Thursday, February 23, 2012

Blogger Break - But No Vacation


I SO wish I could say I will be vacationing at the beach during this "blogger break".  Alas, it is because I got behind on my "chores" during the kiddos being sick AND we are putting our house on the market and are in the middle of painting, new carpet, organizing, purging... you know how that goes.

My husband has kindly asked I not get "distracted"... I can't wait 'till I use that one back on him!! ha ha.

I have already been remiss in responding and visiting, so this is the right thing to do...  and don't tell my children, but I found the best way to organize is to  ... shh... throw things away and make many trips to the GoodWill Store.  :)

So my friends, I will be gone for a number of  days.  I'll miss you!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Rural Thursday - A Lenten (or summer) Recipe


This is from one of my favorite recipe books "The Produce Bible" by Leanne Kitchen.  It should be on every garden lovers bookshelf!  This is linked with "Rural Thursday #4".

Crisp-skinned Salmon with Radish & Cucumber Salad


1 peeled cucumber, cut in half and scoop out seeds with a spoon, and sliced thinly into half moon shapes
2 celery sticks - diced
1 shallot - diced
1 avocado - diced
20 red radishes - halved  (this really depends on the size of your radishes.
1 small handful cilantro leaves

COMBINE ALL THE ABOVE IN A LARGE BOWL.

To make the dressing, mix the following and set aside:

1/3 cup olive oil
2 TBSPNS lime juice
1 tspn finely grated lemon zest
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tspn honey
dash of sea salt
dash of freshly ground black pepper

Brush 4 small salmon fillets lightly with olive oil and sprinkle skin with a little salt.  Add about 2 TBSPNS of olive oil to a large frying pan and add salmon skin side down when pan is HOT.   This is the tricky part...

hold a spatula or another frying pan on top of the fillets to keep them flat.  Fry for 1-2 minutes or until skin is crisp and brown all over.  Cook until opaque (this depends upon thickness).  Drain on paper towels.

When cool, use scissors to cut each fillet across the grain into strips.  Break each strip into bite sized pieces.  Add to the salad with the dressing and extra cilantro.  Toss gently.

Now, that is the recipe.  I have to carefully pick the skin off for my family... whatever works.. right?

This is what is on the menu for Friday... we have to give up SO much for lent  :)