Sharing Plate – Your Cooking Coach |

Since the beginning of the New Year, I have been very good about eating healthy and incorporating the right things during the day. I started a month long cleanse which will be coming to an end soon- I am glad I did it- I feel good and it motivates me to eat properly and exercise.

One of the things I am trying to eat more of is protein- especially the good kind. Salmon is the best way to get your protein- but the problem is that my husband and my daughter don’t enjoy eating the fish at all. I mostly end up eating it for lunch since neither of them are home.

I have been buying wild smoked salmon from Trader Joes. I usually make a sandwich or recently have started adding it to scrambled eggs. I beat two eggs and add sliced salmon and cook up the whole thing. I find the combination very satisfying, especially if I top it with some hot sauce- yum!

The other day, I bought some fresh, local pesto. I brought it home and started thinking about some yummy pasta dish I would use it in- but then I remembered I am trying to eat less pasta. So, instead I used it in the salmon and egg concoction. I just added a tablespoon to the beaten eggs and salmon. I then cooked it the same way I did before.

It was absolutely delicious. It brought the simple dish to a whole new level. I loved the sweet basil taste with the salty parmesan kick with the nutty pine nuts.

It is now a staple lunch for me – at least 2 to 3 times a week. It is very filling and satisfying. Try some pesto scrambled eggs with smoked salmon next time you are looking for a healthy lunch.

• 2 eggs, beaten with 1 teaspoon water and ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon extra light olive oil
• 1 tablespoon basil pesto
• 2 to 3 ounces smoked salmon, sliced thin

Beat the eggs and add the pesto and salmon. Mix well. Heat a non-stick pan with the olive oil on medium high heat. Add the eggs and lower the heat to medium. Stir continuously with a wooden spoon till the eggs begin to set. Turn the heat off and the eggs will continue to cook. Serve with a salad or wheat toast.

I somehow always forget to make eggs for dinner or even lunch. I take them out for breakfast on the weekends or unless I am baking- which seems to more and more often these days.

A cousin was in India recently and told me about her trip down to Kerala and described the cuisine. One of the things she couldn’t stop talking about were scrambled eggs cooked south indian style. She carefully described the ingredients or whatever she could decipher. While I was listening, I thought I will definitely make these but didn’t think of writing down the ingredients (duh). Anyway, a couple weeks went by and suddenly the scrambled eggs came to mind. It was one of those evenings where there wasn’t much in the fridge and I wasn’t in the mood to make an elaborate meal.

Now, I had forgotten most of the ingredients for the dish- but I was able to come up with what ever I thought belonged in there considering the part of India we are talking about. Mustard seeds, curry leaves and coconut were the main ingredients- and I had all of them. I also had fresh cilantro, tomatoes, onions and green chilies-perfect.

I used all the ingredients and came up with a fantastic, quick and delicious dinner. I made fresh rotis with it. That is what my husband and I ate. For my daughter I made plain scrambled eggs- she is not into fresh tomatoes, green chilies, etc.

I added extra cayenne pepper for myself. I like things spicy but my dear husband likes it really mild. It was really enjoyable- I plan to use more eggs for dinner in the future. Maybe a nice mushroom omelet with gruyere- yum, that sounds delicious. Try the easy scrambled eggs for your next quick meal.

• 1 tablespoon extra light olive oil
• ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
• 4-5 curry leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• ¼ cup white onion, chopped
• 1 serrano chili, chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped tomatoes, or halved cherry tomatoes

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ cup cilantro chopped

Beat the eggs salt, cayenne pepper and cilantro. Keep aside.

In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil. Add mustard seeds and sauté for minute on medium high heat or till the seeds begin to sizzle. Add the curry leaves, coconut, onion, chili and ginger. Saute for 2-3 minutes on medium heat or till the onions are soft. Add the tomatoes and sauté for 4-5 minutes. Lower the heat and add the beaten eggs, stir till the eggs are cooked yet still soft. Serve with fresh rotis or tortillas.

This is a great snack and I am still eating it. I posted this back in September and thought I needed to repost it since it so healthy and delicious. If you missed it last time- here it is again. I changed it a bit in keeping with the seasonal fruits,etc.

I am sharing my new, healthy snack. I eat it everyday. Sometimes even for a meal.

If it’s a snack, then I don’t use as many fruits- but if it’s a meal- I make sure to add at least five to fulfill my daily fruit requirements. It is a delicious way to incorporate a bunch of healthy things I need to eat through the day.

I use the non-fat greek yogurt- it’s creamy like whipped cream and has a good amount of protein. I like to use wild blueberries- they are a super food, even better than the regular ones. I put them in frozen to achieve a nice crunch- and they are delicious. Besides the other fruits, I add walnuts- the best kind of nut to have. Fills you up and is good for you. Raw honey is very good for you as well. I add a tablespoon of it on top- it tastes like I am eating a big bowl of dessert. I also add flaxseed mixed with dried blueberries. I buy it from Trader Joes and love the taste of it. I sprinkle it right on top- it gives the snack a nice crunch.

I am absolutely loving this concoction. I look forward to it everyday and I am thrilled with how healthy it is. Definitely give it a try- I am sure you will enjoy it as well!
Click here for the recipe… »

I made this on a busy Sunday late morning/early afternoon. I picture this being made the day after a big holiday dinner- especially if you have a big crowd.

I cooked it for the three of us but it can be made for a big crowd.

I had leftover homemade tomato sauce. I have to say, after returning from Italy- I am incapable of opening a can of San Marzano tomatoes to make marinara sauce, instead I have to buy fresh tomatoes and go through the lengthy process of making it at home. The taste difference is unbelievable- anyway, so that is what I had in the fridge. I also had a pack of chicken sausages in the freezer. I thawed them, took the casing out and chopped them up.

I sauteed them and added the tomato sauce. I cracked a few eggs and covered the pan and in a few minutes, brunch was done. I had some bake your own baguettes from Trader Joes. I baked one of them and made a big green salad.

The brunch was delicious! So easy- and the possibilities are endless… You can add all sorts of meats, or shrimp to this- or make it Mexican and serve it with guacamole, etc.

Definitely make this – it’s great!

• 4 chicken sausage links, take the casing out and chop into small pieces
• 1 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup homemade tomato sauce
• 3 or 4 eggs
• Salt
• Pepper

In a wide frying pan, heat the olive oil. Add the sausage pieces and sauté on medium heat for 5-6 minutes or till golden brown. Add the tomato sauce and heat for a minute or two. Crack each egg distributing them evenly in the pan. Cook covered for 3-4 minutes depending on how cooked you want the eggs. Sprinkle the eggs with salt and pepper.
Serve with a hot baguette and green salad.

After a busy, hectic but delicious Thanksgiving weekend I am usually in the mood for ethnic food. I crave really spicy food. In fact I wanted it so much that I went to Edison and ate Indian street food to my hearts content.

The craving for spicy food prompted this particular meal. It makes a great breakfast but I made it for dinner. This Indian style omelet is served on the streets in Delhi, where I grew up. I remember going to an open market near our home and eating this with white bread. Yum- white bread is delicious and so I decided to buy a crispy baguette and make omelet sandwiches. Onions and chilies are chopped and sauteed. Eggs are beaten with fresh cilantro, salt, cayenne pepper and garam masala. I added extra cayenne in mine- yum!

While I was trying to decide what to serve with the sandwiches, home fries came to mind. While I was in school, my parents owned a deli. My Mom would make the most delicious potato home fries to serve with breakfast sandwiches. I replicated those for this meal. The home fries are quite easy to make – boiled potatoes, green or any colored peppers and the key ingredient was dried oregano. The were cooked on the griddle until crispy. At home, I made them in a cast iron skillet to ensure a nice golden brown color and even cooking.

The whole meal turned out really delicious. I made a cheese omelet for my daughter as she is not into the spicy egg concoctions. I gave her some veggies on the side and called it a night. I somehow didn’t feel like drinking wine with this particular meal- I guess my childhood memories didn’t include the alcoholic beverage. Although a beer or a riesling would be delicious!

• 4 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• ½ cayenne pepper
• ½ cup cilantro, chopped

Beat the eggs with salt, garam masala, cayenne pepper and cilantro and beat well. Keep aside.

• 2 teaspoons extra light olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 serrano chilies, chopped

2 sour dough rolls, cut in half and toasted

In a large non-stick frying pan, add olive oil. Add the onions and chilies and sauté on medium heat till the onions are golden brown- about 5 minutes. Add the egg mixture and cook on medium heat till the egg mixture begins to cook. Roll into an omelet shape and cut into half. Serve each half in the toasted roll with home fries on the side.

Home Fries

• 4 medium yellow potatoes cut into 1 inch pieces

In a small saucepan, add the potatoes and top with cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes or till the potatoes are soft.

• 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil
• ½ red pepper, chopped
• ½ yellow pepper, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

In a non stick frying pan, add the olive oil.  Add the peppers and potatoes. Mix well and cook on medium high heat, turning once in a while so the potatoes begin to brown. Add the oregano, garlic powder, salt and cayenne pepper. Mix well and cook for another 15- 20 minutes or, till the potatoes are crispy and golden brown. Check for seasonings and sprinkle with cilantro and serve with egg sandwiches.