So, I am not really familiar with cooking salmon. But recently I bought a few filets and tried out a recipe. Needless to say, the first time cooking salmon it gave my roommate sever stomach issues. You win some, you lose some I guess. But I tried again, this time with a different method. I've always liked crab cakes. So I thought I'd make salmon cakes. I also thought I'd improvise a new dressing to dip the cakes in because they would be too bland without something complimenting it.
Salmon Cakes with Brown Butter Mayo
2 small salmon filets
4 tblsp salted butter
Salt
Pepper
1 1/2 cups Italian Bread Crumbs (or any flavored bread crumbs)
2 tblsp mayo
Season salmon with salt and pepper. Melt and brown the butter in the skillet. When the butter is browned, cook the salmon medium heat 3 - 4 minutes on each side. Salmon is done whenever it flakes against a fork. Save extra browned butter from pan.
Flake the salmon into pieces and add to a medium mixing bowl. Add mayo and bread crumbs.Form into patties and add oil to a new skillet. Sear patties 3 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
To make the brown butter mayo take the leftover brown butter from the pan and add to 5 tblsp mayo. Add salt and pepper to taste and stir. Serve aside salmon cakes.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Spinach Arugula Salad with Creamy Mushroom Dijon dressing
So much has changed since my last post. I am in culinary school now. I'm trying to learn how to become a private chef and start my own line of cook books, or even combine food and writing and become a food critic.
I'll probably use this blog to post more recipes. My roommate really enjoys my cooking so the other night we decided to cook together. He made us turkey burgers (with his permission I'll probably post that recipe later) and I improvised this salad. Here we go!
Spinach Arugula Salad with Creamy Mushroom Dijon dressing:
1 handful of baby spinach
1 handful of Arugula
croutons of your choice
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Toss all the ingredients together in medium bowl.
Creamy Mushroom Dijon dressing:
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 tbl spoons dijon mustard
1 finely diced shallot
4 tbl spoons olive oil
handful of sliced baby portabella
In a skillet, saute the shallot. Add mustard, cream and oil. Wisk until blended together. Add baby portabella and heat the dressing through.
Take off stove, and combine with the salad. Make sure dressing is slightly cooled. Toss together. Serve next to anything.
I'll probably use this blog to post more recipes. My roommate really enjoys my cooking so the other night we decided to cook together. He made us turkey burgers (with his permission I'll probably post that recipe later) and I improvised this salad. Here we go!
Spinach Arugula Salad with Creamy Mushroom Dijon dressing:
1 handful of baby spinach
1 handful of Arugula
croutons of your choice
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Toss all the ingredients together in medium bowl.
Creamy Mushroom Dijon dressing:
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 tbl spoons dijon mustard
1 finely diced shallot
4 tbl spoons olive oil
handful of sliced baby portabella
In a skillet, saute the shallot. Add mustard, cream and oil. Wisk until blended together. Add baby portabella and heat the dressing through.
Take off stove, and combine with the salad. Make sure dressing is slightly cooled. Toss together. Serve next to anything.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Browned Butter Tilapia with Bacon
Here's another recepie of mine. With Easter approaching, I have taken a break since I haven't really been eating as healthy as I would like or working out as much as I would like. I dunno, I guess I had a lot on my mind. Yay for excues.
But I decided I wanted Tilapia for lunch today. Tilapia is a white fish full of protein. I didn't want just plain seasoned tilapia though. I decided on making it with browned butter.
Browned Butter Tilapia with Bacon:
Ingredients:
1 tilapia fillet
5 tbls of butter
1 handful of pecans, roughly chopped
3 strips of bacon
a handful of parm cheese
Using a skillet on medium heat, brown the butter. Add the chopped pecans. Remove the sauce from the pan. Chop the three strips of bacon and cook until crisp. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Keeping the bacon fat and butter residue in the pan, start cooking the tilapia in the same pan. Cook on both sides for 3 minutes each, medium high heat.
On a plate, arrange the tilapia in the center. Spoon the bacon crumbles over the fish. Add the brown butter sauce over the bacon and fish. Add the parm cheese over the fish.
This is seriously delicious. You should try this.
But I decided I wanted Tilapia for lunch today. Tilapia is a white fish full of protein. I didn't want just plain seasoned tilapia though. I decided on making it with browned butter.
Browned Butter Tilapia with Bacon:
Ingredients:
1 tilapia fillet
5 tbls of butter
1 handful of pecans, roughly chopped
3 strips of bacon
a handful of parm cheese
Using a skillet on medium heat, brown the butter. Add the chopped pecans. Remove the sauce from the pan. Chop the three strips of bacon and cook until crisp. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Keeping the bacon fat and butter residue in the pan, start cooking the tilapia in the same pan. Cook on both sides for 3 minutes each, medium high heat.
On a plate, arrange the tilapia in the center. Spoon the bacon crumbles over the fish. Add the brown butter sauce over the bacon and fish. Add the parm cheese over the fish.
This is seriously delicious. You should try this.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Pros and Cons aggrivate me.
Sigh.
I am the type of personality who thinks ahead. I come up with plans, with back up plans and with back up plans for my back up plans. Yeah, I usually go there.
I don't know, the fear of the unknown freaks me out. I don't like entering something unprepared. I don't like guessing and I don't like having little information on my side.
Sometimes I try to be spontaneous, and sometimes I am successful. I guess I can't help who I am. I really need to not let the ideas of pros and cons keep me up at night.
But they're keeping me up at night tonight.
So I'm going to sift through them. Perhaps I can reason with my list in the morning when I have had sleep. You see, I'm terrified of having roommates since my previous ones have hurt me in the past. But there's no way I am able to live on my own comfortably. I'd rather have someone to help me.
Pros
-My future roommate is one of my closest friends.
Con
-I have lost two best friends over the years because of roommate situations.
Pro
We are most compatible as roommates
Con
We have a lot of things to get used to before we live together.
Pro
I'll be getting away from stress that's been holding me down and I am planning to start fresh.
Con
My parents will argue that I am running away from my problems
Pro
I'll be in a place where I'll call my own home. I'll be in control again.
Con
My best friend/future roommate doesn't understand the severity of paying bills on time. Just tonight he was joking to me about how he almost became evictted.
Pro
I will have a fabulous job and a fabulous new life
Con
There will be some money issues and maybe some trust issues. Maybe.
Honestly my list can go on and on. I feel like going to bed right now so I am planning to dish all of this out on someone I'm very close to in the morning. Hopefully they'll be able to put my mind at ease.
I am the type of personality who thinks ahead. I come up with plans, with back up plans and with back up plans for my back up plans. Yeah, I usually go there.
I don't know, the fear of the unknown freaks me out. I don't like entering something unprepared. I don't like guessing and I don't like having little information on my side.
Sometimes I try to be spontaneous, and sometimes I am successful. I guess I can't help who I am. I really need to not let the ideas of pros and cons keep me up at night.
But they're keeping me up at night tonight.
So I'm going to sift through them. Perhaps I can reason with my list in the morning when I have had sleep. You see, I'm terrified of having roommates since my previous ones have hurt me in the past. But there's no way I am able to live on my own comfortably. I'd rather have someone to help me.
Pros
-My future roommate is one of my closest friends.
Con
-I have lost two best friends over the years because of roommate situations.
Pro
We are most compatible as roommates
Con
We have a lot of things to get used to before we live together.
Pro
I'll be getting away from stress that's been holding me down and I am planning to start fresh.
Con
My parents will argue that I am running away from my problems
Pro
I'll be in a place where I'll call my own home. I'll be in control again.
Con
My best friend/future roommate doesn't understand the severity of paying bills on time. Just tonight he was joking to me about how he almost became evictted.
Pro
I will have a fabulous job and a fabulous new life
Con
There will be some money issues and maybe some trust issues. Maybe.
Honestly my list can go on and on. I feel like going to bed right now so I am planning to dish all of this out on someone I'm very close to in the morning. Hopefully they'll be able to put my mind at ease.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Life is funny.
Everything seems to be falling into place, which I'm very pleased about. I was able to land a fulltime job just last week and I start training soon. I can't wait to start saving up again. I need to save up to move by the end of the summer. It'll be hard work, but I've done it before.
I also had some troubles with my bank that I cleared up with clear questions and negotiating. The financial life of an adult never seems to fully vanish but the temporary relief is always satisfying.
I was able to watch The Hunger Games this week with some of my very good friends whom I haven't been able to really hang out with in a while. It was nice to see them, and April even gave me an invitation to her upcoming baby shower. The movie itself was phenomenal. I know a lot of people are skeptical about it since it's receiving so much hype and hype usually means it's not that amazing. I personally love the fact that people are so passionate about the movie and about the series now; I read it back before Mockingjay was released so it was a pleasant experience following the making of the film from the trailers all the way to the midnight release. I may just do a real review on the movie in just a while but for now I'll give it an A+ in my book. It was absolutely amazing and probably the best adaptation of a film I have seen since LotR.
It's weird how when friendships end others that you figured were finished seem to come back into the light. I've found myself hanging out with an old friend of mine who was mad at me because of petty drama that went down between our circle of friends and just held a grudge on me because I was associated. It angered me at first but now I see how hurt she was by these 'friends' of ours since I was recently hurt by them too. It was nice to catch up and hang out the other night. I went to a friend's party last night. It was a typical house party. I usually hang out on the sides of parties rather than participating in beer pong or flip cup. I don't know, I have never been much of a party person. I love all the people at these parties though because I've worked with them, and most are my friends or people I haven't seen in a long while. I like being social. It's nice to know who everyone is in a room rather than pretending they don't exist for the time being.
This week has generally been a very good week for me. I'm pleasantly surprised. I suppose that life works in michevous ways; one week could be the worst week in the history of worst weeks ever and the next can be like the one I've just had. I'm very content with the way life is treating me right now and I hope these good feelings and opportunities continue to exist in my futuer.
I also had some troubles with my bank that I cleared up with clear questions and negotiating. The financial life of an adult never seems to fully vanish but the temporary relief is always satisfying.
I was able to watch The Hunger Games this week with some of my very good friends whom I haven't been able to really hang out with in a while. It was nice to see them, and April even gave me an invitation to her upcoming baby shower. The movie itself was phenomenal. I know a lot of people are skeptical about it since it's receiving so much hype and hype usually means it's not that amazing. I personally love the fact that people are so passionate about the movie and about the series now; I read it back before Mockingjay was released so it was a pleasant experience following the making of the film from the trailers all the way to the midnight release. I may just do a real review on the movie in just a while but for now I'll give it an A+ in my book. It was absolutely amazing and probably the best adaptation of a film I have seen since LotR.
It's weird how when friendships end others that you figured were finished seem to come back into the light. I've found myself hanging out with an old friend of mine who was mad at me because of petty drama that went down between our circle of friends and just held a grudge on me because I was associated. It angered me at first but now I see how hurt she was by these 'friends' of ours since I was recently hurt by them too. It was nice to catch up and hang out the other night. I went to a friend's party last night. It was a typical house party. I usually hang out on the sides of parties rather than participating in beer pong or flip cup. I don't know, I have never been much of a party person. I love all the people at these parties though because I've worked with them, and most are my friends or people I haven't seen in a long while. I like being social. It's nice to know who everyone is in a room rather than pretending they don't exist for the time being.
This week has generally been a very good week for me. I'm pleasantly surprised. I suppose that life works in michevous ways; one week could be the worst week in the history of worst weeks ever and the next can be like the one I've just had. I'm very content with the way life is treating me right now and I hope these good feelings and opportunities continue to exist in my futuer.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tex-mex Zucchini cakes
I love cooking. So every now and then I try out new recipies.
I also try to make my own creations. Which is sort of what I did today. Yay.
Today has just been an extrodinary day in general. I'm so happy with the way things are panning out in my life and I hope I continue to move forward and discover new adventures along the way.
Anyway back to the main topic. FOOD.
I love food.
So, I'm on a health kick right now. I want to eat healthier and live a heathier life style. Of course, I can treat myself so I'm not talking about eating JUST greens and drinking JUST water for the rest of my life. But I have limited my soda intake (I usually inhale Pepsi) and I have cut many carbs from my life. I've switched to Whole Grains and drink a lot of water.
I decided to be different today for lunch. Since it's nearly summer, zucchini's are in season. I never was a fan of veggies growing up but I love them now and I adore vegtable meals.
(Don't get me wrong, I'm always going to remain loyal to bacon).
So, now I'm stuck with a zucchini with no idea of how to prep it into something satisfying.
And then...the idea. Tex-mex Zucchini cakes!!! Tex-mex only because instead of parm cheese I use a Taco cheese blend since it was all we had in the fridge.
Tex-mex Zucchini Cakes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 3-4 minutes on each side.
Ingredients:
-1 small or medium zucchini
-bread crumbs. (I made my own out of whole wheat bread)
-1 egg
-a pinch of dried thyme
-a couple pinches of garlic salt
-a couple pinches of pepper
- 1/4 cup Mexcican cheese blend
Shred the zucchni using a cheese grater or box grater. Drain excess water (MAKE SURE THEY ARE DRY I MADE THAT MISTAKE THE FIRST TIME). Set aside in a medium bowl.
Combine all ingredients. Form into quater inch patties, slightly smaller than hamburger patties. Heat olive oil in a frying pan. Place patties gently into the oil. Let cook for 3-4 minutes or until one side is nice and brown and flip. Cook the other side. Use a slotted spoon/spatula to drain the oil and place on serving plate.
Also for an extra tidbit. These cakes taste marvalous with this ricotta dip I prepped in minutes.
Ricotta Dip
-A couple spoonfuls of ricotta cheese
-A 1/2 cup of fat free mayo. (I found the kind with a hint of olive oil is perfect in this)
-garlic salt
-pepper (to taste)
Combine ingredients in a bowl. Serve next to zucchini cakes.
They're delicious, trust me.
I also try to make my own creations. Which is sort of what I did today. Yay.
Today has just been an extrodinary day in general. I'm so happy with the way things are panning out in my life and I hope I continue to move forward and discover new adventures along the way.
Anyway back to the main topic. FOOD.
I love food.
So, I'm on a health kick right now. I want to eat healthier and live a heathier life style. Of course, I can treat myself so I'm not talking about eating JUST greens and drinking JUST water for the rest of my life. But I have limited my soda intake (I usually inhale Pepsi) and I have cut many carbs from my life. I've switched to Whole Grains and drink a lot of water.
I decided to be different today for lunch. Since it's nearly summer, zucchini's are in season. I never was a fan of veggies growing up but I love them now and I adore vegtable meals.
(Don't get me wrong, I'm always going to remain loyal to bacon).
So, now I'm stuck with a zucchini with no idea of how to prep it into something satisfying.
And then...the idea. Tex-mex Zucchini cakes!!! Tex-mex only because instead of parm cheese I use a Taco cheese blend since it was all we had in the fridge.
Tex-mex Zucchini Cakes
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 3-4 minutes on each side.
Ingredients:
-1 small or medium zucchini
-bread crumbs. (I made my own out of whole wheat bread)
-1 egg
-a pinch of dried thyme
-a couple pinches of garlic salt
-a couple pinches of pepper
- 1/4 cup Mexcican cheese blend
Shred the zucchni using a cheese grater or box grater. Drain excess water (MAKE SURE THEY ARE DRY I MADE THAT MISTAKE THE FIRST TIME). Set aside in a medium bowl.
Combine all ingredients. Form into quater inch patties, slightly smaller than hamburger patties. Heat olive oil in a frying pan. Place patties gently into the oil. Let cook for 3-4 minutes or until one side is nice and brown and flip. Cook the other side. Use a slotted spoon/spatula to drain the oil and place on serving plate.
Also for an extra tidbit. These cakes taste marvalous with this ricotta dip I prepped in minutes.
Ricotta Dip
-A couple spoonfuls of ricotta cheese
-A 1/2 cup of fat free mayo. (I found the kind with a hint of olive oil is perfect in this)
-garlic salt
-pepper (to taste)
Combine ingredients in a bowl. Serve next to zucchini cakes.
They're delicious, trust me.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Writing helps me forget.
So, in short life keeps getting harder. There's no sugarcoating the fact that I'm now an adult who has bills and things to pay. I can't pretend that everything is going to be okay just by hiding behind a truth.
I can drink, I suppose. But drinking to ease pain and troubles is usually frowned upon in today's society. (screw today's society).
I guess I'm thinking about an episode of Ugly Betty I watched yesterday night with my best friend. In it, Betty's father told Daniel that even though his life seems meaningless and shitty he has to fixate himself on his passion. (of course the statement wasn't as blunt but I'm cutting time here and I have a horrible memory when I am drunk).
But it got me thinking about my passion, which is writing. I have always been a writer. I've loved books since I was little, and when I was old enough to use the computer I started practicing every day. Sure, fanfiction were a great source of encouragement and criticsm but I ended up writing even my own stories at an early age.
Back in 2009 when I started my second year of college, I came up with an idea for a novel. At first it wasn't much of a story. The original plot seems really immature to me now. But I've been working on it for years and it's no where near finished. It's not that I don't want to finish it, it's that I just want to make sure that I get every exact aspect of my imagination correct to the t. That's the perfectionist in me though.
But I really need to start writing it again. I keep trying to but I have life handing me lovely presents I have to deal with on a regular basis that like most writers I can't find any inspriation to write since I'm so busy worrying about everything else.
Hopefully when I move at the end of the summer I can finally focus on the things that were once so important to me. Such as writing, finding a job at a bookstore, and other things. I don't know, I just feel stuck right now. I'm unemployed because of a craptastic decision on my part. (and the blame of managers at the store). I've run out of savings. I'm not in college anymore yet I still hear "When are you going back to school!????" I keep feeling as though my life isn't even controled by me anymore. It's a horrible feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone.
I need control in my life again. I need passion in my life again. I need reassuance, I need to live the life of a young adult not someone who deals with this exact shit when they're fifty. I just wish things could be different. I can't help but wish even though wishing doesn't do anything. I just need a break. Not a vacation, just a break. I need a chance to breathe because I am suffocating amongst this endless vortex called life.
I hope things get better for me this week.
<3
I can drink, I suppose. But drinking to ease pain and troubles is usually frowned upon in today's society. (screw today's society).
I guess I'm thinking about an episode of Ugly Betty I watched yesterday night with my best friend. In it, Betty's father told Daniel that even though his life seems meaningless and shitty he has to fixate himself on his passion. (of course the statement wasn't as blunt but I'm cutting time here and I have a horrible memory when I am drunk).
But it got me thinking about my passion, which is writing. I have always been a writer. I've loved books since I was little, and when I was old enough to use the computer I started practicing every day. Sure, fanfiction were a great source of encouragement and criticsm but I ended up writing even my own stories at an early age.
Back in 2009 when I started my second year of college, I came up with an idea for a novel. At first it wasn't much of a story. The original plot seems really immature to me now. But I've been working on it for years and it's no where near finished. It's not that I don't want to finish it, it's that I just want to make sure that I get every exact aspect of my imagination correct to the t. That's the perfectionist in me though.
But I really need to start writing it again. I keep trying to but I have life handing me lovely presents I have to deal with on a regular basis that like most writers I can't find any inspriation to write since I'm so busy worrying about everything else.
Hopefully when I move at the end of the summer I can finally focus on the things that were once so important to me. Such as writing, finding a job at a bookstore, and other things. I don't know, I just feel stuck right now. I'm unemployed because of a craptastic decision on my part. (and the blame of managers at the store). I've run out of savings. I'm not in college anymore yet I still hear "When are you going back to school!????" I keep feeling as though my life isn't even controled by me anymore. It's a horrible feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone.
I need control in my life again. I need passion in my life again. I need reassuance, I need to live the life of a young adult not someone who deals with this exact shit when they're fifty. I just wish things could be different. I can't help but wish even though wishing doesn't do anything. I just need a break. Not a vacation, just a break. I need a chance to breathe because I am suffocating amongst this endless vortex called life.
I hope things get better for me this week.
<3
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