I have never been much into eating tuna salad, maybe from time to time but never something that I would crave. Thinking of tuna salad, I generally picture dried out tuna from one of those Chicken of the Sea pouches doused in mayo and not much else. I made my own occasionally, usually when I was going on healthy eating initiatives, never considering tuna salad to actually be something delicious. Recently, on one of my many regular trips to Whole Foods, I was starved and wanted something quick but healthy from their prepared foods. There were pre-made sandwiches with lots of bread, which looked good but I wanted to keep it light. Different kinds of chicken salads were displayed along with tuna salads. After almost giving up, I noticed a tuna salad with kalamata olives. Anytime I see something with olives in it, I will certainly give it another look. Upon careful examination, this tuna salad, a Mediterranean tuna salad, had not only olives but also artichoke hearts-now they were speaking my language. I was on my way with a container of Mediterranean Tuna Salad, whole wheat pita bread and whatever else I got suckered into buying just from being in Whole Foods!
After getting home and putting my things away, I indulged in this delicious, perfectly seasoned tuna salad using wedges of the pita bread to scoop it up. Now, getting food on the go and picking up lunch is not really my style; I always prefer to make things myself. With this in mind, I was determined to recreate Whole Foods' Mediterranean Tuna Salad. This turned out not to be a problem since the recipe is easily found on their website. There were even more ingredients than I imagined and feel free to check the Whole Foods recipe out at http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/670. Their recipe is excellent but I like to add my own spin and simplify. Check out my spin on this delicious, refreshing and healthy summer salad.
Lizzy M.'s Mediterranean Tuna Salad
1 can of albacore tuna, drained
1/2 cup frozen artichoke hearts, thawed and roughly chopped
1/4 cup Kalamata olives (Greek olives), roughly chopped
1 quarter of a small red onion, diced
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
Juice of half of a lemon
Zest of half of a lemon
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup fat free plain Greek yogurt (can also use sour cream or mayo)
3-4 basil leaves, torn or sliced thin
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp dried or fresh oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
1. After draining the tuna well, set aside. Chop all ingredients and place in a mixing bowl.
2. Mix all ingredients together well. Taste here and add any seasoning if you so desire. If you prefer a creamier texture, then add more yogurt and/or olive oil.
3. Serve cold over a bed of greens with wedges of toasted or warmed pita bread or any other kind of bread that you like.
I hope you enjoy this simple, refreshing and healthy recipe that makes tuna salad much more than just tuna salad.
As we approach the of
ficial summer, the weather gets warmer and warmer allowing for more and more nights spent relaxing and grilling outdoors. When one think of grilling, the usual suspects come to mind like hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken. While those staples of grilling certainly get put on the menu once and a while in the summer, I love to get creative with the classics and mix things up a bit. I also try to eat a healthy diet. Although I go for an all-beef burger once and a while, we try to change it up with 99% fat free ground turkey. With the right flavors, a low fat turkey burger can be just as delicious and interesting. In fact, I think turkey gives way to more of a blank slate in order to make any number of styles of burgers. There are no limits to what you can do...Greek burgers, Mexican Burgers, Italian Burgers or, maybe, Asian Burgers.
On a recent grilling night, I opted to pull out the ground turkey and create a Thai version of a turkey burger. With ginger, lime, cilantro, and soy sauce on hand, I knew I could pull it off. I decided to add spicy mayo, avocado, and a cabbage and cucumber slaw to complete this dish. If you like Asian flavors, then I recommend keeping things like fresh ginger, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and Asian chili sauce on hand. You can keep fresh ginger in your freezer wrapped in plastic wrap or in a plastic bag. Whenever you are ready for the ginger, take the edge of a spoon to scrape off the brown skin before you use the ginger. Using a zester or microplane to grate the ginger is the best way to get a small amount of ginger well distributed throughout whatever it is you are cooking. Your family and friends will love to try something different, so give your grilled dinners a creative spin to give your guests something to talk about.
Lizzy M.'s Thai Turkey Burgers
1/2 lb 99% fat free groun
d turkey (My recipe is based on two servings. Use 1/4 lb. per person.)
2 tbsp Tamari (dark soy sauce)
1 tsp spicy mustard
1 tbsp ginger, grated
1 garlic clove, grated
1 tbsp red onion, diced small
1 tbsp cilantro
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Zest of half of a lime
Half of an avocado, mashed
Spicy Sauce
1/2 cup light sour cream or non-fat plain Greek yogurt
1/2 tsp Asian chili sauce
1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
Splash of Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
Sea salt
Cabbage and Cucumber Slaw
1 cup green cabbage, sliced thin or shredded
1/2 cup cucumber, sliced in thin long sticks
1/4 of a red onion, sliced thin
1 green onion, diced
2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
Zest from the other half of lime
Juice from half of the lime
1/4 cup rice wine vinegarSea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
1. Prepare the slaw first
by chopping all ingredients, cabbage, cucumber, onions, and cilantro. Mix these ingredients with the lime zest, lime juice, vinegar, salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Prepare the spicy sauce by mixing all ingredients well and refrigerating. Feel free to add more chili sauce and/or smoked paprika to add more spice. If you want less spice, then add more sour cream or yogurt to cut the spice a bit.
3. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients except for the ground turkey. Mix these ingredients well before adding the ground turkey. Once the ground turkey is added incorporate the saucy mixture well with turkey. Form round patties to make the burgers.
4. On a hot outdoor grill or 
indoor grill pan, cook the turkey burgers for about 5 minutes on each side or until firm to touch. You need to make sure the turkey is cooked all the way through. One way to do this is to allow for the burgers to rest under some aluminum foil for about 4-5 minutes before eating.
5. Take and mashed avocado and add a dash of salt. Mix well. On each hamburger bun, spread the avocado on the bottom of the bun. Place the hot turkey burger on top of the avocado. Next, add a generous dollop of the spicy sauce and pile the slaw right on top. Place the top bun over the slaw and serve. Serve the extra slaw on the side of the burger.
Get out and get grilling. Try new recipes and ideas that will be healthful and flavorful for you and your family. Turkey makes for the perfect canvas to create any kind of burger, so why not try a Thai Turkey Burger!
Of all the amazing and highly-rated restaurants that I have visited in places like New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, Florence and Beijing, I have yet to find a restaurant, where every single bite that I took during my meal was a clear definition of what I hope for my heaven to be like (or taste like). That is until May 26, 2010. For my 3rd wedding anniversary with my husband, we decided to take our celebration to the highly-acclaimed, Vetri Ristorante, located just east of Broad Street in Center City Philadelphia. Knowing how challenging it is to get a reservation in chef and owner, Marc Vetri's intimate 40-seat trattoria, we called well in advance, and still only had the option for either a six o'clock or nine o'clock seating. We opted for the early reservation to leave plenty of time for a relaxing meal and after dinner drinks. With much anticipation of this special dinner, I found myself studying Vetri's website. At first glance, even my adventurous palate was a bit intimidated by this menu but the more I studied the more I realized that I actually wanted to try everything.
After rushing to get ready for d
inner after work, we hopped a cab to Center City on a hot and sunny Wednesday evening. I decided that we should exit the cab early to avoid traffic and death, walking the rest of the way. We made it to 13th and Spruce Streets finding the humble little wooden Vetri sign in front of what appears to be a traditional Center City town home. Walking into the entryway, we were immediately greeted and brought to our perfect little table for two right by the large front window-a pretty good score being that only 2 tables in this 40-seat restaurant are near the windows. This was just icing on the cake because any seat in Vetri would have been just as good. I felt as though we were entering someone's lovely home with all-wood floors, a decor of rustic elegance, and the smell of fresh Italian cooking from the kitchen.
As we got comfortable at ou
r white linen covered table, we quickly found a Barbera red wine to order. Just as soon as the freshly-baked, out-of-this world bread arrived, an Italian white bread and a Focaccia variety, served with a bowl of olives and olive oil, our superb Italian red filled our wine glasses. After a few gulps of delicious wine, my husband and I turned our full attention to the beautiful menu with a cover made of wood just like the sign out front. We picked out our appetizers and ordered 3 varieties of pasta. The waiter mentioned that we could order half portions of the pastas in order to sample as many as possible. Marc Vetri offers a menu of classic Italian cuisine inspired by fresh, seasonal ingredients married with simplicity and elegance, which comes together as a work of art. Starting out by cooking in South Philadelphia with his Sicilian family, Marc Vetri's culinary experiences took him to California, New York, and likely his most valued experience, Bergamo, Italy. In 1998, Vetri, following his dream to open his very own restaurant, found the perfect place on Spruce Street in Philadelphia, which was once the location of Philadelphia's top restaurant, Le Bec Fin. 12 years later, Vetri remains not only one of the top restaurants in Philadelphia but also one of the top Italian restaurants in America. "Possibly the best Italian restaurant on the East Coast" is what Mario Batali said of Vetri. With all of this hype, I wondered if my dinner at Vetri would live up to these high expectations or if I would be disappointed.
Our meal began with the "F
oie Gras Pastrami with Fruit Mustard" and the "Artichoke Salad with Arugula and Parmesan". The foie gras pastrami, sinfully decadent, melted in your mouth like butter while the richness was cut by the sweet fruit mustard. The artichoke in the artichoke salad, cut in thin long slices, maintained a bite as if al dente and was dressed ever so lightly to highlight the flavor of the artichoke, the peppery bite from the arugula and the sharp nuttiness of the shaved Parmesan. After the surprises of flavor and textures from our first course, we knew this dinner would just keep getting better and better. And it did.
Our second course included a dis
h that may be the dish that I would request if I knew it was my last meal on this earth. Heaven on a plate, an appetizer that could spread world peace is none other than the "Spinach Gnocchi with Shaved Ricotta and Brown Butter". These gnocchi were unlike any I have ever had. Large, fluffy, soft pillows of flavor dance in your mouth as you taste one of these. It is as if Vetri met up with Paula Deen for a minute and she told him-more butter please. Well, he listened and butter, that is-brown butter (and plenty of it) makes the already phenomenal gnocchi into something orgasmic. I kid you not-I am thinking about his gnocchi right now and could almost bring myself to go to Vetri this weekend and order nothing else but the spinach gnocchi.
With all of the magnificence o
f the spinach gnocchi, there are still four more courses that deserve much attention. Also with our second course came the "Tempura Soft Shell Crab with Bitter Greens Slaw and Red Pepper Cream", an exemplary and perfectly fried soft shell crab, which was enhanced by maintaining the freshness of the crab without overpowering it with too much tempura. The red pepper cream added the perfect sweetness and tartness to compliment the rich crab and bitter greens. Each bite of the soft shell crab had the ideal ratio of crispness on the outside with a juicy burst of flavor on the inside. After the gnocchi and the soft shell crab, we were getting a little bit full but had to suck it up for three simply sublime half courses of house made pastas.
Our three pasta dishes arrived at the same time but my first bite was from the "Fazzoletti with Duck Ragu and Gaeta Olives". The Fazzoletti, rectangular sheets of pasta, similar to the shape of a Lasagna, constisted of just the right thickness to hold the saucy duck ragu. Incredibly tender and succulent pieces of duck almost melted in with the sauce, pasta and fresh Parmesan, while the bold Gaeta olives, small oval black Italian olives, infused a surge of salty, tart flavor.
The next bite 
was from the delicate dish of "Pea and Robiola Agnolotti with House Cured Prosciutto". The best part about this dish for me was that I forgot the ingredients that were in it, so with each bite my palate was exploring these flavors trying to pinpoint what they were. Notes of sweetness and nuttiness came from the peas and Robiola, a soft-ripened Italian cheese, as the buttery tenderness from the Agnolotti, a form of Ravioli seen in the Piedmont Region of Italy, brought a luxuriousness all enhanced by the salty bite of the house-cured prosciutto.
The final pasta of the evening was th
e "Ramp Ravioli with Ricotta and Lemon Zest". These Ravioli, firmer and more defined than the Agnolotti, were stuffed with ramp, a kind of seasonal spring onion, along with the creamy ricotta cheese. The ravioli was garnished with a garlicky-onion infused oil and lemon zest making this pasta a savory masterpiece.
After this feast, we had to forgo the dessert although we felt a bit guilty being at this divine restaurant and not partaking in dessert. There is always next time and for me there must be a next time. Next time at Vetri, if I don't go for the chef's tasting, which can either be a 5 course or a 7 course feast, then I will certainly be ordering a full portion of Spinach Gnocchi and dessert! If you plan to be in the Philadelphia area or live in the area, then I can recommend with out a doubt of uncertainty that you will have one of the most memorable meals to date at Vetri.
Vetri
1312 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-732-3478
www.vetriristorante.com
A couple of years ago, at our local watering hole, a new chef, Shiobahn Allgood, took over the kitchen and provided an excellent menu featuring the flavors of Baja, Mexico. My favorite dish that she made was her Baja Fish Tacos, 2-3 strips of lightly fried fish, a cabbage slaw with a spicy chipotle mayo sauce all piled into a small soft white tortilla. I don't think I had ever had a fish taco until I tried these. I had seen fish tacos on menus and heard of people liking them but never knew what all the fuss was about until I partook in this fresh and flavorful dish. The chef that I will always remember for her amazingly tasty and spicy fish tacos left our local watering hole to participate in the reality show, "Hell's Kitchen". Season 7 premieres tomorrow, Tuesday, June 1, at 8/7 Central on Fox, and I can't wait to cheer on this talented chef, who introduced me to delicious Baja cuisine.
Since her departure, I have tried my hand at my own fish taco recipe, which with I have been very satisfied. If you are looking for a healthful meal that is still tons of fun to eat and enjoy with friends and family, then look no further than fish tacos!
Lizzy M.'s Fish Tacos with Cabbage Slaw and Spicy Mayo
Cod, Mahi Mahi or Halibut, 3-4 oz. per person (Choose any sturdy white fish that you like or that is on sale when you visit your fish counter.)
Extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup Flour
1 tbsp smoked Paprika
Juice of one lime
Flour tortillas (Whole wheat or whatever kind of soft tortilla you like is fine.)
Cabbage Slaw
3 cups green cabbage, sliced thin
Small red onion, sliced thin
1 green onion, sliced thin
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
Zest of lime (Use the zest of this lime and then use the lime juice for the fish.)
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Spicy Sour Cream Mayo
1/2 cup light sour cream or light pl
ain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup light mayo
1 tsp Chinese chili sauce
Splash of Worstershire sauce
Splash of rice wine vinegar
1/2 tbsp smoked paprika
Sea salt
Directions:
1. Prepare slaw. Add sliced cabbage, red onion, green onion, cilantro, vinegar, lime zest, salt and pepper. Mix well and cover. Place in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Can also make the slaw the day before.
2. Prepare spicy sour cream mayo. Mix sour cream, mayo, chili sauce, worcestershire sauce, vinegar, smoked paprika and a dash of salt to taste. Mix well. Add more chili sauce and smoked paprika if you like it super spicy. If it is too spicy for you, then add more sour cream to bring down the heat. Store covered in the fridge until you are ready to use it.
3. Prepare the fish immediately before eating. Start by drizzling the fish with extra virgin olive oil and the juice of a lime. Season the fish with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Next, mix the flour, panko bread crumbs and smoked paprika on a dish. Dredge the seasoned fish in the breading mixture for a light coating on the fish.
4. In large heated 
pan, drizzle extra virgin olive oil. Once heated through, add the breaded fish to the pan and cook on each side for about 3 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending upon the thickness and sturdiness of the fish. 3 minutes on each side is more for a thinner cod than a thick halibut. Use your best judgment and don't overcook the fish!
5. Serve by placing a flour tortilla on a plate and spreading the tortilla with the spicy sour cream mayo mixture. Break up the fish into large chunks and place in the tortilla with a pile of cabbage slaw on top. Serve with extra spicy sour cream and enjoy!
I hope you will try this recipe inspired by the former chef from our local Philadelphia spot. To see her in action and more of her Baja cooking style, check out Shiobahn Allgood tomorrow night (Tuesday, June 1st) on the premiere of Hell's Kitchen, Season 7 at 8/7 Central on Fox.
In the middle of an unassuming block of West Girard Avenue on the border of the Northern Liberties and Fishtown sections of Philadelphia, you will find a quaint town home with a red awning, which is actually the best new hoagie shop around, Paesano's. After a lovely stroll through the farmer's market at the Piazza at Schmitz, a newer condominium community that surrounds a giant open square, friends of my husband I brought us a few blocks over to partake in what they said was their "new favorite hoagie in Philadelphia". After that bold statement, we were more than intrigued.
As we approached this clean 
little sandwich shop with outdoor seating and a line to get to the counter, I knew this was going to be good. Paesano's menu is written in chalk on a board above the counter, which we studied for a bit before deciding on the "Daddy Wad-an Italian hoagie with sharp provolone, arugula, tomato, onions, and sweet and hot peppers". High-quality, thick slices of ham, salami, mortadella and sharp provolone provide the perfect mixture of spiciness, nuttiness, and saltiness. The heaviness of the Italian meats and cheese is cut with the peppery bite of arugula, sweet tomato slices, and tangy sweet and hot peppers all piled into a soft-on-the-inside but crispy-on-the-outside sesame-seeded hoagie roll.
With the fresh creativity of thi
s sandwich menu, I know I will return to try some more of Paesano's hoagie creations. The "Daddy Wad" is just the beginning as the menu brings meaty items like the "Paesano-beef brisket, provolone, roasted tomato and horseradish mayo with a fried egg", or the "Arista-whole roasted suckling pig, broccoli rabe, Italian longhots, Jus, and provolone cheese". With a new spin a hot dog that will have you spinning, try the "Tuscan Tony-all beef dog with sopressata, bolognese (meat sauce), provolone and Italian longhots". There is no shortage of variety at Paesano's with items like the "Diavlo-spicy chicken with salami, roasted tomato, provolone and broccoli rabe", the "Gustaio-roasted lamb sausage with sun-dried cherry, mustarda, Gorgonzola and fennel", or the "Zawzeech-sweet Italian sausage, caramelized peppers and onions, and sharp provolone".
For something on the lighter side, go
for the "Tuna Italiano-tuna salad with hard-cooked egg, green olives and roasted tomato". Vegetarian items include the "Panelle-Sicilian chic pea pancake with roasted tomato, fennel and Godzuki sauce (sour cream, lemon, garlic, rosemary and hot sauce)" or the "Giardina-roasted eggplant with fennel, peppers, fresh mozzarella and basil pesto". After checking out this menu thoroughly, I am ready to head back and order a Panelle today! The chefs and owners of Paesano's also own the lovely BYOB across the street called Modo Mio, another must-try restaurant in the Philadelphia area offering a unique yet authentic Italian menu. Head to the edge of Northern Liberties and Fishtown for a modern twist on the classic hoagie.
Paesano's
152 West Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19123
267-886-9556
http://modomiorestaurant.com/paesanos_girard_ave_location
I have never been much into eating tuna salad, maybe from time to time but never something that I would crave. Thinking of tuna salad, I generally picture dried out tuna from one of those Chicken of the Sea pouches doused in mayo and not much else. I made my own occasionally, usually when I was going on healthy eating initiatives, never considering tuna salad to actually be something delicious. Recently, on one of my many regular trips to Whole Foods, I was starved and wanted something quick but healthy from their prepared foods. There were pre-made sandwiches with lots of bread, which looked good but I wanted to keep it light. Different kinds of chicken salads were displayed along with tuna salads. After almost giving up, I noticed a tuna salad with kalamata olives. Anytime I see something with olives in it, I will certainly give it another look. Upon careful examination, this tuna salad, a Mediterranean tuna salad, had not only olives but also artichoke hearts-now they were speaking my language. I was on my way with a container of Mediterranean Tuna Salad, whole wheat pita bread and whatever else I got suckered into buying just from being in Whole Foods!
