June 18, 2010

Tonight's fancy just-because menu...

Tonight will be the first night I've made dinner in our new home. I think that deserves a fancy menu, don't you? A nice little summer dinner for two...

-Parmesan Broccoli Salad
-Salmon Fantasia
-Raspberry Lime Granita

Here's how!

For the salad:

1/2 bag broccoli slaw
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 3/4 oz shelled salted peanuts
1/8 cup dried cranberries
1/2 tablespoon minced garlic
4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Spices to taste: Pepper, salt, cayenne, curry, dill

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl, let chill for a few hours to mingle the flavors, and serve.


For the salmon:

1 pound Salmon Fillets
8 Tbsp. Honey
3 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
3 Tbsp. Fresh Ginger, grated
8 Tbsp. Olive Oil
3 Tbsp. Mustard
3 Tbsp. Chopped Chives
3 Tbsp. Lemon Juice
4 Tbsp. Butter

Mix first 5 ingredients (after the salmon) in a shallow bowl. Add salmon fillets and turn several times to coat well. Transfer salmon and marinade to a plastic zipper bag. Squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing. Marinate for 30 minutes (or longer). Remove from bag. Grill 3-4 minutes per side, or until the salmon is flaky.

In a saucepan, melt the butter over high heat. Add lemon juice and chives. Pour over the cooked salmon and serve.

For the granita(Thanks for the idea, PW!):

* 6 tbsp lime juice, or the juice of 3 good-sized limes
* 1 tbsp raspberry drink syrup
* ½ cup Sugar
* 3 cups Cold Water

Preparation Instructions

Add lime juice and raspberry syrup to a saucepan. Add sugar. Stir and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium. Allow to simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, or until mixture forms a thin syrup.

Turn off heat and pour in cold water, then pour into a freezer-safe container with a lid. Wait two hours, then remove container from freezer and stir gently, being careful to loosen any of the mixture that has stuck to the sides. Put lid back on, then return container to the freezer. Repeat an hour later, then another hour later. When you’re finished, the mixture should be totally frozen and broken up. Keep sealed tightly in the freezer until ready to serve.

Make with limes, lemons and limes, grape juice, strawberries, or any fruit you have on hand!


The nicest part? I did all the prep in about an hour; the granita is freezing, the salad is chilling, and the salmon is marinating, and I am wasting time on the internet before my honey comes home from work. Ain't life grand? :D

Eat well!
<3 Jennifer

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