Don't you love it when fate or perfect timing steps in? The other day when I had a beautiful piece of fresh salmon waiting in the refrigerator, I was folding laundry and just half-heartedly watching the Food Network when all of a sudden I hear Paula Deen mention Garden Salmon. My head perked up and I listened. By garden Salmon, she was referring to using the herbs from her garden with a little butter and then baking it. Easy enough!I set out to do the same. My garden is a little pathetic these days though. I just do NOT have a green thumb. Brown is more like it! But my basil is still growing well. Not in the pots but in the ground. And there are still peppers growing. The Fresno chili plant is especially prolific.
To begin, I turned the oven to 350ยบ and took out a large piece of tin foil. I placed my salmon down and added a fairly good slab of butter. Then I topped with the basil and Fresno chilies from my garden along with capers, lemon slices and a little garlic salt and pepper. The tinfoil was closed and I put it in the oven. How easy was that!
About 13-14 minutes later, I took it out and here is what I got. Tender, juicy, flaky, moist salmon! I plated it with a little orzo which had just a little olive oil and fresh Parmesan sprinkled on top. It was delicious and felt fairly light and a perfect late summer meal. And salmon is amazingly good for you. It has a ton of those Omega-3 fatty acids that not only good for you body and heart but can increase brain development and help skin look younger and more beautiful! Talk about a miracle fish. Who doesn't want to be a young healthy braniac with gorgeous skin?Speaking of fate. I would like to dedicate this dish to Rebecca, my new adoptee. From my garden and home to yours... I hope you like fish and I DO hope I have some wisdom to impart. I was paired with Rebecca at Ezra Pound Cake in the Adopt a Blogger Event created by Kristen at Dine and Dish. It is a really fun event that pairs more experienced bloggers as mentors to those who are newer to the game. If you are feeling sage these days, go sign up at Dine and Dish.
Now here's the funny thing. I am supposed to be the mentor! Good thing I've been eating my salmon! It is ironic as I feel so new to the blogosphere as it is. And one look at Rebecca's cooking and photography and I am SURE I can learn a lot from her. You have to check it all out. She is a newly married, professional cook who is currently on hiatus. Congratulations!
From what I've seen so far, she is one talented young lady. I am dying to try some of her recipes. The pastries are divine! But first up may just have to be these Fried Green Tomatoes with Buttermilk-Lime Dressing. I can't stop thinking about them. I just hope I can find the green tomatoes.
Keep checking back as I hope to recreate on of Rebecca's masterpieces very soon. Meanwhile, I am getting the house in order to head up to the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa for the weekend. A family friend will be getting married there and I am sure it will prove to be about the most spectacular wedding I ever go to unless I start hob-nobbing with the stars.
