Zucchini 'Pasta'

I had this as my dinner but it can also be used as a side.

You will need:

• 2 Large zucchini
• 2 Tsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove - crushed
• Salt and pepper

* Using a vegetable peeler, cut the zucchini into lengthwise ribbons. Peel off several from one side, then turn the zucchini and peel off more. Continue to turn and peel away ribbons until you get to the seeds at the core of the zucchini.

*Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When it is hot, add the zucchini ribbons and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Cook, tossing and stirring the zucchini, for two to three minutes, until softened and beginning to turn translucent. Adjust salt and add freshly ground pepper to taste then add the garlic and toss everything to mix

*Garnish with cheese and serve!

This is a great base to add your own twist to, maybe some fresh basil, tomato or use summer squash as well

Roast Chicken

How many times have you had dry, tasteless chicken? Dry chicken is then covered with fatty gravy to mask the dryness.

So, most people buy rotisserie chickens from the supermarket that have been sitting under heat lamps for hours... yum :/

This recipe utilizes fresh herbs and lemon to infuse the chicken with flavor in each and every moist bite!

You will need:

• Fresh, whole chicken
• 1 Lemon
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Fresh herbs - I buy a pack called "poultry mix" which has rosemary, oregano, thyme and sage


• 2 cloves crushed garlic
• 1 large yellow onion

*Start with a whole chicken, remove the bag from inside (I made the mistake once not to remove it, learned my lesson quick!) and rinse the bird inside and out with cold water. Trim any excess skin/fat, there is usually a lot around the bottom and neck

*In a small bowl mix together olive oil, juice from half of the lemon, lemon zest, garlic and thyme

*Using clean hands separate the skin from the chicken breast and legs

*Place the mixture under the skin, allowing all the flavors to reach the meat

*Stuff the cavity with: onion, lemon and the rest of the fresh herbs

*Tie legs together for more even cooking

*My secret: I cut 3 large slices of an onion to line the bottom of a baking pan and place the chicken on top. The onion well elevate the chicken and release moisture while it cooks. If you like to make gravy it will add lots of flavor too!

*Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes/per pound - I loosely cover the chicken with foil and remove it for the last 30 minutes of cooking to brown the skin

*Remove chicken from the baking pan and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before carving!

I served this with a spinach salad and egg noodles

Salmon poached in white wine and shallots

This was my first time "poaching" anything and what sounded intimidating turned out to be easy and delicious!

I served the fish with Israeli couscous and a baby spinach salad

Salmon:

*In a pan combine white wine and water (enough to cover the fish halfway) shallots, lemon slices, salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer

*Place salmon skin side down, cover and simmer on low until the fish has turned light pink (about 8 - 10 minutes depending on the thickness)

Cous Cous:

*Cook and drain cous cous

*Soak raisins in hot water

*Add golden raisins, walnuts, salt, pepper, thyme, cumin, corriander, cinnamon and nutmeg

You will notice that I did not put measurements for the spices, I don't use them. Always taste your food as your are cooking and before serving, this will train your palate and build your confidence as a cook!

Feel free to leave any comments, questions or recipes ideas

XoXo

Alla

My first....

Hello and welcome to my first Blog!

A little about me:

I'm a young woman who was hit with the reality that I couldn't live on McDonalds and Pizza for the rest of my life. I had to start eating healthy, but I did not want to starve!

I love food, I love cooking and I especially love cooking for others. My inspirations come from family, friends, great dishes at restaurants and cooking shows. I can't follow recipes so I don't bake.

Cooking-Shmooking is about having fun, experimenting, making memories, eating great food and staying healthy!

XoXo

Alla