Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad

1 large bunch of washed spinach
2 carrots put through a mandolin
4 fresh mandarin oranges segmented
1 bunch of green onions
3 tablespoons of seasoned rice wine vinegar
1 garlic clove mashed finely
2 tablespoons of honey
1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon of mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons of toasted sesame oil
3 tablespoons of toasted sliced almonds
1 small shallot diced
3 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of soy sauce

To make the dressing combine in a bowl, vinegar, honey, mayo, minced shallot, zest of the oranges, sesame oil, olive oil, garlic and salt and pepper. Whisk until well mixed.

For the salad place the spinach, carrots, orange segments, scallions and toasted almonds into a large bowl.

Toss and enjoy!

Pan Asian Salmon Meatballs

1 pound of frozen pink salmon defrosted
1/2 cup of fresh bread crumbs
1 shallot
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 garlic clove
3 tablespoons of cilantro leaves
3 tablespoons of light or full fat mayonnaise
2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
zest of one lemon
pinch of red pepper or to taste
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
salt to taste
1 large egg or 1 egg white
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire's sauce
1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves

In a food processor pulse the shallot, garlic,
cilantro
and bread crumbs together. Then add all the rest of the ingredients and pulse until a smooth paste. I shape the balls with a meatball shaper and fry the balls in a ebelskiver's pan.

The salmon meat balls are great on their own. Put they are equally good with pasta. A lemon butter sauce with fresh tomatoes would be tasty. For a lighter serving, they are great in a salad. Frozen pink salmon is very cheap. I purchased mine for five dollars. This recipe makes twenty four meat balls.

You can add all kinds of different herbs. You can replace the shallot with green onions and even add small shrimp to the mixture after it has been processed in the food processor.

Cherry Bran Muffins

1/2 cup of light brown sugar
1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter
2 eggs
1/3 cup of mild molasses
1 1/4 cups of buttermilk
3/4 of a cup of wheat bran
1 1/3 cups of AP flour
2 tablespoons of white whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla
2 tablespoons of sliced almonds
1 tablespoon of sugar in the raw
1 cup of dried chukar cherries
1 apple diced
1 grated small carrot

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Mix all of the ingredients except the sliced almonds and sugar in the raw. Just mix until the mixture comes together. Do not over mix. You must use mild molasses for this recipe! Top the muffins with sliced almonds and sugar in the raw. Bake for 25 minutes. They are a great breakfast treat.