Happy April, y’all!  I write to y’all (as usual) from a very dark room that’s only illuminated by a night light and a humidifier light.  The newly 5 year old boy is just about to fall asleep, so I have about 5 more minutes to watch this kiddo fall into (hopefully) a deep slumber.  I’ve really fought this whole “can’t my child fall asleep on his own” thing for quite awhile, but now I’m really learning to embrace this quiet, dark space to think and write.  In fact, I kinda even look forward to it (gasp!).  Had it not been for my child needing me in his room until he fell asleep, there would be no blog.  And can I just thank you for reading these random blog posts?  It’s been about one whole year of me turning this time sitting in this rocking chair into a food blog…and I have you to thank (and my son).

 

Now, let’s talk about salmon.

What’s your favorite way to prepare salmon?

I have two favorite ways:

1. Searing salmon and then roasting like I do for this salmon and pea pesto.  It’s fast and delicious.  The salmon has a nice crispy top.  This is the way I usually do salmon.
2. Slow roasting salmon (like this salmon with yogurt tahini dressing) is perfect when you don’t want to think about what you’re doing and need to go on auto-pilot.  You roast low and slow – 30 minutes at 275 degrees.   You can’t overcook your salmon like you can with searing it.  It’s just foolproof.  And it’s melt in your mouth buttery.  I learned this technique from reading an article in Bon Appetite.  The only drawback is that your oven is on such a low heat you can’t really roast other vegetables at the same time.  Hellooooo, leftovers or vegetables or sides made on the stove top!

I just cover the salmon with a tiny bit of olive oil, salt, pepper, and chopped garlic.  The yogurt tahini sauce can be made while your fish roasts.  The yogurt tahini dressing becomes the icing on the cake (Mmmm….cake!).

Speaking of yogurt tahini sauce…are you on team tahini yet?  I feel like I’m about 10 years behind the tahini train, but now I’m a full, card-carrying member of the I Love Tahini club.  Tahini is made from toasted ground sesame seeds, and you can put tahini in so many things– from chocolate chip cookies, dressings, hummus, of course, it’s very versatile.  It gives your food a slightly nutty flavor and smooth consistency.  I recommend buying a bottle.  I prefer the kind I get at Whole Foods because it comes in a bottle that’s much easier to shake when the liquids separate.  At least at the Rockville Whole Foods, it’s hidden with the peanut butter at the very bottom of the shelf.

To make the dressing, simply combine all of the ingredients: yogurt, salt pepper, paprike, garlic, honey, and tahini.  Let it sit while your salmon cooks.  I think it’s best at or just above room temperature.

When I made this meal last week for some friends, I made this homemade hummus, pita bread, and couscous.  It was perfect.  This time, I served it with a mushroom tart and a goat cheese and beet salad.  I don’t recommend the mushroom tart (again, because of the oven situation) for this meal, but a side salad and some couscous?  That’s the way to go.

 

Ingredients:

For the salmon:

• 1- 1.5 pounds salmon
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

For the yogurt tahini sauce:

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (I use 5% fat but you can use whatever you have on hand)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1-1.5 lemons depending on how juicy they are)
• salt and pepper, to taste

To garnish:

• fresh parsley, chopped
• walnuts, almond slivers
• pomegranates

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 275 degrees Fahrenheit.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place salmon skin-side down on parchment paper.  Brush salmon with olive oil, salt, and pepper on the tops.  Sprinkle 2 cloves of chopped garlic over fillets.
3. Roast for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, make the yogurt sauce by combining all ingredients in a bowl and stir.  Set aside while you wait for salmon to come out.  (I think it’s best slightly above room temperature)

 

Enjoy!

oxxx