Salmon #15: Green Sauce

This is the third grilled salmon recipe in a row... 'tis the season for grilling, I suppose. While the concept is very similar to recipe #13 (simple grilled salmon, seasoned only with salt and pepper, and topped by a green sauce), the flavours are completely different. I don't know how this salmon challenge keeps uncovering dishes that are so unique yet so delicious, but we declare this another winner.

from Foodie Blogger Ana Helena Campbell

serves 4-6

1/2 juice of lime, as well as zest

1  avocado
1 garlic clove
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp green onions
1 tbsp fresh cilantro (or parsley, if you prefer)
2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 large salmon filets, sliced into single portions

salt and pepper

Sauce: Zest lime and set aside. In a food processor add lime juice, avocado, garlic, green onions, cilantro, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper. Process all the ingredients until well combined. Add the olive oil slowly, and process all the ingredients until smooth. Mix in zest and set aside for a few minutes until ready to serve.

Salmon: Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper. Using a hot oil coated grill or grill pan, add the salmon for 3-4 minutes each side (depending on the thickness of the filet), or until fish becomes opaque and flakes easily. Serve immediately with avocado sauce.

Amazing Glass

During my first trip to England, my friend P and I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum. Hanging under the main lobby dome was this incredible hand blown glass sculpture. I really, really liked it (check out this great post from the V&A on the challenges of cleaning it).

A few years ago, Jeff and I went to Las Vegas.  My cousin strongly recommended that we walk through the lobby of the Bellagio Hotel, just to see the ceiling. We did. And I really, really liked it.

On vacation in Florida last spring, Jeff and I went to the Fairchild Botanical Gardens. While walking through the beautiful grounds, we happened on two things that looked strangely familiar. Again, I really, really liked them.

Finally, when thinking about what to do with our large bird bath/pond, I keep thinking about these floating glass orbs and onions I saw nearly a decade ago, at the New York Botanical Gardens. I really, really liked them.

These are all the works of Seattle glass artist Dale Chihuly, who does some pretty big and incredible things with glass. As you can tell, I've become a fan. Three of Chihuly's largest, permanent installations are in his hometown of Tacoma, Washington.

Chihuly Garden and Glass at the Seattle Centre

The Sculpture Pacific Sun in the Glass House. Photo by Inside Bainbridge

Glass display in Exhibition Hall.  Photo by Inside Bainbridge

Chihuly Bridge of Glass at the Tacoma Museum of Glass

Seaform Pavilion ceiling on the Chihuly Bridge of Glass Photo source

 Tacoma Union Station

Poppy Window Photo source

For a long time, Jeff and I have wanted to go to the Tacoma Museum of Flight. Adding on these three glass exhibits and a few of Seattle/Tacoma's great restaurants, we could have the makings for a pretty fantastic weekend trip.

Weary Travellin'

One of my favourite Canadian choirs with a great arrangement of a wonderful spiritual.

Summer supper

When it's hot, I don't feel like cooking. We made this again last week during our ongoing western heat wave and it was great- not only because it does not require heating up your kitchen, but because it's so fresh and delicious.

serves 2-3

1 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp  maple syrup
1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp sriracha sauce or chili garlic sauce
2 tsp vegetable or grape seed oil

2 tsp  sesame oil

salt to taste

flour tortillas

1 small steak, grilled and sliced
whatever  vegetables hit your fancy (tomato, red onion, avocado, lettuce, and chopped basil are our favourites, but you could add just about anything. For more kick, add some chopped jalapenos) 

Combine lime juice, maple syrup, soy sauce, sriracha/chili garlic sauce, and oils together. Stir or shake well to combine. Add salt  to taste and set aside. Grill beef until done to your liking, and set aside to rest. Grill tortilla shells until warmed, and assemble fajitas. Add dressing and enjoy!

My view Wednesday

Potential floor tiles for our main bathroom renovation.

Yes- now that one project is finished, another begins!

More Than Just Lipstick

You might remember, back in November 2010, we renovated the our front entrance stairs and porch. It went from this:

to this: 

Last summer, Jeff put in a brick landing and hung shutters. This summer, we've concentrated on landscaping.  The week of my graduation (mid June), it looked like this: 

And now, after a date with a can of high gloss black paint, here's a peak of what the final reveal will FINALLY look like (we're just waiting for a new mailbox and house numbers): 

Our original goal was to create some curb appeal.... and I think we've been successful. HOORAY!

Salmon #14: A l'Orange

Since trying Salmon with Grapefruit Sauce back at recipe #5 and getting less than favorable results, I've been a little reticent to try another salmon recipe flavoured with citrus. I need not have worried, however, because this recipe was quite good. I suspect it would do really well under the broiler as well- a good alternative for rainy winter days when firing up the barbecue is a miserable task.

adapted from All Recipes

serves 3

1/4 cup orange marmalade
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 salmon filet
2 scallions, thinly sliced with green (optional)
1 Tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

Mix together marmalade, sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic and vinegar; set aside. Remove visible bones from salmon and drizzle with half the glaze. Grill over medium heat (we grill salmon on foil to minimize cleanup. The skin sticks to the foil and the fish never burns!) for ~10 minutes or until fish becomes opaque and flakes easily. Serve immediately; the original recipe suggests a sprinkling of green onions or sesame seeds but as you can see, I completely forgot. 

New Feature

When I went back to school, a lot of things went on hold in our lives. Doing creative stuff was one of those things. Now that we're transitioning back to "normal" life, I've been trying to get back into sewing things, painting things, decorating things etc. but it's hard to find momentum and know exactly where to start. To make this happen more, I'm going to post something creative, every Monday. I'm hoping that in celebrating the creative endeavors of others, I'll be inspired to get a few projects done myself.

To get us started, here is a sweet water colour that rings true for me. I would have LOVED a print of this during the decade I lived in Ontario (the heart is just above the city where I grew up).

Audrey & Gem Watercolour Prints