Salmon & Vegetable Bake
Here is the perfect Sunday dinner dish. You won’t need to do much, but put everything in foil pouches, pop in the oven and go about your afternoon or evening. You can cook this dish in parchment paper if you choose to instead of foil.
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Fresh Skinless Salmon (3/4 Inch Thick)
4 Sliced Carrots
2 Cups Sliced Mushrooms
5 Sliced Green Onions (Including Green Part)
2 Teaspoons Grated Orange Peel
2 Tablespoons Fresh Herbs (Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Tarragon)
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
4 Halved Garlic Cloves
4 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Sliced Oranges
Preheat your oven to 350° F. Rinse the salmon and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the salmon into four serving size pieces and set aside. Fill a small saucepan with 2 cups of water. Place the sliced carrots in the saucepan boil for just 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain and set aside. Tear off four large pieces of heavy foil. The foil pieces should be about 24 inch by 18 inches. Fold each piece of foil in half to make an 18×12 inch piece. In a large size bowl combine the carrots, mushrooms, green onions,garlic, orange peel, herbs, kosher salt and pepper. Gently toss to combine. Divide the vegetables among the four pieces of foil. Make sure to place the vegetables in the center of each piece of foil. Drizzle each with olive oil and then top the salmon pieces. Place the orange slices on top of the salmon pieces. Seal the edges of the foil with a double fold. Place the foil packets in a large baking pan. Bake for 35 minutes. You will want the salmon to flake when you open a packet to check for doneness. Remove from the oven and open the packets carefully so that the steam will escape. Transfer the packets to each dinner plate. Serves 4
Pan Seared Scallops With Ginger Sauce
There are many species of scallops in the sea, but you will find two general categories at the fish market. Sea scallops are typically about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and are between 20 to 30 per pound. Bay scallops smaller and are typically about 1/2 inch in diameter and are between 70 to 100 per pound. When purchasing scallops look for plump meats in clear juices without shell particles or grit. The juices should not exceed 10 percent of the total volume. The scent should be a fresh ocean scent and not a sour or sulfur like scent. Scallops should be firm and moist and should retain their shape when touched. To store scallops refrigerate, covered in the juices, for up to 2 days. You may freeze them for up to 3 months; however I think that they lose their flavor when they are frozen.
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Fresh Sea Scallops
5 Teaspoons Butter
1/3 Cup Chicken Broth
1/4 Cup Frozen & Thawed Pineapple Orange Juice Concentrate
1 Teaspoon Grated Fresh Ginger
Rinse your scallops. Pat them dry with paper towels. In a large skillet melt the butter over a medium high heat. Add the scallops to the skillet. Cook for 3 minutes until the scallops are opaque. Make sure to stir frequently. Remove from the skillet, transfer to a plate and keep warm by covering with foil. For the sauce, add the chicken broth, juice concentrate and ginger to the skillet. Bring to a boil. Boil, uncovered, for 3 minutes until the sauce is reduced by about half. Spoon the sauce over the scallops. Serves 4
Grilled Shrimp
If you’re too busy to cook or it’s too hot to turn on the oven then I’ve got a delicious and easy grilled shrimp recipe for you. If you don’t have a grill then you can quickly sauté the shrimp. The secret is all in the marinade.
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Uncooked Shrimp
1/2 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 Cup Chopped Cilantro
3 Minced Garlic Cloves
Juice of 1 Lime
Juice of 1 Lemon
1 Cup White Wine
Zest of 1 Lime
1/8 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/8Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
In a small mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Pour into a ziplock storage bag. Make sure the shrimp is deveined. Place the uncooked shrimp into the ziplock bag. Let marinate for 10 minutes only. If you leave the shrimp in for longer the acid from the lemon and lime with “cook” the shrimp. Prepare your grill to medium hot. Cook for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the grill and transfer to a serving platter. Serve immediately. Serve with a salad and rice. Serves 2
Panko Talapia
I try to make a fish dish at least once a week. Sometimes it is hard to come up with different ways to cook fish. I love using various flavors of panko breadcrumbs for fish dishes. Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese breadcrumbs. They are coarser and lighter than ordinary breadcrumbs. When cooked, panko’s color turns a rich golden brown and the texture becomes crisp and airy. Here is a quick and easy dish that everyone will love.
INGREDIENTS
1 Pound Talapia
2 Beaten Eggs
1 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan. Pour the beaten eggs onto a large plate and pour the panko breadcrumbs onto a separate large plate. Rinse the fish and pat dry with paper towels. Salt and pepper the fish filets. Dip both sides of the fish into the beaten eggs and then dip both sides into the breadcrumbs. Place coated fish into the heated olive oil. Cook for 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with homemade tartar sauce. Serves 2
Swordfish Kebabs
The Memorial Day weekend is almost here. If you are looking for grilling ideas here’s a very good one!
INGREDIENTS
1/3 Cup Large Chopped Capers Packed In Vinegar (Drained)
2 Rinsed & Minced Anchovy Fillets
3 Minced Garlic Cloves
2 Large Tomatoes (Cored & Coarsely Chopped)
2 Large Sliced Zucchini
1/3 Cup Olive Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
2 Large (1 Inch Thick) Swordfish Steaks (About 2 Pounds)
In a large size bowl combine the capers, anchovies, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil. Stir well to combine. This is your marinade. Cut the fish into 1 inch cubes and place them into a large size bowl. Pour ½ of the marinade over the fish and stir to make sure all of the fish get covered. Set aside to marinate for 1 hour to overnight in the refrigerator. Make sure to cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Cover the remaining marinade with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature. Heat your grill to medium high. Thread the fish, tomatoes and zucchini onto long metal or wooden skewers and throw away the marinade that the fish sat in. If you are using wooden skewers soak them in water for 20 minutes before using. When you are ready to cook oil the grill rack. Place the kebabs on the grill and cook, turning once, for 12 minutes. The fish should be lightly colored on the outside and evenly cooked throughout. Transfer the kebabs to a serving platter and spoon the reserved marinade on top. Serve immediately. Serve with orzo or rice pilaf. Serves 4
*Note: If you do not have a bbq grill you can cook under the broiler.
Sesame Ginger Grilled Tuna Steaks
This recipe is one of my favorite summer entrees. The dressing works well with tuna steaks not only because the flavors go well together, but because it is lower in acid than traditional vinegar based marinades and therefore the fish is less likely to cook as it marinates. The Sesame Ginger marinade is equally delicious on sea bass, halibut, scallops and shrimp. Make the dressing ahead of time. It keeps well in the refrigerator.
INGREDIENTS
4 (1 Inch Thick) Tuna Steaks
1 Cup Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette
4 Teaspoons Lightly Toasted Sesame Seeds
Rinse and dry the tuna steaks. Place them in a single layer in a shallow nonreactive baking dish and pour 1 cup of the vinaigrette over them. Cover and set aside to marinate for at least 30 minutes. If you plan to marinate the fish longer put it in the refrigerator. Meanwhile preheat the grill to high. If you don’t want to grill these steaks then it is fine to broil them in your oven. When you’re ready to cook the steaks oil the grill rack. Remove the tuna from the dressing and throw away the vinaigrette. Grill the tuna steaks until nicely browned on the outside, but still translucent in the center 3 minutes per side for rare and 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Remove from the grill and serve over rice. Sprinkle each steak with a teaspoon of the toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately. Serves 4
Stir Fried Shrimp
Here is a nice light dish that is great for either lunch or dinner and is great for making a quick meal.
INGREDIENTS
1 Cup Raw Rice
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
4 Sliced Green Onions
1 Tablespoon Minced Fresh Ginger
1 Clove Sliced Garlic
6 Ounces Pea Pods
1 Sliced Small Zucchini
6 Ounces Broccoli Florets
1 Chopped Celery Stalk
1 Small Diced Red Bell Pepper
1 Pound Shelled Shrimp
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
Cook the rice according to the package directions. You can use either white or brown rice. While the rice is cooking heat the vegetable oil in a wok or a large skillet over a medium heat. Add the green onions, ginger and garlic. Stir fry for 1 minute. Add the pea pods, zucchini, broccoli florets, celery and red bell pepper. Stir fry over a medium high heat for 3 to 5 minutes until the vegetables are crisp but tender. Add the shrimp and stir fry for 2 minutes. You want the shrimp just to turn pink. Stir in the soy sauce and sesame oil and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and transfer to a serving dish. Serve immediately with cooked rice. Serves 4
Ginger And Lime Grilled Salmon
After living in the Pacific Northwest for so many years I really got spoiled because the salmon there is the best in the world. For this recipe the ginger and lime really mix well together and compliment the salmon. It’s BBQ time so get grillin’ that salmon!
INGREDIENTS
2 Pound Salmon Fillet
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
2 Tablespoons Lime Zest
2 Tablespoons Grated Fresh Ginger
1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
5 Tablespoons Melted Butter
Rinse the salmon and pat dry with paper towels. Cut crosswise into 4 equal parts. Make sure to remove as many bones as possible. Prepare your barbecue. Season the salmon with the salt and pepper. Sprinkle on the grated ginger and lime zest. Press gently into the salmon. In a small size bowl combine the lime juice and melted butter. Pour the butter mixture over the salmon. Place the salmon on the grill and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the grill and transfer to a cutting board. Remove the skin by sliding a sharp knife between the fish and the skin. Serve immediately. Serves 4
Swordfish Salad
Instead of using tuna why not use swordfish. If I have leftover swordfish I like to make my delicious Swordfish Salad. Serve it on bread or over lettuce and tomato. So delish!
INGREDIENTS
1 Large Piece of Cooked Swordfish
1 Chopped Jalapeño Pepper
1 Chopped Dill Pickle Spear
2 Chopped Green Olives
3 Chopped Scallions
1/4 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
1 Tablespoon Chopped Parsley
Dice the swordfish into bite size chunks and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the chopped jalapeño pepper, chopped pickle, chopped olives, chopped scallions, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, mustard and parsley. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve on bread of your choice (I like to use a crusty Italian bread) or serve over lettuce and tomato. Serves 4
Fiesta Shrimp Bisque
If you like lobster bisque then you will love Fiesta Shrimp Bisque. If you don’t have shrimp you can substitute any shellfish to this bisque (clams or mussels). If you have a shellfish allergy then use a favorite fish instead of the shrimp. Serve with a crisp green salad for a simple but special meal.
INGREDIENTS
1 Chopped Onion
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
3 Minced Garlic Cloves
1 Tablespoon Unbleached Flour
1 Cup White Wine
½ Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
2 Tablespoon Chicken Bouillon
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Cumin
1/2 Teaspoon Coriander
1/2 Pound Uncooked Shrimp (Peeled & Deveined)
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
Chopped Parsley or Chopped Cilantro for Garnish
In a medium size saucepan sauté the onions in the olive oil for 2 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the flour until blended. Stir in the white wine, cream, bouillon, chili powder, cumin, coriander and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover with a lid and simmer for 6 minutes. Cut the shrimp into bite size pieces. Add the shrimp to the soup. Simmer for 10 minutes. The shrimp should turn pink at this point. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp or they become chewy. Take a small bowl and gradually add the sour cream into 1/2 cup of the hot soup. Return to the saucepan and stir constantly. Cook for another 3 minutes to heat through, but do not bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and place into bowls. Top with parsley or cilantro. Serves 2
