Southwestern salmon

(Parents magazine, May 2006)

This is one of those recipes that I make and then think, “Where have you been my whole life?” And then I look at the date on the bottom of the magazine page on which it’s printed and I realize that it’s been sitting in my pile of “recipes to try” for the past two and one half years. Two and a half years! I’ve had this loose magazine page for longer than I’ve had my elder son! At any rate, I’m just glad that I didn’t throw the recipe away in a fit of exasperation with all my clutter. Very easy, and very good. Serve it with Mexican-style rice, nachos, or quesadillas on the side. You can also add shredded lettuce and avocado to the corn and beans after they're cooked for a little green.

Serves 4
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

You need:
4 salmon filets, about 4 to 5 oz. each
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
½ tsp. cumin
1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained
1 can (11 oz.) corn kernels, drained
2 Tbs. chopped cilantro [more, if you love it as much as I do]
1 Tbs. lime juice
1/3 c. mild salsa
2 Tbs. butter

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a foil-lined baking sheet with cooking spray. Place salmon filets on prepared baking sheet. Cook in oven until salmon is firm to the touch (about 10 minutes per 1-inch thickness). [I always use the flake test: The salmon should flake when pressed with a fork. And I always cook at 400 degrees; 375 doesn't work for me.]
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium saucepan. Add cumin and cook 1 minute. Stir in black beans and corn. Cook to heat through. Stir in cilantro and lime juice.
3. In a small bowl, combine salsa and butter. Microwave for 1 minute, or until butter melts.
4. Serve salmon filets atop corn and beans, then spoon sauce over salmon filets.

Nutrition per serving: 398 cal; 28g protein; 23g fat; 21g carb; 48mg calcium; 4g fiber

Broccoli cous cous: So easy!

15, maybe 20 minutes, start to finish

1 1/2 cups water, salted if desired
1 tsp olive oil

2 - 3 cups chopped broccoli

1 cup cous cous
pine nuts, if desired
lemon wedges, if desired

Combine water, olive oil and broccoli in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil at high heat; when water boils, reduce to medium heat and boil for 3-4 minutes, until broccoli is slightly tender. After the 3-4 minutes have passed, remove from heat and stir in cous cous (and pine nuts if using), then cover and let set 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and squeeze some lemon over this to serve. Easy, fast, delicious and nutritious... the perfect side dish?

Lime-Cilantro marinade/topping

(From Parents magazine, but I sure can't remember which issue.)

Whisk together 2 Tbsp each seasoned rice vinegar, lime juice, and soy sauce with 1 Tbsp chooped cilantro and 1 tsp grated ginger. Whisk in 1/3 cup canola oil. Makes 2/3 cup.

For 12 or fewer ounces of meat, reduce recipe by half.

The recipe says to use this with fish or pork. I haven't tried it with pork yet, but I have put it on salmon a few times and it is so tasty. Just pour over salmon prior to baking at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes (salmon is done when it flakes when pressed with a fork, evidently).

You can also bake or grill your salmon as desired and top with this after. That way the cilantro isn't all wilted. However, letting the salmon bake in this really helps the fish absorb the flavors from the lime.

I've also omitted the ginger a couple times, as I don't typically have ginger just laying around the kitchen. The ginger makes it even tastier, but is by no means necessary.

If I haven't made it clear how tasty this is, let me share this anecdote: I made this recently for a friend who had gotten food poisoning from salmon years ago (I didn't know!) and so only ate a couple bites of salmon off of others plates; she couldn't stand to eat a whole fillet herself. She liked it so much that she asked for the recipe and in doing so inspired me to revive Kuchenspiel. Thanks, Lexie!

Fastest Meatballs Ever or "Phat Meatballs"

(adapted from The Kitchenless Cookbook, by Suanne Beverly, and submitted and reviewed by Patty. Thanks for the submission, Patty!)

1/2 pound ground beef
2 Tablespoons bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (or 1/4 t ginger and 1/4 t onion powder)

Mix ingredients with your hands and shape into 1-inch round balls. Place meatballs evenly around a pie plate or other plate. Cover with a paper towel and Microcook on HIGH for 6 minutes. Makes good appetizers (serve with toothpicks) or serve over rice or noodles.

Notes: Cookbook claims this makes its own "sauce" but I haven't really had that happen. Maybe my ground beef is too lean. I usually double the recipe and cook it for 10 to 12 minutes (cut into one to check it).

If you use all ground ginger, these end up tasting sort of Asian. If you want a more traditional American flavor, substitute some onion and/or garlic powder. I do like the soy sauce, either way. With this recipe, I (almost) never feel the need to buy frozen meatballs. :)