Overnight Rice Pudding Breakfast and Mega Dialed Fishies

Special Oven Salmon Filet

 I got so full from this meal! A combo of Indian+Persian cuisines, influenced by my Rumi experience. #1 Oven baked a Salmon Filet with Saffron and Zereshk berries (which are like more bitter dried cranberries super tart and awesome) w/ a hint of Garam Masala.  The flavor was perfect. I also used ginger juice mixed in the olive oil but the effect was subtle. The berries were tasty in the rice too, and a 'basic' salad all went together nicely! The Dolma I got from the Mediterranean market next to Rumi and is up there with the best for sure. 3 for $1!

• Salmon Filet Oven Baked 15-20min at 400º 
• Saffron Strands, Zereshk Berries, Garam Masala, Olive Oil, Ginger Juice
• Short Grain Brown Rice w/ Zereshk Berries
• Spring Mix Salad w/ Basil, Cucumber, Tomato, Cucumber, Green Onion
• Balsamic, Cider Vinegar, Olive Oil
• A Mediterranean Market Dolma

     This fish was your classic Lemon-Garlic-Thyme combo with Parsley, also sauteed with the zucchini.  You can't go wrong! I was especially pleased with the butternut squash, since previously steaming it was not that amazing tasting, but this was all time.  #2 It was sweet yet garlic-y, clean tasting and mushy with more flavor from additional herbs and sea salt/olive oil! All the aspects worked harmoniously together.  I obviously enjoy successfully preparing food in continuously healthier yet still tasty manners (steaming vs roasting/sauteing squash but keeping it just as good).  Then another 'basic' salad which is always too good for how easy and simple it is. And some quality steamed mushrooms, no need for any topping. They are a bit more expensive than other vegetables but 100% worth it. I also love valuable things that are actually worth it.

• Steamed Butternut Squash w/ Garlic, Lemon, Rosemary, Parsley, Sea Salt, olive oil
• Tilapia Sauté w/ Thyme Parsley Garlic and Zucchini Squash (top w/ S & P, Lemon)
• Steamed Brown Clamshell Mushrooms
• Spring mix salad w/ Avocado, Basil
• Balsamic, Rice Wine vinegar, Olive Oil

Easy Leftover Cinnamon Rice Pudding
  I wanted to try out buckwheat overnight oats, but also really wanted to finally incorporate leftover brown rice into breakfast, and ended up getting the best of both worlds! #3 Stoked to be able to use brown rice leftovers for breakfast, and simaltaneously enjoy a yummy rice pudding for breakfast.  And more soy-free yet still protein heavy enough thanks to super seedy deliciousness.  It basically turned out just like a yummy cinnamon rice pudding with lots of creaminess (nut milk+chia seeds) and seediness. A little fruity tang and sweetness from fresh berries.  I didn't mix in the chia seeds well and they formed delicious creamy clumps! Overall a mushy seedy creation with a nice thick and doughy yet crunchy texture!

The buckwheat is crunchy and nutty! Mix the night before and enjoy...

• 200g Unsweetened Almond Milk
• 1/2c Cooked Leftover Brown Rice
• 2 t Buckwheat
• 2t Chia seeds
• 1t Sunflower seeds
• 1t Pumpkin seeds
• Cinnamon and Stevia to taste!
• Fresh Berries

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

Mediterranean in a previous life!

Lunch and dinner today were both heavily influenced by my epic feast at Rumi last night celebrating my win! Can't get enough of Mediterranean food! Less cooking but more tastiness!

The Rumi Influence

   Combination of leftovers and some needed to be cooked vegetables created this meal.  I still didn't have enough Mediterranean food in me so I made Tzatziki (yogurt cucumber awesomeness). I also whipped up the classic Garlic Thyme Chard which is also impossible to mess up.  All the foods I decided to eat in combination were the key to this meal, it was amazing. And the little bit of cooking I did do for the Yogurt Sauce and Chard. #1 The chard was amazing with a bit of hummus, and everything else went perfectly mixed with a little yogurt sauce and pita. The Carrot soup is from woodlands but wasn't good so I didn't eat it...

-Leftover Brown Jasmine Rice and Pita

-Spring Mix, Cucumber Tomato, Garbanzos

-Leftover Hummus + Steamed Carrot

-Rainbow Chard (Olive Oil, Garlic, Thyme, Sea Salt and Pepper)

-Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt, Dill Weed, Mint, Garlic, Vinegar, Olive Oil, Cucumber, Green Onion)

My Mediterranean meets Your Mediterranean

   I combined the leftover Meyer Lemon Garlic Chicken from my race prep dinner with all the Rumi leftovers for this epic lunch. It was all perfect together. Too many delicious fresh herbs, spices, and flavors going on to count. You'll have to see the previous posts to dissect the experience.

From Rumi: 

-Jasmine Rice with Saffron, Caramelized Onion, and Zereshk

-Fresh Herbs (Coriander Leaves and Anise I think)

-House Salad

-Tahini Sauce

-Tiny Falafel

-Pita

From Me:

-Garlic Lemon Chicken with Almonds and Leeks

Flavor Continues to Go Fast!!! With a celebratory dinner and lots of treats.

Going to get this out quick since i'm tired from the best day ever! Victorious again! Find out all about it here: http://maxhoutzager.com/Max_Houtzager_Rider_Profile/Blog/Entries/2011/3/13_Norcal_HS_1_Granite_bay_WIN.html

Mostly the same as race day last time, but a few delicious differences, and an awesome celebratory dinner with my parents on the way home at one of #1 MY TOP NEW FAVORITE RESTAURANTS: Rumi

The Entrees

The only Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food I get to eat that's not prepared at home, is either the Med Plate at Aroma Cafe or the falafel special from the Lebanese lady at the farmer's market. I was pretty excited to try out Rumi (Persian/Iranian), and it was totally worth the suspense. Here we have the Falafel Dish, Chicken Breast Kabob, and Braised Chicken in Tomato-Saffron Sauce with Barberry Pilloves and Carmelized Onions and Saffron. Oh my god. All amazing. If I got into the flavors of each and why they are all so good you'd be stuck here for a while so I recommend simply going there and ordering these dishes if you can get (you should make) the chance. And there's a million other dishes I wanted to order but could only eat so much. All I know is i'll be back soon and am adding Barberry Pilloves (they are like dried cranberries but more sour and delicious) and Saffron to my cooking asap.

The Appetizers

We started with the Sauteed Eggplant, Dolmehs, and Cucumber Yogurt Mix. Plus they gave us Pita and a plate of Herbs and Feta Cheese which were delicious (especially the Anise and Mint). They are well known for the eggplant dish and I can see why. that's a kind of yogurt sauce and carmelized onions on top, making it extra good, especially on a nice warm toasty pita. The dolmeh's are like none other because they are fresh, warm, sauteed in herbs, and have split peas in them. And it's hard to not make a good yogurt cucumber mix! Nuff said.

Nori Onigiri

Also getting better at making Onigiri's! This was in the car ride to hold me over 'til dinner. they are the best on the go snacks. #2 The key I was missing was Sea Salt dissolved in the water that you sprinkle in the plastic baggy or seran wrap. somehow that made it not fall apart. Bring nori separately to wrap and enjoy! It didn't fall apart and it was delicious (and slightly salty!).

Secondary "Recovery"

Still hungry a little while later waiting for podiums so I went for the Oatmeal Raspberry Cookies I made on Thursday night (more to come in a separate post about these soon). I ate one of these; they are about 6" in diameter and totally awesome! I am getting closer in my cookie quest. I advanced slightly since this batch, but will continue to progress.

Primary Recovery

Recovery Treat #1: Lenny and Larry Cookie's and Cream Muscle Brownie

 Once again, protein dense, absolutely delicious, and easy to digest. Except this time accompanied by a nice Orange Mango Honest Ade! Still the usual recovery drink first (Gu Brew Strawberry Watermelon Recovery).  More about the brownie from what it tastes like here from last time.

Copied Breakfast

This blog has become quite a useful tool for me both in tracking my diet when I'm curious for certain trends/patterns but also in referencing successful meals of the past (use the search bar, it's the best)! I did the same overnight oats to enjoy on the car ride to the race. #3 I like this for races because I can eat in the car and sleep in longer but still eat a legit meal! and have something to do in the car...

-60g oats, 200g soymilk, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves

-Blueberries, Pumpkin Butter, Almond Butter

-Almonds, Dried Cranberries