Baked Chicken with Peaches

Part of me is ready for pumpkin and squash. But with this 100+ degree heat wave it's really hard to get in the mood for fall!

There were still tons of peaches left at Trader Joes yesterday and this recipe looked (and was) so easy and perfect for the hot weather. The chicken was moist and flavorful and the ginger complemented it well without being overpowering. Oh and the peaches were, well, peachy.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 fresh peach - peeled, pitted and sliced
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1 1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Place chicken in the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with 1/8 cup of brown sugar.

Place peach slices over chicken then sprinkle with remaining 1/8 cup brown sugar, ginger, cloves and lemon juice.
Bake for about 30 minutes in the preheated oven, basting often with juices, until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.

Steamed Salmon Salad with Grapefruit-Ginger Dressing

This salad not only combines three of my favorite things (avocado, grapefruit and ginger), it also includes one of my didn't-used-to-be-and-still-isn't-quite-a-favorite-but-I-know-it's-AMAZINGLY-healthy things...salmon.

If you're trying to lose weight you will be thrilled to know that salmon speeds up your metabolism. (Quicker weight loss and longer sustainability!) Also, the Omega-3 fatty acids contained in salmon help your brain work better, improve your memory and contribute to shiny hair, bright eyes and healthy skin.

As for avocados, those who follow my blog know that they are GOOD FAT which we all need. Good fats are mono-unsaturated fat (olive oil, canola oil, seeds, nuts and avocado) and poly-unsaturated fat (fish, walnuts, seeds flax-seed/oil.) So salmon is also good fat:)

To top it off, literally and figuratively, ginger is not only delicious, it's also good for your digestive system.Win, win, win!

Ingredients: (Makes 4 servings)
1 lb salmon fillet, cut in half to fit in a steamer basket)
1 tsp ground cumin, Juice from 2 limes (about 1/4 cup
8 cups mixed greens
1 Avocado, sliced
1 pink grapefruit, segments separated
1/2 cup bean sprouts - I didn't have these :(

Grapefruit-Ginger Dressing:
5 tablespoons grapefruit juice
2 tbs olive oil
1/4 cup white-wine vinegar
1 tbs chopped fresh ginger

Directions:
Season fish with salt, pepper, cumin and lime juice and steam in a bamboo steamer or a pot w/ steamer insert until tender, about 3 minutes per side. Set aside 10 minutes to cool.

Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Toss greens with 1/2 dressing. Arrange salmon, avocado slices and grapefruit sections on top of each salad and drizzle lightly with remaining dressing. Top with bean sprouts.