Monday 27 August 2012

Lemony Dill Salmon

I never liked fish. But, in the Netherlands, fish from the grocery store ain't half bad.

Last night I had three friends stay over and we decided to chef up using some great fresh ingredients.

Salmon is super easy and, Martha would agree, a healthy, tasty, fancy dinner choice.

I didn't get time to take any photos but will upload some next time I make this dish I call Lemony Dill Salmon. The more I type 'lemony' the stranger the spelling looks...

What You'll Need:
  • A nice piece of salmon - I like to buy organic because it makes me feel better. I imagine the little salmon are free spirited, hemp-wearing dudes, offering up their life to me while saying 'namaste'
  • Fresh dill
  • One whole lemon
  • A twist of fresh black pepper
  • Tinfoil
  • Baking pan
  • A sunny disposition

What You'll Do:
  • Pre-heat your oven to 180C (or 325F)
  • Line a baking pan in tin foil (less clean up later!)
  • Depending on how large your salmon is, cut a piece of tinfoil large enough to wrap the salmon up tightly
  • Slice your lemon thinly
  • Place as many thin lemon pieces on the tinfoil as your salmon is large - you want lemon to touch as much of the salmon as possible
  • Cut fresh dill sprigs and lay on top of your lemon slices
  • Place your hippy salmon down on the lemon slices
  • Twist ground pepper onto the top of the salmon
  • Place more sprigs of dill on the top of the salmon
  • Place more lemon slices on the top of the dill sprigs
  • Wrap your salmon up into a tinfoil pocket - ensuring the sides and top of the tinfoil and sealed up tight so no juices escape
  • For a medium-well to well finish, bake for 30 minutes for a regular-sized piece of salmon, if extra thick and you want the salmon well done (that is how Martha and I like it), cook for another five minutes
  • Remove from your oven and using a fork, puncture a few small holes in the tinfoil, to let some of the steam escape
  • Let sit to cool for five minutes
  • Serve up and wait for the compliments

Tasty. Easy. Healthy. Fancy.
My favourite things.

This dish is awesome with so many side dishes - grilled asparagus, spicy green beans, healthy roast Dukan vegetables, or a salad. It is great the next day as well - just let it cool completely before you store it in the fridge.

The STEWART SCORE:
Appearance: 2
Taste: 2
Ease: 2

Tuesday 14 August 2012

New Spice Haul!

Hi Martha Friends!

I have just spent two weeks back home for a wee visit and now back and ready for some more summer cooking!

Whilst in Calgary I hit up my ultimate favourite store - The Silk Road Spice Merchant.
If you are a spice fan, you must check out their online shop, here!


I picked up these four 'lil beauties...and spent about two hours in there smelling each and every spice.
It is divine in there, trust me.

I bought:
  • Indonesian Korintje Cassia Cinnamon - heaven
  • Saltwater Chili-Lime Seasoning - this is going to be amazing on fish and chicken!
  • Taco Seasoning - I eat a lot of minced meats and love Mexican-inspired foods, so this is going to be so useful!
  • St-Laurent Steak Spice - the smell...incredible!

The STEWART SCORE (for the store!):
Appearance: I love the decor and feel of this store - 2 
Taste: I have never been disappointed with any spice or rub I have used - 2 
Ease: Spices, easiest thing to go from dull to Martha worthy - 2