Sunday, October 21, 2012

Baked Salmon (with Asian spices)

Hello All!

So, tonight's dinner was so successful I wanted to share with everyone the recipe for the salmon in particular.

The Dinner Menu for Tonight:

Baked Sweet Potatoes (Organic, from Trader Joes, $3.49 for a bag with about 10)

Green Beans (Bought at the Gilbert Farmers Market)

Homemade Biscuits (All organic ingredients)

Baked Salmon with Asian Spices (Wild Alaskan Salmon purchased at Whole Foods, ~$10 for 2 fillets)

The Recipe:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

1/3 C of honey

2 tbsp soy sauce (I used low sodium)

2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

1 tsp minced garlic (I used dry, but for a more powerful kick fresh would work!)

1 tsp minced onions (again, I used dry)

3/4 tsp ground ginger (yum!)

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (add more if you like it spicy)

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.

There are two ways you could prepare this. You could let this mixture act as a marinade and let it sit at least 30 minutes before cooking. Or you could spoon the mixture over the salmon and pop in the oven.

 I used it as a marinade while the sweet potatoes were baking. It sat for about 40 minutes. Then I put the salmon and marinade into a glass baking dish (never use aluminum) and baked for 20 minutes.

It is seriously delicious.

Today was pretty busy. I was feeling under the weather at first, and just lounged around the house. Then I decided it was time to be productive and went to a yoga class, then spent a few hours at SWIHA's holistic health gathering! It was soooooo fun. Then it was time to go grocery shopping. I only picked up a few items as my funds are running a little low until next pay day. On a side note, my car loan is almost down to $1,000! After next month, it will be under.

Anyways, I decided for convenience sake, I was just going to go to Trader Joes to get the few items I needed. I picked up a package of organic chicken that had two breast and 4 drums for $11! It is so cheap to just buy the packages that still have the fat and trimmings on and just trim it up yourself at home. Plus, I will use the bones to make chicken broth for soup!! I also got organic ground turkey. That was about $5 for a pound. They had Country Pumpkin Granola next to the check out stand that I couldn't simply ignore. I think it will go great with my sweet potato tomorrow morning! Yum.

Then it was back home to complete 5 loads of laundry. No, I'm not joking. That is not a mistake---5 loads. We have a ton of clothing. Next, it was time to clean the bathrooms. Sigh. This may be my least favorite thing to do ever. Cleaning the tub is a pain the butt. And I have to scrub a little harder than normal because the all natural/organic products I use aren't as potent as their chemical counter parts. So more elbow grease is required. At least I won't be breathing in toxins, so it is an even trade.

Finally, it was time to relax. We turned the AC off and opened most of the windows in the house. It smells so fresh in here now. I love fall. As the temperature cools down to the low 90's, high 80's, Arizonians become so much happier. Pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING is available (although watch out for GMO's, additives, artificial ingredients, etc). I have opted to just make things at home. Like roasted pumpkin spice pumpkin seeds. Noms. I will share the recipe next time.

What are you favorite things about fall?