The Peony Life » healthy fats http://thepeonylife.com Creating memories through food Thu, 19 Jan 2017 01:07:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.19 Icelandic Smoked Trout Dip with Skyr http://thepeonylife.com/2015/12/icelandic-smoked-trout-dip-with-skyr/ http://thepeonylife.com/2015/12/icelandic-smoked-trout-dip-with-skyr/#respond Wed, 16 Dec 2015 17:24:59 +0000 http://thepeonylife.com/?p=1564 One of my girlfriends recently returned from a holiday in Iceland and it sparked my interest. What is the food like there? When I think of Nordic food, I think of the cliché pickled herring and Rose Nylund’s cringeworthy recipes from The Golden Girls. But seriously, I had very little knowledge of their culinary scene so... 

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Icelandic Smoked Trout Dip with Skyr

Icelandic Smoked Trout Dip with Skyr

One of my girlfriends recently returned from a holiday in Iceland and it sparked my interest. What is the food like there? When I think of Nordic food, I think of the cliché pickled herring and Rose Nylund’s cringeworthy recipes from The Golden Girls. But seriously, I had very little knowledge of their culinary scene so I did a little internet creeping to find out some popular foods in Iceland. Of course I found the expected smoked fish and pickled herring but it became abundantly clear there was one traditional favorite: Skyr. Skyr for breakfast, skyr for lunch, skyr for dinner…you get the point!

Between the smoked trout and skyr this dip is a protein powerhouse!

Between the smoked trout and skyr this dip is a protein powerhouse!

Skyr is Iceland’s version of Greek yogurt and it has been a staple in their cuisine for over a thousand years.  It is believed that Icelanders first started making skyr when settlers from Norway arrived in the 9th century. Yaaaa guys, THAT long! I think they’ve got this covered.

It has the consistency of a thick yogurt, with a mildly tart flavor. It’s super high in protein and has virtually zero fat or artificial sweeteners. AMEN! Because skyr contains live active cultures it must be consumed within 5 days of opening, so keep this in mind when you buy it.

Serve this healthy dip alongside crackers, endive leaves, cucumber slices or celery sticks.

Serve this healthy dip alongside crackers, endive leaves, cucumber slices or celery sticks.

I found Siggi’s Icelandic Skyr at Whole Foods and have to say, I’m really happy with it. I will definitely be adding this to my grocery list. It’s a healthy product you can feel good about eating and I can see me using this in my recipes.

This Icelandic Smoked Trout Dip with Skyr is great to make when entertaining because it’s healthy, delicious and different. Spice things up and add this new dip to your list of tricks in the kitchen!

Enjoy! xx

Icelandic Smoked Trout Dip with Skyr
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizer
Cuisine: Nordic
Serves: 8
Ingredients
  • 8 oz skinless smoked trout filets, broken into ½ inch pieces (approximately 2 cups)
  • ¾ cup Skyr (a thick Icelandic style yogurt)
  • ¼ cup crème fraîche
  • 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp prepared horseradish, drained
  • a medium sized dill pickle, finely diced
  • ¼ cup fresh dill, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup green onions, thinly sliced (white and light green parts only)
  • 1 tbsp capers, strained
  • freshly ground pepper
  • flakey Icelandic sea salt
Instructions
  1. Using an electric mixer, beat skyr, crème fraîche, horseradish and Worcestershire sauce. Transfer mixture into medium bowl. Stir in smoked trout, dill pickle, green onion, capers and fresh dill. Season with freshly ground black pepper and flakey Icelandic salt.
  2. Let dip chill in the fridge for 1 hour prior to serving.
  3. Serve with endive leaves, sliced cucumber, celery sticks or crackers.
Notes
You can use hot smoked salmon in this recipe if you don't have access to smoked trout.
You can find Siggis Skyr Yogurt at Whole Foods but you can sub greek yogurt in a pinch.

 

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Smoked Salmon Benedict with Avocado http://thepeonylife.com/2015/08/smoked-salmon-benedict-with-avocado/ http://thepeonylife.com/2015/08/smoked-salmon-benedict-with-avocado/#respond Sun, 16 Aug 2015 02:07:28 +0000 http://thepeonylife.com/?p=1106 One thing I absolutely LOVE about living in San Francisco, is how seriously people take brunch! San Franciscans have definitely gotten brunch & day drinking down to a science. Some popular restaurants are only open for brunch, 9am-3pm. It’s so popular they are able to shut their doors in the afternoon and probably laugh amongst themselves... 

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This Smoked Salmon Benedict  with Avocado is gluten-free for my celiac friends!

This Smoked Salmon Benedict with Avocado is gluten-free for my celiac friends!

One thing I absolutely LOVE about living in San Francisco, is how seriously people take brunch! San Franciscans have definitely gotten brunch & day drinking down to a science. Some popular restaurants are only open for brunch, 9am-3pm. It’s so popular they are able to shut their doors in the afternoon and probably laugh amongst themselves at all of the patrons nursing their hangovers with bottomless mimosa’s.

The people watching in these line ups are pretty amusing to say the least! If you were to ask some of these people to wait 3 minutes for an uber, 10 minutes for a drip coffee or behind 3 people at Trader Joe’s; forget it! However,  if you ask them to wait in line for over an hour at their favorite local brunch spot, they will do it with pleasure! I’m touched by the commitment and my fiancé & I partake in brunch shenganigans once a week. On the other day, we enjoy a leisurely brunch at home.

AN INDULGENT BRUNCH YOU DON'T HAVE TO FEEL SUPER GUILTY ABOUT!

AN INDULGENT BRUNCH YOU DON’T HAVE TO FEEL SUPER GUILTY ABOUT!

Today I was super excited to try a new brunch recipe for the blog! Eggs Benedict is without a doubt my favorite brunch item but it’s pretty unhealthy! I wanted to create a lighter recipe that would still satisfy my craving for this high fat dish. I also opted to make a gluten free benny for my celiac friends out there. Whaaat whaaat!

Smoked Salmon is a great source of healthy oils and fats, dietary protein and iron but like everything else, moderation is key. Even though there are many wonderful benefits of eating smoked salmon, it is rather high in sodium, so don’t eat it all day, everyday. Alright?

Removing the english muffin and swapping it with avocado is such an easy way to get rid of unhealthy carbs. I’m trying to eat less bread these days and the struggle is definitely real, but with this dish I didn’t miss it! This Smoked Salmon Benedict with Avocado was all I dreamed of and more. My fiancé is already asking me to make it again next weekend.

WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T ENJOY RESTAURANT QUALITY FOOD AT HOME?

WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T ENJOY RESTAURANT QUALITY FOOD AT HOME?

Please note that this recipe only serves 2 people so keep that in mind when buying your ingredients.

Drizzle my Herbed Crème Fraïche Dressing over top of the benny and enjoy!!

Smoked Salmon Benny with Avocado
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
This is a great low carb & gluten free alternative to Eggs Benedict! Try this recipe at home this weekend!
Author:
Recipe type: Brunch
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 5 ounce piece of smoked salmon, divided in two pieces
  • half an avocado, sliced lengthwise
  • 2 eggs, poached
  • 2 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • salt & fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp minced chives to garnish
Instructions
  1. Add enough water to come 1 inch up the side of a narrow, deep 2-quart saucier.
  2. Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 2 teaspoons white vinegar and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  3. Meanwhile, crack 1 cold large egg into a small dish or bowl.
  4. Use the handle of a whisk or spoon to quickly stir the water in one direction until it's all smoothly spinning around.
  5. Carefully drop the egg into the center of the whirlpool. The swirling water will help prevent the white from "feathering," or spreading out in the pan. This 'whirlpool method' only works for 1 or 2 eggs. If you're making a larger batch, do not stir each time you add a new egg.
  6. Turn off the heat, cover the pan and leave for 5 minutes. REALLY leave it for 5 minutes. As in don't lift the cover and peak! This will ruin your poached eggs!
  7. While eggs are poaching, slice avocado and place 3 flat piece of avocado on a plate.
  8. Place a piece of salmon on the avocado.
  9. Using a slotted spoon, remove the poached egg from the sauce pan and place on top of the salmon.
  10. Top with Herbed Crème Fraïche Dressing and minced chives!
  11. Enjoy!
  12. Lift it out: Remove the egg with a slotted spoon and serve immediately. Alter
  13. Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/perfect-poached-eggs-recipe.html?oc=linkback
Notes
Please use my Herbed Crème Fraïche Dressing to drizzle over the Smoked Salmon Benny. It will not be close to the same without the sauce!

 

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