Tag Archives: shrimp

Well I’m a Smart Mama of 2 now!  This week we start our postpartum healthy eating routine!  Gone are the days of endless bowls of ice cream, chips and dip and spoonfuls of peanut butter!  Tom has been a great pregnant spouse…he put on weight as I did throughout the last 9 months!
Our 1st phase of returning to normal, healthy eating begins with dinners this week.  We’ve decided to try a different SkinnyTaste.com recipe each day, as we have learned through experience that her recipes are always delicious and healthy.  I began by looking through the circulars to see what the protein deals were for the week, (chicken, pork chops and shrimp) and I searched throughout Skinny Taste for recipes to use our proteins!
Monday:
Pork Chops with Dijon Herb Sauce
Pork chops are one of our favorites and there’s nothing like a good …

I have a new secret ingredient!  It’s what Thomas Jefferson is credited with introducing to the United States in the late 1700s.  Vanilla!
I was recently provided with a bottle of Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste to try.

Are you wondering exactly what is vanilla paste and how does it differ from extract?  Flavours Magazine (April 2009) describes it as “a concentrated vanilla extract and vanilla bean seeds ,suspended in a gum paste, and may contain alcohol.  It gives foods the authentic appearance of vanilla seed.”
Reviewing the Nielson-Massey site (http://www.nielsenmassey.com) I came across a number delicious recipes but the Salmon with Vanilla Balsamic Marinade recipe quickly caught my eye.  I knew I had to try it!
Salmon with Vanilla Balsamic Marinade
Vanilla Balsamic Marinade
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, diced
1-1/2 teaspoons dried organic parsley
1-1/2 …