Sweet Family Favorites to Celebrate Lent
(Family Features) If you’re in search of a meatless meal – whether you’re observing Lent or simply adhering to your own dietary restrictions – remember you don’t have to sacrifice on taste. Enjoying a delicious dish without the meat can be an easy feat with just a few everyday ingredients.
Start with the craveable texture and crunch of Envy Apples – a leading apple variety – that provide balanced sweetness with flesh that remains white longer, even after cutting. While they’re often best served fresh or paired with cheese boards, sandwiches or mocktails, their sweetness also helps play up meatless favorites like Seared Salmon with Apple Slaw.
The flaky baked fish is complemented perfectly by Asian-style barbecue sauce and fresh herbs then paired with a sweet homemade apple slaw for a classic Lenten dish with a tangy twist. For a family meal that doubles down on freshness, try pairing with roasted broccolini or a light salad.
Firing up the grill isn’t only for beef, chicken and pork – you can prepare a tasty recipe over an open flame while skipping the meat with Grilled Apple Portobello Burgers. Simply substitute beef with thick portobello mushrooms and naturally white Envy Apple slices that maintain their beauty while cooking so your finished “burgers” look as delicious as they taste.
These plant-forward meals featuring the uplifting aroma and flavor of apples offer an invitation to savor small moments around the table and can help you celebrate Lent and beyond with an ultimate apple experience that introduces your loved ones to new ways to rethink weekly favorites.
Find more meatless meal inspiration by visiting EnvyApple.com.
Seared Salmon with Apple Slaw
- 4 portions boneless salmon
- 4 tablespoons Asian-style barbecue sauce
- 2 Envy Apples, cored and sliced into matchsticks or julienned
- 1 cup sliced or shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup sliced or shredded white cabbage
- 1 celery stick, finely sliced
- 1/2 red onion, finely sliced
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs such as dill, parsley or cilantro
- 1 lime, juice and zest only
- 1 tablespoon toasted white sesame seeds, plus additional for garnish
- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds, plus additional for garnish
- Preheat oven to 375 F using grill or broil setting and line baking tray with cooking paper.
- Arrange salmon portions on paper and spread barbecue sauce over each portion.
- Bake 5-8 minutes, depending on thickness and size, or until just cooked in center and caramelized on top.
- In bowl, combine sliced apple sticks, cabbage, celery and red onion slices; toss lightly.
- In separate bowl, whisk mayonnaise, herbs, lime juice and lime zest.
- Fold dressing and sesame seeds into slaw and toss together.
- Divide apple slaw between serving plates and top with glazed salmon. Sprinkle with extra sesame seeds.
Grilled Apple Portobello “Burgers”
- 1 Envy Apple
- 2 portobello mushrooms
- 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup herbed goat cheese
- 2 brioche buns
- 2 parge pieces butter lettuce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- Heat grill to medium heat.
- Slice apples horizontally into thick round wedges and remove seeds using fork.
- Remove portobello stems.
- In small bowl, combine 1/8 cup olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano and salt.
- Using basting brush, coat portobellos on both sides with olive oil mixture. Grill stem sides down 2 minutes then flip. Add goat cheese to portobellos and grill 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted. Remove from grill.
- Use remaining olive oil to coat apple rounds. Grill apple rounds 1-2 minutes per side to lightly char.
- Serve portobellos with apple rounds on brioche buns with lettuce and mayonnaise.
Source: Envy Apples
Honey Mustard Crunch Salmon
(Family Features) Quick and easy family dinners often feel few and far between, but you can make them a more frequent occurrence by depending on seafood as a flavorful, easy-to-prepare protein.
Today, more than half of all seafood consumed in the U.S. is raised by aquaculture, also known as seafood farming. While this industry has made strides throughout the last few decades, from increasingly sustainable farming practices to technological advancements, not all seafood farms are equal and neither are the certifications you see on the packaging.
Aquaculture helps meet the ever-growing popularity of seafood and provides people in developing countries with healthy protein. It also aids in rebuilding populations of threatened and endangered species along with boosting wild stocks of freshwater and seawater species. By ensuring supply chain integrity from farm to the store, the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC) Sea Green certification label lets shoppers know they’re protecting oceans, coasts and wildlife while also investing in restoring them.
With a mission to help the industry feed a growing global population while respecting the planet and its people, the council aims to minimize the industry’s impact on climate change and protect fish welfare. To achieve these goals, the certification label helps shoppers identify products that meet strict standards for responsibly farmed seafood, raising the bar for farm performance, verification and traceability.
With increased demand from the culinary community for alternative seafood sources that preserve wild populations without compromising farm-to-fork flavor or freshness, ASC’s certification helps ensure the seafood you’re buying is what it claims to be. That way, you can enjoy make-at-home recipes like Honey Mustard Crunch Salmon.
Visit SeaGreenBeGreen.org to find family-friendly recipes and certification information.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
Honey Mustard Crunch Salmon
- 1 bag (1 pound, three 6-ounce portions) ASC-certified North Coast Seafoods Naked Norwegian Salmon
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Honey Mustard Glaze:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard
- 2 tablespoons smooth Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons horseradish
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Crunch:
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Thaw salmon and pat dry. Arrange on oiled baking tray. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- To make glaze: In small bowl, combine honey, mustard, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, horseradish and paprika; mix until well combined. Chill glaze until ready to use.
- To make crunch: In bowl, combine breadcrumbs, parsley and oil; mix well. Reserve.
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Top each salmon portion with 1 tablespoon glaze and spread evenly over fish. Press crunch evenly onto glaze.
- Bake 15-17 minutes until fish is cooked through.
- Serve with drizzle of remaining glaze.
Source: Aquaculture Stewardship Council
Cheesy Baked Cod
(Culinary.net) During the spring months, fish can be a popular food for at-home meals. It’s a perfect nutritious option during Lent, and it’s flaky and delicious for seafood lovers and families of all kinds throughout the year.
This Cheesy Basil Cod has a light crust and a glistening center, which creates a delicious bite of texture. Serve it with rice and vegetables to complete a better-for-you dinner that’s packed with nutrients as well as flavor.
This recipe, rich with cheese and seafood delight, serves four but is easy to double for a larger crowd. It requires just a few kitchen utensils and bakes for less than 15 minutes for a quick meal that’s easy to clean up.
For more seafood recipes, visit Culinary.net.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!
Cheesy Baked Cod
Recipe adapted from Laurenslatest.com
Servings: 4
- 3 cod fillets (12 ounces each)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- 1 tablespoon parsley flakes
- 2 tablespoons basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- rice, for serving (optional)
- steamed vegetables, for serving (optional)
- Preheat oven to 450 F.
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Place fish fillets on baking sheet and set aside.
- In small bowl, stir mayonnaise with cheese, parsley, basil, garlic, salt and pepper. Spread evenly over fillets. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until fish starts looking flaky.
- Switch oven to broil and brown tops of fish until lightly golden. Remove from oven; cool 3-5 minutes.
- Serve with rice and fresh steamed vegetables, if desired.
Source: Culinary.net
Simple Seafood Solutions for Lent
(Family Features) With people across the country observing Lent, a religious tradition observed during the 40 days before Easter, it’s time to rethink the standard family meal menu.
This nearly eight-week period typically calls for a special diet. Specifically, red meat is cut out on Fridays for some and for the entirety of Lent for others. According to Datassential, 26 percent of consumers observe lent and of those, 41 percent said they eat fish on Fridays instead of meat.
Eating two servings of seafood per week – as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – is one way to make a positive commitment to you and your family’s health during Lent and throughout the year. According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, research shows eating seafood 2-3 times per week reduces the risk of death from any health-related cause. Seafood also provides unique health benefits as a lean protein and is a quality source for omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats essential to human health and development.
With so many seafood options available, including Alaskan cod, snapper, salmon and more, it can be easy to incorporate this nutritious lean protein into your diet.
This simple recipe for Blackened Catfish with Quinoa and Citrus Vinaigrette can help you on your way to a more nutritious meal plan that includes consuming seafood twice per week. If you can’t find catfish or prefer to substitute, any white fish such as cod, mahimahi or flounder will work.
For more seafood recipes and Lenten meal inspiration, visit seafoodnutrition.org or follow #Seafood2xWk on social media.
Blackened Catfish with Quinoa and Citrus Vinaigrette
Recipe courtesy of chef Tim Hughes on behalf of the Seafood Nutrition Partnership
Servings: 4
Blackening Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon thyme
Quinoa Salad:
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 1 cup corn, canned and drained or frozen and thawed to room temperature
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup edamame, shelled and thawed to room temperature
- 3 cups quinoa, cooked
Blackened Catfish:
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil
- 1 pound catfish, cut into four fillets
- 5 tablespoons Blackening Seasoning
Citrus Vinaigrette:
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- To make Blackening Seasoning: Combine salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and thyme.
- To make Quinoa Salad: Heat and oil skillet. Add corn; salt and pepper, to taste, and saute until golden brown. Add edamame and sauteed corn to quinoa and set aside.
- To make Blackened Catfish: Heat cast-iron skillet to medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon peanut oil added. Coat both sides of catfish fillets with Blackening Seasoning. Add catfish to skillet and cook 5-6 minutes per side, or until well done.
- To make Citrus Vinaigrette: Whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, honey and thyme. Slowly add olive oil, whisking until dressing is formed.
- Serve Blackened Catfish on top of Quinoa Salad and drizzle with Citrus Vinaigrette.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Source: Seafood Nutrition Partnership
Simplify Fish Fridays with Sheet Pan Dinners
(Family Features) If you’re observing Lent, Friday fish dinners could be in your future, but that’s no reason to feel limited by what you can cook. Seafood pairs well with all sorts of flavors – from chili seasoning to lime extract – and bakes quickly on a sheet pan with minimal cleanup.
Follow these simple tips from Dr. Wendy Bazilian, McCormick Health Advisor and Registered Dietitian, to get your family asking for good-for-you proteins like salmon and shrimp all year long:
- While lemon is a great complement to seafood, think about pairing with other citrus flavors like orange and lime. Try marinating shrimp in a mixture of lite coconut milk, lime extract, ginger and red pepper.
- Add colorful vegetables like zoodles or asparagus to your sheet pan to boost both seafood and vegetable servings. You don’t need a spiralizer to make zoodles because many grocery stores offer pre-made zoodles in the produce section.
- Keep shrimp in your freezer to pull out for stir fries, pastas or this Coconut Lime Shrimp with Zoodles recipe.
Explore more recipes to enjoy during Lent, spring and beyond at McCormick.com, or look for McCormick Spice on Facebook and Pinterest.
Coconut Lime Shrimp with Zoodles
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1/4 cup Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk (regular or lite)
- 1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon McCormick Garlic Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Crushed Red Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Pure Lime Extract
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 small zucchini, cut into thin noodles with spiralizer
- 1 medium yellow squash, cut into thin noodles with spiralizer
- 1 medium carrot, cut into thin noodles with spiralizer
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Ground Black Pepper
- Heat oven to 375° F.
- In large, re-sealable plastic bag, mix together coconut milk, ginger, garlic powder, crushed red pepper and lime extract. Add shrimp; turn to coat well.
- Refrigerate 15-30 minutes. Remove shrimp from marinade. Discard any remaining marinade. In center of large, shallow, foil-lined baking pan, arrange shrimp in single layer.
- In large bowl, toss vegetable noodles and oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat well. Spread noodles around shrimp in pan.
- Bake 10-15 minutes, or until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through and noodles are tender. Serve shrimp over vegetable noodles.
Test kitchen tip: For faster prep, use 4 cups store-bought spiralized vegetable noodles instead of spiralizing them yourself.
Orange Chili Sheet Pan Salmon
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons McCormick Pure Orange Extract
- 2 pounds salmon fillets, skin removed
- 1 pound asparagus, ends trimmed
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 package McCormick Original Chili Seasoning Mix
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- Heat oven to 375° F. Spray foil-lined, 13-by-9-inch baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- In small bowl, mix together oil and orange extract. Place salmon and vegetables on separate sides of baking sheet. Brush vegetables with 1 teaspoon extract mixture. Brush both sides of salmon with remaining mixture.
- In small bowl, mix together seasoning mix and brown sugar. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons seasoning mixture over vegetables. Sprinkle both sides of salmon evenly with remaining seasoning mixture.
- Bake 20 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork and vegetables are tender.
Source: McCormick