balsamic-glazed salmon

this recipe was AHMAZING

next time though i would offer the sauce on the side. it makes a ton of sauce and it tended to be just a tad over powering. but still a great low fat/low cal way to serve salmon.

serves 4

3/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 garlic clove
vegetable oil
4 (6oz) salmon fillets, center cut skinned. (i just bought whatever was offered at my grocery store) (still worked great)

2tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper

rice (makes a nice sauce holder).

place an oven rack in the center of oven. preheat to 400 degrees.

spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil. arrange the salmon fillets in a single layer on the baking sheet. drizzle both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. roast for 8-10 minutes until the flesh flakes easily when prodded with a fork. (mine took a bit longer to cook, about 15 minutes)

in a small saucepan, bring vinegar, syrup and garlic to a boil over medium heat. reduce the heat and simmer until thick (about 12 minutes) set aside to cool for 5 minutes.

the calories i have figured for just the salmon and sauce is 300.

Asparagus Soup with Herbed Goat Cheese

Loved this recipe! Came from my new Weeknights with Giada cookbook.

this is a WONDERFUL cookbook for week night meals.

they are easy, fast and healthy.

the asparagus soup was my first recipe from the book. (this is the way i made it the book was much fancier)

ingredients:
1/2 cup (4oz) goat cheese at room temperature
1/2 cup plus 2 tbs of fresh chopped basil leaves
salt and pepper
2 tbs unsalted butter
1 large leek (white and pale green part only) thin slice
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 lbs trimmed aspragus cut into 1 inch pieces.

start by mixing goat cheese with 2 tablespoons. the book said to use a small scoop but I rolled the cheese and herb into balls (hee hee balls) (grow up abby) and then set them on wax paper in the fridge.

in a dutch oven (i used large saucepan) heat butter over medium heat. add leek and stir until soft (3 min or so).

add broth, asparagus and remaining basil.

season with salt and pepper

increase heat to high and bring to a boil.

reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes.

pour contents of saucepan into blender.

blend until smooth.

add goat cheese and enjoy!

I calculated 1 serving (4 total) to be about 222 calories.