Saffron Debut: Garlic Lemon Salmon, Quinoa Party and Kaia Cocoa Granola

Lemon Saffron Salmon

This was tasty! Finally satisfied my Salmon craving just right, and tried out using Saffron.  An evolved version of Meditteranena Lemon style Salmon because of the Saffron Strands! The most expensive spice in the world. I was worried they would get drowned out in the garlic and lemon flavor, but was pleasantly surprised. #1 Just one tiny strand in a bite made such a difference. So much garlic and lemon made this meal plus hints of basil, olive, and saffron.  Iced Tea is officially in season since the hot weather so this was enjoyed with a glass of Orange Blossom Tea sweetened with Stevia.

-Sautéed Salmon with (Granulated Garlic, Garlic, Lemon, Lemon Pepper, Toasted Almonds, and Saffron)

-SooFoo Brown Rice

-Garlic Roasted Purple and Yellow Carrots (Oven baked 400º w/ Granulated Garlic and Sea Salt)

-Garlic Lemon Salad of Spring Mix, XXL Black Olives, Avocado, Tomato, Green Onion, Basil, Yellow Carrot

    -Crushed Garlic, Olive Oil, Rice Wine Vinegar, Lemon

Pomegranate Ginger Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Salad just got interesting.  First I decided to go with Saffron and Dried Cranberries for a sweet flavor similar to the amazing Persian rice (can't wait for the Zereshk Berries I ordered), and then doubled the awesomeness with Pomegranate Ginger Dressing.  All the ingredients in the salad, especially the bit of leftover sweet potato and basil went with the sweet flavors perfectly. Green onion and ginger added a kick as well. #2 Thank you farmer's market pomegranate juice and keeping a bottle of home-juiced ginger juice in my fridge!  The key to Quinoa Salad being interesting enough for a meal is having the right textures, from crunchy carrots to soft sweet potato to gushy avocado clusters and chewy cranberries.

-Quinoa, Dried Cranberries, Saffron

- Spring Mix, Avocado, Tomato, Green Onion, Basil, Carrot, Left over Sweet Potato

    -Pomegranate Juice, Ginger Juice, Olive Oil, Rice Wine Vinegar

Kaia Cocoa Bliss

If you like chocolate, and you like epic gignatic clusters of buckwheat granola, this is for you. The final buckwheat granola by Kaia Foods.  I knew the date spice version and cherry pie would have big clusters around the dates and cherries, but I was delightfully suprised when I peeled the top off of the cocoa bliss to see a congregation of massive clusters, partially from the raisins, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts, but also just from the buckwheat it self, all stitched together with tons of cacao powder. I've never had chocolate flavored granola, but this has just the right cocao flavor without making breakfast a milk chocolatey decadent dessert. I even got to enjoy some semi chocolatey soy milk at the end! and it's not even higher in fat or sugar than the other versions. It's almsot as if the cacao powder turns raisins into chocolate chips!
-60g Cocoa Bliss Buckwheat Granola
-Blueberries and Soymilk