Lee Hersh

marinated summer vegetable relish

May 4, 2024 by Lee Hersh Leave a Comment

marinated summer vegetable relish

Make a delicious Chow Chow, marinated vegetable relish, out of your summer vegetables. It is perfect for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, low calorie and low fat diets.

Towards the end of last summer, one of my neighbors brought me a bonanza of summer vegetables from her Brother’s garden. Oh, it was the best gift someone ever gave me. There were a large amount of delicious, ripe veggies just crying to be eaten. There were so many I wasn’t sure how we would get through them all before they went bad. So I set about making something that would stretch out their life a little.

Since we live in the South, Chow Chow came to mind. It was on all the restaurant menus last year and since I have a sweet spot for marinated vegetables I decided to give it a try. Man, oh man, I did not have to worry about all these veggies going bad. The Chow Chow was so good, I was throwing it on everything; sandwiches, salads, fish, chicken, eggs. It did not last long.

So Chow Chow is simply a marinated vegetable relish that is on the tangy side. Every region probably has it’s own name for it. It is definitely not a new dish. People have been doing this for hundreds of years to preserve their veggies. It was absolutely, positively worth making. You can use any mix of vegetables which you want. I used the glorious vegetables that my neighbor brought us. The bag was filled with cucumbers, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers and onions. I threw them all in. I usually don’t like green peppers but I did enjoy them in this tangy, slightly sweet concoction.

As for the spices, I used my favorite, fennel seed. Mustard seed is pretty traditional so I threw some of that in too. I added a jalapeno just for my husband who thinks every food should have some spice to it. Now the only hard part of this is the wait time. You have to let these delectable vegetables sit and stew in the pickling liquid. Four hours is OK but overnight is better. Believe me, this little jar of vegetable goodness will be taunting you. Walk away from the frig and everything will be OK.

If you are lucky enough to have a bounty of summer vegetables, try making Chow Chow. It is so versatile and will go with anything, even on a spoon! It is delicious as a dip too. I’m thinking it would make a delicious muffuletta sandwich too. Hopefully our little garden will provide me with a bounty of vegetables of my own to make this again. If not, I’m hitting the grocery store. I cannot be without my Chow Chow.

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SLOW COOKER GREEK CORNISH HENS

May 3, 2024 by Lee Hersh Leave a Comment

Slow Cooker Greek Cornish Hens is perfect for Easter dinner. Put all the ingredients in and let the slow cooker do all the work. Enjoy a taste of Greece for dinner.

Can you smell the lovely fragrance of oregano, fennel, thyme and Pernod wafting through the air? That is my Slow Cooker Greek Cornish Hens cooking. The aroma is intoxicating and makes your mouth water in anticipation of the first bite. Oh what a first bite it is. The succulent taste of the Cornish hens will transport you to the beauty and history of Greece. You will feel like you are upon a yacht in the Mediterranean Ocean lazily sailing down the vibrant blue ocean. The water is so clear you can see all the way down to the gorgeous sand. Perhaps the sun is setting into a blaze of red and orange glory. As you near one of the Greek Islands, you can smell the wild herbs and vegetables growing. You can see the goats grazing on the green, green grass. No wonder food tastes better here with the clean air and perfect sun.

If you are thinking, Cornish hens are not enough meat for me, this recipe can easily be adapted to roasting a chicken in the oven. (See the modification at the end of the recipe) While my in-laws were visiting, I made a roasted chicken with the same ingredients but modified the liquid to make a paste. It turned out beautifully and was just as tasty as these cute little Cornish hens.

Either option would work perfectly for Easter along with my Orzo with Artichoke Lemon Pesto. The Pernod, an anise flavored liquor, is a specialty item that you may not have. You can substitute white wine for it. The fennel seed in the recipe will help to give the recipe a little bit of that anise flavor. I use to hate the taste of anise but I have come to really appreciate it when mild in flavor. This is a perfect place to provide a little boost of flavor without the overpowering flavor of black licorice.

We can’t talk about poultry without talking about leftovers. After all why make a big bird or a few small ones if you don’t have leftovers for a chicken sandwich the next day. This recipe will make the perfect chicken salad. I didn’t need to add any fresh herbs or flavorings. The meat itself is so flavorful and moist. Transport your family and yourself to Greece for Easter without anything more than a bite of my Slow Cooker Greek Cornish Hens. (or chicken)

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SLOW COOKER GREEK CORNISH HENS

Author: Lee Hersh
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

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Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine salt, thyme, oregano, fennel and pepper.
Dry off the Cornish hens with paper towels. Sprinkle spice mixture over the hens and in the cavities.
Place one slice of lemon into each cavity.
Place hens in a slow cooker and place 2 slices of lemon on each hen.
Pour Pernod and orange juice around the outside of the hens.
Cook on low for 4 hours. Place hens on a cutting board and cover with foil. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Notes

*To make a roasted chicken instead:

Preheat oven to 425°. Combine the spices as above but add in 1 tbsp. Pernod and 1 tbsp. orange juice. I butterflied my chicken but you don’t have to. It will cook faster. Stick your index finger under the skin of the breast and carefully move back and forth to detach the skin from the breast. Continue to move your finger down to detach the skin from the thigh and drumstick. Push spice paste under the skin and work it down to the drumstick. Make sure to cover the chicken completely. Use any leftover paste to rub on top of the skin and under the chicken. Place chicken on a rack placed on top of a baking sheet. Roast for about an hour or until chicken breast has reached 165°.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours

healthy tuscan seafood stew

April 30, 2024 by Lee Hersh Leave a Comment

This healthy tuscan seafood stew is perfect for dinner or a special occasion filled with fresh clams, shrimp and fish.

Making this healthy Tuscan Seafood Stew was so fun for me. I joined with 11 other bloggers to bring to you a Feast of Seven Fishes. Feast of Seven Fishes is an Italian meal served on Christmas Eve to celebrate with friends and family. Even though the number seven is in the title, the meal can actually have many different number of courses, but they are all seafood. I am bringing you the soup or stew course. Even though I am calling this dish a stew, I would say it is somewhere in between a soup or stew. A seafood stew has to have lots of delicious, aromatic broth to dip bread in. In my mind it is an absolute necessity.

While seafood can often be expensive, this dish was actually considered more of a peasant dish. Fish mongers would make a stew out of leftover bits of seafood. Since I don’t have a lot of leftover bits of seafood lying around, I headed to my grocery store. I wanted a firm white fish and chose cod as it was on sale. Both clams and mussels are very inexpensive. If you can find both, use them. My grocery store only had clams. I also bought shrimp and just a few scallops. Scallops are quite pricey, but I absolutely adore them. They were my splurge item. You can add whatever seafood is on sale.

Be sure to visit my fellow bloggers to see the glorious recipes for the rest of the meal. You do not have to be Italian to enjoy this seafood feast.
If you want to be sure to see Food Done Light’s next recipe, Creamed Spinach, subscribe by email below. You won’t want to miss it.

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THINGS I’M LOVING LATELY – ACTIVE TRAVEL STYLE

January 11, 2024 by Lee Hersh Leave a Comment

THINGS I’M LOVING LATELY – ACTIVE TRAVEL STYLE

Yo hey der friends (at least that’s what we say in Minnesota). Today’s post has been a long one in the making! As you know- I love and cherish going on active vacations because 1. I can’t sit still for longer than an hour and 2. it’s just what I’ve always done. I’d much rather be canoeing or hiking than laying on a beach (don’t get me wrong, I like this too!). Over the years I’ve collected and used products products during my active travel that make life SO MUCH BETTER. Thought I’d lay em’ all out and share what I’m swooning over when it comes to active travel.

TRAVEL OUTFIT

Because every one has a go-to travel outfit…er at least I do! Almost every time I fly, I wear a rendition of this outfit. You will most likely NEVER find me traveling in jeans because why in the world would I do that? Lightweight pants (like these) + a looser fitting top (like this) + tennis shoes (LOVE THESE) are what I prefer to travel in. Even if it’s 100 degrees out, I will probably wear pants or crops because planes are cold. A little packing tip I’ve learned is to always wear your tennis shoes to save space in your luggage! Plus, you never know if you’re going to need to run to your gate.

THINGS I’M LOVING LATELY – ACTIVE TRAVEL STYLE

KAVU ROPE SLING BAG

I’ve been a huge Rope Sling Bag fan since college when I bought my first one. I love this bag for a few reasons: 1. It’s super comfortable 2. It fits close to your body. 3. There’s lots of pockets. and 4. You can fit a ton of stuff in there! This is an ideal bag for active travel because you literally just strap it to your body and you’re good to go!

HYDRO FLASK WATER BOTTLE

This is the most legit water bottle I have ever purchased. YOU GUYS. It keeps things cold for 24 hours (EVEN ICE) and keeps things super hot for up to 8. I actually got this for Mark for his birthday and stole it back because I love it so much! It’s a great vessel for both coffee and chilled white wine It’s nice to be able to have a water bottle to fill up at the airport instead of paying $5 for a plastic water bottle.

LIGHT PANTS/CAPRIS!

I just got two new pairs of lightweight pants and I AM OBSESSED. After trying on like 100 pairs, I went with the Athleta La Viva Capri and the Lululemon Om Pant (currently on sale!). I have a couple of other pairs of pants/capris similar to these and I absolutely love them. They are super breathable and easy to travel in. I much prefer these over jeans if you ask me Oh and how could I forget about my favorite pair of zip-off pants from Prana —> The Convertible Cargos. That’s right, I still wear zip-offs because when you’re on an active travel trip, you never know when the weather could turn!

KEEN NEWPORT SANDALS

I love love loveeeee my Keens! This must be my third pair and I just can’t get enough. These are great shoes to wear for both hiking and canoeing/kayaking. They’re super comfortable and easy to take on and off. Other shoes that I typically bring on active vacations are: a pair of trail/running shoes that can double as a trail shoe and an exercise shoe. I recently purchased these Merrells and just love them.

LULU SWIFTLY TECH LONG SLEEVE

I am all about lightweight clothes and this is why I love the swiftly tech line at Lulu. I have a few short sleeves as well as a few long sleeves and they are great to wear when hiking or traveling. Sometimes I throw them on over a tank and other I wear them with a vest. Super comfortable and the thumb holes rock.

SPECK CELL PHONE CASE

After 3 years of stuffing my credit cards in the back of my phone case, I finally invested in a legit case that is meant to not only protect your phone but hold your cards. I am the type of girl who would rather not carry a purse on a daily basis, so this is not only great for travel, but also my every day. I love this because it fits up to 3 cards. Usually I carry my business card, Southwest card, and license. Got mine from Target in case you are wondering.

MOUNTAIN HARDWARE RAINCOAT

Ever been caught hiking in a rainstorm WITHOUT a rain jacket? Yah that’s happened to me before, but only once. Since then…I always make sure to bring along my favorite lightweight rain coat. Since I got it a few years ago, I don’t remember the exact make and model, but it looks close to this one! This jacket has gone through a lot and I love it. It’s light enough to be able to pack in a small bag and durable enough to keep the water OUT.

WORKOUT BANDS/TRX

Since I’ve never been on a 16 day vacation (on my own), I am excited to bring along some workout bands and TRX. My trainer Drew from Switch Minneapolis is letting me borrow his TRX Go trainer that we can throw up on any door. While I’ll probably only workout a few times while we are away, I’m still pretty pumped to use this!

There are legit so many more things I wanted to include in this post. I’d love to hear from you about your favorite active travel products!

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Healthy Oatmeal Recipes – Fit Foodie Finds

January 5, 2024 by Lee Hersh Leave a Comment

Have you ever thought about how versatile oats are? Whether you prefer old fashioned rolled oats, quick oats, or steel cut oats, there are so many different ways to use oats. We love using oats here on Fit Foodie Finds! We love overnight oat recipes, stove top oatmeal, baked oatmeal, and we even use rolled oats in some of our favorite savory recipes. This post is a one stop shop on all the ways you can use the oats in your pantry!

It is no surprise that we love oats here on Fit Foodie Finds! I would even go as far to say that old fashioned oats are a pantry staple that we ALWAYS have on hand. Yes, we use old fashioned rolled oats (mostly) in our overnight oatmeal recipes and stove top oatmeal recipes. It is one of our all time favorite ways to eat oats. However, oats are so versatile and offer so much more than just a tasty breakfast option!

We incorporate oats in SO many of our recipes—> healthy oatmeal cookies, apple cinnamon baked oatmeal, red curry meatballs, peanut butter energy balls, and so much more!

Benefits of Oats

Why buy oats? They are a delicious whole grain that you can incorporate into a savory or a sweet recipe. There are many benefits to using oats and by-golly they are easy to prepare and are very affordable! Some of the health benefits of oats are…

Oats are a gluten free whole grain. If you are gluten free, you can incorporate oats and oat flour into many recipes. Just make sure the oats you buy say ‘Certified Gluten Free’ so that there is no cross-contamination.
Oats are a great source of complex carbs and fiber.
Oats are known to help with constipation. We are all about good digestion on Team Fit Foodie and there is nothing like a big bowl of oatmeal in the morning!
Oats are a great exfoliant for DIY face masks! We have a DIY Oatmeal Avocado Face Mask on FFF that will make your face super smooth!

Want to know more about the different health benefits associated with oats? Check out this article Harvard School of Public Health Article for more information!

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats or Steel Cut Oats?

Old fashioned rolled oats and steel cut oats come from the same whole cereal grain. It is how they are processed that is different. However, though they are processed differently, they have about the same nutritional value.

Rolled Oats– Rolled oats are a bit more processed than steel cut oats. They are stripped from the grain, rolled through mills to be flattened. The break down of the rolled oats makes cook time a bit faster than steel cut oats. Rolled oats are typically easier to use in baking recipes. Rolled Oatmeal Nutrition Facts (per 1/2 cup): 150 calories, 5g protein, 27g carbs, 2g fat, 4g fiber.
Steel Cut Oats- Steel cut oats are also processed, but instead of being rolled, they are chopped up into pieces and tend to have a longer cook time than rolled oats. Steel cut oats also tend to have a bit more bite to their texture! Steel Cut Oatmeal Nutrition Facts: 150 calories, 4g protein, 28g carbs, 2.5g fat, 2g fiber.

Hot oatmeal is what people picture in their mind when they think of an oatmeal breakfast. We have so many healthy and easy stove top and crock pot recipes on Fit Foodie Finds. Check them out now!

Overnight Oatmeal Recipes

Overnight Oats are a staple on Team Fit Foodie. We love to meal prep overnight oats at the beginning of the week for an easy and delicious breakfast all week long!

Healthy Recipes with Oatmeal

If you aren’t an oatmeal for breakfast kind of person, but still want to use your oats in the kitchen, we’ve got all kinds of recipes on FFF that use oats! Try one of our cookie recipes or use your oats in a savory meatball recipe!

Cookies + Balls with Oats

Baked Oatmeal

Savory Recipes with Oats

Oatmeal Kitchen and Ingredient Essentials

If you put all of FFF’s oatmeal recipes side by side you will see some trends in the ingredients we use. We always choose all natural sweeteners over sugar, use lots of spices and extracts, and amp things up with seeds! Here are some ingredients we always have on hand JUST IN CASE we want a big bowl of oatmeal 😀

Recipe

Classic Stove Top Oatmeal Recipe

Have you ever thought about how versatile oats are? Whether you prefer old fashioned rolled oats, quick oats, or steel cut oats, there are so many different ways to use oats. We love using oats here on Fit Foodie Finds! We love overnight oat recipes, stove top oatmeal, baked oatmeal, and we even use rolled oats in some of our favorite savory recipes! This post is a one stop shop on all the ways you can use the oats in your pantry!

Prep Time: 5
Cook Time: 15
Total Time: 20 minutes

Author: Linley Richter

Yield: 2 1x

Category: Breakfast

Method: Stove top

Cuisine: American

Instructions

Place all ingredients (minus 1/2 cup almond milk) into a medium sauce pan. Turn to high medium/high heat, mix, and bring to a boil.
Turn heat down to low/medium and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring consistently until oatmeal thickens.
Add 1/2 cup more almond milk and mix again. Let simmer for 1-2 more minutes. We call this double whipped.
Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup cooked
Calories: 328
Sugar: 20
Fat: 7
Carbohydrates: 60
Fiber: 10
Protein: 8

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ALMOND JOY BALLS

January 1, 2024 by Lee Hersh Leave a Comment

ALMOND JOY BALLS

That is without the bad-for-you-ingredients and chocolate. Oh my gosh I forgot the chocolate.

Yes yes, chocolate usually makes everything better, but I opted to leave it out of these balls for a healthier treat. My chocolate consumption has been off the wall lately. These Almond joy balls are made with 3 ingredients: pitted dates, raw almonds, and unsweetened coconut.

t really doesn’t need much more than that. Not even honey or agave because dates are so sweet to begin with. For a true almond joy ball, you could add some dark chocolate!

ALMOND JOY BALLS

Ingredients

1/2C Raw Almonds
1/2C Pitted Dates (~10)
1/4 C unsweetened coconut for rolling

Method

Place almonds in a small food process or and process for about 30 seconds or until your almonds are finely chopped. Set aside. Then, process the pitted dates for about 30 seconds. It seems to work best if you pulse for about 5 seconds at a time. You will want your dates to be pretty chopped up and sticky. Then, pour the almonds back in and pulse a few more times. Create balls by rolling the dough between your palms. Finally, roll the balls in unsweetened coconut.

*Note: Feel free to stick them in the freezer, they will last long and are actually quite delightful frozen!

I like these because they are the perfect sweet treat. I am such a sweet tooth person and crave something sweet after dinner. Almond Joy Balls do the trick.

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