Running Day and Hatch Green Chile Trout

Okay, there’s not real good way to marry up running day and trout in a blog post — unless I say that runners and athletes of all disciplines should be eating fish for it’s abundance of protein, heart-healthy fats and other vital nutrients. Yeah, there ya go, that’s the segue . . . Jennifer Fisher National Running Day 2015 - TheFitFork.com

First off, happy National Running Day! I’ve been running for 25 years and it has been a real blessing in my life. Even though I was the bookworm, shy, non-sporty girl who always won the 600 yard dash in elementary PE, I didn’t start running on a regular basis a year or two out of college. This sorority girl didn’t like to sweat in the 1980s. When I first started running, the sport empowered me, gave me confidence and matured my focus from striving to be the pretty girl to actually being the fierce girl. During early parenthood years, running gave me time alone to collect my thoughts and keep my sanity; running gave me a lift on those days when I was feeling down. As the kids started to get older, I realized that they were watching me run and that I was being a role model they needed.  Running has brought me so many adventures, too many to share, and made my life quite interesting now that I reflect on it. Today, running keeps me focused on a goal (if I feel like it), connects me with my friends and husband and just generally makes me happy – I can’t imagine a day when I wouldn’t and couldn’t be running.

Enjoy some heart-healthy fish and the flavors of the southwest with this easy-to-make, one-dish dinner.

So, here’s the delicious Southwestern Blackened Trout with Hatch Green Chile Medley fish recipe I made for dinner last night, I am a huge fan of Hatch green chile and southwestern spices and this was definitely a winner. The recipe as written is Paleo freindly (if you don’t do corn, swap out for yellow summer squash) — but if you need a little extra sumptin’-sumptin’ to get your motor running, serve the fish and veggies over brown rice. Thank you SizzleFish.com for the awesome fish.

How did you celebrate National Running Day?

Have you ever filleted a fish? 

Southwestern Blackened Trout with Hatch Green Chile Medley
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
22 mins
 
Enjoy some heart-healthy fish and the flavors of the southwest with this easy-to-make, one-dish dinner. Paleo-friendly, swap out form with yellow summer squash.
Course: Main Dish, Vegetable
Cuisine: Southwestern
Servings: 2 people
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 3 tablespoons Adams Jalacorno seasoning divided
  • 1 medium medium sweet onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup peeled and seeded fire-roasted Hatch green chiles, chopped
  • 1 cup fresh corn kernels
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2 4 to 5 ounce rainbow trout filets boned, leave skin on one side
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled questo fresco
Instructions
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon seasoning in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for approximately 2 minutes or until softening. Add corn, green chiles and garlic and sauté, stirring frequently, for another 4 to 5 minutes.
  2. Remove veggie mixture from skillet to bowl. Add remaining olive oil and bring to medium-high heat. Dry tops of trout dry (skin left on bottom)and rub each thoroughly with about one tablespoon of seasoning. Place in skillet seasoned side down and sear for approximately 3 minutes. Use spatula to flip over and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add veggies back into pan, stir around in remaining skillet bits and serve with chopped cilantro and queso fresco crumbled on top.

Rainbow Eats! Cumin Seared Scallops with Strawberry, Jicama and Jalapeno Confetti Salad

Scallops dusted with cumin and quickly pan seared make a quick and healthy dinner -- especially atop Strawberry, Jicama and  Jalapeno Confetti Salad

My fresh and fit recipe for Strawberry, Jicama & Jalapeno Confetti Salad is truly an edible rainbow. Strawberries, papaya, pineapple, jalapenos, cilantro and jicama mingle together with a limey dressing – it’s so utterly utopian, the chances of seeing a unicorn run by increase with every spoonful.

Strawberry, Jicama and Jalapeno Confetti Salad  is so colorful and healthy!

Of course, you could eat this fruit salad alone, but it’s also amazing as a salsa on fish tacos – or with my dinner tonight, Cumin-dusted Seared Sea Scallops. Scallops are so easy to prepare, it’s almost ridiculous. Get your oiled skillet really hot, pat on some spices and then sear for just a couple minutes each side is turning crispy golden brown and the flesh is still just slightly translucent in the center. Pan to plate in less than five minutes!

Cumin-Dusted Seared Sea Scallops are so quick and easy to make -- plus very healthy!

Sea Scallops from Sizzle FishI’m a big fan of the scallops from Sizzle Fish.  Plump, natural sea scallops from the North Atlantic (flash- frozen and packaged in individual serving packs of 4 scallops) are shipped right to my door! No shopping in a busy supermarket and five minutes of cooking – it’s the easiest way ever to get your muscle-making protein.

Cumin Dusted Scallops with Strawberry, Jicama and Jalapeno Confetti Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
 
It's an eating rainbow! Cumin Seared Scallops with Strawberry, Jicama and Jalapeno Confetti Salad recipe makes an insanely quick, colorful and healthy meal.
Course: Main Dish, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Southwestern
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients
For Confetti Salad
  • 1 cup diced strawberries
  • 1 cup diced jicama
  • 1/2 cup diced pineapple
  • 1/2 cup diced papaya
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1 to 2 seeded and minced jalapenos depending on preferred heat level
  • 2 tablespoons finely minced cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder
For Scallops
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 - 10 medium sea scallops
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder
  • cilantro and srirancha for garnish
Instructions
  1. In medium bowl, add all diced fruit, red onion, and jalapeno.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, vinegar, cumin and ancho chile pepper. Gently stir into salad.
For Scallops
  1. Add oil to skillet and heat to medium-high.
  2. Pat scallops dry and dust with cumin and ancho powder. Arrange in hot skillet so they are not touching each other.
  3. Cook for approximately 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes per side (depending on thickness). Scallops should be crusty golden brown on top and bottom and still a tiny bit translucent in the center (because the will still cook a bit once removed from pan).
  4. Drizzle with sriracha and sprinkle with minced cilantro. Serve with confetti salad.