blood pressure readings, my physician and I agreed to regulate my salt and fat intake and engage in regular physical activities instead of taking pills to address the readings. One thing I am good at is ... if I commit myself to achieving something, I will do anything in my power to succeed. So far, I lost 13 pounds and and my BP is now down to 135/85 mm Hg (from 185/100 mm Hg).

Since I love to eat, I don't want to deprive myself with flavours that my taste buds are so used to. Instead of eliminating a lot of things from my diet, I focused on preparing food that are bursting with flavors and the best way of doing that is eating with the seasons. My mantra: Bring to the table what the season has to offer!

Hubby and I went to a nearby farm and found some yellow squash and zucchini. I have bell peppers and portobello mushrooms left over from previous recipe so hubby fired up the grill and I tossed in the fresh veggies and a trout for a delicious soft taco dinner.

The sweetness of grilled veggies was complemented by the garlicky, creamy coriander sauce.

Bursting with colors and flavours, this soft taco recipe will definitely go to my real keeper recipe list.

I am losing weight and yet having delicious concoction like this for dinner. The  journey is more fun that I thought it would be!

Grilled Trout and Vegetables Soft Taco with Garlicky Coriander Sauce

Ingredients
2 small zucchini, cut lengthwise ( about 4 slices per zucchini)
1 red bell pepper, cut lengthwise
2 large portobello mushrooms, stemmed
2 small yellow squash, cut lengthwise
2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium size fresh trout
6 pieces flour tortilla
Salt and pepper

Procedure
Drizzle extra virgin olive oil on both sides of all the vegetables
Season with salt and pepper
Grill until all vegetable are heated through and tender. (mushrooms will be ready in about 5 minutes)

 

Season trout with salt and pepper.

Grill until well done

Let it cool and remove meat from bones

Garlicky Coriander Sauce

Ingrediants
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
6 cloves garlic, grated (add more if you wish)
1/2 cup coriander (leaves and stems, finely chopped)
Salt and pepper

Procedure
Put yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic and coriander in a mixing bowl.
Using a spatula or spoon, mix ingredients thoroughly.
Season with salt and pepper.
Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes to intensify the flavour

To Assemble
Heat tortilla on both sides
Arrange slices of grilled vegetables in the middle of tortilla
Add grilled trout on top of vegetables
Put a dollop (or two) of the garlic/coriander sauce
Fold tortilla and enjoy!

Where in the World : Cheltenham Badlands, Ontario

Hubby and I went to this spontaneous hiking trip as soon as I dropped my luggage coming from a 4 day-trip in Vancouver. With barely 2 hours of sleep in the plane (I promise I will never take the red eye flight again!) and a quick shower, we drove to Caledon not expecting anything like  this. I know how beautiful the badlands in pictures but standing on it was quite an experience - A true geographical spectacle!

The blue skies, the mild breeze, and the vibrant hues of autumn leaves from trees surrounding the badlands complemented the already dramatic soil formation. I couldn't wish for a better day to  climb and walk on top of these bizarre but lovely landscape.

Standing on one of the peaks, I would never thought that this marvelous piece of land in Caledon hills Ontario was a result of "poor farming practices in the 1930’s which caused overgrazing of this land and the resultant exposure of the Queenston shale that supports little or no vegetation." My research (a.k.a. "googling") revealed that "the reddish hue of the Queenston Shale is caused by iron oxide, while narrow greenish bands show where groundwater has transformed the rock from red to green iron oxide."

While looking, touching and feeling the grainy soil from "mistakes" of the past, James Joyce's (Irish poet) words come to mind...

"A man's errors are his portals of discovery".

So true!


Linking with : Weekly Top Shot

Hello Autumn

It is another season in the Northern Hemisphere!
I love summer no doubt but autumn happens to be my favorite season -

the bright red and orange colors of the leaves,
the sweet autumn air,
hot root vegetables soup for dinner,
sleeping with the window open,
the sound of dried leaves under my feet,
the sweet smell of pumpkin pie in the oven,
apple picking in our own backyard,
the list goes on and on -

each one of them makes me happy!

Bites and Nibbles @ dina's

I first read about Dina's restaurant from a travel guide book I found in my hotel room in Buffalo. The article highlighted that the restaurant uses local and fresh ingredients in preparing healthy dishes. So on our recent trip to Ellicottville New York, hubby and I tried Dina's for brunch.

I love the exposed bricks and metal beams inside the restaurant - it is perfect for either casual or fine dinning. The breakfast menu is extensive - hubby tried Dina's favorite {sun dried tomatoes, basil pesto, pine nuts and cheese omelette) while I had their buckwheat pancakes. We both enjoyed our food and it can be improved further if the staff could be friendlier.

Where in the World : Ellicottville, New York

On our way back to Toronto from Franklin, Pennsylvania we passed by the town of Ellicottville, New York - another charming little town in the midst of mountains and vast farmlands in Western New York. The city is a popular ski destination but it will not disappoint if you decide to go on a summer day. The main street {Washington Street} is lined with modern boutiques and restaurants complementing the architectural details and beauty of  century old buildings and houses.

Linking with Rurality Blog Hop

Herbed Tomato and Mushroom Galette

As mentioned in my previous post, our tomato bushes are full of red and juicy tomatoes. That said, I am busy in the kitchen using all types of tomatoes in my recipes. The most productive of all is the cherry tomato bush - the bite-size fruits are so delicious as is so I always use them in salads. 

For this particular recipe, I paired the cherry tomatoes with  mushrooms and some herbs picked from my own herb pots and baked it. As expected, the roasting of  herbed tomatoes intensified its flavors, making it sweeter and savory at the same time.

 

 

Herbed Tomato and Mushroom Galette

Ingredients
15 pieces cherry tomatoes cut in half
1 tbsp olive oil
 2 sprigs of rosemary, finely shopped
3 sprigs of oregano, finely chopped
1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped
Salt and pepper
1 sheet completely thawed (but still cold) butter puff pastry (I used to make this from scratch but I find the President's Choice butter puff pastry from grocery store as tasty and flaky as home made)
1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
10 white mushrooms thinly sliced
1 medium red onion, sliced
1 small egg, lightly beaten


Procedure:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
In a small bowl, toss cherry tomatoes, olive oil, rosemary, oregano and basil. Season with salt and pepper. Marinate for 20 minutes.
Unroll butter puff pastry and parchment paper (found in the package) on a baking sheet
In the center of the puff pastry, spread tomato paste in a circle motion leaving a 2 inch boarder all the way around
Add sliced mushrooms and onions on top of tomato paste
Add tomato and herb mixture on top of mushrooms and onions 
Pull pastry boarder up and over other edge of tomatoes and mushrooms, leaving the vegetables bare at center. Pleat pastry as you pull it up.
Using a pastry brush, brush pastry with lightly beaten egg
Bake in center of oven for 40-45 minutes or until  pastry is golden
Let stand for 5 minutes before slicing in wedges
Sprinkle with chopped basil leaves before serving.

You say tomato, I say tomato

Everyday for the past three weeks, our little tomato garden has been very generous in blessing us with tomatoes in various shapes and sizes. We either eat them raw or use them in every possible way. This is one of the few reasons why we look forward to the end of summer ... when tomato bushes are flourishing with red, plump, juicy and sweet tomatoes!

Where in the World : Franklin, Pennsylvania

Hubby and I are back from our last road road trip for this summer where we took advantage of Labor Day weekend sale in Grove City {Pennsylvania}. After bargain hunting, we spent a day in charming and historic downtown Franklin. This well preserved Victorian neighborhood was a perfect side trip for us who enjoy old town charm.