Break from cooking but not from food...

Its 2:30 AM in my part of the world and Im sitting in the sofa like a big sad panda, thinking why the hell am I still awake.

Hubby has flown off to Islamabad yesterday to be with my father-in-law who still is in a very crictical condition, so this is officially my first attempt at managing everything on my own with Nael. And guess what? Its not even been two days and Im already missing him like crazy. Funny, no? I am neither a teenie (not even a twenty, anymore..oooppss!!) nor that I have never experienced an independent living situation in my life before but this "he is away, I have to be strong and take care of everything" feeling is soooooo weird. Ive never felt this responsible and mature in my life before and its just freaking me out a little.

But, at the same time, I am also happy that he has made it to see his father in time. I could feel how much my husband wanted to be there for the man who by all accounts is the main reason behind who he is today. I so pray that a miracle happens for my father in law and that he finds back his health and walks out of the hospital like the strong man he once used to be.

Anyways, back to food...


We were having house guests last week, so there are actually enough leftovers in the freezer for me to take a short break from cooking. But dont worry, Ive got enough delicious stuff in my laptop to feed your hungry souls.

Marinated Salmon with Butter Sauce and BBQ Flavoured Potatoes

Ingredients:

For the butter sauce:

1 chopped onion
250 ml pure apple juice
salt, pepper
100 g cold butter, in cubes
1 tsp white vinegar

3 tbs heavy cream

Take onion, apple juice and vinegar in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Let the juice cook until the onions become soft and the liquid reduces to nearly half. Remove the onions and save aside for the fish marinade. Turn off the heat at this stage and proceed to the next step shortly before serving.

For the Fish:

500 g salmon filet
½ cup frozen/fresh parsley
½ cup frozen/fresh dill
salt, pepper
red chilli powder, optional
juice of one big lemon
2 tbs mustard paste
5 cloves garlic
olive oil

In a large dish combine the herbs, spices, lemon juice, mustard and crushed garlic. Liberally coat the cleaned, deboned salmon filet with the marinade. Also, spread a layer of  softened onions on top. Let the salmon sit in the marinade for atleast half an hour. Tip: or better put in the refrigerator for an hour!!

Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the filet, skin side down, for about 7-8 minutes until it is golden on top and opaque in the middle. Note: Do not turn over the fish before that. Check in the middle for doneness and turn the side. Cook on high for a minute or so. I also sprinkled some red paprika powder on one side to give a spicy kick. Keep warm!

Bring the sauce to a boil. Start adding butter, 10 g at a time and stir gently. Season with salt and pepper, add in the heavy cream.

BBQ potatoes

6-7 small potatoes, boiled and peeled
1 tbs olive oil
salt, pepper
1 tsp any mild flavoured BBQ seasoning

Heat oil in a frying pan and toss potatoes in it until golden brown on both side. Just before serving, season with spices and cook on high for a minute or so. Done!

Now enjoy serving it to your family and dont forget to say a little prayer for mine as well.