T.W.O.

Seafood Paella

Published on June 13, 2014June 13, 2014 by T.W.O.Leave a comment

T.W.O. spent last summer traveling around Spain and had some amazing paella. Each city was different – from Madrid to San Sebastian to Barcelona and Sevilla – there was a spin on each dish. Today we are featuring some of our favorite ingredients in a seafood paella. It’s an great dish full of flavor, protein and culture – – when in España!

Seafood Paella

Ingredients:
– 1 tomato, diced
– ½ cup white wine
– ½ red onion, chopped
– 1 sweet onion, chopped
– 1 pound fresh rock fish
– 2 lbs fresh seafood miz (mussels, calamari, shrimp)
– ¼ cup olive oil
– 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
– 2 cup Arborio rice or bomba paella rice
– 2 teaspoon Spanish saffron threads
– 4 cups low sodium chicken stock
– 1 cup frozen peas
– 1 can artichoke hearts
– ½ cup lemon juice
– 2 cloves garlic
– 1 teaspoon sea salt
– ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
– 1 teaspoon Spanish pimento smoked paprika

Directions:
1. Heat the wine and ½ red onion and ½ sweet onion in a saucepan over high heat until it begins to bubble. Add the mussels and cover and cook for five minutes.
2 Remove from the heat; throw away any unopened mussels, and drain, reserving the liquid to use later in the recipe.
3. Heat the oil in a large, heavy bottomed pan (great if you have a paella pan.) Add the extra onion and garlic. Cook for five minutes, or until onions have softened.
4. Add the chopped tomatoes, artichokes, smoky paprika & cayenne pepper. Season with sea salt and pepper. Mix well.
5. Stir in the reserved liquid from the mussels, then add the rice and stir again. In a separate bowl, blend the saffron with the stock and stir into the rice mixture. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes without stirring.
6. Put the peas, seafood mixture and rock fish on top of the rice. Push them into the rice, cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes, turning over halfway through, until the rice is cooked. Add the mussels & lemon juice for the last 5 minutes to heat through. If the rice is not cooked, add extra stock and cook for a few more minutes.
7. Allow to rest for 5 minutes prior to serving.

¡Buen provecho!

Lamb Kebabs!

Published on June 11, 2014June 11, 2014 by T.W.O.1 Comment

Chicken kebabs, beef kebabs and fish kebabs seem to be the most popular type of kebab around these days, so T.W.O decided to change things up and make ground lamb kebabs! The aromas of this dish makes you feel like you are in Greece and will no doubt satisfy your taste buds. And the best part of this recipe is that it is easy- great for your next summer BBQ!

Lamb Kebabs

INGREDIENTS

Kebabas:
– 3 lbs lean ground lamb
– 1 large onion, chopped
– 1 Tablespoon ginger root, peeled and chopped
– 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
– 2 Tablespoons cilantro, chopped
– 1½ teaspoons ground cayenne pepper
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 2 teaspoon ground coriander
– 2 teaspoon salt
– 2 teaspoon ground pepper
– 2 eggs

Yogurt Sauce:
– 1 cup Fage 0% Greek Yogurt
– 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
– 3 Tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
– Salt & Pepper

Directions:

1. Place the ground lamb into a large bowl. Add in the rest of the kebab ingredients and mix until well combines. Marinade in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
2. Meanwhile, prepare yogurt sauce by mixing all the ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
3. Fire up the grill. Divide the ground meat mixture into equal parts (about 6) and roll these into a sausage shape. Insert a bamboo stick into each kebab.
4. Place kebabs on the grill and cook 6 minutes on each side, or until done.

Enjoy!

Grilled Fish Tacos with a Sriracha Yogurt Sauce

Published on June 9, 2014June 8, 2014 by T.W.O.4 Comments

Fish Tacos are a great, healthy, easy meal for weeknights – – – especially for Meatless Mondays! T.W.O. spiced up our fish tacos with a homemade Sriracha Yogurt Sauce. It’s a great addition to the tacos and doesn’t mask the taste of the grilled fish. T.W.O. mixed their fish for this meal – they used rock fish and Mahi-mahi. Depending on your taste buds, both fish are a great option. take the taste test and let us know how which one you liked best!

Grilled Fish Tacos with a Sriracha Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients:
– 1 pound fresh, wild rock fish
– 1.5 pound fresh, whild Mahi-mahi
– 2 lemons
– 1 cup cabbage, chopped
– 1/2 avocado
– 1 mango, diced
– 1/4 cup greek yogurt
– 2 Tablespoons Sriracha
– yellow corn tortillas
– Krazy Salt
– Pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat the barbecue to medium heat.
2. While the grill is heating, prep the fish. Wash and clean and place on foil. Season with juice from 1 lemon, salt and pepper. Slice the other lemon and place on top of the fish.
3. Place the foil “tray” on the grill and cook the fish for 5-8 minutes depending on your barbecue.
4. While the fish is cooking, prep your sriracha yogurt sauce. Mix together the greek yogurt and sriracha in a bowl. Set aside.
5. Chop the cabbage, avocados and mango. Set Aside.
6. Remove the fish from the grill and heat the tortillas for 1-2 minutes.
7. To assemble the tacos, place the sriracha yogurt sauce on the tortilla, top with grilled fish and garnish with avocado, mango and cabbage.
8. Ready to chow down!

Roasted Broccoli Salad

Published on June 6, 2014June 6, 2014 by T.W.O.3 Comments

T.W.O. has been using their barbecue a lot these past couple of weeks since it’s been so nice out. We decided to take our salad to the grill and whip up a roasted broccoli salad. Grab your tongs and chef’s hat and lets start grilling!

Roasted Broccoli Salad

Ingredients:
– 2 large heads of broccoli
– 2 Tablespoons olive oil + some for brushing
– 2 red onions
– 3 cups cherry tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes, chopped
– 2 ½ Tablespoons red wine vinegar
– Shaved manchego cheese, for serving
– Krazy Salt
– Pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat the barbecue.
2. Cut the broccoli heads lengthwise into ¾ inch thick steaks. Brush with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
3. Grill over medium heat for about 7 minutes or until the broccoli is lightly charred and tender. Transfer to a baking sheet to cool. Cut the broccoli steaks into 4 sections.
4. While the broccoli is cooling, cut the red onions crosswise in ½ inch sections. Brush with olive oil and place on the grill for about 5 minutes. Transfer to the baking sheet.
5. In a bowl, toss the tomatoes with the 2 Tablespoon of olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add the red onions and broccoli and mix well. Plate the salad and top with shaved manchego cheese.
6. Ready to eat!

Happy summer cooking!

A Hamptons Birthday Party

Published on June 4, 2014June 6, 2014 by T.W.O.1 Comment

It’s Memorial Day Weekend, A Birthday Celebration, Kickoff to Summer and Barbecue Season – – – so let’s have a Hamptons Theme Birthday Party. Class, Class Class! Check out how T.W.O. made our mom’s birthday special! From the barbecue ribs, summer salads, corn on the cob, cheese platters, DIY decorations, rose and bubbly we all had a great time! We even surprised our mom with a “Singing Flash Mob” – Say a Little Prayer like in the scene of My Best Friend’s Wedding. (That is the reason for 14 paper crabs!) If it wasn’t for the help of our family with the food and decorations, we couldn’t have pulled off such a fun celebration!

BBQ Chicken Salad with Tortilla Strips and Healthy Ranch

Published on June 2, 2014June 6, 2014 by T.W.O.2 Comments

Summer is officially here in Southern California and you know what that means – barbecue, beach, bikinis and beach cruisers! What goes well with that – of course a BBQ Chicken Salad. It’s hearty, refreshing and also healthy so you can look good in your bikini or swim trunks! Check out how to make this easy weeknight or weekend recipe!

BBQ Chicken Salad with Tortilla Strips and Healthy Ranch

Ingredients:
– 2 boneless chicken breasts
– 1 large head of organic romaine, chopped
– 2 ears of corn
– 1 avocado, diced
– 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– ½ red onion, diced
– Barbeque Sauce (for chicken)
– 2 Persian cucumbers, sliced
– Corn Tortillas
– Lawry’s Season Salt
– ½ cup Greek yogurt
– 1/3 cup Cilantro Dressing
– 2 Tablespoon barbecue sauce

Directions:

Preheat oven to 315ᴼ. Cut corn tortillas in strips. Place on a cookie sheet, spray with Pam and add Lawry’s Season Salt. Cook for about 20 minutes or until crispy like chips.
Heat the barbecue to medium-high heat. Add boneless chicken breasts.
Put the corn on the grill. Keep the husks on, so it roasts the kernels without burning it.
While the chicken and corn are cooking, plate the chopped romaine. Add tomatoes, avocado, cilantro, tortilla strips and red onions.
With about 8 minutes left on the chicken, add barbecue sauce to the chicken. Flip the chicken after 4 minutes and add sauce to the other side.
To make the dressing: combine, Greek yogurt, cilantro dressing and barbecue sauce.
Remove the chicken and corn from the grill. Remove the corn kernels from the core and place on the salad.
Slice the chicken breast and add to the top of the salad. Add dressing.
You my friend, are ready to serve!

Happy cooking!

Duffy Boat Rides

Published on May 30, 2014June 6, 2014 by T.W.O.Leave a comment

This past weekend, our family was in town for T.W.O.’s Mom’s Birthday. We had an eventful weekend and it all started with a surprise from relatives that traveled from Northern California. We kicked off the weekend on Saturday with a Huntington Beach pier walk, a Duffy Boat ride in Newport Bay and ended our day with Pizza Making Night! Check out our highlights from our day.

Huntington Beach Pier

The Famous Pier Photo

T.W.O.’s cousins – Great looking Family!

Matching sisters! T.W.O.’s aunt and mom!

Biggest Fish we have seen caught on the pier – a thresher shark!

Duffy Boat Time – Duffy of Newport Beach

Sharing Popcorn….

Pizza Night to End the Night

Cheers to Family!

Polenta Croutons

Published on May 28, 2014June 6, 2014 by T.W.O.3 Comments

Ever need a crunch in your salad that is healthy and doesn’t contain sugar or carbs? Well, T.W.O. has an idea for your – Polenta Croutons. It’s easy, fast and will be sure to add a crunch to your next meal!

Polenta Croutons

Ingredients:
– 1 log organic polenta
– Krazy Salt

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 415º.
2. Cube the polenta and place on an cookie sheet sprayed with Pam.
3. Sprinkle Krazy Salt to the polenta cubes and mix.
4. Cook for about 30 minutes or until crispy on the outside.
5. Add to your favorite salad!

Quinoa Salad with Pineapple Lime Chicken

Published on May 23, 2014June 6, 2014 by T.W.O.2 Comments

One more day closer to Memorial Day weekend and T.W.O. has one more recipe for you to make! It involves pineapple, mint, lime and honey – – – and no it’s not the drink of the day on the cruise ship. Sounds like it though, right? Anyone want a topper!? Well, we will let you decide after you try this recipe out!

Quinoa Salad with Pineapple Lime Chicken

Ingredients:
– 2 large limes, juiced
– 1 Tablespoon Fresh Mint, chopped
– 1 Tablespoon honey
– 2 skinless chicken breasts
– ½ cup uncooked quinoa
– 1 cup water
– 1 teaspoon coconut oil
– ½ sweet onion, sliced
– 4 pineapple rings
– ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
– ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
– 2 Tablespoons coconut flakes
– ¼ cup pineapple juice
– ½ avocado
– Salt
– Pepper

Directions:

In a bowl, combine lime juice, mint and honey. Add the washed chicken breast and mix. Cover and place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours.
To make the quinoa: heat 1 teaspoon of coconut oil on medium-high heat in a medium pan. Toast the uncooked quinoa until slightly brown.
Pour the quinoa into a large pot filled with the water. Bring to a boil and then cover and turn down to low. The quinoa will be ready once all the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
While the quinoa is cooking, heat up the barbeque and cook the chicken about 5 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Remove from heat.
In a large bowl, mix the quinoa, mint, cilantro, mint, pineapple juice and coconut. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Place the onion rings and pineapple slices on the grill over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes each side. You want to char is a little.
For the assembly – place the quinoa on a plate, top with sliced chicken, a side of pineapple and onions covered with 2 slices of avocado and cilantro to garnish.

Happy Cooking!

Corn, Cilantro and Sriracha Turkey Burgers

Published on May 21, 2014June 6, 2014 by T.W.O.3 Comments

With Memorial Day weekend approaching us, we are ready to fire up the barbeque and start the kickoff to summer off right – what else than a spicy, fresh, dense turkey burger. It’s not your ordinary burger – it’s a protein packed lean patty. Bikini-worthy too!

Corn, Cilantro and Sriracha Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:
– 2 pounds lean ground turkey
–  1/2 cup fresh corn kernels
– 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
–  1/3 cup chopped fresh jalapeño
– 1/2 cup minced red onion 1
– 1/2 tablespoons sriracha
– 3 teaspoons garlic, chopped
– 1 teaspoon cumin
– 1 teaspoon coriander
– 1 3/4 teaspoons Krazy Salt
–  Freshly ground black pepper
For garnish:
– lettuce
– avocado
– tomatoes
– cheese (optional)
– Sriracha ketchup*
* Sriracha ketchup is simply mixing the two ingredients together. The more sriracha – the spicier it is!

Directions:
1. Preheat the grill to medium heat.
2. In a large bowl, combine the turkey, corn, cilantro, jalapeño, red onion, sriracha, garlic, cumin, corainer, salt and pepper
3. Take the mixture and form into four- five patties. Make sure the meat is evenly distributed so it cooks evenly.
4. Cook the turkey burgers for about 6-8 minutes per side or until done. If you want cheese, add to the top of the patty with 2 minutes remaining.
5. Remove from heat and place on toasted buns or lettuce for a carb-free choice.
6. Assemble your burger with all your favorite fixings!