Lemon Thyme Salmon

My first recipe for 2014 comes from Jessica Seinfeld's new cookbook, The Can't Cook Book, that I received for Christmas.  I have SO many recipes marked to try in this book.  Of the 4 new cookbooks I got for Christmas, this is my favorite.  I by no means consider myself a novice cook and I learned so many tips and tricks from in here.  More than anything this is a cookbook for anyone wanting to cook simple, delicious, healthy food.  Her recipes are very straight forward and use real, basic ingredients.

 

Salmon is my absolute favorite fish.  If I'm eating fish, it's salmon 90% of the time.  The main reason I was excited to try this recipe was the cooking method.  Right now the only way I cook salmon is either on the grill or baking it in the oven.  This recipe is broiled in the oven.

Lemon Thyme Salmon 

Altered slightly from Jessica Seinfeld via The Can't Cook Book

Ingredients:

• 4 lemons
• 24 sprigs Thyme
• 4, 6 oz boneless, skinless salmon fillets
• Drizzle extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

1. Heat the boiler with the rack 4 inches from the top.
2. Slice the lemons.  Arrange on a rimmed backing sheet in 4 sections.  Wash and dry the thyme.  Place thyme over lemons.
3. Lay each salmon fillet on a bed of thyme and lemon.  Tuck the thyme under the salmon so it doesn't burn.  
4. Drizzle the olive oil and rub to coat salmon fillets.  Sprinkle salt and pepper over top.  
5. Broil for 7-8 minutes, until top is golden brown and salmon flakes easily with a fork.

The ruling:
This salmon was perfectly cooked.  Besides grilling, this just might be my new favorite way to bake salmon.  It didn't get dried out like I feel it usually does when I bake it.  The only thing I will change next time is the seasonings.  I simply think it needs more on top.  Make sure you squeeze some lemon over this!  It adds volumes of flavor.

Check out my favorite salmon flavoring ever:  Dill Cedar Plank Salmon.  I bake it in the oven as well and the flavor is out of this world.  I can't wait to try it with this broiling method!

Rating: 4 stars
Make agin?  Absolutely, but with different seasonings.

Focaccia Bread

 As many of you know, I am NOT a baker.  I've had disaster have disaster happen when I decide to bake- especially with yeast.  But every once in a while, I decide to give it another try.   I actually saw Anne Burrell make this focaccia on her Food Network show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef.  I felt like everything she did I could do, and Michael has been bugging me to try this ever since. 

The case:
Focaccia Bread by Anne Burrell 

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus additional for kneading
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus coarse sea salt, for sprinkling
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided

Directions:

1. Combine the warm water, yeast and sugar in a small bowl. Put the bowl in a warm, not hot or cool, place until the yeast is bubbling and aromatic, at least 15 minutes.
2. In the bowl of a mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the flour, 1 tablespoon of kosher salt, 1/2 cup olive oil and the yeast mixture on low speed. Once the dough has come together, continue to knead for 5 to 6 minutes on a medium speed until it becomes smooth and soft. Give it a sprinkle of flour if the dough is really sticky and tacky.
3. Transfer the dough to a clean, lightly floured surface, then knead it by hand 1 or 2 times. Again, give it another sprinkle of flour if the dough is really sticky and tacky.
4. Coat the inside of the mixer bowl lightly with olive oil and return the dough to the bowl. Cover it with plastic wrap and put it in a warm place until the dough has doubled in size, at least 1 hour.
5. Coat a jelly roll pan with the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil. (Chef's Note: This may seem excessive, but focaccia is an oily crusted bread. This is why it is soooooooooo delicious!).
6. Put the dough onto the jelly roll pan and begin pressing it out to fit the size of the pan. Turn the dough over to coat the other side with the olive oil. Continue to stretch the dough to fit the pan. As you are doing so, spread your fingers out and make finger holes all the way through the dough. (Chef's Note: Yes, this is strange. But when the dough rises again it will create the characteristic craggy looking focaccia. If you do not make the actual holes in the dough, the finished product will be very smooth.)
7. Put the dough in the warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour. While the dough is rising a second time, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
8. Liberally sprinkle the top of the focaccia with some coarse sea salt and lightly drizzle a little oil on top. Bake the dough until the top of the loaf is golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the focaccia from the oven and let it cool before cutting and serving.

The ruling:
This was very good.  Very similar to a focaccia bread we get at one of our favorite Italian restaurants.  I can't tell you how much pride I get into making a bread that comes out the way it's supposed to come out.  When she says use the olive oil and salt liberally, use it liberally!  If I can do this anyone can! 
The rating: 4.5
Make again? Yes

Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken & Saffron Rice

I'm sure most of you have seen this recipe on Pinterest.  I've actually seen it recreated on several blogs.  I've been meaning to make it forever and am excited to finally be trying it.  The original recipe is from 365 Days of Slow Cooking.  I have altered it slightly below.

While I was looking up Arti's recipe for Basmati rice, I saw Sunny Anderson's Saffron Basmati rice recipe on Food Network.  I decided to try it for something new. 

The case:
Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken
Ingredients:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 Tbsp canola oil
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 4 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 4 Tbsp ketchup
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 3/4 cup cashews
  

Directions:

1. Combine flour and pepper in resealable food storage bag. Add chicken. Shake to coat with flour mixture.
2. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken about 2 minutes on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker.
3. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes in small bowl; pour over chicken. 
4. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Add cashews and stir.  Serve over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.

Saffron Basmati Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1 clove garlic, smashed
• 3 to 4 threads saffron
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 3 to 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Rinse the rice in a colander under cold water until it runs clear, picking out any little pieces of grit or debris. Shake off the excess water. 
2. Heat a pot over medium heat, and then add the rice, oil, garlic, saffron and cayenne pepper. Stir and toast the rice until the cayenne and saffron are fragrant, about 4 minutes. 
3. Shake the pot to level out the rice, and then add the chicken stock to fill about 1/2-inch over the rice. Bring to a boil, and then lower to a simmer and cover to cook for 15 minutes. 
4. Remove from the heat and let the rice stand another 5 minutes, covered. Fluff with a fork. Stir in the lemon zest, season with salt and pepper and serve.

Sorry for the quality of the picture.  I left my camera at my parent's and had to take thus using my IPad.

The ruling:
This is a great alternative to getting Asian takeout.  I really liked it.  The cashews make the dish for me!  I loved the texture of the chicken.  Coating the chicken in flour and cooking it slightly in the skillet gave it an authentic fried Asian chicken consistency.   The rice put this dish over the top. Not only did we enjoy the flavors from each dish individually, but they melded perfectly together. 
Rating: 4 Stars
Make again? Absolutely!