My Go-To Dinner

It seems like I am always scrambling at the last minute to figure out what to make for dinner.  You would think that I would become a little more organized, knowing that I make dinner every night... 

Anyway, here is a meal that is literally done in the time it takes to boil pasta.  This is my version of Pesto with Vegetables.  This is technically a vegan meal, so if you've never tried eating vegan, or even if you have, this couldn't be more simple.

PESTO PASTA with VEGETABLES

1 package pasta 

pesto:

1 1/2 cups organic basil leaves

1 cup raw organic cashews

1 clove organic garlic

a couple pinches sea salt

black pepper

1/3 cup organic extra virgin olive oil

Start boiling water and cook pasta according to package directions.

In a food processor or blender:  put garlic clove and cashews into the bowl of food processor.  Blend until finely chopped up.  Add basil on top, a couple scant pinches of sea salt and black pepper (optional).  Drizzle olive oil over the top and blend again until completely blended.  Add more oil if consistency is too thick and blend again.

Once pesto is done, and pasta is finishing up, cut up whatever vegetables you happen to have on hand into a medium dice.  I often use zucchini, carrots, onions, peppers.  But I have also put in kale, sweet corn, peas, asparagus, etc.  Seriously, experiment with different veggies, you really can't go wrong.  I want to try adding diced, browned potatoes...

Heat up a skillet and add veggies and a little olive oil.  Saute until lightly golden and slightly soft.  Add to drained pasta back in empty pasta pot.  Stir in pesto and there you have it!  Dinner is served.

Now, if you are feeling ambitious, pair with a green salad and baguette.  But I must admit, when I go for this meal, I am usually tired, and short on time, so I consider this the whole dinner!  I also try to make a little extra of everything so I have a ready made lunch for the next day.  And if there is any extra pesto or vegetables, I add them to scrambled eggs for breakfast, which is SO yummy!!

I must tell you, that all of my measurements are approximate and I never measure anything for this recipe!  Even so, it always turns out great.  This is so easy, it has take me longer to write this blog entry, than it takes to make this entire dinner!

As far as pasta choices, it really doesn't matter, spaghetti, rigatoni, etc.  I have been using organic brown rice fusilli for this recipe which works well.  Wheat free, so it's good for gluten sensitivity, and brown rice is just so good for you.  This is tricky to make, a little different than traditional wheat pasta, but tastes good.  There are many other pastas out there, and I would love to hear comments about different pastas with this recipe.  I usually use raw cashews for the pesto instead of the traditional pine nuts, but I have tried walnuts, too, and that was equally good.  My Mom always adds a little lemon zest to her pesto, which adds a great brightness, but I am too lazy, and I don't have a good zester. Experiment, try different things, and  let me know what worked! 

So, when you are out of time and ideas (as I so often am!) try this very quick, easy and healthy meal, using ingredients you probably already have at home! 
SR

    

Try Salmon for Dinner Tonight



photo: Cooking Light



CRUSTED SALMON

My favorite way to prepare is I take about a half cup of flour( I use brown rice flour, but other flours work just as well), and I add salt, pepper, and any spices I have- oregano, thyme, dill, paprika etc. and I mix this all together in a thin layer on a plate. I dredge the salmon ( Cut into portions if it is one piece from the pkg) on all sides until lightly coated.

In a stainless steel skillet, I put in about 2 tbsp of olive oil, and I get it nice and hot, coating the whole bottom of the pan. I want it to be hot enough that the salmon sizzles when it touches the pan, but not smoking. I place all the portions of coated salmon in the pan watching for when they need to be flipped. There is no science to this, it is like flipping a burger, or hashbrowns or anything else. I probable cook it 8-10 min on the first side and 5-8 min on the second. both sides should be crispy and golden.

I have had the greatest success with this recipe- we haven't gotten tired of it and we eat it many times a week! I love to serve it with a green salad, but it goes with any side dishes you can dream up. The one down side is cleaning the pan, but if the fish didn't stick (enough oil and hot enough when you put the fish in), you should be able to wipe out the remaining oil and wash up like a normal dish.
This is an easy and crowd pleasing way to get salmon and non-salmon eaters to enjoy their dinner.  If anyone tries this recipe, send a comment and let me know how it turns out!!

ill. Bill Casselman

These days everyone knows salmon is healthy.  I commonly hear complaints like, "it's so expensive, "it's too fishy, I don't like fish" and "I don't know how to prepare it".  I have been making salmon for my husband for years, and now that we have kids, I still make it all the time for lunch and for dinners.  It is my oldest son's favorite meal, and he is a picky eater!!  I have to agree that depending on where you get your salmon the quality can be a little questionable, and fresh sockeye salmon from the butcher can be expensive.  I have found that frozen salmon is your best bet for all around freshness and afordability.  The quality of frozen salmon is also very consistent.   

As far as I know you can buy three different types of frozen Salmon at Trader Joe's. The Sockeye, which is dark pink in color, is pricey, and very healthy for you and has tons of omega 3 and antioxidants. There is also Coho Salmon which also has the dark pink color- this is what I usually buy. It is more affordable than the sockeye and still very healthy and delicious!! The other lighter salmon is a fine choice as well. As far as salmon goes, the things you need to look for are: Wild Caught and from the Pacific Ocean.  This is extreemely important.  Farm raised fish is not healthy for you, your family or the environment, and as far as I know, Atlantic salmon is questionable.  Sometimes colorants (you want to avoid this) are added to give it that pink color, but it will say on the package. As far as I know, all three from TJ's are good to go and great to try.  Whole Foods also has frozen salmon, and this is worth trying also.

I defrost the frozen package in a bowl in the sink, and I run cold water from the faucet over it for a while until it is defrosted. It defrosts quickly- 10-15 min. I cut open the package and get the pieces of salmon out with a fork.


photo: Cooking Light

 CRUSTED SALMONMy favorite way to prepare is I take about a half cup of flour( I use brown rice flour, but other flours work just as well), and I add salt, pepper, and any spices I have- oregano, thyme, dill, paprika etc. and I mix this all together in a thin layer on a plate. I dredge the salmon ( Cut into portions if it is one piece from the pkg) on all sides until lightly coated.

In a stainless steel skillet, I put in about 2 tbsp of olive oil, and I get it nice and hot, coating the whole bottom of the pan. I want it to be hot enough that the salmon sizzles when it touches the pan, but not smoking. I place all the portions of coated salmon in the pan watching for when they need to be flipped. There is no science to this, it is like flipping a burger, or hashbrowns or anything else. I probable cook it 8-10 min on the first side and 5-8 min on the second. both sides should be crispy and golden.

I have had the greatest success with this recipe- we haven't gotten tired of it and we eat it many times a week! I love to serve it with a green salad, but it goes with any side dishes you can dream up. The one down side is cleaning the pan, but if the fish didn't stick (enough oil and hot enough when you put the fish in), you should be able to wipe out the remaining oil and wash up like a normal dish.
This is an easy and crowd pleasing way to get salmon and non-salmon eaters to enjoy their dinner.  If anyone tries this recipe, send a comment and let me know how it turns out!!