Capellini with Salmon and Lemon Vodka Sauce

This recipe was given to me by friends of my parents.  If you are in the mood for a pasta dish, but don't want that "heavy" feeling, this is for you!  The recipe is easy enough to make for a weeknight dinner, but is delicious enough to serve for a dinner party.  I usually add vegetables to this dish as well.  Experiment with sautéed spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms...the possibilities are endless!  If you prefer you could also sub out the pasta for a different grain like quinoa, cous cous, or rice.

Capellini with Salmon and Lemon Vodka Sauce

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, chopped

1 tb olive oil

3 cups of chicken broth (I use Organic, low sodium)

1 cup cream (I usually do half and half or milk)

1/3 cup vodka

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup chopped fresh chives

1 1/2 tsp of lemon zest

2 tb lemon juice

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 cups flaked broiled salmon (sub 2 cans of drained canned salmon if short on time)

Capellini pasta

Directions:

Cook onion in large saucepan until softened, but not browned (about 5-6 min).  Add broth, cream, vodka, and salt.  Boil over medium heat until reduced, about 50 minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in chives, lemon zest, juice, and pepper.  Add cooked (or canned) salmon and cook over low heat until warm.  Serve over cooked capellini.  

Hummingbird Muffins

I recently got the recipe for Hummingbird cake from my mom's friend.  I am not sure where it got its name, but nonetheless, it is delicious.  I decided to tweak this recipe a little to make it healthier and in turn I came up with this muffin.  My 2 year old loves them, and I figured that if I had his stamp of approval they must be good.  By eliminating a lot of the sugar and the oil, this is a recipe that you can feel confident serving your family for breakfast or a snack.  Best of all, you can mix everything together in 1 bowl!!  Enjoy!!

Hummingbird Muffins

Ingredients:

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

2 tsp vanilla

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 cup crushed pineapple, drained 

3 eggs

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

2 cups unbleached flour

2 large bananas, sliced

1/2 cup raisins (or any other dried fruit)

****Optional**** 3/4 cup pecans 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.  Line muffin tins with paper liners to prevent sticking.  Combine all ingredients and mix with a hand mixer.  Scoop batter into muffin tins.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.