Healthy Summer Recipes

Gabriel's Guacamole Named after the Archangel Gabriel, this guac is so good (and good for you) that you might hear the angels singing.

Fun Factoid: Contrary to popular belief, an avocado is a fruit, not a vegetable.

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados
1 plum tomato
1 jalapeo chile (seeded and finely chopped)
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
1/3 cup chopped sweet onion (Vidalias are always good)
Salt to taste
Plain tortilla chips (baked, if you like)

Instructions:
Place jalapeo, cilantro, onion, and salt in a large mortar, and grind away with the pestle. It's okay if the onions remain a bit chunky.

Cut the avocados in half. Twist in opposite directions to separate. Slip a spoon in, scoop the fruit out, and place it on a cutting board. Chop into chunks.

Cut tomato in half crosswise. Gently squeeze to get seeds out. Now add avocado and chopped tomato to onion mixture in the mortar. Mash. Spoon until mostly blended (some of the avocado chunks should remain intact.)

Serve immediately. Makes 12 tablespoon-sized servings.

 

Grilled Salmon Teriyaki 

You can grill it or bake it. Either way, it's a delicious main dish that delivers Omega-3s in a big way.

Fun Factoid: A female salmon may lay up to 800 eggs for every pound she weighs.

Ingredients:
4 salmon steaks (about 6 oz. each), skinned
1 cup light soy sauce
1/3 cup sake (Japanese rice wine)
4 tablespoons granulated sugar
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons fresh ginger root, grated
1/3 cup sesame oil

Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients for the marinade in a small bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves.

Rinse salmon under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. Divide each steak into two pieces by cutting along either side of the central bone and then discarding the bone. Place the salmon in a shallow glass or ceramic container and pour 1 cup of the marinade over the fish. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours, turning the fish occasionally.

Let come to room temperature before cooking. Prepare grill.

Remove the salmon from the marinade, reserving the liquid. Place the fish on an oiled grill rack, approximately six inches from the heat source. Turn once and brush with reserved marinade. Cook 3-5 minutes per side, depending on the salmon's thickness.

Makes 8 3-oz. servings. 

 

Hawaiian Hula Punch 
Fruity and plentiful, this Hawaiian-flavored drink delivers a powerful vitamin punch.

Fun Factoid: Papaya is the only food containing papain, a powerful enzyme that digests proteins.

Ingredients:
2 medium bananas, cut into chunks
1 ripe mango, cut into chunks
1 ripe papaya, cut into chunks
4 cups unsweetened pineapple juice
4 cups seltzer

Instructions:
In a blender add bananas, mango, papaya, and pineapple juice. Puree until smooth, and pour into glasses.

Serves 8