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Posts tagged ‘Salmon’

Why Turkey?


Ever wonder what we would be dining on at our Christmas dinner if the Pilgrims had “found” a deer … moose … duck … fish … instead of a turkey … Yep, you get where I’m going with this …

Festive holiday dinners are for family, friends … sharing time, food and stories together.  A time of cheer, fun, love and laughter.  Stressing out over the cost, presentation and “perfection” of a holiday meal drains the spirit!  Whether you serve up a roast beef, lamb, chicken, turkey, lasagna, mousaka, ribs, fish, tofu, … a meal made with joy is one remembered by all.

After many years of large turkey dinners, that took at least 3 days to prepare (leaving me exhausted and a little cranky) … I changed tradition … egads!  The first Christmas we enjoyed a roasted chicken (roasted in the grocery store and spiced up and re-cooked by me), sweet potatoes, peas & carrots, green salad, a tomato salad and a store bought pie – it was relaxing, tasty and FUN!  Instead of waking up at 6 a.m. and stuffing a huge bird, we slept in – as much as possible when young children are a part of your life – opened gifts together, visited friends in the afternoon, revelled in the company of friends at dinner – and … clean up was soooo easy!  The following years were a mix of going to the mountains with friends/family,  dinner shared at a friends home or dinner at our table with guests bringing a dish to share – the dinner options are endless.  Make it simple, relaxing and fun!

This years’ menu for 10 will be a roast leg of lamb with potatoes – sweet and russet, broccoli & cauliflower salad, peas (must have!), pickled beets, tomato & avocado salad … maybe carrots, maybe a green salad – depends on what the day brings, another dish or two supplied by guests … add music, a few candles and voilà a celebration.  I am looking forward to enjoying the time with family and friends!  Beats stressing out over dinner and table settings … 🙂

Enjoy!  The perfection of a meal is in the love added by those who make it and the enjoyment of the loved ones sharing it.

Photos will be posted on Christmas Day!

Leg of Lamb

Lamb
Fresh squeezed lemon juice
Red wine
Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh garlic
Mustard
Oregano or Thyme
Black pepper
Cumin

Poke lamb and stuff with garlic cloves – as many as you like!
Pour lemon juice, wine and oil over – in this order – making sure that all areas are covered
Spread mustard – Dijon or regular – all over – except bottom
Sprinkle on herbs & spices
Start roasting, time depends on size and your oven!

Potatoes

Potatoes
Extra virgin olive oil
Lemon juice
Garlic
Paprika

Cut up potatoes into bite size pieces.  Mix in the remaining ingredients (be liberal!)
Add to lamb roast.
Depending on size of pieces, cooking time is usually one hour.

Broccoli & Cauliflower Salad

Broccoli & Cauliflower – fresh
Lemon juice
Black pepper
(Is there a theme here?)

Place cleaned cauliflower head (take off leaves and cut out center – from the bottom) in a pot with approx. 4 cm. (2 inches) of water.
Arrange Broccoli “trees” around cauliflower
Steam, covered, medium to low heat, for 5 – 10 minutes.
Drain and cut up in pot by running a sharp knife through the veggies in a checked pattern.
Drizzle oil, juice over all and sprinkle pepper.

 

Keep posted … More holiday recipes coming … with photos!

Category:

Festive Days

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Berried Salmon


Thought I might try a little native twist to the wild sockeye salmon tonight …

This is completely new and untried (by me)!

Drizzled a little olive oil over all three pieces of salmon … ’cause olive oil is sooo good with almost everything!  This part is not native but … creative license … a lot of this recipe is not … 🙂

Looks Delicious!

Before The Oven!

Then drizzled a little REAL CANADIAN maple syrup over all.  A splash of Tamari Sauce (wheat-free) and a heaping tablespoon or more of minced, fresh ginger.  At this point I couldn’t decided whether to add anything else … garlic, dijon mustard, spices, herbs … so decided on nothing else … just fresh blueberries.  Probably about 1 cup of fresh, delicious blueberries were poured on top.  Popped the pan into the oven at 375° for about 20 minutes and immediately tasted, almost burning my mouth!  Blueberries and salmon definitely go together well but I think it needs a little something extra.  Definitely a little too much ginger – a little less or none at all next time … Perhaps mustard?  Horseradish?  More maple syrup?  Will definitely keep refining this recipe and keep you up to date!

Light, Refreshing, very berryish!

Category:

Daily, Fish

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What’s happening in the kitchen today …


Having allergies and celiac disease, it is easy to blame every little DISorder on an improperly functioning immune system.

The latest:  my hands … constantly dry, splitting skin, chapped fingers … ugh!  Although I do have a dishwasher, many items used in cooking – pots, pans, crockery – are washed by hand.  My dry, chapped hands.  Finally I decided to buy gloves and place some hand cream in a prominent spot on the counter.  Foolishly thinking this would solve the problem.  I hate to admit it but the problem isn’t any immune problem or allergy, it’s me!  I like to feel things, a very tactile kind of person … always forget to wear gloves when gardening … forget or just don’t want to, not sure which.  In the kitchen I like to feel how hot the water is, if I am scrubbing every unseen bump on the pan … Whilst cooking, I am constantly washing my hands.  So, even though I bought a bright pink pair of rubber gloves and placed them right next to the sink … really, you can’t miss them … I always seem to “forget” to wear the darn things.  I do occasionally remember to apply the cream but then … I wash my hands again.  Do I have a “clean” problem?  Nope, just constantly have my hands in everything – squeezing lemons, chopping onions, washing meat … you know the drill … wipe the counter, wash the cloth, disinfect the cutting board, scrub the pan, clean the sink … If I can’t get into the habit of wearing those gloves – which just take away the “feeling” of cooking for me – I guess I will have to live with dry, chapped hands and nails!  Really … can’t wear gloves whilst chopping veggies or stirring some concoction in a pot on the stove.  Can’t wear gloves when writing down a recipe.  Can’t wear gloves when seasoning the food.  Put the gloves on, take the gloves off … it’s too much!

I know!  I need a sous chef … or a cleaner-upper … but I’d still have to wash my hands whilst cooking/creating a delicious meal, ’cause I gotta feel it in my hands!

If and when I find a solution to these dry, chapped hands of mine (and yes, I do slather them with olive oil every night, but…), I will let you know!  Enough ranting …

Meanwhile back to the kitchen …

Hmmm … what to make for dinner tonight?  Chicken?  Salmon?  Had beans yesterday, pork the day before … haven’t had Salmon in a while … Salmon it is!

Mmmm, with Saki, Sesame Oil, a drizzle of Tamari Sauce, Fresh Ginger – grated/sliced, Fresh Garlic, Black Pepper, a light sprinkle of Chili – for a little added heat.

Bake for 20 minutes at 350°, fast, simple and Yummy!

Mmmmm!

Might pop a whole, scrubbed, washed & poked, Sweet Potato in with it.  There is a bit of Steamed Broccoli & Cauliflower salad leftover from yesterday … Perfect!  Dinner will be ready soon!

Little Olive Oil, a squeeze of Lemon and a sprinkle of Black Pepper.

Happy Eating!

Category:

Daily

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