Pecan Crusted Spiced Salmon

Pecan crusted spiced salmon is loaded with flavor, juicy and oh so tasty! This salmon is great for a quick dinner or lunch meal prep!

Ever since Katie Lee from the Kitchen on Food Network made brown sugar spiced salmon, I have been obsessed with the concept! The salmon looks professional and complex yet super easy to make.

The only thing stopping me from eating it so much is that it calls for ½ cup of brown sugar! That’s why I recreated this recipe using coconut sugar instead of brown sugar while also adding pecans for texture and crunch.

I usually pair the salmon with sweet potatoes because the caramelized pecans complement the flavor and texture of the sweet potato. It’s also great to make this for lunch or for your meal prep as the dish is filled with healthy fats, protein, and complex carbohydrates to keep you satisfied and full of energy!

If you are incorporating this recipe into your meal prep, I would recommend eating the salmon at least two days after it has been cooked. If you are anything like me, I like to have my salmon cooked on the raw side so fewer days in the fridge is best!

To make this into a lunch/dinner meal prep: simply boil two peeled sweet potatoes until mushy. Add salt and pepper to your potatoes. Next, saute the rest of your vegetables until halfway cooked through with salt and pepper. Assemble by adding mashed sweet potatoes, vegetables and salmon on top. Enjoy!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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Pecan crusted spiced salmon is loaded with flavor, juicy and oh so tasty! This salmon is great for a quick dinner or lunch meal prep!

ingredients

• 1 lb fresh salmon

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

• 2 Tbsp coconut sugar

• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp pepper

directions

1. Sprinkle seasonings on the pink side of the salmon.

2. Add oil to a pan on medium-high heat. When hot, place seasoning side down on the skillet and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Add salt and pepper to season the skin part of the salmon and flip.

4. Mix sugar and pecans and sprinkle the mixture on top of the salmon. Cover with a lid and set the temperature to low-medium and cook for 5-10 minutes or until desired pink and the sugar has melted.

5. *If the coconut sugar has not caramelized, place the skillet in the oven with the broiler on low. Cook for 1-2 minutes but make sure you keep an eye on it!

6. Let cool and serve with mashed sweet potatoes and steamed vegetables!

The Best Spicy Vegan Cheese Sauce

A delicious and super addicting spicy vegan cheese sauce that’s perfect for mac and cheese, dips, baked potatoes and more! 

Ever since I found out that I was intolerant to dairy, my world crumbled before my eyes (pun intended)! So, you are trying to tell me that I cannot have mac and cheese, cheese on my pizza or queso from Mexican restaurants!? Are you trying to kill me!?

Since then, I have been scouring the web for the best dairy-free alternatives! To be honest, it’s hard finding alternatives that are not overly processed or inexpensive. But even though grocery stores are getting better at providing alternatives, it’s nice to know I can make something quick at home with staple ingredients that are always on hand. And I can do it on the cheap!

This is where I bring you to my most favorite recipe of them all, spicy vegan cheese sauce! When I was making a batch to take photos, I literally ate half the macaroni and cheese and the entire dip with chips within two hours; it is that addicting!

What makes this my favorite is that it’s crazy how easy and fast it is to make it! You see all these vegan cheese recipes with a million ingredients and the direction list are fifteen steps long and you're sitting there like, “Who has time for that?”

That’s why this recipe is easy. Simply boil the potato and carrots until mushy, transfer them to a blender along with the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth. Boom, that’s it! Double boom because the sauce is already hot so no need to transfer it to a skillet or oven to heat up.

Even if you are not vegan or dairy free, this recipe is great to serve to your kids or that picky eater that struggles with incorporating veggies into their diet. Even better, you can get away with hiding them in popular dishes like mac and cheese, baked potato and chips and dip!

You could also use this recipe on a few From the Roots classics like kale and pesto cauliflower rice,  Verde carne asada tostadas, turkey meatballs, and sweet potato hash breakfast skillet.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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A delicious and super addicting spicy vegan cheese sauce that’s perfect for mac and cheese, dips, baked potatoes and more! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 large russet potato (skin off)

• 2 large carrots

• 1 can (10 oz) low-sodium rotel (spicy)

• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast

• 1 Tbsp juice of fresh lemon

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut potatoes and carrots into cubes and add to boiling water. Boil until vegetables are mushy.

2. Drain vegetables from water and transfer to a high powered blender. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender and blend until smooth and creamy.

3. May add additional salt if bland or more nutritional yeast for desired “cheesy flavor.”

4. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a week.

NOTES

1. If you are making this into a dip, garnish with smoked paprika, diced green chilies or jalapenos!

2. For a more spicy taste, simply add hot sauce or green chilies for that desired taste.

3. Warning: if you use a regular can of Rotel, this sauce will taste "tomato-y" and not like a cheese dip flavor.

Top 10 Things To Do in Chicago During the Summer

If you are planning a trip to the city, here are my top 10 things to do in Chicago during the summer! 

Ever since we moved to the Midwest we knew we wanted to travel to Chicago. The architecture, speakeasy bars, and the food -- Who wouldn’t want to travel there!? My husband and I were very fortunate to have company along for the trip that knew the town inside and out. Without them, I don’t think we would have figured out the transit system or have been able to do as many things as we wanted in just four short days!  

We visited Chicago during Memorial weekend and let me tell you, that was the best time to go! The sun and warm air definitely looks good on Chicago!

1. Do an architecture boat tour

Typically, I like to steer away from tourist attractions when visiting a new city, but if the locals highly recommend this tour, then you have to do it!

The architecture boat tour is offered by a few companies. The one that we used was Wendella Boats. We chose the original architecture tour that is approximately 75 minutes. Tickets were $39 per adult. The tour navigates throughout the heart of the city on all three branches of the Chicago River while a professional guide narrates the story of all the unique buildings.

If you are going in the summer, I would recommend scheduling an early tour or in the late evening as it can be very hot and there is no cover on the top deck. Definitely put on your sunscreen and bring a hat! There is also air conditioning and drinks provided on the lower deck in case you need a break from the heat!

2. Stroll down the Chicago Riverwalk

The architecture boat tour is located on the riverwalk along with many other fun activities like dining, kayaking, museums, or rent a boat or pontoon. This most recently developed 1.25-mile riverwalk is along the main branch of the Chicago River. Here is a map of the many activities you can do while on the Riverwalk.

3. See a baseball game

If you are traveling during the spring/summer months, you have to see a baseball game! For our trip, we saw the Cubs play at Wrigley Field. Wrigley Field is an iconic ballpark in Chicago making it the second oldest ballpark in the country! One of the coolest things that I found interesting about this field is that it’s located in the middle of a neighborhood. You can even get seats outside the field on apartment rooftops of the surrounding apartment buildings that peer down into Wrigley Field! These seats are affordable and much cheaper than what’s inside the ballpark.

But if you do get seats inside, the concession foods lineup will be changing in 2018. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see these changes but in June, they will be bringing in some of the city’s best chefs to serve special menus at the ballpark. One of my favorite chefs, Stephanie Izard, (restaurants Duck Duck Goat, Girl & the Goat, The Little Goat) will be presenting her special menu June 2-11 so check it out!  

Here is information if you would like to see a White Sox game.

4. See a show at the Chicago Theatre

Since I work in performing arts for my main job, I really wanted to see a show but unfortunately, tickets were sold out for the musical, Hamilton. With that said, if you are planning on seeing a show, be sure to book ahead! This iconic theatre has been around since 1921 and has been Chicago’s most legendary venue!

If you are looking for tickets or tour of the venue, here is the website for more information.

5. Walk around the Neighborhoods

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Chicago is often referred to as “the city of neighborhoods” and for good reason! To be exact, Chicago has 77 great neighborhoods that you should check out. Here is a great resource that lays out all the neighborhoods and things to do in that area! This is why we chose an Airbnb instead of a hotel so that we could get a taste of how great they are. The neighborhood we stayed in was Logan Square. This area was great as it was only twenty minutes away from downtown and close to many great shops, restaurants, parks, and activities.

This suburb is also where you will find the Greetings from Chicago mural. Just walk along N Milwaukee Ave around California Station to see the best parts.

6. Check out Millennium Park

Mostly known for the Cloud Gate or “The Bean”, Millennium Park is where it’s at in the summertime.  But what most people may not know is that during the summer season, there are many free activities to enjoy! Yoga classes, concerts, family activities and movie screenings, you can never go wrong when it’s free. Here is the summer schedule in case you are interested!

Cool fact about The Bean: The Bean was created by using computer technology to cut into precise shapes 168 giant stainless steel plates, which were pieced together like a puzzle and welded shut; its highly polished exterior has no visible seams.

7. Walk the Magnificent Mile

If you are looking for an all-day activity that is central to one location, then check out the Magnificent Mile. With the Magnificent Mile being the central hub for more than fifty landmark structures, simply walking up and down Michigan Avenue will give you a great taste of what Chicago has to offer. But, if you want an informational sightseeing adventure, I would recommend going on a tour. In Chicago, there are many types of tours you can choose from, like the aforementioned architecture boat tour, a bus or trolley tour; a self-guided walking tour; or even a Segway tour. If you are looking for a tourist activity, head over to 360 Chicago Observatory that is located at the top of the John Hancock Center. Be sure to experience the TILT attraction that is ninety-four stories above the Magnificent Mile. Shopping is also a fan favorite with more than 460 retailers!

Shopping tip: If you are pushed for time but would like to shop, I would definitely check out Water Tower Place. This mall has up to seven levels with everything from the most popular shopping brands like Free People, Sephora, and Francesca’s. 

*World’s largest Starbucks Reserve Roastery is now open for business! Have an espresso martini on the rooftop while you are there!

8. Ride a bike through Lincoln Park and Lakefront

If you are looking to get a get a good run or bike ride in while traveling then Lincoln Park is where you need to go! Lincoln Park is one of the largest parks in Chicago and it’s about a mile from downtown and right on the lakefront. The Lakefront offers a nice “beach front” property for locals and visitors to enjoy. You’ve got the Lincoln Park Zoo (free!), Chicago History Museum, Lincoln Park Conservatory (free!), Nature Museum, North Pond, Green City Farmers Market, Diversey Driving Range and Chicago’s top beaches all centrally located!

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9. ROOFTOP BARS

What better way to take in the Chicago views than with a rooftop bar or cafe? These are great if you like to steer away from the tourist activities like 360 Chicago but still want a good view. Experience beautifully crafted cocktails while taking in all of all the skyscrapers surrounded by you. Here are a few more rooftop bars that were recommended to us: The Signature Lounge, J. Parker, Soho House, London House, and Raised, and Urban Rooftop Bar.

(Fun fact: If you go into the Uniqlo clothing store on Michigan Ave, go to the fourth floor where Starbucks is located for an amazing downtown Chicago view!)

10. Eat!

I saved the best for last! When you think of Chicago, you think of meat dishes like deep-dish pizza and hot dogs. While that sounds amazing, Chicago has many other food experiences to try! I’ll list the typical Chicago go-tos while also listing a few places that we tried and ones that were highly recommended to us below!

Pizza

Giordano’s - $, As a tourist, you have to hit up Giordano’s. One of the most successful pizzeria chains around that features the classic deep-dish pizza that is super cheesy!

Nancy’s Pizza - $$ - Personally, I like the crust on their deep dishes better. Also order the caramelized Brussels sprouts with bacon, so delicious!

Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria - $$ Deep dish pizza. The locals swear by this joint!

Pequod’s - $$, Known for their deep dish with a caramelized crust!

Art of Pizza - $, Lakefront restaurant where you can order by the slice!

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. - $$,The famous Pizza Pot Pie!

Piece Brewery & Pizzeria - $$, If you are looking for a good New Haven-style thin-crust pizza!

Cheap & Quick Eats

Portillo’s - $, Chicago staple for hot dogs, Maxwell Street Polish, and Italian Beef.

Jim’s Original Hot Dog - $, Iconic Chicago street food items for dirt cheap at any hour of the day - plus comes with free fries!

Sultan’s Market - $, If you are looking into Middle-Eastern cuisine at super cheap prices - and it’s BYOB! The falafels are the best! Cash only!

BIG and little’s Restaurant - $, Cash only spot with a large variety of tacos, po’boys, and gourmet fries.

J.P. Graziano Grocery - $, One of the longest running Italian market and sandwich shop.

Aloha Poke - $, Great spot for a cheap poke bowl while maintaining great quality and flavor.

Healthy Spots

Beatrix - $$ - From their Bulletproof coffee to their miso-caramel salmon, they have it all! Over 5 locations, 4 of which have a market attached to the restaurant, and serves all day. A staple when I visit!

Chicago Raw - $$, 100% plant-based, vegan, raw food.

Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen - $$, Serves fresh, fast meals for lunch and dinner.

True Food Kitchen - $$, A great relaxed, eco-chic atmosphere serving health-conscious food with vegan options.

Whole Foods Market - $$ There are over 20 Whole Foods Market in Chicago and half of them are downtown. Grab a salad or something from the hot bar and walk over to Navy Pier to get some fresh air/people watch!

Sweetgreen - $$, Healthy restaurant chain serving seasonal warm bowls and salads.

Protein Bar & Kitchen - $$, Delicious and nutritious high protein food and drinks.

Mana Food Bar - $$, Great spot for vegans and vegetarians!

LYFE Kitchen - $$, Globally inspired foods that are made with locally sourced ingredients. Vegan/vegetarian options!

Dinner

Girl & The Goat - $$$, Executive Chef and Top Chef, Stephanie Izard, serving new American style food and it’s amazing! Book ahead!

Hampton Social - $$ Serves coastal inspired dishes and great for a girl’s night out! If you are sharing a cocktail, make sure to get it in the giant seashell!

Au Cheval - $$ The classic Chicago diner, but with a sexy dimly lit vibe. Great burgers, cocktails, and foie gras!

Bavette’s Bar & Boeuf, $$$, Get their truffle mac & cheese and chocolate cream pie..you will not regret it! (Best place for a romantic dinner or to celebrate an anniversary)

Alinea - $$$$, three-Michelin starred restaurant. Enough said.

Avec Restaurant - $$$, Inventive small plates with communal seating in a very minimalist space.

Giant - $$$, Gastropub with seasonal new American plates and craft cocktails.

Daebak Korean BBQ - $$, Table-grilled BBQ located in Chinatown.

Sweets

Stan’s Donuts - $$, Best donuts in Chicago! Vegan and gluten-free options!

Molly’s Cupcakes - $, Appeared on Cupcake Wars!

Doughnut Vault - $ Walk up window where you can order gelato, coffee and bomboloni (an Italian hole-less doughnut)

Firecakes - $$, Serves donuts and ice cream.

La Bodega - $, Elevated convenience store that sells gourmet tacos at the window and specialty churros (get the fruity pebble churro!)

Werewolf Coffee - $, glitter lattes need I say more!

Bombobar - $$,

Brunch

Lula Cafe - $$, Known for being a popular brunch spot. Super cute and funky space!

Little Goat - $$, Stephanie Izard’s diner that serves comfort food classics. (get the bull’s eye french toast!)

M.henry - $$, American comfort food with a twist!

Yolk, $$

Mindy’s HotChocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar - $$, Family-friendly American style eatery.

Summer House Santa Monica - $$ If you are going out with the girls, you have to make reservations to eat here! It is always sunny with their tropical drinks, fresh menu, and an airy space with an atrium!

Also:

1. Head over to the iconic Navy Pier to ride the Ferris wheel or see fireworks every Wednesday and Saturday. Specific dates are May 26 - September 1- after sundown, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

2. Check out Shedd Aquarium. The 4D shark show was my favorite! This area is also great for sightseeing and getting great views of Navy Pier, Waterfront, and sailboats.

3. If you are looking for an evening activity, check out Emporium Arcade. There are three locations, Wicker Park, Logan Square, and Fulton Market. They have retro video games, an indoor food truck, and craft beer! The drinks can get pricey but five dollars can turn into 25 tokens so you can play for hours!

4. Rent a Divvy bike and explore the town!

5. There is always a festival going on in Chicago so check out this Event Guide.

6. If you are looking for interesting and quirky activities, check out this resource!

This is just scratching a surface of things to do when traveling to Chicago so if you have recommendations, let us know in the comments section!

Simple Steak Marinade with Chimichurri Sauce

No summer grill is complete without a good steak marinade and chimichurri sauce recipe! Easy, simple and super delicious!

When it comes to steak, you want to think of the KISS principle (keep it simple, stupid!). When cooked right, a steak is super juicy and tender on its own with some simple salt and pepper. But to take it to the next level, well, I am all about that! Using marinades is a great way to kick up your steaks just a notch. This simple marinade infuses the steak with tons of flavor. Lime juice is used to break down the toughness of the meat while the garlic brings out the flavor. I highly recommend marinating the steak overnight but if you are pushed for time, 30 minutes should suffice. For this recipe, I used strip steak, but you can also use different cuts of steak like a skirt steak for instance.

My favorite way to cook a steak is on the grill (is there a better way!?). I like to set my grill over medium-high heat and cook each side for just 5 minutes to get a nice sear and to achieve the rare to medium-rare pinkness. You could also cook in a skillet if you do not have access to a grill.

(By the way, this steak marinade recipe can be used for my verde carne asada tostadas!!)

You could stop after grilling your steak, but wouldn’t you like to go an extra step? If you are interested in adding some green to your steak, try out adding a chimichurri sauce! Since you are marinating the steak with subtle ingredients, the sauce really takes the steak to the next level!

Everyday herbs like cilantro and parsley are used to provide a fresh clean flavor to the steak. The sauce is super easy to make with just a processor or blender. You could also use this sauce on different types of dishes like eggs, chicken, or used in pasta salad dishes.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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No summer grill is complete without a good steak marinade and chimichurri sauce recipe! Easy, simple and super delicious! 

INGREDIENTS

Steak Marinade

• 1 1/2 lb steak of choice

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp pepper

• 1 lime (squeezed)

• 2 Tbsp EVOO

Chimichurri Sauce

• 1 cup flat leaf parsley

• 1 cup cilantro

• 4 cloves garlic

• 1/2 medium onion

• 1 Tbsp lime juice

• 1/3 cup EVOO

• S&P to taste

• dash of chili pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS

For the marinade and grilling

1. Coat the steak with salt and pepper on each side.

2. Whisk the garlic, lime, and EVOO together and pour into the Ziploc bag.

3. Add the steak to the bag and marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight preferably.

4. Grill on medium-high heat and cook for 5-10 minutes per side or until desired pinkness.

5. Let the steak rest by placing aluminum foil over the steak for at least five minutes. Cut steak across the grain and serve with chimichurri sauce.

For the chimichurri saucE

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until everything is fully incorporated and smooth.

Matcha and Carob Cookies

These matcha and carob cookies are sure to satisfy that sweet tooth while giving you a boost of energy without the crash!

What better way to get in that caffeine kick than in cookie form! Yup! You heard me right! These matcha and carob cookies are sure to satisfy that sweet tooth while giving you a boost of energy without the crash!If you are wanting a cookie that is naturally low in sugar then look no further. Carob powder is used in this recipe because of its natural sweetness. In fact, it is often used as a replacement for chocolate.

I know, I know -- why would you ever want to replace chocolate? Well, according to the National Headache Foundation, foods that contain tyramine may trigger migraine headaches… And what foods contain tyramine? Unfortunately, chocolate. That is why people who get migraines are recommended to avoid chocolate. Additionally, some people may avoid chocolate for other reasons, whether it’s because of allergies to dairy (certain chocolates contain milk) or because of personal dietary restrictions.

If you want to make these matcha cookies with chocolate, you can see my notes at the end of the post. Otherwise, I wanted to add this recipe to my blog to show those who avoid chocolate or dairy in their diet that it is definitely possible to satisfy your chocolate cravings using an alternative ingredient. The good news is that carob powder works really well as a substitute for chocolate… And it works really well together with matcha.

Have you ever had matcha tea? Matcha tea is actually just finely grounded green tea leaves. It is essentially a concentrated form of green tea, which means it retains most of its antioxidants. Matcha also contains a unique form of caffeine known as theophylline which sustains the energy levels without any adverse effects. So, not only does the subtle, earthy taste profile of matcha complement perfectly with the natural sweetness of carob, but the combination of the two in this recipe results in a cookie without the sugar or caffeine crash.

Fun fact: Carob powder is dog-friendly! Carob does not contain high levels of theobromine, a compound that is toxic to dogs.

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo to #fromtherootsblog on Instagram. We love seeing what you come up with!

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These matcha and carob cookies are sure to satisfy that sweet tooth while giving you a boost of energy without the crash!

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup fine almond flour

• 1/2 cup GF all purpose baking flour

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1 Tbsp carob powder

• 1 Tbsp matcha powder

• pinch of salt

• 1/4 cup organic light brown sugar (packed)

• 1/2 cup melted coconut oil

• 1 egg (room temperature)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Sift flours, salt, soda, matcha and carob powder in a bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk sugar and melted coconut oil until creamy and smooth. Then whisk in vanilla and egg.

3. Slowly add dry mix to wet mix until fully incorporated.

4. Chill in the fridge for 10 minutes and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

5. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Spoon 1 Tbsp mixture and form into balls and press onto baking sheet.

6. Bake for 10-15 minutes cool on rack and dust with matcha and/or carob powder for visual presentation if desired.

NOTES

1. Best when right out of the oven with a glass of cold milk of choice and straight out the fridge!

2. For the chocolate version, just substitute 1 Tbsp of carob powder for cocoa powder, ¼ cup organic light brown sugar for ½ cup organic light brown sugar and ¼ cup organic dark chocolate chips.