Southwest Seasoning
¼ cup smoked paprika
1 tsp chipotle power or ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
 
Fish Tacos and Coleslaw
12 small corn tortillas
1 ½ pound tilapia fillets
4 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 small red pepper, thinly sliced
¼ cup red onion, minced
½ cup cilantro, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
2 limes, cut into wedges

1. Preheat the broiler on high and put the cooking rack 5 inches below the flame. Cover a broiler pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. Combine the Southwest seasoning ingredients in a small container and set aside.
   
3. Place the tilapia fillets onto the prepared pan and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the Southwest seasoning. Broil until the fish is cooked through, about 7-12 minutes depending on how thick the fish is.
4. In a large bowl combine the cabbage, red pepper, red onions, and cilantro. Prepare the dressing in a small bowl by mixing the mayonnaise, vinegar, honey, and 2 teaspoons of the Southwest seasoning together. Toss ½ cup of the dressing with the shredded cabbage and vegetables. Add salt and pepper to taste.  Add more dressing if you like.
5. Warm the tortillas (covered) in the microwave for 1 minute.
   
   ​To assemble the tacos, place a piece of fish and some coleslaw onto each tortilla. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Serves 2-4

1 lb cooked salmon or one 14 ounce can salmon
2 tablespoon mayonnaise
1/3 cup breadcrumbs-unseasoned
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon herb, dill, parsley, chopped
1 stalk scallion, chopped
2 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoon butter
Lemon

1. If using fresh cooked salmon, break up the salmon with a fork. If using canned salmon, drain and reserve liquid from salmon. Leave the bones-they are so soft and will not be noticed in the patties.
   
   
2. In a bowl, combine the salmon, mayonnaise, breadcrumbs, egg, and herbs. If mixture is too dry to form into patties, add reserved liquid from salmon.
   
   
3. Form the mixture into salmon cakes using about 1/3 cup for each.

   
   
4. Place the oil and butter into a large sauté pan and heat over medium high heat. When the butter has melted and starts to bubble, place the salmon cakes in and cook until browned. Turn over and brown on the other side. Serve hot, room temperature, or cold. Serve with a wedge of lemon.

You can't get easier or tastier than this meal. This is an adaptation of a recipe from the NY Times Cooking section. 

Serves 4
3 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
½ tsp dried oregano (or rosemary, or basil, or sage)
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 ½-2 lbs small bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (4-6 thighs)
4-6 small Yukon gold potatoes, cut into ¾ inch pieces
1 large red pepper, cored, seeded, cut into 1 inch strips
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about ½ cup)
2 Tbs fresh dill, chopped (or parsley, basil, or mint)
Optional: 4 pieces bacon-cut into 1-inch pieces and placed on your baking pan under chicken and potatoes to cook-yummmmmmm!

1. In a medium bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons oil with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, the garlic, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken thighs toss to coat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or up to 8 hours, covered, in the refrigerator.
2. Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a sheet pan, drizzle the diced potatoes with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; toss well and move to one side of the pan. Pat the chicken thighs dry (this will help the skin crisp up during cooking) and place them, evenly spaced, on the other side of the pan. Roast for 15 minutes.
3. Remove the pan from the oven, toss the potatoes, add the pepper slices, then return everything to the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through, the skin is golden brown, and the potatoes are tender, 15 to 25 more minutes, depending on the size of the thighs. If the potatoes are not quite tender, remove the chicken thighs to a plate to rest, and return the pan to the oven to roast until tender, another 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Place the chicken, potatoes, and peppers (bacon if adding) on a serving platter, and sprinkle them 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Scatter the feta and dill over the potatoes, sprinkle the whole dish with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

Variations: Adjust your protein cooking time as needed.
Try: Thin pork chops-boneless or bone-in, salmon fillets-thick.
      Veggies: Sweet potatoes, fennel bulb, leeks, red or yellow onion-sliced thick

Serves 4-6
 
2 Tablespoons olive oil
12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into ¼ inch pieces-on the diagonal
8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
4 ounces butter, unsalted
½ head green cabbage-sliced thinly
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh
1 pound raw shrimp (peeled)-if frozen, thawed        
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup assorted greens-baby spinach, flat-leafed parsley, baby arugula-chopped
1 lemon, zested and juiced
½ cup heavy cream
Kosher salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over a medium- high heat.  Add the sausage, garlic, and pepper flakes. Cook until the sausage is lightly browned and the garlic is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
   
   
2. Add the butter, shredded cabbage, thyme, shrimp, and pepper flakes. Cover and cook until the cabbage is wilted and is bright green, about 3-5 minutes.
   
   
3. Add the chopped herbs, lemon zest, lemon  juice, and the heavy cream. Toss the ingredients gently to coat. Simmer for 3 minutes to heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Shakshuka is a classic North African and Middle Eastern dish that’s eaten for breakfast or any meal of the day. Shakshuka means “a mixture” and the traditional version uses tomatoes, onions and spices as the base with eggs poached on top. The best Shakshuka that I have had was at Tatte in Boston. Everything there is delicious!

Serves 1
to serve 2, double the recipe and use a larger sauté pan.
​
1 ½ cups bottled or canned tomato sauce(prepared with no sugar or seed oils)
½ teaspoon cumin, curry powder or other spice or spice mix
1 pinch crushed red pepper
1 small red pepper, sliced (bottled roasted peppers are fine too)
2-3 fresh eggs
Optional: Fresh parsley, basil, or cilantro, grated or shredded cheese of choice, leftover vegetables, shredded chicken, meat, seafood, olives, capers

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees or preheat your broiler. Warm the tomato sauce, seasonings, and red pepper in an 8-inch oven proof sauté pan. Heat until simmering and cook until the peppers are just beginning to soften-about 3 minutes.
2. Create a “nesting spot” for your eggs in the sauce. Break the eggs into the pan. Place the pan in the oven and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the eggs have set to your liking. Alternatively, you can place a tight-fitting lid on the pan and cook the eggs. Serve hot.

Servings 4
1 tsp chile powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbs cornstarch
1/4 cup water
4 tablespoons olive oil
2  boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 large red pepper, cored, seeded and cut into thin strips
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 Tbs fresh lime juice
8 flour tortillas, warmed in the microwave
 
1.In a resealable plastic bag, combine the chile powder with the salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, cornstarch, ¼ cup of water and 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the chicken, bell pepper and onion, seal and knead gently to coat. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.

2.Heat the remaining 2 Tbs of oil in a large nonstick skillet until shimmering. Empty the contents of the bag into the skillet and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are crisp-tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 6 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in ¼ cup of water and the lime juice.

3.Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a large plate and serve with the warmed tortillas.
 
*Change it up! 
Use sirloin, pork, or shrimp.
If using leftover, cooked meat, add it to the vegetable after they’ve been marinated and cooked.
Make it a stir-fry by adding 2 Tbs soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil. 

Mark Bittman is an amazing recipe writter. He knows how to scrounge around in the pantry and always come up with something easy to make and delicious. Here is my adaptation of his recipe from his book "Kitchen Express". Check out his website for more recipes.  https://www.markbittman.comwww.markbittman.com

Adapted from Mark Bittman’s Kitchen Express
Serves 4
1 pound sausage meat (or ground beef or ground turkey)
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, sliced
28 ounces canned diced tomatoes, drained
1 14 ounce can garbanzo beans, drained
1 tablespoon fennel seed, crushed
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 cups arugula (or spinach), roughly chopped
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup flat-leafed parsley, roughly chopped
Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to tastes
8 ounces pasta

1. Boil salted water for pasta and cook it, reserving some of the cooking liquid. 
2. Heat a large sauté pan with 2 Tbs olive oil and cook the sausage meat, breaking it up into small pieces, until cooked through.
3. Add garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add diced tomatoes, chickpeas, a tablespoon of crushed fennel seeds, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Toss the pasta with arugula and let it wilt.  Add the pasta to the sausage mixture, along with the butter and some pasta water if needed to moisten. Add the parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with parmesan cheese.  

Salmon Spirals with Herb Yogurt Sauce
Beautifully Delicious Cooking with Herbs and Edible Flowers by Liz Barbour

Serves 6

Herb Yogurt Sauce
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped chives or scallions
2 teaspoons chopped mint
1 teaspoon lemon zest
 
Salmon
1 whole side salmon (3-3 ½  pounds), skin removed
Olive oil
6 teaspoons Dijon mustard
⅓ cup chopped dill
6 four-inch wooden skewers
Kosher salt 
Pepper, freshly ground
 
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking pan with foil and brush lightly with olive oil.
 
To prepare the yogurt sauce, combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, chives, mint, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.  


Slice the salmon along its length into six ⅓-inch strips. Roll the strips into spirals and secure with a skewer. Spread 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard on each spiral, sprinkle with dill. Place the spirals on the baking pan and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the salmon is firm to the touch when pressed, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and tent with foil to keep warm. To serve, remove the skewers and top with the herb yogurt. 

Buttered Cabbage with Ground Beef
Serves 4-6
 
8 ounces butter, unsalted, grass fed
2 pounds cabbage, about ½ large head-shredded
1 teaspoon dried thyme or 2 teaspoons fresh
8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced    
1 pound ground beef
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup assorted greens-baby spinach, flat-leafed parsley, baby arugula-chopped
1 lemon, zested and juiced
½ cup heavy cream
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
 

1. Melt 4 ounces of butter in a large saute pan over a medium- high heat.  Add the garlic, ground beef, and pepper flakes. Cook until the beef is browned and the garlic is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
   
   
2. Add the shredded cabbage and thyme. Cover and cook until the cabbage is wilted and is bright green, 3-5 minutes.
   
   
3. Add the chopped herbs, lemon zest and juice, and the heavy cream. Toss the ingredients gently to coat. Simmer for 3 minutes to heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

Optional: Add 1 tablespoon of fresh, chopped ginger with the garlic

Air Fryer Roasted Radishes
serves 4-6

3 cups radishes cut in half or in quarters depending on their size. 
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon Kosher or sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1. In a large bowl, add radishes, oil, salt and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
   
2. Place the seasoned radishes in the air fryer basket and cook at 400F for 7-10 minutes. Check to ensure the radishes are fork tender. Serve hot.

If cooking in an oven, heat the oven to 400F and cook for 10-12 minutes or until fork tender.

​This recipe is perfect for using up Thanksgiving leftovers. Chop up your leftover turkey and use it as the base. Throw in your leftover peas and onions, top it with the last of the mashed potatoes or rutabagas. Even savory sweet potatoes will be tasty and beautiful on this dish. Do you have any stuffing left? Put that on top. The possibilities are endless!

Makes one large pie
1 ½ pounds leftover, cooked turkey, finely chopped(or raw ground turkey)
2 teaspoons thyme, dried (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
½  teaspoon allspice
1 pinch nutmeg
1 large onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, chopped
2 large carrots, diced
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup stock (chicken or beef)
3 cups leftover mashed potatoes or 1 rutabaga, peeled and cut into 2 inch cubes
1 cup butter
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated and divided
salt and pepper

If using leftover turkey:
Heat a large sauté pan over medium high heat with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, onions, carrots, garlic, thyme, allspice, and nutmeg until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Proceed to #4
           
​ If using raw ground turkey, skip to #2

1. Add the meat and seasonings (reserve ½ teaspoon of thyme), and cook until the meat no longer looks pink.
2. Add the vegetables and cook for 5 to 7 minutes longer.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and stock. Reduce the heat, and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. In another pot, cover the rutabagas with water and 1 teaspoon of salt and boil until they are tender, about 30 minutes. Drain well and put them back into the pot and mash until they are smooth. Add the butter and 2/3 cup of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Spoon the meat mixture into a deep-dish pie pan or a large baking dish.
6. Cover with the rutabaga mixture and sprinkle the remaining 1/3 cup cheese over the top.
7. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 425°F and bake for 35 minutes.

I recently demonstrated this recipe on WMUR's Cook's Corner.  I'll be featuring this recipe along with many other herb and edible flower inspired recipes in my upcoming cookbook.  If you try this recipe let me know what you think.  In the meantime, here is a link to the demonstration.

Serves 6
1 side of Salmon approximately 3 pounds of Salmon fillet, skin removed
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/3 cup fresh dill, chopped
6 thin skewers, 4-inches long
Salt and pepper
Canola oil

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with tin foil, lightly brush with olive oil. 
2. Slice 1/3 inch strips the length of the salmon.  You should get 6 strips of salmon. 
3. Combine the Dijon mustard and the chopped dill in a small bowl stir together to make a paste. 
4. Place each salmon strip on its side and spread liberally with the paste.  Wrap each salmon strip into a spiral with the paste on the inside of the spiral.  Secure the spiral with a skewer.  Season each spiral with salt and pepper. 
5. Put the salmon spirals on the baking sheet, place it into the oven for 15 minutes or until the salmon is firm to the touch.  Remove the skewers before serving.   Serve the salmon spirals with the herb yogurt sauce along side. 

Herb Yogurt Sauce

Makes 1 cup
¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
¼ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped chives
2 teaspoons chopped mint
1 tablespoons lemon zest
Salt and Pepper to taste
 
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use