The Ultimate Veggie and Hummus Platter

imageFor the month of September, T.W.O. is going to focus on appetizers that don’t involve cheese. Crazy right? I know we all love a charcuterie plate filled with cheese – goat cheese, port salud, manchego and gouda just to name a few, but we are going to think outside the box this month and feature some alternative appetizers. Our first post is filled with veggies – carrots, snap peas and hummus. It’s a light appetizer that won’t fill up your guests prior to dinner. Did we mention it is healthy too? Grab your favorite hummus and lets start appetizing.


The Ultimate Veggie and Hummus Platter

Ingredients:
– Hummus
– Carrots
– Rice crackers
– Snap peas
– Romaine lettuce leaves

Directions:
1. Place romaine lettuce on a serving tray. Top with your hummus.
2. Add your vegetables and crackers.
3. Ready to serve!


image image

It’s easy as 1-2-3!

T.W.O. signature

Chickpea Salad

image

Summer is coming to an end, but that doesn’t mean you have to start eating Fall food.  T.W.O. loves making this Chickpea Salad for a side-dish, an entrée, a topping to a salad or  even an appetizer.  (Great idea for a modified version of a bruschetta.)   How ever you want to serve it – this recipe will sure be a hit!


Chickpea Salad

Ingredients:

– 2 cans Garbanzo beans, rinsed & drained
– 1 ½ cups red tomatoes, chopped
– 1 red bell pepper, chopped
– 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
– 4 green onions, chopped
– 1 garlic clove, diced
– 2 Tablespoon olive oil
– ¾ cup balsamic vinegar
– 1/3 cup lemon juice
– Garlic Powder
– Salt & Pepper

Directions:
1. Place the beans and vegetables into a large bowl and toss.
2. Mix in the olive oil, balsamic, lemon juice.
3. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.


image image imageBon Appetit!!
T.W.O. signature

Detox Tri-tip Salad

image
Fruit in salads not only add flavor, it also helps cleanse your system. Blueberries are rich in antioxidants so there is no reason not to add this to your greens. (Antioxidants are essential to optimizing health by helping combat the free radicals that can damage cellular structures as well as DNA.) Blueberries also help improve memory! Hope you enjoy this salad as much as T.W.O. did!


Detox Tri-tip Salad

Ingredients:
-2 cups butter lettuce, chopped
– 2 cups baby romaine, chopped
-1 cup hearts of palm
-2 cups blueberries
– 3/4 cups dried cranberries
– 2 cups Persian cucumbers, diced
– 1/2 cup goat cheese
– Tri-tip season with Montreal Steak Seasoning
– Trader Joes Cilantro lime dressing

Directions:
1. Place the tri-tip on a heated barbeque. Cook for 30 minutes or until done. 
2. While the tri tip is cooking, chop all the vegetables. Leave blueberries and cranberries whole.
3. Plate veggies, top with fruit and goat cheese.
4. Once the meat is done, let it sit for 5 minutes before cutting. Slice thinly and add to the top of the salad. Pour dressing as needed.


 

image image image image

Enjoy!

T.W.O. signature

Cauliflower Couscous Salad

image

It’s summer time and who wants to turn their stove on? We don’t! Well, at least T.W.O. tries to avoid it! We whipped up this “couscous” cauliflower recipe for a side dish one Friday evening. When cauliflower is put into a food processor, the consistency is very much that of the real couscous. It’s a great gluten-free alternative for couscous and still has extraordinary taste and texture! It is a must try!


Cauliflower Couscous Salad

Ingredients
– 1 head of cauliflower, cut into chuncks
– 1 red bell pepper, diced small
– 1 yellow bell pepper, diced small
– 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and patted dry
– 3 Tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
– 3 Tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
– 3 Tablespoons fresh mint leaves, chopped
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– Spicy Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette (recipe below)

Instructions
1. Place half of the cut cauliflower florets to the bowl of a food processor and process for a few seconds or until the cauliflower resembles couscous. Place into a bowl and repeat for the remaining cauliflower chunks.
2. To the processed cauliflower, add the remaining ingredients including the vinaigrette. Add as much vinaigrette as you wish. Season with pepper and salt. Toss and serve.

Spicy Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette Ingredients
– 1 cloves garlic
– Zest of 1 lemon
– 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
– 1 Tablespoon fresh dill
– 1 Tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley
– 1 Tablespoon fresh mint leaves
-2 teaspoons sugar
– 2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
– salt
– pepper
– ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
– ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
– 3 Tablespoons olive oil

Preparation
Add all ingredients up to and including the red pepper flakes into the bowl of a food processor and process to blend well. Add the olive oil slowly while processor is running. Blend well. Use immediately or keep covered in the fridge.


 

image image image

T.W.O. signature

Roasted Corn Salad with Grilled Shrimp

image In need of a healthy, fresh and scrumptious dinner? Sick of your salads? Well T.W.O. has a receipt for you. It is a corn salad that bursts of flavor – lemon, cilantro, avocado and peaches. The baja fresh of California!?!  We guarantee that if you like shrimp, you will  definitely like this recipe!


 Roasted Corn Salad with Grilled Shrimp

Ingredients:
– Shrimp
– 2 cups Trader Joe’s Island Soyaki Marinade
– 3 ears of corn
– 1 avocado
– 2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
– 4 Persian cucumbers
– 2 yellow peaches
– 1 1/2 cups hearts of palm, sliced
– 2 Tablespoons olive oil
– ¼ cup lemon juice
– 5 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
– Salt
– Pepper

Directions:
1. Marinate the shrimp in the Trader Joe’s Island Soyaki Marinade for at least two hours in the refrigerator.
2. About 20 minutes prior to cooking, remove the shrimp from the refrigerator to bring to room temp. Place shrimp on kebab sticks.
3. Preheat the bbq or cast iron skillet*
4. While the oven or bbq is getting hot, prep the corn. Rub 1 Tablespoon of olive oil on the corn. Season with salt and pepper and wrap with foil.
4. Chop the avocado, peaches, tomatoes, cucumbers, hearts of palm and cilantro.
5. Once the grill is ready, add the corn. Cook for about 20 minutes and then add your shrimp kebabs. The shrimp should only take about 6-8 minutes depending on your heat.
6. While the shrimp and corn are cooking, drizzle the lemon juice and remaining olive oil over the vegetables.
7. Remove the corn from the grill and let cool for 5 minutes. Slice the kernels off the core. Add to the vegetables and mix.
8. Plate the corn salad and top with the grilled shrimp.

*T.W.O. ran out of propaine while they were cooking this meal so we went to Plan B….cast iron skillet.  Same great taste as the bbq! 


image image image image image image image

Enjoy!

T.W.O. signature

Grilled Chicken and Corn with Jalapeño Lime Dressing

image

Chicken, corn and Jalapeño are the three main ingredients in this fresh, flavorful summer salad.  It’s a great meal for those bikini-ready diets we are all on this summer.  It’s a beautiful salad that tastes even better and will satisfy any audience.


Grilled Chicken and Corn with  Jalapeño Lime Dressing

Ingredients:

Dressing:
– 1/2 cup plus 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
– 5 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
– 4 ears of corn
– Salt
-Pepper
Salad:
-2 bunches scallions, halved
-1/4 cup extra virgin olive-oil
– Salt
– Pepper
– 4 boneless chicken breasts
– 1 Tablespoon rosemary leaves, chopped
– 2 cups cherry heirloom tomatoes, halved
– 1/4 cup basil, thinly sliced
– 2 cups mixed greens

Directions:
1. Pre-heat the grill.
2. In a bowl whisk together all the dressing ingredients.
3. In a bowl, mix 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, salt, pepper and scallions.
4. In another bowl, coat the chicken with the remaining 2 Tablespoons of olive oil and rosemary; season with salt and pepper.
5. Grill the corn (with some of the husk still on), scallions and chicken over moderate heat, turning occasionally. The scallions will take 5 minutes and the chicken and corn should take around 15 minutes.
6. Chop the scallions into 1-inch pieces. Remove the husks and cut the corn kernels off the cobs. Transfer to a bowl and add tomatoes, basil and half the dressing. Toss.
7. Plate the chopped kale and top with corn salad. Top with the chicken and garnish with lime zest and dressing.


image image image image image image image

image
T.W.O. signature

The Green Chopped Salad with Jerk Chicken

image

It’s the last day of chopped salad week and since we had left over jerk chicken we are going to create a salad using  our left overs  and what we had in our cabinet. We all know that cooking can get expensive and wasteful if you aren’t smart about your meals and grocery list. So T.W.O. has the perfect Green Inspired Chopped Salad for you!


 The Green Chopped Salad with Jerk Chicken

Ingredients
For the Salad:
– 2-3 heads romaine lettuce
– 4 cups jicama
– 1 cup soy nuts
– 1-2 jerk chicken*
– 2 mangos
– 2 cups cherry heirloom tomatoes
– 2 cups hearts of palm
– 2 cups Persian cucumbers
– 1 cup red and white mixed quinoa, cooked
– 2 ears corn
– Cilantro Lime Dressing

*For the chicken: (Found HERE)
– 2 large chicken breasts
– 1 cup World Harbors Jamaican Style Jerk Marinade

Directions:
1. Prepare the Jerk Chicken as stated HERE
2. Shuck the corn and place on a microwave safe plate. Cook in microwave for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove and place on heated barbeque. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Make sure to rotate the corn so all the sides cook.
3. Wash and chop all vegetables and fruit. Place in a large bowl.
4. Add the chicken to the pre-heated barbeque. Cook for about 25 minutes or until done. Based the chicken with the remaining marinade 15 minutes into cooking for more flavor.
5. Chopped the cooked chicken breast into cubes and mix into the salad. Add salad dressing, toss and plate.
6. Time to eat!


image
image image

T.W.O. signature

Jerk Chicken & Mango Chopped Salad with Toasted Quinoa & Avocado

imageWe are going to spice this Chopped Salad Week up with a  Jerk Chicken & Mango Salad recipe.   It’s a great summer salad that anyone can make.  It contains protein, fruit and vegetables.  The  toasted quinoa adds a crunch to the salad without having to include croutons.  Grab your salad bowl and lets start chopping!


Jerk Chicken & Mango Chopped Salad with Toasted Quinoa & Avocado

Ingredients:

For the Salad:
– 2-3 heads romaine lettuce
– 2 zucchini, chopped
– 2 mangos
– 2 cups cherry heirloom tomatoes
– 2 cups Persian cucumbers
– 1 cup toasted quinoa*
– 2 ears corn
– Cilantro Lime Dressing

For the chicken:
– 2 large chicken breasts
– 1 cup World Harbors Jamaican Style Jerk Marinade

Directions:
1. Marinate the chicken in the jerk marinade and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour. . Remove the chicken from the oven, 15 minutes prior to cooking.
2. Shuck the corn and place on a microwave safe plate. Cook in microwave for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove and place on heated barbeque. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Make sure to rotate the corn so all the sides cook.
3. Wash and chop all vegetables and fruit. Place in a large bowl.
4. Toast the quinoa* . See recipe HERE.
4. Add the chicken to the pre-heated barbeque. Cook for about 25 minutes or until done. Based the chicken with the remaining marinade 15 minutes into cooking for more flavor.
5. Plate the salad and top with sliced chicken and dressing.
6. Time to eat!


imageimage image image image image

image

imageT.W.O. signature

Summer Chopped Salad with Carne Asada

image

In need of a meal for a warm Sunday night? Well, T.W.O. has a great recipe for you. It is a refreshing, light yet hearty salad that will win any crowd over. Learn how to make this chopped salad topped with grilled carne asada and homemade salad dressing. It’s easy and acts as a great Monday lunch option. (That’s if you have leftovers!)


Summer Chopped Salad with Carne Asada

Ingredients:

For the Salad:
– 3 cups butter lettuce
– 2 cups baby romaine
– 2 cans garbanzo beans
– 2 cups fresh strawberries
– 2 cups cherry tomatoes
– 2 cups Persian cucumbers
– 2 cups hearts of palm
– 2 ears corn
– ¼ cup cilantro
– ¼ cup parsley
– ½ cup Mediterranean feta, crumbled

For the meat:
– 1 ½ – 2 lbs lean carne asada
– 2 Tablespoons cayenne pepper
– 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
– Salt
– Pepper

For the Dressing:
– 2 lemons
– ¼ cup white balsamic
– ¼ cup balsamic
– 3 Tablespoon basil infused olive oil
– 2 teaspoon garlic powder
– Salt
– Pepper

Directions:
1. Place the meat in a Pyrex. Season the meat with the cayenne pepper, salt, garlic powder and pepper on both sides. Set aside and let marinate for about 20-30 minutes.
2. Shuck the corn and place on a microwave safe plate. Cook in microwave for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove and place on heated barbeque. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes. Make sure to rotate the corn so all the sides cook.
3. Wash and chop all vegetables and fruit. Place in a large bowl.
4. Add the meat to the pre-heated barbeque. Cook for about 15 minutes or until done.
5. While cooking the meat, make the dressing. Add all ingredients to a bowl or salad dressing shaker. Set aside.
6. Plate the salad and top with sliced meat and dressing.
7. Time to eat!


imageimageimageimage image image image

Happy grilling!

T.W.O. signature

Peach & Apricot Rosemary Glazed BBQ Chicken

image

Summer is one of T.W.O.’s favorite time to cook with fruit! Fruit for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert is a must this time of year. There are so many different ways fruit can be included into a meal – fresh, cooked, barbequed, sautéed, frozen, and blended. This week we decided to add some peaches to one of our favorite barbequed proteins – chicken! This is a great summer dish to have with a glass of Rosé!


Peach & Apricot Rosemary Glazed BBQ Chicken

Ingredients:
– ⅓ cup apricot preserves
– 1 cup white wine
– ⅓ cup water
– 4-5 sprigs of fresh rosemary
– 1 peach, sliced into wedges
– 2 chicken breasts
– Salt and Pepper
-Rotisserie twine

Directions:
1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Set aside.
2. Combine apricot preserves, wine, water, 2-3 springs of rosemary and ½ of the peach slices in a sauté or sauce pan over medium heat and stir.
3. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until reduced by half. Meanwhile, start the barbeque.
4. Baste the chicken with the glaze and tie the rosemary and peaches around the chicken so that it is secure.
4. Place the chicken on the barbeque. Baste the chicken with the glaze each time you flip the chicken. Cook until done.


image image image image image

 Enjoy!

T.W.O. signature