This is our first year growing sugar snap peas. Now we have tons of them so I’ve been looking for ways to enjoy them besides the obvious one — eating them right from the vine!

A few days ago I tried this shrimp recipe, not something I make often but wow, was it ever tasty!

The sweetness of the sugar snap peas, coconut milk and shrimp pairs beautifully with the mild curry flavor.

Coconut-Curry Shrimp With Snap Peas

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp (not jumbo)
1/2 pound sugar snap peas (about 1 cup)
2 teaspoons Indian curry
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 14-ounce can light coconut milk
2 tablespoons white wine
2 teaspoons lime juice
1 tablespoon arrowroot (can use cornstarch if necessary)
3-4 green onions sliced thin

Instructions

Melt butter in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add shrimp and snap peas. Sprinkle with curry powder and garlic salt. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until shrimp begins to turn pink.

Stir coconut milk, wine and lime juice into arrowroot until smooth. Add to shrimp mixture, stir constantly and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer two more minutes. Serve over rice or cauliflower rice if desired. Sprinkle with green onions. Savor the flavor!

Which Shrimp Should We Buy?

It’s confusing to know which products, from which countries and raised in which method is best for us. Consumer Reports recommends “buying farmed shrimp raised without chemicals, including antibiotics. That can include shrimp farmed in large outdoor ponds that mimic the natural habitat or in tanks that constantly filter and recycle water and waste.”

Consumer Reports has evaluated organizations and stores that certify whether farmed shrimp—both domestic and imported—have been raised without drugs and chemicals. We recommend farmed shrimp labeled Naturland, Aquaculture Stewardship Council, or Whole Foods Market Responsibly Farmed. Another common certification is Best Aquaculture Practices, but we found antibiotics on four samples with that label.”

Caribbean Bean Salad is one of our family’s all-time favorites. It’s perfect for a hot summer night when no one feels like cooking! Easy to prepare and no pots or pans to clean up will make it one of your go-to recipes this summer!

Caribbean Bean Salad

1 cup fresh corn kernels
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
Juice of 1 fresh lime
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium avocado, cut into 1/4″ squares

Instructions

Mix together the corn, beans, red pepper, red onion, tomatoes and cilantro in a large bowl. Whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, salt and cumin. Add a few twist of the pepper mill to the bowl then pour the dressing over the bean mixture and stir to combine. Let stand for at least 30 minutes to develop the flavors. Garnish with avocado and serve with a big green salad. Relax and enjoy your cooling summer meal!

Eggs are a brilliant food! They are cheap, go with almost anything and taste delicious. I am very glad someone decided they are not detrimental to our health!

Eggs contain all 9 essential amino acids, are highly concentrated with vitamins and minerals (iron, phosphorous, selenium and vitamins A, B12, B2 and B5) and are among the best sources of choline, a very important nutrient for the brain. Additionally eggs contain large amounts of the antioxidants Lutein and Zeaxanthine, which dramatically lower your risk of age-related eye disorders.

Omega-3 enriched or pastured eggs are best.

One great way to prepare eggs is to make a big casserole with lots of vegetables. Eat part of it for breakfast then save the leftovers for a quick, satisfying lunch along with a salad. It’s tasty hot or cold!

Easy Egg Casserole

Ingredients:

10 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 cup red onion, diced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped

2 cups loosely packed baby spinach, roughly chopped

1 cup of yellow squash or asparagus, cut into 1/4″ pieces

1/2 avocado, cut into 1/4″ cubes

3 strips nitrate free turkey bacon, cut into 1/4″ squares (optional)

Optional: 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Freshly ground pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease an 8 x 11 glass casserole dish.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.

Pour egg mixture into glass dish and cook in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Test for doneness. If center is still watery continue cooking for another 5 minutes. When the center is firm, remove casserole from the oven to cool and set, about 10 minutes. Serve with fresh fruit.

Eat leftovers cut into cubes with greens for lunch!

It’s difficult to capture the deliciousness of this burger — my photos just don’t do it justice. So you’ll have to trust me when I tell you these burgers are good! Even the male judge who generally turns his nose up when I announce we’re having turkey burgers, not hamburgers, gave it high marks!

Turkey Burgers

Ingredients

1 pound ground turkey*
1/2 avocado, cut into 1/4″ chunks
1/3 cup minced red onion
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, minced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Few twists of the pepper mill
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon golden flax meal
3 tablespoons water
1/4 avocado, mashed

Directions

In a small bowl combine the ground flax and 3 tablespoons water. Set aside for at least 5 minutes to thicken.

Place the ground turkey in a large bowl and break it up with your hands. Add the minced onion, thyme, salt and peppers and mix well. Pour in the prepared flax meal and thoroughly combine. Finally add the avocado chunks and carefully fold into the turkey mixture so you don’t smash the avocado.

Heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive or coconut oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Shape the turkey mixture into 4 burgers and add to the hot pan. Watch carefully to insure the burgers don’t stick to the pan. Flip after 4-5  minutes and continue cooking until burgers are cooked all the way through, about 6-7 more minutes depending on thickness.

Top with mashed avocado and minced onion. We served this with a nice piece of freshly baked almond bread. Don’t forget your large salad!

*I found some good quality ground turkey at Harris Teeter on Harrison Street.

Let’s face it: everyone has a hankering for a nice warm piece of bread once in while! During our TWC we earn a point when we avoid grains or eat just one serving daily. It’s good to take a break from wheat once in a while and note how you feel. Many joint pains and digestive issues are due to gluten intolerance even at low levels.

If you’re ok with wheat it’s still better to fill up on produce rather than grains. Don’t get me wrong, I am not opposed to whole grain rice or pasta and quinoa once in while…as long as they don’t take the place of super nutritionally charged vegetables!

Here’s the best grain-free bread I’ve found. It’s from elenaspantry. I’ve made this simple recipe several times and it’s always good. Be mindful not to eat the entire loaf all at once!

Almond Bread

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour
3/4 cup arrowroot powder
1/4 cup golden flaxmeal
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, arrowroot, flax meal, salt, and baking soda.
In a larger bowl, blend eggs 3-5 minutes until frothy
Stir honey and vinegar into eggs
Mix dry ingredients into wet
Scoop batter into a well-greased glass loaf pan.
Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean

Cool and serve. Be sure to store in the fridge!

Red Snapper is not only delicious but also high in vitamin D, which helps keep our bones strong. and vitamin E which supports healthy red blood cell growth and also offers antioxidant protection for our tissues.

I love red snapper simply pan seared, served with homemade mango salsa on the side. Even if you don’t love fish, you’re sure to enjoy this simple summer dish.

Ingredients for the Fish

1 pound wild caught red snapper*

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Few grinds black pepper

Pinch ground cayenne pepper

Leaves from 4 stems flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

1 tablespoon salted butter

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Season the fish on both sides with the salt and the black and cayenne peppers. Let it sit while you make the salsa.

Set stove heat to medium-high. Add the butter and oil to a large skillet; once the butter is foamy, lay in the fillets, skin side down. Cook for about 3 minutes, until crisped on the bottom, then use two thin spatulas to carefully flip them over and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the second side, so the flesh is opaque and just flaky at the center.

Transfer to a platter. Serve with this delicious salsa on the side.

Mango Salsa

1 mango, chopped into 1/4″ pieces

1/3 cup red onion, diced

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

1/2 tablespoon jalapeno pepper, diced (optional)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1/3 cup cilantro leaves, chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

Combine the mango, red onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, lime juice, cilantro leaves and olive oil and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature with the red snapper. Enjoy!

*The Giant in McLean always has super fresh red snapper!